Weekend's Are For.........

EMERGENCIES!!!!!!!
(((((CAUTION!!!!!!  There are graphic photos at the end of this post.  If you don't like graphic, medical photos, don't look!!))))
 This weekend was a whopper.  Saturday night, Jonah took a shower.  He tried to turn off the water but it kept coming out of the faucet and the handle!  I dashed across the street to our neighbor who happens to be a plumber.  It was kind of funny because I hadn't actually met them yet and it was 10pm.  He was really nice and came back to look at the problem.  As we got to the house, Ronan came out in a panic, saying Jonah had fallen and hurt himself really badly.  Knowing Jonah's habit of taking tumbles, I didn't think it was worth Ronan's panic.  I went upstairs and found Jonah crying, my father-in-law with him (which is scary because he doesn't walk really well and he climbed the stairs) and a big towel around Jonah's arm with blood on it and his hand.  The blood got my attention pretty quickly.  Poor Kip (the plumber).  He was there to look at plumbing and he got a whole lot more than expected!!
Jonah later told me he had been kneeling by the tub, looking at the handle, trying to see if he could stop the leak.  His left hand was on the back wall.  His knees slipped, his elbow came down.  Above his elbow caught the soap dish and broke it.  Then his lower arm scraped across the jagged edge.  The lower gash was much worse because of it.
I unwrapped the towel from Jonah's arm and immediately saw that it was worthy of a trip to the ER.  I showed Kip where the problem was and left him and Dad to deal with it.  I put a sterile dressing over Jonah's arm and off we went to the ER.  I really like Madison Memorial for their lack of wait time.  The nurse brought us to a room immediately, took the dressing off and started cleaning the wounds.  The doctor came in within 5 minutes.  I didn't even have time to give all of Jonah's information to the receptionist before the doctor was there!!!
Despite Jonah's hatred for needles, he did really well holding still while the dr. numbed up his arm and then put 12 staples (total) in the 2 gashes.  I, on the other hand, did super well right up to the point that the nurses took over.  I was holding Jonah's hand while the shots were being given and started feeling really light-headed.  I asked the nurse to take his hand and sat down.  I put my head between my knees and breathed deeply.  :-)  And I did NOT pass out!!!  :-)    I was fine by the time the staples went in.
Kip turned off the water to the entire house and pulled the valve out.  It was broken and needed to be replaced.  He left it open and we left the water off.  Until Sunday morning.  I *needed* a shower before Church and Kip said it would be okay to turn it back on.  So I put tin foil around the valve to keep the water from leaking into the wall and turned the pump back on.  I've never seen water shoot that hard in a house!!  I closed the curtain around the tub and that kept the bathroom from being flooded.  I showered as fast as I could, filled up all the pots and pitchers with water to have during the day and then turned the pump back off. I thought it worked pretty well.  Until about 10 before we were to leave for Church.  The twins came upstairs yelling that there was a "bubble on the kitchen ceiling".  I immediately knew what it was.  Dang it.  So there I was, totally dressed up for Church, climbing on the counter, holding a bowl in one hand and a screwdriver in the other to pierce the bubble and let the water drain out.  Mission accomplished, we got to Church on time.
Monday morning, a plumber from Kip's company (found out he's the owner of the company not just a plumber) came and replaced the valve, faucet, handle and shower head.  Yay!!!!  We had water again!!!
And here are the photos------------  Taken just after I got really light-headed.  But, hey, I needed documentation!!  LOL

Home, Sweet Home

1 marriage.
20 Years.
17 rented residences.
5 children.
5 exchange students.
2 dogs.
2 cats.
3 siblings living with us.
1 emergency surgery.
18 months unemployment.
5 years self-employment.
18 months of Brian being away from family.
And now I can finally add...................
Our own home!!!!!

