Friday, July 31, 2009

Happy Friday Quote...

"Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift; Thats why they call it the PRESENT." Eleanor Roosevelt {1884-1962}

XOXO

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I'm leaving on the next train...

Well...not really...but i am hitting the road jack...dontcha come back no more, no more, no more, no more. (Can you name that song?)

So hopefully Ellyphant will be filling in for me and keeping life interesting for you few followers who still love me. Because I ♥ u and didn't want to leave you high and dry!

I will have a million pics to share when we get back and I promise many funny stories to tell!
XOXO

Sooo...it's now red...

The Cindy Lou Who Family is leaving this town! Hitting the highway and not looking back. DH and I decided that we need some QUIET family time away from the hectic pace here at home. So we are going to a Dude Ranch! I know...I am so excited. Always wanted to do this. It's this big Mountain Ranch in the hills surrounded by Redwood Trees and National forest. We will be fishing, swimming in lakes, creeks and pools, exploring a "Subway Cave" from a volcano, hiking up the 8th largest Waterfall in the U.S., driving thru a tree, riding gondolas across treetops 1500 feet in the air and last but not least...riding horses! It should be fun, but packed days.

We wanted the kids to have some fun before school starts, and not remember all the stressful days of this summer. And frankly...I'm plum wore out!

So...as noted...we will be doing lots of swimming. The Ranch has a big Creek, a fishing pond, a swimming pool and a huge Lake on the property. Plus the waterfalls have a swimming lake and we're renting boats and swimming there. And if you will remember, Austin has this BIG, BLUE cast on his arm. So I called his doctor and pleaded my case and sounded as pathetic as I could that we were leaving on a train (not really) and skipping town (we'll be back eventually) and it will be SO HOT (it really will) and could we PLEASE take the cast off one week early so he could swim????

So yesterday he said bring him down and we will Xray it again and if everything looks good...sure! So I took my lunch hour from work (keep that in mind as you read this) and ran to grab Austin and drive 22 miles to the office. They cut off Big Blue, and took Xrays, and...and...we sat for 4 hours!!! What? Wait? 4 hours? Really? Well, they were fitting us in between appts. and it took forever. And in the end...he got another cast on. His bone is regrowing to heal itself, but its like taffy right now and not hard enough. So should he reinjure it on the trip...it would require surgery. And a lifetime of problems. So...my plan was thwarted and he has to wear it another 2.5 weeks! Drats!

He opted for red this time...and let me tell you...it's RED! Like Fire Engine Red. Like Stop Light Red. Like Red Hot Peppers. Do ya get it? It's RED! I would snap a pic and show you...but he still sleeping, the punk! LOL

Oh, but we did find out about a water-resistant cover we can put over it and he can get it wet. Not swim under water wet, but at least get in and float around. So life wont be so bad on the trip.
XOXO

Monday, July 27, 2009

This is my son...

This is my son on 100% 10.0 Liters of Oxygen in the recovery room after surgery. This is my son after the "distress" of having 3 breathing treatments, 3 nurses working on him and a Respitory Therapist treating him. This is my son after 2 doctors have seen him. This is my son waiting in the recovery room for an open bed in the Critical Care Unit to be ready. This is my son hooked up to a million wires and tubes to help keep him alive (most are hidden under the pillow for his cast).

I snapped this pic from my cell phone. I wanted him to see and have a reminder of what happened and that it could have all been prevented. If only he had taken his medicine...if only...
XOXO

P.S. Doesn't it make it look more pathetic with that big, blue cast too? ;o)

Saturday, July 25, 2009

I dropped the ball...

I'm sorry my blogger friends, I have dropped the ball in posting this week. But I do have a good excuse. You see, I was plain exhausted. Yep, the past two weeks of events caught up to me and I barely made it through a day much less this week. I caught up on some sleep, dealt with some emotions, dealt with unruly children, and oh yea, I had a birthday.

