Worried & Concerned

Today was tough because it was the second day Cayden (my 3 year son) has had a fever. The first day wasn't too bad as his body did seem to respond to the generic chewable Tylenol tablets he was taking. He was still drinking juice too. However, he was burning up overnight and just couldn't really sleep. Everytime he'd toss and turn, he'd moan and say "ow". I am assuming his body was sore and achy.

Early this morning he threw up and was still HOT and saying "ow" whenever he moved.

We got him into the pediatricians and she said his ears and throat were clear. She said she didn't think it was hand, foot and mouth disease since he didn't have any sores in his mouth, yet it may be too early and they could always appear tomorrow if that is what it is.

She also said his lungs sounded great and he didn't appear to have any nasal congestion, praise God.

She thought whatever it is that he has is in the very early stage. Since he was born with congenital hypothyroidism and the fact that he is only 3 years old, she decided to perform a nasal/sinus swab to check for Influenza A. She said we should have the results early next week, maybe even by Tuesday.

Even though the nasal/sinus swab procedure was not pleasant, Cayden did very well. I was pleasantly surprised.

He is now taking generic liquid Motrin (since this afternoon), and his fever has finally gone down, praise the Lord! He has been extremely subdued and still irritable.

Our biggest struggle is getting fluids into him. We've been "pushing" freeze pops, but he no longer wanted any. We've been trying new juices and koolaids, but he's only taken a few sips. I've pulled some water bottles out of the cupboard that he rarely uses (thinking something new might interest him in wanting to use it) and it worked a little bit and we got a little more water into him.

He's obviously tired and has actually slept on me for a few hours and has also remained cool to the touch.

Per the pediatrician's instructions, we are watching him carefully to avoid dehydration. Otherwise, we'll need to take him to the hospital to be admitted and to receive iv treatment.

So, in closing, I'm requesting prayers for my little guy. I'm asking for prayer most importantly that he doesn't have Influenza A, but if he does, please, please pray it will not be life threatening! I also ask for prayer that his fever will stay down and that God will heal his body thoroughly.

THANK YOU!!!

It's a...

GIRL!!!

Yep, it's a girl--the sono tech said she was 99.999% positive it's a girl!

We are so happy and grateful to our Lord for this blessing!

We have 5 boys and 1 girl, so to learn we are having a girl has increased our excitement even more.

Yes, Payge was very excited and absolutely thrilled to learn she's finally getting the sister she's always wanted--until she was told that at some point, she'll have to share her bedroom. Such is life. ;)

Depa, Depa Song

Here are a few videos of Cayden as he sings his very own song that he made up awhile back. It is entitled the "Depa, Depa" song...for obvious reasons. He enhances it differently everytime he sings it. :)

PS--You'll most likely get the biggest kick out of the third one!

New Snowman Puppet

Here is a snowman puppet Shayne brought home from church for Cayden. He loves it! I was thrilled to catch Cayden on video saying "What's Up?" Too funny.

Summary of Stuff Going On Lately

I think everyone knows that Tim fell and shattered his hip in November, 2007 and had emergency surgery (had 4 titanium rods put in)--kind of like putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. After being on disability for six months (he was on bedrest and could not walk for the first three months), he was finally released to return to his job of ten years, when they laid him off. This of course happened after his employer repeatedly assured us his position would be safe and they would not pursue "filling" his position, however that is exactly what they did.

Like many families, we did not have a nest egg of savings to fall back on and soon found ourselves falling deep into a hole of financial trouble. The fact that it was four months after his accident before we ever received the first disability check and another three months after he was released from disability before we began to receive unemployment benefits (due to dishonesty from his previous employer), did all but help our situation. If we had been following Dave Ramsey sooner, we may have had an emergency fund built up to draw from, but we didn't.

In July, 2008 we filed for bankruptcy (chapter 13) to avoid the foreclosure of our home and repossession of our van (a 12 passenger to seat all 8 of us and our only vehicle). Because Tim hadn't yet found a job when we first appeared in court (fall of 2008), they kindly gave us a two-month extension. Those two months came and went and when we again returned to court, he was still unemployed, so we were given another two-month extension. This happened a total of three times, I think.