We've been through a lot in 20 years of marriage.  Great, amazing, good, bad and downright ugly!!!  We've always wanted to own our own home but, for many varied reasons, we haven't yet.  A month or so ago, Brian and I were both feeling very strongly that his Dad should come live with us.  Mom is in a nursing home, probably permanently, and Dad has been living by himself.  His health has declined and it would be better for him to be with us where we can take care of him.  He will be much healthier with regular meals and reminders to actually eat!!
So, once again, I started looking at properties.  We needed very specific details such as space for Dad to feel like he has his privacy yet be part of the family without feeling like he's just a visitor in our home.  Several weeks ago I found a property that would work quite well for us.  There would have been some remodeling to do but nothing major or expensive.  We put in an offer for the house, they countered and before we could counter back, the bank let us know that there was another offer on the table.  They wanted to know what our best offer was.  I told them and they said the other party had made a better one.  So we didn't get that house.
I wasn't worried about it and wasn't even upset!  I know that the Lord has a plan for us and had been praying that He would guide us through this to the *best* place for us.  With that offer falling through, I figured there must be something better just waiting!!
And there was!!  I came across a listing that I hadn't seen before (I was looking several times a week online). It had only been on the market for 6 days!  Last Monday I went and looked at that house and 3 others.  It was the only one that would work for us.  The others were either too small (despite what was listed on the for sale page) or needed work before being able to be moved into.  So we decided to make an offer.  The bank (it's a foreclosure) countered and we countered back and they accepted!!!  I was so surprised!!!  We had put the offer in on Thursday, they countered Friday morning, we countered around noon on Friday and I didn't expect to hear anything until Monday.  Our real estate agent called me Saturday afternoon to let me know they accepted our offer!!
It's still a bit unreal.  We have a pre-qualification letter from our lender so I know we're good there.  We have a down payment so we're good there.  It's just been so long and we've been through the search phase so many times in the past that it's hard to believe it's really happening this time!!!!!
I didn't say anything to the younger children about looking for a house until Saturday evening.  They are so excited, too!!  They're even excited about moving to a new school!  I took them out to the house this evening so they could see it.  They were practically bouncing off the walls!!
Brian will be home on the 19th and we sign closing papers on the 20th!!  I just pray there are no blizzards to delay his flights anywhere!  :-)
Here are a few photos.

The house front faces North.

1.6 acres.  About 1/2 of it is in field grass.  This was taken at the very southern edge of the property with the house in the center of the photo.

The entry way.  Taken from the stair landing, looking into the formal living room.  Kitchen, dining and family room are to the left.  4 bedrooms 2 baths upstairs.

Kitchen and dining area.  Brand new stove and dishwasher!!  We'll be getting a new fridge as the one there is pretty old and worn (and it opens the wrong way!!).  On the left wall is a pantry (there are 2).  The open door on the left is into the garage.  The open door at the very back is a bedroom that we've dubbed "Grandpa's Room".  Straight back from the kitchen is a laundry room and full bath (that's Grandpa's Bathroom!).  Real hardwood floors!!  Love that!  An island.  Hate that but will live with it for now.

And this is Isabeau's reaction when we told her it was time to go.  She was sobbing because she wanted to stay in the house.  Poor girl didn't understand we weren't moving in today, just looking.  She's fine now.  

So, a total of 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, formal living room, family room, kitchen, dining room and laundry.  A small, closet pantry and a huge walk-in pantry!  Love that!  3 car garage, huge lawn that looks well taken care of, a fire ring already in place for summer s'mores, and lots and lots and lots of potential!!!!!

