Crazy hair night!

Crazy hair night at Awana:

 

Even Logan wanted “a little” bit of crazy hair:

And Logan has the crazy outfit to go along with the hair, even down to the shoes!

And Camden just wanted to smile:

Quick Takes

1.  Isaac has strep throat.

  I am really praying hard that the other ones do not catch it.  REALLY praying.  

I was absolutely shocked when he tested positive for strep.  I mean, he’s had way worse sore throats and felt way crummier and been negative for strep.   But he was on day four and no improvement so in to the doctor we went and I’m glad we did.

Now I honestly feel like the other boys are a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.  I’m constantly asking how they feel and I’m ready to start the antibiotic at the slightest sign of a sore throat or fever.  We will not be sick for Easter!!!!

2.  Many of you have asked about Isaac and the Easter outfit.  We have reached a solution on a shirt that has no purple in it but is still green, like his brothers.  I think he feels better knowing it’s not exactly the same as his brothers’ shirts.  And it came from a completely different store.

3.  Josh is officially in his busy season.  He is working 12+ hour days and even had to work last Saturday; therefore, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Sunday together.  It was a beautiful day and we spent it going to church together, playing outside, taking walks, going on adventures and playing basketball.

4.  I painted my kitchen last Friday.  This project had been hanging over my head since last November.  It’s finally done and I love the result.

Before paint job:

 

After paint job:

 

5.  I bought myself a new camera!!!  I’m so excited yet so nervous.  I did lots of research, talked to numerous people, including my hopeful photography instructor, and finally made a decision.  I bought a Canon Rebel XSi with multiple lenses and filters.  I am so excited to get it and try it out.  I challenged myself and ended up choosing a SLR with both auto and manual modes.

6.  Camden and Logan are obsessed with being outside.  It’s almost tiring some days.  Maybe all the fresh air will help with fighting off those sick germs.

7.  And finally, I’ll end with some pictures.  Enjoy these cuties!

Yea, Camden’s nose is still bruised. :(

Logan’s advice of the day:

“Never do that, Mom.”

“Never do what?”

“NEVER climb on a wall dressed up like a tree frog.”

Very important advice.  Because then you could fall off.

A fall into the fireplace

Poor little Camden was having so much fun on  Thursday, running around and playing.  Before I knew it, he tumbled into the fireplace—face first.   I never heard such screaming!

We were all saying lots of prayers because he wouldn’t stop crying and when he did, he was acting really weird, very out of it.  I called the doctor—just to be safe—and she said to keep a close eye on him, make sure in an hour I could wake him up (because it was naptime and after crying for 45 minutes, he fell asleep in my arms) and make sure he could breath okay out of his nose.  I kept thinking, please don’t be broken.  Josh and I have both broken our noses and it seems almost fitting that one of our boys would.  The doctor told me that the bones in babies and toddlers are quite flexible and very rarely are they broken.  That was supposed to be reassurance; however, I broke my nose when I was under five!  So I kind of tossed that theory out the window.

I am happy to report that after a few days, Camden’s nose seems to be doing all right.  No snoring at night, no difficulty breathing.  It was terrible swollen the first 24 hours, but that’s gone down now.  Just scraped and bruised. 

Singing

Mom:  Logan, please stop yelling.

Logan (with wrinkled eyebrow look):  “Mo-om, I’m not yelling.  I’m SINGING!”

Oops.

Be Grateful

Character trait for this week:

“….give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I  Thessalonians

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Eli picked the character trait for this week (having no idea what grateful meant) because he was the winner of last week’s character trait (be patient).  I always explain the verse and then we look up the word in the dictionary, followed by more verses on whatever the trait is.

Eli had a hurt arm on Monday and he was really bummed about it because he had to rest and was not able to participate in basketball.  When we talked about gratefulness and being thankful in ALL circumstances, he said, “My arm hurting is nothing to be thankful about.  I can’t play basketball.” 

“Oh, but you are so wrong, Eli.  You can be grateful that nothing is broken.  Grateful that nothing is even sprained.  Yes, it’s bruised badly and it hurts and you’re bummed because you can’t play basketball.  But after a few days, it will heal and you’ll be back to your normal self.  Be oh-so-thankful that you didn’t break it or need surgery to fix it.  God was surely looking out for you.”

