Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Got the addresses! No worries! My cats, I have been deeply wounded by my mother-in-law, please pray for God's wisdom on my part and that I could let go of my anger. I just want to scream at her and maybe slap her in the face! Well, enough melodrama! Please just pray and let me know if you think I mistreat my husband and children. Thanks and Merry Christmas as always! V
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Nostalgia...
I'm sitting here at my parents' computer listening to Mariah Carey's Christmas music. I wish we could be back in the bathroom of our old Johnson Hall suite wearing just our shirts and panties, donning Santa hats and singing into hair brushes. There was always such a charge in air those weeks that followed Thanksgiving break. Those were special days my ladies...
Nowadays I find other wonderful ways to celebrate the holidays...like making cookies with 'little helpers', sweeping up broken ornaments, explaining that Baby Jesus had a very 'special Father' and, my personal favorite, playing 'reindeer games' with Mr. E with nothing but the Christmas lights on! (I knew you guys would love this one!)
Christmas is always such a nostalgic part of my year--not only do I have all the memories from when I was a child but you all are also part of the memory bank. You are my family as well and I would love to spend it with you all in a more cozy way than this silly blog. Know that I love you all and you are special to me.
L
Nowadays I find other wonderful ways to celebrate the holidays...like making cookies with 'little helpers', sweeping up broken ornaments, explaining that Baby Jesus had a very 'special Father' and, my personal favorite, playing 'reindeer games' with Mr. E with nothing but the Christmas lights on! (I knew you guys would love this one!)
Christmas is always such a nostalgic part of my year--not only do I have all the memories from when I was a child but you all are also part of the memory bank. You are my family as well and I would love to spend it with you all in a more cozy way than this silly blog. Know that I love you all and you are special to me.
L
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Anybody got any ideas for healthy snacks for me and for my kids? I know how to be healthy but I appreciate other ideas from you all! Also, any recipes or ideas for a brunch that I am hosting on Friday. Merry Christmas my cats! I saw a picture frame at Kohl's that had the word CATS cut out so you could fill the letters in with pictures. I laughed outloud! MIss you all and hope to see you when the ice melts! V
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Another year older
Happy Birthday ByrdCat! We love you!
I had my 32 week appointment today. All is well. The doc said next appointment I can set a date- woohoo! That will be Dec. 23rd and then I think I have to go back every week until delivery and have an ultrasound, nonstress test and doctor visit- not looking forward to that because they take forever, but at least we are getting close to the end.
I had my 32 week appointment today. All is well. The doc said next appointment I can set a date- woohoo! That will be Dec. 23rd and then I think I have to go back every week until delivery and have an ultrasound, nonstress test and doctor visit- not looking forward to that because they take forever, but at least we are getting close to the end.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
What a Week!
Ok, cats. It's been a wild week for us. We just got home yesterday afternoon from the hospital and are trying to regroup.
Wednesday night we went to bed and then at 1:00 in the morning, Campbell woke up with a fever of 102. I called the pediatrician and the nurse on call said to take her into the emergency room right away. I took her in, and Steve stayed with the twins. The thing is, Steve's cell phone died earlier that day, and he'd left his charger in KY last weekend- so he had no phone and no way to charge his phone. I knew that whenever I found out anything at the hospital, I had no way to let him know. I got there and they immediately ran a bunch of tests: urine test-she had to be catheterized, started an IV, which didn't work in her arm or the right side of her head, but finally worked in the left side of her head, several blood tests, and a spinal tap. All the while I was alone in the middle of the night with her and no way to talk to Steve. Then they told us she had to be admitted for a minimum of 48 hours to wait for all of the cultures be be run and make sure she didn't have a systemic infection. This is all because she's under 2 months old and therefore has an underdeveloped immune system, so it's pretty much automatic with a fever over 100.5. I called my mom, who was supposed to be coming up the next night along with my grandma, grandpa, and aunt to meet Campbell and go to our Christmas show. She packed her bags and headed up right away.
