Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hit the spot
Today is a chilly dreary day. The kind of day that only certain foods will satisfy. Sure most of you are thinking soup or hot chocolate, nope todays food was oatmeal chocolate chip pancakes. They were tasty and wonderful and hit the spot.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Trip to the ER
Chris and I were getting ready to go to our Bible study group, Arwen had just finished her dinner was walking around the house when all of a sudden she stopped and fell straight back out cold on the floor. I rushed and picked up her limp body. Her eyes wouldn't open and she wasn't breathing. For what seemed like an eternity but was really 10-15 seconds Arwen was unresponsive and completely limp in my arms. Finally a coughing breath and her eyes fluttered. In no time we had our shoes on and were out the door to the emergency room. In the van while tickling her feet and telling her she needed to stay awake I called the emergency room to let them know we were on our way, 25 seconds into the recording telling me nothing I hung up and called 911 and told them the situation and to let the ER know.
We told the story to the front desk, triage nurse and ER doctor. Facts: she was fine, she fell back, was unconscious for 10-15 seconds, eyes were not dilated, no color change, no previous illness, started talking again 10 blocks from the hospital.
They took her vitals and couldn't find anything wrong. They monitored her heart for a while and found no defects. After talking to the pediatrician they decided to discharge her and gave us instructions to watch for out of the ordinary behavior. They didn't want to do a CT scan since it would be so much radiation for having no other side effects. Total time in the ER 45 minutes.
We left the hospital and met up with my sister and brother-in-law and went for pizza. Arwen was pretty fussy after such a long day and fell fast asleep in the van. She's sleeping peacefully and wiggles through her dreams.
It's a tough thing having to take your baby to the emergency room but am so thankful she turned out alright. Thanks to all of you who were praying for her.
We told the story to the front desk, triage nurse and ER doctor. Facts: she was fine, she fell back, was unconscious for 10-15 seconds, eyes were not dilated, no color change, no previous illness, started talking again 10 blocks from the hospital.
They took her vitals and couldn't find anything wrong. They monitored her heart for a while and found no defects. After talking to the pediatrician they decided to discharge her and gave us instructions to watch for out of the ordinary behavior. They didn't want to do a CT scan since it would be so much radiation for having no other side effects. Total time in the ER 45 minutes.
We left the hospital and met up with my sister and brother-in-law and went for pizza. Arwen was pretty fussy after such a long day and fell fast asleep in the van. She's sleeping peacefully and wiggles through her dreams.
It's a tough thing having to take your baby to the emergency room but am so thankful she turned out alright. Thanks to all of you who were praying for her.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Remarks of the week
I find myself enjoying Deuteronomy very much, especially in this translation. I really like reading the laws. I think it's because I'm a geek. In other books not so much, I go crazy every time I have to read the temple laws and and specifications for building. Boring! Maybe if I built model airplanes or cars I would appreciate it more but as I'm a different kind of geek specs hold no interest for me.
I gave in last Friday to channel surfing. I never noticed before that I wasn't really aware that the TV was on. Mostly I would be playing Farmtown and the TV would be on in the background. When I gave it up last week I noticed that I got more lonely and just a little bit crazy. I figured that it was because I spend all day during week listening to little children but at night it was my turn to hear adults talk.
"Why don't you just turn on Christian radio and listen to something wholesome instead?" you say. Because I really can't listen to Contemporary Christian music for more than 5 minutes before going insane. There are so few now that I will listen too and the radio just won't play them. Some artists or groups I can't stand the sound of. I'm sure they were the best in their church choir but their voices are like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Yes I know they have a great message, la dee da dee da, but it doesn't change the fact that they don't sound good delivering it.
(Rant over)
So I turned on the tv. Back to my good ol' documentaries, biographies, design, cooking shows and the no purpose mindless show. On a happy note, I discovered that they are showing Star Trek TNG every night again. (Closet trekkie)
Right. So last week we went to see the new Star Trek movie, loved it!
