Successful Surgery

Drew came through today's surgery very successfully. He had already been administered some "relaxation" medication at this point... in case you couldn't tell by looking!

Doctor said his adenoids were huge, so it's good they came out.

He did have a strange reaction to the anesthesia as he was coming out of it. He became extremely combative for about an hour and a half. Not even a double dose of meds (intended to put him to sleep until the anesthesia was out of his system) could calm him down.

He is now at home and doing great. I have him resting on the couch for the day, watching as many movies as he likes. He did immediately want to change into his Superman pj's. Perhaps that was to give him a sense of strength. It's funny... they told us that one of the drugs they gave him would cause amnesia so that he wouldn't be able to recall anything having to do with the surgery. I tested it out when we got home. Sure enough, all he could tell me about was checking in to the hospital and checking out of the hospital.

He was a very good example of faith today. If you want to hear about that, go to my devotional blog at http://devotionalgems.blogspot.com.

News, news and more news

Here's something sad... I haven't blogged in eight whole days (yikes!) and I'm not even sure I can remember what happened during those days so that I can catch you up! I will give it my best shot though.

DREW: On Drew's behalf, a dear friend let me know on Friday that she had contacted Drew's school and had paid his tuition for both January and February. That was a total blessing and miracle from God. I'm not sure how I got blessed with so many amazing friends who have been Jesus to me and the boys!!

Drew's surgery (to remove his adenoids) is scheduled for Wednesday morning and he is feeling quite a bit of anxiety. I am doing everything I can to relieve his fears and let him know that I will be there the whole time. The hospital allows children to bring their favorite stuffed animal with them into surgery, and they dress the animal up in surgical clothing. That is the one thing that is bringing a smile to Drew's face!

NICK: Boy oh boy can this kid get into trouble. When I'm not looking, it can be anything from shattering 2 dozen eggs on the floor to eating out of the tub of butter to emptying every toy bin and bookshelf onto the playroom floor to coloring (with marker!) on himself and the walls. All done with a mischievious grin...

And he still won't talk.

THE HOUSE: The potential buyers who went through the house (was it last week??) allegedly liked the house, but not the close proximity to a busy street. So we keep praying for a buyer to be just around the corner. In the midst of such a bad housing market, our realtor continues to go full force on the marketing.

JOBS: On Friday I had my second and final interview for the State Case Manager job. Prior to going inside, I sat in my car and just surrendered everything to God. I told Him that I will do whatever He leads me to do.

No later than this Thursday or Friday, I am supposed to hear from both potential employers (Adoption Agency and the State Health & Human Services) as to whether or not I am being offered a job.

NO ORDINARY AFFAIR: I'm still plugging away, hoping and praying that God allows my business to continue and to thrive. It's something I am very passionate about! Something that excites me.

DEVOTIONAL GEMS: Another thing that I am passionate about and am having a great time keeping up. I have big dreams for that site.

AWESOME SITES: If you are in need of some cartooning or a logo or a caricature, please visit my friend Rick's site: http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com (I also have a link to it in the sidebar). Rick was my pastor in Escondido way back, about 14 years ago. He & Marylynn are awesome, and my sisters and I had the great pleasure of being "big sisters" to their 3 girls when they were young. They now live and pastor in Brookings, OR. Rick has always doodled (I clearly remember that in Church Board meetings!!), and decided to turn it into a side business. It is helping their family with medical bills (Marylynn is a breast cancer survivor) and with college tuitions for the girls. Go check out his site... you'll love it!

LIFE IN GENERAL: Life in general just couldn't be better. I am blessed in so many ways... with Michael, with my boys, and with all of you! And I know God has something great in store.

Here's the Scoop!

Life is just going at warp speed for me. I'm wondering when or if it will slow down. I'd like to catch you up on the past week, but, due to lack of time, it will be quick. So put on your seatbelts and here we go!

WEDNESDAY: I felt like I was in job interviews all day. In the morning I interviewed with the adoption agency for the Birth Parent Counselor position. The interview went really well and I want the job so bad I can taste it! The Director still has more interviews to do (although she told me with a smile that I am on her "short list") and said that she will call me either way by the end of the month.