So hopefully someone noticed I have been gone. Someone missed the Friday Quote, the Monday Humor, my Random Thoughts. So no worries, I promise to get back to work on posts, and not leave you high and dry.

I hope your summers and vacations are turning out to be all that you had wanted and more. School is around the corner for us, 18 days to be exact (not that I'm counting or excited for it). So that means I need to do school shopping and preparing kids to going to bed earlier then midnight. And no more sleeping in until 10am and then napping all afternoon. Nope! Time to turn into the drill sergeant. And whip those kids into shape.

Hope your weekend is blessed!
XOXO

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

To Tell or Not To Tell...

This is the part...where I confess my sins or proclaim my innocence. And this week...well...I have alot. So let's get this started:

*I am eternally gratefully to all the nurses and doctors at the hospital that worked on Austin, calmed me down with soothing words, and cared for my son in ways that I couldn't.

*I am thankful that the doctors listened to my mother's concerns and discovered the infection and took care of her.

*I was a little disappointed that Austin did not realize the seriousness of what was happening and fought us on keeping the Oxygen on, but then remembered that he was just a boy after all.

*I did say MANY prayers this past week and am ever so thankful that God listened and was there. He not only took care of my family, but he walked with me and gave me strength to get through this.

*I am overwhelmed and surprised that I have so many friends that all stepped up and helped in so many ways that I have been touched to my very core. I really have a hard time accepting help, as I am the one always giving. But I am learning what a humbling experience this was and that I did need help and without my saying so, friends saw that and have stepped forward with arms full.

*I have been at a loss for words all week to even begin to describe what I have been through, seen, or dealt with. But somehow...I think the one that needed to know, knows...

*I certainly have been reminded to always tell the ones you care about that you love them, to never miss a moment to hug, and to never miss an opportunity to say goodbye.

*I did feel the mother lion in me want to shove all the nurses and doctors aside that were working on my son, and grab him in my arms. But knowing he needed them stopped me.

*I did fully understand the lesson and reminder sent my way of how much I LOVE MY SON.

*I am so thankful and loved to have such a wonderful family around me. I am so lucky to have them close to me, not only in proximity, but in love and support. I didn't even need to ask...they just knew where to fill in and did so quietly. I love them all.

*I did however, eat some of Austin's Fries from his hospital meal. Shhh...

*And when he was being ornery from all the steroids he was on, I did have fun teasing him and making him laugh until he moaned to leave him alone because his chest hurt.

*And nothing ever felt so good as those two little arms wrapped around me in a great, big bear hug when we got him home.

*And seeing Emily's face after being away from her for 4 days was priceless. I miss those big, brown eyes and that little, sweet voice saying "I love you Mommy" all day long.

Thank you to all for the prayers, well wishes, love and support. I can never express enough what it has meant and i feel it all. I love ya...
XOXO
P.S. Oh yea...it's my birthday today...yippee...another year OLDER. ;o)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Can you say CRAZY...

The last week has been INSANE for me!

Monday my mother went into surgery for her third Knee replacement. Yea, I said third. The one she had done on her second leg in February did not take and they had to replace it. So I stayed in the hospital with her for 3 days because she gets anxiety really bad when she's immobile like that and left alone. Then I come home Wedensday and run Austin to his check up appt. at the doctors and discover they need to rush him back into surgery. Thursday he wakes up really sick with fever and migraines, but no other symptoms. The surgery is scheduled for Friday, and everything seems like it's going well...

The surgeon comes out and tells us everything went as planned and no problem. He leaves. We sit back down in the waiting room for Post Op to call us when he wakes up and we can see him. All of a sudden, the Anesthesia Dr. runs in and waves us over. She tells us to follow her and proceeds to talk as she walks us FAST through the surgical room and into the recovery room where we see several people working on Austin. She explains that when she pulled out his breathing tube after the surgery, that there was some mucous attached and he's having a hard time breathing. She tells us he's having an asthma attack but that hes getting Albuterol treatments and will be fine. So Dh and I are standing there watching 3 nurses working on Austin. A respiratory therapist is there too. Alarms are beeping everywhere and theres cords all over him. WTH is going on? My mind can't quiet wrap around the scene. His surgeon just told us everything was fine. So what in the world is happening? I hear the nurses talking. His Heart Rate is sky high, at 160 beats, his O2 levels are down in the 70's, his blood pressure is very low, 90/60. I'm starting to get a sinking feeling in my stomach. This isn't good.

