Because I'm the mom.....

Blogging

2011-04-19T08:25:00.003-06:00

It has been a long long while since I lasted blogged. I was thinking about it last night and decided it would be good for me to blog about my life again.

Life has been pretty good over the last year or so, but we find ourselves in a new phase of "partenthood" and frankly....I'm not thrilled. We now have a teenager in our house and she knows how to push the limits.

I would say that both Nathan and I have felt like ducks out of water more now then even when we were brand new parents. And while I do find some peace in the wise words of others, the fact that I feel out-of-control really doesn't help much. ;)

A very quick update since the last time I posted..... I now have a 13 yr old, 11 yr old, 9 yr old, and 4 yr old. I just turned 36 and not much is new with Nate. I am working full time for the ambulance district, although it is not a paid position. I do love being at a job every day though. It makes me feel good about life. I am looking into going to paramedic school in the fall, but for some reason have some hesitation about it. I think it is probably the responsibility. LOL Although not much would change from what I'm currently responsible for. So I think it is a mental thing with me.

Ok, had planned on sharing more, but it is time to get to work. I have committed to having a training video done by this afternoon with test included. I better get busy or I won't be done in time.

Wed. & Thurs.

2009-07-23T21:47:00.003-06:00

We had such a busy day Wed. I didn't even get a chance to write. Yesterday was our last day of bible club. It was bitter sweet as everything around here is. It was great to know that the stress and business of teaching were done, but sad to know that we wouldn't be with the kids again.

We had a break through with many of the kids. We had a blast just playing with each of them, and really focused on just fun and loving each one. We shared God's message, but it was less about the bible story and more about each kid.

After VBS we packed up our props and got everything cleaned up and decorated for the ladies tea we were having a few hours later. We also finished working on our costumes! :) Wait until you see the pictures!

Our tea went well with 24 ladies plus bunch of kids. It was such a great time of just loving these women. We served pasta and salad. They had all they could drink. We had a youth skit, a fashion show, and a bible study. We gave them gifts and then ended the evening with chocolate fondue. Our youth helped watch the little ones. And it was a gift for the ladies to be able to just enjoy an evening without having much to do.

We ended the evening with laughter and spirits were high. We tried to get into bed early, but that is a plan that hasn't worked at all!

Today- we woke up and and split into groups after breakfast. The young youth went to the playground to play and meet with kids. The older youth went to the community center to play basketball with the teens, and 4 of us adults went to the pastors house to paint a large bathroom!

After we spent the morning working apart from each other, we came together after lunch for some prayer time. It was amazing for most! I actually spent time in another room working through some problems that Kayla was experiencing.

After prayer everyone went out to do home visits, or try to follow through with a mission they thought God had place them on. Kayla and I stayed back to continue to work through some things.

Once everyone had come back (and shared some amazing stories), we packed up and went out the pastors home for dinner (and to get prepared for the youth night there).

I'll have to finish the rest of the story later.....I can hardly stay awake! :)

Tuesday

2009-07-21T21:30:00.002-06:00

Today has been a very busy day. It came off the heals of a very late night last night. It was a little frustrating to sit and have a prayer and worship session so late when we had girls falling asleep as we went on and on. It had really become an issue to allow God to move at that point.

We woke up early this morning and there again was a strain and frustration. No one could really pinpoint one thing.....but you could feel it. Even after prayer and devotions this morning. We went and ate breakfast and then had a group session. And shortly after that we were supposed to go on a hike with the boys and girls club.

There were several of us that didn't really want to go....but it was more because we felt that today was going to be a big day at Bible club and we didn't feel prepared. More frustration built when we sat at the club for over 30 minutes waiting for someone to show up so we could begin the hike.

Finally a number of us decided we really needed to NOT go, and instead come and pray before getting ready for bible club. It didn't seem like a positive choice from the group, but we decided to do it any way. We opened in prayer and it became the most amazing prayer time. We came together confessing our issues and sins before each other and before God. We shared, we cried, we prayed, we listened. God was certainly in our little room. And we all agreed that the peace we felt afterward was exactly what we were supposed to feel! Satan had plans for the whole day to be nothing but problems and issues. God had other plans, and when we got right with Him....amazing things were going to happen!

Bible Club had another 34 kids. 16 from the previous day were unable to make it.....so we had another new bunch of kids. Our small class of 4 doubled to 8. It was, in some ways, frustrating since we had such a quiet bunch the day before. Now it was rowdy, but God still moved. Afterward, we told some of the kids we would do some home visits. We went and saw all but one of the kids in our class. We invited them back for an evening worship session, and more importantly shared the plan of salvation with 4 of them. 1 accepted Christ, and the other 3 are searching. We will continue to pray for them.

At worship we had all of those kids come and hang out with us. Relationships are being built, and you just know that if we are faithful, God will bless this time! Some of these kids just need a friend! And some of them just need an adult that will love them. One story of one girl just brought me to tears. We have no idea what they face day in and out! You have no idea the darkness that hangs over this town.

During worship tonight another 2 children came to Christ! It was unexpected, but amazing! What a night! We were able to head home early tonight for some good rest. Tomorrow is our last day of VBS. We need to make sure we are prepared and ready for some follow-up. We have pushed these kids....and they have done well. Tonight it will be nice to be in bed "early"!

Until tomorrow!

End of the day

2009-07-20T22:57:00.002-06:00

We went to the church after naps, and prepared for our bible club. Some of the team went and picked up kids, some walked and picked up kids, and the rest just stayed at the church getting ready for each child.

We had 34 children. It was a great day! :) I was surprised at how many knew many of the stories we were sharing with them. It was great fun to watch each kid share. These kids seem so hungry for something.....but none of them seem to know what it is.

After we finished our 1 1/2 hours with the kids we took them home in the same fashion they arrived. After each kid was gone, we came back and shared our experience. We decided that we would tweak our program just a bit for the next two days, so it better fits our space (and the kids). We shared the exciting stories, and the frustrating areas. I see our group growing closer in these times.

We had supper afterward. It was great....and we were all hungry! We had yummy ice cream for dessert and then got ready for a prayer walk. The men were doing a bible study this evening (we get our chance on Wed. night). All the ladies (and young ladies) gathered up and split into two groups. We walked around the neighborhood and prayed. It was great, but I think the youth didn't find this to be one of the more enjoyable exercises. We spent over an hour walking and praying.

The youth girls saw a girl out playing basketball and joined in for a game. A few injuries (mainly to my two children) later and we were heading back to the church. We were supposed to have our debriefing period.

The men didn't finish their study until after 10pm, so we didn't start our session until they were done. It was a great meeting, but by the time we finished (not only sharing, but doing some worship as well) it was about 11:15. We had kids falling asleep in the car.

So we are home, and all is quiet. I really need to get to bed since tomorrow morning will come quickly! Until then........

Mission Trip

2009-07-20T12:21:00.002-06:00

I'm a few days behind, but internet and time has been limited! Cell service is even more limited!

We left Friday morning early from the church. 15 total, 6 adults and 9 youth. We headed out in my van, and two other vehicles (including a very nice horse trailer with all our stuff stashed inside). We had a safe trip, but certainly saw God's hand protecting us as we drove along. At one point, we had stopped for a quick bathroom break, but Natalie kept saying she was hungry so we decided to have a lunch at the rest stop. We watched the cars and trucks pass as we ate in the bright sunshine. A short time later we were back on the road. Not more than 10 miles later we saw a horrible accident, and we had just watched that van pass shortly before we ate. It is very possible we would have been right at the accident! We had numerous other close calls, but God is good! :)

We stayed our first night in Spearfish, SD. We got in early enough we were able to eat supper and spend a few hours in the pool and hot tub. It was a well needed break from the car. Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast at the hotel. After we ate, we all prayed and shared a devotion. It was awesome to sit in the breakfast room, and for everyone to respect our prayer time by getting quiet. And not one kid seemed bothered that we weren't in private! In fact, afterward one of the leaders went back in for some directions and heard another large group talking and asking where our church group was from, and wondering where we were going. :)

Saturday around 3:30 we pulled into Mandaree ND. We got unloaded and went up to the church for a quick overview of our mission for the week. Then we were sent with some cash, and went to an Indian Pow Wow! It was truly amazing to watch the native dancers. I will post some pictures when I get some free time! We had to leave before really any of us wanted, but we knew our group was exhausted!

Sunday we were up for devotions and prayer and then to the church for breakfast. We had church (and that was really exciting) and then a pot luck dinner afterward. We got to spend some time talking and sharing with some people in the community. We had to unload the trailer full of our VBS props, and then we were able to just spend some "free" time with the community. The kids decided to head to the park and play. One of our youth (the only boy) decided to play basketball. After a couple hours, we were all tired, and sharing our experiences. The kids flocked to the girls on the playground! And Toby had a court full of young men playing basketball with him! Being the EMT, I was fixing scrapes from the Native children. I think some of them literally picked scabs so they could come get a band aid!

After playing and a quick supper, we had another meeting about the activites of the week. We were reminded that our main mission is building relationships! :) Then we went off for another evening at the Pow Wow. The kids took flier to hand out about several events happening this week. My two girls (a proud mommy moment) continued the whole evening handing out fliers and talking to children and women! I coudln't have been more proud! :) They have been an inspiration to watch.

We came home after 10pm and had our bible studay and debriefing period. It has been fun to share what God has done throughout the day. I've been very proud of our youth! They have really been willing to step out and build relationships with any/all the people! We were in bed around 11:30.

Today was another early morning (it will be this way all week). You could see that the last few days have been slowly catching up on everyone! It was a slow start today. Once at the church for breakfast, everyone slowly started to wake up. After we ate, we sat around as a big group (we have some people from Tx here as well- all adult) and share in devotion/ and prayer time. We sat around and sang some praise songs and then did some awesome focused prayer time! I think we might have been there for an hour or more!

After prayer we did some cleaning at the church, and then we had planned on playing baseball with some local kids at the boys & girls club, but there was a sign saying they were closed and cleaning up the grounds where the Pow-Wow had been. We grabbed some gloves and trash sacks and went to help clean up. As a side note- I have never seen so much trash thrown all over the place. It was really really bad! It was a fun time, even though it was picking up trash. We were happy to help, and I think the locals were pleased to see us.

We had lunch and now we are "home" for a quick rest time. In just a few minutes we'll go get the kids up and head back to the church for our first session of VBS (although we are calling it Bible Camp since school is a negative thing for these kids)! :)

I'll try to update tonight and each night the rest of the week! Please keep praying for the team and this community!