We waited and passed the time at the hospital, and my mom watched the twins so Steve could come to the hospital. That night my grandparents and aunt stayed with the twins so my mom could sit with Campbell at the hospital and Steve and I could go to the dress rehearsal. The next day mom, the twins, my grandparents and my aunt came to visit us at the hospital. We went down to the cafeteria for lunch and my mom didn't eat because she said that her stomach was a little upset. That night she was too sick to go to the show so all of us went but her. It was catered by ChickfilA and as soon as the twins got their food, Adeline puked all over herself and Anderson, and unreal amount of vomit. My aunt took the two of them home, but my grandparents stayed. After the show, I stopped by the house to check on my mom and Adeline before returning to the hospital to stay the night with Campbell. I walked in the house and it smelled like puke, I could hear my grandma in the bathroom throwing up. Adeline and my mom had continued to throw up, and Anderson had lethal diarrhea. I got out of there as fast as I could. While we were at the hospital that night, Steve got sick and threw up so much he had to be taken downstairs to the ER and started on IV fluids because he was dehydrated as well as drugs they give chemo patients to stop the vomitting. My aunt also got sick that night at my house. I made Steve go home when he was released from the ER and made then come in and clean and disinfect the room for Campbell and me. The next morning my grandpa woke up sick. So all 7 people at my house were barfing their guts up, (as well as coping with the scoots) and I felt like I was in some horrible end of the world movie where everyone was dying around me and I was waiting to get it, too. I thought I lucked out, until the following evening. I got it, too- at the hospital. I was violently throwing up every few minutes, and trying to nurse Campbell who was still attached to an IV between puking sessions through the night. It was absolutely horrible, but we are all home now and trying to get well. No one at my house it throwing up now, (my grandparents are back in Indiana and still throwing up, though) we are just fighting nausea and not really ready for solid food, yet. If we never repeat this past week it will be way too soon!!!!
-fulty
Wednesday night we went to bed and then at 1:00 in the morning, Campbell woke up with a fever of 102. I called the pediatrician and the nurse on call said to take her into the emergency room right away. I took her in, and Steve stayed with the twins. The thing is, Steve's cell phone died earlier that day, and he'd left his charger in KY last weekend- so he had no phone and no way to charge his phone. I knew that whenever I found out anything at the hospital, I had no way to let him know. I got there and they immediately ran a bunch of tests: urine test-she had to be catheterized, started an IV, which didn't work in her arm or the right side of her head, but finally worked in the left side of her head, several blood tests, and a spinal tap. All the while I was alone in the middle of the night with her and no way to talk to Steve. Then they told us she had to be admitted for a minimum of 48 hours to wait for all of the cultures be be run and make sure she didn't have a systemic infection. This is all because she's under 2 months old and therefore has an underdeveloped immune system, so it's pretty much automatic with a fever over 100.5. I called my mom, who was supposed to be coming up the next night along with my grandma, grandpa, and aunt to meet Campbell and go to our Christmas show. She packed her bags and headed up right away.
We waited and passed the time at the hospital, and my mom watched the twins so Steve could come to the hospital. That night my grandparents and aunt stayed with the twins so my mom could sit with Campbell at the hospital and Steve and I could go to the dress rehearsal. The next day mom, the twins, my grandparents and my aunt came to visit us at the hospital. We went down to the cafeteria for lunch and my mom didn't eat because she said that her stomach was a little upset. That night she was too sick to go to the show so all of us went but her. It was catered by ChickfilA and as soon as the twins got their food, Adeline puked all over herself and Anderson, and unreal amount of vomit. My aunt took the two of them home, but my grandparents stayed. After the show, I stopped by the house to check on my mom and Adeline before returning to the hospital to stay the night with Campbell. I walked in the house and it smelled like puke, I could hear my grandma in the bathroom throwing up. Adeline and my mom had continued to throw up, and Anderson had lethal diarrhea. I got out of there as fast as I could. While we were at the hospital that night, Steve got sick and threw up so much he had to be taken downstairs to the ER and started on IV fluids because he was dehydrated as well as drugs they give chemo patients to stop the vomitting. My aunt also got sick that night at my house. I made Steve go home when he was released from the ER and made then come in and clean and disinfect the room for Campbell and me. The next morning my grandpa woke up sick. So all 7 people at my house were barfing their guts up, (as well as coping with the scoots) and I felt like I was in some horrible end of the world movie where everyone was dying around me and I was waiting to get it, too. I thought I lucked out, until the following evening. I got it, too- at the hospital. I was violently throwing up every few minutes, and trying to nurse Campbell who was still attached to an IV between puking sessions through the night. It was absolutely horrible, but we are all home now and trying to get well. No one at my house it throwing up now, (my grandparents are back in Indiana and still throwing up, though) we are just fighting nausea and not really ready for solid food, yet. If we never repeat this past week it will be way too soon!!!!
