Jared and I have spent a lot of time in the Doctor's office lately. I do with this were not so. Check out this schedule:
Wednesday, Nov. 14: We see Dr. L for an ear check up. All is OK with ears and tubes.
Thursday, Nov. 15: Jared has a temperature and is coughing himself silly
Friday, Nov. 16: We see Dr. P to see what's going on with the continued fever and coughing. Chest is clear. No redness in ear. He wonders if ear tube in one ear is still working. No drugs. We think it's viral.
Monday, Nov. 19: Jared OK in the a.m., goes to daycare, has fun, wakes up with high fever.
Tuesday, Nov. 20: Back to the doctor's. Now we see Mrs. B (nurse practioner). She says definite ear infection. We get 3-day Z pack.
Friday, Dec. 7: We go back to Dr. P for a recheck of ears. All is fine.
Thursday, Dec. 13: Another fever at daycare. Coughing persists.
Friday, Dec. 14: Back to Dr. P. We have a new ear infection. 10-day antibiotic.
Monday, Dec. 17: Jared coughs pretty much all night long. And, I do mean all night long. Scary stuff.
Tuesday, Dec. 18: Mom calls Dr. P AGAIN. I love his nurse, Candy. She recognizes my voice. We think maybe he has asthma? We start taking a steriod twice daily for five days.
Thursday, Dec. 20: Back to Dr. L for the ears. He thinks ears look fine. It's the throat that is terrible. Jared refuses to cooperate at all with hearing test. This is problematic. Dr. L wants to continue antibiotic for 20 days total.
Gotta love this ride we are on!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas Joy
As I was in worship service today with my son Jacob, we were singing Christmas carols. I always try to tell him as many of the words as I can so he can learn them.
The Bell song is waaay too fast for that. I was singing "merry merry merry Christmas" at mostly the right time. And Jacob was singing "give a give a give a 'garden.'"
I was trying to figure out why as I'm telling the story to Gene, who immediately realizes Jacob is singing the commericial for the Garmon, that new GPS thing.
Now he's walking around my front room saying "Every kiss begins with Kay."
The Bell song is waaay too fast for that. I was singing "merry merry merry Christmas" at mostly the right time. And Jacob was singing "give a give a give a 'garden.'"
I was trying to figure out why as I'm telling the story to Gene, who immediately realizes Jacob is singing the commericial for the Garmon, that new GPS thing.
Now he's walking around my front room saying "Every kiss begins with Kay."
Thursday, December 13, 2007
No Christmas cards
There's absolutely no way I a going to even get them started before Christmas.
How does everyone feel about Valentine's cards? (And, yes, I know that's a question.)
How does everyone feel about Valentine's cards? (And, yes, I know that's a question.)
In case you care …
I am done grading the content of the blogs. yeah! Only a few students lacked the magical 16 posts. Come great posts out there. All in all, I would like to give some shouts out. I will keep their blogs linked on mine until January or so. After that, anyone who stops posting gets cut.
My favorite overall blogs: Josh R., Jeannine and Josh N.
My favorite off the wall posts: Brandon
Poets: Danielle, Christie
Best mom stories: Tricia's messy milk story and Michelle's battle of the language
Most news: Nick
Most like fiction: Caleb
My favorite overall blogs: Josh R., Jeannine and Josh N.
My favorite off the wall posts: Brandon
Poets: Danielle, Christie
Best mom stories: Tricia's messy milk story and Michelle's battle of the language
Most news: Nick
Most like fiction: Caleb
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It's 8:52 p.m.
As I type, I hear a rhythmic thump on the other side of the wall. It's Jared, throwing his football up against the wall.
He's supposed to be sleeping as I put him to bed at 8:08 p.m. He's managed to figure out how to turn on the bedside lamp all by his precious little self. What a blessing. Now, he throws a fit whenever I turn it off and then promptly turns it on again.
