The American Flaigs

Funny family definitions

2009-10-19T19:18:00.003-04:00

Words that many would commonly use for one meaning, but have a completely different meaning to parents in a family...

AMNESIA: condition that enables a woman who has gone through labor to have sex again.

BOTTLE FEEDING: an opportunity for Daddy to get up at 2 AM too.

DEFENSE: what you'd better have around the yard if you're going to let the children play outside.

DROOLING: how teething babies wash their chins.

DUMB WAITER: one who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.

FAMILY PLANNING: the art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you from falling into financial disaster.

FEEDBACK: the inevitable result when a baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.

FULL NAME: what you call your child when you're mad at him.

GRANDPARENTS: the people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.

HEARSAY: what toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.

IMPREGNABLE: a woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.

INDEPENDENT: how we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.

LOOK OUT!: what it's too late for your child to do by the time you scream it.

OWWW: the first word spoken by children with older siblings.

PRENATAL: when your life was still somewhat your own.

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH: a contradiction in terms.

PUDDLE: a small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes.

SHOW OFF: a child who is more talented than yours.

STERILIZE: what you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.

STOREROOM: the distance required between the supermarket aisles so that children in shopping carts can't quite reach anything.

TEMPER TANTRUMS: what you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.

THUNDERSTORM: a chance to see how many family members can fit into one bed.

TOP BUNK: where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING: when the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.

VERBAL: able to whine in words.

WEAKER SEX: the kind you have after the kids have worn you out.

WHODUNIT: none of the kids that live in your house.

WHOOPS: an exclamation that translates roughly into "get a towel".

These are funny...yet so true!

Team Casey

2009-10-01T08:53:00.021-04:00

On Oct.1, 1999, in a small little courthouse in Elizabethtown*, KY a young couple of 18yrs old, got married. We were young & naive, but in love.

Ten years later, I love that man more than I could have ever imagined. He is my hero, the man of my dreams, the incredible provider for our family, the daddy to our little girls, & the only one for me.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

When we met it was pretty romantic in my opinion. So much so, that no elaborate wedding could've topped it. If you haven't heard the story, I can try to find the words to describe it, just ask. =) Since then, we have lived overseas, moved across the US & back, lost loved ones, had a few kids & watched them grow into little replicas of us, but more fascinating!

“I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.” - Unknown

*Yes, like one in the Orlando Bloom movie of the same name.

Did I laugh before I had kids?

2009-09-17T14:28:00.003-04:00

I can't remember. These little ~~guys~~ girls are the funniest, ~~meanest,~~ sweetest creatures God ever made. I love them!

For example, I have a cute story.

Today, I took the three girls Hannah (7), Josie (4), & Alivia (2) to the Pediatricians office. Every time we saw someone Liv would say "No shot!" (She & Josie got shots in the same office 2mths ago.) Well, the Dr comes in & Liv looks at him & says "No shot me! No shot me!" I laugh, he laughs, then he says "No, I won't shot you." It was funny! Then she says "You sit here" showing the Dr. that he can sit right up on the table next to her. He says okay & hops up there. She climbs in his lap (I am shocked at this point!) and he just casually checks her out. She was all "check my mouth now, check my ears, I breathe." ADORABLE!!! So, she has Strep throat, but she was so good & has her medicine now. (Which, after the first dose, she claimed was very ickky.)

Some of the funny things said around here:

Josie: "Mom, can i have some Ginger-Roo to drink too?"

Hannah: "Mom, would you let me go out w/ a vampire. Or go play baseball with one?"

Josie: "Mom, I like reading too, I am never going to play again!"

Alivia: "Come on Momma, I need tot-tart!"

Alivia: "SuperGirl to the rescue! dun-dun-duh"
Josie: "I'm SweatyGirl!" later "I'm LavaGirl!"

Josie (singing): "Creepy is my middle name!"

Me: "It's not the end of the world, just the end of your sucker."

Josie: "Mom, I wish I was normal."

Hannah: "Mom, can u fix your hair before you walk me down to the bus stop?"

Josie: "Mom, get the computer away from your head!"

With that last one in mind, I will close. Hope you enjoyed!

PS. I did get these off my Twitter acct. Before Twitter, I forgot all the good stuff.

It was six months ago...

2009-08-17T16:00:00.004-04:00

I can still hear the voice of the nurse practioner telling me I would have to go to the ER, because there was nothing she could do. I can still hear the nurse telling me I would need a CT scan & being scared to death of what the results would be. I can still hear the ER doctor say he was bringing in a surgeon. I can still remember the surgeon giving me a 50% chance to survive. I can still remember my husband leaving my side to go care for our three daughters & the fear of never getting to see them again. I remember the nurse telling me that I will & the feeling of helplessness as I was wheeled into the OR. I can remember so much, so much it haunts me, like a bad dream.

I can also remember the love of my family, friends, & church; taking care of my husband & children, the cards, gifts, flowers, emails, food, words of encouragement, visits, & prayers. I can remember clinging to my Bible & Ipod, keeping them close, but having God closer.

For all the bad memories, I have many more good ones. Somedays, it is hard to remember them in the shadows of the dark thoughts, but I am doing my best. I know that I am blessed.

Not a day goes by that I do not reflect on all that stuff that went on. It just feels like forever & yesterday, all at once. I can't really describe it. I am doing really good, as are the kids. They make growing up look easy. I do have pics to share, but Hannah is getting home from school ay minute & I want to hear all about her day!

Happy Birthday Sweetie Peetie!

2009-05-15T19:16:00.003-04:00

I cannot believe my "Baby Cake" is two!! Yeah, sure she acts 2, terrible, terrible two, but still! This girl is smarter than a whip & boy does she give me a run for my money. If she isn't busy, or if you can't hear her, then you are in for some trouble, b/c she is making it.

Here is a look at her, just two years ago. Born May 15th, 2007 at 4:07p.m. She weighed 6lbs 11oz. & was 18.5inches long.

So tiny, but so sweet!

Happy Birthday Alivia!!!

Parables & Ponies

2009-05-06T13:01:00.003-04:00

I need to do more photo taking (& learning), editing, & posting, but I am busy packing for our 1st Louisiana trip of the year. My brother Drew is going to graduate High School on Mother's Day.

I do have just a few pics to share...

Hannah's most recent musical production called "ParableLooza."

Josie got to ride some ponies this past weekend during a Kentucky Derby party at my uncle's. I asked her if she was a Princess or a Cowgirl, & her reply was Princess, always!

I have more I am playing with, but no time this time! =)

Livvy-isms

2009-04-24T19:29:00.005-04:00

From the mouth of my beautiful 1 (nearly 2) year old.

Cup Now! translates into.. If you don't make me something to drink in the next 60 seconds, I will empty your dishwasher & bring you as many dirty cups as I can, until I get you to understand me. (Then, I may or may not spit the contents out of my new cup, all over a piece of furniture, for fun.)

Excuse Me! means.. You are in my way. Move out of whatever comfortable position you are in, or out of whatever path you are taking because I own you.

Sorry! is also known as.. Ooh you got hurt? I wasn't expecting that.

Pretty! (while I am putting on my makeup) can also be translated.. When you are not looking, I am going to take your mascara & brush it on the tv, eat loads of toothpaste, & dip your blush brush in the toilet...but you look great!

My all-time fave:

It's peeing out there! means.. Look at the rain!

That's all I can think of for now. I'll be sure to do this again!

*If you have ever watched the show Lie To Me, can you guess the "look" she is giving me in this picture.

I get the crust, they get the sandwich.

2009-04-16T19:04:00.004-04:00

LOL, that is how our dinners go nowadays. I don't know how I did it pre-infection. I seriously cannot get half the kids clean, half the house clean, or half my to-do list done by midnight. Then I wake up before 7am & try again, to no avail. I know having a clean house is not the most important thing in my life, but it is so relaxing to sit in a clean room & just relax. Just to sit down & get on the computer for 15mins would get so much done in terms of my to-do list, but in the mean time I have kids scattering paint throughout the house, or all over themselves. Don't even get me started!

Honestly, I think the worst thing I have ended up with (cuz I could care less about an ugly scar, really!) is my lack of brain function! I cannot multi-task anymore for the life of me. I guess when Casey became the Mom, I became the Dad? Now he gets to go back to work with life-changing skills & I am left a useless heap. *Please read: I am NOT trying to be down on myself (nor am I calling my husband useless), I have HAD to be pretty self-focused, but I want my Supermommy cape back!

Did I mention I completed my Hyperbaric treatments today? YEAH!! I only had to do 24 treatments, or 42hrs & 24mins, or 2544 minutes, or 152640 seconds, not that I was counting. (LOL, or that my math is right!?!) Yes, I am a free woman, no more early morning rush-hour traffic, babysitters, or watching movies in a tank full of oxygen. Ok, I did sleep some of the time. It was cool, it helped me heal, & now may I live forever! Haha, joking (unless I turn into a hot vampire, also kidding again. )

Okay, okay, I found a super-awesome blog just now, I cannot wait to start reading all about it, when I take my next break & all. =)
..,To Love, Honor, and Vacuum

I'm antibiotic-free!

2009-04-08T13:07:00.004-04:00

I'm still getting it all out of my system, but this is the 1st day in 7wks, that I haven't HAD to take anything? I am feeling pretty okay. My ID Dr. thinks that all the bacteria is gone & my wound is pretty much healed on the outside. I still have a little area that needs to close completely, but it certainly looks much better. There is still a slight chance that I could get sick again, but nothing to worry about.

Did I mention I was allergic to the last (newest) antibiotic I was on? Yea, now I am allergic to 7 meds. Three of them treat MRSA, so that could really limit the amount of meds that could work for me if I get a repeat infection, but also two other antibiotics for other infections, & then two pain meds. Those are just my allergies, not my sensitivities, geez. To think I used to love hospitals, & now I would be happy to not go back, ever. Okay, I lie, I would LOVE one more kiddo, but I definitely have a lot more patience there.

I have about 6 more Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) treatments, then an appt. with my surgeon in 2wks, & God-willing I will be free! I am so grateful that I am alive & doing so well. There are so many others that don't get better, but I did. Thank God!

I am also feeling pretty good pain-wise, just uncomfortable sometimes. It is gonna take about 18mths to heal all through & through, but it IS healing. I am working on getting my energy back, but I can't seem to find it, yet. I think the kids have it. I can't keep up!

I am hoping to have some new pics soon, my camera is definitely being neglected. =)

Things are definitely looking up.

2009-03-24T22:29:00.002-04:00

Could it be b/c I am looking up? Well, technically down...on my knees that is. It's not just me, I am so thankful for all my prayer warriors out there. I just want everyone to know that I am immensely blessed by each one of you.

As of today, I only have a couple more days & I can get my IV out. Oh did I mention I am infection-free? Yep, so says my last cultures. I am officially off the meds that have made me so nauseous & sick lately, & the new one so far hasn't done any damage to my appetite. Yes, I can eat! I love it! I missed it!