-fulty
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Battery of an Officer
"A Silent But Deadly Weapon" American Police Beat November 2008: 72
"A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery of a police officer.
Jose A. Cruz, 34, of Clarksburg, was initially pulled over for driving without headlights. According to the criminal complaint, Cruz smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech, and failed three field sobriety tests before he was handcuffed and taken to a police station for a breathalyzer test.
According to police, as Patrolman T.E. Parsons prepared the machine, Cruz scooted his chair toward Parsons, lifted his leg and "passed gas loudly," the complaint said. Cruz, police say, then hand-fanned the gas toward the officer.
"The gas was very odorous and created contact of an insulting or provoking nature with Patrolman Parsons," the complaint alleged. He was also charged with driving under the influence, driving without headlights and two counts of obstruction. Cruz acknowledged passing gas, but said he didn't move his chair toward the officer not aim gas at the patrolman. He said he has an upset stomach at the time, but police denied his request to go to the bathroom."
"Butt Bandit"
"Mysterious 'Butt Bandit' Continues to Leave His Mark." American Police Beat November 2008: 38
"As far as bizarre vandalism goes, it doesn't get much worse than the elusive butt bandit. The mystery offender had been giving the good people of Valentine, Nebraska a good look at his hindquarters for more than a year.
The man moves from one business to another inthe town of 2,650, pressing his greasy rear against the storefront windows, which leaves an imprint.
Many storeowners and church employees have reportedly had to clean petroleum jelly and lotion off of the windows he's smeared with his butt cheeks.
Polis Chief Ben McBride says the case is the weirdest that he's ever seen.
After breaking for a few months last year, the Bandit resumed his activities last summer.
"People said he was done," McBride told the Associated Press. "Then he started back up this summer."
He reportedly imprinted several of the windows of a hotel during a recent escapade. It should be pointed out that the nickname is a little misleading: the guy doesn't actually steal anything."
Lazy...
Well it sounds like everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Fulty- I wish I could have caught up with you in Pigeon Forge, maybe next time! You can check out our festivities at my blog (I am lazy and don't want to type it again) http://theswartzfamily3.blogspot.com/
I have the first Sisterhood movie and Swartz always makes fun of me for owning it- but it is a fun movie to watch. And just so you all know, I now officially have an "outie." Oh the joys of pregnancy.
I have the first Sisterhood movie and Swartz always makes fun of me for owning it- but it is a fun movie to watch. And just so you all know, I now officially have an "outie." Oh the joys of pregnancy.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
2 movies you must see
OK kitties--I gotta put a plug in for a couple movies I've watched in the past week. You may roll your eyes put I was genuinly surprised at how good they were. You must see (in order)...drum roll...The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants--both 1 and 2! The premise may be a little cheesy but I really enjoyed watching a movie about a bunch of girlfriends. The movies ended up being a great pick-me-up during these rough last ten days of my life. So please rent them and let them bring a little smile to your heart and know that I love all my dear girlfriends.
