Weekend...no pictures (sorry)

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend. Friday evening Warren and Abbigail went to the lake for fishing, Andrew had soccer practice. Saturday morning was beautiful! Andrew had soccer in the morning, Abbigail had soccer in the afternoon. We were out there from 10:30 to 2:00...with a 20 minute break to run home and refill our water bottles. I was a good mom and sun screened the kids...not so much myself. My arms are rather striped. I did put some sun screen on my knees (sitting in a chair and all...LOL!) but my calves and the tops of my feet (flip-flops!) are RED! OUCH!
After the soccer games we went to the city to go shopping. The preschool I will be working at this fall had a dinner today after church to thank the retiring director and introduce me as the new director. It was a dinner to raise money for the financial assistance program. We are committed to making sure that preschool doesn't become an elitist thing here in town. We want EVERY child to be able to attend. We always offer financial assistance to families that need it. Anyway...I wanted a new dress for the occasion. I've gotten new clothes, but not a dress since Bethany was born. I fell in love with three. One was a red/white floral pattern type thing that was a sun dress with a "twirly skirt"...I loved that dress, but with my red/white stripey arms right now I decided that it wasn't the one for me...right NOW. I ended up with a green, white, black geometric pattern skirt that has a green jacket top. I also got a black tank to wear under the jacket. I do love this one, too. However, with Hubby's prompting...I've decided that if I continue to loose weight, I will go get that dress in 20 pounds! (BTW...I have made it back to my treadmill...will continue and update my mileage total soon).
The dinner was a HUGE success...lots more people than we had planned on, we even ran out of food. Oops.
I spent the afternoon sewing two baby slings. One for a friend whose nephew just became a daddy, and the other one for Nate and Tricia. Tricia is doing great and Gwyneth just continues to grow and grow. I want to get this sling to them so they can start snuggling with her now...get themselves and her used to the sling. So I need to get that one finished off tomorrow.

I still have not gotten the pictures off my camera from the past few weeks...I know, BAD BLOGGING MOMMA! Maybe I'll get that done tomorrow...I'll try.

Sleep well my friends-
A

Mother of the year award...

Where is it?? It's mine for sure!
Ok, Andrew's cough that I just KNEW was asthma. I argued with the nurse, defended his health to his teacher, defended him to my child care parents...well, Bethany is now coughing. I could blame hers on asthma...Abbigail is now coughing...She DOES NOT have asthma. I think I'm going to have to take the kiddos to school in the morning and beg forgiveness from the nurse. Hat in hand...um gee..I don't know what to say.
Hey, add the daughter of the year award while we're at it. My Mom and Dad called the other night after reading my last post...I totally didn't mean to hurt their feelings or imply that it was their fault Andrew was having problems with his asthma. Don't worry Mom and Dad...we WILL come visit every chance we get, if you'll still have us. We love you guys, that's what's most important. You guys are the best grandparents ever...the kids love you so much, and I kinda like you, too.
Sorry, I couldn't post such a downer post without at least adding a cute picture. This was at the zoo during spring break.

Asthma....

I have asthma. Andrew has asthma. Bethany has asthma. Andrew's asthma seems to get very worked up every time we go visit my parents. Different allergens that his lungs simply aren't used to and can't handle at this point. He seems to get sick almost every time we go there. I remember when I was a child, always getting sick when we went to visit my grandparents on the farm. The hay, dust, etc were/are my triggers. Andrew did have something else bugging him this weekend because he ran a fever off and on Saturday and Sunday. But no fever since Sunday. There was no school on Monday, so that is the day we traveled back home. Tuesday morning and he was still coughing to beat the band so I did keep him home from school that day, though he played most of the day and didn't act all that sick. Wednesday morning I sent him to school. I talked to the school nurse and she was going to give him his cough meds at lunch time. I also wrote a note to his teacher that asked that they encourage him to NOT RUN during gym and recess. I dropped him off at 7:45. All the students meet in the gym and stay there for their "Morning meeting" with the principal (at 8:00), she basically announces if there is anything special going on that day, they say the Pledge of Allegiance, etc... Then the Kindergarten classes go across the playground and yard to their building. Apparently Andrew was walking slower than his class and ran to catch up...guess what...ASTHMA and coughing. Lots of coughing. So much coughing in fact that his teacher said she couldn't teach over him. He had been in class for all of 15 minutes, coughing to beat the band, so they called and I had to go get him.
Yes, he is coughing. Yes, it gets REALLY bad when he runs around (that is why I warned them and asked that they remind him not to run...he ran, that was his mistake). But my question is...are asthmatics not allowed to come to school? If I keep him home every time he is having difficulties with his asthma he will be home for weeks at a time. Asthma is not contagious. No one is going to catch a cough from him. As long as we keep on top of him and don't let him get rowdy or run, he'll be fine. Yes, he will cough, but it will be under control. I even asked the nurse today when I took him in if she could suggest any stronger cough medication, she said only if we went to the doctor and they would prescribe a cough syrup with codeine...but that is for people with pneumonia, not asthma. So what am I supposed to do? I can't be there every second of the day to make sure he doesn't run. He'll learn as he gets older that his lungs just can't handle it. Any advice out there? Bethany's asthma doesn't seem to affect her nearly as much as Andrew's affects him. I'm just hoping and praying that they let him stay at school today!
Thanks for letting me rant...I just don't know what I'm supposed to do.

I'm VISITING!

With the cold rainy weather this week, Andrew and Abbigail's soccer practices (Friday night) and soccer games (Saturday) were canceled. The kiddos don't have school on Monday...so...we went/came visiting! We are currently at my parents home. The kiddos are all fast asleep (or should be soon!). We have had a fun day playing with my nieces, Ella and Ava. Hubby couldn't come...something about being a pastor and having to work! :o) He also hurt his back on Friday while working out. Pulled a few ribs out of place, boy was he in pain! He went to the chiropractor. He is feeling some better, but not a lot. Prayers for his comfort and healing are greatly appreciated.
This evening for dinner, Mom made spaghetti, and I (of course) offered my ooey gooey cheesey bread! One thing about my kiddos...whenever we eat spaghetti, we have a "topless" dinner. The kiddos all take off their shirts so we don't run the risk of staining them! So...all the kiddos took off their shirts. We had 4 little girls and one little guy eating "naked" for supper. (Can't wait to see how many hits off of google I get for those few sentences!) I haven't even taken one picture (I know...BAD blogging momma!) but hope to remedy that tomorrow. I'll post an update (hopefully with pics) on Monday or Tuesday.
Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

Oh, and by the way, thanks for all the comments on the last post!! :o)

I just added this pic because I know blog posts are always better with pictures...and I don't have a lot of my pictures on this new puter!