Jacob is sound asleep on the top bunk, so I'm not keen on getting my little one going by removing the light entirely. I should be grading …
He's supposed to be sleeping as I put him to bed at 8:08 p.m. He's managed to figure out how to turn on the bedside lamp all by his precious little self. What a blessing. Now, he throws a fit whenever I turn it off and then promptly turns it on again.
Jacob is sound asleep on the top bunk, so I'm not keen on getting my little one going by removing the light entirely. I should be grading …
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Blogs
I have just finished reading all the comments my 18 students in feature writing posted on their classmate's blog. They were supposed to comment on one per week, with a total of 16. Take themselves out, and they should post on everyone's blog except one.
Several of them missed the mark. Only one lone blog had the attention of the entire class. The comments were insightful for the most part.
There was a lot of good writing in the blogs this semester. If you have a chance, check some of 'em out.
Several of them missed the mark. Only one lone blog had the attention of the entire class. The comments were insightful for the most part.
There was a lot of good writing in the blogs this semester. If you have a chance, check some of 'em out.
Santa
A photo of the boys with Santa and no one cried this year.
"Momma, can we please go see Santa today," pleaded Jacob.
"Go ask you dad," she replies knowing he has to leave at noon. To her surprise, he's up for it.
No line at the Mall. What a year!
Jacob approaches Santa, catalog in hand. She tried to tell him that Santa is magic. He listens to what little boys and girls want, but he makes the final decision based on how well he really knows the kid.
"No he doesn't momma. I am going to show him the picture of what I want, and he's going to go back to get it from his workshop and bring it to my house."
"Momma, can we please go see Santa today," pleaded Jacob.
"Go ask you dad," she replies knowing he has to leave at noon. To her surprise, he's up for it.
No line at the Mall. What a year!
Jacob approaches Santa, catalog in hand. She tried to tell him that Santa is magic. He listens to what little boys and girls want, but he makes the final decision based on how well he really knows the kid.
"No he doesn't momma. I am going to show him the picture of what I want, and he's going to go back to get it from his workshop and bring it to my house."
Surprise!
Thinking of the week he had survived, she slipped a partial package of mini Snickers into his coat pocket.
Days went by and nothing was said. Losing patience, she inquired to see if the gift had been discovered.
Discovered and devoured was the reply.
As she put on her coat to head back to work, she pulled out a surprise of her own from her coat pocket. He might not be too thrilled if she told everyone what it was …
Days went by and nothing was said. Losing patience, she inquired to see if the gift had been discovered.
Discovered and devoured was the reply.
As she put on her coat to head back to work, she pulled out a surprise of her own from her coat pocket. He might not be too thrilled if she told everyone what it was …
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
I don't wanna …
• Grade, but there are stacks of it. If it were sound, I'd hear a stereo version.
• Clean, but my girlfriends are coming to my house for Bible study tomorrow
• Cook, but my family is expecting dinner tonight
• Exercise, but I hear it's the only way to shed those pounds.
• Work, so clearly I'm bloggin'
• Clean, but my girlfriends are coming to my house for Bible study tomorrow
• Cook, but my family is expecting dinner tonight
• Exercise, but I hear it's the only way to shed those pounds.
• Work, so clearly I'm bloggin'
Monday, December 03, 2007
Recovering from grandparents
Disclaimer: I love my parents. I love Gene's parents, too. And, I absolutely want them to be a part of our children's lives in a real and significant and un-mandated sort of way.
****
It's true when they say there is no such thing as a "free lunch." Last Friday, I eagerly drove the hour or so to Kansas City to collect my fellas after they spent a week at their grandparents.
Our oldest has wanted to visit Marshall, Mo., for several weeks now and he made sure to emphasize several times that he wanted to take the trip ALONE or without his little brother.
My mom, clearly only looking out for MY best interests (she would steal Jared for life if she could get away with it), decided she would spend some time with my baby in KC as well.
I should have jumped in the car the moment after I got my hugs and fix of mommy kisses, but I wasn't fast enough. All of Friday night and most of Saturday, my boys slugged it out, which generally lead to hysterical crying by our oldest. The crying only seemed to inspire the youngest to greater heights of torment.