These are the things we try to focus on through the week with each character trait.  It’s not always easy.  I could have really used more patience last week with that trait, but it’s something to strive for.

Russian speaking

Apparently someone has been teaching Camden Russian because when you ask him a question, he answers yes in Russian. 

“Camden, do you want some more?”

“Da.”

“Camden, do you want to take a bath?”

“Da.”

Dmitri did pray over him when he was younger in Russian.  I think this is having some effect on him.  :)

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Camden is also having the same obsession with cows as Logan did (or does).

He sees the cows in the field and screams, “Cow!”  with a strong emphasis on the “ow” part.

My Quick Takes

1.  Two weeks until Easter. 

I’m dressing the boys alike this Easter.  I usually color coordinate them, but this year I’m going a little bit farther.  Camden and Logan do not mind at all.  Logan is happy about dressing like his little brother.  Eli immediately asked what color he was wearing and then said, “Let me see what I’m wearing.”  After I showed him, he was okay with dressing alike.   However, I am not getting a good reaction from Isaac.  Usually he’s okay with what I dress him in, especially for church, because he knows he has no option.  I do not care what they wear day to day around the house.   If they want to wear a T-shirt that has food all over it, fine.  If they want to wear the same basketball shorts day after day, fine.  We’re at home.  But on the days when we have to go out, and especially the days where we go to church, they have to wear what I pick out.  No ifs, ands or buts.  This has been a rule in our home for quite some time.  I pick out the clothes for church. 

But this year for Easter, Isaac has let me know he is not happy at all about dressing like his brothers.  Funny thing is I haven’t even gotten his Easter shirt yet.  The store where I bought the other little boys’ outfits didn’t have Isaac’s big size, so I have to look elsewhere.  He just doesn’t want to be in the same colors as the other three.  **sigh***  Another sign that he’s growing up before my very eyes.

2.  Logan is no longer taking naps—most days.  This happened about two weeks ago, and it is a very sad thing for me.  It’s sad for the obvious reason, that I don’t get my break from him during the day anymore.  But it’s also sad because it’s yet another reminder that he’s getting bigger. 

The other night Isaac had his Cousin C overnight.  At about 8:00ish they were asking to watch a movie.  This was also the same time I was trying to put Logan to bed.  Logan heard “movie” and immediately started asking if he could watch the movie too.  I tried to explain to him that the other boys are big boys and when he’s bigger, he can stay up  later too.  But now he needs to go to bed.  He just cried and cried and yelled to me from his bed, “I AM A BIG BOY NOW!  I AM BIGGER!  MOM, PLEASE!  I WANT TO WATCH THE MOVIE!  I AM BIG!” 

Josh looked at me and said, “He is big, you know.”  I laughed and replied, “Ah, yeah, a whole three years old!”

Eventually I gave in (after 20 minutes of this), which I know wasn’t a very good parenting move on my part, but I had a weak moment.  We let him get up, have a bowl of popcorn (while sitting right smack in the middle of the big boys and loving every minute of it) and then it was back to bed for him.  I mean, the movie of choice was Indiana Jones.  Not exactly a good choice for a three year old.

3.  Camden is still up crying most nights.  I think we’ll up the chiro treatments for a while until he improves.  He has a number of things contributing to his reflux flare ups, none of them amounting to any big thing but enough to trigger the reflux.  I always appreciate prayers for him.

4.  Spring is here and while most are excited for it, some of us are not.  Springtime means I become a single parent until summer so I have mixed feelings about it.  It looks like Josh will be starting piers this week, so it’s time for me to keep busy with lots of play dates and field trips.  The days are L.O.N.G. when he leaves before the sun is up and is home after the kids are in bed.  My sanity could use your prayers.

5.  I am on day 17 of my 30-day shred.  I have been suffering from shin splints so I’m doing the low impact most of the time.  Shin splints are awful!  They hurt so bad.