Comment about Comments (and other stuff)...

Sorry Loni, you had that Title up for so long, it stuck in my head and now that I want to write a post about comments, I couldn't come up with anything better! :o)
Ok, I've had NO COMMENTS for a while now, so I'm guessing some of you are having trouble with the new word verification thingy. Here's the deal. You write your comment, like usual. You can still comment "anonymously" but under the comment box will be a box with a bunch of scrambled wavy letters. Below that will be an empty box. You type in the letters that are jumbled, exactly in the same order...then you post your comment. Simple really...NOW LEAVE ME SOME LOVE!! PLEASE!! I mean, really...I posted the ADORABLE videos of my girl's dance recital have have received exactly 0 comments about how disgustingly adorable my girlies are...COME ON!!! How can you watch those cuties and NOT comment?????

I've had better days since Monday. I don't think Bethany is angry with me anymore. We were talking about how next year I'll take her to child care before I take the other kids to school, then I'll go to preschool. Every time we get in the car now she asks if she gets to go to child care now.

Little "H", one of my child care boys (23 months old) now plays a little game with my girls when we are in the car. They sing "Where are we going?" (Clap, clap, clap...think Dora!) and he yells "Annie's house!" Annie is his version of "Andie"...so adorable!

I need to get Bethany to preschool, I'll add more later!

Tough day...

This working mom thing is hard.
This morning, the other teachers at the preschool and I loaded up and went to another preschool to observe how they do things. I got the children all up and fed breakfast. I took the older two to school, and then I met the other teachers. Today was Hubby's day off, so he stayed with Bethany. We were gone all morning, and I got home just in time to get Bethany down for a nap. I spent most of nap time working on paperwork for the preschool. Just as Bethany woke up I was leaving to run a few errands and pick the older two up from school. She was not quite awake yet, and chose to stay home with daddy. I came home to drop Andrew off (Abbie went to girl scouts). I had about 10 minutes before I had to leave to go to a preschool board meeting. Bethany grabbed my hand and started to cry. "Mommy, please don't leave me. I love you. I want you." Oh my sweet baby...I love you. I want you, too! So, I sat on the couch and snuggled with her as long as I possibly could before leaving for my meeting which lasted almost 2 hours. I had tears in my eyes as I drove to the meeting. I feel bad for being gone so much today. But next year, she'll be with me most of the day (she'll be at a sitter's in the morning 3 mornings a week, but at school with me in the afternoons). It was a hard day, I am not used to this. Hopefully this won't happen on a regular basis where I'm gone for two things in one day...but occasionally it will. I'm just thankful that she got to stay home with Daddy today.
Then, this evening, she was fighting with her brother (big surprise, those two are like oil and water...they DO NOT MIX!), and wouldn't listen to me. What did I do? Did I patiently get down on her level and explain what she needed to do? NO! I YELLED! I SCREAMED! I pretty-much turned into a two-year old throwing a tantrum! I told her to shut her mouth and listen to ME! I was Monster-Mom...I HATE MONSTER-Mom!! I hate even more that I turn into that sometimes! I'm so sorry baby. Mommy loves you more than anything...I'm sorry I lost my temper. I hate that the short time I was able to be home today turned out so poorly.
I will try harder tomorrow. I will spend as much time with you as I can. I will hug you a lot! I will read stories to you. I will tickle you. I will whisper "I love you" into your sweet neck. I will not let Monster-Mom come back, and if she comes knocking, I'll politely tell her to go away!

My headache seems to be coming and going. Sometimes it's really bad, and other times I feel pretty much normal. I think it's mostly sinuses now, with just a bit of a tension headache thrown in for good measure. Thanks for the advise and prayers...I appreciate them all!

Abbie's Dance

Here is one of Abbigail's dances...she's the short one in the pink! Yep, the first one on stage, and little one at the end. Isn't she a cutie...and again, Hubby was running the video camera. (now that we know how to do this, we need to get one of Andrew's wrestling matches up!)

Prayers please...

My dear friend Julie has suffered a loss today. Julie is pregnant with her second child. She is going to deliver her baby in about 4 weeks. She and her sister were so excited to be pregnant at the same time. Sadly, her sister discovered on Thursday during a routine ultrasound that something was possibly wrong with her baby. The doctor ordered an amnio to see if they could determine the problem. When she came back to the doctor today to find out the results, they did another ultrasound and discovered that sometime between Thursday and today the baby boy had died. She was induced and gave birth to the little guy they have named Luke. Luke could have never survived in this world with the body that was developing.
Why does God allow this? Why do innocent babies and children have to suffer. Why does He give loving mothers and fathers a child only long enough for them to fall in love, and then they are gone. I do not know the answers to these questions, I can only pray that God gives the entire family comfort and peace during this difficult and sad time. I pray that Julie will stay healthy and that her child will be born safely in May. I pray that the new child will not sadden the family by reminding them all of Luke, but bring joy and happiness...hope for the future.
Please pray for Julie, her sister, and the entire family grieving the loss of little Luke.
Thank you.

Dance Videos

Memu plan Monday

Tomorrow is another BUSY day...I'm going to do a preschool observation to help with my certification. So...if I'm going to do a weekly meal plan, I'd better do it now!

Monday: Busy night with meetings...leftover buffet!

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie

Wednesday: Hubby at LYF, kiddos and I will raid the fridge

Thursday: Spaghetti and ooie-goooie cheesy bread

Friday: Date night? Girls night out? If not, I'm going to make it an "at-home date night" and fix steak and baked potato for Warren and I...kiddos will enjoy something equally yummy to the kiddos palate...either mac-n-cheese or hot dogs.

This week's weather looks to be cool and rainy...if any nights prove beautiful, we'll head to the lake for fishing, grilling out, fresh air, and fun...so any of these nights might be vetoed in favor of hamburgers!

March in review....