They try numerous things to get his breathing better, but their not working. They page the Anesthesia Dr. again and she orders a 3rd Albuterol treatment. Still no good. Now his heart rate is 180 so they give him morphine to put him to sleep so he doesn't struggle so much.

Finally, after listening to his chest for the umpteenth time, they decide they need to page the surgeon. His chest doesn't sound like Asthma. It sounds tight. Xray comes into the recovery room because he is too unstable to move. They call the surgeon right away with the results and he comes back to the hospital from home and tells Dh and I the news.

Austin's lungs are collapsed. One side is a complete collapse, the other is half collapsed. And they see infection. He's being admitted and sent to Critical Care Unit.

Can I freak out now?

Long story short, Austin had a high fever through all this up to 103.7 and he stayed in the Critical Care Unit for 3 days. His fever is gone, sores in mouth from high fever, chest hurts a lot, tummy hurts from surgery. We got to bring him home late Sunday so he could finish healing at home. They did Xrays 2x a day and Ultrasounds on his lungs. He had Percussion therapy (a machine beats his chest) every 4 hours, IV and Oral antibiotics simultaneously, plus many more meds, but they succeeded in knocking out any infection and when we brought him home, his lungs were partially inflated.

This was a "Routine" procedure he has had done a million times. Never think it's safe to assume that means nothing will happen. We almost lost our son. No parent should see their son or child in that condition.

It's all hitting me today. I'm exhausted. I went into Robot Mode to deal and cope with what was necessary. Now that he is home, and safe, I can feel my body reacting. Tonight...I finally cried.

Kiss your little ones tonight.
XOXO

Monday Humor...



XOXO

Friday, July 17, 2009

I need lot's and lot's...

Of Prayers for my son right now. He had surgery this morning and what was suppose to be "Routine" was far from it. They Collapsed both his lungs after surgery today when they pulled the breathing tube out, and now he is in the Critical Care Unit struggling to breathe.

Please Pray!
XOXO

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Normally I don't do this...

I normally post something funny about "To Tell or Not To Tell" and confess all my sins to you blogger friends. Or I might tell some funny antidote that happened with my kids. I might even pass on information of something i like.

But not today.

The past 10 days have been horrible for me. Bad news after bad news. The list goes on. I won't bore you with all the details. Frankly...it wears me out.

The latest news came yesterday when we found out my son has to have surgery Friday. This will be his #19 surgery since New Years Day, 2008. It doesn't make it any easier having been through it so many times. It doesn't become "routine". As a parent you still worry. It is really the worst feeling to be so helpless when your child is sick or hurting. No "Mommy's kiss" can fix it. No Band aid can heal it. No ice pack can smooth it over and no Ice Cream can make the tears go away.

I have tried to tell myself, it's not my fault. Not my fault that he was born a preemie. Not my fault that if only he had "finished cooking" inside, everything would be fine.

My son was having a hard day when he learned he had to go back in, and was wondering "why" him? I had to explain to him that I would stand in front of a moving truck for him. That I would trade bodies or take a bullet for him. If only I could. And I was pretty surprised how quickly the tears came to the surface as I said these things. Which led me to think about why. Why I feel so helpless to help him.

How is it the strongest bond in the world is the relationship between a mother and her child? Even in Nature...a mother bird will attack to protect her nest of eggs. A Mother Lion will attack and kill for her cubs. I never really knew a true love until my children were born. I mean, I love my DH and all, and at the time of marriage, I did believe that was true love. But when you have a baby, it all changes. Instant love. Without even knowing the personality traits, we as mothers look at our newborn child for the first time and we are hooked. For life.