I have an appt. with my surgeon tomorrow, but I know it is gonna be a good one. I am probably looking at 16 more O2 treatments, but that's what I get for being a big-time movie watcher, lots of boring time to watch movies.

Guess, I can go back to being a lazy blogger, nah! Well, maybe. I sure hope I don't have anything interesting to report, not anything scary or dire anyways. I do have a testimony I have been working on though, that God has been working on. I cannot wait to share!

Another Fri. (2wks post-hospital)

2009-03-20T16:46:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was my worst day in a little while, & I am praying that it is never repeated. I "think" I may actually keep something down today. Still waiting for my cultures to come back on Monday, so maybe I can get off these meds. Also, I am doing some research on Betadine/Iodine sensitivity or chemical burns, which is my newest theory regarding my newest ailment. I stopped using the Betadine, just in case, so my nurse gave me the Dakins recipe (bleach/water) to try. They used this in the hospital the most, so I know I can handle it, plus I only have to put it where my wound is open.

I am just very very nauseous, tired, & missing my kiddos. Hyperbaric O2 therapy is going well. I get so bored being in there & it is such a pain to go downtown each day for 2hrs. When I get home I am pooped & want to sleep all day. I'm sure you can guess where the puns are intended. :P All in all, I am surviving & sorta healing. The wound is healing on the outside more than the inside, but it's just gonna take some more time & a lot more patience. I could use some prayers for all these side effects of the medicine for sure. I will definitely update when I get results on Monday, or Tues. after my Dr. appt at the latest.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded, YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV

I'm stitch-less!

2009-03-18T16:06:00.002-04:00

Too bad, I am not completely itch-less, but oh well!

The swelling was worse this morning & definitely red, so before heading to the ER I called my Drs. My ID doc sent me for a stat CT scan, & my surgeon wanted to see me in his office. The last CT scan I had was the day I went to the ER & had my 1st surgery. As fas as the orignal infection goes, the CT scan showed that the site was remarkably better. They didn't say anything about anything new. I will have to take it a bit easier for a little while, b/c my surgeon took out my stitches & took a few deep swabs to send in for cultures. So, I just wait & watch. The test results should be in by Mon. & my hyperbaric treatment begin tomorrow. Any new swelling, a fever, or anything of concern & I will go straight to the ER.

Thanks for the extra lifting up! <><

Edited to add: My surgeon says it is normal for a wound site as serious as mine to take some time to heal, & take steps back sometimes. So that is reassuring. Also, I do have to pack my wound a little (w/gauze & betadine) since it is slighty open, but I have all confidence in my healing.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Not so great, not too bad (Appt. update)

2009-03-17T19:39:00.003-04:00

Last night, I noticed some swelling near/around some of my stitches, but no fever, redness, or anything to cause panic. I saw my Infectious Disease Dr. today at my weekly appt. & he thinks there might be a secondary infection, even though the rest of the stitches look very good. I am now on 2 more antibiotics, but these are in pill form. He thinks that broader coverage, as far as meds go, will be beneficial, seeing as they don't know for sure what is going on. Both meds are appetite suppresants which given my intake lately, are not too good for me. Most people report a metallic taste from one of the meds & nausea w/ both, surely not fun. Ahh the wonders of modern medicine, I must feel worse to get better.

So far the hot flashes are back, along w/ a little nausea, but no allergic reactions, which I have to be careful of b/c my med allergy count is at 6. I am keeping a close eye on the area & also taking my temperature. Still no cause for alarm, or an ER trip, but I think I have everything in order just in case. So please say a prayer for some newer quicker healing, very little side effects, & everything else you can muster.

I do feel like I have been rocked a little by all this new stuff going on, but my faith is strong & I am very optimistic. I joke & say I am in the "humor stage" of grief. Nothing like a little laughter to lighten the situation. =)

Love, T

Sometimes they sugarcoat it...

2009-03-12T09:49:00.005-04:00

Sometimes they just have to tell you like it is. It's scary, I am not "out of the woods." The woods may come back at any time & kill me. It's just not something I wanted to hear. I have been knocked to my knees often these last couple days. I know the Lord won't give me more than I can handle, but I find myself crying out "Please Lord, no more!"

My surgeon was not as pleasant as I was hoping for yesterday. I know he has a less-than-perfect bedside manner, but I have been told 20x over, that he is the best. He has had so much experience with these kind of wounds/infections. The face that 50% of his patients with necrotizing faciitis do not survive, has rocked me. If they (all of my Drs) are not aggressive enough, I may die. Usually it is the reoccurence of the infection that leaves them w/out any options, or hope. I have hope, lots of it, but I think I have put more trust in the Drs, than the Great Physician. I can honestly say, I am scared & I am leaning on Him more now than ever.

I want to see my kids grow up, see them all accept Jesus, grow old w/ my husband, love my family & my Jesus till the end of my days. I just don't want for those days to come so soon. Sorry for such a somber message, I don't like to make people cry, but I wanted to share a little bit of the grief that finds me a little depressed today. The fact that I am in bed, away from the girls, on only ibuprofen, just adds to it.

Don't worry, I'm not defeated, just a little distressed. Satan has been at my door, but I am not letting him in, not ever. Please don't think I am giving up or giving in, I am holding on to my hope, my faith, I will be healed. I am just learning an all new level of patience. Praise the Lord!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV

If you want to read more about MRSA or NF, here is a good link to articles, including the one linked above. Here is an article talking about how common MRSA infections are & how rare it is that it turns into NF.

Update from home

2009-03-10T18:34:00.004-04:00

I love my husband! He has not only taken on the role of Daddy, Mommy, UPS Manager, Housekeeper, etc. (really I could go on all day), he is now my wonderful Nurse. He takes such good care of me (even if I make him take 100 trips around the house), makes me eat (which I have to do tons of), & he gives me my IV meds (like a medical professional.) Words cannot express how much I love this man & how proud I am.

Me, I am doing well. I have been lounging around as much as I can, but sometimes I am naughty & scrub a wall or dish here & there. I totally cannot help it, it's just part of my nature. I did have a Dr appt. today. My IV site looks good, once again thanks to Casey. I am keeping my wound site clean, no pink/red or swelling, which is good. There is just one area of concern where my skin is hard/tough. So, instead of switching to antibiotic pills soon, I am going to remain getting them through my IV for a little while longer. I really thought I was out of the fighting stage & into just the healing, which is a bummer, but I am trying not to feel down. Just means more praying. =) I see my surgeon tomorrow at the Wound Care Center, so hopefully I will get a little more insight into how I am healing & talk pain meds before I run out. There will probably be nothing to report, but if there is, y'all will know.

I know I have said this so many times, but thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the prayers, food, gifts, flowers, child care, & everything else. I am so grateful for all the help, it has certainly lifted me.

Fri. 3/6 ~ The Finale

2009-03-06T07:42:00.000-05:00

What started as a tiny bump, turned into emergency surgery 4 days later, 2 more surgeries & 17 days later, here & I am going to be discharged! (Did I mention the isolation? I nearly went insane!)

I got the pain control figured out. A whopping 15mg of Percocet every 4hrs, keeps me happy. I will be getting antibiotics through my IV line each night. Thank God for insurance, b/c each tiny bag is $300. My stitches look good, kinda like a baseball. I have to take it really easy, it was not a 3-layer closure, so I am fragile & I absolutely do not want to bust anything! But, I feel good & I am so darn happy to be alive & getting well. I did come in here w/ 3 medicinal allergies, but now I have 6, & my arm itches like crazy all the time b/c of all the tape that keeps my IV are clean. We have tried every tape here, for this & that, but I am sensitive to it all. It's nothing a little benadryl & a nap won't help.

My diet is high protein & lots of calories to regrow the tissue between the stitches. (I usually would say wound, rather than incision b/c literally, there was a huge gap there.) So, don't be surprised if I have gained 50lbs by the time you see me. Not that I mind, it will just mean more of me to love! I have learned to drink a ton of water, which is a good habit for me, I just liked it better when I was on the catheter.

Oh yea, when you see me walking, the shuffle will probably be my normal gait for a while, b/c he had to sew my leg in a little & it is weird to walk. Like if I wanted to sit on the floor indian style (or yoga pose) my left leg wouldn't (& shouldn't yet) lay flat against the floor. It's gonna take lots of healing, then a while of stretching, but I am up to the challenge.

This hospital has been super awesome, the Drs, the nurses (all besides one), all the way down the to housekeeping & food service employees. I love them all! I can't thank you all enough, as well, for all of the support, food, visits, flowers, calls, gifts, prayers, you name it! I am going to be writing up a testimony in the coming weeks & by God's grace I want to share it with you all.

Okay, I am going to stop my rambling now, I see I have been all over the place, but I am just so excited...& my coffee is not here yet. Lots of love & prayers of thanksgiving! ~T

Tues. 3/3 ~ Week3

2009-03-03T09:16:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updates, I had a really rough day yesterday. My surgery was early in the morning, took a good bit of anesthesia to get me under, but I did great. My wound was closed (not too tight so it could still drain) & my Dr said it looked really healthy, w/ only a little bit of debriding done. In recovery though, the pain was awful. The nurses gave me everything they could & I was still clinging to the side of the bed crying. They called anesthesia back to okay some more pain meds & something to calm me down. I felt better enough to be moved back to my room. I had ice bags & pillows everywhere, but still had a hard time getting comfortable. Just when I had my pain meds on a fairly good rotation Demerol, then 2hrs later Morphine, the night nurse was late half an hour on delivering them. So the next meds didn't work as good as long, then he let me sleep too long & I was another hour late for my demerol. Well, then the medicine didn't touch the pain by then, but I needed to eat breakfast before I had more, so I didn't get sick. Needless to say I am typing this too you on Morphine, Demerol, Zofran (for the nausea), 2 ice bags, & about 6 pillows. Hopefully, the Wound Care nurse will be in soon for the "big reveal", when I get to see my new stitches. I did get an update from my Hyperbaric Dr. & it looks like I won't have to go downstairs anymore for treatment, as my wound looked pretty healthy of bacteria (in surgery) & it was healing just right. The latest tissue culture should be back by the end of the week & I will know if the Staph is still present. My surgeon has Friday set as my tentative release date, which should give me enough time to start walking, lose the Cath, & get down to just the Percocet for pain meds.

(BTW: I still <3 my nurses, pain meds or not, they have been super-awesome!)

Off to rest! Love, Tara

Small Surgery Update

2009-03-02T14:28:00.003-05:00

I'll write the full update later when I can sit up longer, but I made it through surgery, my wound is loosely closed, & I am on bedrest for the day. The pain is considerably more than I have ever felt, but the Lord is definitely supplying me with strength & the nurses are supplying me w/ lots of Morphine & Demerol. My surgeon would like me to stay until Friday, which I am totally fine with, but the GP who sees me thinks I will be ready to go home sooner. I will contest that if need be. Just wanted to let you all know that I am alive, but I have turned my room phone off, since it is so loud. You can call me or text my cell if you want, but it may take a bit to answer or call back, depending on if ppl are in the room, how far my phone is, & whatnot. I appreciate all the well wishes & words of encouragement & I can never thank you all enough for the prayers!

