Sicko

Hey everybody out there in blog world! Just wanted to let you know-I'm still here, just sick. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and back to blogging. Right now taking care of a toddler while feeling like crud is about all I can accomplish :).

Excuse Me

So far I have compartmentalized some aspects of my life and left them out of the blog. One of those is medicine. I really do love it. I am a nerd. I like studying. My best subjects were always science and math. I knew I would have to go into a field that is personal, helps people, and that has eternal value. Many of the people I get to encouter, I would not have the chance to interact with them without my job. Even though I do love it, medicine is certainly it's own crazy world. Mostly I felt that people woudn't want to read about it either because they wouldn't be interested or wouldn't want to know anything about it. I think my mind has been changed by this blog. I stumbled on it this week and I love it! Funny and insightful postings about the day-to-day in medicine. On her blog she noted how often she gets asked "what's the weirdest thing you've ever seen?"...and other questions along the same line. I started thinking about what my answer to this question would be and thought I would share one of the experiences that came to mind.

One day I had to see a young-maybe around 20-man. Although he had a terrible injury, that wasn't the interesting part. His mother was with him and the following interaction occurred in a room where there was no door, only a curtain....near the center of the ER where everyone could hear.

Me: Questioning medical history-take any meds? Any allergies? Smoke/Drink/Drugs? etc
and examining patient in preparation for surgery

Patient: Answering questions and being examined

Mother: (while the above is occuring) Lets out enormous, mouth gaping open, 3-5 second burp
that sounded like it should've come from a 350 lb. nascar man. Then "'scuse me"

Patient: MOM?!?!? (clearly embarassed)

Mother: What? I said excuse me

Survivor

Here's the cute suit I found at Old Navy.

Av and I both survived the "survival swimming lessons!" At one point I wasn't sure if the survival was referring to the kids surviving, or the moms surviving with their sanity. The lessons aren't really survival as in "throw the kids in the pool and see if they make it to the stairs." It's more survival in terms of we didn't start off playing games and blowing bubbles. The very first day the kids are going under water a few feet from the wall and given a gentle push to get them going. They're supposed to kick their legs, get to the wall, reach for the ledge, and pull up out of the water.

Today was the last and also the best day. Av was excited to get in the water right away. It is amazing how much she accomplished in 5 days. Today I could stand ~8 feet from the wall/stairs, give Av a push, she would kick her way there, and pull up out of the water. She also kicked all the way across the pool to the edge of the deep end on her own. She was in her circular floatie, but before today she would only kick in it if she was holding onto me. Today she propelled herself and said "Mommy, don't help!" She would also jump off the edge of the pool, go under water, and swim to me. Av even jumped off the diving board to her teacher, Mrs. Michelle. Then Michelle gave her push, Av swam to the ladder and climbed out of the pool!!! I'm so proud of her.

At times it was exhausting for both of us, but it is so worth it. Before this week Av only wanted to be in the pool if I was holding her. Now she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water---and she likes it! Much more important than being fun, it is also a vital skill for her to learn. I hope now that if she were to fall in a pool, she would be able to get herself to the wall and pull up out of the water. I highly recommend it!! I can't wait to spend lots of time in the water this summer

Av and Page enjoying lollipops as their reward!

The Trenches

I completely planned on a fun post today. I was thinking about something like a "my favorite things" list, but it will have to wait. My head and heart just aren't into it today. For those of you that haven't heard, Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter was run over in their driveway yesterday. She was taken to Vanderbilt, but died from the injuries. I can't imagine the range of emotions this family is experiencing at this point. They have set up a blog here if people want to leave messages for them. At the first link there is also an address if you wish to send letters or donations in lieu of flowers. Please join with me in praying for them.