There were a few errors that I think only a trekkie would notice.
Chekov wasn't part of the cast in the beginning. Which you could easily explain his involvement by the crisis on Vulcan throwing off the space time continuum. I'll give 'em that one.
When did Romulans get tattoos?
The uniforms at the end are about 15-20 years to early.
There are more but I'll leave that to the super trekkies.
Anyway. I had a super time and really enjoyed the show.
Bible reading: good!
TV off: eh, I was more lonely but did enjoy some of the silence. (For those that don't know, Chris works the night shift)
I gave in last Friday to channel surfing. I never noticed before that I wasn't really aware that the TV was on. Mostly I would be playing Farmtown and the TV would be on in the background. When I gave it up last week I noticed that I got more lonely and just a little bit crazy. I figured that it was because I spend all day during week listening to little children but at night it was my turn to hear adults talk.
"Why don't you just turn on Christian radio and listen to something wholesome instead?" you say. Because I really can't listen to Contemporary Christian music for more than 5 minutes before going insane. There are so few now that I will listen too and the radio just won't play them. Some artists or groups I can't stand the sound of. I'm sure they were the best in their church choir but their voices are like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Yes I know they have a great message, la dee da dee da, but it doesn't change the fact that they don't sound good delivering it.
(Rant over)
So I turned on the tv. Back to my good ol' documentaries, biographies, design, cooking shows and the no purpose mindless show. On a happy note, I discovered that they are showing Star Trek TNG every night again. (Closet trekkie)
Right. So last week we went to see the new Star Trek movie, loved it!
There were a few errors that I think only a trekkie would notice.
Chekov wasn't part of the cast in the beginning. Which you could easily explain his involvement by the crisis on Vulcan throwing off the space time continuum. I'll give 'em that one.
When did Romulans get tattoos?
The uniforms at the end are about 15-20 years to early.
There are more but I'll leave that to the super trekkies.
Anyway. I had a super time and really enjoyed the show.
Bible reading: good!
TV off: eh, I was more lonely but did enjoy some of the silence. (For those that don't know, Chris works the night shift)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Fresh start... again
Yesterday we harvested the corn. That involves, picking, husking, blanching cutting the kernels and bagging every ear of corn. Thankfully we had a big crew for the toughest part, husking. We started just after 9am and finished around 6:30pm. Later my mom asked if I was disappointed that it took so long and I said it didn't seem that long, I remember it taking all day when I was younger. (The end count was 131 quart size freezer bags of corn)(Thanks everyone who helped, you're awesome!!)
Anyway. Today I was pretty tired out.
During the sermon at church I was drifting in and out of focus, ironically part of the message was about how women are so tired these days because of expectations placed on us by culture or ourselves. In a moment of focus Bill (www.4roofcrashers.blogspot.com) talked about Ruth Graham (Billy Graham's wife) and how she was raising their 5 children when Billy would be on the road at revivals. During that season of life Ruth struggled to find time to meet with the Lord and so she set out open Bibles through the house so that on her way to children or chores she would stop and read a passage.
I used to read a chapter every night between when Chris would get to work and I would go to bed. I got out of the habit when we went to Canada last month, between the late nights and Arwen sleeping in our room, I didn't find the time. Today's sermon inspired me to get back in the habit.
I picked up where I left off, Deuteronomy chapter 10. Taking a lesson from my mom I've been reading through the Bible in different versions to continually gain new perspective, this time through is New Living Translation. I told my mom what I was reading and she said "ah, 'The Second Telling'". I've really enjoyed Deuteronomy this time through. I like to read it like a girl in high school. I told my mom that reading it with the voice and everything you can just hear the conversation, as if the Exodus was Jr. High and now they're in High School and so much more mature. "Yeah, so like, God made these tablets and while I was gone, you guys, like, went all psycho and started to worship a calf you guys made my brother Aaron make, and then God was like, 'dude, do you see what they're doing? I'm gonna kill 'em. You better get down there." and I was like 'great, what else can go wrong' and then I got all ticked at you guys being stupid you made me throw the tablets and then I had to go back and tell God what happened. We're gonna take really good care of these new tablets and be so much better, I can't believe how immature we were." See, a little imagination and the Bible facts are awesome! Hmmm, side thought, I should write a Valley Girl Bible paraphrase, I think I could stand to read it once or less but still fun to do.
