Birthday Blessings

On the 19th, I celebrated my birthday. Truthfully, I love having birthdays. I have been blessed with friends and family, and absolutely enjoy the love and attention I receive from them on my birthday and the days leading up to and following it. The day brings me up after times that I am down. I could use a good birthday...oh, once a month or so. Maybe I wouldn't want to age quite so quickly though. I haven't been concerned with age yet, and hope to never make a thing of it. I've seen my mom have birthdays and never complain, and also Russ' mom, and other dear older friends of mine. I'm very thankful for these women and their influence on my life!


We were in Hillsboro for my birthday, and able to celebrate with Russ' parents. Below is a snap shot into that party. This ice cream cake was delicious!

Last Friday, Lil took Dellen and I out to lunch in Clinton for a belated birthday luncheon - another joyous time. As my celebration comes to a close, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and gifts. It has been fantastic!

Wednesday

Dellen got his stitches out this morning. It was so simple; Russ could have easily taken them out. Interestingly though, their was a medical student at our doctor's office who turned out to be the son of our former beloved doctor that moved last Spring. We caught up some, and he was a very nice young man. I was aware though, how much doctors have to learn. Not just all the medical knowledge, but just even the extra attention and how to give it to their patients - the bedside manner. Our new doctor is already a favorite though, and he has that extra something to give that seems rare to come by. He stopped us in the hallway even to see Dellen and let him have a prize out of the treasure box. Dellen had anticipated that moment all morning, and the medical student never once mentioned it. So, Dellen was very happy to have that offered by our doctor. Mind you, he was standing over the box, staring at it intensely.

Dellen wishes there were no such things as stitches and throw up these days. He was sick over the weekend and threw up three times Saturday night, the first of which was in our bed. Luckily, that was the worst of it, and he soon recovered. All I can say though, is that I share his sentiments.

Stitches

We've been driving all over Western Oklahoma this last week attending basketball games. Thursday and Friday night were district games for both Corn schools. The are actually in two different districts, so are playing in different tournaments. We went to Canute to see Washita Heights play their last games ever. We saw the girls play on Thursday and the boys play on Friday. CBA also played those nights, and advanced to play again on Saturday. They will continue on the road trying to make it to State this next week.

Anyhow, on Friday night, Dellen had a little injury. At the start of the second half, he came and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to look at him and his face was covered in a veil of blood. His school sweatshirt covered. He said he stood up under the bleachers and hit his head. Russ swooped him up, and I followed. Our destination - the bathroom for paper towels. We attracted a lot of attention due to the blood. As we passed the concession stands, I asked for ice. The lady who brought us the ice was a nurse and she assisted us in the bathroom. We were advised to go to the nearest emergency room and off we went to Elk City -even farther west from home. Luckily, Sam was able to stay at the game with a classmate and later went home with his family.

Russ took several pictures on his cell phone. We had very prompt service at the ER and miraculously only ended up being there about an hour. None of these pictures show what the poor guy looked like before heading to the bathroom. Those facial wounds bleed so profusely. His cut is about 3/4 of an inch and went to the bone. It is located at the top of his forehead directly under the hairline. Since the cut is on his hairline, in the bathroom hair was all over his face flowing in the blood.

On a quick side note, you'll notice that Dellen's hands are in his pants. It is warm down there he says. Both my boys have gone through (or for Dellen, is still in) phases of holding our cheeks and necks because they are warm. I've recently noticed that Dellen has been holding his lower stomach since it is also warm. Oh boy; all I can think of is the TV Sitcom Married with Children that aired in the 90s. Dellen was remarkably strong and calm. He is such a brave boy.

They took his shirt off so it wouldn't get all wet when they cleaned out the wound. Then draped him with sterile cloths. There was only this one little hole at the top, so Dellen's face was even covered up. Even with that he remained calm. I had to hold down his legs and hands, which started out just holding his hands. The doctor said the worst part would be the shots to numb his forehead. And yes, that was slightly painful for him. However, we don't think they took effect. He really cried out during the actual stitches and I knew he was in pain. The doctor hurried though and we were sent to Braum's for a special brave boy treat. The doctor didn't consult with us before he announced this plan to Dellen, but it was easy to follow through on nonetheless.

This matted hair really dried by the time we drove home. Russ dropped Dellen and I off at home around 10:45 and he went on to yet another town to pick up Sam. What a late night!

Some pictures I took at home with my adorable and happy again boy in his bath.

His head really hurt here and he said he couldn't smile anymore because it hurt when he scrunched his forehead.