Marching through march...the third month of the year, and how are my goals going? I'm so glad you've asked! Well...let me tell you.

• Walking...not so much. I did walk, but not as much as I have done in the past, nor as much as I had hoped. I got out of my routine during spring break, and never seemed to get back on it. However...I have lost 13...yes, 13 pounds!!! since January. I went out to buy a pair of shorts for the summer, and tried on (ok, I'm being transparent here...please be kind) my usual size 18, and it almost fell off!!! So, I put them back and got a size 16. Turns out I should have gotten a size 14, because two weeks later these are getting almost too loose...better go get that belt out!
  
• Home-cooked meals...yep, done that! Meal planning really has helped! I have also been looking at the sales adds more and planning meals around what is on sale and what I already have in the freezer. We've eaten out less (for supper anyway! Warren and I have made trips to the "city" on two Mondays so he can visit people in the hospital, and we've ended up going out to lunch each day).
• Bible reading...not so great. I read the passion story several times during Lent and Holy week, but not walking on the treadmill has killed two birds that I didn't want to die!
  
• Watching our spending has had a bit of trouble this month...going to the city where the shopping opportunities are is not good on the pocketbook! I cannot seem to get out of W*l-Mart for less than $50...If we go back, I've GOT to stick to my list!!!! We also made the purchase of this pretty little 'puter that I'm currently typing on. We have 6 months to pay...and we WILL get it done! We are also talking about what to pay off next...things are getting under control and I'm so proud of us!!

Lots of improvements...lots of room for improvement!

Linkage

I have been reading a blog written by a pastor in North Carolina. He is the father of Nate (the husband I have been asking for prayers about)...anyway, Rick has a series on his blog about pastoring and pastor's families. One post was "What you might not know about your pastor." The second one in the series was "What you might not know about your pastor's wife." The last in the series is "What you might not know about your pastor's kids."
For those of you in the ministry (or married to it!), these essays will hit you in the heart. It is so comforting to read someone who knows how you feel. Someone who knows the hurts and joys of being in the ministry of God's people. For those of you who aren't in the ministry, but are in the church, it will give you insight into your pastor and his family. It will give suggestions on how to relate to and support your pastor, and his family.
Now, how do you go about getting everyone in church to read a blog?? ;O)

By the way...Tricia is up and walking without any support...no vent or oxygen...for the first time since October! Rick is posting updates so Nate can take a short blogging break to be there for his "girls." Go on over and see how they are doing...

(For those who might not know how a "link" works...click on the underlined words above and it will take you directly to the site...:o))

How do you get rid of a headache?

Anyone have any great ideas? I've had a headache since Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm now up to taking 2 extra-strength "tyl*nol" I every 4 or 5 hours, and they don't seem to be doing very much. Usually a good night's sleep make even my worst head aches go away...but my head hurts so much that I can't even sleep. I toss and turn and moan and groan. I even taught myself how to turn the brightness down on my computer screen because the bright light hurts my eyes/head. Is it sinuses? Is it allergy related? I don't know. I know that tomorrow I am going to take my allergy medication and see if that helps. For now, I'm going to try to go to bed and get some sleep...hopefully this awful headache will go away SOON! If anyone else has any advice or knows any tricks, please leave me a comment!!!

Everyone is healthy, finally (I think!?!)

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. The youth group and I planned a surprise party for him. They always have frozen pizza's for dinner at LYF, I encouraged Warren to splurge and get Pizza Hut for his birthday. I also made a "giant cupcake" (THANKS Louann for the mold, it's so fun!) for him to take to LYF, mainly to throw him off. The teens were going to arrive early to decorate, and also pick up an ice cream cake I had ordered the day before. The plan was for Warren to leave to go pick up the pizza, and the kids and I would high-tail it up to church, so we all could surprise him...it didn't happen that way. Since the kids were all sick, Warren went up to pick up the pizza's and brought one home for us (thanks babe!). Then he went up to church for the youth group, and they did surprise him. We wish we could have been there to celebrate with him, but I guess it just wasn't to be this year. Hopefully they got some pictures that I can share with you all soon!

By the time bedtime rolled around last night, the kids were all feeling better, no fevers!! Andrew said that his throat was sore, but this morning it was better...so off to school they all went!!! :o) I have had a headache all day, I hope I'm not coming down with what they all have had....I'm going to blame it on not sleeping well...I couldn't sleep because my mind was on Nate and Tricia, and her new lungs! What an amazing couple they are! Gwyneth is growing and growing, and hopefully soon Tricia will be able to WALK into Gwyneth's NICU room and TALK to her baby! I can't wait for the day we hear the stories about them all three going home together!

This weekend looks to be pretty busy. Tonight Abbie has her last dance class. She was supposed to go strait to her first soccer practice after dance, but it's raining today, so no soccer! We have a playground open-house/unveiling/naming thing (at the preschool I am directing next year) this evening. And then we will be going to Andrew's wrestling awards banquet. Tomorrow both Abbie and Andrew have their first soccer practice and I am helping to set up for the girls' dance recital. Andrew's first soccer game is Saturday morning. Abbie will miss her first soccer game which is Saturday afternoon because she and Bethany have dress rehearsal for their dance recital on Sunday. After the dance recital on Sunday I plan on coming home for a LONG nap! :o)

Tricia is out of surgery, and in the ICU

Tricia's surgery to transplant two donated lungs into her body was a success. The doctors reported that the surgery was more difficult than normal (how can a double lung transplant be normal??) because her disease is so progressed. She is now in the ICU, getting used to her new lungs. She is still ventilated and sedated...hopefully both of these will be "undone" soon. Keep the prayers coming, she still has a long road to go!

PRAYERS PLEASE!!!

Tricia is in surgery. Come on, you know Tricia...of Nate and Tricia...Gwyneth's mom...:o)
The transplant team came in mid-morning and told Nate and Tricia that they were heading out to check out another pair of lungs, and this one MATCHES! She is in the OR right now. The surgery will last between 7-9 hours, so it will be a LONG night for them all.
BTW...today is Nate's birthday, he shares it with my Hubby...what a great b-day present!

AAAHHHHH!

