My piping is messed up!

You can take this in many ways I am sure.  Yes, it is messed up when your little girl because a teenager and messes up your piping.  But I am talking about plumbing this time.

Emily and I were getting ready for a doctor appointment and there was a jacuzzi party going on in the toilet bowl.  While I would have rather been invited to a real jacuzzi party this one was not wanted.  I don't know much about toilets and couldn't tell you where the plunger is either.  I usually call someone.  So of course I flush the (clean) toilet and it overflows everywhere...there's a washer load of towels!  As if I didn't remember that history repeats itself...I walk to the other bathroom. You guessed it already I am sure, I flushed it!  Second load of towels!

Tried to call the hubby, he is either out of range, in a meeting or on the phone.  No luck there.  So I did the most logical other thing to do, call gas & water dept.  Then I had to make a decision whether now I had to take Elizabeth with us to Nashville for Emily's appointment.  I thought, the boys can go to the bathroom outside, but girls can't.  So Elizabeth was on her way with us.

The boys called later and said the toilets were working now.  I get home to find a bunch of big trucks leaving the area from that department.  The next morning they tell me a bunch of garble that I can't process and really didn't want that clouding up in my brain.  I retell what I could to hubby.

A few days later, the codes dept shows up.  Good friend of ours.  But still he had to make his appearance and let me know what I needed to do.  So I have been on phones to get bids from plumbers I don't know, don't know if they are honest, don't know if they are looking for a fast buck for a half done job in my yard.

A plumber friend of ours came over to take a look just a bit ago who's cousin may be doing the work.  We have another plumbing company coming tomorrow to give us a bid.  But what has to happen is they have to dig 40-50 feet from our clean out to some tall white pvc thingy with a cap on it by the curb and attach it to the main sewer line...in the mean time gas and water has really messed up our curbing.  We were advised to take pictures.  Done!

Now I guess we wait and see what the estimate will be.  We told him to try and be as conservative as you can considering that things are tight here with Emily having 2 back surgeries this year already and now a major infection and multiple trips to Nashville.  And starting tonight trips to Cumberland City nightly for packing changes.  Gas prices need to drop significantly! Fast!

Nice lovely mess they made in my yard without even letting me know they were going to do it!

It comes naturally...

Everything in our lives comes naturally.  Not talking about organic stuff...just life in general.

I don't feel that we create any of the chaos that may be a part of our lives...it comes naturally.

Emily's 2 back surgeries this year...comes naturally.

Emily's infection on her incision....comes naturally.

Judge's germs...comes naturally.

Elizabeth's germs...comes naturally.

Jesse's germs....comes naturally.

Jesse's mrsa and cellulitis...comes naturally.

My anxiety...comes naturally.

A wedge in our day that diverts all plans....comes naturally

Its how we deal with these things that counts.  Emily's surgeries are finished...now we just deal with the infection with antibiotics and consistent wound care.  I am a mom...this comes naturally.

Everyone had germs in the past month.  I took care of each one of them with the proper tylenols, motrins, cough medicine, inhalers.  I am a mom...this comes naturally.

Jesse's mrsa and cellulitis, took him to see doc...she got his meds and we are moms...this comes naturally.

Homeschooling all 4 of my children...comes naturally.

My anxiety, I try and figure out the triggers and try and keep them at bay...this isn't coming very naturally. Because I am still working on everyone else that I haven't figured out how to work on myself yet.
I can take care of 3 kids with Type 1 diabetes but leave myself at the curb.  Luckily my diabetes, up until this weekend, hasn't been very picky and pretty easy to handle.  I am trying to make this come naturally.  I have to be the role model for my children and I am learning to make this as nurturing and natural as possible.  I don't let them see my faults, screw ups or mental manipulations.
My children are my world...as is my husband.  Christ entrusted me with his children for a short amount of time and now it is up to me to teach them trust in Him which should come as naturally.  I shelter them from the short comings , screw ups and mental manipulations of other people too...this comes naturally to me.

When my 13yo has a conversation with me about what rehab is and I have to differentiate the difference between physical rehab (strokes, cardiac, broken legs) and alcohol rehab, I know she has been kept safe.  She asks the question and I answer it in a factual way.  I can give her anectdotes of stories that I remember seeing certain things at her age.  She didn't know that kids her age are drinking, smoking and popping pills.  She sounded surprised.  Last night when we are in the ER and the doctor is worried about her having a pulmonary embolism asks if she is taking birth control.  Emily's head almost did a 1-80 turn and said "I am 13!!"  Doctor explained that 13 year olds take birth control for reasons other than preventing pregnancy but also to help regulate their monthly cycles.
Having conversations like these come naturally...having them not experience them firsthand I hope will come naturally...