5 months later

Wow.  I keep putting off writing and now it's been about 5 months and so much has happened!!!  Brian went back to AFG at the end of June.  The children and I went to my parent's home in Colorado for a few days.  I tried to run a half-marathon there.  The only problem was that I forgot to take into account the altitude difference.  Big mistake.  First race I ever had to drop out of without finishing.  Very disappointing to me but I want to do it again next year.  We'll go over a week or more early so I can acclimate before race day.
July found me turning the "Big 40".  It's really not a big deal.  Not sure why people think it is.  It's just a number. I spent my birthday in Dallas, TX.  Nothing exciting.  Just a new pair of boots.  :-)  I love my boots.
School started up again in August.  It took a few days to get used to having all the children in school!!  It's so quiet here at home during the day!  Brandon is home still but he's not around much.
During Labor Day weekend we went to my brother's house in Utah.  It was a fun weekend with several siblings and our parents there.  On Monday morning, we were all getting ready to leave.  We were in the family room when a knock came on the front door.  The door opened and I was shocked to see Brian standing there!!!!!!!!!  He came home a week early and surprised us!  He had a lay-over in Salt Lake City so he got off the plane, out of the airport and took a taxi to my brother's house.  Such a great surprise!!!!!!
On September 29, we had our final adoption hearing!  The papers were signed and everything is done!!!  We officially and legally have a new son named Hyrum Joseph.  It was a great day!
September 30th was even better!!!!!  As a family, we went to the Rexburg Temple and Hyrum was sealed to us for time and all eternity.  The other children were able to be there to observe.  I had ideas in my mind of how I wanted the day to go.  It turned out exactly how I pictured it!!!!  Perfectly!!!  I am so grateful for the sweet peace of knowing I will have my family with me for all eternity!!!!!
Brian is now back in AFG.  He will be home for Christmas.  Life is back to its' routine.  School for the children, home stuff for me.  Nothing too exciting.

Too Long?

<sigh>  yep, 13+ weeks is far too long to go without Brian coming home.  There is no way I could do 6 months!!!!  haha  I could if I had to I suppose but I'm grateful that I don't have to.

Brian sent me an email this morning.  He is very down right now, really struggling with even being there anymore.  He said his day starts ok but by lunch he's just done.  Done being away from the family, done working over there, just done.  I've been struggling the past 2 weeks, too.  I don't worry too much about myself because I have the children to keep me busy and away from the brink of insanity.  Mostly.  But he just has to deal with it 24/7.  :-(     I wish there was something I could do.  We just have 2 1/2 weeks until he comes home.  I know he'll hang on that long but he's really going to struggle every day.  

He is just getting a new project underway.  He said in his email that he is looking at coming home once it is finished and not going back.  That would be about a month after his 3 week leave.  As much as I want him home, I don't know what we would do financially.  There is so little work around here which is why he's over there!!  I told him that would be okay (stressful but we would figure it out) but we need to really pray about it.  Heavenly Father may have a different plan.  Brian *is* the branch president there, Heavenly Father must want him there.  :-)    We'll reevaluate once this project is nearing completion and see what we're going to do. 

I really think that he would be okay if he had come home on the normal 12 week schedule.  I think it's this extension that is getting to him.  He would be home right now if he had come home at 12 weeks.  But there's a little thing called high school graduation that he needs to be home for in a couple of weeks.  We didn't think 4 weeks more would be that big of a deal.  Evidently, it is. 

If you could take a moment and include him in your prayers, we would really appreciate it!!  

Happy Easter!

I want to wish all of my family and friends a very happy Easter! Here in our home, we have chosen to not follow the world in its' version of celebrating this most sacred event. There is no "Easter bunny". My children will tell you it doesn't exist. There was an egg hunt yesterday in the neighborhood and we enjoyed that as part of spring. But that is the extent of that type of activity.
For our celebration today, we enjoyed attending Stake Conference and listening to the counsel of our leaders. Most of them spoke about Easter. At home, we talked about what resurrection means, who will be resurrected and why we celebrate Easter. It was a wonderful time to teach and remind.
I know that Jesus came to earth as the only Begotten Son of God. I know that he atoned for my sins in the garden of Gethsemane. I know he was crucified on the cross and his body placed in a tomb. I know that on the third day, He was resurrected. I know that I, too, will be resurrected and have eternal life!
I am so grateful for the example I have from my older brother, Jesus Christ!! I know that he is my Redeemer and Savior! I know that HE LIVES!!!!

Adoption!!