Just got the kids to bed. Kissed them all good night...guess who's running a fever??? ABBIGAIL! I kissed her and thought, Oh, my, she's warm. I asked her how she was feeling, she said her head hurts. Yup...that's about right. Tylenol, a drink, and good night....we'll see how she is in the morning. I'm planning on having all my kiddos home for hubby's birthday. Sigh.....At least it's nothing serious.

Just a few things...

Just a few things to update ya'll on my life....

• Andrew has the fever thing. The school nurse called at 10:30 and I went to get him. He's just been laying around all day. He ate about 1/2 of a PB&J earlier, but nothing else. H (one of my childcare kiddos) had it yesterday.
• E (H's baby sister) started getting "spotted" today. By the time her mom picked her up, she looked a little bit like a dalmatian! Mom took her to the health dept, who sent her on to the doctors. Turns out she probably is having a delayed allergic reaction to the amoxacillen she took last week. She seems to feel fine, just looks really pitiful. Poor baby...she was still all smiles!
• Bethany is all healthy again...rotten as usual!
• Abbigail rode home on the bus with a friend. Abbie was not only excited to go to her friend's house to play, but I think she was just as excited abut riding the bus. Oh the joys of a child!
• If you are a "commenter"...THANK YOU! Thanks for leaving me little notes, it really brightens up my day. I'm sorry to have to do this, but I've had to enable the word verification thingy because I've started getting "spam comments." Hopefully this will put an end to the fake comments that either lead to a site to purchase something, or one was a L-O-N-G diatribe about the "gods of the world" and how they are disappointed with how we humans are messing it up...HUH?? Ok, these are not my beliefs, so if you see something like this, please ignore it! I haven't figured out how to delete these comments, I know there is a way, just haven't figured it out yet.
• I was denied by the state as not being qualified to be the director of the preschool for next year. The forms I filled out just asked for a listing of the previous teaching experiences , but apparently I need a letter from each of the schools with a ton of information. So I spent the morning on the phone calling all the places I have taught. Two of the schools I taught at (8 & 10 years ago) have no one working there who was there when I was there. Hopefully they still have records that have my information! One of the schools (in Leavenworth, KS) still has a lot of the same people. When my friend, Kathleen, answered the phone I was so excited! I said "Hey, I know that voice!" and she said "Hey, I know your voice...AND I have caller ID! Hi Andie!" We spent a while chatting. It was so good to talk to her!

I need to close this up, I have three kiddos that need to get to bed...one whiny, cranky, girl...one girl in a good mood, and a sicky boy. Night all!

Update on Tricia...

Unfortunately, the lungs didn't match, so last night ended up being a "dry run." Hopefully the lungs and the rest of the organs were a match to someone out there and have helped them to start a new life. I continue to pray for the donor's family, that they would find peace and comfort. I also pray for Tricia and Nate...what a totally emotionally exhausting night. The hopes were all so high...and then to have them not match. I pray that the right lungs are found, soon...and that God will comfort the family of that donor. I pray that Tricia and Nate continue to be strong, both mentally and physically. I pray that they continue to be brave, and such a wonderful example of faith in the face of a crisis. I pray that little Gwyneth continues to do well, and starts growing even bigger and stronger!
I found some fabric yesterday that I'm going to use to make them a sling. Slings are so wonderful for preemies who thrive on the close cuddling provided by the sling...she might just be a bit too small to sling right now, but soon she will be perfect sized for "slinging!" I made sure that the fabric isn't too "girly" so that Nate will feel comfortable slinging little Gwyneth...I can't wait to see pictures of them using it!
Thanks, everyone, for your continued prayers for this incredible family.

PRAYERS PLEASE!!

Ok, I just started the "rounds." Checking blogs to see how everyone's weekends were. The first blog I went to was Nate's...Nate is the CF Husband I've told you about before. He has BIG news! They have been called about a possible transplant opportunity. The transplant team is traveling right now to see if the lungs are indeed a match, they will know soon. Meanwhile, Tricia is going through the beginning prep for surgery!!! Yea!
Please pray for the donor's family. Even if the lungs aren't a match to Tricia, they will match someone else, and help someone to lead a healthier life...however, in order for this miracle to happen, someone has died today. Someone's family is very sad right now, mourning the loss of someone they love. Pray for the donor's family, and for all the people who will receive the miracle of life through this tragedy.
You can check his blog by clicking the link above...but I will post an update as soon as there is news!!

Menu Plan...Sunday??

I know, I know, it is not Monday, but that's ok, I'm going to plan my menu anyway.
Monday: Chicken Tetrazinni...or at least my version!
Tuesday: Smoked Sausage skillet dinner (potatoes, onions, corn, smoked sausage, and cheese, YUMMY!) and fresh bread
Wednesday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY!!! He will be celebrating with the youth group, so the kids and I will just do pb&j's or leftovers.
Thursday: Andrew's wrestling banquet...I'm taking a taco salad to share.
Friday: Sloppy Joe's and french fries
Saturday: I'm hoping to take Hubby out to dinner for his birthday, just a tad bit late.

At least it was short lived!

Bethany woke up this morning feeling back to her old self. No fever, and only that one puking session...which was MORE than enough! Thank You, God, for returning my daughter's health. I still have a sinus thing going on, my head feels so full, my ears, jaw, and eyes ache. I just feel wiped out. Andrew is at a birthday party, Abbie & Daddy went to the lake for a fishing session, Bethany and I are hanging out here by ourselves...maybe I'll get a little nap! I know, wishful thinking! :o) Thanks everyone for praying for my little one! (This is a picture from our trip to the zoo over spring break...just didn't want to do another post without a picture!)

not again....

About mid-morning this morning, Bethany crawled up into my lap and said she was tired. I felt her forehead, and yes...she was hot. She was asleep about 2 minutes later and slept until 2:30. She's just slept and laid around all evening. About 7:30, I was trying to get her to take a children's tylenol to bring down the fever. She said she was going to puke...I thought she just didn't want to take the meds...I was wrong. PROJECTILE vomiting has found us AGAIN! We have had more throwing up this winter than we EVER have in all previous years combined. At one point, she was snuggling in my lap (this is before the puking) and she looked up at me and said "Mommy will you pray to Jesus to make me better?" Oh, honey, I already am!

Oh, how I love you...let me count the ways...

When Hubby and I were dating we started this silly thing. We would say:

Me: I love you
Him: I love you, too
Me: I love you, three
Him: I love you, four
Me & Him together: I love you MORE!

