Feeding the Insulin

Yesterday was breakfast for six.  Us five plus some insulin to feed.  Mary Claire went off to school without finishing her breakfast (and active insulin on board!), good thing it was countable mini-wheats!  I found them on the counter (yes, soggy in milk!), counted them (the things we do!), and called Ches who was en route with the kids on the way to school.  He came back, and I gave her a fruit bar (a pair!) and two fresh mini-wheats to make up the difference in carbs.  I hate that she can't just not finish her breakfast without a talk and a warning!  And we have to pre-bolus for breakfast, since she rises so fast.  That girl scares me.  Sometimes she seems so on top of things, and sometimes she's just a kid.  I hate that I expect her to grow up so fast too.  Guilt. The monster that doesn't rest.


I am so overwhelmed by our terrific JDRF Walk, and yet, I still have more thank you notes to write, so I'm not quite done!  I got one of Sandra's thank you's today in the mail, So Cute!  I always forget about those adorable picture cards!  I'm SO going to order some of those.  She puts in pictures from the Walk, and a note of thanks at the bottom-she's one of my smart friends.  I love her! : )


And...I am still surprised every week. ; )  Still pregnant-and tomorrow marks 10 weeks.  He moved my due date back to the original date (April 26th, but I'll have a c-section at 37 weeks since I start dilating early, and they have to catch me pre-labor) since my ultrasound was right on today.  I was so stressed since I had to start antibiotics yesterday that it would do something..bad.  So, I'm super relieved now.  I even totally hydrated all day yesterday, and stayed in bed a-l-l day (except for my doctor's appointment to get meds!).  I might miss out on some life, but it's important to me.

I go back next Friday, and maybe we'll check to see if we can pick up a heartbeat on doppler.  He said he'd do it after the ultrasound, since it could really freak me out if it's too early for doppler first!

We are making an effort to slow down a little, and I've let a few things go..but there are still so many things I committed to before I knew.  The kids' fall school fundraiser is the Husky Hoedown, and it's quickly approaching.  I have to get fliers ready to go home in next Monday's folders (and every Monday till the Hoedown)!  I pulled up all my old documents from last year, and they should be pretty easy to modify.  We just need to get lots of tickets counted and bagged so they are ready for ticket sales.  Is that a job you are dying to do?  I could send some your way! : )  Just holler!
 

Sweet Kids

Sorry, it's been so busy! : )  I have been working on more Hoedown stuff.  Lots more tickets sold, and this last week we've been checking and working every day-even with kids home!  Mary Claire was home on Tuesday and Wednesday, and finally dropped her fever and went to school today (yay!).  We prayed and prayed (that where two or more are gathered that He'd hear our prayers and answer them!), and He did!  She was so happy this morning.  I'd told her that if she didn't go to school she couldn't go to the Hoedown.  It just wasn't right (and I didn't want her spreading her fever virus around!).  She could NOT wait to go back to see her friends. : )
I have run around all week, and I have to say, I'm thrilled it's over.  I'm so tired, and I have to get back to life! : )
Yesterday, I thought I had the Hoedown all under control, so I branched out into girl scout stuff-I have all the adorable little patches they've earned, and I'm bagging them by girl, and putting cutesy Halloween stuff on them for their patch ceremony on Sunday.  Here are my supplies: all Halloween-y:

And here are the little things I made.  They are a stamp made with a sticky embossing stuff, then covered with black embossing powder, then heated till they melt, and make this cool shiny black raised picture-so cool!  I used Halloween stamps:

And here's the finished product (which I've only finished four! and 12 to go..): so cute!

 

And then...the Hoedown!! : )  We got there when the sun was up...and left late-long after the sun had gone down.  We really did have lots of fun, got to see lots of friends, it was great.  I'm so glad I got to be a part of it, Really.  Ethan had just seen one of his sweet friends-and was so excited!  Here's Ethan coming back to do the Candy Corn Count after dancing around with Trevor:

Here's him guessing how many candies there are.  He started counting: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and the sweet helper told him what a great counter he was-I think he made it to fourteen. : )  He guessed 8 candy corn.  I asked if it was 108, and he said yes.  (I think it was closer to 3 or 400!):

Then we made our way down to the gym, where the fun games and prizes are!  Here are Mary Claire and Natalie Grace (Mary Claire's best friend!):

Here the girls are playing the Pig Sooie Races: the pigs walk, pause, walk-so it's actually really fair, since you never know which one will win-it's different every time!

Then Ethan tried it!  He always picks green, and his won!