Sun. 3/1

2009-03-01T21:32:00.001-05:00

I am never as thirsty as I am when I can't have something to drink. Same goes for being hungry. At midnight I am NPO (nothing by mouth) & that includes my Percocet. So, I am might just be waking up every 2hrs for some Demerol. I have no idea when I am going under the knife, just that it will be sometime in the morning. I can't even tell you what time I went in last time, I seem to lose most of my memory from surgery days.

The good news is my wound is really healing, has great blood supply, & the necrotic (dead) tissue area has not gotten bigger. I am excited for a semi-closed wound w/ no more dressing changes that include packing it w/ bleach water & gauze. I have no idea what to expect as far as how it will look or scar, but I expect it will be rather itchy if they tape it up really good (my skin reacts to tape), but also kind of painful, at least for a few more days. Then it should heal even faster & I can eventually wean myself off the pain meds. I know that it won't be an overnight thing, but I have definitely learned to have a lot more patience than I used to have.

I have to tell you, I have made such good friends out of my nurses. One in particular, Brenda, has really brightened my days w/ her cheerfulness & kindness. I know I have probably had at least 20 in my last 12 days here, but I remember each one so fondly. Some are faster than others, some more assertive, some just plain old sweet as could be.

Saw the girls today, that was fun. Sorry if you missed them at church, everything is fine, just wanted to keep them germ-freer (haha made that word up) so that I wouldn't chance getting sick when I saw them. You'd think I was the snack lady though, all the food they consumed in my room. My MIL, Sue, made me a large posterboard w/ lots of family pics on it. I really love it! Makes me smile every time I look over there.

Anyways, I will try to update tomorrow as soon as I am feeling up to it, or I can send a text maybe, but I probably won't be up to talking on the phone much. Especially if my head finds the garbage can as it did last time. Please pray for my Drs, my nurses, my surgery, & especially my nerves. I have peace that it will all be alright, it is just all the uncertainties that have me up late. Well, that & my last gulp of water at 11:59. =)

Fri. 2/27

2009-02-27T17:38:00.003-05:00

There's not much to update on really. I just found out I'm probably having an allergic reaction to one of my antibiotics, so for now they have been suspended. Boy, was I having an itchy day! I do get to enjoy a 3-day weekend off from my HBO treatments, but that just means more naptime, & a more relaxed med schedule. Surgery is still on for Monday, unless labs come back abnormal. Not sure if I will have to wait 3-4 days after my surgery for culture results before I get discharged, or if I may get to leave w/in a day or two. Either way, I pray I am ready. I have lots of faith in my doctors & once again, I must mention the wonderful people here at Audubon who have shown me lots of love & given me tons of hope.

I haven't asked about when I can return into the public, mainly church. It is all up to the Dr. whether it is safe for you all & me too. Just to reiterate, I am not contagious in an airborne sort of way. It would have to be direct contact to my wound & body fluid to an open sore or cut. We all live w/ Staph on our bodies. I am still fighting the infection though, so for me to get sick (even w/ a cold) would lessen my efforts, by giving my body another battle. So we'll see, no rush.

Off to get some medical stuff done & take some pain meds, then hopefully see my husband. I just have to brag that he gave up concert tickets tonight to be w/ me. His mom is also flying into town any minute & he will go pick her up w/ the girls. I think they are going to be happy to be back to normal (sort-of) at home. It's just hard to imagine I won't be there with them for nearly another week.

Thurs. 2/26

2009-02-26T22:52:00.004-05:00

Nothing much to report today. I just watched some TV, ate some pretty good hospital food, worked out a great pain med schedule, weaned myself off a little Demerol, got a good report on my wound site, & started hearing the word discharge thrown around. Did I mention I got to see Alivia? Hannah too! I had not seen Livvy in 8 days!!! It was so good to see her & cuddle w/ her. She has not forgot me! Not that I thought she would have, but it was nice to see her reaction. She also brought me a cute balloon & a beautiful little bracelet (Thanks Amanda!) I am so glad I got a chance to see her before my surgery, b/c I probably won't be able to hold her in my lap for a few weeks.

Hannah sure is loving being able to come up & eat the dessert of my dinner tray. =) She said she almost cries on the school bus b/c she misses me. =( She also said to me today "Mom, I wish this wasn't bad, like maybe you were just here having a baby, a baby boy." It was so sweet! She is definitely getting spoiled by Casey though, so a few things might have to change when we get home.

I am so sorry I missed some wonderful visitors today. I go downstairs for my treatment at 1:30p.m. until 4p.m. Thank you so much for coming to see me! Casey's mom is coming into town tomorrow. It is so nice to have her "be me." She is going to be taking care of Casey & the kids, just as I would like to do. He deserves it for sure! This has been a hard 9 days for us all, but especially challenging for him, seeing as he has taken on both of our jobs.

Well, I am having a hard time falling asleep, so I am going to get back to some more tv watching/ eating/ healing. Please pray for the lady who is resting across the hall from me, her name is Helen, she is quite old, & her family never leaves her side. I have reason to believe God will be calling her home soon. I wish I could go comfort the family & pray w/ them all, but I can't have contact w/ other patients.

Y'all have a great Friday!
Mine promises to be another Adventure at Audubon.=P

Wed. 2/25

2009-02-25T17:51:00.002-05:00

A yummy breakfast, a yummy lumch, & a yummy dinner makes a girl happy. I did another HBO treatment today, which is much better when I get to watch TV w/ sound. Now, I'm just waiting on some Demerol & a dressing change for my wound. I saw a few Drs. today, all wanting me to get better & get home. Nice guys.

The plans are another surgery on Monday to debride/clean the wound & partially close it up. Then I could possibly come home a few days later. I would still have to take weekday trips up here to the hospital for outpatient wound care in the HBO chamber, pick up my antibiotics (done thru my IV at home) at one of my Drs. office once a week, & then a home nurse once a day. This on top of my own personal wound care, pain meds, oral antibiotics, etc etc. But, I would get to be home.

Please pray for God's hand to be on my surgeon's during this surgery, & the timing to be just right for me to go home. There will be more risk w/ my discharge, but the guys think it is almost time. Hopefully, I won't need to be babysat too much.

I think I have the pain med situation figured out better, which is good & I can eat, which is certainly an answered prayer. Okay, gotta get rdy for some not so much fun. I do wish I was at church tonight w/ Casey & the girls.

Updating

2009-02-24T08:04:00.002-05:00

I realized I haven't been posting my updates here for those w/out Facebook so below are my entries since being admitted into the hospital.

As fas as today, Tuesday, I AM doing better overall, out of the woods, so to speak, but there is still the danger of contamination of other bacteria, as well as an overgrowth of Staph. So far we are winning the war & the Staph is down to at least one-millionth of the original amount. The redness & swelling have subsided & though my incision is larger after surgery on Fri. the Staph has not advanced. I do have some black tissue in my wound, but it raises no alarms as far as my Drs are concerned, just normal tissue death, probably b/c it dried out some.

I can tell you today is painful & exciting. Painful b/c we are adjusting my pain meds to get me off morphine & on to pain pills (Lor-tab.) So far the pills aren't cutting it, but the doses of Demerol in between are keeping me sane. I have asked God to help me through this pain, which I know is temporary, but I jusy know I can't do this all myself. I used to think I could, but I have been so humbled & my eyes really opened in that way.

Anyways, the exciting part of my day has got to be the HBO (Hyperbaric Oxygen) Chamber I went into earlier. It sounds so helpful, I am really looking forward to this new healing tool. Starting tomorrow I will go down to the Wound Center at 130p.m. & "dive" at 2p.m. The whole process looks so Sci-fi. I lie in there for 1hr46mins. It takes the 1st 10mins to descend (I'm really not going anywhere but the pressure is) then I am at bottom on high-concentrated oxygen, then I come back up. I feel a little light-headed afterwards, but nothing strange good or bad. The HBO treatments should really do wonders for my wound healing & beating the Staph.

Other than that I take a few naps, get my wound dressings changed, eat, type, & every now & then I get to excercise or walk. I tried a few stretches today & a nurse (not my own) came in & made me sit down b/c my heartrate was up. Haha, I was only following Dr. orders anyways. My nurses are a little more lenient & take such good care of me, once again a huge blessing from God.

Just had to add: One of my Drs came in & has decided to switch me to Percocet & increase the dose. This could be the answered-prayer I was hoping for. =) Oh, and Josie has a sinus cold, she is on antibiotics, so no visits from her for a while. Liv has been running a fever today, so some extra prayers for the both of them would be lovely. Thanks! ~T

Mon. 2/23

2009-02-24T08:03:00.000-05:00

Well, no such luck on the wound vac. I kind of expected, due to the lack of skin available & how much is needed to tape it before suction. It's still bumming that I have to deal w/ wound dressings & such, but my pain is much more controlled. I am currently on just Demerol every 4hrs, since I nixed the Morphine during this morning's nausea episode. I am hoping to make the transition to pain pills soon. Today has been a really good food day. I have eaten lots more protein & calories & I feel so much better for it. I did have a bathroom incident today that scared me, but God is good.

My cultures came back as no new bacteria, but I'm guessing some of the staph is still present?!? The surgeon said he would not close me until he was sure there wasn't anything in the wound to reinfect/attack me. So my next treatment is the Hyperbaric Oxgen Treatment. It looks so spacy, but I am told it will help so much. As far as I have read, the oxygen lvls (way more than we breathe in) will help the wound heal, the bad bacteria not to multiply easily, & the antibiotics to do their work. I am on a few antibiotics, which will continue for weeks, possibly months, but whatever it takes.

Ok, so I am like the youngest person on this floor, but it is just now 7pm & I want to crash. *yawn* I am so sleepy! I have to wait for all the shift-change stuff first. Off to listen to a little worship music. Glory in the Highest!"

Sun. 2/22

2009-02-24T07:51:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I overcame a few battles, one my lack of appetite, & the other made my Dr & nurses happy, but I won't say. While I did feel better since I could eat & drink, I was in more pain b/c I took some less meds. Oh & the fact I guessed my wound was 4in long but was told it was actually 9-12in. Big difference. The dressing changes are frequent & sore, but the pain meds are effective. I think I might've broken a world record for most antibiotics pumped into a single person. They are thinking tomorrow (Mon.) I will have a wound vacuum placed over my wound to clean it out for a few days. This means no more packing & covering, yay! I sure hope they can do it. Just learning a little more each day about MRSA staph & how to care of myself once home. I certainly do not want to get it again. Well, my nausea has been acting up this morning, even though I have this huge plate of bacon in front of me. How I want to eat & get well. Sure do wish I was at church though, sounds so nice, so normal. I will take my Lord where I can get Him though, & I know He never leaves my side. If I need reminding of His mercy, I think of how much worse it could be. When I think about His love, I think about my husband who has taken such good care of my affairs while I've been here, & my kids whom I miss more than words, but I know are doing great at the hands of others. Thanks be to God & all my dear friends.

