Prayer Request

Please pray for strength and God's peace for Stephanie's whole family right now. They lost Stephanie's niece, Jade, earlier this morning.

Such a painful, traumatic ordeal the family is enduring even as we speak, at the hospital. As their hearts are broken, we pray for emotional and physical strength that only God can provide.

As Christians, we know that God knows what is best for us all, and that He is holding little Jade in the best place of all, but it just can't take away the immense pain the family must endure while still here on earth. As an "earthly being", when I heard of the life-saving efforts being made by the physicians this morning, it was my tendency to pray for sweet little Jade to stay here on earth with the family who so love her and care for her so well - as I don't want any of them to be suffering the heartache they are now. I had to "remind" myself to pray, instead, simply that God's love, peace, and protection be evident to the family, no matter the outcome this morning in God's design for beautiful little Jade.

There are many travel plans being made right now, and Jade's mama will be making a terribly painful flight back home from across the country. Also, Stephanie's brother is on a return flight home right now. He was flying on the way to Stephanie's house this morning (where he will be staying to help her when Percy leaves for Afghanistan), when they were able to catch him at a layover to get him set up to return home immediately. Stephanie has an especially difficult time ahead, as she will be sending Percy off for training and Afghanistan on Tuesday, then flying home (with her three babies) to join her family.

Smile Break!

I just thought this little thing about cats and dogs was really funny. I can't give credit to the writer, because I don't know who it is. I found it on someone else's blog, and they didn't know the author, either - just found it on the internet somewhere.

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DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.
I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.
However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "Good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.
I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.
However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.
I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.'
I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.
I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges.
He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.
He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant.
I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.
I am certain that he reports my every move.
My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now . . .

The Tooth of the Matter is...

My baby is growing up - quickly!

Yesterday, Olivia wanted to watch the DVD of Natalie's dance recital. I was sad watching it. For a few months now, I've been thinking about Natalie's next birthday (6th), which is just around the corner, in May. It just seems like such a big deal to me, because of the whole "important first five years of life" thing. It just feels like she's stepping into another segment of life. I just realized yesterday that she will be one-third of the way through her time with us at home, assuming she'll leave at 18 for college - which is the plan at this point. That's just crazy to think about being one-third through that time - especially considering how very, very quickly the time has gone already.

Today, we are all home (except for Billy). I'm still sick with the flu stuff, Olivia with the bronchitis, Natalie with a stomach virus, and Parker also with an upset tummy. Today was Parker's day for school, but I was afraid he'd have diarrhea at school, so he stayed home. I had planned on sending Olivia to school, because she is over any fever, but she was so sound asleep this morning, that I didn't want to wake her up.

So, a little bit ago, Olivia told me something about Natalie's tooth. Natalie seemed afraid to tell me, and she was covering her mouth. I asked her what happened. She showed me that she had a loose tooth. I don't know why she thought I'd be upset. I just started to cry and said that I couldn't believe my "baby" was so big that the tooth fairy would be coming. Olivia patted me and told me, "It's okay, Mama, I'm still your baby. See, my tooth isn't loose. Look at my teeth. I'll still be your baby. Don't cry." It was sooooooooo cute and sweet.

I was just so completely unprepared for a loose tooth already. I'm scheduling Natalie for a dental visit, because I don't remember if that tooth is one that doesn't have a permanent underneath. If she looses more up front, we'll have to go to a specialist and see if we can go ahead and have a temporary "fake teeth" thing put in. There's no way she can go without any teeth in the front all the way to 12 years or so (when they will put in the bridge-type thing with the fake teeth until she can get the implants when she's about 20). So, maybe we can find a nice, generous specialist to cut the cost a little for a smaller temporary bridge thing.

Anyway, here's a little video from a minute ago:

My big girl - nearly toothless.

The House of Ill...

Olivia went to the walk-in clinic today, and she has bronchitis. She's been sick since last week.