Well.....here goes nothing!

2009-07-06T23:12:00.002-06:00

After much prayer and thought, Nathan and I have decided to enter the foster care system. It hasn't been an easy choice, and we know that many bumps lie ahead!

I made the official call today, and will wait 1-2 day until the packet of information arrives. We will have an orientation and then we'll be given the paper work. I haven't seen the packet of information....but I've heard it is HUGE! ;) Nathan and I will have to have finger prints and background checks done (again- we have done this for EMT). Our whole family will have to have physicals (not sure why the whole family) and then we'll have to take a weekend class. She told me that it can take 1-2 months to get into the system depending on how quickly we do our stuff.

I am so excited! Of course, my prayer is that by the time we are "official" that Tyler will be allowed to come back into the system. I am going to call his social worker tomorrow and see what information she will share. I will also call his group home again and see if they will let me talk to him. If they won't, I'll see if I can send a letter! I spent some time today writing one!

I will update frequently on the process for entering the system and all that we experience! Above all, we will be asking for prayer for the situation for us entering quickly and for Tyler!

WoooHoooo!!!!

Update on Tyler

2009-07-03T22:17:00.002-06:00

I've been praying daily for this young man. I know that my life would be simpler if I could "just forget", but God places him on my heart several times a day.

We sat down and talked with the kids, since I feel that no matter what, this needs to be a family decision! They are all very excited about the possibilities. I have tried to explain that IF things were to work out....and IF Tyler is even adoptable it wouldn't be this immediate "happy family." It would take time. They don't see anything but the positive (and I do love that) and can't wait to have a new brother! I know that if this is truly a God thing, our children will grow through this and will be on board with even the difficult aspects!

So I have been trying to get some information on this little boy. It has been discouraging to "break" into the system. I have asked people I know for information and hope they can send me in the right direction. I'm not even sure how hard it will be to enter foster care in this county. I've heard that many counties require a lengthy class (12 weeks or so). That is a LONG time in many ways.

After a few phone calls and several messages, here is what I've found out.

1- Tyler is NOT adoptable. What little I've been told is that he has a parent still out there. Tyler's case worker is going to talk with her supervisor as soon as he returns from vacation (should hear something early next week). It is hard for me to understand why there are still parent rights......since I do know that Tyler has been in the system for YEARS!

2- Tyler is in a group home because of behavior. In order to get back into traditional foster care, he will have to be on good behavior so they can give him lower doses of medications.

Even with that news yesterday was a good day for me with the Tyler situation. The pastor and his wife from the youth camp came by our home for some help with a web site. We started talking about foster care (they are getting in the system) and they had once mentioned to us that they were interested in Tyler (this was the week of the camp). I was nervous at first to bring it up, but then decided that God has put this little boy on my heart (and the hearts of my family) for a reason......so I asked them if they had done any follow-up with his case. They told me "no". They also both said that Tyler had a bond with me that they just never had. They said they "saw" something and both felt that our home would be a good place for Tyler. I quickly updated them with what little I knew.

The pastor then told me he knows the group home parents and shared some information, in general, about the situation of the home. It sounds like these people really have no bond with most of these boys.....and if a foster family came along that wanted one of them they would have no issues with it! So that was a blessing! It was also a blessing to hear that the pastor really thought that I could call them and talk with them about having contact with Tyler!

Now I have to check with the case worker and find out what I can and can't do....according to the law. BUT, if I can have a relationship with this boy NOW....we can hopefully move forward and get him into our home?!

Until God closes the door.....I'm going to keep praying and moving forward with getting Tyler into our home. If the time comes when parent rights are finally severed, we will be there. If not, at least he will be in a home that will love him! I also think that with the proper care, his anger issues can be resolved instead of being masked with high dose drugs (I'm talking counseling- but I would hope he could get of medications that sedate him)!

Nathan and I will be moving forward this next week (God willing) to get into the foster care system. We will have to have our finger prints done (again- we did them for EMS), background checks (AGAIN), and lots and lots and lots of paper work. I've been told Pueblo county only requires a weekend class and then plenty of follow-up classes throughout the year. We will have to have a home inspection. I hope that everything will be able to move forward at a fairly decent pace so IF this all can happen, we can have Tyler in our home by the time school starts (or at least shortly after).

Life changes

2009-06-17T00:00:00.002-06:00

It has been almost 5 months since my life started to change little by little. I had no idea what path I was taking, or how it would change my day-to-day life. I had no idea how it would change my spirit. But change it has.

I guess it started in mid to late January. I had agreed to take some teenage girls to Revolve (the younger version of Women of Faith). As time got closer, the more nervous I became. I wanted to find some excuse to get out of taking them. I was feeling desperate as other adults that were planning on going were having to back out for one reason or another. I knew I was "stuck".

I was getting worried that one of these girls might make a choice to follow Jesus during this trip, and I felt poorly equipped to be able to answer any questions pertaining to God. I have been a Christian since I was a young child, but I was scared to lead anyone to Christ. I decided I had better read my bible and spend some time in prayer.

It was that simple.....just making a small commitment. I read my bible for just a few days before we left for our trip. Once in the car on my way to Denver with a van full of girls, I knew this was it! During that weekend with those girls, I was touched by the Spirit. I don't know how or what changed. I'm not even sure I really KNEW that something had changed. I came home energized and excited about the weekend. I felt different.

I made a new commitment to God about spending time in bible each day. I have missed very few days of bible time. I have spent time in prayer almost daily, again missing only a few times. I didn't notice much difference in the beginning, but after a few weeks there were subtle changes. I LONGED to be with God. I couldn't sleep if I skipped reading my bible. The highlight of my week was Tuesday evening bible study. Unlike past bible studies I've been involved with, it wasn't about the social aspect, but about God! I was beginning to feel the Holy Spirit in my heart.....daily!

I found myself enjoying my quiet time. I found myself enjoying everything a bit more. Did it make me that "perfect" person? NO. I still yelled at my kids, got frustrated with my husband, and sadly, still participated in gossip. Nope, it didn't make me perfect, but it made me want to be better.

Here it is the middle of June, and here is what I know as fact:
God is very much a living God. The Spirit actually FILLS my heart, and it feels like new love. That feeling when you first started spending time with the person you fell in love with. I feel a peace I've never had! A peace about life, my family, this world that is calming! I have no fear of death or the end times. I actually look forward to God's return instead of hoping it won't come. The biggest difference is how I am CONTENT with my life.

It didn't seem like a big deal, but then I realized I've seldom (if ever) been content with my life. I've always NEEDED the next big thing. There was always something bigger or better out there. Once I had it, there was something else. I defined myself based on these things. I was defined by my children, my husband, my job title, or anything else that might bring me the temporary peace. It just never lasted. With Jesus at my very core, I'm content! I'm content with my home, my community, my family, and my job. I'm thankful for what I have been blessed with.

I want to be in God's presences. I want to follow His will for my life. I'm excited about putting everything in that basket! I know just from a few months of living in this place that I can't lose! The peace I have every day is so much more than anything else I could possibly achieve at any other time in my life.

As long as I trust God and spend time with Him, I know my life will be full. I also know that even though I may face some difficult times, there is nothing that will be too great.

I am looking forward to how God will use me in my family, my community, and this world. I pray that in the end I will hear "Well done my good and faithful servant!"

What does it mean?

2009-06-13T21:28:00.002-06:00

I spent the week acting as camp nurse for a local youth camp. My campers were 8yrs-12yrs, both boys and girls. We had kids that came from stable homes, broken homes, and plenty of foster children in attendance. It was an interesting mix of kids and counselors.

What was remarkable about my week was a boy. An 11 yr old boy has changed my world. He was dropped off Sunday by an older man. I was given a list of medications and when asked what they were all for....he simply said "anger". Then as he got up he looked at me and said "Good luck". He had brought three boys with him....later I found out he was running a group home for these boys. They had been kicked out of traditional foster care homes for various reasons. The end of the line, so to speak.

I should explain that I was touched by many of these kids over the week. They are all special in some way, but from the very first night, this little boy did something to my heart. I made the statement the first morning (they came in the afternoon on Sunday) that he needed a home. He was lost and scared and needed love. In my heart I guess I had already started thinking what I considered to be the unthinkable.......

Nathan and I have talked about becoming foster parents before. In fact, several years ago I contacted the system and was told that due to low staffing, they were unable to work up any new families to add to the system....even though there was a big need for families! I didn't get it. I still don't. When we talked about possible doing foster care we said that we wouldn't get any child older than our own children. We wouldn't get anyone who was violent and the list went on and on. And here I was actually thinking that I could see this little boy living in our home. What was wrong with me? What on earth could I be thinking? I knew nothing of this boy except he had anger issues. Did I feel pity? Was that what my heart felt? Maybe it wasn't love.....but it sure felt like it.

Over the week, my love has grown stronger. I can't explain it. It makes no sense. All I know, is that I was thrilled to see him each chance I got and I was sad when he left. I decided one evening to just sit and talk with him about how he got to the group home. He didn't give many details, but said he destroyed his foster families chair. Totally destroyed it. He was being sent away because of it. These people from the group home agreed to take him. He said he didn't like living there. He had trouble getting along with the other boys (and I met some of these boys....I understood how he was different). You could hear the loneliness in his voice...you can see it in his eyes.

I'm so torn about this. It makes no sense. It goes against everything we ever agreed on. I talked to Nathan a few nights ago about my feelings. I coudln't explain anything that would ever make a person understand, and yet I think he did. I think he has some of the same feelings. I look and think it has to be a God thing.....right?!

I talked to a good friend about it today. She is actually getting her masters in social work. She said she would try to get me some more information on this young man. I told her I thought I was crazy...and certainly my head told me that, but my heart continues to scream out that this boy is supposed to be with us.

To complicated matters (and at the same time you can see what an amazing praise), the pastor who is head of the church also wants to possibly adopt this little boy. I now struggle with what God wants. I'm scared that maybe he wants us to take this boy into our home. But in all honestly, I more scared that maybe he would choose the pastor and his wife. How silly is that? They are amazing people, and yet my heart has so connected with this little boy!

As he group home man came to take them home, I was almost in a panic. I ran out to the car so I could say good bye. I called to him, and he didn't say anything. I called again, and he came over to me....and I saw why he was so slow to respond the first time.....he was crying. I grabbed him and just held him....crying along with him. I told him I loved him (and I do!), but that more importantly that God loved him! I wanted to tell him that I would come for him....but of course, I have no clue what our future holds. All I could do was to hold him. And when he had to go he didn't want to let go. He just held on to me and I held on to him.