Other families in need of prayer:
-a family here in Dothan recently lost their 2 year old to a drowning accident
-a 2 year old from our church is currently hospitalized in Birmingham for a brain tumor. Just this week she has had to undergo multiple procedures and they are still waiting on the final test results
-My sister-in-law's mother was just diagnosed with a tumor in her neck, also still waiting on test results
-(Same) sister-in-law's 3 year old nephew has been diagnosed with a heart deformity which may require open heart surgery

I know that everyone has their own list of prayer requests, but if you think about it, or as you're reading this, please pray.

Sorry to be so somber today. I knew that all of this had affected me when both my husband and a best friend of mine asked if I was Ok and said I sounded upset when talking with them. I'm thankful we have the hope of God wiping every tear from our eyes, we will have new bodies, and there will be no more death (Rev 21).

Flounder

Floundering is the best word I can use to describe how the last few weeks have been. I'm experiencing a new day to day life of being a stay at-home-mom. I have absolutely loved getting to spend more time with my girl, but it has been an adjustment for me. I am type A-I like a plan and a schedule, so all this "free time" has thrown me a little bit. We have started swimming lessons this week, and I know it sounds crazy, but even that little bit of structure has been such a blessing to me. Of course, all of you who are moms know that we still have our off days. So here is a list that certainly will not make it to the All-Stars of moms.

1. Yesterday Av had 2 sippy cups in use by dinner-time. One was the pink cup with fresh milk, the other was the blue cup I had given her earlier in the day, but hadn't seen for quite some time. I had that awful, sinking feeling when I realized I knew it was in circulation, but didn't know it's location. Could it be in the playroom, the car, a drawer, outside? Where are all the places that a 2 year old might put a sippy cup? As if that's a question that can be answered in anything shorter than a dissertation. I looked everywhere I could think of without success. About 30 minutes later Av walked into the kitchen while I was cooking and took a sip out of the "missing" cup. She immediately informed that is was "yuck!! Yuck-O Momma, yucky milk! Yuck, yuck, yucky!" Oh yes, we all know what I found when I had the pleasure of opening the cup to clean it...I won't describe the gory details.

2. I was again that mom at the pool today. We started swimming lessons this week, and they're pretty hard core lessons. I am very thankful Av is taking lessons because they are vital and life saving. Av normally loves to be in water, but for some reason is not having a good reaction to the pool. We started Mon. and most of the kids (~18mos-4yrs) cried off and on during the lessons. While basically everyone else in the class was enjoying by today, Av was still at the weeping and gnashing of teeth level. It was honestly one of the most discouraging moments I have experienced as a mom. I know that sounds crazy since it's just swim lessons, but she is almost never the fearful child crying for 15 minutes straight and screaming "I don't like the pool, I want to get out! I want to go home!" I finally carried Av and my exasperated self out of the pool to the bathroom to have a stern discussion about being obedient, calm, and nice. Thankfully, this was my most successful tactic. She was cooperative the rest of the time and was laughing, cheering, and overall enjoying it. I'm still amazed by how far even a little bit of discipline will get you! The pic above is from the beach last year, I'll have pics from the lessons soon.

3. When we got home Av and I took a shower. Since we're blondes we get green hair from chlorine. Side note-a pointer I learned when I was a green-headed child is wet your hair before you get in the pool, so the hair doesn't absorb as much chlorine water. After the shower we ate lunch and Av took a nap. When she got up from the nap I noticed her hair looked wet/greasy. At first I thought she was just hot and sweaty from her nap, which is often the case, but it continued. Why was her greasy, we had just taken a shower before naptime. I came to the conclusion that I forgot to wash the conditioner out of her hair.