This injury was really such a little thing, and I am fully aware of that. But, it is our first something with Dellen really. ...and the blood, that will always be alarming. Sam had two surgeries that required total anesthetic before he was even four. Again, those were minor surgeries. I couldn't sleep well this night. Not because of Dellen's experience, but instead from an extreme awareness of those that are hurting more. The people of Haiti. The parents that come home from the hospitals without their children. I was also thinking about my sister, Alicia, and celebrating her. It is five years since her accident that she miraculously survived and recovered from.

I'm glad we don't know in advance what our days hold. I would have never imagined while Dellen and I were making sugar cookies in the morning, that twelve hours later we would be sitting in the ER with him getting stitches. I don't even want to know the injuries I'll go through with these two precious boys of mine!

Valentine's Week

A week in review....

We've made a lot of these flamingo valentine's. Pictured here are the ones Sam made for his class. This art project was the craft that kept on going. If you click on the picture, you can see the type of piano songs Sam is now practicing. Roses I received on the tenth in honor of our engagement anniversary.

Sam lost another tooth! The tooth fairy forgot to come, but luckily that was realized at breakfast and the money was found where the tooth was left the night before - in the spoon rest by the stove. Whew!

Dellen and I made sugar cookies to take to Sam's class party on Friday afternoon. Dellen looked forward to the party all day, and then he was so shy in the classroom.

Sam sharing some love with his mom. Yeah for now!

Sam's teacher, Mrs. Flaming, is also Dellen's Cubbies Leader at church on Wednesday nights. We absolutely love and think the world of her!

Old Radios

My brother-in-law, Rob, gave Russ and I these little radios with head phones several Christmases ago. Recently, I rediscovered them in a drawer and the boys love them! Unfortunately, Dellen has already broken his, so the fun for him only lasted about two days. Sam is thrilled. He has been asking for an ipod forever.

Ice Storm

Sam and Dellen in their new ski gear. Breaking it in before we go on our first family ski trip over Spring break! I'm starting to worry some about that adventure. I'm not getting into the shape that I vowed to get into, and the pounds I wanted off are still insulating my mid section. Anyhow, below are some wintry snapshots of our last weeks. Ice on our pecans. The nuts are all bad this year, but they show a great size comparison.

The picture of the back yard shows some of the "frost"ing. And I am so frustrated right now because I took several close ups that apparently I didn't put on my computer....and I cleared off my camera yesterday. So, nothing left there. Aargh. I had beautiful pictures of the ice and frost crystals.

Our friend, Mark, brought in his tractor to clear the church parking lot off. He was very thoughtful and called us so the boys could ride while he worked. The first picture is of Dellen and the second is of Sam.

An ice sword.

The demise of the trampoline!

It is snowing again this morning. Pretty snow and not that forsaken ice! It is still slick outside. I am off to take Dellen to the doctor after we were up all night with his bad ear ache. Tylenol and Motrin wouldn't even do the trick. I was thankful to get an appointment for this morning. We are exhausted.

Washita Heights singing at Corn Heritage Village

On Friday, we went down to the nursing home to see the different elementary classes sing at the nursing home. I'm going to miss these times next year. I've loved that my children have had so much exposure to the nursing home and different people and activities in it.

Colors

I’ve been picking out paint samples lately and making a plan of attack for the remaining unpainted rooms in our house. I love this card, and it inspires our continuing call of color.

Buttons

This last summer, I brought home my grandma’s old sewing machine. (Antique and not working, but very charming). In one of the drawers of the table, was her "button bag" that was labeled in her stitching. At Thanksgiving, I picked up this old canning jar of Grandma’s that my dad had. And the other day, I placed her buttons in it. There were so many buttons that I also needed the second smaller canning jar. What a variety of buttons! I’m sure there are stories to be told in these jars. I’m keeping her "bag" too; with her sweet initials stitched in the side.

Have I Lost You?...Excuses and Updates

January 30th 9:30 am

I’m finally trying to write out thoughts and experiences for my blog, but even now, cannot upload them as we’ve had no internet connection (for three days now) due to our recent ice storm. I won’t complain there though because we’ve had every other convenience that electricity offers. Sam has also been home having had no school Thursday and Friday. In other words, we are lazy, cuddly, snugly, indulging in hot chocolate, movies and the forced piano practice. The latter being the low point of each day.

I have, however, written several blog entries in my head - mostly while in warm bubble baths. Ironically, that atmosphere usually offers an excellent time to communicate with God as well. On a few occasions this month, I’ve had a certain four year old sitting on the step stool watching me and asking questions like:
“Are you enjoying it?”
“When will you be done enjoying it?”
“Do you remember when I drank milk from your moles?”
You get the picture. And, I never make it back to typing my brilliant ideas on my blog.