I heard the group leader say , in surprise, "it looks like they bonded"! When I had told this man in privacy that Tyler was special and that he was pleasure...he laughed. He didn't believe me that I enjoyed him. I'm sure he thought I said that to every adult that came to pick up a child. But I did so enjoy him. I fell in love, in less than a week, with a boy that I know will come with more baggage than I can imagine. I have no foolish thoughts that it would be a magic spell and this boy would come into our home and become the perfect son. I do know though, that he would be loved! He would be loved!

As he drove away, it was hard for me to contain my feelings. I just cried. I didn't care who saw...I just cried. Even now, hours after I said goodbye, my heart breaks to think of him back in this home. I pray to God that he will allow him to come into our home. I pray that God opens the doors for us to move forward....quickly. But, I also pray that if this isn't God's will....that I will have peace. I pray more than anything, that Tyler is placed with the family the God has always planned for him to be with.

Our bear problem......

2009-05-10T21:00:00.003-06:00

I felt like I should document our bear issues over the last few days. We have had chickens and goats for a full year now, and not once have we had any issues with wild animals. We realize we have been blessed, but we weren't expecting to have issues two nights in a row.

Here is the story!

Thursday evening (about 7:00pm) we went out to start getting our chickens put away for the evening. We had let them out to roam over fresh ground (all fenced and a normal daily event). We ran out to eat for my husband's birthday and came home shortly afterward. When we got home my daughter noticed a large pile of feathers. We suspected that a fox had come and had a snack. It was sad, but as I said before, we have been very lucky to have no issues up until this night.

Once they were all put away, we did a count, and sure enough, we were missing one. This took us to 26 hens. It was a sad night.

The next morning, we realized that our ducks were also missing. They had been there late that night, but they were missing that morning. The fenced area they had been in was flattened. We knew that no fox could have caused the damage, but more likely a bear! It was again a very sad morning. We had only had the ducks for just over a day and a half.

After a long day (and a bit emotional for us and the kids), Nathan and I went out to a movie. The kids were happy because we got them a "fun" babysitter! They played outside and just seemed to have a great time.

We returned from the movie (Star Trek- it was GREAT by the way) and got our sitter to her car and then came in. Nathan said, "I think we lost our chickens." I didn't get what he meant so I simply responded "What?" So he said again "I think we lost ALL our chickens!" And again I didn't seem to get it. I said, "Where did they go?". At that point Nathan took me into our bedroom where we could see the chicken coop. There was a hole in the side (where the wire had once been). My heart sank and I felt sick.

I decided we HAD to go out and see if any of our chickens had survived. I think Nathan thought I was a little crazy. When it is dark and you are sure that a bear has been to your house....the thought of going outside is kinda creepy! But something had kicked in and I was worried about my animals, I HAD to go see if we had some survivors!

Nathan loaded his gun with rubber buck shot and carried that, I carried a flashlight (funny how having something in my hands made me feel brave). As we started out, we were very slow and cautious. Our 4 goats were clearly freaked! They jumped at any sound. We were spooked as well, and when they jumped we generally did as too.

As we got close to the coop, we saw 3 chickens huddled in the corner of their outside dome area (usually a totally secure area). One had been injured by the bear (not sure if it was teeth or claws...but there was some puncture wounds.) and the other two appeared fine...but none of them made a sound or moved as we approached. We saw that the bear had caved in the end of the domed fence area (seemed to be a big bear to have caved in that area). We didn't know if the bear was still inside or had already left...so we were being very cautious!

When we got up to the coop, I looked through the entrance of the outside area...I saw two dead chickens, but didn't see a bear. We tried looking through the hole the bear had made, but still couldn't see much. I decided to go in (again, Nathan wasn't thrilled with the idea, but I felt like it was safe). When we opened the door we were relieved to see MOST of our chickens ALIVE on their perching bars. One was dead, but the other I saw, was actually just hung up and not moving (once she heard our voices she got loose and joined the rest of the birds- seemed like she was playing dead). We did a quick count and saw that 3 chickens had been killed. Two had been taken out and 1 left behind. Needless to say, not a sound was coming from the "girls". They were freaked! My heart broke as I thought about the chaos that gone on just a little earlier.

I told Nathan that we had to move the chickens into the house (meaning the garage). He told me I was crazy and asked where I thought we would put them. I said I didn't care, boxes if we had too, but I KNEW the bear would come back and they were totally exposed. He told me that the bear probably wouldn't come back tonight. I told him I thought he would. Nathan again said he thought they would be "ok" that night. I told him again that I was SURE the bear would be back later that night. I couldn't stand the thought that they had no protection.

He told me that he would charge the flashlight for awhile and then would keep watch for awhile. It wasn't what I WANTED, but it was really the most rational idea.

I told him I would keep the first watch. I came into my room and sat down in front of the window. I opened the window up about 6" so I could clearly hear everything happening outside. After about an hour, I decided that as long as I was just sitting there, I could be getting a few things done on the computer. I ran over to the bed and grabbed the laptop. I ran back over and sat back down. Darn....the computer was dead. I ran back over and got the cord and plugged it in. Took a quick look outside and saw nothing new. I opened the computer and the screen lit up. At that exact moment the goats went nuts! At first, I was thinking the light startled them. Then I heard a strange faint noise. It quickly hit me that it was the sound of the loose wire at the top of the fence hitting the solid wire of the fence. Then I looked up.

Now, I have to tell you, at night when you are already freaked out a bit, and have already had some heartbreak, you just aren't thinking clearly! As I looked out (there was some moon....not bright, but just lit things enough to see basic shadows), I see a large black object running toward my goats (which happened to be close to my window). At first I thought...."now whose dog is that?"....even though this animal was way bigger than a dog. Then my mind quickly kicked in with reality and I KNEW it was the bear. In one hand, I had the phone and was calling our business line to get my husband. The other hand was dropping the computer and I was leaning into the screen to see what was happening. My conversation with Nathan went something like this: "The BEAR is chasing our GOATS....click"

I can't explain how disturbing it was to see the bear at a full run chasing 4 goats. I knew they could run quickly, but I was SHOCKED to see him keeping up with the goats and actually incredibly close to getting one! I SCREAMED at the bear (I think I said "stop"). It startled him for a split second, but it was enough to allow the goats to away (they ran onto the back deck). In that split second the bear actually looked like it might bolt over the fence and leave, but as it paused it must have decided I was no threat since it started running back toward the goats.

At that moment Nathan got into the room. I could hardly tell him what had happened. We both ran toward the dining room and the entrance to the deck. We looked and saw 3 of the goats (all females) but didn't see our male or the bear. I told Nathan to get ready with his gun....and we went out. We were being cautious, but we had a mission. We had to shoot the bear at close enough range to make sure he would be scared enough to NEVER come back (rubber buck shot hurts anytime, but at close range we figured it would leave a lasting impression)! I looked over the deck and was searching the darkness with the light. Nothing.....

Nathan stated that we would NOT be getting off the deck to go hunting for the bear (at first I thought he was crazy, but then thought that it was actually a very SANE thought)! So I looked again with the light. At that moment the bear walked into the light (he was under the deck) and looked right at me. I start yelling for Nathan.

As the bear started over the fence, Nathan got a shot. The bear make a groaning sound and took off. We followed him (with the light) through the creek and up the side of the mountain. We hope the sting of the shot will cause him to never come back!

The next morning we had to tell the kids that a bear had been in the coop and had killed 3 more chickens.

I ran the children to Sam's soccer game and Nathan stayed home to fix the coop and dispose of the chicken in the coop.

When we got home, we found the coop repaired, but we felt vulnerable to more attacks.

Kayla and I found the chicken that had been attacked. She was still alive, but badly hurt. I put her in the brooder and cared for her wounds. We gave her electrolytes and a heat lamp. (as of today...she seems to be doing well).

Today I found another with serious wounds from the bear. Again we took her to join the other injured chicken. I got her cleaned up, and hope that she won't get an infection. We'll watch a few days and see if they survive.

Also today (Mothers Day) we spent the afternoon hooking up an electric fence around the acre (or more) of fenced yard. We've been told that electric fences work well at keeping bears away! This is a horse fencer (and VERY powerful)! It brought some peace.

We are sad for the 4 chickens and 2 ducks we lost, but we feel lucky to have all our goats and most of our chickens. As a side note, the bear got close enough to leave some very minor scratches on our male goat. That was too close!!!!

As a last note...for all the screaming, running around, and the gun shot....NONE of my children stirred at any of the activity from that night. I just find that funny especially since both Jocelyn and Sam were basically right next to me when I screamed!

Day 2 of Lemonade Fast

2009-04-22T11:48:00.002-06:00

I didn't blog last night. Decided to head to bed. I was tired and just decided to sleep. The fast is going ok. I haven't been that hungry, but I want to eat. It is strange. I keep thinking of food. I am thinking about foods I don't really even like or eat. I find it strange. I guess I really miss chewing the food. Not much to report over all. I will report more later tonight.

Day 1 of Lemonade Juice Fast

2009-04-20T22:16:00.002-06:00

For those that have never heard of this cleanse or fast you can find information by doing a google search on "lemonade diet", "master cleanse" or "lemonade cleanse"

Day 1

We woke up and planned on starting off this morning with our first glass of delicious lemonade. We went to the kitchen to juice our organic lemons, only to find them all growing a nice layer of green mold. :( We had only had them 4 days, but we didn't take them out of the plastic sack they came home in.

This put our plans for starting "first thing" to a quick halt. We had a few things to do around the house before we could head for "town". So we met my parents, who had to make a quick, and unexpected visit to the city for an MRI on my dad's knee, for lunch. We threw around the idea of completely scrapping the idea of the fast until the next week, or just start the next day. We finally decided that we would start later in the afternoon. There is no "time limit" as far as starting. You don't have to skip a bunch of meals in order to make it "better".

We started our fast today at 2:30pm. We will have 8-10 days of fasting....drinking nothing but the lemonade and water. No food. They say that the lemonade helps keep your hunger in control. You have optional "add-in's" with this fast, and that is for a daily colon cleanse. I am not sold on this portion, and have actually found a few things that suggest this might be more negative than positive. Plus, I'm just not that thrilled with "poo"!

So far this evening, I've had one large water bottle full of lemonade. I feel just fine, and I'm not hungry. Of course, it is bed time, and we'll see how tomorrow goes. I've heard that the 2nd and 3rd days are the most difficult. Since until 2:30 it will only be my first day, we'll see how the timing affects me.