Today's activities

I found a math helper for Elizabeth the other day on Pinterest 

Not because she is having a hard time with this concept but more because she likes this concept and I thought it would be fun for to do!

Emily is trying to play catch up from the time she was off from back surgery on the 19th.  Biology is one that I need her caught up on quickly so that she and Jacob are at the same place in the book.  That way the projects can be done together!

Right now the 3 older kids are working on IEW until noon (our new lunch time).

Meet our new 10 week old guinea pig "PipSqueak"!!

This is what I am calling my creation station for the day.  Blog open with other tabs opened to create the math helper.  My blood sugar meter nearby because I am testing what seems like millions of times a day on this new insulin.   Coffee is within arms reach!  Laminator is heating up and ready for the game pieces.  A few of Elizabeth's binder clutter and Emily's binder and Biology book there too!  Oh and can't forget a baggie with some brads in there to complete the project.

Scheduling changes

I am sure I am not the only one that has to make scheduling changes as life interrupts are smooth running days, weeks and months.  We have had a minor setback due to allergies, sick germs, mrsa and Emily's back surgery.  She does have a school note until March 11th...but I am sure kids at a real school don't have couches, recliners and a bed to sit in and do their homework! :)  We do therefore you can get some schoolwork done.

A few new things were found by reading other people's posts on fb.  One being the Liberty Kids series has their full episodes online at Youtube.  Each episode is divided into two videos each being just under 11 minutes long.  Jesse and Elizabeth are going to watch these for part of their history curriculum.  Easy to do on their kindle fire's with earbuds!

I picked up some Decimals series books by Key Curriculum Press.  We are starting in Book 2.

Jesse is still continuing in the Apologia series for A&P.  He should finish by May.  I really like their easy experiments that may be easy but the experiment gets the concept to the child and that is the point.

He is also still working on Word Building with the 6th and 7th level books...

IEW will be integrated into our schedule now in the mornings as well as Handwriting and Spelling.

I still need to get into Elizabeth, Jacob and Emily's schedules tomorrow but at least Jesse's is complete (until April 1st that is).

How wrinkled is your brain?

Found on the Smithsonian blog today about the differences in brain size and whether the animal has a smooth brain or a wrinkled brain.  Which are similar and which are different?  In the article Nuwer makes observations of how three of the animals have brains that are shaped as a liver.  Very interesting.  Why does she say this?  What shape is a liver?

Great image from the blog mentioned above to learn about shapes, patterns and even math.  I say math because they did give us a scale at the bottom of the image that students can measure each brain to get an idea about the size and area.  Tracing, they could place a thin sheet of paper over each brain and trace the brains.  Make a lapbook and take this even more in depth and study each animal.  Lots that can be made just by this one article.  I am not an evolutionary thinker so I can read this without wondering why the brains are so similar because I know I did not start as a monkey or evolved from the grey squirrel.

2 of my favorite videos

Someone reminded me on facebook of a video that has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.

Its called the Mom Song...in 2 minutes and 55 seconds!  Sounds like a good chunk of my life.  Make sure you follow it up with our favorite diabetic video afterwards!!

This mom has the privilege of taking care of two Type 1 children. Video has the same music as the first one!! (William Tell Overture)

Because he fights hard each day...he pedals!

Our ADA message:

Support Me in Tour de Cure!

I will be cycling in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fundraising event. Please support me with a donation by selecting the "Sponsor Me" button. Our efforts will help set the pace in the fight against diabetes. So let's get in gear and ride to Stop Diabetes!

"I am not only riding for myself.  I am riding for my family.  I have 2 sisters and my mom who also have Type 1 diabetes" -Jesse 

Help Make a Difference in the fight against diabetes!

Each mile I ride, and the funds I raise will be used in the fight to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

No matter how small or large, your generous gift will help improve the lives of nearly 24 million Americans who suffer from diabetes, in the hope that future generations can live in a world without this disease. Together, we can all make a difference!

Thank you for making a generous contribution to this cause that is so important to me!