Overall, it has been a great day. I got to spend it with Av and J, and Av is making progress swimming. I wanted to get new swimsuits for both of us and found them at the 1st place I stopped. Got one for Av at Old Navy where toddler suits are sale for $10! The one I got her is similar to this one. I am a sunscreen nazi and love that it has sleeves to protect her chest and shoulders-and the material is UV protective!! After Old Navy I walked next door to TJ Maxx, only tried on one suit, liked and bought it. When does that ever happen that you only need to make one stop for a suit. I was spared what could have been an afternoon of psychological torture inflicted on me by the dressing room mirror. We even took Av for the rare treat of Bruster's after dinner. Since she's under 40" she gets a free cone! This was her first ice cream cone and she devoured it! Another fun Bruster's treat you could use tomorrow is: you get a banana split 1/2 off if you bring your own banana on Thursday's.

I'm off to bed, we'll see what mishaps happen tomorrow.

Strength for Today

I've been meaning to post this for a few days now and just haven't gotten around to doing it. For one thing, being vulnerable on a blog is easier since it's not out loud and feels much like writing in a journal, but harder because I'm opening that journal up for anyone to see. In an electronic form of communication I'm always afraid it's more difficult to express yourself since people can't see your face and hear your voice. I hope that any posts I write about faith and what I'm learning don't come across as "preachy." Please know, I'm not writing this because I have the answers about it, but only because I'm struggling through the process of learning it myself.

Lately I've been reading, A Godward Life, by John Piper. What I love about it is that each chapter is a few pages long, and on differing topics, so it reads like a devotional book. I love Piper's writing. Even though it's concise, it is also full of wisdom and theological truth that my mind goes back to throughout the day. If I ever live in Minneapolis, we will probably go to his church, Bethlehem Baptist-even though we consider ourselves Presbyterians :)!

A few days ago I read pgs 25-27 titled "Today's Mercies for Today's Troubles" and I have reflected on it since. During this period of changing jobs and uncertainty in front of us, it has been a firm foundation for me. I wanted to share it since so many of my friends and fellow bloggers are in stressful times as well. The main scripture is Matthew 6:34 "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." The surrounding verses Matt 6:25-34 are also excellent: ""Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Piper says "Often we feel like our reservoir of strength is not going to last for another day. The fact is, it won't. Today's resources are for today, and part of those resources is the confidence that new resources will be given tomorrow." As Lamentations 3:22-23 states "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Piper's description is "God's mercies are new every morning because each day has enough mercy in it only for that day. This is why we tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow's load on today's resources. God wants us to know that we won't. Today's mercies are for today's troubles. Tomorrow's mercies are for tomorrow's troubles."

His final point reminds us of the Israelites and God's daily provision of manna. Each Israelite was instructed to take as much as was needed for that day. If they tried to save it for the next day the manna was rotten and full of maggots. If today I think how will I make it through tomorrow, next week, next month, etc...I can't get through tomorrow on what God has given me today. I have to wait for the mercies/strength/manna that He will provide for me tomorrow to face the tasks of that day.

How well He knows us (me). We are (I am) too independent left to our own choosing and pride. We have been created for a continual need and dependence on Him each day, every day. Thank you Lord that you know not only tomorrow, but also every day. That when the time arises, you provide the strength needed for that day, even if I don't have that strength today-because I don't need it today. In a sense, when we feel we can't face what the next day holds, that's a correct thought. We can't face what the next day holds until that day. Help me to use what you have given me today to the fullest. May I be expended at the end of each day, not trying to hold your strength and mercies in reserve-that it would necessitate dependence on you as I wake each morning.

Why Bother?

J and I bit the bullet this year and joined a pool/tennis club in town. We thought Av was at the age she would enjoy the pool and being with friends. Yesterday was the first day the pool was open and we decided to go and get out of the house on such a beautiful day. This is how the 'great idea' followed. I asked Av if she wanted to go to the pool. I expected to get an excited "yes" in return. Instead I got a very firm "No!" Great. Well, I decided we weren't going to sit inside all day and she would enjoy the pool once we were there. She fought to get into her swimsuit, but she was calm when while I applied her sunscreen.