In the afternoon I had a 3 1/2 hour group interview for a state case manager job... one I most definitely DO NOT WANT but will take if that's the door God opens. There were over 25 people interviewing for one lone position. And wouldn't you know it... the next day I got a call that I'm one of the finalists. My next interview for the position is Friday at 3:30.

SATURDAY: Willamette Valley Bridal Show. The girl hosting the show couldn't have been sweeter, but she had no clue how to run an event. Nor did she do good advertising. It was a flop. Valerie and I had a blast together and we are hoping to get some clients out of it still from the brochures and cards we handed out. I am praying!!! I did get contact info for about 15 brides, so am following up with a letter. Valerie and I also sat and planned out how and where we could do a bigger and better (and more professional!) Bridal Show here in Mac next year. We've got a plan and we're on a mission.... !!! I'm not giving up on this business until God slams the door closed.

SUNDAY: After Michael and the boys and I went to church, I got a contact on email from a bride & groom in Corvallis who want a wedding planner. I followed up with an email and am prayerfully awaiting a reply...

I am also feverishly working on my gift for Michael's b-day on Thursday. With everything else that's been going on, I haven't had the time I've needed to get it done. But boy is it going to be cool!

Oh, almost forgot... I also got a call from the realtor tonight. Someone is looking at our house in the morning. It will be the first potential buyer to do a walk-through since before Halloween. It has been so long that I've allowed myself out of the "always have the house ready to show" frame of mind. Not much time to get things in order. But I will do my best and leave it at that. It's really up to God anyway.

So there you have it.

THE BOYS: One night this week Nick was being too quiet while we were all in the living room. Michael found him in the kitchen... surrounded by the 2 dozen eggs he had smashed all over the floor. I had to teach Michael that we laugh when the boys aren't around and not right in front of them....

As for Drew, two days after his birthday he was already using the phrase, "... since I'm almost six..." I couldn't believe my ears!! Ay Carumba!

Birthday & Busyness

Wow! What a weekend I had. On Saturday my cousin Tammy and I spent all of the morning and some of the early afternoon at the huge Portland Bridal Fair. It was well worth it in terms of getting referrals and resources for my business. We had a blast! She pretended to be renewing her wedding vows and I was her wedding planner.

I then raced home to host Drew's afternoon birthday party. How can my little boy be 5 already??? He invited 2 friends from school, along with one of their little brothers who is Nick's age. Of course Jordan (my cousin's son) was invited too! We also had Tammy, Amanda, my parents and Michael. Oh, and one parent of Drew's best friend (here next to him in this photo).






I think the party was a great success. Drew and all the boys had a lot of fun. We kept it very simple... Pin the Tail on the Donkey, the "drop the clothespins in the jar" game (which Nick won!), and a homemade birthday cake. See, you can have a great party without going overboard! Although I was very blessed to have help from Matt and my family in providing many of the birthday necessities.


Drew had an awesome time and that made me so happy.


On Sunday Michael & I played hookie from church out of necessity. We spent the entire day cleaning/organizing his shop and his property in anticipation of the appraiser coming this week. (We planned to do his home upstairs too, but pooped out after tackling the kitchen.)




Here's just a pic of my man. He's been a tremendous blessing from God in my life.










His side of the shop is 2000 sf (not all of which is pictured here), so it took us quite a while to get it all done. Good thing we didn't have to do his dad's side as well!

We tackled the outside storage also. OK, mostly that was Michael while I played "fire girl"... taking things over to be burned. I had a rip-roarin' bonfire going! All we needed were some hot dogs and marshmallows.



After lunch at a cute little, old-fashioned diner, we tackled the outside until it got dark.

I will admit that there were times when I took a break and simply took pictures of the beauty on the hill.

As darkness approached and we went inside, all of my muscles were screaming. I cleaned the kitchen and then Michael had me sit on the couch with a blanket and a book while he made us dinner. I tried not to feel guilty. We then ended the evening with a little dip in Craig & Vickie's hot tub. I think that was a lifesaver for me in terms of not feeling as much of the pain today.

