~This Mama got a Night Out~

After two weeks of basically being stuck in the house due to weather and sickness, I was happy to have a night out.  A dozen or so ladies from church met at a local bowling alley.

We bowled two games... I wowed myself with scores of 99 and 102.  We were done bowling before we had to head home.  My rule for mom's night out is that I don't get home until the kids are in bed:-)

 A bunch of us met at an all night diner for treats.  I had some hot cocoa and a way to sweet Oreo dessert.

I like bowling and I really like a late night treat... but what I liked most was being out with these ladies.  They are all so very different and I can learn so very much from each of them.  They are each a gift from God!

A few godly widows with glittery gray hair,

Some fun empty nesters with wisdom to share,

Moms in the trenches all tired and worn,

Friendships and bonds are mutually born.

~Little Sickie Part 2~

As I was watching Kiersten feel better, I was watching Nathan go downhill quickly!  Thankfully I got two good nights sleep between the two all nighters.

He had a runny nose on Sunday... by Monday night I thought he had pneumonia!  He has had it in the past but didn't have the high fever he normally does. His breathing was very labored and I didn't want to wait for the fever to show up.  Tuesday was supposed to bring a big snow storm so Gregg took him to Urgent Care before our doctor's office opened.

Thankfully it wasn't pneumonia... it was just a bad asthma attack.  I was giving him his inhaler but it wasn't working for long at all.  I think we need to invest in a nebulizer.

He felt great when he got home and the color returned to his face... but it was a few hours later that he started wheezing again. I ended up calling the doctor wondering if we would have to take him back in.  She suggested I give him his medicine early. He started getting better an hour later.

We have been basically healthy all winter so I really can't complain.  It was just a tough couple of weeks.  I am ready for spring!!!

~Little Sickie Part 1~

Kiersten started with a belly ache last Tuesday.  Wednesday she was just tired. Thursday she had a real fever.  Friday and Saturday were tough... fever, aches and grumpy.  I didn't get much sleep those two nights.  She was a real sweetie though.  

She was good at keeping hydrated and was so snugly.

It seems... a week later... she is actually getting worse.  She was fine Sunday and Monday but started with a fever again today.

Thankfulness.  It is just a winter fever.  Many mama's hold their dearest little ones knowing their is no hope for them.  Unfathomable.  We are enjoying each others company and the snow falling outside.  Thankful the boys can manage simple meals.  

~Eric's Birthday~

Eric was so excited to have his birthday on a Saturday.  The only trouble was Gregg was out of town and Jordan was gone for the day.  He also wanted a dog.   A real dog.  And that is all he wanted.  He was certainly set up for a day of disappointments.

He opened each card and read them.  Kiersten had fun photo bombing.

We gave Eric something to help him with his archery... and that was it... no dog.  He was disappointed.  But he got a bunch of sour candy from his siblings so that made him happy.  The picture above is sour watermelon spray.  His favorite.

I wanted to sit down and relax that afternoon... but birthday boy wanted mom's potato salad... birthday boy with blue eyes and long lashes wins... again

Birthday boy with blue eyes and long lashes also wanted a special cake.  Chocolate cake, chocolate icing, brownie, chocolate icing, chocolate cake covered in peanut butter icing and chocolate chips.

Since I couldn't give him the dog, I did all the rest.

He is still hoping a dog shows up... I'm finally putting my feet up :-)

~Ice Bubbles~

School is closed  in a lot of areas today because of the majorly cold air that has come to visit.  It was 5 degrees when I started breakfast (I didn't think to look at the temp when I woke up an hour earlier).  My kids are still doing school... and an added science experiment.

Brrr, it was very cold outside... 12 degrees after lunch. We let Kiersten and Nathan watch out the window (they were mad at me but it was seriously cold and windy!).

Aaron blew the bubbles and I chased them around the yard.  

Most of them looked normal.  The ones that lasted longer became opaque before they popped.  The pop looked more like they cracked open.

This one was in the middle of popping when it landed.  After a few seconds the wind blew it apart.

This one was really cool to watch!  After it sat their for a few seconds, it broke open.

My hands were almost numb but it was really cool to do this.  Now I am ready for spring!  Even 30 degrees would feel warm now!

~January 2014~