Sunday was the day of no naps. Sunday naps are a tradition in the Cassell home. A long-standing tradition minus the brief interruption of Jacob, who refused to sleep at any convenient time until he was 4-months-old. I went to bed grumpy and with a headache and got up (no 'waking' to be had) grumpier and throbbing only to discover no amount of rummaging or swearing would produce a bottle of ibprofen. Alleve just does not get the job done, folks.
Sunday night, Jacob told Gene he wanted to return to Grammy's house because she was nicer to him than us. Jared refuses to go to sleep unless I am in the room with him. Neither Jacob nor Gene will do.
You know, in a lot of cultures, the grandparents DO raise the children.
No, I suppose transition is hard for all of us. It's nice for them to experience being the one and only for a week here and there. Every time I think Jacob has told all there is to tell about his week with grammy and papa, he comes up with something new.
Jared does not say a lot, but when pictures of my mom or dad roll past on the computer, he jumps up and down and laughs.
What a blessing to know you are loved so completely by so many people. Still, a week of peace (and or a hectic work schedule) does exact its cost.
****
It's true when they say there is no such thing as a "free lunch." Last Friday, I eagerly drove the hour or so to Kansas City to collect my fellas after they spent a week at their grandparents.
Our oldest has wanted to visit Marshall, Mo., for several weeks now and he made sure to emphasize several times that he wanted to take the trip ALONE or without his little brother.
My mom, clearly only looking out for MY best interests (she would steal Jared for life if she could get away with it), decided she would spend some time with my baby in KC as well.
I should have jumped in the car the moment after I got my hugs and fix of mommy kisses, but I wasn't fast enough. All of Friday night and most of Saturday, my boys slugged it out, which generally lead to hysterical crying by our oldest. The crying only seemed to inspire the youngest to greater heights of torment.
Sunday was the day of no naps. Sunday naps are a tradition in the Cassell home. A long-standing tradition minus the brief interruption of Jacob, who refused to sleep at any convenient time until he was 4-months-old. I went to bed grumpy and with a headache and got up (no 'waking' to be had) grumpier and throbbing only to discover no amount of rummaging or swearing would produce a bottle of ibprofen. Alleve just does not get the job done, folks.
Sunday night, Jacob told Gene he wanted to return to Grammy's house because she was nicer to him than us. Jared refuses to go to sleep unless I am in the room with him. Neither Jacob nor Gene will do.
You know, in a lot of cultures, the grandparents DO raise the children.
No, I suppose transition is hard for all of us. It's nice for them to experience being the one and only for a week here and there. Every time I think Jacob has told all there is to tell about his week with grammy and papa, he comes up with something new.
Jared does not say a lot, but when pictures of my mom or dad roll past on the computer, he jumps up and down and laughs.
What a blessing to know you are loved so completely by so many people. Still, a week of peace (and or a hectic work schedule) does exact its cost.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Christmas sans credit
"Oh, the holiday signs are frightful and I've lost my cards for shopping?"
OK, so not really a good replacement lyric for the holiday classic, but it's certainly how I feel. I know credit cards are bad, bad and worse. I've been there. I've racked up the debt. I've paid off the debt only to rack up the debt again. So why does doing the RIGHT thing feel so WRONG?
Why indeed? My sister from another mister has a theory, which I think she shared with my pastor because today's message hit me right between the eyes.
There are a million and one maybe two things I need to be doing right now in my life. One thing trumps them all. There are no shortcuts, no easy swipes of plastic, only heart grease and knee time can solve this problem. Hear my prayer, my father.
OK, so not really a good replacement lyric for the holiday classic, but it's certainly how I feel. I know credit cards are bad, bad and worse. I've been there. I've racked up the debt. I've paid off the debt only to rack up the debt again. So why does doing the RIGHT thing feel so WRONG?