6.  I am currently reading How to Tuck in a Superhero.  It arrived last Wednesday and I am almost done.  I haven’t been able to put it down.  At some points I am literally laughing out loud.  This is a lady whose blog I have been following for years and recently she wrote a book on the musings of raising all boys.  I can relate all to well to this mom of five lively boys.  I am also feeling some relief knowing that I’m not the only mom of boys who wonders when they’ll ever learn or care about things like hygiene and wearing clean clothes.

7.  I became aware recently that in our 11 years of marriage, I have never been alone with my husband for longer than one night.  This is something that came up when I was out with friends recently and also something I had never even thought about before.  I mean, yes, I knew Josh and I were due for an adult-only vacation, but I never realized we had never done this in our 11 years together—not even for a weekend.  Isn’t that crazy?  Springtime is the worst time to get away, but it is something I am thinking about.  Of course, who would want four boys for a few days and nights, especially when one doesn’t sleep all too well?!?!?!?  I don’t even know if Grandpa and Grandma could handle that!  I do admit I have a problem asking others to watch our kids (I always feel like I’m inconveniencing others), so that probably explains why we’ve never “gotten away.”

Any woo, have a blessed week.

My lil' Superhero

Isaac spent the afternoon making this superhero mask and cape for Logan. It was leftover from material he had been using on an art project. Logan was, of course, thrilled! He was outside for hours pretending to be the "bad guy." I think he said he was Darth Vader and his only weakness was pigs.

11-year Tribute

Dear Isaac,

You are officially 11 years old.  As I was thinking back on where I was 11 years ago, I was remembering some of my feelings about having my first baby.  I remember the great amount of responsibility I felt.  God had blessed us with you and you were  ours, our very own to teach, to raise, to nurture.  I remember feeling very overwhelmed at the big picture of responsibility. 

And now, look at you.  At 11 years old, I am proud of who you are becoming.  Every day you seem to give me a glimpse of who you will grow up to be.  I see a boy growing into a young man.  You are growing up so fast!

You are such a huge help to me with your younger brothers.  I know I can always count on you, even when you’d rather run off and do your own thing.  You always first stop and address whatever need there is. 

Looking back at your 11 years thus far, I am both saddened and anxious.  I am sad when I think of how fast these 11 years have gone.  I have enjoyed every moment of watching you become who you are today.  Yes, even all those sleepless nights at the beginning.  :)  I am anxious for what God has in store for you.  I see how you’re growing up and some days I’m anxious to see  you in a few years.  But then I remember to just enjoy every moment now.  Because those days will all come way too fast.

For your 11th birthday I caught little glimpses of the fact that you’re growing up.  It was the first birthday where you didn’t ask for a particular type of birthday.  In years past, part of the excitement of your birthday approaching was choosing the type of birthday you were going to have (your first birthday was Veggie Tales; second was sports; one was Star Wars; another one was Thomas the Train).  This year I never heard you ask for a “type” of birthday.  We didn’t buy any special character plates or table cloth.  This was a sign that you’re growing up.

We celebrated by going to the Discovery Museum with some friends and Grandma.  You opened your gifts from us in the morning and from Joy.  You received Legos (surprise!) and Joy got your tons of football cards.  As we were pulling out of the driveway and you and Eli were in the back trading cards already, you said, “This already is my best birthday every!”  That made me smile.

In the evening we had a party and favorite Cousin C spent the night.  You watched your first Indiana Jones movie (to which I kept thinking it was way too violent and scary), but I had to  let go and realize you are growing up. 

Isaac, as always, I am looking forward to this year ahead.  11 years.  What will it bring us?  What new challenges will we face?  What obstacles will we overcome?  What things will be celebrate?  What special memories will be made?  I do not know, but I welcome them and look forward to them.

I remember being upset with Dad 11 years ago because he had to watch March Madness while I was in labor with you at the hospital.  Now, 11 years later, you are the one who is asking to turn on March Madness and following your bracket.  You are the one telling Dad who’s winning and who’s losing.   It’s ironic how life changes and as it does, our roles change.

I love you, Isaac.  Your name means laughter and you have brought us so much laughter over the years.  Just today you had your nose buried in a book (which is common for you) and I asked you to put it down and play with Cousin C because he would be leaving soon and you could read when he was gone.  You told me you were still playing while you were reading.  I said, “But you’ll finish that  book while he’s here and have nothing to do when he’s gone.”  To which you replied, “Then I’ll just reread the book.”