Lizzy
A Very Politte Thanksgiving
Well we had a lovely Thanksgiving up in snowy Ohio. Steve's mom and dad came and insisted that I not buy anything or cook anything before they got here. They showed up at our door with a turkey and all the fixin's and I didn't have to lift a finger. It was very nice. My little turkeys were a big hit with the St. Louis grandparents. Carol is convinced that while I was out of the room at some point, Adeline told her clear as day: "Hoffa is buried at the bottom of the stairs." Who knows? Maybe he is. The day after they left, Steve decided we needed a little break. (He's been working non-stop for months on our Christmas show which is coming up on Friday.) So we packed up and headed for Kentucky. On Sunday, we left the twins with my mom and dad (who took them to church alone and thoroughly enjoyed showing them off) and we headed for Gatlinburg. We just hung out the whole day and shopped (and took frequent breaks to nurse Campbell in random parking lots- I'm not really used to that whole "out in public" thing, yet!). Then we met the Blackburns at O'Charley's in Pigeon Forge for dinner. It was so great to see them. and their little girls couldn't be cuter. Molly is so articulate!A great time was had by all and we are back in the land of winter gearing up for the Christmas show. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Miss you!!!
-Fulty
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
My Holiday Report Thus Far
As prescribed, i am taking a break from daily acts of random kindness and goodwill to be obedient and offer up a holiday report. :)
We got home from VA this past Monday. We were in VA for several days of extreme spoiling from Mom-Mom, who was her normal out of control self. We arrived to find a whole new art corner set aside in the corner of the living room, complete with every possible piece of Crayola known to man. Surprised are we? No. Then on top of it all on Saturday we girls had a shopping day so Daniel spent the day with the kids. I guess he got a little zealous and ended up taking them bowling, to Chic Fil A and then to Maggie Moo's icecream and to Books A Million. THEN on top of it all came home to eat french toast sticks for DINNER. Nothing else just sugar, cinnamon and bread. So, needless to say i am spending this week detoxing them, only for mom to be coming down for my birthday on Thursday to stay the weekend. Gotta love the holidays!
Today i took Ava and Atley ALONE to get both of their flu shots. This is always an adventure. My two little darlings could not be any more opposite. Ava asked to "check her number" as soon as we got there, mommy translation: check her weight. Atley would have nothing to do with the scale. From there, Ava spoke to every nurse wanting to know each of their names. Atley only grunted. (As a side note, currently i am having to remind him before we go in certain places that bears live outside and if growls or grunts at people that is where he going to begin living: outside! It generally works.) Anyway, so when the nurse came in Ava volunteered to go first and asked for her shot. She never even winced, smiled at her bandaid and pulled her pants up. Atley on the other hand went nuts, didn't want the snoopy bandaid OR the sticker and told the nurse, "That was rude! I am never coming back here again." Great moment.
One other story, today we went to the mall to pick up a pair of tennis shoes i ordered for Atley from Journeys. As we were walking in there was a See's Candies lady offering samples. I stopped to pick a piece from the basket. At some point in the our short conversation she called Atley "Hon." We were walking off as she said it. A few seconds later i felt Atley pull his hand out of mine and looked back to see him run up to the little old lady and say, "Excuse me. I am not your hon." She laughed and said to me, "I guess that is a good thing." To which he replied, "It's a good thing for you." Oh my. Little twit. I don't know where he gets that little streak.
Ava is turning more girl by the day. She keeps telling me she wants Santa to bring her a phone. She also is obsessed with wearing "wapstick," i.e., chapstick. It is so funny to hear her say it. She is also very good at throwing herself on the floor when annoyed or not receiving her sweet little wishes granted.
We got home from VA this past Monday. We were in VA for several days of extreme spoiling from Mom-Mom, who was her normal out of control self. We arrived to find a whole new art corner set aside in the corner of the living room, complete with every possible piece of Crayola known to man. Surprised are we? No. Then on top of it all on Saturday we girls had a shopping day so Daniel spent the day with the kids. I guess he got a little zealous and ended up taking them bowling, to Chic Fil A and then to Maggie Moo's icecream and to Books A Million. THEN on top of it all came home to eat french toast sticks for DINNER. Nothing else just sugar, cinnamon and bread. So, needless to say i am spending this week detoxing them, only for mom to be coming down for my birthday on Thursday to stay the weekend. Gotta love the holidays!
