YES, I AM ALIVE!!!

Ok, you know you've been away from your blog too long when people start emailing you to ask if you are ok...Yes, I am ok, just swamped! I'll give a quick update to what I'm swamped with. Hopefully I'll have time to do a more detailed post with pictures and everything in the next few days.
We made our trip to North Dakota without a hitch. Drove through the night on the way up (I drove from 10:30 pm to 5:30 am with only one gas/restroom break around 3:30ish). The family in ND are all good, the nieces and nephews are all growing so fast! Little Addison gave Warren and I a first...this baby (8 months old) LOVES Warren, but hates me! I've never had a baby hate me before, I tried not to take it personally! Whenever I would try to hold her she would cry. But if Warren held her she laughed. If she was playing on the floor and Warren left the room, she cried...but when he returned she laughed! Go figure! I know I love the guy, but sheesh! Nick will be in the Middle East sometime next week, he went back to his post for final preparations. I'm sure his wife (not to mention the rest of the family) will miss him ALOT! There is a chance he will get leave again this summer...we're all hoping for that. Meanwhile, prayers for his continued safety are greatly appreciated.
Upon returning from ND, we had to get ready for Thanksgiving. Every year our church hosts a big Thanksgiving feast for the community. Each year we serve somewhere between 100-250. It is a free meal for anyone who wishes to attend. We even do deliveries to people who are home-bound. We also deliver meals to the county jail for the prisoners and the guards on duty (this year there were a record of 8 prisoners...we live in a very small community!). All the donations that are received for the meal are then given to the "Bread Basket."
Of course after Thanksgiving dinner was eaten and cleaned up...it was time to prepare for Black Friday!! This crazy day is one of Warren and my favorite! We LOVE getting up early and going to do our Christmas shopping all by ourselves. Finding all the great bargains, getting the perfect gifts for the kids...so much fun! Usually my parents come to stay for Thanksgiving (so they stay with the kiddos), but this year they could not...Dad is doing much better, he's at the rehab hospital now. They are working him pretty hard, making sure he gets a little stronger each day! Since we didn't have our 'built-in-babysitters, we made other arrangements. Two of our good friends/babysitters spent the night with us on Thursday so that way we could leave the kiddos all sleeping and go do our shopping!! We left the house at 3:30 am...YAWN! But we got pretty much everything we set out to get, and we had a great time doing it! We were home by 10:30 (yes, AM)...and ready for a nap! That afternoon the kiddos played on the Xbox and I laid on the couch pretty much unconscious!!!
I'm still getting ready for the big Christmas program, so much to do!!! I hope the kiddos are all working on their lines!! We get together tomorrow to run lines one more time, and then on Saturday we film some of it and take a bunch of pictures. It's going to be a lot of work, but fun! The night of the program will be a bunch of recitations about all that Jesus is, and the filmed parts will add so much to it. I'm so thankful that I have such a techy hubby!! Sometimes it drives me CRAZY, but I wouldn't be able to do this cool program without him!

Ok, not so quick, but this is what I've been up to...like I said, I'll try to post pics from Andrew's birthday and the trip to ND soon.
Thanks for worrying about me...but I am alive (for now!)

Christmas blessings to you all-
A

Thankful Thursday...a BIT early

First of all...yes, I know today is only Wednesday, but I know that tomorrow will be CRAZY, and I want to take time to make this Thankful post...so here it is!!

1. I am SOOOO thankful that my dad will be moving to the Rehabilitation hospital this week. He has made so much progress. In case don't remember all that's happened with him, here's the shortened story. In January he was put in the hospital with what turned out to be necratizing fascieitus (don't ask me to spell it correctly!! It's the flesh eating bacteria) and had surgery to remove a lot of the tissue on his left leg. He was still healing from this surgery and learning to use his leg again, when in July his back started hurting. It turned out to be a staph infection on his spine. After surgery to remove the infection, he was unable to move his legs for a few weeks! He is again able to move his legs and sit up. He is working on gaining strength each day, and the rehab hospital will help him regain as much use of his legs as possible. Thank You, God for helping him to recover...and bringing strength back to his body.



2. I'm am thankful for my son, Andrew. Andrew turns 6 years old today (Thursday). I can't believe my big baby boy is THIS old! (He was a BIG baby...9 pounds 2 oz.!!!) He's such a tenderhearted and loving little man. I pray that God continues to mold his heart and help him control his temper. Thank You, God, for the gift of my son. My son! I still get choked up when I say that...I have a son! Thank You God for giving him to me to help raise him. Please help my hubby and I be the best parents we can be for Andrew, and his sisters.

Nov. 15, 2001

Nov. 13, 2007




1. I'm thankful that we get to make a quick trip to visit our far away family. We are making a 15 hour drive to see Warren's little brother who is in the army and will be deployed to the Middle East in a few weeks. Please pray for Nick's safety, and our safety as we travel.