It was a great weekend, from start to finish.

Two Days in a Nutshell

Let me tell you, my Thursday was a whirlwind.

I started out by spending my entire morning at a dental appointment. This time they only had to use 4 shots of Novacaine instead of 8!

Then it was off to get the boys at my mom's. Left there and went straight to the grocery store to find the cake mix for Drew's strawberry birthday cake (his cake of choice every year). Literally ran through the store with both boys in the cart.

Next it was off to the Ear, Nose & Throat specialist for Drew. We arrived 15 minutes early and they called us in 15 minutes late. As if it isn't bad enough to have 2 antsy boys in a waiting room, Nick also decided to grace us with a poopy diaper during that time. Since I had just changed him at my mom's house, I had left the diaper backpack down in the car... 4 stories down. Couldn't go get it because they could call our name at any minute. So there's Nick stinking up the place and I just have to pretend to ignore it. I'm sure at least one person in that waiting room was cursing me. Drew's name was finally called. First it was the hearing test... which he passed with flying colors (translation: he hears just fine which means that the times he "doesn't hear" me, he is simply choosing not to listen). Next it was off to the room to wait for the doctor. And wait. And wait. By now Nick is REALLY odorous and trying to remove his own diaper. Doctor comes in and wants to put numbing spray up Drew's nose so he can stick a telescope up both nostrils. Drew freaks out. Doctor leaves us alone, telling me that I can either talk Drew into allowing the spray or we can do the same procedure under general anesthesia. It doesn't take long for me to convince Drew to do the spray. However, the doctor's "couple of minutes" turned into closer to 30 minutes. By this time the poopy diaper is burning Nick's bottom and he's hurting bad. Also he and Drew are bored out of their minds and going a little crazy. Let's just say that some punishment happened in that room. Finally the doctor returns. Does the spray. Leaves for "5 minutes" to allow the spray to do its job. The five minutes turns into 20 minutes. Nick is now going out of his mind, as am I. Drew's starting to not listen. Doctor finally returns. Does the telescope. Checks the ears. Tells me that Drew has to have his adenoids removed. They are too large. No surprise to me. By now Nick is in tears. I think we're done. Nope. Have to wait for the nurse to come in to check Drew's heart & lungs and schedule surgery (Wednesday, January 30th). We FINALLY get to leave and I race the boys down to the car, throw Nick in the back, and remove his diaper as quickly as possible. His poor little bottom is bright red.

Less than two hours later I'm on my way to meet Michael so we can go to his sister Tami's b-day party. I'm dressed as Pinky Tuscadero (Fonzi's girlfriend). Michael, not wanting to go as Fonzi, is dressed as one of the Men in Black. Turns out Tami was too. Funny! The costumes at the party were HILARIOUS!! Very fun evening.

This morning Drew went back to preschool. It's been all he could talk about ever since I opened my mouth on Wednesday. My mom convinced me yesterday to send him back and we would find a way to figure out how to pay for it next month. He took cupcakes since tomorrow's his birthday. He was on Cloud 9. When I asked him at lunch what his favorite thing was at school today, he answered, "Everything!"

Nick took a very, very long nap today. Great for me! However, I still didn't get everything done. (How does that happen?) When he woke up, we drove to the UPS Store so I could fax another application. I do have two different interviews scheduled for Wednesday.

Then it was off to Little Caesar's for our $5 pizza for Pizza & a Movie night. Michael joined us. We watched a movie that was given to us last night. No more Blockbuster for now.

Today I called to cancel our tv service.... can't afford it (and rabbit ears won't work on our tv). Got the NICEST Customer Service rep. She credited all charges for this month (I got a free month of service!). And, assuming I can pay and don't have to cancel next month, she's giving me $10 off of what was already the very lowest, most basic package they offer. And that's for 6 months! Who knew that was possible??

Tomorrow morning my cousin Tammy is going with me to the huge Portland Bridal Show. We're dropping the boys off at Matt's on the way. He'll bring them back for Drew's birthday party at 3:00. I can't believe my little boy's turning five!! He has 3 school friends coming to his party, in addition to his cousin Jordan and all the rest of our family.