Well, the paperwork is moving forward!  It's taking a bit more time to get papers signed since Brian is overseas. I have to scan and email everything to him.  He prints, signs, scans and sends them back.  Then I print them and turn them in.  If his internet connection isn't so good, it takes longer.  So I'm planning on having everything ready to put on the judge's desk when he comes back in late September instead of June.  If some miracle happens and everything is ready in June, it will be great!  Just not expecting it so I don't get disappointed if it doesn't happen.  Counting chickens and all that.
Our days just move forward.  I talked to Brian this evening and realized we have 4 1/2 weeks before he comes home!!  Compared to the 12 previous, that's nothing!  He is having a bit of a hard time, though.  He would be coming home this weekend if we had kept to the 12 on, 3 off schedule.  He's a bit down about it.
I think the hardest part of all of this is when he has a bad day, I can't do anything more than skype to help him.  It's kind of a helpless feeling.  Then again, when I have a bad day, just talking to him helps get me through!!  So hopefully, talking to me helps him.
Keep on keeping on.  :-)

Like Mother Like Son?

I've done a lot of soul-searching in recent months.  What do I really want in life?  What do I want for my family? Where do I belong?  What does God intend for me?  And many, MANY more questions.  I've come to a few realizations.  Not very many answers for some of the questions but realizations about the way things are.  Here are a few-
My children are slobs because that's the example they've been given.  Now, don't get me wrong, they are way worse than I could dream of being.  When I drop something on the floor, 99% of the time it gets picked up.  I don't leave food in my bedroom (rarely take it in there), I don't take food to the family room (it's not supposed to be there anyway), I don't toss all of my stuff on the floor the second I get in the door, etc., etc., etc.  On the other hand, I've never been much of a housekeeper.  I stack things.  If there are papers I need to do something with, they go in a pile.  If I'm busy with something and the children bring papers home from school, they'll probably end up stacked on the coffee table.  When the stacks get high enough on the kitchen counter, I'll either sort through them or just toss it all in a box until I feel like sorting them (boxing them usually only happens when we have company coming and I'm totally embarrassed about the house).
And then there's the subject of being lazy.  I have a good work ethic.  When I have to.  If I don't have to, well, I get lazy.  Don't ask me how many books I've read since January because I lost count at 15.
I've been a stay-at-home Mom for most of my children's lives.  They've seen my attitude towards housekeeping and my skills in putting things off until the last minute.  And they have certainly picked up a LOT!!  And not in a good way.  Far too often, I have had the attitude of "me first, whatever I want to do, when I want to do it, who cares about anything else".  I recognize it now although for a lot of years I didn't.
So now, it's all coming back around to bite me in a very big way.  Our oldest son is in real danger of not graduating high school in May.  Brian may understand that, but I don't.  Brian had to do summer school in order to graduate because he didn't do so well in school.  I coasted through school, not really doing much and still came out with a B+ average.  We knew that Brandon was not a great student very early on.  I have been pushing and pushing and pushing the school district to help me for *years*.  They did testing- no learning disabilities.  Great IQ actually.  I've been pushing Brandon for years.  But it's not good enough.  He has picked up and learned my lazy attitude far too well.  He wants to go military.  We've emphasized that they won't take him without a diploma.  That seemed to spur him on enough for awhile.  Then he let things go again.  We tried bribing him with the promise of a new car (his dream car, no less).  That worked for about 2 weeks and then he let everything go again.  When he was younger, we tried pretty much everything we could to make him realize how important his school work was.  All to no avail.
So here I sit, after *another* row with him about his grades (1.50 GPA, 2 weeks into this trimester), feeling like a complete failure as a mother.  He went downstairs crying, I stayed upstairs crying.
So where do we go from here?  I want him to graduate.  I want him to have success.  I want him to be able to fulfill his dreams.  I want him to know how much I love him and want all of this for him because I love him.  I want him to understand I don't get mad about his grades because I think he's not good enough.  He is good enough!!  He's a very smart guy!!!!!   I *know* he's capable of far more than he shows.  He's creative, talented and so much like his Dad!!  I want the best for him.
I realize his learning style is not my fault.  It's just who he is.  I still feel like there is something I should have done.  Some character flaw in myself that I passed on to him through my actions and inactions.  If only I had done "that".  If only I had done "this".  If only, if only, if only.
If only I had the parenting instruction manual.  I try to do it like God.  He put Adam and Eve in the Garden.  He gave them the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules.  He left them to choose for themselves.  When they broke the rules, He immediately applied the consequences.  I've had partial success.  So I guess that means I've had partial failure too.  Right now it feels like complete failure.