2. I'm thankful that the weather is getting cooler...didn't seem right that it was the middle of November and we were outside in shorts! Don't get me wrong...I loved the warm weather, but it just didn't seem right! :-)



3. I'm thankful that my hubby still loves me and finds me attractive after 11 years together, and three kiddos. My body is no where near perfect, but he loves me anyway!



4. I'm thankful for so many blessings that God gives me each and every day...fresh air, clean water, a warm home, a comfy bed, vehicles that run, opportunities to serve Him, love from many people, grace and forgiveness when I don't follow Him, and of course His unconditional love!

May God bless each of you this week in your thankfulness, and especially next week for Thanksgiving...remember that the most wonderful thing to give thanks for is God Himself!!

Abbigail's Dance

Yes...I know...3 posts in one morning...I don't' know what I'm doing!!!! :o) Just wanting to get caught up on pictures I guess.

I posted pics of Bethany's dance class last week. Ever since, Abbigail has been asking when I'm going to post pics of her in her dance class...so here they are! I arrived just a few minutes early so I could take pics. They were practicing/learning a song for the spring recital...Elvis' Jail House Rock. It's going to be pretty cute! (Abbie's in the red shirt right in front)

How quickly they grow up! I commented on my cousin, Loni's blog the other day to enjoy the cute little ballet outfits while they last...Abbigail's group is "too old" for that "baby" stuff. They are more into yoga pants and stretchy clothes than the leotards and tutus. Though I'm pretty sure Abbigail would still like to wear it, it's just not the "cool" thing for these older girls. So...comfy clothes it is! I'll be enjoying it with Bethany a while longer!

Andrew's FIRST Bithrday gift

Since we have decided to make a quick jaunt up to North Dakota this weekend to see Warren's little brother, Nick, (who will be deployed to the Middle East at the beginning of December)...we decided to give Andrew one of his birthday gifts a bit early. We were going to put this together while he was at school on Thursday and surprise him...but since we are leaving town we thought he might be a bit upset..."Here's your new bed, but we're leaving town and you can't sleep on it till we return!"...so we did it early, on Monday.

The 'new' bed is a bunk bed with a futon on the bottom. We are planning on getting another set of the bedding to go on the bottom for when we have company, and just so it matches a bit better even when it's a couch...I will lay the bedspread on it when it is folded up to hide the current cover that doesn't match too well!

Andrew actually picked out the bedding a few weeks ago, but didn't' know where it went since he never saw it once we walked out of the store. I think he did an awesome job of picking out the bedding...I don't' even have to redo the walls! YIPPEE! While he was at school we took down his old bed and put up his new one. He was so excited! there will be more gifts to come on his actual bday, but we wanted him to enjoy this one a bit longer. We are also planning a little get together for 3 of his friends at Pizza Hut tomorrow night, so that will be fun...plus cupcakes for his class on Thursday...I'm usually lucky if I get taken out to dinner, or don't have to do the dishes! NO FAIR! ;o) Yes, those are Christmas lights on his wall...I never took them down last year, and now it's time to put them back up! Besides, he loves the "Mood" lighting! :-)

E TOOK A BOTTLE!!!!!

My little child-care cutie, E, just took a bottle!!! She has been with me 4 days a week, this is her third week with me, and she just took her first bottle! She took about 2 1/2 oz and is fast asleep!!! YIPPEE!!!! Oh happy day!!! She's been holding out for her mom to come nurse her, but today decided that she was just TOO hungry to wait till 11:30 (she took the bottle at 9:00)! I know this will make her momma a lot happier!

These pics are from the first day she came to stay with me. Aren't the socks just ADORABLE!!!! Bethany couldn't get enough of E! Still can't!

Calgone still hasn't come for me!

The day did get better. All of the kiddos took a 2 hour nap!! Even the baby! She was swinging away and would start to whimper when the swing would stop, so I would quickly wind it back up...yup, no battery operated swing for us, we've got a winder! But hey...it works!

I just talked to my mom and she had great news!!! Dad will probably be going to the rehabilitation hospital next week. He has gained a lot of strength, and his back pain has decreased. His sed (??) rate has also been going down steadily, which means the infection is leaving his body. If the sed rate is lower on Monday, they will start planning the move. He will be able to go to oral antibiotics for the rehab hospital. He has been on the super high-powered IV antibiotics since they found all the staph infection and everything this summer.
so...YIPPEE!!!!!!
I miss my parents so much...I want to go see them and spend time with them. It's so hard, though...with Warren's vocation, he can't go on the weekends, and the kids are not happy to sit in the hospital room for hours on end...so I don't go. Though, next weekend we will either be going to visit them, or going to North Dakota to a big send-off party for Warren's little brother, Nick. Nick is in the army and will be deployed early next month. We haven't decide which we are going to do, but I REALLY want to do either, just go somewhere for a change of scenery and to see those we love.
The reason I originally called my mom was for some mothering advice. Bethany hasn't been eating this week, and it's starting to worry me. Even her favorite food (Ronies-you may know it as macaroni and cheese) she only takes 2 or 3 bites and then is done. I've given into her please for chocolate milk, because at least something is getting into her tummy. I even caved and tried donuts for breakfast, 3 bites...and ice cream this evening, 3 bites. Mom wondered if her throat might be sore, which I actually hadn't thought about. She hasn't complained about a sore throat, but who knows with a 3 year old. She's been coughing a lot and even woke up with a fever one night, but it went away with one dose of ibuprofen. I'm going to keep an eye on her for the next few days and see if it gets better. Any prayers offered on her behalf are greatly appreciated!