I'm looking forward to not only having a body cleanse, but also some time to reflect and pray. For me, this will be more of a spiritual journey than just a "master cleanse". I've never done a fast, and I am actually looking forward to this (now catch me in 3-4 days and see how excited I still am)!

I'll try to update each evening and share my experiences with this first ever cleanse & fast!

Latest call

2008-10-13T21:20:00.003-06:00

Today I awoke to my radio being toned out. It is a sound that causes my heart to race and my mind to set into full speed.

This morning I couldn't quite hear the call, but thought I heard something about "road rash". I tried to quickly dress, but had to run back into my room at least three times realizing I had forgotten important items (shoes, socks, etc...). I found myself standing in my bathroom at one point, and I couldn't think of why I was there.

I got into my van and quickly headed down the road. My road is not one that you can take a high speeds safely. I push my van and my driving just a bit, but never to the "crazy" point. I have to be careful because at this time in the morning there is almost always wildlife on the road. Today was no exception. A large buck followed by a smaller buck decide to cross the road right in front of my van. I have to hit my breaks hard enough that all my possessions in my van slam forward. My radio flies onto the floor.

It about this time I hear the ambulance say they are in route. I hear another EMT announce they are on scene. And only a few seconds later they call for Flight for Life. My heart skips a beat and I realize that whatever has happened it is much more seriously than I had originally thought. My instinct is to speed up even more, but I know that it does no good to my patient if I don't make it due to my own accident.

I'm not sure there is a more helpless feeling of knowing someone is hurt and NEEDS us, but I can't get there "fast enough".

I arrive on scene about 3 minutes after our ambulance gets there. When I go running from my van I quickly slip on my gloves and head toward the patient. They already have him on a back board and are getting ready to put him on the cot.

Another EMT asks if I heard the story. "No, I haven't heard anything!" She explains that this guy was pinned to the tree by the trash truck. It was backing up and didn't see him. He worked on the truck. The driver is clearly upset and is kept away from the scene.

I grab our jump kit and run to the ambulance to get the IV kit out and ready. I realize that with a crush injury we are in a race to stabilize the patient. We were told that Flight was grounded due to fog. They could send one from Colorado Springs, but it would take 25 minutes before they make it to the scene. We know we can have him to the hospital much faster so we call them off.

We load him in the back of our rig and take off. He is having problems breathing, and has trouble telling us his name. Another EMT listen to lung sounds and shared that his lung sounds were diminished. In simple terms........he was having problems breathing probably due to major injuries to his lungs.....possibly his lungs were trying to collapse.

I got ready to start an IV on this guy and he was very sweaty. At first the "mom" in me thought we have this guy to bundled (it was about freezing this morning). The EMT in me knew it was most likely because he was going into shock.

Due to his injuries and how he was acting, we handed off to AMR (the ambulance agency from Pueblo) because they have medication and a heart monitor that we don't have on our rig yet.

About 20 minutes later I was called back to scene to do a blood draw on the driver. The police wanted to check him for blood and alcohol. As the man climbed in the rig, he was slurring his speech, but it didn't seem to be from alcohol. Instead it seemed more like a speech impediment or even like he might have slight mental "issues".

A little later I found out that it is a family (extended) that runs this trash service so the chances of the driver and patient being related is very high. I also found out that the patient had Down's Syndrome. I was surprised by this, only because I didn't see it at all. But, I wasn't "looking" for that. I was more worried about keep the guy alive.

I found out that the driver was watching a car come up the narrow road and was making sure he wasn't going to get in the way. He just didn't see his friend. I was told that when our EMT's got on scene the patient had purple lips and was acting as if nothing had really happened. He was sitting against a small well house. Another sign that he was in shock.

I found out from a neighbor of the man that he was taken Flight For Life from the hospital once they got him stabilized. He was taken to one of the large hospitals in Denver. He had broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken sternum (the chest bone that protects your heart- and the force it takes to break that bone is HUGE), and possible problems with his heart. The report was he wasn't doing very well.

I have to say that it has been on my mind all day. I just keep praying that this kid will pull through and that the driver won't be "haunted" by everything that happened. It always shocks and surprises me how a community reacts to things like this, but as has been the "norm" for our area, everyone is saying a prayer and shows great concern.

To Potty Train or NOT to Potty Train

2008-09-25T13:12:00.002-06:00

Seems like a strange title doesn't it? I mean, of course we ALL want our children to be potty trained (and usually sooner is better than later)! If you have been a parent and ever had to potty train I'm sure you will understand my delight in my youngest showing signs she was ready to potty train!

Jocelyn had become more and more interested in what happened in the bathroom with both myself and her siblings. It was a normal curiosity, and I was willing to work with her and this new passion. I would explain what was in the bathroom and how things worked, and more "intimate" details of bathroom processes.

She had also not only shown some readiness in the way of curiosity, but had also started pulling her diaper off any chance she had. We pulled out the potty chair and she naturally went straight for it to check it out. On her very first experience, she both pooped and pottyed! I thought we surly had a potty training genius!

It was short lived, I assure you! Since our first experience, she hasn't been as "spot on" as she first was. In fact, it usually goes something like this:

She takes off her diaper. She sits on the potty for 30 seconds- 10 minutes (totally depends on what she has in mind). She gets up...walks around the room, squats, and pees. Yes, almost every single time. And it is almost like she is a dog, simply in the sense that she only pees just enough to make a mess, then walks to a new spot and continues to pee. I think she is marking her territory!

So this has been happening often. I've been trying to discourage the taking off of the diaper. Although I've tried, I haven't always been as successful as one would hope. She has an amazing will and talent for taking off a diaper in almost any situation!

So the other day she woke up from her nap and came into the living room. She promptly took off her diaper. I sat her on the potty chair and we waited. Nothing..... About 10 minutes after that, she climbed onto a dining room chair and peed. Her words are ALWAYS the same (and they are cute.....despite the mess) "Uh Oh! WaaWaa" She got down and came running to me for a towel. I gave her a paper towel since I was in the middle of getting supper cooked. She went and put the towel on her "waawaa" and then waited for me to finish cleaning it up.

I went back to cooking, and she went to play with some blocks in the living room. I hear "Uh Oh, WaaWaa". I look and she was squatting above a puddle of pee. She came running in and I gave her another paper towel. She ran back to the mess and placed the towels over her puddle. I was just in the middle of getting the hamburger I was frying to the "done" point so I didn't rush to pick up her mess. BIG mistake.

For those of you that are weak stomached, stop reading! So I'm just finishing with the hamburger as I turn around and see her EATING the wet paper towel! Yes, it freaked me out! All I thought was "Survior Man drinks his own urine! Surviour Man drinks his own urine!" I ran and took what was left of the wet paper towel (and it wasn't much) and threw it away. {sigh}

I put another diaper on her. Placed her at the table for supper. Said a silent prayer that she wouldn't eat anything else soaked with body fluids. We had a lovely dinner of burritos.

After supper, she got down from the table, and took off her diaper AGAIN! Now I'm thinking....."where is that duct tape?" But I sit her on the potty chair. We sit there for at least 15 minutes. I bring her lego blocks to her and we just build towers and such. I'm thinking that surely with so much time on the potty.......if there is ANYTHING inside that little body it will come out.

WRONG! She got up and within 30 seconds (yes....literally) she squats and pees! I don't let her help clean up this mess. I run and get a towel and clean it up myself. Less than two minutes later she goes and sits on this little cloth chair and says the same things as always (as it runs through the cloth and onto the floor)! {sigh......Grrrrrr}

I put ANOTHER diaper on her and Pj's that not even SHE can get off.........YET! The joys of potty training!

Mean, Evil Mom or just Crazy?

2008-09-23T17:18:00.003-06:00

It has been awhile since I last blogged. Life has been busy and it seems like finding computer time has been a challenge. I've been dealing with a less than "organized" lifestyle and frankly was feeling just a little crazy!

Emotions had been building around the house,and this wasn't in the positive direction either. I had been avoiding my home pretty much at all costs. It had gotten to a new low (and this is really saying something). My husband had "gently" shared his frustration with me earlier in the week. I then shared my frustration- you know the one where you live the same day every single day! It goes something like I wake up to a mess (most of which was created by my family), I go along my day cleaning up said mess only to have it magically reappear later that evening. Yep, same thing every single day. And I realize it is bad form to "quit", but frankly I didn't care. I threw my toddler tantrum and stopped cleaning up! My house quickly went from bad to much much worse. And the problem escalated.

It all came to a head last Wednesday night. After an early morning and a full 8 hours at the coffee shop, then off to town to get some last minute things. I had been stressing throughout the day about finding some child care for Jocelyn all day Friday. I was going to a girls weekend away.....Women of Faith! I was excited, and yet just a bit discouraged that childcare was such an issue. I wanted to make things as easy as possible for Nathan since his plans had been changed due to no birthday party for my nephew.

Anyway......back to Wednesday night. Nathan and I had gone to town to buy some groceries and a birthday present for my nephew (this was before we found out the party wasn't happening). We called the kids and explained that we would be home a little bit and they should do homework and chores before anything else. We got home less than an hour after they got home and found them all playing. Again.....a little frustration set in when I saw that really no chores had been done. All had done homework, but they had "forgot" about chores.

They did their chores and then quickly wrapped the gift for their cousin. We eat supper and I instructed them that they needed to get showers. Kayla ran to take a shower by herself, and Natalie reminded me she took a shower that morning. Jocelyn and Sam go to get in with Kayla and she refuses Sam (but that's fine, and he would take one right after she got out). I finally had a moment to sit down and check email. Ahhh.......some short lived peace. Kayla brought Jocelyn to me soaking wet, but clean!

I diapered Jocelyn and was waited for the dryer to stop with her clean, warm pajamas. I continued on with my email and was trying to send off a few replies. Kayla came in and said she heard a "weird water sound". I asked her to go see if Sam had left the shower running. She came running back in screaming. She said water was pouring all over the place. I ran into my bathroom to see the shower overflowing. Sam had plugged the drain to have some extra water to play in (this was not unusual, he does it every time he is in the shower). He "forgot" to pay attention and water was running everywhere.

Water wasn't just pouring onto my bathroom carpet, but had been going threw the heating vent into the bathroom below. It was a huge mess.