We finally arrived at the pool and I was relieved to see a crowd for opening day, including friends. I set our bag in a chair and sat down to take off our cover-ups. Av informed me that she didn't want either of us to take off our cover-ups and that she wanted us to lay down with her blanket. I proceeded to to take off my cover-up and carry Av to the baby pool-thinking that it was shallow and warmer and maybe I would have success there. I sat on the edge of the pool with Av on my lap. After a while I took off her cover-up and attempted to get into the water with her. That resulted in me having the only child at the pool who was kicking and screaming to get out of the pool-I was that mom. We went back to Av sitting in my lap and splashing her feet in the pool. We spent the rest of the time running around in the playground area, which, thankfully, Av enjoyed.

By the time we made it back home it was already naptime, so we ate a quick lunch. I always take Av to the potty before nap/bedtime and she likes this policy since it prolongs going to bed. Normally she says "Mommy, shut the door" which means she wants me to step out so she can have her privacy. After a few minutes I thought that certainly she was finished, then I heard banging around. This is what I found upon opening the door.

Av had opened a jar of lotion and spread it on the counters, knobs, doors, herself, and the floor. To her credit, she did offer to help me clean it, but in the process unraveled almost an entire role of toilet paper. Looking back, you would think I should have learned my lesson after this day.Today the most exciting thing we did was go to Target and get a bed rail. We spent the afternoon napping and relaxing. We had to rest up for swim lessons that start tomorrow. Hopefully, they will be more successful than yesterday's outing. Yikes, I'm quite nervous.

Conspiracy Theory?

I'm not normally a believer of conspiracy theories, but I might be heading that way after reading this. Even though many automotive and oil companies discuss the future and how much they are spending on research, we won't be reducing our oil dependence any time soon. For example, Chevrolet, has a gas-friendly to gas-free plan on it's website as follows: fuel efficiency-ethanol-hybrid-electric-fuel cell. Hybrid cars have only slightly improved gas mileage-the Tahoe hybrid now has 22mpg highway/21 mpg city. Ethanol seems to be a failed idea before it even got off the ground. Are we going to see $5-10 a gallon? Will our hard earned money continue to fund middle eastern countries and set record profits for oil companies? OK, I'm going to stop the ranting and get to the point of this post.

Larry Thrasher is an Alabama man with 30 years of mechanical/automotive experience. He, apparently along with rest of us, was exasperated by rising oil prices with little hope for them improving soon. A little over a year ago he started trying to develop his own solution. His Cadillac is now getting 51 mpg (before was 19 mpg) and his wife is getting 71 mpg-with almost no emissions. He has done this with fuel cell/hydrogen technology in his own garage! If he was able to make this work in about a year, why are billion dollar companies unable to do so? I know it's much more complicated than I am making it and I don't understand the technology behind all this, but it sure does make me wonder.

Here's a list of some other links.
http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8311741
http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/blog2/index.php/hydrogen-cars/hydrogen-gas-saver-in-small-alabama-town/
http://www.hartselleenquirer.com/articles/2008/05/14/news/news1.txt

The park and popsicles

Yesterday we had a fun morning with Darby and her girls, Tami and Judson, and MW at the park. Here's Av and Morgan jumping together.
Page and her pigtails.

This evening started out fun. Av and I were dancing in the den and twirling. Loads of fun..until Av lost her balance and tumbled headfirst into the coffee table. The end result was a big knot on her forehead, a cut right between her eyes, and a mouthful of blood. My brother and Jonathan both injured their front teeth as toddlers. Will's fall resulted in a greenish front tooth until he lost it and J was missing a tooth until his permanent teeth came in! For a second I thought we must just be doomed when in comes to kids and teeth. Thankfully Will and J's injuries were baby teeth and both handsome with nice smiles now.She was better after a popsicle, many kisses, and watching what she refers to as "The little girls singing" a.k.a., The Sound of Music.

I think we might have to invest in a bed rail. She asked to sleep in the big bed again tonight!

