Weekend Whirlwind

Saturday Ross and I celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary. It started out with the above pictured anniversary present from Hannah: It read, "Anniversary was mom and dad! Anniversary day! I love you dad and mom! I hope you have a great anniversary day!" That really could be the best anniversary gift ever! Thank you, Hannah, your gift was extremely thoughtful. It was perfect. The not so perfect part? Ok. This is a little involved. Sarah had surgery on an abscess two weeks ago and the doctor said he did not believe it was staph and not to worry about it. He drained the abscess and sent my sister on her way without any antibiotics or specific instructions. Well on Friday, mom had a place on her leg that she thought was a bug bite that started looking really badly. After going to the doctor she learned that Sarah did in fact have a staph infection and now she did too. Shame on the doctor who did the surgery for dropping the ball big time and not following up on the culture and shame on Washington Regional for not making it known either. Thankfully there are two other hospitals in the area that gives patients options. My family has already made the decision to avoid WRMC and MANA whenever possible. Ok, so back to Saturday...mom is sick and in pain with staph and daddy has the stomach bug which now means we have no babysitters on our anniversary. Luckily, Austin was around to save the night. He came to the house to watch all four kids until Blair got here to help him out after she got off work. Thanks guys, it was great of you to sacrifice your Saturday night to help us out!

Ross and I went to Noodles for dinner and planned on walking around the Square in Fayetteville and looking at Christmas lights, but mom called as soon as we were done eating and needed us to look at her leg. It looked really bad so we took her to the ER (remember dad couldn't; he was sick). Aunt Debi met us there because we had to get home to feed Jonathan. Mom ended up having her wound lanced, drained, and packed. They also gave her an IV antibiotic and she had to go back Sunday to do it again. Needless to say out night out was interrupted by more important things. What an Anniversary, hopefully next years will be better. Love you, Babe. At least we were together!

This brings us to Sunday. We had to get going early. MG and Han were singing with XLR8 as part of this years Christmas program; so they had to be there by 8:10. I did not want to get up...nothing like the kids' performance to hold you accountable ;). Long story short, I ended up sitting in the ER with Sarah all day because she needed an IV antibiotic to stop the staph from spreading even more than it already had. Needless to say, this was a whirlwind of a weekend.

Jonathan's First Birthday

This post is a day late, but I was taking care of sick kids and a sick husband yesterday while still having to make and ice the birthday boy's cake.

Happy First Birthday J Baby!! I'm glad the Lord knew we needed a son when he blessed us with you. You have brought joy and happiness into our lives in a new way over this first year of your life. You have grown from an 8 lb. 1 oz. baby into an 18 pound little boy full of adventure. Your love for stuffed animal monkeys has intrigued us all, and your laugh is intoxicating. I am excited to experience the new milestones and first experiences this next year will bring. Mommy and daddy love you very much sweet boy.

Stomach Bug

Our first attempt at painting the salt dough ornaments failed. Sadly, three of my four kiddos were stricken with the stomach at the same time. Abigail had Speech Therapy this morning and literally as soon as I walked in the door from dropping her off, Mrs. Tara called to tell me that Abigail had thrown up. Poor Mrs. Tara! Luckily she is the only one that vomited and it was only once, but MG and J both had potty issues and tummy aches all day. Abbz feel asleep on the floor at about 4:45 this afternoon and woke up for about 20 minutes before she asked to get into bed. I swear that sweet girl falls asleep somewhere on the floor when she doesn't feel well.

Tomorrow is my baby boy's first birthday so I am praying everyone will wake up feeling back to normal. I have had a terrible headache for two days now and still have a birthday cake to make...that may have to wait till morning.

On a happy note, Mandy saw my Facebook status stating my need for chocolate and she delivered. I love having a friend so close that she can swing by just to bring me chocolate without being asked because she loves me. Thanks Mandy, you have no idea how badly I needed that! Sometimes it's the small things in life that help you make through a day with 3 sick kids and a hubby working the night shift. Oh and as far as the ornaments go, next week is the new plan for painting.

Wednesdays

Today has been a long day. Not a bad day, just a long one. I made, cut out, and dried the salt dough ornaments. Now all we need are 5 little girls and 1 almost one year old little boy to paint them!
Speaking of that one year little boy; I CANNOT believe my baby will be one in 2 more days! It makes me sad.

I took Mary Grace and Hannah to church for choir rehearsal and a pizza party for all of their hard work preparing for their Christmas performance. If you are in Northwest Arkansas and need something to do on Sunday morning, Cross Church (formerly First Baptist Church Springdale) is having their Christmas Program; it starts at 9:15.

Wednesday's are always hectic. Especially since we live 25 minutes from the church. We scramble to get the on time and then we rush to get home so the kids are up too late on a school night. Although it's chaotic at times it's worth it. Our kids always love going to church which makes this momma happy. Okay I'm exhausted so I'm callin it a night.

Finish Well

Yes. It has been a ridiculously long time since I have blogged, but honestly I haven't been in the mood. Until now. Pastor challenged us to "Finish Well" on Sunday. What does that mean? It means between now and the beginning of the new year, we should strive to finish well in all that we do. Finish well personally, relationally, professionally, and spiritually. We cannot start well if we do not finish well. I intend on doing just that. I am going to follow through with the salt dough ornaments that we have been talking about doing. To ensure it gets accomplished, Mandy is bringing the girls over after therapy on Thursday so that all of the kids can participate. I'm so excited. I have wanted to start this tradition the past few years but haven't done it yet. Let this be the first of many ornaments to come. For the next 24 days, I am going to ask God to give me a life verse, complete what seems like an impossible God-sized task in me, and give me new direction over the 2011 year. I also intend on doing my everyday wife and motherly duties to the best of my ability. I am finishing 2010 well so that I am able to begin 2011 on the right path.

Shifting gears a little. Alex and Emma came over for a little while yesterday while Mandy was taking care of things with her mom. I just love those girls! It is so much fun watching Alex, Emma, and Abigail play and interact. Half the time no one, not even Mandy or I, can understand them; but I promise you they know what each other is talking about. They crack each other up which in turn makes me laugh...good times! Other smiles to share...feeding time was at 1 so this is how it went: Alex. Check. Emma. Check. Abigail. Check. Jonathan. Check. Me. Check. It was hilarious! Every time I fed one another was hungry, including myself. At least they were kind enough the patiently wait for the one before them to finish eating before the next one voiced their need to eat. I love it!!! :) Thanks Mandy for entrusting me with your little ladies.

Now I am getting ready to head to the store to get salt for our salt dough ornaments. I'm making the ornaments tonight so they will be ready to paint on Thursday. I can't wait! I hope you are all having a blessed day, and remember to finish well.