Happy Birthday, Son!

Isaac at the Discovery Museum.  He was using his arm strength to pull the rope which made the chair go up then.

 

Logan pulling himself up.

 

Camden wondering why he’s stuck in the stroller the whole time. 

 

Isaac helping Logan ring the bell on the ship.

 

Eli and David loved running on this wheel like hamsters a little too much.

 

Isaac, Logan and Mom stuck in a bubble.

 

Isaac’s request for cake was his favorite Oreo Cookie Cake.

 

Camden enjoying his “special” cake.

 

Opening gifts.  Cousin E dressed up in her party outfit for the occasion.  Doesn’t she look nice?!?!?

F.R.U.S.T.R.A.T.E.D!

If you’re looking for uplifting or encouragement from this blog, read no further.  This is my blog and I’m going to vent here.

I have had sleepless nights with Camden all week.  I assumed it started because he stole some food he was allergic to at a birthday party Sunday.  (Yes, stole it—lil’ stinker!)  I noticed he started refluxing that night and I even predicted a bad night.  After three bad nights I knew he needed the chiro.  Once that reflux acts up, it throws him out of whack, and he’s not better until he gets an adjustment.  I guess that’s where a lot of my frustration comes from.  I took him yesterday to see Dr. E.  Yes, he was “off.”  She adjusted him and I really expected to have a good night.   And we did….until 4 a.m.  So back to that recliner, which I used to love but I’m not loving it so much these days.  Dr. E even told me that I need to come in for an adjustment after spending so much time sleeping in that chair.  Yes, someday.

So what’s bothering Camden?  Who knows.  His reflux should be well-controlled with the adjustment, but he’s been having ear issues.  Dr. E said his lymph nodes were still swollen and tender in his neck.  His ears have been oozing again, turning bright red and he’s been pulling on them too.  He also sounded quite congested when he was up two hours ago, which literally brought me to tears.  I mean, seriously, another cold?!!?  It can’t be.  He just got over a terrible sickness.  Hence why I am so f.r.u.s.t.r.a.t.e.d!!!!!!!  I’m going to lock the boy in a bubble soon.  No joke.

Dr. E promises me, encourages me, tries to lift  me up by telling me that once he gets a little bit older we can start using more vitamins and supplements with him to help him with his low immunity, leaky gut issues, yeast issues and reflux issues.  I hate to say that I wish he’d get older sooner (because  my other low this week has been the fact that he’s not a baby baby anymore), but I really cannot wait to start that. 

So pray for me today and in the next few days.  I need it.  And as always, I feel God holding me during these trials with Camden and I know it’s the prayers of my loved ones.

Muddy clothes

Tis the time of year when the snow has melted, the ground is soft, mud is plentiful and my boys are in heaven!  They’ve been playing outside every afternoon.  I am always quick to say, “Put play clothes on”  or “don’t forget to change those  pants” or “go change those pants right now!”

I spoke those words the other day and Eli looked at me and said, “Mom, you’re just going to have to go get us some more play clothes.”

Chair climbing

He’s figured it out.

Nothing is safe now.

Character Trait

BE PATIENT.

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience.  He will be honored if he forgives someone who sins against him.”

Proverbs 19:11

Our messes

As a homeschooling mom and stay-at-home, work-at-home mom, I am very familiar with messes.  Some days I feel like all I do is pick up messes.  I’ve learned that I cannot wait until the end of the day to clean up messes.  It will be like a mountain that I cannot conquer!  So periodically, throughout the day, I clean up the  messes as I go along.  I also teach this to my boys and they are responsible for certain rooms throughout the week.  I encourage them to clean up the mess, put things away, organize right before or after lunch and then again before dinner, instead of waiting for it to build up. 

Our lives with God are the same way.  We cannot allow sin, anger, bitterness, resentment, etc. to build up in our hearts.  We must continually turn to God to clean our hearts.  Proverbs 20:9 says, “Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin” ?”  Spending time in the  Word and praying for God to deal with our hearts keeps the mountains of sin from building up. 