Sleep Tight

My little girl is growing up and I know that's exactly what should be happening. She is created to grow, learn, and change. We are to "train a child in the way she should go" Prov 22:6. I have told myself all of this....but it's still making my heart ache! It started a couple nights ago when she asked if she could have a pillow in her crib. I thought, no big deal, she won't even use it most of the night. She'll probably wake up with her head at the other end of the crib and her feet on the pillow. Wrong!!! She stayed on the pillow in the same position all night! Very unlike my girl that is normally in a different position every time I check on her when she's sleeping. That was the first step. Step 2 occurred right before bedtime tonight. Av has her crib and a bed in her room. She sometimes likes to sit or read in the bed and tonight she asked to get on the bed. Normal...I thought. Right when she got in the bed she asked to get under the covers...ok..then turn the lights out...ok..then said "Mommy, shut the door" which is her code for saying that she wants to be in the room alone, so I should head out and shut the door behind me! What?!?! I stood outside the door and my heart leapt when about 10 seconds later she asked me to come back in the room. I went back in the room and she asked me to get under the covers and lie down on the pillow with her. We sang nighttime songs and said prayers. I love those quiet, special moments. Eventually, we got up to get ready for bed and she went to sleep in the crib without too much of a fight :). Yet another instance in this season of life where I'm reminded that I'm not in control. I always thought I would be the one to decide when it was time to go to a "big girl" bed and that it would be a fight, that she would want to stay in her crib. Clearly it's that I'm the one who's not ready for this change, and the countless others that have yet to occur. I sure do love my little girl, and I'm thankful that God loves her more. He has formed her to be someone that I don't completely know yet. He knows all her changes, when they will happen, and what they will be and knowing that comforts me. Trying to keep her where she is only holds her back from where God is taking her. Thank you, Lord, that she is really your's more than she is mine. I know... isn't this a little much for just going from the crib to the bed. Yes, I suppose it is, but the big picture truths help with the small moments in between.

Subject #2: Please pray. I should already be in bed for a 6:30 am meeting in the morning. I am talking with 2 places about job possibilities tomorrow.

Dollars and Sense

Since we've had an unforeseen shift to make us a one income household we had to have a budget realignment. J and I reworked our budget to function within his income and I thought I would share some of what we've experienced.
1. I'm so thankful that we took a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace course a few years ago. It revolutionized how we handle money and made a huge positive impact on our marriage. Had we not completed the classes, circumstances like we're in now would have been much harder for us. I encourage anyone who hasn't taken these classes to do so.
2. We've limited going out to eat and gotten creative with cooking. Our pantry/fridge/freezer always has food, and yet I go to the store weekly. Now, we're cooking off of what we already have in the house and only buying what we have to have...and an occasional bottle of wine :)
3. Limit driving and combine errands. For example, I had to go to the bank this week, so I went this morning since I would be driving by it on my way to an appointment. The park, gym, running trail, multiple friends' houses, and a grocery store are all within walking distance. This has accomplished 2 things-less gas and less shopping=more money saved! Trying to avoid things like "dropping by Target"--mostly b/c when I did go there to return something last week that cute black sundress was almost too tempting.
4. We've also cleaned out closets. We donated some of it to charity. Not exactly cash in hand, but it will be a good tax deduction next year. I think I might try ebaying some of the other items. I've never sold anything on ebay before and I feel somewhat daunted by it since I have a very low technological IQ.
5. Another Dave Ramsey pointer-ask for discounts. We called our phone/cable/internet provider and found a better plan for less than we were paying! One phone call will save us $360 this year! J's truck has a cracked windshield (when it rains, it pours) and he called a number of places to get estimates. He asked one of the national chains if they would give any discounts and they took off $50. Two little calls and about 5 minutes saved us $80 this month!!
I'm sure that you have great money saving tips as well, so share them please!!