And I still have to clean the house.....

Have you ever done something really stupid as a parent that you could kick yourself for later? That was me today. Listen to this...

Drew's teacher and I were finally able to touch base this afternoon. She knows our situation well and reminded me that she has always told me that she would help us in any way she could. She has already been giving us almost 50% off the tuition, so it never occurred to me that she would do anything in addition to that. With that thought in mind, she caught me off guard when she insisted that I bring Drew back to school on Friday and just catch up on my payments in February. She said that she misses Drew and that his best friend Ben has been lost without him this week. I was so wowed and brought to tears by her offer that I accepted without thinking about it. To make matters worse, Drew was standing there and got so excited at hearing that he was returning to school on Friday. It was then that it hit me... how in the world would I make two payments in February when I still don't have any money??

I could have kicked myself for opening my mouth....

So now it's back to praying today and tomorrow for clear direction from God. Perhaps He has plans for me to book weddings at the Bridal Show on the 19th and He knows that I have nothing to worry about.

Perhaps not.

And so it's back to prayer, and back to completing another two applications tonight.

P.S.

I do realize that I have a picture of Nick on a post that is essentially about Drew; I just thought it was his turn for a photo op.

Difficult Decision

As a parent, my heart is killing me tonight. I had to make the difficult decision to pull Drew out of preschool. I kept him home on Monday just to buy myself two extra days to pray about it. What it comes down to is that the money just isn't there.

When he learned on Monday that this was a possibility, he cried many tears. Then he went down to the playroom for about 30 minutes. He came back up with a box loaded with toys and said that they were for a garage sale so that we could have money for him to go to school. I had to turn away so he wouldn't see me cry.

He has been very focused the last two days on this garage sale he wants to have, and on praying about our situation at most meals and at bedtime. Telling him tomorrow is going to be very difficult. However, I am going to enlist him to pray with me that God will provide me with a job so that I can put him right back in school again. (Thankfully the preschool is open-ended on registration and, assuming other children don't take his spot, he can return at any time.)

Sometimes it's very hard to be a parent, especially when you want to provide the best for your children. But I do know that God can use this to teach him about God's faithfulness as we pray together.

Good Start to New Year

I have something that I am very excited about! Last week I noticed advertisements in the newspaper about a local Bridal Show here in town. At the urging of Michael, I called to see if there were any vendor spaces left. Indeed there were... and because my space was very generously paid for, I now get to be represented in the Show! Not only that, but Michael's aunt, Valerie (the florist), is going to be sharing a table with me. What fun! She's got some pretty awesome ideas for decorating, and the host of the show has put us in a very prime location. I can't wait! We do need to have a drawing of some kind at our table. For Valerie that will be easy. For me, not so much. Anyone have any bright ideas? The best I can come up with is to give away a coupon for 25% off my services. But that doesn't seem like much of a drawing.

I really needed this boost since no other interviews I was counting on last week have materialized as of yet. Have I been out of the work force so long that my past experience counts as nothing? I have no idea what's going on! I am trying to stay in contact with the Christian adoption agency about my application; however, there is a strong possibility that they are now looking for someone who is bilingual.

The boys were delivered home 3 days early last week. That was okay with me. It changed all of my plans though, so I am running behind on everything.

This past weekend the boys and I spent much of our time with Michael, and with his parents. This was the first time the boys have been to his church (I've been before). In spite of being in a new situation, they both said they had a lot of fun. That was wonderful. We had a pretty awesome weekend together. Lots of kick-back, fun family time.

This Thursday Michael and I are invited to his sister Tami's birthday party. Everyone is supposed to come dressed as a character from a movie or tv show. Something simple, not elaborate, so that people can ask you questions to try to figure out who you are. We are just clueless as to ideas! Actually we've come up with many ideas that have made us crack up, but nothing at this point that is actually do-able. (Is that a word?... I'm too lazy to get up and look it up in the dictionary.) Anyone have any great ideas??....