Fast forward to April, 2009 when we again went to court. Tim was still unemployed and the court could no longer give us an extension (understandably so). This resulted in our bankruptcy case being "dismissed". This meant that all of our debt up to the point of July, 2007 (when we first filed bankruptcy) and all the additional charges inbetween were instantly thrown back at us!

Just so it may be easier for anyone reading this to understand, from July, 2008 to the present, we had been paying our monthly mortgage payment to the bank and a set monthly payment to the "trustee" of the court to be paid toward our outstanding debt (van payment and credit cards). The payments we made toward our debt were eventually sent back to us since the bankruptcy was dismissed. Since the mortgage payments were made directly to the bank and were immediately applied to our mortgage, there was no reason for those payments to be returned. I hope I'm explaining this clearly enough.

Again, not having an "emergency fund" or savings really did us in. It was mid-April, 2009 when they came and repossessed our van. This was very difficult for us since it was the only vehicle we had that sat all 8 of us.

Also in April, we found out that our home was again listed for foreclosure. Let me say that this was absolutely devastating. I had a pit in my stomach that was becoming larger and larger and even though I "knew" that God was in control of all things, I still felt so completely helpless. We had roughly 4 weeks before the foreclosure would take place.

Tim made phone call after phone call to the bank that holds our mortgage and finally spoke to the "right" representative who sent us a "modification" packet to complete. It was such a frustrating time because it was almost impossible to get through to a representative whenever he called. We received the packet and Tim completed the paperwork and provided all the information required and sent it back in hopes of it being approved/accepted.

Trying to shorten this story, about five days prior to our foreclosure date, we received word that it had been "placed on hold" until our case could be assigned a negotiator and thoroughly reviewed. PRAISE GOD! It was an immediate relief to know that we wouldn't be kicked out of our home in just five days!

This was just two weeks ago and we have still not been contacted. Tim has called a few times to try to reach the negotiator, but she has not been available. We will, of course, continue to call and try to get through.

That is what has been happening with us financially and there have been plenty of other more personal "bumps in the road" that I won't get into right now, but have certainly contributed to things going on in our lives. Combine this with being pregnant, having minor illness in the family amongst some of us, and just plain everyday life, well, do you get the point?

One thing I know for sure is that "this too shall pass". This is yet just another "test" God has allowed us and we are supposed to come out better and wiser for it. I am ultimately depending on Him. Not to say this has been easy at all because it HASN'T! Like anyone else, I've felt weak, helpless, defeated, scared, and yes, sometimes even abandoned. Because we are not to trust in our own emotions, I really need to read scripture during these weak times. One verse in particular stands out that benefits me:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

In closing, I'd like to say thank you to anyone who may have read this post and I'm sorry it was so long. We really, REALLY covet your prayers!!! Below are just a few other verses that help me during difficult times, and I hope they will bless others as well.

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto
thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 41:13

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalms 91:2

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

I'm Back...I Think

Sorry everyone. I know I abandoned this blog awhile ago--shame on me.

I'm going to try to update it and get it going again.

Stay tuned...

Refurbished Wagon...Again!

Years and years ago, when Dylan was only about 4 years old or so, I purchased a refurbished wagon from some kind old man who had it for sale in his yard.

Well, over the years it took a lot of wear and tear and somehow one of the wheels broke off and it just sat for awhile in our garage loft. :(

Tim recently came across it and decided to try to fix the broken wheel (and whatever else was wrong with it).

Here it is...the finished product! Cayden is definitely enjoying his wagon rides!

Our New (Used) Piano

Tim's old minivan (the one that has not run for quite awhile and sat in our front yard for a couple of years!) finally sold! Dylan told a friend about it and that friend ended up buying it.

Well, we've been looking and looking and looking for quite awhile trying to find a used piano. We were hoping to find a "free" one on Craigslist, but that didn't happen. However, the Lord led us to find this blessing for the exact same amount Tim sold his minivan for! This also included the delivery for it since Tim and I are currently both unable to assist in moving a piano!

Payge and Kyle have both been taking piano lessons for almost 2 years now and have proven they are committed to it. Sadly enough they've been practicing here at home on a "keyboard", so this is definitely long overdue!

Oh and here is Shayne playing his acoustic guitar--they are all so musically talented!

Goodbye to some of the ferrets

Once upon a time, we had 8 ferrets, but 1 recently died from cancer not that long ago. So then we had 7.