A more personal message:

Jesse is trying to cross the finish line with his diabetes. Jesse wants to spread diabetes awareness that lets everyone know that even though he is 10 he isn't held back from doing anything!! This year his goal is to ride 60 miles in the Middle Tennessee Tour de Cure 2013! Our family is in the ambassador family for our region's tour...with 4 of using insulin pumps we have to make diabetes a part of our lives.
If everyone would consider donating at least $5, he would make his goal really fast!! Of course if you are able to do a larger donation that is appreciated too. But as many of us know, diabetes is expensive and our budgets are already stretched pretty far!
Many ask us why we do more support with the ADA and not with JDRF since we have multiple children that are diagnosed. My answer is always that my children will be growing up and will be an adult and the ADA will always be there connecting families, providing education and research towards diabetes.

Here is his website through the ADA.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/JesseJones

__________________

It was a good stitching day, in more ways than one!

So for the past month I have wanted to work on my Country Bloomers project!  Can't find the chart ANYWHERE.  I got to thinking...I wonder if it was put in the sell box that I took to the Used Book Store??
After fretting about this for awhile I had the opportunity to get to Nashville and take a look.  Lo and Behold I heard the angels singing....Ahhhhhhhh! I found it.  I know it was mine because I know the markings I had in the chart!  So excited!!! Tomorrow afternoon after all of our Nashville appointments my hope is to be able to sit and stitch on this one!  Can't let others in our group get ahead of me...yes I am competitive too!

On other notes.

I had my first finish of 2013.  I am working on the 12 months of flowers by Maurer-Stroh...find the free patterns.  They are in there.  I am thinking of making them and finding someone to help me learn how to quilt and incorporate these pieces.  I think it will look beauti-mus!  I don't think it should be too hard.  And who knows I may not ask anyone to help me and just do it myself! :)

This is the January Carnations.
Februrary pattern is Violets...really excited about this one as I really like purple and could never tire of using this color.  The color is cornsilk and it is very lovely.  Here are some progessions of how it is working out:



This is as far as I have gotten so far.  Aren't the cornsilk "purples" beautiful.  They are so close in hue but there are actually 3 different colors.

Tomorrow I hope to get some work on the "Country Bloomers"  I am making some changes to the pattern however. The pattern has the Bloomers hanging out on a laundry line.  Instead of the day of the week stitched above each bloomer I am going to place a member of our household's name above each one.  And in the bench on the bottom right I am going to stitch "est. 1995"  Thought this would give it a  more personal touch.  Here is what the chart looks like:



Happy Stitching this week everyone!  Leave me a link to your blog in the comment section so I can peek in on what you are working on!

Making do with what you have

Some times we face not having things we may need.  We have our medical necessities in good standing.  But this week...it was just not the priority for me to go out and buy printer paper.  I don't know why I say this as we use our printer til the cows jump over the moon!  I print everything!!

Like i said, we ran out of paper.  So today, after reading about another HS mom teaching their child long division I was thinking...I suppose it is time for Jesse to learn how to divide.  His multiplication facts are really good.  It was perfect timing today.  I tried to make my own worksheet using lined paper but really graph paper is the way to go.  Makes it easier for them to learn about columns, spacing and number organization.

We have started off easy and slow.  Only doing facts between 1 and 5.  After the first 2 lines he took off with the sheet on his own.  Great job Jesse!

Division videos:

I hope these help others!

Elizabeth has been working on Animal Science, basic math, word building, learning more about horses and reading in her book she received at book club.  We had a long night last night as we waited on the storm to pass through.  So just after midnight she decided she wanted to work on some math.  Came in and got her book, finished 11 pages, brought it back and that was it.  Nice thing with homeschooling is that there are no boundaries.  School doesn't end here.  Even when they have their assignments finished for the day, they may decide to do more.  I'm surely not going to hold them back and say "no".  Jacob did the same thing last night.  He asked if he could get an early start on assignments.  I remember because it was 12:07 last night and he thought might as well since he was wide awake.  Proud of them for thinking about their schoolwork instead if the iPod, Droid phone or Kindle Fire.  The other two kids were asleep.  In fact, Elizabeth said that she couldn't sleep because Emily's pump was keeping her awake (really it was the impending storm, but the annoying beeping sound wasn't helping.)  Emily's numbers were going higher.  She seemed to have leveled off so we didn't add any extra insulin to lower her.

Pinterest round up

Found some great things to share.  Each of the images belong to their respective blogs which are also listed.  If a picture looks like something you would like...please support the blogs and click on them for further instructions!