After church Children's Ministry had our semi-annual Empowerment get together. During that our Children's Director, Kathy, covered the bases of where we'd been and where we were going. Still drifting in and out of focus I heard her talk about fasting. I've been thinking for a while that I should cleanse my television viewing pallet and start fresh.
This week's goals, 1. read a chapter of my Bible everyday, 2. Watch only the shows that I've planned on; Hell's Kitchen and The Office.
Anyway. Today I was pretty tired out.
During the sermon at church I was drifting in and out of focus, ironically part of the message was about how women are so tired these days because of expectations placed on us by culture or ourselves. In a moment of focus Bill (www.4roofcrashers.blogspot.com) talked about Ruth Graham (Billy Graham's wife) and how she was raising their 5 children when Billy would be on the road at revivals. During that season of life Ruth struggled to find time to meet with the Lord and so she set out open Bibles through the house so that on her way to children or chores she would stop and read a passage.
I used to read a chapter every night between when Chris would get to work and I would go to bed. I got out of the habit when we went to Canada last month, between the late nights and Arwen sleeping in our room, I didn't find the time. Today's sermon inspired me to get back in the habit.
I picked up where I left off, Deuteronomy chapter 10. Taking a lesson from my mom I've been reading through the Bible in different versions to continually gain new perspective, this time through is New Living Translation. I told my mom what I was reading and she said "ah, 'The Second Telling'". I've really enjoyed Deuteronomy this time through. I like to read it like a girl in high school. I told my mom that reading it with the voice and everything you can just hear the conversation, as if the Exodus was Jr. High and now they're in High School and so much more mature. "Yeah, so like, God made these tablets and while I was gone, you guys, like, went all psycho and started to worship a calf you guys made my brother Aaron make, and then God was like, 'dude, do you see what they're doing? I'm gonna kill 'em. You better get down there." and I was like 'great, what else can go wrong' and then I got all ticked at you guys being stupid you made me throw the tablets and then I had to go back and tell God what happened. We're gonna take really good care of these new tablets and be so much better, I can't believe how immature we were." See, a little imagination and the Bible facts are awesome! Hmmm, side thought, I should write a Valley Girl Bible paraphrase, I think I could stand to read it once or less but still fun to do.
After church Children's Ministry had our semi-annual Empowerment get together. During that our Children's Director, Kathy, covered the bases of where we'd been and where we were going. Still drifting in and out of focus I heard her talk about fasting. I've been thinking for a while that I should cleanse my television viewing pallet and start fresh.
This week's goals, 1. read a chapter of my Bible everyday, 2. Watch only the shows that I've planned on; Hell's Kitchen and The Office.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Suprise visit
Chris' parents called last Tuesday evening informing us that Chris' paternal grandmother had been admitted to the hospital and not expected to go home again. We were up until 2:00am trying to decide what to do and all we came up with was to sleep on it and call in the morning and check on her condition.
The next morning was a blur of phone calls to his sisters, his parents and checking flight and hotel prices.
My family tends to be very logical when it comes to a crisis; you assess the situation, the pros and cons of each possible reaction and act on the best option for those involved. I'm a super geek so I was busy weighing all the options in a logical thought out manner. What are all the variables? Does grandma have dementia? Would she even know we were there? If this is the end should we go now or wait for a funeral? Is it worth it to go and say goodbye if she doesn't know us? Should just Chris go and take Arwen so they can meet? After a few calls we did find out that she did know where she was and who most people were.