I know so many people who are in situations and wonder why.  “How could this happen to me?”  “Why did this happen?”  But if they really sit and look back at their life, they will realize they were not seeking God to continually clean their hearts and make them pure.  It is a daily commitment.  Don’t let the messes of life build up in your heart.  Let God show you the areas of your life which  need to be cleaned with His forgiving love.

First prank

So every time I am in my bathroom and Camden follows me, he is obsessed with going under my sink, taking out the items and lining them up along our tub. It's really harmless and he's learning great organizational skills, so I usually just let him do this while I get ready.

For two days now I've been searching high and low for my favorite lotion. I know it is Camden who has put it somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere.

Yesterday after my workout, I needed a quick shower before we had to go to church. I jumped in, grabbed my loofah sponge and squirted what I thought was body wash onto it and ah ha! the joke's on me! It wasn't body wash, but my favorite lotion that I had been searching high and low for. Camden put it in the shower! What a lil' prankster! He has officially pulled his first prank on someone. What a good laugh I got in the shower! Thanks, Camden.

Nature field trip

Today we took a field trip with our co-op to the FoxRiver Sanctuary and Nature Center.  It was all about animals in their habitat and lots of  hands-on things. 

They had a little bridge to look at all the animals in a pond or marsh area.  Camden was obsessed with this bridge.

Yep, that’s right, they are playing with animal legs and feet!  They had all different kinds of animal feet (turkey, deer, goose, duck, badger, etc.) that the kids could use to make their footprints in the sand and see what they look like.  This was a favorite of Logan and Camden.

Camden trying to put the antlers on his head so he would be a deer.

Ah ha!  And then he was smart enough to figure out the antlers didn’t go on HIS head; they belonged to the deer behind him!

This turtle was not native to our state, but it did come from Grampa and Gramma H’s state.

They had to wet their hands before they touched the salamander.

A corn snake…yuck!  Look at Logan checking it out.  He did touch it, but just barely.

Eli wanted to do more than just touch the corn snake; he wanted to HOLD it!  Oh, this cannot be my son!

Of course, Isaac had to hold the snake too!  (I kept my distance.)

In fact, as Isaac was standing near the snake cage, I heard him say, “Oh, I would love to  have that!”  (In my mind I’m thinking: Never!!!!")

And Camden giving the bear a little pat on the butt.  :)

The one picture I missed, that I wished I would have gotten (but I was chasing around a little boy), was Isaac transformed into a beaver.  He had on a fur coat, oil for his skin, an axe, goggles, and a paddle (for his tail).  It was too funny.

It was quite the educational afternoon.  I thought all my boys had a fun time, but as we were walking out to the car, Logan said to me very seriously, “Mom, that was NOT fun.”  I guess you just can’t please them all!

God’s wonderful creation

This is my miracle boy, Camden.

Today is a huge milestone for him:  He was DISCHARGED from physical therapy!!!!!!!!!

Last May he started physical therapy at 10 months old with over a 50% delay.  Developmentally, he was a 4 month old.  Today, at 19 months, he is at or exceeding his developmental age. 

He’s been down a rough road, one that’s not even completely over with, but he’s come so far.  He was so far behind and concerned us so  much with his one-sided movements, but that is all behind us now.  Praise God!!!!

Ms. Heather said goodbye to us this morning (which was a little sad because she’s grown on us) and as I closed the door and looked over to Camden running around, I couldn’t help but cry tears of complete joy.  I never thought we’d be where we are at today, but we are.  And it feels so good to hear that Camden is just where he should be. 

Thanks to everyone for all  your prayers over the past few months.  Our God is an awesome God!

Quick takes

1.  The boys’ faces are getting better every day.  I did have to take Isaac to the eye doctor today because he was complaining of blurriness in one eye.  We wanted to make sure there was no permanent damage done.  And there wasn’t.  The eye doc said it’s damaged and irritated, similar to a burn that  a welder gets, but time will heal it.  He gave us some antibiotic drops to use four times a day to help speed the healing and prevent infection.  Never a dull moment around here!