Now here is the impressive part (or at least I think it is pretty good), I didn't loose my cool at all with the water. It was what it was (a MESS), but it was an accident. Sam shouldn't have been all alone, but he was. So I start cleaning up the extremely wet carpet. I notice in the panic of running into the bathroom, that there is a roll of wrapping paper on my bedroom floor. There is also yarn laying in the doorway. As a side note.....I hadn't been into either of these things during the day- it had to be the children! As I mop up the carpet I instruct Kayla to throw some towels on the bathroom floor downstairs. I figured I would get down there a little later. I also told her to pick up the wrapping paper and yarn.

As I head out of my bathroom, I notice the wrapping paper was gone, but the yarn was still out. With a little growl, I decided to head downstairs to see if Nathan had looked at the bathroom mess (basically to see if any damage was done- or if we got lucky with water just running threw the vent). As I got closer to his office door I went from just a little irritated to a bit more angry. There was that roll of wrapping paper. It was thrown on the basement floor.

I was mad, but just little at this point. It has become a tradition of my children to simply move an out-of-place-object to a new WRONG location. The home that every item SHOULD have just doesn't seem to exist in my home.

Nathan had locked his door so I went straight to Kayla's room to ask about the roll of wrapping paper. As I opened her door I see her in her bed and she quickly pulls her covers up over her lap. Knowing full well that she is trying to HIDE something, I ask. "Kayla, what are you doing?" Her answer was comforting......"ummmmmm".

I respond, "Kayla, what are you hiding?" Her look was enough to tell me I wasn't going to get very far. I try again, but this time with a little more conviction "Kayla, do NOT make me come over there. I'm mad, and trust me, if I come over there to see what you're hiding you will not be happy about it!" At that point, a little light came on in her head, and she knew she had better not push me.

She slowly responds and tells me it her science homework that she "forgot to do" earlier. That was it, I went from a little angry to insane. I dislike being lied to. I really dislike being lied to AFTER the evening that I had been having. That's when it happened........that's when I turned into "evil mom".

I'm pretty sure, had you been there, you could have seen the steam and smoke. I could hear the blood pumping in my ears. I was beginning to look like the hulk.....without the green color. My veins had popped up, and it is safe to say I was not looking pretty!

I yelled (I realize this is NOT one of my finer moments)! I yelled a LOT. I started in about the house. The wrapping paper, the yarn, their chores, laundry.........you name it, we covered the topic. About that time, Natalie does a fake "fear shudder". You know, the one that is supposed to say, I'm so scared of you right now.

The scene is this......I'm STANDING in the doorway. Natalie is seated beside Kayla and they are across the room on the bed. Let me also state for the record......my children have NEVER been hit or struck by me. They have been spanked, but it was at least a year ago and they laughed as I complained of hurting my hand.

Anyway, Natalie does the "fear shudder". Not wise! "Natalie, I DARE you to do that again. I'm seriously daring you to pretend to be scared again!" Natalie seems to sit straight up to make sure she doesn't accidently move her body....in case I was mistake it for a fake shudder. After a few more minutes of just venting my frustration I added "You are grounded from everything you enjoy! NO movies, NO computer, NO Wii, NO phone, NO friends coming over, and certainly NO going over to friends houses!" Again, I so realize this is the behavior of a woman gone nuts (bad parenting). I was throwing a tantrum. And, as an adult, I certainly know better.....and I can say I knew better in the moment, but I didn't care! There it is.....pure honesty! I didn't care. I was mad, and wanted to yell.

So after the yelling thing, I went upstairs AFTER popping my head into Nathan's office and telling him that Kayla didn't have her homework done, and that I told them they had to clean the whole house before I returned from my weekend away.

I came upstairs and felt like a good margarita would be a good end for the last hour. It didn't happen, but it did sound good.

I sat in my chair and felt better about finally sharing my frustration with the house (and possibly the rest of the neighborhood). I thought we might actually see some change.

The next day I went about my day and prepared for my departure later that night. I had luckily been able to get my sister-in-law to watch Jocelyn for the morning on Friday. That would give Nathan at least a few hours to get some solid work done. Then he would be on his own. I had actually considered canceling my plans, but Nathan said I needed a break. I'm not sure a truer statement had been spoken.

When my children came home from school I took them and explained again what I expected. I took them room by room and explained that each room HAD to be cleaned. I asked them if they had questions. When they said "NO", I explained again, that I was serious about the house. I then told them what would happen IF they chose to ignore my instructions. Here was the deal. IF they didn't clean the house, I WOULD clean it when I got home. I went into detail of what I meant by that. Here is what I said: "If I have to clean this house, I will throw everything away! If things aren't in their proper home, it will be thrown away. If things are put away, they won't be touched. It won't matter WHAT is left out, it will be thrown away!"

I went off and had an amazing weekend. It was peaceful and I came home feeling renewed. I also came back realizing that I had, in many ways, failed as a parent. You see, I USED to expect my children to obey the first time. They either did what they were supposed to do, or they had some consequence. My children were well behaved, and more importantly, they obeyed! I had become lazy with my parenting and was no longer consistent. So I was able to stand back and realize that my children were simply having issues because I had been a lazy parent.

When I walked into my house late Saturday night, I saw that basically nothing had been done. I don't think they really believed me! It was almost shocking. Nathan said they had done their "normal" chores, but even that was done poorly. To top it off, the girls went over to spend the night with their friend.

I was a little irritated with my husband who let them break the rules (I had shared their punishment with him that night I went crazy). After the initial shock, I went back to just being happy and shared my weekend experience with Nathan. I loved on the baby, who woke up the second she heard my voice. I decided I wasn't going to worry about any of this until after church on Sunday.

Church came and went. We had pot luck that afternoon and then starting working on our Christmas program for the children. When we finally got home that night, I called the kids together to explain the way our house would be running from that day on out.

It went something like this: "Kids, I see that you really didn't get the house cleaned up. I was a little disappointed last night, but I've come to realize that most of this is my fault. You see, I haven't been a very consistent parent lately. I haven't required you to follow the rules of this house. So here is what I'm going to do. I'm taking all emotion out of this! I'm not angry. I'm not going to yell about it. I'm going to clean the house. I'm starting in the laundry room. I will give each of you a chance to get any of your possessions out of there. You have to be in bed in 15 minutes, but until then you can get anything you want to keep out of there. Tomorrow I will clean it up. I will be throwing away anything that is left without a home. If it is something nice, I will put it in a sack to give away to families or children who have nothing. This is NOT a threat. This is simply how things will go from here on out. I will tell you BEFORE I start cleaning a room so you can pick up your things. I will be cleaning each room in the house, and that DOES include your rooms. I don't care if the item you left out was a special toy given to you by a grandparent! If it is left in the room, I will be getting rid of it. I realized this weekend, that we have so much STUFF it is impossible to keep things picked up. I also know that because we have allowed you each to possess so many items, you can't possible appreciate the things you have. This new method will help all of us. Once I'm done going room by room, the house will be clean. From that day on, I will go throughout the house once a day, and any items not properly put away in their homes, will be thrown out. I don't care if you are left with nothing. It is completely up to each of you. Do any of you have any questions?"

They all shook their heads and headed off to the laundry room to pick up any treasured items. Within 2 minutes each came out saying they were done. I told them that the might want to go back in and take a second look around. They came back out and said they were done.

Well, Monday came and Nathan and I had a number of errands that had to be done in town. We got home shortly after the kids got home from school. I made sure their homework was done, and then got them started on their normal chores. While they were doing that, I started on the laundry room.

It is hard to put into words how horrible this area was. It had become the catch all room for months. It had everything from LOADS of clothes & towels to books, craft items, rocket launch "stuff", extra kitchen "stuff", and tons of trash. I got about half the room clean, and I threw away a large box (picture a box big enough for a full sized stroller), a smaller box, 4- 13 gallon trash bags, and 2- 30 gallon trash bags full of STUFF! This is only working on about HALF the room. I also have a large box full of things to give away.

In the middle of putting a book up on the table (to transfer into the give away box), Kayla walks in and grabs it. I, with almost no emotion, tell her to put it back on the table. She says it is her special birthday book. I tell her it is now going to be given away. At this point she breaks out into tears and throws a fit!

Sobbing and begging and everything in between was her little display of desperation. And I just kept cleaning. She got louder and more dramatic. I stopped and went into the kitchen to visit with her. I stayed calm and explained that this was the deal that everyone had agreed to just the night before. There was nothing new. I had told each of them that there would be NO exceptions. I gave her the same chance I gave everyone else.

She said it wasn't fair because she didn't know that meant she had to look under things. That book was buried, and that meant it didn't count.

She took her pleas to a "higher court" to see if dad might change my ruling. Nathan sat and listened to her pleas and she justified why this was unfair. Nathan then listened to me calmly explain what was told to the kids the night before and how nothing had changed.

When I said nothing was going to change, Kayla tried one more impressive fight! She said, "Have you seen the Veggie Tales movie, Jonah?" I nodded. "Well, you must not have paid any attention to it then!" I ask why that was? Kayla says, "Well, in that movie it says God gives 2nd chances. In fact, He gives third and forth chances. But you don't care, and only give us one chance."

I was thinking to myself that she was very clever, and had I not repeated myself so many times about the "rules" of the new method, I might have been moved to give in on this one. Quick on her feet that child is!

I told her that I was NOT God, and therefore I wouldn't be giving another chance. She says, "Well, but you are kind of like God. You are god of this house!" I wanted to laugh, another quick thought from my whitty daughter (and I liked the thought of the power!). But, I explained that even if I was the "god" of this house, I would not be giving another chance. She cried and carried on for at least 30 minutes. AND while doing this sat and watched her sister do all the work. Natalie kept her mouth shut until after she was done and then asked about what things she might have lost. I asked her if she really wanted to know what she had lost. YES was her answer. I told her one item........her pottery wheel. She took a deep breath, pushed her shoulders back a bit, and then sighed, "Oh well, it didn't work very well anyway."

I went back to working, and Kayla stopped crying (mainly because the louder the fit she threw the more days of dishes she was earning). Not another word was spoken about the lost items, and I believe that they totally understand now what will happen with the next room.

Today I continued working on the laundry room. I didn't finish due to another full day of activities. Maybe tomorrow after the working at the coffee shop. But there was no complaining or crying about anything today! Dare I say we are making progress?

I will keep reporting back with new information and pictures! I have decided I need to take before and after pictures. Really, no one will believe how nasty things have gotten in my home. It won't be my proudest moment, but should be fun to look back on!

More Jalapenos please!