Well, the kiddos are in a chair/blanket tent in the living room watching a movie, I think I'll go join them!
Have a great weekend everyone!

CALGONE TAKE ME AWAY!!!!!!

It's just one of THOSE days. Bethany isn't listening, sharing, or eating. Both my childcare boys (both 1.5 years) are very whiny and fighting. The baby wants to eat, but not from the bottle...so she's fussy. Warren is going to a youth retreat tonight, and won't be home till tomorrow night. My head hurts.
Lord, please give me an extra measure of patience and love for these kiddos. Please help them to get along and be happy. Help Warren and the youth to have a wonderful time at the retreat. Thank You Father for always being with me...especially on THESE days.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday...I need to get going on the day, but can't start before I give thanks!

Thank You, God for:

1. continued slow but sure progress in my Father. Everyday he gets a bit stronger. I pray that God continues to sustain both my dad and mom through this exhausting and frustrating time.
2. bringing Abbigail through her first dental procedure...a cavity fixed with a crown. She's still a bit sore 3 days later, but is healing.
3. giving me not only my children to love, but also my child care families. I thank You that they all get a long pretty well, and have adjusted to being ith me. Please help baby E to take a bottle so her mom won't worry so.
4. my extended family...I really miss being a part of their big family gatherings, but thank You that they do still get together, and share their fun with me through emails and such. I pray they had a wonderful time last night getting together to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 64th wedding anniversary!
5. coffee...and sugar free french vanilla creamer!!
6. my treadmill, which allows me to get in a bit of exercise and time alone before the kiddos wake up! (I even read the Bible while walking, though I MUST hold onto the handrails or I'll fall off! :o))
7. good Christian music which brings my focus back to You, where it belongs!

for more thankfuls, visit Crystal...we miss you Iris!

Be Still, My Soul, Before the Lord

Be Still, my soul, before the Lord,

For God is always near.

Before your mind is moved to pray,

God listens and will hear.

You need not multiply your words

Nor pray with practiced art.

Beyond all speech, God understands

The hunger of your heart.

Wait, then, in quiet confidence,

Your anxious thought at rest.

God knows our needs before you ask

And works for what is best

Be still, my soul, before the Lord;

On God in patience wait.

God's love, unseen, surrounds your life;

God's help will not be late.

-Herman G. Stuempfle Jr.

While practicing the hymns for that weekend's worship service (a few weeks ago), I ran across this hymn. The words really spoke to me. Prayer is such an important part of my life. Talking to (and hopefully listening to) my Creator, Savior, and God...He who knows me better than I know myself, and loves me anyway. We say prayers before our meals, and also before bedtime with our kiddos...but they are also beginning to bring spontaneous prayer requests, which I think is so wonderful! They pray for friends who are sick, Papa (my dad in the hospital), Uncle Nick (serving in the Army), and lots of other things that I don't even think to pray about. {This pic is from last November...saying bedtime prayers...my angels}

Monday Happenings

Monday was quite the interesting day at the Prochnow Place. Bethany went to bed with something yucky (syrup, I think) in her hair, so her day began with a bath...she LOVES them, so she wasn't unhappy! She got to play in the bubbles as long as she chose...and she chose a LONG time! :-)

Warren picked Abbigail up from school a bit early so she could go to the dentist to get her cavity fixed, they had to put a cap on one of her molars. Poor thing was so nervous, and then she had to sit int he waiting room for over 20 minutes before they called her back. Warren says she did great. I'm so thankful he was able to go with her, I just don't deal well with my kiddos being hurt. Taking them to get shots has always been hard, but I'm not sure I could have done this. I know it is for her good...but still! Her entire face was numb for most of the evening. She was pulling on her lip because is felt so "funny." Unfortunately she chewed on her lip a little bit and it is now sore...even more so than it would have been. She's still a bit swollen, but at least now she can smile! Here is a pic of her smiling last night while the medication was still in full effect.