Fri. 2/20

2009-02-24T07:49:00.001-05:00

I had some debridement surgery this afternoon, & the Dr. says my wound is looking so much better.(For anyone curious about my wound, I'm guessing is it about 4in. long, in the bend of my left leg. It's as deep as the fascia.) I am not sure when or if he will close it, or how closed it has to be to go home, but the antibiotics are doing their job! It is officially MRSA, but we all have confidence & reassurance in Him that I will be coming home. The anesthesia did take a toll on me today, and I did have my head in a toilet for a while,then some medicine knocked me out for a good nap. Now I am up & eating (something I haven't done right in a couple days) & then going back to sleep (something I am also lacking.) I "should" be up to visitors tomorrow, but feel free to call if you aren't sure. Do not feel bad if you want to stay away b/c of the infection risk (we have precautions in place) you will not hurt my feelings. Also, if you would like to help out & can't think of a way to do so, please pray for me a healthy appetite & fast healing. Eventually, when my family gets back together, some meals would be nice, but I'm in no way a beggar. Child care is working out on a daily basis & my husband & I should have some time together soon. Thank you thank you thank you! I am praying for all the blessings in my life. God has certainly been so good & merciful to me. I thank Him for this affliction & to see all the beautiful friendships in my life. Love you all, Tara

Thurs. 2/19

2009-02-24T07:39:00.003-05:00

The Bad News:
I was praying for Staph, if I was to pick of the two. Well, the cultures are back & it is Staph (MRSA), but a newer (less than 10yrs old) strain that behaves like Strep. The proteins this strain makes (has, creates, something) attacks my white blood cells. So, when we thought my # going down was good, it could b/c my "soldiers" where dying. Just to reiterate, it is more resistant to antibiotics, but it is also more aggressive. I do have to warn anyone that it is not advised to visit it me w/ kids or if you are sick, just as much a precaution for me, as it is for you. Also,

The Good News:
Obviously, not "The Greatest News (see John 3:16)" but definitely awesome. God is good! I am young & healthy so this is rare, but I know I will be healed! I have some pretty skilled Drs. (did I mention The Great Physician?) and some wonderfully caring nurses. I have HOPE & I have Jesus!

I WILL praise HIM in this storm!

2009-02-18T19:43:00.005-05:00

I appreciate all your prayers, they are most definitely heard & felt. This all started w/ a shaving nick (probably) that turned into a large abscess. It has taken over the left side of my pelvis, buttock region, & down my inner thigh. I have been opened up, cleaned out, packed, you name it. This is all extremely painful, but I know I will make it through. I am looking at at least one more surgery, hopefully on Friday, but the redness is creeping up again, so it may be tomorrow. It is correct we do not know the specific bacteria, but test results will be back tomorrow (Thurs.) at the earliest. The dr. thinks b/c of how aggressive this infection is, that it is probably the result of Staph or Strep. Strep (aka flesh-eating)is the worst-case scenario, with a 50% fatality rate. I am praying for a miracle. Staph (MRSA) is better, I guess, but since I am allergic to a few antibiotics, it narrows my attack. Who knows what Our Creator can do though? I am very hopeful & very prayer-ful. I can already see God's good work during my time of trial. I will hope to give more updates soon, since my husband so graciously let me ~~touch~~ borrow his computer while I am holed up here. Again, your prayer mean the world (and Heaven!) to me! I love you all & God Bless!

Some prayers please....

2009-02-15T18:14:00.004-05:00

***UPDATE***
Always ask for a prescription of pain meds!!! 4 Ibuprofen don't to the trick. It does keep the fever at bay though. When I got there it was 101. I won't know culture results till Wed or Thurs., but I have a follow-up visit tomorrow (Tues.) I will ask for something for the pain then. Unfortunately, the doctor said it would get worse before better, & it has. It has spread past the line marked (as he said it would) but it should also recede after a cpl days of antibiotics. He had to go way down the list to find one I could take (b/c of my allergies) & if it doesn't work (the lab tests it on their sample) I get a new one. So far I haven't noticed any change for the better, but I'm still praying.

***A tad TMI***

Taking a little trip to Urgent Care for an abscess that has gotten out of control. It has swollen significantly lately...let's just say larger than golf ball, smaller than a baseball. Could be staph, don't know. I know it hurts like heck & I think having the chills scares me more. Not really much of a fever though, my temp stays between 99.5 & 99.9. Anyways, better safe than sorry. I never go to the Dr. so this is a big thing for me.

Thanks for the prayers, I will update as soon as I can. Hopefully, on some form of pain meds & antibiotics.

Less-Words Wednesday

2009-02-11T09:34:00.003-05:00

No denying this one!

and...

Oh, the jokes I could make, but I won't!

What does he know?

2009-02-03T19:48:00.003-05:00

Ummm.. Stephen King, let's talk about your writing! You kill kids in your books & yet you say she can't write? I have lost more respect for you than the young lady you were dissing. I did like one of your books, but one of your movies ~~scared~~ scarred me for years.

Hannah the Baptist

2009-02-02T10:43:00.001-05:00

brain malFUNction

2009-01-28T22:09:00.006-05:00

Not to bump down my glorious news, but I have a funny tidbit to share. Casey & I were online shopping for a new couch* the other night. I just can't seem to find THE ONE. Anways, I was on yahoo & typed in the name of a store I frequently like to online window shop at...only this is what I type..

POTTY BARN

LOL! Before I even noticed, I hit enter. Casey was all like "I don't think I want to buy a couch from THAT kind of place!" Oops!

I meant Pottery Barn, but of course all this potty training is turning my brain to mush. Even more evident by the fact I was trying to justify their couch prices! Ever notice the "ouch" in couch?!

*It's a sectional I am looking for, so if anyone has any ideas, lemme know!

Sharing the Good News!!!

2009-01-28T16:12:00.002-05:00

Short version:

Hannah is a Christian!!!

Long (very long) version:

We are members of a Baptist Church here in Louisville. When Hannah gets out of Sunday school she meets me for Worship service. Almost every other week she has Children's Church during Worship, the other Sundays she stays for the sermon and draws/writes notes. About 2mths ago, we were sitting in church & our pastor was talking about the Book of Life. Hannah leans over & whispers "Is my name in there? In that book?" I was taken aback by the question, b/c I never think she is paying attention. I explain to her very briefly what the book is & why my name is in there. My non-educated answer suited her just fine.

Fast forward a few Sundays & Hannah is in church with me again. She seems to be paying attention again & during the invitation I explain to her about the time I asked Jesus into my heart, in more exact detail. So we head home from church & on the way Hannah blurts from the back "Mom, I think I'm ready." I ask what for, she says "To give my life, my heart to Jesus." Way to make a momma cry!!! For real, it took me a few moments to answer her. I told her what a big decision/commitment this was to make, but that she would never regret it, etc etc. I told her when we got into the driveway (hungry, tired kids & all) we would pray. And so we did. We prayed (& I cried) all about Hannah's heart, Jesus, changing her attitudes, her life. After closing prayer, I told her that we needed to tell someone at church & they would be able to talk to her more. (This momma was not prepared for the convo!)

We go to church the following Wed. night for another yummy dinner & as soon as she sees the pastor she runs to him "I'm ready to accept Jesus!" (Maybe not the exact words, but it left an impression still!)So we schedule to have a sit-down talk during our next Sunday school class, since she has never had his "stick-man" interpretation of the Gospel. It was undescribable and great, and he said whenever she was ready she could come forward during the Invitation at church. She walks out & says to me "Momma, I am ready!" After we finish our classes we go to church together. She doesn't budge during the Invitation! I was confused. We get out to the van & she says "Momma, which song was I supposed to go up during?" I about fell out of the vehicle! I didn't tell her b/c I thought she knew when to go & if I nudged her she would feel pressured & go b/c of me, not of her own free will. I assured her I would tell her which song the following Sunday.

Another fast forward...We go to early service b/c I have Nursery Duty during our 11a.m. Worship. I let Hannah know which songs we are singing first & last. She is excited to hear that we will be singing "The Narnia Song" as it is called in our family, a.k.a "Old Rugged Cross." I tell her IF she is ready then that is her cue to go forward. Again, we start singing & she doesn't budge. Then it hits her! "Momma, I'm ready, but you gotta go with me." I grab her hand & try to walk, but she isn't moving. I stop, otherwise I would be dragging her & that was not my intent. When I look over she says "Wait...wait...okay now!" and we take off! I was & am so proud of her. She prayed, was received by the church, & made me cry again! It was wonderful! I told her I was crying b/c I was so happy & that angels in Heaven were singing right now.

So she is going to be baptized (or is it baptised?) this Sunday the 1st!! So if you are in-town you are most invited to join us! Isn't God great!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

2009-01-28T15:57:00.004-05:00

I have a sleeping problem. Maybe a lot of people do? Women? Or could it be a mom thing? My ears are so sensitive I can hear nearly every move the kids, my husband, & even the cat makes in the middle of the night. I must be the last person asleep, or I just can't settle. If I wake up for anything, I have to go through a long waiting period for my brain to go back to sleep. Seems like I have been waking up more now than ever, even when the kids are sound asleep & it takes me longer & longer. I just toss & toss. This makes for a very cranky mommy & wife. Not who I want to be, of course.

So while I am laying there, you wouldn't believe the blog posts I come up with! Or the emails, funny stories, poems, songs, grocery lists, to-do lists, prayers, you name it, my brain will think of it! I am a genius after midnight!!! =)

Then I wake up to the crankiness that is my kids. Liv is usually pretty funny & happy, Hannah justs wants some breakfast, & Josie, well even if she wakes up on her own, she usually isn't too happy. That girl is my nite-owl. If I gave her a tiny 5min. nap during the day she would stay up past midnight. That is why she doesn't get naps, but also why I have to deal with even more crankiness come 5pm. Not so cool w/ a grumpy mom on top of it. I am trying though, hot chocolate before bed (to warm me up), a little snack (I can't sleep if I'm hungry), & some exercise during the day (unfortunately I'm too tired to do it more than every 2 days.)

The winter blahs have hit, the snow storm secluding us doesn't help, & I am always seeming to get sick now, so I am no bag of joy to be around. But!!! I do have good news which I am late posting about! So, I won't be too tired to type it up again (remember the lost post? yes I'm still peeved) & share it w/ everyone!!!

It is amazing how this woman gets ME...

Randomness

2009-01-19T15:03:00.004-05:00

Boy, did Chef Boyardee taste better as a kid! Same for boxes of macaroni & cheese, McDonalds, american cheese, hot dogs, you name it. I guess my tastes weren't as sophiscated as they are now, & I don't even eat gourmet!