Have you imagined life without children? Would it be as fulfilled as it is now? Less stressed or more stressed? Boring or traveling? Apartment or Home? SUV or Convertible? Rich or Poor?

I wouldn't trade anything in this life for my children. They make the world go round, and after all...what more is there after that?
XOXO

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Is it Tuesday already...

Where has the time gone? Sorry no "real" post today. Stayed 25 hours at the hospital with my mom and on my way back for another round. She is on her 3rd knee replacement. Both legs done, but the latest she had done in February shifted and she had to have it redone. Sucks!
Hope all is well in Blogland!
XOXO

Monday, July 13, 2009

Monday Humor...


XOXO

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I've been tagged...

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

1. Medical Answers
2. Sundays
3. The Money Fairy finding my house!
4. Christmas
5. DisneyLand offering free admission
6. My bed at nighttime
7. Scrapbooking Night
8. A date with my hubs

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Doctors
2. Pretended to pay attention at work.
3. Cried
4. Worked until 10:30pm
5. Went grocery shopping a lil.
6. Bought Concert tickets to Nickelback!
7. Bought a new CD for myself
8. created WWIII in Blogland

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Be in Cabo San Lucas!
2. Be in Disneyland!
3. Be on a Cruise to anywhere!
4. Be in Hawaii
5. Pay off my house so DH can relax
6. Find a cure.
7. Fix my son.
8. Travel (didn't see that coming, did ya?)

8 Shows I enjoy:

1. LOST
2. Survivor
3. CSI
4. Big Brother
5. House
6. Greys Anatomy
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Extreme Home Makover

8 Friends I'm Tagging:

1. Tanja
2. Leah
3. Kory
4. Tooj
5. Lisa
6. Mrs. Jacqueline
7. ?
8. ?

Friday, July 10, 2009

Happy Friday Quote...

If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.

XOXO

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Throwing in the towel...

When it Rains, it Pours!

Ain't that the truth? Wednesday has been a really CRAPPY day! My plate is piled so high it's toppeling. I should have known to just stay in bed and not get out. And I should also know when I am in this mood or having this kind of a day, I should really stay away from blogging and commenting on other's blogs. I LOVE my blogger friends, and yet I managed to put my foot in my mouth. *sigh* Could I feel any worse then I do? I doubt it.

Here's to praying that Thursday's sun burns this rain cloud that is stuck over my head away and the day will have much more promise then the day before did.
XOXO

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Family...

I have mentioned before that I am now watching my cousin's 3 month old little boy one day a week, but I haven't had time to post pics of this cutie! Now, I should explain one thing. My children love babies as much as I do. So I am constantly having to fight them for baby time and shooshing them away from him. I'm sure they are a great stimulating aspect for baby Ryder, but really, enough already. I want him! (stomping feet) I want him! ;o)
Emily was still as summer school on Ryder's first day with us, so Austin fully enjoyed having Ryder all to himself while she was gone. As soon as Ryder fussed for a bottle, Austin begged to feed him. As soon as he was down to play, Austin lay down with him to guard him from the dog. And as soon as Ryder needed a diaper change, he yelled for mom! Emily came running through the door yelling for Ryder and dropped her backpack at the front door as she ran for him. He smiled at her and that made her day. She played with him on the floor for most the day and even got to hold him. She hasn't stopped asking when will he come back. Ever since he was here, she has pulled out her baby dolls and the strollers, car seats and baby bottles that she has for them and has started playing with them every day. I was so busy capturing the moment of them with Ryder, it wasn't until I was viewing them that I realized I didn't get my picture with Ryder. :o(

It's been a week and my kids are still trying to convince me I need to have another baby of my own. They "promise" to share their room, feed it, get up in the middle of the night and even change the diapers. *sigh* Sorry kiddos, as much as I would love too, your just gonna have to get your fill from Baby Ryder!
XOXO

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

It is time for...