We still are silly...and continue to say these things. The kids all have picked up on the silly things we say (good and bad) and these "I love you"'s have changed and grown over the years. Here is an example:

I love you
I love you, too
I love you, 3
I love you, 4
I love you out the door!

I love you
I love you, too
I love you, three
I love you, four
I love you, five
I love you, six
I love you, seven
I love you, eight
I love you, nine
I love you, ten ...I WIN!

I love these silly things...all of my silly things!

YIPPEE!!!

I figured it out! Go Me! GO Me! I got it! I even did a tiny bit of "fixing" on the pic to crop it and change the coloring just a bit. I'm so excited! :o) By the way, Andrew and Abbie are very close in height...he might be just a smidge taller than her, but don't tell that older sister that her little brother is taller...he looks much taller in the picture because he was higher up on the hill. :o)
And now we return you to your regularly scheduled blog reading...

More lake pics...my new favorite!

I told you I had some cool pics from the lake from the other night. First of all, the picture of Warren and his first fish of the year. It may look small, but for a croppy, it's pretty good sized (that's what he says anyway! ;o))
The kids weren't too into fishing this night, instead Bethany started collecting rocks. Abbigail and Andrew soon joined her. This is the "rocket" they made out of their rocks.I got a crazy idea to take their picture as they looked out at the water, I think it turned out pretty cool. I took a bunch of pictures, some into the sun, and others at an angle. Which do you like better? Now, if anyone knows how to change the header on these blog things to include a picture...help me out! :o)
Besides collecting rocks, the kids also had a good time just climbing around on the rocks. No snakes came out to greet them like they did last week...now that was good times! Out of my three children, which do you think ran off SCREAMING..."SNAKE, SNAKE!!" Yep, Andrew. The girls just stood there, and backed away slowly. Not Andrew...I think they could here him screaming all the way back in town. Good thing they were just little baby garder snakes.
I am so glad we do this as a family...this is what memories are made of!

Long awaited Lake Pictures!

I've been promising pictures from the lake for quite a while...today I'm delivering! Gotta love this new laptop that I can bring in the living room and post while still supervising the kiddos.
First we have pics of the lake...such a beautiful setting. Can you believe this is in the middle of Kansas? It's so amazing to drive the 10 miles, it goes from flat farm land, and as you go around a curve in the road, suddenly it becomes very hilly and rocky...just down the road is this beautiful lake. Yes, it is a man-made lake with a damn, but still! This is the day Andrew lost his pole. He was feeling a bit 'down' after the incident! He cuddled up in our blanket until supper was ready. We enjoyed a yummy dinner, then SMORES! No, Bethany doesn't usually wear make-up, this was the same day as her dance pictures! :o)
We went to the lake again last night , but went to the other side...different perspective! Hubby caught a fish in the first 5 minutes, but nothing else for the rest of the evening. We gave it to another couple there fishing because hubby doesn't think it's worth it to clean just one fish, not enough to eat anyway! I got some awesome pics last night, can't wait to get them loaded!! So, I guess you'll have to wait for more pictures, but haven't you had enough for one day??? ;o)

Easter Egg hunts, dying eggs, and Easter Sunday....lots of pics!

Here are a bunch of pictures of the recent holiday. What a wonderful day to celebrate and remember what Jesus has done for us. It is also a day for fun. Easter egg hunts (the city one a few weeks ago), coloring Easter eggs, and of course a nice new outfit for Ester Sunday. Ok, on to the pictures!

Here the kids are getting ready for the egg hunt...baskets are empty.Bethany hunting for eggs in the "3 & under" section.Abbigail and Andrew hunting in the 6-8 yr old section. Look closely, Andrew is behind Abbie in the black hooded jacket.Full baskets!

Coloring eggs...so much fun, and Mom only slightly freaks out about all the liquid that will permanently stain anything it touches. My counters have a slightly yellow hue in places due to the yellow splashing out...even the newspaper couldn't stop the stain! Each of the kids did 8 eggs...2 dozen total. Only one of the eggs met with an untimely death before becoming beautiful! But Bethany quickly ate up the "squishy" egg that she dropped on the counter and cracked the shell. Squishy eggs is one of my kids favorite snacks. One of my favorite part of coloring eggs is the beautiful paper towel left from the drying eggs...I think this is just so pretty!
Easter morning was very chilly, but the kids were excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought! The Easter Bunny found a really good deal on MP3 players. He was nice enough to load them up with all of the kids' favorite Veggie Tale music and kids' praise music. Silly me thought we might travel in quiet, not having to listen to the kids' music. However, now we don't hear a kid's song, now we hear three kids singing three different songs! They have fun, though, so that's important. It is so wonderful to hear my 3 year old singing "Shine, Jesus, Shine" and Andrew singing "Amazing Grace" And of course Abbigail sings just about anything!
Easter morning we attended the Sunrise service at 7:00. Bethany joined in saying the Lord's prayer. We say it each night, but she usually doesn't pray it out loud at church, but this morning she did...very loudly! So adorable! We had a yummy breakfast after the first service, then a fun Easter Egg hunt with our Sunday School friends. Then we had another worship service. One thing I love about Easter is that I get to take communion with my husband! Being the pastor, he communes by himself before the congregation communes, and I just wait for my turn like the rest of the congregation. However, on Christmas Day and Easter Day, I go up when he communes and I get to kneel with him, it makes me feel special and like a wife, not a single mom! The kids always go up with me, and they get so excited to be able to go up with Daddy! After church we had a yummy lunch of ham, potatoes, corn, and fresh bread. YUMMY, if I do say so myself! After a quick rest, and cleaning up the dishes, we headed out to Bazine. We decided to attend worship there with Warren. In all it was a very nice, though tiring day! What a wonderful thing to be able to attend not one, but three entirely different services to celebrate Jesus' resurrection! No wonder hubby was so busy, I thought he would just do one service, 3 times, but no, each one was completely different!
I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful Easter, celebrating the wonderful things that Jesus has done for all of us. If any of my Wichita family is reading this and has pictures of the family gathering at my parent's place...I'd LOVE to see them! Email them to me, PLEASE!!!