2008-09-01T12:08:00.002-06:00

So I'm watching my husband and almost 2 yr old daughter sit and eat nachos. It is a family favorite as far as snacking goes. A plate of chips, some cheese, and then some jalapenos on the side for anyone who doesn't care for the spicy flavor (or who can't handle it).

Nathan had been putting a jalapeno on each chip he removed from the plate. Jocelyn noticed she was missing out on something that was food....and protested loudly! Nathan told her "no, these are spicy, hot". She says hot and blows on them. And that was that.

OR SO WE THOUGHT. Nathan stopped paying as much attention (we were watching a live Ustream show) and he sat the little container with jalapenos in them down on the floor. Jocelyn realizing this was her perfect opportunity to grab a bite quickly snatched one up and popped it in her mouth.

Nathan and I saw her doing it, but had no way to stop her in time. We knew she would freak out once that spicy flavor hit her tongue and throat. Here's what happened.

Jocelyn had some tears coming down her cheeks. It was clearly spicy. She didn't take it out of her mouth though, she finished chewing it up and swallowed. Then declared she wanted MORE! So she ate another 3 or 4 jalapenos with Nathan. Each time you could tell it was spicy, but she loved them!

We have yet to find any food that Jocelyn doesn't love! Spicy won't be her food exception! It is great having a kid that likes everything.

Busy Night

2008-08-31T20:42:00.002-06:00

At about 10:30 pm last night my radio went off, indicating I had a call. I had known it wouldn't be long since it had been a full week as of Thursday. We average a call a week around here, so I always try to mentally prepare myself for the surprise of the tone we get.

We were called to the scene of a fight. Address given. I called in letting the dispatcher know I was responding. I hadn't been in my car very long (on the way to the ambulance or directly to the scene simply based on who else responds and where the scene is in comparison to my home) when dispatch came back over the radio telling us to standby until the sheriff arrived. We had a short wait, and then we were allowed to enter the scene.

What we found out was there was a bar fight. Something about two young guys a girl (I think they liked her), and another guy who didn't seem to be as happy about the attention being given to the girl. The guy said something, got jumped by the two guys, who then got jumped by 4 guys. Anyway.....we had two that had been hurt and were still hanging around the place. Minor injuries all-in-all. Possible broken hand on one, broken toes on the other. Both had numerous lacerations, but all minor. One guy did say that he was choked until he passed out. There were no marks on his neck and all checked out fine.

Both men refused transport so we did our best to treat at the scene and advice them to go see a doctor and if anything got worse to call us back.

It was my "first fight" as an EMT. Having to wait until my scene was deemed safe by the cops was a little bit of an adrenaline rush. You never know what has happened until you get there, and you never know if it is completely safe (even with cops around).

By the time we were allowed to do our things and then filled out the proper paper work, it was almost 12:30 when I got home. I went and found my husband and kids in bed. Nathan wasn't asleep, but all the lights were off while he watched a movie.

I got into bed, and quickly told Nathan about the call. Then I worked on getting to sleep. I LOVE being an EMT. I reply the scene in my head and what we did. I think I am always looking for ways to improve patient care. Anyway, last time I looked at the clock, it was almost 1am.

My night was short when my radio toned out again at 3:00am. This time there is a sense of urgency, this can be simply because trying to find clothes, shoes, and everything else in the dark adds some stress, but the call came in as a diabetic emergency and patient possibly had a stroke. With a stroke, you have just a few hours to get the patient treatment if they hope to give medication to "reverse" the stroke. Also knowing it is diabetic in nature means this person could be close to slipping into a coma.

I was ready within around 5 minutes and out the door. I admittedly drove a little faster than I should have since wildlife is thick on the road at this time of night. Also, I'm just not as clear. I was in a deep sleep. It is a rude awakening to hear the radio tone. But I arrived safely! I think that not only am I praying about the call itself (as has become my ritual), but about my safety and driving as well.

I got to the ambulance as two other volunteers arrived as well. We were off. Luckily our new director who is a paramedic lives right next door to the scene and was able to go straight to the home to begin care.

When we arrived on scene it was clear this lady was SICK. I had been to her home before with the same type of emergency. Her blood glucose drops dangerously low. She is a "new" diabetic and is on medication, but they haven't quite figured out the proper levels or anything else. She is also working at seeing a dietitian, but that has been slow going. Last time, she was sick, but we were easily able to treat on scene and leave her shortly after we got some glucose into her. We waited to make sure she ate a meal and we were off. This time it was different.

When I got back to the bedroom, she was on oxygen, but very unresponsive. Her eyes open, but very distant, and she wasn't able to talk to us (or follow any commands). It took our whole crew to move her from the bed onto a stair chair (great for small tight spaces) and out to the cot waiting just outside the front door. We got her loaded, and KNEW we had to get this lady moving fast!

While they were trying to get her from the bedroom to the cot, I ran out and prepared the IV set-up. This entails spiking a bag of saline fluid, running the proper drip set (the tubing), picking out the correct "needle" size and getting the tape and everything ready. Then I ran back out to help load her onto the cot and into the rig.

We decided she was a priority 1 patient which means lights and sirens are appropriate. We need to move this patient quickly and without any major delays.

As we got her in the back of the rig, she was rapidly getting worse. She was having some problems breathing, and we knew that her brain would start "starving" without some glucose. She was slipping into a diabetic coma, and if there long enough, we wouldn't be able to bring her out of it.

My paramedic partner starting looking for an IV site. We needed at good vein that would support the large catheter we would need for the medication we HAD to give her. She was having problems finding a vein. She went for a smaller needle (catheter) size and hoped she would get that. She tried twice and was unable to get an IV started. Things were becoming urgent, and you could feel the tension building. We HAD to get an IV going, and we had to get it NOW.

I tied a tourniquet around her arm hoping to see a vein. I didn't see anything that looked promising, but we didn't have a choice. I had to try. With my equipment ready, and a very supportive team, I tried and was able to get an IV going. We made sure the line was "good" so we could push the medication. This medication is necrotic and will destroy tissue so a good line is imperative. It was a good line, and we started to push the medication.

Within about 30 seconds of pushing it, she woke up and was talking to us! It was amazing!!! It is the COOLEST drug ever because results are always the same. Sick patient is not sick within just seconds!

We got her to the hospital, and she needed another full dose and a meal before she was back to a normal glucose level. She thanked us and shared what had happened and what she remembered. About that time, her husband walked in, and just kept hugging us! He was so grateful and almost in tears to see his wife sitting up talking.

We got home around 6:30 and I was in bed around 7 am. Jocelyn woke up calling my name around 7:30 (daddy got up with her). And I was up and getting ready for church around 10am.

As I went through my day today I thought about how awesome it is to be able to help people when they are in such deep need and their lives literally depend on us. It isn't a feeling of pride in myself, but more just a sense of awe being allowed to help people in times of need.

Don't forget to be thankful for each day you are given. You never know what hurdles you may face the next day! Count your blessings!

Another one bites the dust

2008-08-28T10:16:00.003-06:00

Klennex that is. A whole box. Probably 5 taken out of the package BEFORE Jocelyn got her hands on it. It was quiet. Too quiet. I call her and she makes some little noise. I walk around the corner....and there she was, pulling each tissue out of the box and "blowing" her nose in each one.

You can't very well stuff them back in the box, when they've been rubbed all over a toddlers face. And certainly not with the small risk that she might have actually gotten SOMETHING on one! That would just be gross.

Ahhh........to be a toddler with nothing better to do than UNDO! :) And this to shall pass (although when it is as cute as this, sometimes I wish it wouldn't)!

I've been crowned the GURU of Happy Living

2008-08-28T10:09:00.002-06:00

What a title huh? The funny thing is, I like that title. I like it that people see me and think of Happy Living! :) What an honor.

So what does a GURU do? Um....not sure, will get back with you on that one. Maybe underground meetings with fun monkey hats? Secret hand shakes......and ALWAYS something yummy to eat. Cookies, dump cake, Rice Krispie Treats. That sounds like a good start.

What else do I do? Maybe teach others how to have happy living? :) I don't know, but I'll work on it!

HaaHaaa........just another step to RULING the WORLD.....mwhaaaamwhaaaaaaaa!!!!

New Way of Thinking...not as easy as it seems!

2008-08-27T16:25:00.002-06:00

I've been working very hard at keeping a very positive mind set about life in general. I'm working at imagining how I want my life to look. I see very wonderful things happening. What I have found with this "new" thinking is that it is so easy to fall back into the "old" way of thinking.

What do I mean? I mean, wanting to do nothing because things aren't the way I want them to be (YET)! Negative thinking when life isn't turning the way I wanted it to turn!

What I keep reminding myself, is it isn't about how quickly we get there, but the journey! It is easy to apply this to a "real life" situation. There are two ways to get to one location. One is a "quick" trip, but it is flat and "surprise" free. The other, takes more time, but it has some hills and some wonderful scenery. Along the way, you have a few surprises, maybe wildlife. It takes a lot longer, but it is so worth the journey!

I have to remember that what I want in my life isn't always going to come the minute I "think" it! It sometimes will take me awhile before I am rewarded (and even more blessed because of what I learned along the way)!

Now THAT dream CAN come true!

2008-08-22T07:15:00.003-06:00

My son came in with his vision board. He was excited about the work he had done with his board. He proudly showed me what he was now dreaming about, about the things he would be manifesting in his life.

All three children had added Disneyland for Christmas to their boards. He had a couple other things, but what caught my eye was his BIG picture in the upper left hand corner.

You see, there was a big picture of corn. Yes, CORN. The kind you eat! :) I asked him about it.

His reply was simple, "I like corn! I want more corn." LOL Yes, corn is my sons dream. Then I picked up the quote from one of my favorite movies A Knights Tale and shared it with him. "Now that dream CAN come true!"

Lesson learned? Sometimes we caught up in such big things and such big dreams, that we forget the little pleasures! Don't forget those little things! They tend to keep us grounded and help us make it through our "normal" day by day activities! I also learned that my children make me smile! AND that we should all have the mind and heart of a child more often!

You're not going to manifest THAT!?!

2008-08-22T07:08:00.002-06:00

I forgot to tell my children that sometimes you much really think through everything you want to manifest. Sometimes it seems as though life would be better with certain things (like a robot that does all your house work). But if you haven't really thought through the whole situation you might find yourself wondering why you wanted it.