On the job front-no major news. Still just some possibilities, nothing definite at this point. At times it has been frustrating/discouraging to me. One day it will seem like something is going to work out, and the next day it is still up in the air with even more unresolved questions. I am getting ancy-add the budget saving strategy, and today I have a bit of restless cabin fever. I know that God is good and sovereign. He knows the next step. Please pray for what's next...and my attitude!

Movies by Moonlight

Av was finally consistently feeling well this weekend!! I was so excited because this was my first mother's day I had that I wasn't taking care of a sick husband or sick child! We had a great weekend. Friday we went to watch Shrek the Third played outside. That was the first time we done that and it was such a great night. It was put on by Southern Linc. Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer. We took our tailgating chairs, a blanket, and packed a picnic dinner. Fantastic and free entertainment. We arrived around 6:30, ate dinner, and let Av run around. The movie didn't start until 7:30 (had to wait until it was dark). Here we are baking cookies to take with us.

Here are some shots from the evening. The first one is Av playing air guitar while she's eating what she refers to as "cornpop"

Av started getting cuddly before the movie started. Since it was almost her normal bedtime I was afraid she was going to konk out on us, but she lasted through the entire night! I hope we can make it to the next movie. For those of you Dothan folks it's Evan Almighty on 6/13.

She's sick, she's fine, she's sick, she's fine....

Well...I thought Av was over whatever she had..until she threw up this morning. This has been going on for over a week now! I think she probably threw up since she hasn't been eating much the last few days. It was only once-right after she drank some water. She hardly ate any breakfast. Still no fever and the places on her leg continue to get better.

This afternoon (after holding her lunch down) we did get to have fun time outside. We walked to the park that is down the road from our house and played there for a while. We also worked in our yard helping J take limbs down, drag them to the street, and rake the yard. Here's Av prepared to work in the yard. Outfit of choice is a Minnie Mouse leotard with tutu that she outgrew 2 sizes ago so it only comes down to her waist with the snaps hanging open, hence the skirt she's wearing with the leotard, her purple rake from the sandbox, and to top the look-oversized white sunglasses!

This is the completed "after" shot of the new sod. The before shots were posted within the last 1-2 weeks.

Milking It

Here was my little sicky last night.

She did seem to be feeling better-no fever and the areas on her leg are almost gone, but she was still somewhat pitiful. We have been on a cleaning out the house kick and after dinner we worked on an armoire in the front room that was crammed full of china, serving dishes, and a bunch of other random stuff. We set Av up on the couch with The Jungle Book in the portable DVD player.I knew she was feeling better when she got off the couch to help me dust. She loves being a helper!! What you can't see in the picture is the contents of the armoire strewn all over the front room and dining room. We separated into a donate pile, trash pile, and keep pile. Now what we're keeping is organized with room to spare. Later I really knew Av was on the upswing when I told her it was time for bed and she ran into the den proclaiming she wanted us to do somersaults. Let's just say that if she were in school, she would have gone to school today!

Now that we're adjusting to one income for a while we've found that house/yard projects are a good and free way for us to spend time together (sans TV!) and be productive. It feels great to have all of those places that were overflowing cleaned out now. It's also a great incentive to eat off of what we already have in the deep freeze and cabinets. As a result we're trying new recipes and just getting the basics at the store.

Job update-I have some promising possibilities, so we'll see where it takes us. God really has been so good to us over the week. Even though we're short a paycheck, J received an expense check this week and we got our tax returns. For an added bonus, the state caught a mistake that actually gave us MORE money on our return!! When does that ever happen?!?!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Emily, Martha, Christine, and me AAhhhh, what a great weekend! I got to have a girls' weekend at the beach sans husband and child. The above pictures are at the Red Bar for dinner on Sat. night. I don't know what happened to the camera in the second picture, but we thought a red pic was appropriate since we were at the Red Bar! I would love to say it was some artistic photo we shot, but it was a complete goof! We had a fantastic time together. Great fun, fellowship, and lots of laughs. It was so encouraging and refreshing. There is such a level of comfort and relaxation being with friends that I can completely be myself around. I have certainly been blessed with exceptional friendships, new and old. If only we all lived closer together instead of 10 hours away. Already looking forward to our next trip.