Dance pictures

My girls are both in dance class...recital is coming up in two weeks! They each had their class pictures taken a few weeks ago. These are my pics, not the professional ones....hers are MUCH better! Can't wait to see the real ones. Bethany is the short bee in the front row, what a little poser! Abbie is the short one in the pink.

Bullet-point update

I'm tired. Spring break is over, even for me...the childcare kiddos all come back tomorrow. I love them, but just like any job, it's nice to have time off! I'm going to give some bullet-style updates just because I'm tired and don't feel like being overly eloquent tonight...ok, when am I ever eloquent? I don't know!

• I'm typing this entry on my NEW PRETTY GREEN PUTER!!!! It arrived today and I'm so excited. I'm still obviously trying to figure everything out. It's got Vista, so that's interesting. Trying to get some of my programs and my "favorites" from the other computer. If I don't comment on your blog...leave me a comment, I just might not have brought your link over by accident!
• My neighbors are moving. We met this wonderful couple the day we moved into this home. They came over to welcome us, just as they were about to leave town for their son's home in ND...ND?? Hubby grew up in ND! Where are you going? Small Town....WHAT?? That's the SAME TINY TOWN HE'S FROM!!!! What a total coincidence. Their son, grew up here in Small Town, KS. Met a girl from Small Town, ND, married her and moved to her town. Turns out, she was a grade or two younger than hubby...small world! We've been friends ever since. She takes wonderful photos. She's always snapping away at my kids when she has a few pics left on her camera. She always brings them special treats for holidays. Just good neighbors. Hubby is sad...now he will have to go buy a ladder! The husband got a job in Ohio, and they will be moving by the end of April. I'm sad! I will miss them so much!
• Abbigail is getting sad about school again. She still misses Mrs. Wonderful. She is having her treatments, and things are going great, but she won't be returning to school. Abbigail has gotten used to, and fallen in love with the substitute. She's an older, retired, teacher. She did not want to commit to the rest of the year, but committed until the end of March. They are bringing in a new teacher for April and May. The new teacher is a NEW teacher. She did her student teaching here at our school in the fall and graduated in December. I'm sure she'll be great, but this is just one more change for this class that has been through so much this year. Abbigail now is moping around saying "I wish we didn't have to change teachers." She is such a loving girl, she will love the new teacher, but to loose someone else that she has grown dependent on will be difficult for her. Please keep her in your prayers.
• As if Easter and all that entails for a pastor wasn't enough...we have 3...no, 4 members in various hospitals around here. CRAZY! This was a BAD weekend for emergency surgeries. Hubby could really use a day off, but he's off to visit the hospitals. He was not feeling well last week, but seems to be on the mend. He tends to get sick every year right around Christmas and Easter. I think the stress of all the extra services and responsibilities knocks out his immune system so that every bug around can attack him. Just another way the devil is trying to keep the Good News from getting out! It didn't work though...he still preaches, even with a cough drop in his mouth and a frog in his throat! :o) I'm so proud of my hubby. He takes such good care of our family. He loves me, and the kids so much. Sometimes I am just overwhelmed with the love I feel for this man. Thank You, God, for giving him to me!
• I spent Thursday and Friday chasing Abbigail and Andrew on their bikes. We've taken all training wheels off...well, we let Bethany keep hers! So, I was holding onto their sweatshirts and keeping them off the pavement. They are both doing pretty good, but it will take more work! Maybe tomorrow we can get out there some more!

That's enough for tonight. I'm going to bed! Nighty-Night! Sleep Tight...Don't let the bed bugs bite. But if they do, take your shoe, and beat them till they're black and blue! (My hubby's influence, sorry!)

Bethany is funny...Part 2

Today was the first day Abbigail and Andrew went back to school. It was a great spring break, but they have to go back sometime! :o) My one little girl that I was supposed to have had family in town, so her mom took the day off. So...Spring break continued for me! :o) Warren had 2 people to visit in the hospital in the "city" so off we went while the older two were in school. I think Bethany thoroughly enjoyed having the two of us to herself. After the hospital we did some shopping and even went out to lunch, she got to choose where...after mom vetoed McDonald's a few times! When we were going through the check out at Wal*Mart, she was holding one of those toys they always put right next to the check-out lanes. She was playing with it, though before giving it to her I explained that she could hold it for just a few minutes, then we were putting it back, we were NOT buying it! She agreed that she would not throw a fit, and that she would give it up...pretty grown-up for a 3 year old! Well, when the time came to give up the goods, she said "I'm so disappointed." DISAPPOINTED??? What a BIG word from my little girl! At another point, Hubby was teasing her that he was going to buy her a bag of doggie treats, she told him that they were for dogs, not for "HUMANS" What?? Where is this girl picking up such big words? One other example. She was out in the patio playing this evening. She was dancing around and singing "Demonstrate!" I guess she was demonstrating her dance to us! I'm going to have to get a good dictionary to keep up with this one.

Bethany is funny

Unfortunately, Bethany knows where I keep the key to her piggy bank. Now, she comes into the kitchen and opens the drawer, extracting the precious key. We already had to get a replacement piggy bank because I lost the last key! This morning, she wanted to show Andrew ALL the money in her piggy...so she came to get the key. I told her that we aren't going to be emptying little piggy today, and put the key away before we loose it! She started throwing one of her tantrums (she's getting really good at these!) I calmly told her to settle down She settled down and then said something that almost made me fall over laughing. "How come you get to do anything you want to and I don't get to do NOTHING?" (Yes, she uses double negatives, she's only 3!) I told her that I'm the Momma, that's why! :o)
Oh, if only she knew....if only grown-ups did get to do whatever they wanted!

{We've had a fun spring break, just haven't taken time to post. I'll try to get caught up soon}

AWESOME NEWS!!!!

I have two pieces of good news to share.
First...AWESOME NEWS! Mrs. Wonderful (Abbigail's teacher who is receiving treatments for cancer) is in REMISSION! After only one round of treatments, she went back for her second round, and the cancer is GONE!!! She will stay in Texas (where she went to receive treatments) to being the transplant process. From what I understand they will remove some of her bone marrow and the stem cells inside, "clean it up" (I think this means making sure it is cancer-free) and then give it back to her. She will remain there for the next 6-8 weeks. Which means, she will obviously miss the rest of the school year (this was expected already) but she will be coming home just in time to see her daughter graduate from high school. What a blessing! The doctors had previously told her that she would probably have to undergo at least 3-4 rounds of treatment...she just did one! We serve an AWESOME, All-Powerful God!