My middle daughter came up to show me her vision board. I about fell over when I saw a "baby" on it! Yep, right there on that board was a picture of a little baby. "Um......What is THAT?" I asked. "Because you better not be manifesting ANOTHER baby for this family!" Lord help us all if that one came true! ;)

Natalie starts laughing at my reaction. She then stops for a moment and thinks about her words then tells me it is her baby for after she gets married and has kids. I'm pretty sure it wasn't her original plan, but when mom threw in that part about "not another one in our family" she did some quick thinking and changed her thought!

Oh my goodness. I've always gotten pregnant with thought. I kid you not, I have thought about how much I wanted a baby, and not once have we ever had to "try" to get pregnant. By the end of the month, I WAS pregnant! I realize there are "other" steps in there, but it was the thinking and saying it that made it true!

Careful with those thoughts! :)

Amazing how changing your thoughts change everything!

2008-08-22T06:56:00.002-06:00

I have been spending a good portion of my day thinking about what it is that I want out of life. Not just things like I want a clean house (which would be a miracle in and of itself), but more like big life goals. Things like before the end of the year I want to take my kids to Disneyland for Christmas, and having a good looking savings account.

I have been working on thinking positive thoughts about all these things. I've been dreaming of these things. I truly believe these things will happen! There is NO doubt in my mind. I can picture just how it will work out.

The funny thing, or maybe not funny but remarkable thing is, it is catching like wild fire! Nathan is thinking (manifesting) the same thoughts! But it doesn't stop right there. My children have gotten in on it as well.

I sat down and explained just a small portion of the logic behind the movie The Secret to Kayla one evening. I was telling her that she needed to expect things in school to be good. No worrying about if she would be bullied by the same boy as last year. Just see yourself going through each day with nothing but good things happening. Then we sat down and watched The Secret together.

The next day my children, the three oldest, came to me to show me the "vision boards" they had created. Kayla told the other two about the movie and then took it and showed it to them. They all came to me and showed me what they had created!

As a parent, there are many moments that you see your children and there is no way you could be more proud! This was one for me. My children are learning to think outside the box. They are learning to think and dream. They see how their daddy works from home. They see how we've traveled. I believe they won't be stopped by narrow minded people that say you have to work a 9-5 job in order for work to be "real". They have the whole world before them now! And THAT is exciting!

Life is GOOD!

2008-08-18T21:32:00.002-06:00

I sometime tend to forget that in spite of the daily chaos , life is really GOOD! My husband works from home. Our children are healthy (busy, but healthy)! We have a home that is in the mountains. We have many friends that not only live close to us, but are just a IM away! :) We are blessed in so many ways.

I need to focus on THAT part of our lives. I will certainly keep sharing the tid bits of our lives, but will try to keep a positive tone on my posts. I am blessed! :) "And I think to myself.....what a wonderful world!" :)

Spent an HOUR talking about lying!

2008-08-18T17:21:00.002-06:00

Here is the amazing thing as a parent, you fight many battles, and no matter how RIGHT you may be, you seem to lose more than you win. Maybe not in the eyes of the outside world, but inside the house....you know your kid just looks at you with that "whatever" look.

My darling 10 yr old who used to think I was incredible, now thinks I'm the biggest pain in the world. I know she thinks I ONLY try to ruin her life in one way or another. Somewhere in my head, I thought we wouldn't deal with this until she was in her teens. Boy was I wrong!

Case and point. Saturday we went grocery shopping. This is something that I actually ENJOY doing. It is fun, and helps my "spending/buying bug" feel satisfied. :) I love walking up and down every isle looking for creative (or not so creative) food choices. I like having to decide if the price of organic is worth it. Or even if the store brand will taste the same as the name brand (to anyone who doesn't know......Mac & Cheese is NOT equal- go brand name here). Anyway, you get the point- it is an enjoyable part of my week/month.

I digress. During our shopping trip my oldest girls enjoy "shopping" on their own. Generally they walk the isles and just look. Occasionally they show up with something they just "have" to have and every now and then we will actually let them have it. We had almost finished our shopping trip when Kayla came and said that a man asked them if they would like hot chocolate and could they "PLEAASSSEEE" have some. Now if YOU were confronted with this situation, wouldn't you think- someone offering them hot chocolate means a sample? We said yes, that was fine.

As we are leaving the store, here come my two girls with HUGE cups of hot chocolate. I say something like "that was the sample?" Kayla tells me at this point that she didn't realize, but it cost money. Her father was less happy than I was, and said something about how she had lied to us.

Kayla burst into tears and says she didn't lie. She didn't know it was going to cost. I comforted her and said that we all make mistakes and sometimes we don't know the whole story until after we made the wrong choice.

I question why the man wouldn't tell her that it cost before he gave her the cups. Then she tells me that it was actually a machine and you had to put your money in BEFORE you could have the hot chocolate. WHAT?????

So I take a deep breath and try to understand why my child would cry about her father saying that she lied, and then in the same sentence admit that she knew it would cost BEFORE she bought it.

We got home, and I sat down with her to have a talk about her behavior and explain why we were both so unhappy with her. What I thought would be a simple and quick talk took well over an hour though.

She couldn't see how this was lying. I gave her several other examples of recent behavior that I also considered lying....and those went out the window as well. She could NOT see (or choose NOT to see) how her actions were being dishonest. And to justify herself it came down to it was HER money. She should be able to spend it how she wanted.

Ahhh...........It was truly a counting to "10" moment for me! REALLY? REALLY?????? So we sat and talked longer.

In the end, my 10 year old daughter tells me that she wants to tell me things, but I just don't understand her so she can't talk to me. This doesn't come as a shock, but is certainly sad to me. She tells me that she can "lie" to me and tell me that she understands why/how she lied to me, but that inside she will still think she is right! Oh my goodness! REALLY?

At the end of things, she finally says she sees my side. And asks to leave. Do I think she really understood. You bet! I think she got it in the first 10 minutes of the talk. But she is so stubborn that she basically refuses to admit she is wrong.

Patience. Lots of patience!!!! That's what will get me through the next few years! Oh.....and a load of understanding. She is so much like what I was. When I see "those" looks from her, I remember them from when I gave them to my mother! I also remember that internal dialog in my head about how much I HATED the talk we were having. I think my mother cursed me when she said she hoped I would have children just like me! ;)

To all the parents out there that have been there and done that- my hat goes off to you! Now I would like a margarita and a hot bath! ;)

I love Sunday family time

2008-08-17T19:45:00.002-06:00

We try to stick to the Sunday as the day of rest. What this means is that we don't do our "real" work on those days. We try to attend church and always try to do something that centers around the family.

What that looks like each week can change. It can be a total family thing, or each person picks and does what they would like. But we try to make it something fun. No chores, no work, nothing that brings us down (sometimes that can't be helped, but we try).

Sam and Nathan like to play a few games on the Wii. The girls like to watch movies or hang out or make some fun creation in the kitchen.

I love the special time we get to spend together. It is there throughout the week, but it never seems as focused as our Sundays!

First "week" of school done! :)

2008-08-16T16:44:00.002-06:00

Actually, our first week was only a day. Yep, they started school on a Friday. I don't really understand, but it was fine with me. Here were the reports I got from each kid.

Sam: "It was fun and I have three friends and a new one, Michael!"

Natalie: ".............(twenty minute detailed description of everything) it was so fun, and my teacher is the nicest one ever"

Kayla: "It was the best school day ever!"

These were GREAT statements from children who weren't ready to head back to school. Kayla especially was worried about school this year after a very rough year last year. I've been talking to her about the importance of thinking positive thoughts and moving past feeling from last year. She made a new "best friend" and was excited when she got home. I see great things happening this year! I'm happy for them.

Jocelyn will be lonely during the day, but will stay very busy! :)

We have a new pet?

2008-08-13T17:39:00.002-06:00

I return from work (which is working at a coffee shop once a week) today to a hamster cage attached to another hamster cage....and in it? A baby mouse.

Here is the story. Natalie woke up to a squeaky sound. When she finally got enough courage to go investigate, she found a baby mouse caught in the sticky trap. See....those traps DO work! But my children think my husband and I are rather horrible because we put out these traps in order to hunt down and eventually kill our pest invaders.

Back to the squeak sound. The baby mouse was trapped in the glue. My daughters taking pity on the very cute and tiny mouse, decide to get out the cooking oil (hmmm.....have they been reading my blog?) and give the baby mouse a bath in order to "un-stick" him from the sticky trap. It worked like a charm, although the "pet" mouse now has a very oily & slicked back hairdo.

I'll continue this story when we decide if we should or should NOT keep this tiny little pet. We are waiting for daddy to get home tonight to make a family decision.

REALLY????

2008-08-10T17:14:00.002-06:00

Remember this topic from last month? This is the only phrase that seems to cover such a wide range of ....um.....things. Today has had many of those moments. They have come from all my children, but Jocelyn takes the cake!

Let me give you a quick look into my morning. My children can't seem to SEE the nasty nasty mess that is our house! The slide over their dirty dishes from the meal before....or worse yet, they totally ignore that there was something there and basically place themselves right IN the mess. I got the question about why we might have sugar ants in the dining room. My response? REALLY? You guys don't understand why the SUGAR ants might enjoy our dining room? Let me give you some insight! It COULD be the orange juice that was spilt and apparently NOT cleaned up properly. It could be from the tiny bits of cake. It might be melted popsicles. I don't know. I do, however, know that right now, I'm surprised that the all out doors isn't inside trying to eat up the crumbs from the last night meal.

They "jump" into "action" and start cleaning up. Now....as most parents know, it is more like this slow motion movie where they only have one working arm, and even then it can't hold much. One thing at a time is picked up, and then after about the 3rd item they get, they suddenly forget what they were once doing. They are GONE. I mean, you can't find them anywhere. Such is the daily routine of my children.

I'm working on a cake that I'm making for a pot luck we are going to in just a short few hours. I notice about that time, that the baby is quiet. Quiet is BAD when you have an active child that is normally LOUD! Sure enough, quiet was BAD! She is sitting on the couch PLUCKING my laptop keys off the keyboard! Yep.....some sections missing 3 or more letters. Now, I'm trying hard to remind myself she is only a baby! Only a BABY. Only A BABY. ONLY A BABY!!!!! I'm not thrilled with my darling baby! I count to around 100 before really saying anything. What can you say to little keys all over the couch and floor? I start searching for all keys and the little parts that actually hold them to the keyboard. After search, all but 1 part was found. For now, my keyboard SEEMS back to normal, but only time will tell.

