Holy Moly

Well......Sam has evidence of CHICKEN POX!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Sadly, I'm not thinking (right now anyway) of how uncomfortable he may get, but of how much I miss getting out! (This will be the third Sunday of Church I've missed in a row. I love Church!!!!) I'm feeling cabin feverish........Booo hooo!

Although, this does mean that we won't have to go through this again. That is a positive.

I've included a link about Chicken Pox just so you can be informed. "http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/infection/chicken_pox.html

I'd appreciate your prayers right now!

The picture above is Sam lifting weights as "Muscle Man". Was taken this past winter.

Inspiration

I've been trying to loose 10 pesky, sticky lb's for about two years. These pounds, I believe are truly glued to me with super glue. I've tried increasing my activity or the intensity of the activity.....wacko exclusive diets. But I've come to the conclusion, my problem lies in not sticking to my goals for more than two weeks! (This post does have a point.)

I have a friend, who didn't know I was discouraged about my lack of results, completely encouraged me. She was just telling me how she's not been consuming ANY sugar (have I mentioned sweets and I are buddies?) She's started eating a wholesome diet and feels great!

So thanks to you, Anna, I'm giving up treats!

Listen up you low down, dirty, rotten, pesky, pounds! You haven't got a chance now!

Enough?

As I stated in a previous post, I've been involved in a Bible Study that, in a year, one reads through the entire Bible.

Today I was reading the 8th chapter of Esther. One particular section caught me. Queen Essy (have you seen the Veggie Tales version of Esther? ;) came twice to King Xerxes without being summoned. And twice he extended his golden scepter. Once, when she initially learned of the edict of death upon the Jews and second to ask for another edict to be written so the Jew's could defend themselves and their property.

Since I was a teen, Queen Es has been one of my heroes. So thus, I compare myself with her. I can see going to the king once and being spared, but the faith to go twice.....I'm not sure if I would have enough faith to do that.

As I was reading, I was amazed by her strength and faith in God (even though the word God never appears in the book of Esther). I felt like I would never measure up in that situation. Then just as fast (I believe the Lord reminded me) that no one knows what they can do in a situation until they're there. All I need to focus on is constantly being submitted to God and obeying His Word and will, and not worry about the rest!

Thanks for letting me ramble......the picture above in My Princess Essy fixing her hair.

Smoke and V-8

Okay, I had to say farewell to my straight iron this morning. Boo-hoo.

Last fall the wires came loose from the base but my Hero of a Husband fixed it for me and it worked like a champ. That is, until last week. It wasn't staying hot (this should have been my first warning sign). I was fixing my hair (only half done) when it made a spark and a crackling noise and the cord came off the end of the unit! I about wet my pants and unplugged it. So, Ben fixed it again. Although this time he said that we'd need to get another one soon. Getting ready this morning I was excited to use my iron again! (Like a dear friend coming for a visit, that's how excited I was.) I finished up (I was completely done this time:) and it blew up this time. It even singed a small part of my hair! Good bye dear friend. Out with the old in with the new!

Ben started what he calls, the V-8 diet. He drinks a V-8 for breakfast and lunch but then eats a regular dinner. He started last Tuesday and by Friday, I think he's lost 10 lb's. So, I started, as well, last Friday. (BTW we eat regular on the week-ends.) Today I got on the scale and was pleased to see that I've lost a couple lb's. The awesome part is that I don't' feel like I'm on a 'diet'. I feel great!

I posted this not to brag, but to prove that I truly am a wacko.......really it's Ben that's the BIGGEST wacko(albeit, handsome and loving). After all, he thought it up!

And the Routine Continues

I woke up today around 6 and started my devotions. Zachy was the first kid up, so we cuddled while I was reading and he was waking up. I happened to notice some mosquito bites on his face and forehead. We'd had the doors open alot over the week-end so this was no surprise. Then out comes Joe. He's got some on his face too. I start to think that this was one HUNGRY mosquito!

I finish up my Bible reading and really look at Joey (he had more bug bites on his face than Zach). They're on his neck too. At this point I start thinking it's no longer a mosquito but a spider. Yuck! I lift up his shirt and they are also on his tummy.........this must be a whole family of spiders feasting on poor Joey!!! I call Zach over and lift up his shirt as well. The same goes for him!!! As I'm about ready to evacuate the house and call an exterminator, I see a cluster of spots going up Joe's hairline in the back. Neither spiders nor mosquitoes like to feast in heavily haried areas.

The dots start connecting in my brain.......the fever........the swollen glands.......the cold symptoms........this is CHICKEN POX!!!!!!!

Cod Liver Oil

Here at our house, we've been fighting some colds. Early in the A.M. on Saturday, Sam came crying into our room saying that his ear hurt. Just what we need!!! Great!!! So Ben and I prayed for him and I got up to help alleviate the pain.

And this is where it gets interesting. Allison, don't feel obligated to read the entirety of this...I know your gag reflex is sensitive.

At all costs we try to use natural methods to combat illness. One of the methods to help earache is dropping a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the hurting ear. So I did that.

By the time we woke up, Sam was feeling better, but not totally recovered. Then Joe stared crying. He said his neck (throat) hurt. As I start to give him a look over, I notice his skin is HOT! Ahhhhhh!!! We pray for Joey.