Second...good news, for me! I was totally stressing out about the amount of paper-work needed to expand the license for the preschool. I must have called our county lady 4 times yesterday morning. She gave me the name and number of the state lady last week. One time I tried to call the local lady to ask a question, but she was out to lunch, so I called the state lady. She was also out to lunch, but I left a voice mail. She called back about an hour later. I explained what I was trying to do and she asked why I was doing so much paperwork. Apparently just to get the new number approved, they need a new director (ME!). My credentials need to be verified. The only other thing we need to do is be approved by the fire marshal. I already had the forms for myself done! The head of the board is taking care of the fire marshal...so I'm done! Praise God! I spent about 5 hours working on the various paperwork yesterday (before I found this out) and was only making a dent in what I thought needed to be done. In defense of the local lady, we are the only preschool she deals with. When they hired a new director a few years ago, they also had to get a new license because they changed the owner (from the board to the church) and a few other changes, so they did have to get a whole new license. She thought this was standard procedure...I'm so glad she was wrong!
Oh, one more "good news" thing. Hubby called Dell yesterday and ordered me a laptop! In honor of St. Patrick's day (and because it's my favorite color) he even ordered a green cover! :o) I can't wait till it arrives...in about 10 days-2 weeks. Thanks Hubby! I love you!!! I just might even let him borrow it once in a while! ;o)

Menu Plan Monday

I know it is Tuesday, but I just didn't get this typed out yesterday...it was in my head, but not on the 'puter! So....just in case you're curious about what the Prochnow's will be eating this week, here it is:

Monday: Pizza pockets
Tuesday: Hubby will be in Bazine, kids and I will have a clean out the fridge night.
Wednesday: Out to dinner...we got great coupons for $.99 meals for the kids.
Thursday: Maundy Thursday...Spaghetti and ooey gooey cheesey bread
Friday: Good Friday...Tortilla bake

Bullet post....

I guess it's been too long since I last posted...my parents just called to see if I was still alive. No excuses for not posting, I just haven't. So...here's what we've been up to...and no, the sunshine isn't keeping me busy, it snowed today! Not too much, but definitely colder!

• Wednesday night around 11:00 Abbigail woke up, and began another round of the "puking nights." Thankfully, no one else has added to the fest. So, Thursday was spent trying to regain her strength, and catching up on a little sleep for Bethany (took almost 4 hour nap!), Abbigail (took 2 hour nap), and Mom (I even got in almost 1 1/2 hours!).
• Thursday I also found out that I will be spending the next WEEK filling out paperwork for my new job. We are trying to get our preschool licensed to enroll more children, and that takes a new license! Tons of paperwork which needs to be completed ASAP!
  
• Friday we didn't do a whole lot. Just enjoyed knowing it was the last day of school/childcare for a week. This is spring break for our schools.
• Saturday Abbigail had a make-up dance rehearsal in the morning. In the afternoon we went to our town park for the city's Easter Egg Hunt. It was fun, but only lasted about 10-15 minutes...you say "GO!" and watch all those kids run off to fill up their baskets...they were picked clean really quick! Thank goodness they at least separate the ages up and have the areas roped off so no one will get a head start!
• After the egg hunt, the kids and I drove to the city to meet Warren (who was at a meeting) for a little shopping. We got Andrew's Easter shirt, and then began looking for a new laptop. I think it will help a lot in my new job to have a computer I can use here or there...so we are looking. Staples has some really great deals right now, so I'm "hoping" that I will have my own puter by the end of the week! :o)
• Today is Palm Sunday...a very long Bible reading in church, and a very large attendance for our little church makes for a long service! We are usually finished with services withing an hour, sometimes shorter...this time it was nearly an hour and a half. With three wiggly kiddos...OUCH! But they actually sat very nicely during the sermon and I got to listen! Thanks kids!
  
• Today after church I was washing up the breakfast dishes while I was waiting for lunch to cook, and a glass broke in the sink...while my hand was inside to wash it. Sliced my pinky open pretty bad. Andrew picked a Spider man band aid to make me feel better. It's a small, but deep and open cut. It bled pretty bad for a while, but then seemed to stop. Until this evening...I finally got the guts up to finish the dishes...now from all day. The band aid got wet so I took it off. Pretty soon my finger was all red again. Now I have a pretty pink Barbie band aid...think this one will work?
• I'm off to do more paperwork...ok, not tonight, it will have to wait till morning!

Blessing to all...I will try to post more pics this week!

The Lake...

I'm too tired to do a full recap of the lake adventure last night...so here's the shortened version...

We arrived.
I started getting dinner ready while Hubby and the kids started fishing.
ANDREW donated his fishing pole to the bottom of the lake.
Many tears were shed.
Supper was eaten.
Smores were devoured.
We came home and went to bed.

A better recap, stories, and great pics coming when I can think strait...it's been another great day, but I'm exhausted! This nice weather is great, but I don't sit down much, too much sunshine to enjoy! :o) Tomorrow it might rain, so I'll hopefully be able to blog a little more! :o)

Going to the Lake...

There have been some questions as to our weather, and going to the lake. Well, outside right now it is 72 beautiful, sunny degrees. When I say we are going to the lake, I don't mean we are going swimming or boating! We enjoy standing on the shore or a dock and throwing in a fishing line (or pole in Bethany's case)...grilling out, running around the quiet lakeside...making it not so quiet! We enjoy listening to the birds, counting the rabbits we see, watching for deer...lots of fun stuff to do. Some days during the summer, we do go swimming in the beach area, but most evenings we just enjoy the beautiful scenery. It is so amazing to look at the surroundings and realize we are in the plains, but the area surrounding the lake does not look very flat. There are bluffs, cliffs, valleys...it is beautiful! If we get out there early enough, I will take lots of pictures!

Hubby is on his way home from a meeting that was 2 1/2 hours away, and he's still about an hour away right now. I'm trying to get everything ready to go. By the 4th or 5th time we go each year, I have all my stuff for the lake all together and it's just a matter of putting it in the car. However, since this is our first trip, I have to locate everything that has been put away since the fall. Hopefully I'll have it all ready by the time hubby gets home and he can just change clothes and we can hop in the car and be off!