I think I am going to start making a list of all the things I look up on Wikipedia each week. Today alone I have looked up Salmonellosis, Blackberries, & Book of Life.

I could really go for some peanut butter crackes right now!

#1 and #3 liked to play in their #2. LOL, you get it?

My left-click mouse button is only working 25% of the time, grrr.

I have quite a few other more interesting (to me) things to post, but I lost a huge post, b/c I didn't save. Why did I do it on notepad? Needless to say, I'm mad. I will try to make myself rewrite it & share. =) In the meantime, enjoy..

Marshmallows: the other white meat.

Cousins - Alivia (19mths) & Sheridan (4.5yrs)

Today...

2009-01-06T11:47:00.003-05:00

I think I will just lay around & nurse my poor calves.

Oh, I am not referring to the kiddos, I mean my own personal lower leg muscles. Who knew you had to stretch before running??? LOL, I'll survive, I am just surprised I haven't hurt myself more. I am loving my new workout regime (ahem, Wii Fit) so much that I am sad I don't have enough narcotics in me to do it some more. =( Casey says it needs to heal, I would rather work out the kinks. Guess it's a good thing I'm submissive & will allow myself a break. =)

**I will add that working out & getting into shape isn't like some new resolution for me, I always have the desire, just not the energy, determination, patience, & discipline. =)

I hope you have enjoyed my nonsense, it's about all I will probably get done today. =P I am working on some Biblical Resolutions (if you can call them that) for this New Year. I hope to share them soon. (I say hope, b/c I resolved not to resolve to stop procrastinating. I always fail that one!) Well, my house is a toddler too quite, so I think I will play a little game of Hobble & Seek!

God Bless!

Out of the mouth of babes..

2008-12-29T20:00:00.003-05:00

Tonight I heard something really funny I must share...

From a newly 7yr old:

"I need a big bowl of chips and some whack-a-moleee!"

From the 3yr old:

"My no like mack-a-moleee"

From the 19mth old:

"Snack!!! I want that!"

To translate:
We were munching on some chips & guacamole before dinner tonight. Such funny kids!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T13:00:00.004-05:00

Hope you have a wonderful day & and even more blessed 2009!!!

Last, but never least...
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

~Love, The Flaigs

Another year older!!

2008-12-23T12:16:00.003-05:00

Hannah had a great birthday party on Sat. then some yummy pie & ice cream c/o Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen on her birthday-day. It sure has been a wonderful 7yrs of mommy-hood!

Couldn't think of a clever title

2008-12-22T22:13:00.009-05:00

Well, I'm feeling better for the most parts, thanks! My voice is mostly back, much to the kids dismay. Half the time I couldn't tell if they couldn't hear me or if they were just pretending, hubby included. =)

So, I took this morning off (stayed in bed) while the kids ran around crazy. One was playing video games or sulking b/c she was bored, one tried to watch Jurassic Park & eat cheese all day, & the littlest ran around w/out her poopy diaper on w/ a candy cane in her mouth. Yes, that is the kind of mom I am.

I did redeem myself later by doing 1 load each of laundry & dishes. =) Then my sisters came over w/ more kids & I took Christmas pics of the baby boys in all their new gear. That was fun, but my back is killing me now. Go fig!

Here is a sneak preview...click to enlarge

You touch this candy cane & somebody gets hurt!
- Cael, Jules' little boy

Why didn't y'all tell me I could ~~shoot~~ poke my eye out?
- Aaron, Shawna's son

Aren't they adorable!!! Gonna go get on the heating pad now. You think you can have sympathy pains for yourself 7yrs later? Today, 7yrs ago, I was 2 days overdue w/ Hannah Banana. My back feels the same right about now. Good night! =)

Flashback Friday

2008-12-19T08:57:00.005-05:00

What?
It's December you say?
Already?
Yep, that must be why we are sick.
No kidding! Again.

*sigh* It's like deja vu. Josie had the bark, then the fever, Livvy had it, now I have it. I feel like I'm back in Newport

That's us. =( Only I wish I had the sun on my face.

But we are on the mend! No doubt, we have a lot going on & must regain some normalcy/energy here. So, since we get sick every single December, I am reconsidering my take on the flu shot. Perhaps we can give it a try, next year. Do you have any thoughts or comments on it? Is it true once you have one you will need one every year from then on? I don't trust all common medicine/ vaccinations, though my kids get most, so I am still on the fence.

So on to the Flashback... I have recently aquired a huge & cute old picture of me! Proof that one daughter (Alivia) looks like me! Not Casey, not Josie - so much, but Me!

If you don't see the resemblance, that's okay. I will *try* to get a pic of Liv today so you can really see it. Meanwhile, I have a Christmas breakfast in the morning, company tomorrow (which means tons of cleaning), & some more dryer parts to order (whirlpool hates me!) Don't think for a second that the "real meaning" of Christmas has escaped me, or my house. Nope, after Casey's birthday (Sat.) & Hannah's birthday (Tues.), it is our wonderful Jesus' birthday on Thursday!! Merry Christmas!!!

Flashback Friday - 5yrs ago

2008-12-12T09:22:00.009-05:00

Five years ago today, Casey, Hannah, & I were living in Portland, Oregon. I woke up that morning with a strange need to call my sister, Shawna. No, we are not twins, but I just knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Apparently they had been trying to get a hold of me all morning (they were on the east coast.) My brother, Shawna's husband Jarrod, who was serving in Iraq, had been killed.

It was two days shy of their 1 year wedding anniversary. Just a couple weeks before, Shawna found out she was having their first daughter. To say the least, we were devastated. Casey was the first in our family to meet Jarrod. They were in training together at Ft. Knox, & they were good buddies. We introduced him to Shawna, & they hit it off right away. He loved Hannah so much, & we love his boys Jason & Jacob. What a great man. He had his flaws, we all do, but we accepted him into our family with love. Just as we welcomed his daughter 5 months after his death.

You see, I have always proudly watched my dad serve in the Army (since before I was born), but I was never scared for him. He was invincible in my mind. I guess I thought of Jarrod (& Casey) that way too. So when something like this hits home, it hits hard. Anyways, I could say a lot more, but I have tons to do, but can't afford to cry the whole day away (though I could.) So, please say a prayer for our soldiers (past & present), their families, their children, not just holidays, but everyday. Also, I am going to be looking up some good links for Christmas gifts/cards for soldiers if anyone wants to contribute with me. I know their are some families struggling, even veterans who could use our help, or maybe just a simple card to let them know we care this Christmas season.

Thanksgiving 2002

2003

Sheridan on her 4th birthday.

God Bless!

http://www.militarytimes.com/honor/257000.html
http://www.geocities.com/shawnaleigh2002/always_remember.html
http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/blackjarrodw.html

Less-Words Wednesday

2008-12-10T15:55:00.002-05:00

10 donated inches later....

Since I have been such a lazy blogger, here's another!

This is so cool!

2008-11-24T17:29:00.003-05:00

Once more, I find myself sick & bored. Housecleaning & laundry will have to wait, I don't have enough energy to even attempt it. I think I will save it all for Wednesday, afterall even if I clean it now the kids will surely mess it up before Thursday's crowd. Did I mention I am hosting my first family Thanksgiving at my house?

Anyways, the cool thing...I found this website. You just copy & paste the link to your blog & voila they analyze your writing style. Mine seems pretty right-on!

ESFP - The Performers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

I must say, I loooove things that smell good, I think I am pretty friendly, I hate arguments, & I do exhaust myself frequently. Wow, all that from my few posts? There was also an analysis that shows what parts of my brain were dominant while writing. Mostly the sensing, order, details parts, which if you know me & my firstborn tendency of perfectionism, you know is accurate. Feeling & spiritually were also high on the list. All in all, pretty cool!

Less-Words Wednesday

2008-11-19T13:36:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm a geek! Just like all those millions of people out there, I am a "Twilighter", "Fanpire", whatever you would like to call it. =)

Got my tickets for Saturday, woohoo!

Did you know?

2008-11-18T09:24:00.003-05:00

JOSIE
....loves fruit & veggies, but also enjoys meat (ham, hotdogs, bologna) & cheese (especially american)
....dislikes bread (buns, rolls, biscuits) but could eat tons of rice & noodles
....is impervious to all discipline tactics
....could be called stubborn & aloof
....loves hugs & taking care of her momma
....has a very girly sense of style, loves to dress-up
....dislikes basketball (maybe more sports too)
....should be my tallest kid
....is an awful room cleaner, but a wonderful room messer-upper
....loves to chew on everything, mostly her hair now
....never stops talking, but doesn't care to sing
....could play pretend & dance all day
....loves to sleep in very little w/ no blanket (any season)
....looks just like her daddy!

ALIVIA
....has always been the runt
....took over Josie's nickname "Tornado" b/c she gets into more stuff than the other two ever did, combined!
....loves peanut butter, plums, pancakes, chocolate, cake & cupcakes
....will not eat her meal if she tries dessert first (or even sees it nearby)
....is potty training, of her own free-will.
....is smarter than she should be
....says "thank you", but thinks "please" sounds like stomping
....loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & would wear it all the time
....adores being read to, she is a great listener
....hardly ever sits still, dancing is her favorite
....loves all kinds of music, especially her own
....would rather be naked than wear clothes, but must sleep on her belly w/ a blanket
....looks just like her mommy!

HANNAH
....dislikes tomatoes, mexican food, & lots of veggies
....loves chinese food & bread
....was not "made in the USA"
....is a sensational reader (especially to her little sisters)
....could watch tv all day if I let her
....loves electronics & gadgets (PC, DS, MP3)
....can sing very well, but she is shy
....is very good at basketball, but not very aggresive
....is moody, thinks life is unfair, always has a comeback
....loves to clean & please
....is great at math, interested in science
....is always complimented on her looks
....has always been a perfect mix of Casey & I

I could go on all day! This is a little get-to-know-my-kids, but also a record to show them later on & see how they have changed. No two (or three) kids are alike, that is for sure!

Hmmm...

2008-11-17T08:59:00.002-05:00

I found this on another blog & it really struck me. I am not a Letterman fan, but I used to watch those shows when I could enjoy late-night tv. What he says really rings true. I am so spoiled & so many times I don't realize it. It makes being Thankful this Thanksgiving mean so much more.

.......................................

Not his typical top 10

No matter what your political views are, I think everyone can take a lesson away from this article by David Letterman.

What a thankless people we are!!!
David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Oceanwithout having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/ 11? Th e president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been
called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused
you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?
Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way...... Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek , and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God
several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure
this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
-David Letterman

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T13:53:00.002-05:00

There are so many veterans who have given up their lives for us, not just in dying, but also in living. I want to honor all with my gratefulness & prayers. I thank God for each & every one of you & you for your service to this country. I'm afraid if I get any sappier, I will cry again. I don't have a bunch of pics of "my veterans" to share, there are quite a few in my family, but I leave you with two that I am very proud of.