I then realize we are in a battle for wellness. I wasn't willing to loose another child to this blight! I totally felt like I was going to war too! I pull out my Naturalistic Wellness book and look up ear infections. One of the remedies they suggested was COD LIVER OIL. It has 300% of the USDA recommended amount of vitamin A and something like 175% of the vitamin D. So, I make a run to the store (literally....I went to the club on my way back) and purchased the oil.

When I get home I corral Sam and Joe and get ready to administer.......dun, dun, dun.......the oil. As I'm opening the bottle, I just about faint! It reeks!!!! Ewwie!!!! Yet, I follow the instructions. We have juice ready to case away the bad taste. The kids took it like champs! Hurrah!

The greatest thing is, it worked! This morning everyone woke up feeling cool and not so stuffy.

As of this morning, I was the only one in the house who hadn't been tormented with the liver oil. I wasn't feeling any symptoms :) (oh, bummer!) I started to feel guilty that others had to be subjected to this horror.......so I administered a dose. Oh, Sweet Jesus take me to heaven NOW! The kids didn't so much as complain...........I almost (no joking here) lost my breakfast! After I took my dose, I told the kids they needed to eat a candy for doing such a great job.

I'm praying that all will be well tomorrow. Not so excited about our new morning routine!

Perry Mason and God

Okay, I tried to add a picture of Raymond Burr to this post, but they're all copyrighted!

Yesterday Es and Zach wanted to watch Perry Mason. I was cleaning in another area of the house but Mason's pretty tame so I agreed. Sam and Joey didn't want to watch (they said it was boring......these must not actually be MY children!) so they were playing together. Es and Zach had been watching for about 5 min. when Zach comes out yelling "Batman is coming on Perry Mason! He (Burr) said 'I'm going to pick up Batman'!!!!! Come on guys!" Sam comes back about 30 sec. later. I heard Sam explaining to Zach "No, he didn't say Batman, he said black mayo." And Sam proceeds to tell Zach that we have the white mayo (he's opening the fridge as he's 'explaining') but they were talking about the black kind. I, at this point, am chuckling as I'm sweeping. Then awhile later Sam comes back out to me and tells me about how he'd gotten it all wrong! They were talking about BLACK MAIL!!!! He starts to laugh as he's talking to me......he says "We've never got black mail before.......just the white mail!!!!" I was laughing so hard tears came to my eyes!

Joey and Zach were arguing over the kid's computer yesterday. Joey said that Zach just came and took over the computer. I called Zach and asked why he'd taken over Joey's turn. He said that I told him he could. I hadn't. My response was "Zach, you don't have the authority to take over Joey's turn." He's response was "Yes. Me and God have the authority!" I had to re-familiarize him with the rules of our house at that point!

What'll They say today????

One more thing.......when Essy was 4 she called Perry Mason.......Mason Perry!

I Washed My Hands!

Sam's 6 and he likes video games. The rule at our house is: You need to have clean faces and hands in order to play the video games. So, Sam comes to me after lunch and says "Mom, I washed my hands! Can I play the video games now?" The above picture is just a moment after he asked.......hum......I wonder if he washed his face yet?!!

Tough and Fluff

I found a picture from last Easter, but there were none with the boy's pictured!
The Easter pict. is Essy with cousins in 2006.
The hero picture is on Sam's birthday 2005. We were visiting Ben's family in Eugene. My Mother-in-law made the capes. The amazing thing is the boys have been hard on them and I've had to wash them alot. But, they're still here!

Easter Best

Not much time right now. But had to post some pictures from this morning. I hope your Easter was full of God's Love.

Trash Baskets and Fun?

Yesterday I was talking with one of the kids about gifts and Ben said "Speaking of gifts, I have something for you in my truck." I (getting excited) say "What is it? Is it cash?" (I'm really not always thinking about material things!) Ben starts to look a wee bit sheepish and starts the back peddling! He brought in a new trash basket for my kitchen!!!!! One that has a foot pedal and a lid (So HIS dog {that sometimes gets confused and thinks she's MY dog!}doesn't even think about getting into places she should never be!)! He thought I would be disappointed with it. Color me crazy, but I LOVED it!

I got together with some awesome girlfriends this morning and my cousin Kari put on a egg hunt for all the kids. I counted 11 children.......THANK YOU KARI!!!! We had soooo much fun!

Sunshine and Sweets

This was a day last week that was brilliant! I love sunny, outside pictures. The kids were playing in our front yard and I couldn't resist the 'torture' (the kids had a hard time trying to keep eyes open)....er....I mean opportunity. Yea for sunshine!

Palm Sunday

Today was a weird Sunday for me. It was Palm Sunday and April Fool's Day, not necessarily a harmonious combo!

Yesterday, the boy's and I (Es was at a friend's house for a sleep over) were watching a cartoon movie about Jesus' Crucifixion (non bloody and totally for kids!) and I started crying. I totally couldn't stop myself. It was just another reminder that Jesus gave all, and God thought of it! AMAZING!

On a lighter note, Ben and the kids and I witnessed 3 of my nieces' baptisms yesterday (Saturday). It was touching and fun. My nieces are all in the same family and they live about 45min. away. We had good family time on the way there and back.

We invented this car game (sometimes I wonder if it's desperation or stupidity or just plain exhaustion when I come up with certain ideas!). One person would choose a random word and the rest would explain what that word brought to mind. For example, Ben chose the word 'bright'. The first thing I thought of was a smile. Es thought of sunshine. It was fun! I felt like I learned more about how my kids ticked.

I pray the peace of God rests with you today. HAPPY DAY!