Then he played in the Duck Pond-and picked a guess! Green Duck, and got three pieces of candy.  He loved this one, and it was a short line, fast game.

This is the sign I painted three years ago, when it was all so different!  We used to have to come up with the games, make the game, sign, work the game, etc.  Now, we have all the signs, you just pick a pre-made game for your class, and these sweet kids come over from the cross country running team (Central Junior High) to totally run the games, it's awesome!  (Yes, it was the Cow Patty Plop!  It's that foam stuff you caulk with-that puffs up really big and yellow?  Well, you paint it brown, and Ha! It looks like a cow patty!  Then you throw it, and win yourself a prize.)

Ok, I have lots to say about this picture.  One, it's my camera, but I didn't take it, Danielle did!  Two, I love how we are not moving, but the people in the background are.  Three, why is Ethan not smiling? : )

Then, because I look, well, a little "saggy", she asked me to stand up, and Much Better!  He's smiling better, and I look a little more "supported" (totally my words, not hers!):

 

Here's Danielle, and her cutie, Trevor, who is really tired, didn't get a nap (due to all the work we did again today), and just won't give me a smile.  But she always takes a good picture! : )

This is the sweet Giddy Up Golf (anything to tie it to cowboys!)-I don't know this kid-but he was the absolute sweetest kid.  He helped all the little kids, and at the end, he'd push the ball in, or bounce it around till it went in-he wanted them to all win on each try!  I just love kids who care.  He was precious.

He even told Ethan to smile for the camera for me! : )

Then he got to pick two prizes.  He was so excited, and couldn't decide!

Then we saw Susan's son, Noah-all grown up!  He was working at the Brandin' Station, putting on tattoos.  He's an awesome kid too! : )  I'm so thankful they came to help.  I hope my kids can help other little kids one day.

Clay came a little late since he had basketball practice tonight (and last night!).  He got to pick how much practice, and how much Hoedown he got to enjoy.  He's growing up, so we are giving him some choices.  He's precious, and chose to go to an hour of each.

And then, Mary Claire tried the golf:

Clay trying to win a dessert at the Cake Walk!

Mary Claire in the bounce house (after dark!), she was giving me her bow.  She didn't even stay the whole time-she was tired.

 

And...oh, are we tired.  I will sleep amazingly well tonight.  I am relieved that it's over.  I have other things to consume my thoughts now. : )

It's the third day of my cycle, and I'm going to give the Clomid one more try.  It's a really low dose, and maybe I didn't give it a good chance last month.  I know I'm busy, but I just adore my kids.  I would do anything for them, and I could really love another one into existence.  I'm obviously trying. : )  I don't know where to go from here, there isn't much more for me to do but pray.  I always thought kids were my decision, but I was so wrong.  I'm just learning that the hard way.  We really do learn as we get older.  And you can't tell people younger than you, just like I would have never listened.  Why is that?

Post Season (Fall!) is Here!

I have a love/hate relationship with Play-doh.  It can make me really happy when my kids find the new play-doh I bought them in the basket, and they *play* all morning (and I get to sleep in!)...yet, the mess is undeniably the most horrible ever.  I'd almost rather clean splashed oatmeal up.  It's just moist enough that I can't sweep it-it rolls, then it's dry in spots, and it won't come off the floor-especially after it's walked on!  And the tabletop?  It's a sea of crumbly bits.  I don't even care that they mix colors-that's no big deal compared to the mess.  I have learned a couple things:  1-If you wait a bit to clean the floor, the rolly bits dry enough to sweep or vacuum, and 2-use a dry paper towel to wipe the crumbs from the table, and 3-wait till the squished-into-the-fabric bits dry, then scratch them off.  Yes, all this for some sleep-in time.  But, yes, it was worth it!  (And when you come over, please don't mention the bits dried in the grout-I haven't figured that one out yet.)
We've had a ball the last few days!  I had a friend who shared her friends-n-family discount for Gymboree-50% off full-price stuff! (Woo-Hoo!), so I've been there twice, and called in an order to the outlet!  I was SO excited.  I now have ALL the gray/pink/leopard line-seriously!  I'd just gotten some with my gymbucks, so I really needed nothing.  I also got more of the Holiday Panda from the outlet, and the red poppy and Dance Rocks lines from the regular stores.  Whew-I'm done for the winter!  I even got the kids' Christmas outfits: the red plaid dress and shirts!
So, yes, there is life outside Gymboree..we had two baseball games on Saturday, swam every day, had *fun* at a World Card Making Event Saturday night, and here are a few cards I made:

A cute one with glittery candies

A birthday card with sparkly cupcake!