You know this part by now...I may or may not tell on myself...blah, blah, blah...you play along and let the games begin:

*I did so enjoy having 5 days off in a row that I may have bragged about it to anyone that would listen. If only I had gotten to go somewhere during that time too...

*I just may have had a horrible thought about summer school when it was my day off and I had to get up EARLY!!!

*Was super excited that DH had Friday off and we all got to spend it together.

*Had the best 4th of July. Celebrated with friends/neighbors at home and BBQ'd while the kids played all day.

*I did not wish it was me lighting the fireworks but did enjoyed watching the kids light them and have such fun at it.

*I did not have a single thought in my head that it was the best Strawberry Shortcake EVER after I stood cleaning and plucking a half flat of strawberries for an hour!

*I did not sigh another sigh when I had to take Austin back to the Drs. AGAIN because now he has an earache. I swear I live there now...

*I am wishing very much for a mini trip somewhere this summer. One of my besties friend, Melinda is taking 9 days off this month and spending some of them with me for my birthday so we can go away...I can't wait! Where should we go???

*I am soooo not looking forward to PMS from daughter if this tantrum she throws now is going to be anything like what we'll see then.

*And I did NOT bawl like a baby during one of the best movies ever, The Guardian! You gotta watch it...anything with Kevin Costner in it is awesome!

*I did enjoy myself and LOL during the movie UP! that we took the kids too on Friday. It is really cute.

Ok folks...now it's your turn to play along...what did you do or not do during your week?
XOXO

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Monday Humor...

XOXO

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Sparkle time...


Happy 4th of July!!!


A moment of silence for all the men and women who made this day possible - here's thinking of you!
I watched the flag pass by one day,
it fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
with hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men Like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign Soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
how many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, freedom isn't free
I heard the sound of Taps One night,
When everything was still;
I listened to the bugler Play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen,'
when a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the Children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and Husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops
XOXO

Friday, July 3, 2009

Happy Friday Quote...

"The Best Way To Predict The Future, Is To Create it"

XOXO

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

It is time for...

Yep - the part where I may or may not have something delish to share or divulge on myself. The part where honesty and truth will conquer and secrets have no where to hide. So come along and read about my journey and then I invite you to play along too.

*I just may have stolen a few Chuck E. Cheese tokens out of the kids cups so I could play some games too. I took them on my own to get them out of the house for awhile, and so enjoyed myself with them behaving and having such a good time, I bought more tokens just so I could make the moment last longer.

*I did not finish Emily's Ice Cream Bar that she won while there when she was too full to finish it.

*I just may have read all three Twilight Series books in 6 days! I'm sorry...they are THAT good! I know, I know...I swore I wouldn't, couldn't get into the hype...but I'm an Edward lover now.

*DH and I relished in the fact that we had no Kiddos on Sunday for several hours and caught up on a HBO series we have been wanting to watch for some time. It was so nice to spend the time together.

*I did not sneak a kiss onto Emily's cheek.

*I just may have gotten a chuckle watching Austin's face as his cast was being put on and the look of confusion as to how it becomes a hard cast.

*I must confess I did laugh out loud during the show when I took the kids to the movies Monday to escape the heat. We saw Night at the Museum part 2. It is funny!

*I am wishing there was a housekeeping fairy that snuck into the house at night while we slept and cleaned the whole house for me so I could wake up each morning and it was all done!

*I am very excited for my blogger friend Kory who had her baby on Tuesday! Congrats To Baby Carter and the family.

*I did feel very sad for Jared when he was stung 30 times by bees/wasps the other day while poor mommy, Leah had to watch!

*I did sympathize with Tooj as she dealt with her DH having knee surgery and knowing full well what she is having to go through.

*I definitely am missing more posts from Tanja!

*And wishing Lisa would hurry and finish her home remodel as she does not have time to post much right now.

*And loving the pics Kaci posts of my little ellyphant!

Happy 4th of July to all my peeps out there!
XOXO