Warren said that her biggest complaint was that she was no longer "Drug Free." They've been celebrating "Red Ribbon" week at her school and talking a lot about being drug free for life. We explained that medication given by a doctor is different than "drugs" that they talk about at school...although Warren said the sight of Abbie on 'gas' to relax her before the procedure was quite funny! :-)

After Bethany and I picked Andrew up from school, she went to her dance class. She absolutely loves it! A lot of times they put on princess crowns to do part of the class. I arrived a few minutes early to pick her up, and they were marching around with instruments to help them learn rhythm. They all looked so cute!

Andrew was so excited in the evening because Ashbie (our cat) actually let Andrew snuggle with him. Ashbie has never been fond of the children, but is becoming a bit more tolerant of the older kids. He started whispering (didn't want to upset Ashbie) "Mom, go get the camera!!" So adorable!

Warren participated in the great hunt this weekend. The opening weekend of pheasant season is a HUGE deal out here in Western Kansas. He went hunting with some friends, and this is a picture of the entire groups hunt. Warren got two of them and is planning to make pheasant nuggets (tastes a lot like chicken nuggets) for dinner either tonight or tomorrow. Abbie didn't want him to fix them last night because she wouldn't get to eat them! (The dog is REAL...isn't' he adorable! This was the only pic where he was sitting still)

Bring Noah Home!!

If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that I have a special place in my heart for adoption. I follow MANY adoption and forever family blogs. I dream of one day bringing a child without a family, into my own. While I dream, I pray for these families going through the long, tiresome, frustrating, and expensive process. One such family is the family wanting to bring little Noah home.

Noah's new mom has an "alter ego," she is also known as the "Blog Fairy." She creates beautiful templates and banners for blogs. I have admired her work on many blogs...and one day when I decide to spend a little money on my little part of the bloggy world, I will go to her for one of her beautiful creations. Verna (Noah's Mommy) will be using any proceeds she makes from her blogging overhauls to bring little Noah home from his current home in China.

So...if you are considering a new look for your blog...head on over and check her out!!!

Autumn Colors

I attempted to post about the beautiful colors once before, but blogger was having troubles that day...so here we go again!

A few of my bloggy buddies have inspired me with pictures of the beautiful autumn colors they are being blessed with in their home areas of the country (New York and Pennsylvania). I thought I would try to show off some of the beauty of autumn here in Kansas. My family and I enjoyed a day at the zoo last weekend, and here are some of the photos I captured that day...blessings of autumn color, and the blessings of my family. Enjoy....

Here is one of the first trees I saw when entering the zoo. All ablaze in bright golden yellows and oranges...just breathtaking! The picture doesn't do it justice, the sun was behind it and washed it out a bit.

These two were spotted in two areas of the zoo, I thought they were cute, they looked like they were dripping leaves of fire.

This tree is an evergreen, no fall colors...but it's shape just pulls me in every time I see it!

Here are two of my "little animals" racing to see the bigger animals.

My monkeys looking at the furry ones.

Abbigail and Bethany decided to help me find beautiful colors.

RED! RED! RED!!!

Andrew and Daddy playing around.

One little flower trying to hold onto summer...see you next year sweet thing!
(try to ignore the litter next to the flower...I was so entranced by the flower that I didn't even notice the garbage till i was posting this!)

Halloween Pics (FINALLY!)

Well, it's Friday...Halloween was 2 days ago, and I'm just now getting this post done! Sorry everyone! It's been a busy week. One of my childcare moms went back to work after a 2 1/2 month maternity leave, so instead of 2-3 extra kiddos, I've had 4-5 extra kiddos. The 1 year old is doing great, the baby...well...we're still getting to know each other. She has taken maybe 2 oz of milk from the bottle all week. She just waits for her momma to come nurse her during her lunch time, and then when she goes home. She is ok with that, but, she doesn't like to go to sleep. Once she's asleep, and being held, she's fine. It's the going to sleep that's rough...and don't even THINK about laying her down once she's asleep! I'm going to try the swing today and see how that goes. If she happens to fall asleep in her car seat, she'll sleep for a LONG time (she's been asleep in it since she arrived at 8:00, 2 1/2 hours ago!!). So, anyway...that is to explain my tardiness in posting my pics...

Without further adu...Halloween Pics!

First is the "Fairy Princess" I made the skirt for Abbie two years ago...but Bethany put her own twist on it! :-)

Next is the "Ninja Warrior." Warren put the red make-up on his forehead and everyone thought he was a ninja that was loosing the fight :o) (I made the red vest). Then there is the beautiful "Cheetah." This was Abbigail's dance recital costume last spring, we thought it was too cute not to use it again!

All three of my cuties!

Lastly there is the "pastor/pirate/crazy person" who took the kiddos trick-or-treating.

Knocking on their first door (our neighbors Terry & Glenda)

Glenda took this pic of the whole family

We're off to get some candy!!!! Don't forget lots of chocolate for momma!!!!!!