Stunned

Last night my husband got a call from a very good friend's sister (this person is who my husband considers his best friend).

She told him that this friend is in the hospital....a mental hospital.

Apparently this friend has suffered from schizophrenia for many years.

We had no idea.

My prayers go out to his friend and his family. My heart aches for my husband who is second guessing his interactions with his friend and wondering how he can help. I pray that he finds the right words and that he will be an anchor for his friend.

The mind of a 4 year old

This morning I am making Monkey Bread. Something I know all my kids love and we have two other kids staying with us for the weekend, so I thought I would be domestic.

My Matty (who by the way is only 3 days from being 5.) asked me what I was making so I told him.

He said "why, are monkeys coming to our house?"

Fear the Circle

Tomorrow Hannah's class is celebrating Pi Day because 3/14 is on Saturday.

She gets to take any dessert that is in the shape of a circle. I guess they will be measuring everything.

I said I would bake a round cake for her. I am even going to try to make a Pi on the cake with sprinkles.

Confession time:

I used to love as a kid to lick the mixers and the bowl when my mom made anything. I guess I still love it....I waited to mix the batter until Hannah had left for softball and the boys were in the shower so I could lick the bowl all by myself!!

Burdens

Last night I attended my church's Lenten Mission.

We were asked to write down our "burdens" to give them to Jesus.

My Burdens:

• Letting my anxiety overwhelm me to the point that I don't see the blessings that I have.
• My inability to accept/forgive the shortcomings of someone in our lives.
• Being petty.

We all put our "burdens" in a basket and went outside. The priest (Father Ricardo...the best priest I have ever met) burned them all.

I hope I can truly give these burdens over to God....I know if I do that I my heart will feel lighter.

Knowing your roots

We have had Hunter now for almost 5 months, but he was not a puppy when we got him. He was around a year and a half. We got him from a rescue group and they weren't sure of his exact breed. He looks like a German Shepherd, but you could tell he looked a little different.

Well, we had a trainer come out to our house a couple weeks ago to give us a quote on some training. He told us that he thought maybe Hunter is a Belgian Malinois (pronounced MAL-in-wah).

I was amazed at the photos I saw and the temperament of the Malinois....it fit Hunter almost exactly. His eyes are always alert and his legs and body are really long.

I know that I love him no matter what, but I think it helps us be better "parents" when we know a little more about his breed!!

What do you think?

A photo from the Internet....

Our Hunter

Another long day in store for me???

Yesterday seemed to go on FOREVER!!!

The day started with the news that my neighbor's parents died in a car accident over the weekend (they were around 80). Then we had an orthodontic appointment for Hannah...Pete wasn't feeling well so I took her. Everything went well, except the doctor really wants us to get 3 teeth pulled...we don't have jobs or insurance so it will need to wait. It only means a delay, not a big deal, but it bothers me.

When I got home from taking Hannah back to school and getting groceries, Pete said he wanted to go to the doctor because his throat was killing him. We went to the Minute Clinic at CVS and after an agonizing ordeal to get a culture (because Pete couldn't seem to keep his tongue down) he has strep. Thanks to Publix, we got our free antibiotics and he should feel better soon.

Hannah gets off the bus in tears...her throat and head were really hurting. I called our pediatrician and begged for antibiotics without us having to bring her in. Fortunately he called it in to Publix...so another trip to the store. She is home today and hopefully will be feeling better soon!!

I checked our messages once we got home and we had received two calls from the school nurse, for Davis. His stomach was hurting because "he ate lunch too fast" and then the nurse said that the rash he has under his nose is probably an infection. He has been picking it and so it looks so bad. I put peroxide on it and then coated it with antibiotic cream. I sent the cream with him to school....hopefully that will clear it up without a visit to the doctor.

After I got everyone settled, I headed to the church for a wake for a wonderful man, Ed Oudt, who passed away suddenly on Friday. He was 73 and it came as quite a shock. As I sat there last night, I couldn't help but think that I don't want to be in the Oudt's shoes anytime soon. I am not ready to say goodbye to either of my parents. My hearts go out to Trudy (his wife) and his "children".

I took Dave to the bus this morning and he was in a great mood. He asked me to come to lunch with him and I said if he didn't go to the nurse today that I would go tomorrow. At 7:15, phone rings...it is the school. Davis is in the office and his stomach is really hurting and is crying. I tell him that he needs to relax and breathe. He said he missed me and that is why his stomach hurts. I didn't know what to do...so I told him I would go to lunch today if he would try to go to class. Yum...I am eating school lunch (can you hear the sarcasm?)!!! I think I need to have a conversation with his teacher to figure out what we can do about his stomach.

I guess I need to get a move on....I am supposed to be job hunting and I am hoping for a shower today!!

Excuse me Tooth Fairy....but this time it is for REAL

Matt lost his first real tooth today (see here for the explanation of his front teeth)!!

It has been loose for a little while and he has been a bit concerned about it. He told me on Friday when I picked him up from school that he was scared people would laugh at him when it came out.

I am not surprised he is losing them so early....his first tooth (probably the one he lost today) popped through at 4 months and I only found it because I happen to put my finger in his mouth. He was never unbearable when he was teething.

Congrats Mattman......I am sure the Tooth fairy is just as excited to get another tooth!!

I think his other bottom tooth will fall out in a day or so.....hopefully he won't be as concerned about this one!!