J survived the weekend with Av and thankfully the inflamed areas on her leg improved. Of course until I came home. She woke up with fever this am. Av is rarely sick-last week was actually the first time I have ever taken her to the Dr. for a sick visit. She had fever as high as 103. Called the Dr. and was instructed to alternate tylenol and motrin. Since her leg is improving it's hard to know if the fever is related to her leg or if it's a separate issue. I guess when it rains, it pours. She's so pitiful when she's sick-no energy (still and quiet are my first clues she doesn't feel well), dark circles under her eyes, no appetite, and she wants to cuddle and be held all day. I have to admit part of me enjoys the cuddling since it's almost the only time she still enough to that lay in my lap for that long. Most of the time she sits with me just long enough to read a story. She did seem to be feeling better when I put her to bed this evening. Hopefully there will be more improvement tomorrow.

Still no major news on the job front. A few possibilities, but nothing definite at this point. Please continue to pray!

Yeah!!!!

We went to the pediatrician this am and he said Av doesn't appear to have MRSA/infection!! Yes, I know, I was just paranoid, but I'm used to seeing the worst with the kids in our clinic so unfortunately I worry about the worst case scenario. He said just continue doing what we were already doing-benadryl and warm compresses. Praise the Lord!!! It was such a relief this morning. That's it for now, thanks for your prayers!!!

No Mommy!

Av was cracking me up today. Lately she has become soooo independent. I often hear "let Avery do it! Don't help momma!" That's right, she talks about herself in the third person. My mom just laughs at me and tells me I'm getting what I deserve since I frequently told her "I'll do it myself!" when I was Av's age. She thinks she can do it all on her own. She wants to get water out the door spout on the fridge, feed the dogs, cook, take her shoes on and off, change clothes, swiffer, vacuum, and many others. It's very cute. Some of it is actually helpful, other "activities" make quite a mess. I think she has also decided that if she can't do something, neither can J and I. Recently she has gotten in trouble a number of times for taking contraband items off counters and especially J's desk. She decided to play a little role reversal today. I was looking in J's desk for a receipt when Av ran up to me and said "Mommy! Don't touch Papa's desk!" Then she ran into the kitchen, opened a utensil drawer and got a spatula. She returned to the office with the spatula and said "Mommy, you need a spank!" She then proceeded to pop me on the leg with the spatula and say "Mommy you be nice! Do you understand me?! Say 'yes ma'am'!" I think I remember someone telling me that your kids are a good reflection of your own words and actions. It was absolutely hilarious. It was one of those moments as a parent that I knew I shouldn't laugh, that I should explain I am the parent/authority, she doesn't talk to me that way-or spank me for that matter, but I couldn't help it! I started laughing. This, of course, encouraged her and throughout day I heard "Mommy! Do you understand me? Be nice to Av!" I love this age, it's so fun.

Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to take her to the pediatrician in the morning. She has a few bumps on her leg that at first I thought were bug bites, but they're getting larger and one of them is hard. To make matters worse I called a pediatrician friend of mine and he said it was probably either bug bites with a bad reaction or a skin infection like MRSA. Great, it's either nothing or possibly the worst bacteria she could get. AArrrgghhh. Yet another thing to deal with this week. Lord give me the strength, as I know only you can. I'm comforted by the fact that I know God is good, He loves us, and has a plan for us. So for those of you praying out there the request list is now; Brian's family, job for Lindsey, Av's health and healing. Thanks for the prayers and support.

As for the job, I did have some forward progress today. I contacted a number of places for job possibilities, so we'll see where everything ends up. We're continuing to try to trust God and His sovereignty. I know that He will direct my paths and that He has the next step for us.