Mid morning I was talking to my mom and told her that I was working on showing more feeling instead of just logical and she advised that Chris, Arwen and I all go to Florida, have her meet Arwen and we could say our goodbyes.
Poor Chris had been so tolerant of my calloused logic while wrestling his own thoughts and feelings of his grandma. I came in from my mom's house and said "ok, we should all go."
Chris' parents would fly into Orlando at 5:30pm, his sister Jenni had already bought her tickets, and Cindy said to let her know which one we would pick out and try to get on that flight. (On a funny side note we picked the same flight as Jenni without coordinating, great minds think alike). We would land at 4:30pm.
Chris made hotel and car reservations while I called all the people our absence would impact, the kids I baby-sit, small group, Sunday morning, a couple meetings to cancel. I pulled out the luggage and started packing.
We stayed with Cindy and her husband Pete Wednesday night. Arwen who will go right to sleep at home doesn't travel well. It took an hour to get her to go to sleep and she was up every hour and a half the rest of the night. We needed to leave the apartment by 6:30am so her tears through the night made for some pretty tired parents in the morning. We made it to the airport with the perfect amount of time before our flight. There's a real benefit to flying with an "infant in arms", they had a special line at the security check point. I guess that it's really only a benefit if there aren't a lot of families flying that day, which there weren't.
I was so proud of Arwen on the plane, she didn't fuss much, took a nice little nap and was able to entertain the children sitting in front of us.
We didn't go to the hospital that night because they were moving grandma to a rehab center.
There's more travel stories, getting the car, finding the hotel, yada, yada, yada, but let's just get to the pictures.
Arwen enjoyed sitting on the tray on the plane.
Arwen and Great-Grandma Butler.
Arwen's not too sure what to think.
Arwen did give in and give a few "high fives".
Kisses for Great-Grandma
I do love my great grandma!
Chris and Grandma
Margaret and Grandma
Arwen cut her top two front teeth on this trip which might explain why she had so much trouble sleeping. She was also allergic to something her eyes and nose wouldn't stop running. I would think it had something to do with the teething but it was more severe outside of the hotel room and she a dry teether. I bought some benedryl which did make the runny eyes and nose stop but she was pretty dopey, not sleepy though.
Chris' grandma is 101 and 9/12 years old. When we got the phone call Tuesday night it sounded like there was no time left. Now I don't know if everyone over reacted, if she was healed or if I'm totally fooled but when we said our goodbyes Saturday evening I thought there was no reason why she couldn't go home and live another year or so.
We woke up at 4:30am Florida time and headed to the airport. Because we had to get tickets at the last minute our seats weren't together so we were hoping that someone would be kindhearted enough to switch places with us. Thankfully a gentleman was willing to give up his window seat for the middle. As it ended up the whole plane was packed except for the seats where Chris and I were so when we were in the air Cindy was able to move up next to us, (Jenni was on a later flight).
It was a lovely trip, short as it was.
The next morning was a blur of phone calls to his sisters, his parents and checking flight and hotel prices.
My family tends to be very logical when it comes to a crisis; you assess the situation, the pros and cons of each possible reaction and act on the best option for those involved. I'm a super geek so I was busy weighing all the options in a logical thought out manner. What are all the variables? Does grandma have dementia? Would she even know we were there? If this is the end should we go now or wait for a funeral? Is it worth it to go and say goodbye if she doesn't know us? Should just Chris go and take Arwen so they can meet? After a few calls we did find out that she did know where she was and who most people were.
Mid morning I was talking to my mom and told her that I was working on showing more feeling instead of just logical and she advised that Chris, Arwen and I all go to Florida, have her meet Arwen and we could say our goodbyes.
Poor Chris had been so tolerant of my calloused logic while wrestling his own thoughts and feelings of his grandma. I came in from my mom's house and said "ok, we should all go."