Why indeed? My sister from another mister has a theory, which I think she shared with my pastor because today's message hit me right between the eyes.
There are a million and one maybe two things I need to be doing right now in my life. One thing trumps them all. There are no shortcuts, no easy swipes of plastic, only heart grease and knee time can solve this problem. Hear my prayer, my father.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
And then Jacob said …
My voice sucks this week, so I was thrilled when Jacob picked out an "I Spy" book to read for bed Friday night.
Somehow, the topic of marriage came up with my 4-year-old as we hunted for the various objects on the page. He informed me that he was going to do something (wish I remembered that part) when he was married.
Me: Who are you going to marry?
J: Riley.
Me: Why Riley?
J: She is my favorite girl at school.
Me: Why?
J: She's very pretty. (Pause.) I need to marry a really pretty girl.
I am wondering how to reply to that when he says this.
"Boys can't marry boys, right mom?"
Uhhh?! Is this a random 4-year-old type of question or has he been talking to someone on the playground.
I sort of nod my head as a response. He continues.
"Boys can't marry boys that would be silly. Girls get the babies."
Just who is this child?
Me: "What do you mean?"
J: If you are gonna get a baby, you need a girl. God puts babies in their tummies."
I can only imagine the look on my face as I try to nod in agreement. Perhaps he wasn't quite sure where I stood on the issue.
J: Well, wasn't I in your tummy, mommy?"
Somehow, the topic of marriage came up with my 4-year-old as we hunted for the various objects on the page. He informed me that he was going to do something (wish I remembered that part) when he was married.
Me: Who are you going to marry?
J: Riley.
Me: Why Riley?
J: She is my favorite girl at school.
Me: Why?
J: She's very pretty. (Pause.) I need to marry a really pretty girl.
I am wondering how to reply to that when he says this.
"Boys can't marry boys, right mom?"
Uhhh?! Is this a random 4-year-old type of question or has he been talking to someone on the playground.
I sort of nod my head as a response. He continues.
"Boys can't marry boys that would be silly. Girls get the babies."
Just who is this child?
Me: "What do you mean?"
J: If you are gonna get a baby, you need a girl. God puts babies in their tummies."
I can only imagine the look on my face as I try to nod in agreement. Perhaps he wasn't quite sure where I stood on the issue.
J: Well, wasn't I in your tummy, mommy?"
Naughty mom for a day
So today, I pretty much let my kids do whatever they wanted to do. I have very little voice today, not that yelling at them seems to have much of an impact.
Relentless is a good word to describe two boys and a day full of activity. They popped into our room for some quick quality daddy time around 7:15 a.m. He left at 8 a.m. and has yet to return.
I tried to bribe them with TV as I cleaned up the house. Do you know I vacuumed my rug four times today? My mom will be impressed.
I let Jacob have 10 pieces of candy. And he counted it out and kept looking at me like my head would spin around. Jared ate two suckers at once. I tried to make them take naps so I could watch a few episodes of "Gilmore Girls" while I folded the mountain of laundry in peace! I got sick of yelling at them (as best I could) and putting them back to bed, so I finally gave up. (This was before the sugar ironically enough).
Then I decided I would just watch "Gilmore Girls" and let them run wild. I told Jacob if he told on his brother one more time that I was going to give him a second helping of Jared's offense.
Later, though Jared smacked Jacob with the hose to the sweeper, so I returned the favor. I would like to say that Jared stopped hitting Jacob afterward, but he didn't.
I have no idea how stay-at-home mothers endure this kind of abuse day after day.
Relentless is a good word to describe two boys and a day full of activity. They popped into our room for some quick quality daddy time around 7:15 a.m. He left at 8 a.m. and has yet to return.
I tried to bribe them with TV as I cleaned up the house. Do you know I vacuumed my rug four times today? My mom will be impressed.
I let Jacob have 10 pieces of candy. And he counted it out and kept looking at me like my head would spin around. Jared ate two suckers at once. I tried to make them take naps so I could watch a few episodes of "Gilmore Girls" while I folded the mountain of laundry in peace! I got sick of yelling at them (as best I could) and putting them back to bed, so I finally gave up. (This was before the sugar ironically enough).