So now it is quiet.....but only for another few minutes. Jocelyn will have to get up from her nap (she went down late- so she is getting up late and this equals a late night). I'm looking forward to a wonderful evening! :) Surely we have had all the excitement any of us could handle for the day! HA!

Flight for Life training

2008-08-09T23:10:00.002-06:00

Tonight our EMS & Fire agencies were supposed to do training with Flight for Life. It was supposed to be the simple rules of what to do/not to do! We spent some time just talking and learning a bit about things. Most of the fire department couldn't be there since they were called out to a fire just minutes before the training started.

I joked around about getting a ride with them at some point (and I know one of the pilots and have been trying to work something out for months). I asked plenty of questions, and was just really interested in patient care before and during the flight. I was surprised at some of the issues they have with patient weight, but other things I thought would be issues weren't.

Anyway, at the end of the training (now completely dark) they said that if someone was willing to drive into Pueblo to pick up someone, they would do a drawing and let one of us ride with them back to town. I, of course being shy and quiet, started becoming a bit vocal with excitement! :) Nathan agreed to come and get me if I happened to win the drawing. I in fact DID win! WOOHOOO!!!!!

Nathan headed off to Pueblo to meet up with us. As we were going over the rules of what I could and couldn't do....it started raining (and I was wondering if I would really get to ride). I got a cool flight helmet put on, and I literally got a front row seat! It was an amazing view....even in the dark! We were off!!! :) I watched the helicopter scare off a good size herd of deer.

Once we were in the air and had been going for a short time, they asked if I wanted some night vision goggles! I couldn't turn that down, so they hooked me up! :) It was amazing to see the world so clearly at night. I saw the area with new eyes! I had no idea the goggles would show things so detailed. I saw everything!

Once we got close to Pueblo I gave back the goggles and thought we were going straight to the hospital to land, but we instead went to the airport to fuel up. Just another 10 minutes of being with the crew, but it made it even more fun.

Finally we landed on top of the hospital, and I watched them do their busy work before I went down to the ER to meet Nathan.

I'm still just reeling with excitement! It was such a cool experience!!!! WOW!

Ok....off to bed I go. Certainly makes me think about going on to do my paramedic and then work at getting on with flight! I think it adds another element of patient care that is just amazing!

Sticky Traps are for catching WHAT?

2008-08-09T14:49:00.002-06:00

It has been dry around here. What does that have to do with anything? Well, it seems that when the creek bed behind our house dries up (or at least ALMOST dries up) we get mice. A LOT of mice! We have been invaded, and I'm not thrilled. I would much rather deal with many other pests, because mice are just nasty! Anyway......back to my post.

So to get rid of these nasty pests we have a few choices, but have decided, for the safety of the little one, we would go with sticky traps. These aren't the most "humane" choice in all honesty, but less of a risk for injury to Jocelyn. In the past, we've had great success in getting mice with the sticky traps. This year, however, it seems some bulletin has been posted about what/how to avoid these traps of death. It seems to be working- the word has spread and we never seem to catch a mouse.

What do we catch you ask? A 32 pound toddler! Yep, not once, not twice, but more than four times now. I began to think it was simply due to the marshmallows we placed on them as "bait". But even the ones with nothing but glue seem to catch her! Let me assure you these "traps" aren't sitting in the middle of the floor! They are placed behind things, in corners that even I have troubles reaching, and so on (I think you get the point). So how is it that my toddler can, in only a few seconds, get to these far off places and manage to get herself "trapped"? Well, inquiring minds want to know!

Yesterday I had to pull her free from said trap, and then proceeded to wash her with soap and water. This did basically NOTHING as far as cleaning her up. Now, by the time I washed her down, I was then having sticky "issues" as well. She had touched my arms, my pants, my EMT radio, the couch, and a number of other surfaces. All would require my attention, and frankly, I had little patience for this clean-up. Grrrrr.....

As I sat down, and tried to reflect on the fact that she is just a toddler exploring her world, I watched her have a National Lampoons Christmas Vacation moment. Do you remember when Clark got himself covered in tree sap? Picture that scene with an almost 2 yr old. Everything she touched she stuck to. It was the plastic zip lock bag that had me laughing so hard I was nearly in tears! She had it in one hand, then had to remove it with the other. It stuck to that hand and no shaking would free it. So she grabs it with the other hand, and so on. She is getting frustrated and flat out angry at this silly bag that refuses to let go of HER! She is now rubbing her hand over her face- and YES even her hair gets some of the attention. Now she is mad enough to just pull and leave some sticky mess in her fine locks. I finally, after much laughing, decide a good mother would step in and help the poor kid out.

The big question was HOW to remove the traces of STICKY glue all over my little one. I finally decided that baby oil is good for about everything....so surely cooking oil would be even better (plus I have a large surplus of cooking oil and NO baby oil). After some good old cooking oil had been lathered all over her hand, arms, legs, and some areas of her face and hair.....she was no longer sticky! She was soft as a baby's bottom once again! :) And had a nice healthy, oily glow!

{sigh} Just another hour in the day in the life of being a mother to a strong willed BUSY toddler! :) .....And this too shall pass!!!!

Funny Funny JOKE! :)

2008-08-06T17:14:00.001-06:00

In this time of political unrest, it is important to know where you stand
on the issues. Here is a short test to determine....

Are you a Democrat, a Republican, or a Redneck?

The answer can be found by posing the following question:

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small
children. Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist (or county commissioner) with a huge
knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities,
praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you.

You are carrying a Kimber 1911 cal. 45 ACP, and you are an expert
shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

WHAT DO YOU DO?
............................................................

THINK CAREFULLY AND THEN SCROLL DOWN:

Democrat's Answer :

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor or oppressed?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think?
What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of
his hand?
What does the law say about this situation?
Does the pistol have appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does
this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to
wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away
while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 9-1-1?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have paint and weed day and make this happier,
healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for few
days and try to come to a consensus.

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

Republican's Answer:

BANG!

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

Redneck's Answer:

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG !

Click..... (Sounds of reloading)

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Click…….

Daughter: 'Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips
or Hollow Points?! '

Son: 'Can I shoot the next one?!'

Wife: 'You ain't taking that to the Taxidermist!’

A hug is all it takes

2008-07-25T21:07:00.002-06:00

You forget sometimes that physical touch is a very powerful tool. It certainly can make the "owies" go away for a child. But sometimes we forget that adults need a hug too.

I have a friend that just found out around 2 wks ago that she has breast cancer. Over the past few weeks she has been through numerous tests. What they know so far is that the cancer probably came from somewhere other than the breast....and she is probably going to have surgery and possibly need a bone marrow transplant. This is a lot to learn in just two weeks. She and her husband are doing as well as could possibly be expected.

What do you say to someone who has had their world turned up-side-down? Really there isn't much you can say. I was able to give her a hug and tell her I was praying for her. I was thinking positive thoughts and would be there in any way I could.

I asked if there was anything I could do to make life a little easier for her and her husband and she actually said that if I could help keep their laundry done it would make life much easier. They don't have a washer and dryer and normally he takes it with him when he goes to Denver for work. But since finding out about this cancer, he hasn't been going to work.

Sometimes you just asking HOW you can help can make their life easier. Otherwise, just be there for them! Also....remember how blessed you are each day!

Mmmm......black toothbrush!

2008-07-24T13:59:00.002-06:00

I went to brush my teeth and found my toothbrush a blackish color! It took me a minute to figure out what could have possibly happened to my toothbrush. I certainly hadn't left it that way! ;) It hit me that my curious toddler had been eating oreo cookies earlier that morning and had gone looking for her siblings before I got her cleaned up. She found my toothbrush and decided to clean her 3 teeth. Thus leaving my toothbrush covered in oreo cookie! It took some scrubbing, but it looks "good as new". Note to self....keep toothbrush further back on bathroom cabinet!

If you're a mom.....you can do ANYTHING!

2008-07-22T11:34:00.004-06:00

That is a TRUE statement! I think being a mom totally qualifies you for any job in the world. We do become experts in almost every area of life. Like what? Janitor, chef, nurse, parole officer, judge, jury, banker, tailor, grocer, taxi, zoo keeper, psychiatrist, counselor, teacher, and the list goes on and on.
My toddler has pretty much tested my ability to do all these things today! She has undone faster than I can possibly do! I've done nothing but tried to fix messes she has made. Today is a true "Calgon, Take me away" day!
Off to fix lunch for the group. Then it is nap time! WOOHOO!

Really??????

2008-07-21T19:15:00.002-06:00

I have 4 kids. Yes 4! When you say the number it seems like a LOT! ;) My kids range from ages 10 to almost 2. I find myself thinking "really?" pretty much all day long. Example?
My almost 2 year old has decided she is the ruler of this house! REALLY? She will climb anything she can, and screams louder than a ship horn when you stop her! Really! She is stubborn (I think she gets that from her father) and has a mind of her own. She can eat more than any 6 year old that I've seen (possibly a 10 year old). And my only thought is....Really? She is a solid tank of a child and those big blue eyes assure her of at least some leeway now and then.
The other three children can't complete with their baby sister when it comes to the amount of trouble she finds. However, they each have their fair share of times when I'm left thinking- really? My oldest has recently found a real knack for my brain to steam and my mind to lose all intelligent words when she walks out wearing my clothes! She is 10!!!! I find her getting into my closet and wearing whatever she wants (including high heals that are clearly 2 sizes to big)! Really? My 9 year old gets that same reaction when she tries that whining/telling thing....all the while trying to act completely innocent herself. Really? And then the only boy of the group, my 6 yr old, when he decides he is much to tired to clean/help/do anything! REALLY?
My children are my pride and joy. They really are. But they also have this amazing ability to drain my power. There is little to no reserve. I feel this way most of the time. It is amazing how you wake up feeling almost refreshed and within just an hour or two feel as though you didn't sleep at all the night before. Am I complaining? No, not really. Just simply stating the truth of the matter. I realize that while I do spend plenty of time saying or just thinking "REALLY?" that I'm blessed to have such a word floating through my head! Without my children, I would surely be bored by daily life and lack of the word "REALLY!"

I decided to take action

2008-07-21T17:37:00.000-06:00

I find that it is hard to me to take action. Just the very word can make me feel a little overwhelmed. It isn't because I'm lazy, but more because I'm indecisive. This weekend in Chicago I decided that I would just take action and stop dragging my feet. I think it is a good choice. My first action is this blog. It will be used for updates about my life and my latest projects. I heard wonderful information from some great speakers this weekend, and will apply much of what I learned from them. You will have to check back and see how the progress is going.