So glad I learned to "mask" and use the aqua painter to color these!

Today, we finally got down all our fall decorating tubs!  We had to go back up and look all over-I'd lost a couple pillows, but all's well now.  I found my pillow covers and fillers:

Then, it was getting close to the kids' bedtime, so I only did one more area-the entry:

Here's a closeup of one of my favorite pictures of Mary Claire when she was little-it's a picture of a picture, but the original is on Ches' computer.  She was always so adorable in pigtails!  I think this was the first year we were in this house:

I found this big sign-hanging thing I made last year, but it was all wrinkly from being in the attic.  I sprayed it down with water-I hope it'll lay flat again!  I don't know if I can iron paint...

And here we go into the week.  It's the first week of ticket sales for the Husky Hoedown-so I don't know how busy it'll be-I'll go in Tuesday to trade money for tickets.  Ethan will be with me, but he can play with Trevor! : )

Ok, the Phillies game is so loud, I can't think anymore.  They are doing so well, and Ches is pumped.  They are his team, and holy cow-they might go aallll the way!  They have finally beat the Reds for the third time-(including a no-hitter game at the first game!)!  He's so excited.  I'm really glad we went to watch them at spring training.  It's hard to get tickets in season, but spring was easy-and they've gotten even better!  I hope they win the world series!  It won't be that much longer. . . (and we had Philly cheese steaks yesterday just for them!)

Sometimes We Hear

Sissy came home early from school again today, so we made a little visit to our doctor again-it was seriously getting to be a problem!
She's just fine-that ear infection (I think he called it "junk in her ear") is still hanging around.  I wanted a new antibiotic, and he gave me a prescription, but thinks the first one might be working..to give it a couple more days.  I told him it was getting old that she kept having a fever at school and having to come home, so he wrote a note that she was checked and fine to stay at school.  That might get me one day!  I've got copies to make and stuff to do.  I love my kids, but I have a crazy schedule to keep!
My friend Danielle came over to help with the Hoedown tickets-I think we bagged about 3500-4000.  I know whole one roll was 2000, one was about 1000, and we started another-maybe another 1000?  We were fast!  (even though we had Fairy chatter and recipes from a non-sick child!) (and two boys who were precious and played sooo well together!)
After our doctor's appointment, Mary Claire had dance.  She's been leaning on me to let her quit ballet, and only stay in jazz (or take tap).  I've never been fond of the idea, since we joined there so she could take ballet with her friend!  (and me and her mom get to TaLk!!)  So, in the van she tells me she's "not trying to break up my friendship!" hahaha!  She is getting so much more personality-it cracks me up! : )  Then she asks if I'm going to cry. (ha!-it takes SO much more!)  So, since it's costume deposit time for spring recital, I decide it's as good a time as any to face facts.  I went ahead and dropped her from ballet (BiG sad face), and she's trying tap next week.  I've got to get her some tap shoes between now and then.  Tap isn't really something you can do without the shoes! : )
I got the best news in a long time today: my wonderful friend is pregnant!  I'm really so, so, so happy for her-she needs this!  She was starting to worry, and was losing faith, and said she wanted to quit trying (No!), so praise the Lord!  Pray that it is healthy, and will see sunny days with its family.  God is good.  Now we are working on me.. heehee : )


Here is an amazing song that stuck a chord with me-Waiting Room by Jonny Diaz-it is so my life.  I'm still in the waiting room, and God has given me a No, but I'm still waiting for the miracle that is a Yes. (and I'll praise Him in the No's!)

Hope you have an amazing Friday! Hugs sweet friends! : )

I need a Control Board

I think I need a Halloween background on here, don't you think?  I'll work on that. : )  Right after I decorate my house for fall..whenever that happens!  (Don't I have a couple weeks?)  I have to get the Husky Hoedown under control (well, my little part!), and then plan a fall party for Clay's class, and um..I think he wants to have a movie party again this year for Megamind, coming out on November 5th (his birthday is over Thanksgiving weekend, so we try to have it early)!
I'll get it done, just one thing at a time.
Today I had the joy of cleaning one small boy's sharts.  Have you heard of them?  No, not sharks.  I have to laugh (sorry).  We saw it in a movie, and we haven't stopped laughing since!  We'd never heard a word for it, but kids are notorious for them.  It's a cross between (to put it as politely as possible) tooting and a little poopy coming out.  Think of the words....yep, that's them! Ok, found the movie-it's Along Came Polly with Jennifer Aniston.
Sorry if the link on the word (movie quotes!) offends you.  It was really funny in the movie, and I kept asking what he (Philip Seymour Hoffman) said!  We had to rent it to figure it out.  Seriously.
So, anyway, I've changed his undies three times (four if you count after bath!) today.  I guess it's the antibiotic?  It's only a tiny bit, but enough that you don't want them back on his bottom! Ahh, my incredibly exciting life!  (There for a second, I thought maybe he was doing it on purpose-just waiting too long to go to the bathroom, but then after I finally got onto him the third time, I think it was just an accident.) (Yes, I'm sending more undies tomorrow to school! and praying it doesn't happen there!)
So..onto my day.  Ran some errands, cleaned more laundry, got groceries.  Then, I started on the Hoedown ticket info and made some monogrammed cups.  I have one for Clay's student teacher that is finishing up her nine weeks in his classroom, and one for a Razorback basket that we'll auction off at the Husky Hoedown as a fundraiser for the school:

And, while I was at it (on the embroidery machine..) I went ahead and monogrammed Mary Claire's new hot pink towel, that I've been putting off for over a week!  It's to go in her bathroom, since I got lime green rugs.  It still has the H2O dissolve stuff over the letters (to make the needle/machine move easily over the loops), just ignore that!

Can you tell I like that font a lot?  hahaha! : )
Then, I made some phone calls and emails, bugging people to help me (Distress Call!!), and got two takers!  Yay, for helpers! : ) (and one email that was wrong/canceled-just since school started!)
We had another guy come look at our crazy garage door opener.  It is soooo frustrating!  It won't just close.  It does the rebound thing, like a crazy girlfriend!  Up/down, up/down, etc.  You have to back out, get out, open the other garage door, hold down the button in the garage while the big door shuts, then push the little door button, RUN for it, and jump the beam.  Yes, this is what I do about four times a day.  FUN!  So, the guy comes, and tells me it's the beam. (I tell him:) Not.  Then he can't fix the beam and says it's working fine (like I told him when he got there).  So..he says it's my control board.  (my van is parked under it the entire time, he's just guessing that's it.) Ha!  He's coming back tomorrow to take $85 and try the new control board.  If he doesn't ask me to move my van, maybe then I'll finally get really mad! : O
Then tonight after Mary Claire wants to wear another Halloween shirt for school tomorrow, I decided to go ahead and make her a Halloween pump pouch (since I bought the fabric on sale at Hobby Lobby today!).  It didn't take me too long to totally make her happy.  (it's the little things!):

So, tomorrow she'll be stylin' in her Halloween clothes, again. : )  Don't worry, we make her rotate! : )
I am hurrying to get ready for bed, I've started another good book: Mini Shopaholic-I love Sophie Kinsella-she's so funny!  (and Becky Bloomwood so reminds me of me shopping-minus the overdraft! heehee)  Check her out! : )

Miniskirts, Bandanas, and Boots

I can only say Busy. We've had play dates, emails, dinners, practices, boy scouts, baseball games (including a dads vs. kids game!), the Husky Hoedown, and we've split up today also. Ches is with Clay at his morning baseball game, and I'm home with Mary Claire who's high (250's, but too high to eat), and Ethan who seems to have developed a runny nose since last night. We are going to meet at Sam's to shop and pick up our Christmas cards after Clay's first game!

I have to say, I was beginning to wonder if we were invincible, but of course, we aren't. I thought maybe it was because I was keeping the bathrooms so clean, remembering their vitamins, alcohol-gelling their hands so often, making their dinners with lots of fruits and vegetables, etc. It seemed everyone I talked to had sick kids-or they were sick! We took a few days of rest after our flu shots, hoping we wouldn't catch all the h1n1 going around. But, we've now been infiltrated with our first runny nose of the season. Boo! I'll probably keep him home this week just so he doesn't catch something else while his immune system is busy fighting this off!

The Husky Hoedown (our school's fall carnival-western style!) was really fun-we went a little late since Clay had a game right before it. He didn't even get to change clothes, but Mary Claire and I got dressed up! We had our boots on, and bandanas, and our miniskirts on-what fun! My hair was in pigtails (low, I promise), but she wanted hers down (under her cowboy hat of course). Ethan went with us, and the plan had been for Ches to drop Clay and take Ethan, but they all stayed, and it went well! Ethan played all the games with the kids, and it was fun-he's finally old enough to learn to stand in line, wait his turn, and then give his ticket to play. I've always had to help with the games, so it was nice to just play with the kids this year!

Alrighty, just a teensy update. I have to go change Mary Claire's site as she's not coming down and she's hungry!!