It is the veteran, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion,

It is the veteran, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press,

It is the veteran, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech,

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble,

It is the veteran, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trail,

It is the veteran, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote,

It is you, whom we owe much,
We will never forget you.

Have a blessed Veteran's Day & enjoy your freedom!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday!

2008-11-08T19:37:00.005-05:00

WARNING: THIS SONG WILL MAKE YOU CRY!
Well, maybe not for everyone, but a lot of you all know of our loss back in Dec. 03.

Just a Dream by Carrie Underwood

I can't embed the song, but it is definitely a must hear. I heard it for the 1st time today in the car. Luckily, I was parked, otherwise I wouldn't have seen the road for the tears.

I hope you are soaring w/ the angels Jarrod! =)

Thankful Thursday!!!

2008-10-30T11:57:00.003-04:00

Thank you God...for a new BIG baby to love on!!!

My newest nephew, Cael Christopher was born Oct. 29, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. He was born after a very long labor. He measured in at a whopping 9lbs 3oz & 21in. long. Both mom & baby are doing fine. Aunt Tara is pretty excited as well, she got to hold a leg, cut the cord, & take pics! Very soon Cael will be spending lots of time w/ his big girl cousins!

Check him out!

Been MIA

2008-10-28T10:22:00.002-04:00

I guess since I poured my heart out, I just haven't had much to say. Nothing much going on, just staying busy busy. We are awaiting the arrival of my second nephew Cael, so I am on my toes for that (any day now kid! =) The kids have lots of fun Fall stuff going on. Josie & Hannah just began basketball practice, Josie is my passer, Hannah my shooter. I can't wait for the 1st games of the season! Liv is kinda-sorta potty training. She is definitely interested & is successful in going once every other day. It's a great start!

I love that each of my girls are so very different, but I find I have to take a different parenting approach to each one. It's exhausting, to say the least. Many of you all have heard me mention that Hannah has a big ol' attitude, but she is also really lovey & cuddly. Josie is very very stubborn, but she is also hilarious, either way she can make you cry. Liv is the baby, very spoiled, very aggressive, but too cute to be mad at for long. I love them!

Pics tomorrow!

The month of October

2008-10-15T10:16:00.004-04:00

Many of y'all don't know this about me...but I really want to tell my story.

I lost my 1st child at 10wks gestation in Oct. 1999.

I lost my second at 6wks in Jan. 2001.

I lost my 3rd at 9wks, missing twin. I carried his/her sister full-term. Hannah is six (born Dec. 2001).

I lost my 5th child at 6wks in July 2004.

Dec 2004, an ER doctor told I was losing my 6th child at 12wks, but after many many weeks of bedrest Josie was born healthy at 39wks. She is 3yrs old (July05).

Alivia, my 7th child, is 17mths (May07), born healthy at 38wks.

I can't wait to hold all my little babies in heaven, but for now I cherish the ones God has given me. God is good!

Maybe someday He will give me one more??? =)

If you visit Angie's Bring The Rain you can read all about her story (& Audrey's) & post your own, or just pray for other women who have lost a child(ren) as well.

Silly Sunday & Story

2008-10-12T11:39:00.006-04:00

The other night I had a horrible dream that Casey passed away in his sleep. My heart was shattered & I woke up very shaken. It took me a long time to fall back asleep. The dream was too real & too long. I have since tried not to think about that dream, but each night when I get ready to fall asleep, the thought creeps in. I begin to pray for him. I thank God for the fact that he is so good to me, the kids, he provides for me, all those things God also does. Then I just listen to Casey snore, but it doesn't bother me as much as it used to days ago..because I know he is breathing, he is alive.

Job 33:4 NASB
"The Spirit of God has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

On another note, would someone please come get rid of this virus that has plagued our house? One gets better & another gets sick. Blah!

How Well Do You Know Your Husband?

2008-10-10T14:16:00.003-04:00

I can't find any old Flash-back pictures, but since Casey & I have been married NINE years now, I thought I would take a fun little quiz. When he gets home (hopefully tonight)I will check my answers and update!

How Well Do You Know Your Husband?

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen?
Usually the news, if he has a choice. If not, then it's a kid show & he has his laptop.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Only Chicken Caesar Salads for my man, and I think you mean "He" is out to eat, I never get out like he does.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Hard to pick just one b/c he hates tomatoes (not in sauce form), most seafood & veggies too.

4. You go out to a bar. What does he order?
Food!

5. Where did he go to high school?
Some HS in Oregon.

6. What size shoe does he wear?
Oh, I know this one! He never shoe shops for himself, so a size 11.

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
I cannot think of one thing!

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Chicken Cordon Bleu?

9. What would this person eat everyday if he could?
Food! LOL, it's my catch-all answer, he really isn't a pig.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Honey Nut Cheerios
(LOL! He's the Honey, I'm the Nut, the kids are Cheerios)

11. What would he never wear?
A dress & heels, not his style!

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Whatever mine is at the time!

13. Who will he vote for?
None of the above.

14. Who is his best friend?
Me & Me.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Lose stuff!

16. How many states has he lived in?
3

17.What is his heritage?
umm..I'll have to ask!

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake?
Chocolate, or maybe a No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Not that I know of.

20. What could he spend hours doing?
Sitting at his computer or golfing, if he had hours to spare.

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations?
Nope, we are recluses usually.

Thankful Thursday!!!

2008-10-09T14:29:00.005-04:00

Thank you God...for a new little baby to love on!!!

My new nephew, Aaron Michael was born Oct. 3, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. via c-section. He was born not a moment to soon, as his & mommy's placenta was coming undone & his cord was very wrapped around his neck. He measured in at 5lbs 15oz & 18in. long. The Drs think he is a preemie, but he is doing remarkably well at home!

Check him out! (click on pic below)

Unfortunately, my youngest two have caught two bugs so I haven't gotten to go back & see the little guy again. =( I will have to learn some patience while Miss Booty-Flu & Snotty Naughty get well.

What is this?

2008-09-26T12:41:00.002-04:00

Ask a 3 year old what it is for & this is your answer....

Raisin!

"Master"pieces

2008-09-22T10:04:00.006-04:00

I was so inspired last night, we (the kids) made sticker charts to chart their good behavior & helpfulness. I remember that was how Hannah was potty-trained & she is still very interested in getting them. In fact, she has already earned quite a few & her attitude is amazing. I sure hope this lasts! Josie never took interest in stickers the same way, but as soon as we find her "reward" I am sure she will be just as enthusiastic. Livvy was just looking cute, trying to help.

Sorry they are so small, it just takes years for me to upload them through Blogger, & nearly took as long w/ Photobucket & I had to resize. =P I think my lighting is okay on these pics, but I really really need to work on my skills more. I just seem to do everything else instead.

Silly Sundays

2008-09-21T21:59:00.002-04:00

Casey & I went to our first "Growing Kids God's Way" class tonight!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday!

2008-09-20T20:46:00.003-04:00

New thing I saw & wanted to try. I have heard so many wonderful new songs lately. This one isn't new to me, but the message hits home so much right now w/ the Hurricane down south, our wind storm here, & all the other general storms that seem to abound these days. Enjoy!

"Praise You In This Storm"

What a great idea for a Saturday! Join along if you'd like!
I already have a wonderful list going!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-17T15:33:00.003-04:00

"My no like Ike"

2008-09-16T15:30:00.004-04:00

That is how my 3yr old best described our Sunday without power. It was going to be pretty ordinary day, church in the morning, lunch & nap in the afternoon, then back to church for Growing Kids God's Way. So we thought.

It was a bit windy when we got to church around 9:30am. Liv stopped every few feet to try to figure out what was trying to knock her over. How do you teach a 16mth old about the air? Had a wonderful morning at church and learned way more than I could write in a few hours. When we left I noticed the wind had picked up quite a bit, but the kids & I hurried to the van.

More than once the wind threatened to throw me into other cars & even semi trucks. It was some pretty scary driving! I called Casey on my way (yes I cell & drive) and he told me our Bradford Pear tree out front was not fairing well in the wind & we had no power! As I approached one intersection after another, I noticed nearly every other one also had no power. Then we saw a firetruck horizontally parked at a light. Just as we got close, we were told to turn around. I didn't see any problem, until an electric transformer on the other side of the road blew up before my eyes w/ wires flying every which way. Talk about a little freaky!

So we go another way, then another, & finally we get near our road, but there is a tree blocking traffic one way & some nice residents controlling the traffic flow. Probably 15 cars can go from this direction around the tree, then 15 the other. Was pretty cool of them, especially the guy making sure everyone had enough room between the tree & the 3ft ditch. Very very narrowly did my van fit, but we got home safe & sound. (Still grieving my tree, mind you!)

Hannah had a bored day, she was stuck inside due to the wind (ppl were losing roof shingles, yard furniture, trees & limbs were falling) and she was w/out her TV. Josie could've cared less until she had to pee in the dark w/ a little tealight candle beside her. (Note to self* buy some "real" candles!) Liv was all good, she takes a wonderful nap to recharge her batteries. Casey & Aaron did have to go down to Shawna's house to cook our lunch of hotdogs, sausages, etc. & to check on her animals. Me, I flipped each lightswitch in the house about 5x, forgetting the power was still off. I can't help that it is a ritual!

So we have our warm lunch, play our boardgames, do a little housecleaning, it was peaceful. Our class at church was cancelled b/c they didn't have any power either, so I fit in about 1/2 hour of reading the Bible w/ the kids before dark. Then it got really interesting. Tealights were all I had, & now I know they produce very very little light. =) Kids don't like having to go to bed out of boredom, but even we were going to retreat to our room. We say our prayers & as I am tucking the older 2 in down in the living room, Casey says "Hey! It's back on!" (LOL, he had just put all of our important food in a cooler w/ ice!) I bow my head & say "Thank you God, for turning our power back on."

Hannah's response..no kidding..this is from my not-so outwardly religious child.."Thank you God! Glory, glory, glory!" I about lost it. It was hilarious, but at the same time, it truly showed how much we rely on technology. I turned a little tv on for the kids (they were so patient all day) & I went ahead to my room. This time, no TV, no distractions, pretending I was camping all over again. I would turn the house back on tomorrow.

Thank you God for taking away our power! Glory, glory, glory!
Thank you God for allowing us to have a sample of a hurricane, so that we may not forget about all those who have suffered & will in the future. God be with them!

Thankful Thursday!

2008-09-11T10:05:00.003-04:00

Today, I am thankful for the story my friend emailed me. I wish I could've been there to witness this. How humbling, in this raw moment, to feel God! How many times have I missed an experience like this? I certainly don't wish to, ever again.

HAIRBRUSH EXPERIENCE OF BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT
For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters.

This is one of her experiences:

"April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you.

You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.

The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport... an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served up on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing.

I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. 'Oh, no, God, please, no.' I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, 'Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!'