Parker was sick last weekend, and he had an ear infection. Then, Olivia got it. She complained off-and-on about her ear hurting. Then, she had to miss school Friday, because she didn't sleep at all the night before. Then, she seemed to be feeling better, and she went with Natalie and Ninny out of town to visit their Aunt Kathy. She came home Saturday night, crying about her ear.

I was able to work on a project (finishing the new investment catalog) all day Saturday - it literally took me all day long Saturday, but I got it finished and ordered. Then, I got sick. I didn't feel good all day, but I thought it was because I was on the computer and "thinking" really hard all day (figuring cost of goods, etc.). Then, I realized I had fever/chills, aches, nausea...all of that, in addition to the headache and runny nose, chest cough stuff that I had all day.

So, Olivia and I are sick girls. Natalie just left for Gigi and Grandpa's to spend the night and do her school at their house tomorrow. I might have to put a call into Papa to keep Parker a while tomorrow, if I still feel like I do now.

Anyway, a boring update, just so you know why I haven't done the other updates and photo/video posts. I feel yucky!

Red Lobster Date with Parker

A video for now, and details about our day together in another blog when I get time:




Sorry for the whole chewing with his mouth open and talking with food in his mouth. He was kind of being silly. He wanted me to "take a picture" of him eating and drawing.

FINE...JULIE!

Here's a blog, as promised (before midnight on Friday) - just not one of the titles I said would be posted. I'll try to catch up tomorrow. Patience, please!

Technically, the weekend doesn't start until Saturday - right?

I was taking a quick shot of her in the outfit she wore for "crazy sock day" at school last week, and she wanted a photo of her hugging the dogs. Someday, I want to be able to take the time to get some real portraits of the kids with the dogs. I just haven't had time.

Crazy Sock Day at school. This was the craziest I could find that morning.

This was in the yard during the ice storm.

Coming Soon...

I'll post some updates before the weekend - I promise.

Blogs to come:

Last Thursday (My Date with Parker)...video included.

Big Boy Haircut and Undies...video included.

Valentine Weekend.

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I know there are more things I wanted to blog about, but I'm so far behind that I can't remember some I wanted to include last week. Maybe, I'll remember them later and add them. I'm really tired right now.

I did a newborn session today (three hours of trying to get her to be sleepy and "moldable"). She only slept about 5 minutes, and the rest of the time she was fussy. Natalie was my assistant for this session, since there were no children there, and it was a quiet newborn session. (Well, it wasn't so quiet, because the baby was fussy.) We'll try again another time and include her family with her, too. (She has 2 big brothers.)

Anyway, here are a few that I got during the 5 minutes of sleep:

Sweet Valentine

Take a look at my business blog and read the entry that won the gift certificate contest.

I'll try to blog tonight or tomorrow. I've got some cute video of Parker to post, when I get a chance.

Parker is sick today. Billy is gone hunting geese all day. I am so far behind on EVERYTHING!

Too much needs to get done today and tomorrow. Pray that I will accomplish the most important tasks on my list - quickly and effectively.

Fun posts coming soon.......

Bling Bling

Bet Schmet

There is no point in making a bet with your husband and winning the bet. It was nice while the dream lasted. (It was sort of halfway fulfilled for one day.)

I'm tired, achy, overwhelmed, discouraged, unappreciated, and anxious.

I'm just typing out the negative words, so I can get them out of my head and focus on positive words while I'm at the track in a while. I'll just keep repeating positive words while I train.

I love this life...I love this life...I love this life...It could be worse.

Winning Bet

I just won a bet with Billy, when the Steelers took the Super Bowl. It was the first time we've been supporting opposing teams, and it was fun.

Highlight of the game was the 100-yd return for a TD by Harrison. Way cool. Usually, I don't enjoy pro as much as college football, but the Super Bowl is an exception, and this game was good.

So, for this whole week, Billy will be doing the dishes after dinner, picking up and cleaning up the family room each night before bed, and taking the trash out EVERY DAY.

I have a crazy busy week, so winning the bet will be a big help.