Well, since things have still been incredibly difficult for us financially, we, regretfully, needed to try to reduce the expense load, and we found a new home for 4 of our 7 ferrets. Before the group of 4 went to their new home, I took a picture of Kyle holding all 7 ferrets.

He is such an animal lover!

What Amazing Talent!

Isn't it just amazing what one can do with Blue Tack, Cheerios, an Acorn Shell and a dried Flower Stem? Way to go Shayne--I'm just so proud!

Laura & Her Beautiful Family

Laura, Don and their triplet boys were here for the weekend and it was so great to see them! Aren't they a BEAUTIFUL family?!

I am TOTALLY ADDICTED!

Hi, my name is Angie and I'm TOTALLY ADDICTED to reading blogs.

Ok, there I said it and admitted it out loud and publicly.

"How did this happen?", I ask myself. When did it start? I cannot recall any specifics, but I think it began by innocently reading one blog (I can't even remember which one--see the power this has over me?).

Honestly, I was just wondering what "blogging" was since I'd heard of it for quite some time, so one day I decided to take a peek to see what all the hype was about. Well, I was immediately drawn in and within seconds I was hooked!

It's all a blur now, but I seem to recall as I was reading my first blog, that I stumbled upon the section called "Blogroll" (or on some blogs it's called "Links") and decided to click on one of the links that was listed.

Well, that's all it took. Did you know that innocently clicking on one link will ultimately lead to clicking on another and another? It's like the chip saying, "You can't stop at just one". It's true! I had no idea that this fantastic feature would be so enabling to my new found addiction. Geez, there are no warnings of this behavior posted anywhere! (And if there was, I never saw it, I swear!)

Did you also know that if you are using Firefox as your internet browser that you can open individual tabs which makes viewing multiple blogs so much easier and more enjoyable? I've also since discovered the importance of exporting/backing up my Firefox Bookmarks since I have so many saved blog sites (that I seem to be drawn to visiting on a regular basis) not to mention the incredible fact that it is has no limit to the amount of sites I can add and the fact that it grows daily with new blogs I want to visit at another time.

Are there other fools victims out there who have fallen into this blog reading entanglement? Surely I am not the only one! What does one do to curb this addiction or even overcome it? Is there any cure? Is there any hope for us and our moderately neglected households since falling into this devastating trap? Are there any support groups for folks such as myself?

Someone please tell me so I can try to obtain some sort of self-control and utilize it properly as I really need to return back to my previous responsibilities of maintaining my household and providing for my family since they do have to eat now and then, and it would be great if they could actually use clean towels if when they showered and then had clean clothes to put on afterward.

Such is life!

Well, when he got home last night, I let him do all of his normal things (go to the bathroom--it's a long ride home LOL, get changed, say hello to the kids, sit relax, etc.).

When it was truly clear to me that he didn't have a clue, I said to him "Oh, Happy Anniversary".

He looked at me with a blank stare and then replied with a question: "of our first date?".

To which I replied and said "No, not our first date! Our 21st Wedding Anniversary".

He then looked away momentarily, did the figures in his head, gasped as he threw his hand over his mouth in shock, and then said "Happy Anniversary".

I forgave him--what else was I going to do? Sigh, such is life!

Today is a Special Day!!!

Today is our 21st Wedding Anniversary!

I thank the Lord for these years together, I really do. But, if only my husband remembered, it would be so much nicer!

Gobble Gobble

This is the picture of a wild turkey that Tim woke me up to show me about 3 weeks ago. (I'm glad he woke me up!) This turkey is in our backyard because he found birdseed on the ground that had been knocked off from my bird feeders, which are about 3-5 feet away from him to the right, but are unseen here in this picture. I snuck out into the florida room and took some pictures of him before he noticed me. It was so cool to hear the gobble-gobble sounds he was making and to watch him scratch the ground to kick up the seeds! I was surprised to see just how "powerful" his legs/feet are!

Ahhhhh, Yes--Getting Back to Normal!

Well, the kids have been home for a little over 48 hours and all is good...