Today i took Ava and Atley ALONE to get both of their flu shots. This is always an adventure. My two little darlings could not be any more opposite. Ava asked to "check her number" as soon as we got there, mommy translation: check her weight. Atley would have nothing to do with the scale. From there, Ava spoke to every nurse wanting to know each of their names. Atley only grunted. (As a side note, currently i am having to remind him before we go in certain places that bears live outside and if growls or grunts at people that is where he going to begin living: outside! It generally works.) Anyway, so when the nurse came in Ava volunteered to go first and asked for her shot. She never even winced, smiled at her bandaid and pulled her pants up. Atley on the other hand went nuts, didn't want the snoopy bandaid OR the sticker and told the nurse, "That was rude! I am never coming back here again." Great moment.
One other story, today we went to the mall to pick up a pair of tennis shoes i ordered for Atley from Journeys. As we were walking in there was a See's Candies lady offering samples. I stopped to pick a piece from the basket. At some point in the our short conversation she called Atley "Hon." We were walking off as she said it. A few seconds later i felt Atley pull his hand out of mine and looked back to see him run up to the little old lady and say, "Excuse me. I am not your hon." She laughed and said to me, "I guess that is a good thing." To which he replied, "It's a good thing for you." Oh my. Little twit. I don't know where he gets that little streak.
Ava is turning more girl by the day. She keeps telling me she wants Santa to bring her a phone. She also is obsessed with wearing "wapstick," i.e., chapstick. It is so funny to hear her say it. She is also very good at throwing herself on the floor when annoyed or not receiving her sweet little wishes granted.
I suppose this weekend we will hit up Festival of Christmas Ridiculousness, cant miss that outstanding choreography and people dressed up for the outdoors all while singing indoors. And who would pass up a fresh warm cup of some kick ass wassail?
I think that is it for now. Oh we were preaccepted on an application to adopt from Ethiopia. We are considering that for number three. I think i wrote about that already. We are still praying about it. We will see.
Fulty, i am sorry we weren't in town to come eat with you guys! I SO wish we could have!!!
Okay i wanna hear reports!!!! Let it be known that I've been good all day!
Love you all!
Meow.
Mandycat
I think that is it for now. Oh we were preaccepted on an application to adopt from Ethiopia. We are considering that for number three. I think i wrote about that already. We are still praying about it. We will see.
Fulty, i am sorry we weren't in town to come eat with you guys! I SO wish we could have!!!
Okay i wanna hear reports!!!! Let it be known that I've been good all day!
Love you all!
Meow.
Mandycat
Monday, December 1, 2008
In need of a new blog...
Well Kittynesses--
I was tired of seeing my poor pitiful blog so I'm writing a new one. On a more positive and encouraging note I have never in my life received such an outpouring of compassion and kindness as I did last week. I probably received about 20 cards in the mail and we were even blessed with a meal tonight from complete strangers--an Indy friend of mine and her school bought us a dinner and I've never even met any of them. I'm brought to tears when I consider the kindness that has been shown to us. Overall I feel like my body is back to normal and for the most part healed but there is still a huge rent in my heart that will take some time to mend. Sometimes I just feel like crying...
Our life moves on. We put up our Christmas tree the other day and we have to keep our eyes on Dunk every minute--he is sneaky with our tree! I also got out all my nativity sets and showed them to Kenna tonight. I'm helping her to learn and memorize a section of Isaiah 9:6. I find that since I did not grow up learning all these important things about Jesus I really want to impress them upon my kids.
Well, my big Squeeze just got home. He said it's pretty slick outside. I would love a big dump of snow right now. I enjoy holing up in our house like a bunch of field mice.
One funny story about Kenna. This past Sunday her preschool class sang a couple of songs in front of the whole church. Kenna pranced up onto the stage, went right over to the microphone and proceeded to adjust it to fit her. Then she held onto to it so none of the other children could take it from her. When they started to sing she was the only one you could really hear. What a diva! Eli and I were beside ourselves and she was getting many chuckles from the crowd! Oh, have mercy.
Blog about your holidays! I miss hearing from you all.
Lizzy
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