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, 'Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane.' Then I heard it....'I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair.'

The words were so clear, my heart leap into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, 'God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man.'

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. 'That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.'

I looked up at God and quipped, 'I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?' God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: 'I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works.' (2 Timothy 3:17)

I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, 'Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?'

He looked back at me and said, 'What did you say?'

'May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?'

To which he responded in volume ten, 'Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that.'

At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, 'SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?' At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Long Locks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, 'If you really want to.'

Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, 'Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.'

'I have one in my bag,' he responded.

I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.

The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's.

I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knee and said, 'Sir, do you know my Jesus?'

He said, 'Yes, I do'

Well, that figures, I thought.

He explained, 'I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior.' He said, 'You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride.' "

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it.

Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, 'That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?'

I said, 'Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!'

And we got to share.

I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way ... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth'

Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, 'Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!'

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-10T12:41:00.004-04:00

Sleeping Beauty

Hannah Banana

Livvy (isn't her hair growing/getting poofy!)

3yr old funnies!

2008-09-08T14:26:00.000-04:00

(Sitting on the couch)

J: Do you love me mom?

Me: Yes, I love you!

J: Do you love me mucher?

Me: Yes, I love you more.

J: No, do you love me mucher?

Me: Yes, *giggle* I love you mucher! *hug*

(Sitting at the table)

J: Mom, I no want you to heat it up.

Me: *putting the plate in the microwave* Just for a minute, you don't want to eat it cold.

J: No mom.

Me: It'll be done soon.

J: Well, it's gonna get cooker.
(I suppose she meant hotter?)

(In the van, she sits behind me (driving)

J: Mom, look at this!

Me: I can't look right now.

J: Look in your mirror! (I have 2 mirrors, one showing the back window & one that shows the kids in the back, like a school bus)

Me: I really can't see Sweetie & I can't turn around I have to keep my eyes on the road.

J: Un-uh! You have to keep your eyes in your _____!
(I couldn't quite understand her)

Me: My what?
(I looked in the mirror & saw her pointing to her eyes!)

J: In your HOLES! Keep your eyes in your holes!
(I was laughing so hard, I could barely keep my eyes on the road!)

Gosh, she is so funny, I forgot all about this "literal" age!

Joy
Ostentatious
Stunning
Ingenious
Entertaining

Thankful Thursday!!

2008-09-04T09:38:00.006-04:00

I am most thankful for....
... not having a heart attack when I encountered my intense arachnophobia.

I opened my backdoor and walked right into a thick huge spider web. I immediately closed the door & began to freak out, or have a seziure? I mean I was jumping, squealing, & flapping at my body & hair. Then I started to freak out some more when I felt something in my hair. I had a small clip in, & I knew it, but in that split second, you could not convince me it wasn't a huge hairy spider!

I think that was the biggest immediate freak-out I have ever done. I seriously wonder how many times my heart stopped. The web was SO thick, I know I did some damage. I am sure I looked crazy to the little girls, as I was hopping around & flapping. When I was done, still not calm, I called Casey. I figured while I was relaying my fear, I would look out the back window (I doubt I will be using that door for weeks now) & see if I saw anything.

Sure enough!

Do you not realize that could have been on me? No, I barely missed it by maybe an inch over my left shoulder. THANK YOU GOD! I probably would've peed on myself, passed out, had a heart attack, & it probably would have never bitten me. If it had, it would not be life-threatening. To ME, it would have been life-threatening if it would've just smiled at me!

So, since I narrowly escaped death, I have painfully taken some pictures of the ugliest thing God ever created. I am sharing b/c I want y'all to know it wasn't a little fuzzy baby Charlotte that had me freaking out.

It was this!!!

Ugh! Now I am having a hard time going back in my kitchen to clean! I swear, if it comes in my house, Casey WILL come home from work!

My friends!!!

2008-09-02T10:40:00.007-04:00

I am shamefully plugging my Tupperware Brunch/Party coming up this Saturday. If you would like to order anything give me a call & I can have it ordered & shipped right to you! If I can't get a catalog to you in person, please check out the Tupperware website! by clicking HERE...

I have to rave about my cups & lids with the straw holes. Oh, I love them! Best thing ever for my kids, who never can finish a whole glass of milk. I just put them right back in the fridge. I also love my trays, which the kids think are so cool to have dinner on. They look like lunch room trays! I also have some bowls, perfect for pudding creations & even some microwaveable ones, I don't know how I ever lived without! Now I am throwing out all my cheap stuff & replacing it w/ something that will last!

They have also come out w/ a few products we haven't seen in a little while (such as the Hamburger Press!) as well as some great deals (12 cups w/ lids for $24!)Okay, enough of the "saleswoman" in me, I really am not using you all for host points, I genuinely love this stuff!

If you live nearby & would like to come, or bring a friend, or you didn't get an invite, I am sorry, you are still more than welcome to join us! Email me or call for the address or ordering information! Back to your regular blogcast!

Sweet girls!

2008-09-01T23:52:00.003-04:00

Josie and I had the sweetest talk ever about having Jesus in your heart. She takes everything so literal, it's funny. She also started to talk about Heaven & how Mommaw's bird went to Heaven b/c he had Jesus in his heart too. She just doesn't know how beautiful she is & how much she means to me.

Livvy's word of the day is "up!" She kept trying to climb up my legs all day long, so we taught her to say that. (The other day she wanted me to hold her, so she bit the back of my leg while i was doing dishes. I told her we don't bite, we use words. Guess she didn't know which one to use.) Anyways, she repeated it all day long. Earlier, we were outside & she looked up at the sky, then a tree, pointed, and said "up!" Melts my heart.

Hannah, she really just has a way about her. She is most definitely so much like me, we are like rams w/ horns locked. She moved me the most today, when she apologized for something simple. She was so humble, it amazed me. She is normally so high and mighty, that it really caught me off-guard. Then she kissed me!

*Update on my big-little testimony..It was so wonderful! I will have to type it out sometime. I really was so scared, but God gave me so much peace, courage, strength, you name it, that I actually had fun! I would've never thought I could do something like that. Me? In front of 300+ ppl? LOL, truly a miracle!

On the mend =)

2008-08-30T09:45:00.002-04:00

Nothing a few days of Nyquil/Dayquil couldn't cure. I haven't been able to take either of these meds for the last 4yrs b/c I was either pregnant or nursing. Now I am free of both, so I'm feeling good, if not a little rundown. Probably due the fact I have been single-parenting all week. Casey comes home in an hour-ish! We are excited!

I have a big small testimony to give at church tomorrow, but after that I will try to be more updating. Some funny stuff has ensued these last few weeks. Good times!

Silly Sundays

2008-08-24T16:27:00.001-04:00

I couldn't pick just one. They both sum me up perfectly today. Read more below this post.

=(

2008-08-24T16:10:00.002-04:00

I should probably go to the doctor, seeing as I am sick, again. (or still?) Do I ever? Nope. Not for the last 3yrs (besides routine OB/birth care for Liv.) Seriously, I had a teeny shard of glass taken out of my foot (broken nighlight) when Josie was a couple weeks old, since I have been my own Dr. Mom. I have survived (self-diagnosed) sinus infections, migraines, laryngitis, pink eye, the flu (a few times), and more cold & tummy bugs than I can count. I'm not Supermom, I wish I didn't think I have to be. Please don't try to convince to go to the Dr. though. It won't happen unless I can't take it, which I have to admit, may be soon.

I don't think I can handle all three kids w/out Casey for a week, sick. The housework is piling up, which gives me new headaches, & every whine feels like a rocket in my ears. I guess I just figure, the kids don't deserve a sick mom. They need a mom who is fun, and can play, and cook, and not get snappy and have to lay down. Speaking of laying down, that's what I should be doing, seeing as my mom has graciously taken the older two out for a little while. I think I will eat a little chicken noodle soup & read my Bible. Somehow I think this is what my kids need, me to rest up, for them. Maybe then I wouldn't get so sick on top of sick.

So my revelations of the day are to take it easy for yourself & others, who appreciate your company, don't get so bogged down in work day in & out. Lastly, ask for help! Geez, you think I wouldve mastered this one? Nope. It makes me feel weak. But maybe it is making me humble?

Y'all have a great week! I will update, I hope as soon as I am feeling better. Please pray for me. =) Best help I could ask for.

Catchin' up

2008-08-18T09:15:00.004-04:00

Baby* gave me what I thought was a "teething cold." Now I have chest & sinus congestion, along w/ a peeling, sore nose. I think I am on the mend though! That makes me happy. I just need my energy level to come back.

Saturday, Casey and I went to his boss' wedding. We had a very nice time, it was beautiful. I had already been sick w/ a sore throat and runny nose a couple days, but somehow, by the grace of God, I survived the night w/ little ailments. So here is my Saturday Self-Portrait (not taken by me, of course...)

Sunday, we just didn't make it to church. I rolled over in my sick bed, to hear Casey groaning about his body aches and congestion. Baby's cold strikes again! Now, I am trying to clean the house the best I can, to prevent the other two from catching it. Which leads me to, my Silly Sunday...

Ahh, so true. Well, my coffee cup is empty, and I can't remember my last shower. Have a wonderful week, my friends. Mine is looking up!

*I don't think I have mentioned before, Baby is Alivia's nickname. It was shortened from Baby Cake, which Josie called her for a long time, even before birth. We know she isn't a baby, but she is ours. =)

Fashion by Sharpie

2008-08-14T10:19:00.003-04:00

Update to yesterday's "Fruit" post....

The girls are dressed. Well, the ones we have found anyways. Nothing special, but I never claimed to be a swimwear designer. =) Josie love their new looks, and Momma is happy!

Edited to add:

Guess Purple has been flirting w/ Green? =D

Perhaps she ate the forbidden fruit?

2008-08-13T15:03:00.003-04:00

Yeah, it had to have been the peach...no, no the orange last night, yep!

Today, Josie's friend Jacque came over. As soon as they were in the door they ran upstairs like always. This time, Josie was yelling "Come on Jacque! I have Barbies in my room! (she giggles) They are naked!" Then she giggles some more.

Wonderful!!! (too bad you can't hear the sarcasm in my type, b/c I am seriously rolling my eyes here)

She knows "privates" are private, we teach that early on. It's the naked ppl = funny thing that she must've just caught onto. I used to think that unrealistic Barbies were safe in the hands of my newly 3yr old. Nope, not here. I vote to Sharpie on some bikinis on them, at least. Saves me from having to put on those tight dresses, or see the perky boobs on them!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-08-13T14:26:00.001-04:00

Why yes.....

2008-08-11T09:38:00.003-04:00

I do have big teeth! (Just like Momma!)

....and red hair! (Who's kid is this?) It doesn't look this bright dry, but still.

She really is getting big! Her personality is growing more and more each day too! I love that I am starting to understand her jibberish, and she is starting to understand mine!

Keeping it in the family...

2008-08-11T09:31:00.002-04:00

Sock-n-crocs (Livvy style!)