Chris' parents would fly into Orlando at 5:30pm, his sister Jenni had already bought her tickets, and Cindy said to let her know which one we would pick out and try to get on that flight. (On a funny side note we picked the same flight as Jenni without coordinating, great minds think alike). We would land at 4:30pm.
Chris made hotel and car reservations while I called all the people our absence would impact, the kids I baby-sit, small group, Sunday morning, a couple meetings to cancel. I pulled out the luggage and started packing.
We stayed with Cindy and her husband Pete Wednesday night. Arwen who will go right to sleep at home doesn't travel well. It took an hour to get her to go to sleep and she was up every hour and a half the rest of the night. We needed to leave the apartment by 6:30am so her tears through the night made for some pretty tired parents in the morning. We made it to the airport with the perfect amount of time before our flight. There's a real benefit to flying with an "infant in arms", they had a special line at the security check point. I guess that it's really only a benefit if there aren't a lot of families flying that day, which there weren't.
I was so proud of Arwen on the plane, she didn't fuss much, took a nice little nap and was able to entertain the children sitting in front of us.
We didn't go to the hospital that night because they were moving grandma to a rehab center.
There's more travel stories, getting the car, finding the hotel, yada, yada, yada, but let's just get to the pictures.
Arwen enjoyed sitting on the tray on the plane.
Arwen and Great-Grandma Butler.
Arwen's not too sure what to think.
Arwen did give in and give a few "high fives".
Kisses for Great-Grandma
I do love my great grandma!
Chris and Grandma
Margaret and Grandma
Arwen cut her top two front teeth on this trip which might explain why she had so much trouble sleeping. She was also allergic to something her eyes and nose wouldn't stop running. I would think it had something to do with the teething but it was more severe outside of the hotel room and she a dry teether. I bought some benedryl which did make the runny eyes and nose stop but she was pretty dopey, not sleepy though.
Chris' grandma is 101 and 9/12 years old. When we got the phone call Tuesday night it sounded like there was no time left. Now I don't know if everyone over reacted, if she was healed or if I'm totally fooled but when we said our goodbyes Saturday evening I thought there was no reason why she couldn't go home and live another year or so.
We woke up at 4:30am Florida time and headed to the airport. Because we had to get tickets at the last minute our seats weren't together so we were hoping that someone would be kindhearted enough to switch places with us. Thankfully a gentleman was willing to give up his window seat for the middle. As it ended up the whole plane was packed except for the seats where Chris and I were so when we were in the air Cindy was able to move up next to us, (Jenni was on a later flight).
It was a lovely trip, short as it was.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
To pierce or not to pierce
My parents said I needed to be 16 before I could pierce my ears. When I turned 16 I really didn't care about my ears that much and decided not to do it.
I revisited the idea when I was engaged but you never know what's going to happen and I thought it would be just my luck to get an infection and my ears would have to be removed just before my wedding day. Sure, call me crazy but it could happen.
When I see a pair of earrings I really like I think I should just go ahead and do it. Then I remember a couple of things.
I'm lazy. When it comes to cleaning new piercings I would do terribly. By the time I get Arwen to bed and the dishwasher loaded I would rather just sit in my jammies and work on FarmTown while watching TV.
Also, I want earrings that would dangle and with all the kids running around that just wouldn't work.
I'll wait. Maybe someday the mood will catch me just right and I'll go for it.
I revisited the idea when I was engaged but you never know what's going to happen and I thought it would be just my luck to get an infection and my ears would have to be removed just before my wedding day. Sure, call me crazy but it could happen.
When I see a pair of earrings I really like I think I should just go ahead and do it. Then I remember a couple of things.
I'm lazy. When it comes to cleaning new piercings I would do terribly. By the time I get Arwen to bed and the dishwasher loaded I would rather just sit in my jammies and work on FarmTown while watching TV.
Also, I want earrings that would dangle and with all the kids running around that just wouldn't work.
I'll wait. Maybe someday the mood will catch me just right and I'll go for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