As I sit here to type this, Shayne and Kyle are here in the living room (where I am) and they are using their Dad's old keyboards--on LOUD! Each keyboard is playing a different pre-programmed song--along with each boy adding their keystrokes and sound effects to it as they try to "out play" each other, Cayden is whining/crying because he wants a turn on the keyboard, 2 of the dogs are wrestling/playing just 2 feet away from me, 3 cats have taken turns walking/crawling over me and my keyboard, Payge just snuck in the front door and ran past me as she is hiding from Trey who is still running around outside looking for her, Tim was cooking chicken outside on the grill but just walked in saying the grill ran out of propane and the chicken is only 1/4 of the way cooked, and I just finished giving Cayden a bath because he decided to play in the toilet...am I forgetting anything? Oh yes--I'm so glad the kids are home and things are back to "normal"! :)

They are HOME!!! :)

I am so grateful the kids arrived back home safe and sound--Thank you Lord! They were all safe during the week and all 3 of them said they had a fabulous time! The most difficult thing was all 3 of them needed to take turns as they were telling me about all the things they did during the week--things they ate, awards they won, games they played, songs they sang, swimming in the pool, the condition of the bathrooms they used, etc.

I could not sleep when they were gone! I slept maybe 3 or 4 hours at night and it usually wasn't consecutive either. I'd sleep for an hour or an hour and a half, wake up and be awake for 2 hours, then go back to sleep and so on. Last night was the first night in the last week that I actually slept!!! My stomach was also in knots all week, in addition to the few days prior to them leaving. It's all better now that they're home though!

Ok, now that they are all home, time to unpack their stuff and start on the marathon of laundry that awaits me!

Silly face!

Isn't Cayden making a great SILLY face?

I missed them BEFORE they even left!

Well, 3 of my babies went off to church camp this morning! :(

It is the first time for Payge...in fact this is only the 3rd time she has slept somewhere else other than home...once at a friend's house and once at our friend's house when I had Cayden, and now...camp...for 5 days and 4 nights!

This is the third year for Shayne and Kyle...they really enjoy going, although when they leave, it is always a "bittersweet" feeling. This is most likely their last year too since Shayne is moving up and next year will qualify to be in the "youth group" at church, which will mean he'll only be able to attend the "teen week" and no longer the "junior week". And Kyle will more than likely not go since Shayne won't be there (they are 1 year apart and are more like twins than anything!).

So, I'm glad all 3 of them have this opportunity to go, but it is has been tearing me up and just killing me inside! My stomach has been miserable for the last week as I approached this time and now it is doing loopy loops at 100 mph! It is about a 3 hour ride to get there and is in a different state, so those two things don't help make this any easier on me LOL. ;)

It is just myself, Trey, and Cayden at home (with no car :( ) and Dylan, who is working full-time hours this summer. I have a lot to do in my house...cleaning, organizing, etc., but this feels so incredibly strange!

Oddly enough, I almost cannot stand the quietness!!!

So, Trey and I got busy right after the kids left and made them some cards with special drawings for each of them and quickly got them in the mailbox for today's mail. Hopefully, the kids will get these pictures/notes by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.

We have this ongoing joke in our home...Shayne and Kyle have a dog they've had for almost a year. His name is Barney and he is a dachshund/basset hound mix and he is a pain in the "you know what"! Well, lucky me, I'm in charge of this demon dog stupid mutt stubborn thing called "a dog" until they get back. He is the most high-maintenance dog I've ever had and truly is a pain in the neck...most everyone agrees as we verbalize this on a daily basis!

Well, as a joke (because one of my boys at camp needs to laugh or else he'll do more crying), I wrote him a "Ransom Note" for his dog, LOL. They'll all get a kick out of it LOL. I've included our pictures, drawings, and Ransom note below for your viewing pleasure! (CLICK ON BELOW PICTURE FOR A CLOSE UP)

Here are our "nice" notes to the kids:

Annual Rocket Launch

Last night was our annual rocket launch at our church. The weather was absolutely perfect, thank you Lord!

The winners are decided by random choice...the person in charge of the rocket launch is very fair about it and makes sure the winners are not the same ones year after year. :) He hides a special color ribbon inside some of the rockets, and when each rocket is launched, the ribbons pop out and if it is the right color, that child has won.

This year they let the girls participate, as this event is usually only for the boys. Payge won 2nd place and Trey won 3rd place! Here are pictures of my children with their rockets (unfortunately the one of Kyle is very blurry, but I cannot take another picture of him until he returns home from camp!):