After the Christmas blizzard and our belated Holiday travels, we found January suddenly at our doorstep. Sam started back to school on the 4th, we were in Kansas City, for my cousin’s wedding that Russ officiated, the 9-11th, and returned to longer school hours that following Monday. At that time I showed you the school letter, but had no idea where to go with it. We had a community meeting that week and saw all the charted details of why the Washita Heights schools would close as of May 1st. It was now for the first time, that we really started conveying to Sam that he wouldn’t have school there next year, and Dellen would never go to school in Corn.

I confess that I’m shedding tears off and on with thoughts of this situation. I am thankful for them though and the ability to feel with the people we live in a community with have ministered among for eleven years. It is an experience that no parent wants for their children. I didn’t want to walk through the choices I’m stepping through right now. With that said, I am reaping wisdom and lessons in trust in God, my Father. I am becoming thankful to be part of this journey. I am being touched in profoundly positive ways.

February 2nd....

I am resuming hand writing these thoughts two days later than the last words penned. The first of February surprised me this morning. We continue on at home; Sam with us as schools continue to be closed in most of Oklahoma. Warmer temperatures and the sun continue to elude us. We experience freezing fog the greater part of each day, and that is a new experience. Everything is white; the ground, the trees, the houses and even the sky. It is beautiful. The north sides of everything have an inch of ice on them and now there are these fuzzy white crystals coating limbs and twigs on the south side. I call it frosting.

Back to January though. I’m quite recovered from a major low - I think largely due to abruptly quitting my birth control pills. Knowing I was already in the high risk age category for taking them and seeing my particular brand repeatedly spoke of in those late night lawyer commercials that advertise suing companies after bad Yaz complications, I decided that was it. I had been feeling heart palpitations, and slight pain when laying down on my left side, etc. for a few months already. Slowly, I began to feel much better. Motivation returned, and triumphantly, Christmas decorations finally came down on January 24th!

And yet, through the midst of these days, I did manage to close out the 2009 fiscal year and books for the Southern District Youth Commission. I have officially quit my part time job as Treasurer and successfully passed every paper associated with it to the district offices. I’ve adjusted our budget with the loss of income, and am trusting in our situation and God’s provisions. I have no regrets for making the decision to quit, and what a delightful feeling that is! Again, I’ve learned much through the experience these past two years and look forward to a renewed vision for these intense mommy years.

Speaking of which they are passing entirely too quickly! It is only now that I am feeling more secure in my choices to stay home with my children and embrace my instincts, etc. I have no regrets other than major blows in insecurity along the way with all the mixed advice from people. If I could do anything over in the past seven and a half years, it would be to be more confident in my feelings and choices regarding my family. There is no one blue print in parenting. I’ve tried to respect everyone’s choices so much to the point, that sometimes I found it hard to respect my own without repeated second guessing.

I’m mourning some the nearing closure to these days with my children at home. With that said, Sam is already nearing my shoulder and has been in school two years. However, I know there is a lot of parenting left to do. Again, I feel more confident and better prepared lately to embrace my choices and what is best for our family. (That is key, what is best for individual families.) I already see how completely quick the next stages and years will pass. I’m diving into them and doing my best to experience them to the fullest with an ongoing quest for my own continual growth and purpose along the way.

My thoughts draw full circle now to individual parenting choices and school decisions. Our district is so wide spread that there isn’t a simple Plan B for all the families with the closing of Plan A. Change is a process - not an event, and everyone is processing what is best for their families. The students of Corn are going to go in about seven different directions; each family needing to find the confidence in their decisions and the ability to define and proclaim what their family mission is.

As we do so, we’ve come to the decision to send Sam into the Weatherford public schools. He will go into a great school, having left behind a great school. His class of eleven will be torn apart, and Sam’s journey will take him into a school of 2nd and 3rd graders, with a total of approximately 140 students in each grade. We felt very pleased touring the school last week and not so overwhelmed with the numbers as they seem, even now, on paper.

As for Dellen, I think we are significantly close to deciding he will remain home with me one more year after all, and start school in kindergarten like Sam did. I am finding my confidence in this decision even though it looks vastly different than most families around us. His being in half day preschool would result in 90 miles of driving a day - not quality time for our family. We also have no regrets for waiting to start Sam in kindergarten. We greatly enjoyed our time at home together, and he was quite well prepared when he did enter school.

There are so many conversations and experiences not written here (mostly only stupid conversations I find myself continually stuck in), but this will suffice for my updates and excuses for January. :) If I hadn’t lost you already, perhaps I have now. Certainly hope not.