Just so you know, I seriously considered photoshopping out the overflowing garbage in this pic, and then I thought "Hey that is Casey's fault not mine!" LOL!

Silly Sundays

2008-08-10T07:47:00.001-04:00

Gotta love "that week" of the month. Hannah's singing made me cry, the kids made me crazy, and I felt very invisible.

Thankful Thursday

2008-07-31T20:12:00.003-04:00

This Thursday I have some special thank-yous to "The Man"...

I am thankful for...

the VanAlstines. They were truly wonderful people.
the opportunity He gave me to be volleyball-coached by one of the best. It was fun and hard!
the two amazing little girls they have left behind and their bright futures laid out by their parents, as well as the daughter who has joined them in Heaven.
the friends I had in Shyla & Phillip. How I do wish I had gotten to know them more.
the lives they have touched in life and death.
their families who are grieving, but no doubt celebrating the greatness that had graced their presence.
the ability to pray to You for them and the hope that others will too.

Shyla, Phillip, and their 7yr old daughter Haylie were killed Tues. in Louisiana on a family trip. They leave behind Kaytie (4yrs), currently in the hospital, and Avery 18mths (not w/ them during the accident.) Here is the news link...

http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/715546.html

I read about something lately that has really touched my heart. I have never read the book (so don't quote me as recommending it, please) it is called"The Shack" by William Young. In it God tells the man (who's daughter was killed) that there is no sadness in heaven and when he is sad, his daughter isn't able to look down on him.

This makes me want to smile, and be happy and go on and live my life and let that person(s) see me in my joy, even when I miss them so bad it hurts. If it is true, I do not know, but it gives me hope, a purpose to not be so sad. I can grieve, but the trip to Heaven will seem so much longer if I take the "Eeyore approach" to life. I hope that makes sense. In Thursday fashion, thank you for letting me empty my heart onto this page!

Flashback Friday

2008-07-25T10:45:00.003-04:00

~Hannah~

I know I haven't shared any pics of Hannah as a baby. Truth is, I don't have but a couple. Here she is, as a toddler, at an old-tyme photo place. I can hardly remember this sweet little girl. Stay-tuned tomorrow for a more updated pic!

You've gotta hear this song!

2008-07-24T15:29:00.004-04:00

I heard this song yesterday and it really got me thinking. So many times we don't realize we are slowly pulling away from the Lord. It isn't usually a big leap, just little things we do that seperate us, little by little. Then we wonder how the canyon got there.

It's called "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. WOW! It gets me a little more, each time I hear it!

Thankful Thursday!!

2008-07-24T15:14:00.003-04:00

There are so many thing I could thank God for, but I will start simple.

I am thankful for...

the children I teach, b/c it is I who learn from them.
my messy house, b/c it means I have a place to live.
my fussy children, b/c I gave the gift of life.
the rainstorm coming for the next few days, b/c HE will be watering my grass!
my wonderful husband who works for much less than "I" think he deserves.
cheaper gas prices.
reconnecting w/ old friends.
my dysfunctionally functioning family.
the courage God has afforded me, to do things, I really am scared to.
God's great and merciful love!
YOU!

Yes, you! I am thankful to my readers, friend, family, strangers alike. God made you and I want to thank Him so much for allowing you into my life! Have a blessed day!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-23T22:25:00.000-04:00

Silly Sundays

2008-07-20T16:10:00.005-04:00

Keeping up with my new daily themes (my goal is at least 5 a week)I am declaring today Silly Sunday. Today, I will post funny comics I have found on the web or those I have read in my Sunday paper. I will mention that this particle artist will be showcased, for probably the next year, seeing as I have found nearly 100 comics that apply to me, or make me laugh in general.

This one is especially meaningful because being SAHM, I always wonder "what if?" I do not regret this job at all, but I still have an imagination, just much much smaller than my 3yr old. =)

Self-portrait Saturday

2008-07-19T12:23:00.004-04:00

Next time it may not be a head shot!!!

Under Construction!!!

2008-07-16T11:29:00.002-04:00

Working on a new look!!! I am such an indecisive person, this may take a while. =)

Maria's Birthday

2008-07-15T10:50:00.005-04:00

To see them all click here
http://www.flickr.com/gp/24737083@N03/L2PfJ7
or here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theflaigs/sets/72157606183480827/

Just working on tons and tons of pictures! Here is the first set I have done. They were taken this weekend. I have a lot of trips pictures I have to transfer from Casey's computer tonight (fingers crossed) as well as July 4th/Birthday pics to edit. While I am working on these...noone please come over to my house!!! Seriously, in order to share these pictures I have to neglect a few of my daily duties. I can barely see my floors and I am only on day 1. Yikes!

Enjoy!

Wow!

2008-07-10T12:03:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I see things and I just know I have to share them!

BTW: Sorry you will have to turn the music off.

Misc. ramblings...

2008-06-25T13:27:00.004-04:00

Wow! I hadn't realized it has been this long since I have updated, my apologies. I had a wonderful family vacation down South. I think between the lot of us, we got some great pics. Of course, I have no time to work on them,, yet, but hopefully as soon as VBS dies down.

I think unpacking bags/boxes is my least favorite thing ever! Well, that and putting my hand down into the garbage disposal, and draining tuna. =P Anyways, from where I am sitting I can see a huge load(s) of clean laundry, 2 suitcases and lots and lots of toys. Fun, not! The game of the day? Flip-flop lottery! Yes, I have found one of each of my 10-ish pairs of flip-flops, but not the other. Seems I have a flipper thief, or I have a phantom leg. Hehe, whichever match I find the first, will ultimately decide what I will wear today!

LOL, I just reread that whole paragraph, and realized I am a dork.
Thanks for reading my silly thoughts!

Photo Du Jour!

2008-05-25T19:39:00.001-04:00

Josie eatin' some BBQ and macanoni!

Working on new pictures!!

2008-05-19T21:52:00.003-04:00

I'm getting a small break on time here, so I am happily taking and editing pics, little by little. Not my best work, but it is nice to be back behind the camera and monitor. My flickr photostream is up on the left! Enjoy!

<---------------------

Gonna have to get this framed!

2008-05-13T12:32:00.001-04:00

In case you can't read it, it says... "God made us cousins, because he knew our moms couldn't handle us as sisters." So true!

Still working on my focus...

2008-05-13T11:46:00.004-04:00

I have wonderful subjects (though cooperation is rarely 100%) I just really really need to work on my focusing/ motion blur/ shutter speed, and all that good stuff. Seems like if I get the lighting right w/ my aperture, my shutter speed is off and vice versa, and so on. Like I said, good subjects though.

Here is a pic of Livvy next to a horse trailer during the Derby party we went to in Indiana. We had a great time and the land was so beautiful for taking pictures.

Obviously not SOOC, but even with a little tweaking the big version is a tad blurry around her face. Hmph!

This here is my sister Jamie, sitting on the same trailer, less blur and sepia-toned. I like this one and get a "senior picture" vibe from it (though she is far from graduating =)

My fave picture of the day, cannot for the life of me figure out how to edit to my taste, or maybe it needs little/no edit. All I did was brighten it a little and vignette. Here is edited and original. Hmmm...

That's all I got for now. =) Feedback is always welcome!

So much to share...

2008-05-13T11:41:00.002-04:00

So little time... =(

I wish I wasn't so busy, but then what fun would that be? These months are just breezing by, which is a good and bad thing. It seems like every month (or week) someone is getting married (totally not a bad thing) or someone is having a birthday (great too!) I just need some down time. Lucky for me that will come next month's vacation down South, ending the day before VBS though. I am really looking forward to the trip and VBS, just not all the prepping and planning. Anyways, I have so many funny stories to tell y'all about these kids, I have just had to jot them down for now. I also have been taking very few pics lately =( but I do have some of them to share as well. All in time I suppose...

Liv!

2008-04-11T00:32:00.004-04:00

I can't forget the funny little booger!

Boy, you wouldn't believe how jealous this one can get! Talk about one high pitch squeal, geez!

Best Sisters!

2008-04-11T00:26:00.002-04:00

They really DO love each other! These moments may be few and far between, but I cherish them.

Camera was getting a bit dusty, so I had some good practice. Probably have to put it back up for a few weeks (after Spring Break) but birthdays are coming up soon!

Charlie!

2008-04-02T10:45:00.001-04:00

This clip is hilarious! I have watched it many many many times over the past few days to give myself a good laugh. Totally something my kids would do!

He Lives!

2008-03-24T10:10:00.006-04:00

I had a wonderful Easter. I hope you did too! Lots of talk of Jesus and His love. What a blessed day! I have a few pics to share now, more later. (Lots of organizing/editing to be done, after house cleaning =)

Here is the cross in our sanctuary. (Blueprint action on this photo.)

I did not take this one, as I was leading the 2 and 3yr old choir that day, but I just love how the cross (same as above) makes a shadow of 2 additional crosses beside it. Always amazes me! (C. Huff took the pic, I just edited it. The drama team is performing on Palm Sunday.)

Wish I could squeeze my "brain sponge" out sometimes so I could share every tiny bit of wisdom the Lord blesses me with each day in my life, I really do.

Interview with a toddler...

2008-03-21T09:59:00.003-04:00

Copied from my friends at my Mommy Board =)

I told Josie to come here, I had some questions for her. She said okay and suprisingly stayed on task...until the end. She was done, but I got a good laugh out of her. Enjoy!

How many eyes do you have? TWO
What color are your eyes? PINK (hazel would be more correct)
Where do you live? AT MY HOUSE
Are you a boy or a girl? GIRL
What is your favorite color? PINK
Where does Nemo live? IN WATER
Is Lightning Mc Queen a boy or a girl? GIRL? (she has seen that movie maybe 1x)
How old are you? GOOD! (reasked) THREE!
When is your birthday? AFTER JAMIE'S (we taught her Jamie's, then Sheridan's, etc)
What do you want for your birthday? PANCAKES, BARBIE
What is Mommy's name? TARA
What is Daddy's name? DADDY
What is your favorite color? PINK, PURPLE!
What is your favorite show/movie/book? CAILLOU, CAILLOU, UMMM JESUS!
What is your favorite toy? UMMM THIS! (holding a pirate)
What time is your bed time? FIRTY-CLOCK (lol, 9pm is more like it!)
What day is it? BOGGERS (???)
Where does the Easter Bunny live? IN A CAGE
What do you want to be when you grow up? I DON'T KNOW....A CAT?
How tall are you? TWO
How much do you weigh? SLEEP (???)
Where does milk come from? FROM DRINK
What is your favorite food? I WANT APPLE..I WANT BANANA..GET ME BANANA...COME HERE, TWO BANANAS (she remember seeing two earlier this morning on counter)...COME ON TARA!

Green Girl!

2008-03-20T22:44:00.002-04:00

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Are you doing your part?

I just so happen to have a tree-hugging daughter!

and just for fun!