Friday, February 29, 2008

Spiritual Birthday

Today we are celebrating Isaac's spiritual birthday. In our family it is important to us to celebrate the day that we each gave our lives to the Lord. Isaac did this on February 25, 2001. So today we are focusing on Isaac's committment to the Lord. To make it extra special, he gets to choose his favorite meal and dessert for me to make for him. Then we say a special prayer, thanking the Lord for Isaac and praying that he will continue to grow in the Lord in the days to come.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

MRSA Scare

This past Monday, I took Lauren to the pediatricians office. For the past month I have been trying to clear up some red spots in her diaper area. I could clear it up with an antibiotic ointment that I had, but it would come back days later. Over the weekend, as she was burning up with fever from the flu, the spots got out of control. By Sunday morning her whole bottom was covered with them and she was getting them on her tummy. Plus they had pimple/pus pockets on them.

At the doctors office, the doctor looked at them and said, "Oh my". She broke open one of the spots and swabbed it. She said she wanted to test for MRSA. She put Lauren on an antibiotic for skin infections, plus one for an ear infection. And had me put triple antibiotic ointment on the spots too.

I handled the idea of it possibly being MRSA alright during the day, but by evening when I was holding her in my arms as she drifted off to sleep, it gripped me. I could feel the fear creeping up into my chest. What would I do if it were MRSA? Would Lauren be able to fight that type of infection? I gazed down at my chubby, sweet, little girl and I knew I had to start praying before the fear paralyzed me. I prayed for God to help her body fight the infection and I prayed for his protection for Lauren. Then I prayed for his will and gave him control. The fear vanished and I was able to lay me precious, sleeping beauty in her crib.

I received a call from the pediatricians office today. The swab came back normal, no MRSA! Praise the Lord! Her spots are clearing up and they are healing nicely. The Lord is Good!

Under the Weather

Influenza has claimed us as unsuspecting victims. All six of us have been so miserable. It will be two weeks since we first got sick and we are slowly recovering. We started back with school this week, after a week off. We are taking lots of breaks, especially in the afternoon. I have been letting the boys just laze around and watch PBS cartoons. This is the first afternoon I haven't taken a nap. I think my strength is starting to come back. I don't feel so run down. Joel hasn't seemed to fully recover yet and I think he has a sinus infection now. He has an appointment today after work so we'll see what the doctor has to say.

I will be so happy when we get past cold and flu season. It has had us in its grasp way too much this winter. I feel like someone has been sick almost every week since the end of October. I am ready for some relief from playing nurse.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2c flour Yield: 12 muffins
1c sugar + 18 mini muffins
2 1/2t baking powder
1/2t cinnamon
1/4-1/2t nutmeg
1/2t salt
1/2c shortening
1/4c sour milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2c shredded zucchini
1t vanilla
brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line muffin cups. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Stir in baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and pour in milk, eggs, zucchini and vanilla. Stir just until combined. Fill muffin cups 2/3 of the way full. Sprinkle tops with brown sugar if desired.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Thursday, February 14, 2008

February 14, 2008

It has already been quite the morning. Lauren has done nothing but fuss all morning long. She is truly a basket case. It has made for a hard morning of schooling. Although, the boys have handled it pretty well. I cut out a few of their school requirements today. Partly for Valentines Day and partly because of the state of chaos that Lauren is ensuing. They finished their math and language and are now downstairs playing. I laid Lauren down for a nap. She doesn't usually take morning naps, but she seems to be in need of one today.

Despite all this, it is a beautiful day today. The sun makes the snow look like it is made up of thousands of diamonds. Our back yard is beautiful. It is an undisturbed blanket of snow and the junipers on the back hill add contrast to the stark whiteness.

I am hoping to make some zucchini muffins today and deliver them to my great Aunt and Grandma and our elderly neighbors. Whom we have adopted as family since none of them have any close relatives. The boys made valentines cards with some heart stamps. We will be adding those to the gift of muffins.

I need to go spend a few minutes praying, since according to Jacob I am a little stressed out! I do feel a bit out of sorts today and I need to get my attitude back on track for my childrens sake. I guess I will be praying for strength and understanding today. I believe I am going to need it, because I now hear Lauren crying and yelling from her bedroom....ah, toddlers!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Another Monday

Monday is upon us again! It seems to come all to quickly during the school year. We did have a wonderful weekend though.

My husband, Joel and my oldest son, Isaac spent a good portion of Saturday cutting wood for our elderly neighbors who can't get out and do it for themselves any more. I spent the day catching up on house work and laundry. During the week I find it so hard to keep up with all the cleaning. So I try to get most of it done on Saturday. I did 2 loads of laundry before I ran out of laundry soap and had to make more. I make a powdered soap that doesn't irritate my daughters skin (she has eczema).

Sunday brought a extremely bitter day with frigid temperatures and 25 mph winds. We were getting ready to head out for church when one of our friends that go to church with us called and said she and her children were stuck in a ditch. Joel ran out to the gargage, turned off the van, started the truck and threw log chains in the back. In a flurry of coats, boots, mittens and hats we scrambled out the door to go help them. When we all finally made it to church, we listened to a shortened service (due to the weather) and then the whole congregation headed over to the pastors house for a chili lunch. We had a great time talking with our friends and filling our bellies just a little too much.

Today the boys and I are doing a half day of school. We will focus on reading, science and history. Later we will be making Valentine cards to send to the elderly ladies in our church who are shut in. They are extremely happy about having an easy day! Isaac, who is eleven, is coloring in a United States Map. Jacob, who is nine, is in the basement playing cowboy. Caleb, who is six, is consoling himself with a PBS cartoon after he split his lip playing tractors. And Lauren who is 20 months, is taking a much needed nap. She didn't get a nap yesterday, because we stayed at the pastors house to help clean up after everyone left. It has thrown her for a loop and she has been clingy and fussy this morning. I figured a rest would help get her cheerful disposition back. Myself, I am taking a few minutes to get this blog started. I have wanted to start it for so long and I am finally taking the time to do it!
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