Lake...here we come!

Just in case you are curious...here are some pics I took the last time we were at the lake in October...

10 Reasons why motherhood makes me smile

I have gotten two ideas for a post that I am going to combine here...my blogging buddy, Elizabeth, posted "10 Reasons to Smile" last week and I thought it was pretty cool. So that's where the initial idea for this post came. The second idea came from Nate at "Confessions of a CF Husband." He's the husband of Tricia, and the father of little Gweneth Rose who was born at 25 weeks and is now 8 weeks old. Someone who reads Nate's blog came up with a really great idea...listing things that Tricia has to look forward to in her role as Mommy. So...with that background, here are 10 things about motherhood that make me smile:

1. Snuggling with your little ones as they drift off to sleep. Watching those little eyelids get heavier and heavier until they simply cannot remain open...the quiet and peaceful moments when you just get to rock and snuggle with this little blessing.
2. Those WONDERFUL snuggly hugs that you get when you walk in the door, whether you've been away for 5 minutes or 5 hours...they miss you and are just so glad you have come back to them!
3. The "help" in the kitchen...doing dishes, making cookies, brownies, or anything has never been as fun as it is when you have a "helper" :o) (even when they fall off their step-stool!)
4. Hearing "I love you SO much, Mommy." and knowing that they really do mean it...and you are the only person who will ever be in that special place in their heart.
5. Hearing them sing "Jesus loves me." and knowing that they actually take those words to heart...that they BELIEVE that Jesus DOES love them...so very much!
6. When your baby begins being afraid of strangers...that they want MOMMY! It can be stressful, but secretly, down in your heart of hearts, it feels good that they want ME!
7. Being the only one in the world who can interpret the toddler's talk...or identify the "potty dance."
8. Reading books with your little one, instilling in them a love of books, learning, and curiosity.
9. Getting to watch as they grow and learn...becoming more of an independent little person. Making friends, playing pretend, creating, drawing, painting...
10. Knowing that God has entrusted this little soul to you...to teach, nurture, and love. Praising God for this awesome honor, and praying that He will give you wisdom in this most important work.

These are just 10 of the things about motherhood that make me smile. There were many times (months and years) that I didn't think I would ever get to experience motherhood. I thank God each and every day for the three blessings that He has bestowed upon me and my husband. We are honored and privileged to call them our children. 'Mommy' is my proudest title.

(This picture was taken last year on Mother's Day)

Weekend in review...Saturday Sports

Saturday was a big day for two of my kiddos. It was Abbigail's last basketball game for this season, and it was Andrew's last wrestling tournament for the year. Andrew and daddy got up SUPER early on Saturday so they could be at the wrestling tournament (1 1/2 hours away) by 6:30AM(!!!!)...weigh in time. Oh.my.goodness...let's just say I was very thankful Abbie had a basketball game at 10:00 and we had to stay home. ;O)

Abbigail's basket ball abilities have grown throughout the season. She has enjoyed it very much. Abbie played hard at her basketball game. (She's the little one in the middle without her arms up) So did Bethany! One of Abbie's best friends, H1, has a little sister, H2...and Bethany and H2 are also best buddies. H1 was on Abbie's basketball team, so H2 & Bethany had ample opportunity to play and be silly.
After the basketball game, we headed off to catch the last half of the wrestling tournament. We missed the first match...Andrew was pinned in this match. His second match, he pinned the other guy in no time at all! The third match was the most difficult. Andrew kept fighting just as hard as he could! Every time the other little boy tried to roll Andrew onto his back, he would spread his legs WIDE so that he couldn't be turned! He was amazing! The other boy was a bit stronger, an had wrestled for a few years....but he never did get Andrew pinned. Andrew lost by points. However...among his bracket, Andrew got 2nd! The boy who pinned him in the first match won 1st, and the boy who beat him in the last round got 3rd! I am just so thrilled and proud of him that he never gave up! He kept fighting with all he had! He was upset that he lost the last match, very disappointed, but we kept telling him how great he did and how proud we were of him. Now he can't wait till next year! In this picture he's watching the boys wrestling before him...Abbie didn't catch any "action" shots this time. One of these days I'm going to figure out how to post videos...then you'll really get to see him in action!

Menu Plan Monday

I'm very excited about this week...the weather is supposed to be beautiful!! And since the weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL, we are planning our first outing (of 2008) to the lake! We LOVE going to the lake for the evening (a nice little state park about 10 miles from home) for a little fishing, grilling out, and smores! So..here is what is on the menu this week, although I don't want to be inside cooking this week!

Monday: Sloppy joes, carrots/celery, fruit

Tuesday: LAKE! Grilling of hamburgers/hot dogs, chips, fruit, smores

Wednesday: Lenten soup supper at church, I don't have to cook!

Thursday: Hubby will be gone, so the kids and I will have either a leftover buffet, or pb&j's...maybe a picnic at the park!

Friday: If the weather is still nice, we will probably head to the lake again! If not, I will make homemade pizza's

Thankful Thursday

Yes, it is once again Thankful Thursday. I have had one of THOSE days. On THOSE days, I find it even more important to look at the blessings in my life, rather than dwell on what made it such a tough day. So...what am I thankful for? I am thankful

• that I have this blog, an outlet for the stories about my kids. A way to keep my parents and other far-away family up to date with my kids. A way to make new friends, wonderful Christian women who encourage me from all over the world.
• that tomorrow is another new day. That tomorrow I will have a girl's night out with some friends.
• that I have a warm home to protect me from the cold wind.
• that my kids and husband love me...and that I am blessed enough to love them.
• that my parents call to say "Hi...we read your blog." Even though they don't COMMENT (come on guys!! :o))
• that the children are all in bed, and apparently already sleeping!! Thank You God!!! The house is quiet and I have a moment to myself.
• that everyone at our home is apparently over the yuck that we have had the last few weeks.
• that even though I didn't get to go to my retreat last weekend (sick kids and a hubby working a wrestling tournament all day Saturday), other women did go, and were blessed. I am thankful that I will get a chance to go next year.
• that I am getting excited about my new position as director and teacher...I'm really looking forward to teaching again!
• that I have a comfy bed, which happens to be calling my name....
• that God loves me and forgives me...even on one of THOSE days!

Blessings to all...