Then I decided I would just watch "Gilmore Girls" and let them run wild. I told Jacob if he told on his brother one more time that I was going to give him a second helping of Jared's offense.
Later, though Jared smacked Jacob with the hose to the sweeper, so I returned the favor. I would like to say that Jared stopped hitting Jacob afterward, but he didn't.
I have no idea how stay-at-home mothers endure this kind of abuse day after day.
Mom, please don't kill me
Well, the boys needed haircuts, and they got them. I think they are adorable, but there is no doubt in my mind that my momma will hate them. Admitedly, Jared's is a bit shorter than I expected, but his hair is a lot thinner than Jacob's. Anyway, it was a NUTTY week, and the deed is done. Perhaps they will have some length by Thanksgiving?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Lies I have believed
I cannot tell you how many times I have refused to see truth because the lies were so much easier to believe. My new Bible study (see earlier post) has already shown me how important God's word is to be able to distinguish truth from lies. The world promotes all sorts of lies. People lie. Commercials lie. Satan is all about lies.
Here are some of the lies I have believed.
I have believed credit cards are OK as long as you manage them well. Nope. That's a lie that is going to cost me and family for the next few years. Debt is debt is debt. Even if it is only for one month.
I have believed that I am incapable of sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Another lie. God says our bodies are to be holy temples. He will provide the strength for me to prevail, as long as I don't lose sight of Him. (which I have in this area, incidentally)
I can be happy doing things my own way. BIG FAT LIE. I am a created being with a God-given purpose, which is to love and know my God.
I cannot put God first in my life because I am too busy. I have too many things on my list. I am overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of stuff I tell myself I need to do. Another one of the world's lies. Truth: If I put God first, the necessary things will fit in with his grace. Thank God!
Here are some of the lies I have believed.
I have believed credit cards are OK as long as you manage them well. Nope. That's a lie that is going to cost me and family for the next few years. Debt is debt is debt. Even if it is only for one month.
I have believed that I am incapable of sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Another lie. God says our bodies are to be holy temples. He will provide the strength for me to prevail, as long as I don't lose sight of Him. (which I have in this area, incidentally)
I can be happy doing things my own way. BIG FAT LIE. I am a created being with a God-given purpose, which is to love and know my God.
I cannot put God first in my life because I am too busy. I have too many things on my list. I am overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of stuff I tell myself I need to do. Another one of the world's lies. Truth: If I put God first, the necessary things will fit in with his grace. Thank God!
The Devil made me do it
I'm in week two of my new Bible study. We are going through Beth Moore's "Breaking Free."
I love this study already, but her studies are quite meddlesome. She contends, and backs up scripturally as a side note, that any stronghold we allow Satan to have in our lives is based on lies.
And, only the truth we find in Christ has the power to set us free. Sin starts small. Then as it grows, so do the lies and the excuses. Bottom line for Satan, as long as we are not furthering the kingdom of God, he's happy.
And, if we are not living lives that reflect Christ, all the talk in the world is cheap, cheap, cheap.
Finally, to truly live in freedom, God's freedom, means two things. One is that you must continually be devouring and studying his holy Word. And second, you must have a meaningful prayer life to get to know your Savior.
I love this study already, but her studies are quite meddlesome. She contends, and backs up scripturally as a side note, that any stronghold we allow Satan to have in our lives is based on lies.
And, only the truth we find in Christ has the power to set us free. Sin starts small. Then as it grows, so do the lies and the excuses. Bottom line for Satan, as long as we are not furthering the kingdom of God, he's happy.
And, if we are not living lives that reflect Christ, all the talk in the world is cheap, cheap, cheap.
Finally, to truly live in freedom, God's freedom, means two things. One is that you must continually be devouring and studying his holy Word. And second, you must have a meaningful prayer life to get to know your Savior.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)