And many of you are asking….no, they didn’t catch any fish.  Lots of bites though.  I think if they would have caught fish, that might have made the burn/swollenness a bit more worth it.

2.  Isaac and Eli are obsessed with Monopoly.  They play it constantly, even complaining when I tell them to take a break and come do school.  We have regular Monopoly, NBAopoly and Whitetailopoly.  They keep switching off between the different ones. 

3.  From what I can tell, Camden is all better!   Hooray.   Thank you for all your prayers.  I know they helped to hold me up when I just couldn’t utter another prayer.  And Camden had no awful side effects from the prednisone or antibiotic. 

4.  Josh and I had date night last Friday night.  I think it was one of our funnest dates yet.  No, we didn’t do anything special per se.  Just out to dinner and bowling.  We just enjoyed the time together.   Lots of laughs. 

There’s been a series of unfortunate events that have made us both realize how precious and sacred marriage is.  I did say my goal for 2010 was to pray daily for my marriage and I am seeing the benefits of it.  My husband is my best friend.  I encourage everyone out there to pray for their own marriage.  It’s never hopeless with God.

5.  Spring is here!  The Great Meltdown has  begun and although it’s  a muddy mess, I’m excited because it means warmer weather is coming.  This is just the process we have to go through.

6.  I am on day five of my 30-Day Shred challenge.  My muscles were so sore on day two and three, but they’re getting better.  I am determined to stick with it for the full 30 days!  It’s  a 20-minute per day workout that is equivalent to an hour in the gym.  It’s led by Jillian from the Biggest Loser.  And boy, it really kicks my butt!

7.  I must sign off now.  My boys need a tweezer to get a lightsaber out of the dinosaur’s throat.  You know, normal things for around here.  ;)

Sunburn & swollen faces

So the boys finally got to go ice fishing with Joshua.  And this is the result:

Sunburned faces in March!

Josh has been out two days and looks a bit like a racoon from wearing his sunglasses.  Isaac and Eli did not have sunglasses on and it looks as if their eyeballs are even sunburned.  They both woke up this morning with a swollen face—their eyelids were almost swollen shut!  I hurt every time I look at them.  Seriously. 

This picture was taken a few hours after Eli was up and I think he is looking much better than when he first woke up.

And quite honestly, these pictures do not show the true damage.  It’s worse in person.  Both Josh and I never thought about sunscreen in winter.  And Isaac and Eli have NO desire to go ice fishing any time soon.

Isaac did not want his picture taken.  He told me he does not want to remember this.  He looks the worst.  Do you remember the TV show Beauty and the Beast that was on in the late ‘80s?  Isaac looks a bit like the Beast—no lie.  I cringe every time I look at him.  The shape of their eyes is even different. 

Important lesson here:  ALWAYS apply sunscreen—even when there’s snow on the ground and ice on the lakes.  That sun is wicked! 

Happy Friday

First of all, Happy Golden 5th Birthday to my niece Ellie!  5 on the 5th….what a special day.

It’s cute because she sent out her birthday list and the last thing on the list was “a  cloak for Logan.”  She is into princess things (as every girl at this age is) and when she plays with Logan, he has to be the prince.  When I said something to Logan about this and kind of joked about Princess Ellie and Prince Logan, Logan looked at me very seriously and said, “No, Mom, I’m King Logan.”  Oh, well….excuse me.

Logan and Ellie have such fun together.  It’s usually Ellie “directing” Logan on what to do, but he doesn’t mind one bit.

 

Happy Birthday, Ellie!  We’re looking forward to your birthday breakfast this morning.

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Secondly, Camden is improving.  He’s had two solid nights of sleep now.  No awful side effects of the steroid on his reflux yet.  I almost hate to say that out loud though.  Yesterday was our first day out in well over a week and it was a bit too much for him.  I had numerous errands to run.  The more activity he does, the more he wheezes.  It’s tough to keep a  one year old, who isn’t feeling sick-sick anymore, low key.  I am happy to see him smiling more, but I do notice he gets run down very easily.  Keep praying that the wheezing completely disappears and the reflux does not flare up!  We have three more days to go on the steroid.

See?  Smiles.