Kathryn's Kitchen


Crustabakes


NOLAMommy


Mother Thyme

FoodieTravelGal


Baked By Rachel


Deep South Dish

Should today be a new day?

Not sure if today should be a new day.  It doesn't feel like a new day when you walk into what looks like yesterday.  Stuff still on the couches, wii remotes and games out and everywhere.  Under couches stuffed like pigs, cheerios that had spilled out of a container earlier in the week are still being found under the baker's rack.  I can't find my coffee cup either.  Coffee may become "privilege" in our house for those under 18...not a right.
I have one child up at the moment...poor thing will get the first rant of the morning!  But having them stagger in may be the key to getting things done on different levels.  No you may not have your phone with you and no you may not turn on the tv or listen to music while getting your stuff done.
Yesterday, I had a plan and knew what I wanted to get done today and now I have had a car stop right in front of me and I can't go anywhere with my plan for the day.  So we have to move this car before we can keep moving on our "trip" for the day.  Roadblocks are really hard to handle.  Especially when you normally have road rage.
(Disclaimer: This is speaking metaphorically...we really don't have a car stopped in front of me.  Use the other side of your brain)

I have pulled everything out from under the couches and it sits as a pile in the living room floor.

So how did today turn in to a new day?  The sun did go down and then this morning the Lord rose the sun once again.  We are not promised this for tomorrow.  I am not promised that the chores will be done and ready for a new day the next day either.

All the kids are up now.  One situation already dealt with.  One child already showered. 4 beds made.  Clean clothes on their backs.  Waiting on the kitchen to be finished and I think today will be a homeschool day around the family table.  Maybe we should make it a habit to do it this way at least 3 days a week.

In history...

In history...that is how children nowadays think about history.  That it was just something stupid that happened in the past and why should they learn about it now?  In public school, they learn that "stupid" history fact to pass a test and then do a brain dump.  Not everybody but I can tell my son has done that.  Emily and I were sitting here having a discussion about Rosa Parks and Jacob couldn't even tell me who she was.  So guess what he is doing?
Why are kids pumping and dumping their education?  Do they really need to know every fact, detail and date?  I think that if you were to ask a kid who is "so and so" they should know the general information about that person.  I know for a fact that Jacob learned about Rosa Parks in public school...where did that information go?

New Year...New ?

The day has started out well if you haven't already been stalking my facebook then you would have seen this:

Ok, sorry I was distracted by an email and a game request.  I am just going to post what I wrote on facebook regarding the number pictured above.

The first blood sugar I have looked at in 2013. Its a sensor number so this could go in either direction should I decide to poke my finger and squeeze it to make it bleed. I think I will save that horrifying experience for later when things don't feel "right".

• Its the hot lottery number in the world of diabetes. I don't believe in superstitions or premonitions or any kind of "itions" but I am hoping and praying for a good diabetes year (see I believe in "ing" words). Disregard the mountain before the 100...that doesn't count anymore. The truth of the matter is that it came down and that is the important part. Yes, I know I am talking myself into things but at least I am keeping it positive!

  
  

 oh that smudge on the ESC button is chocolate if anyone was wondering

So of course the only appropriate thing to do is to change my cover picture to the one above and make my profile picture a downloaded Hershey's Chocolate (bells) picture.  Because, after all...that is what created that smudge on my button!

This year

• I plan to have a good diabetes year and overcome my short something.   Should I say short falls? Or short comings?  I mean I did just use the word overcome...Anyhow, I just would like to do better and continue to get better.
• I plan to get to those game requests a lot sooner on my phone...sorry random opponents I don't know...but you keep some of my world rotating.  For those that I play that do know me, I expect to get more requests from you.  Not the facebook games! I don't do those.  And I don't like games that you can buy/upload a cheat app to help you beat me better.  It gets pretty obvious if my total score is like 300 and yours is 6,000.  I know I am not that dumb!
• I plan to plan better.  I always say that when I plan, God laughs.  Well he did it again this week.  I planned all weekend for this week.  We were going to start back with our lessons.  Well, yesterday we had a guest and today daddy is home and we want to go swimming instead.   Did you hear that?  HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yep that was Him laughing at me. 
• I plan to delete people on my facebook that either 1. I really don't know 2. They don't have diabetes or 3. They are not a cross stitcher.  4. You are a homeschool mom.  So if you don't know me in real life and we don't converse outside of facebook and we don't have a texting relationship...consider yourself gone.  You should have diabetes too because if you don't then I am sure you don't want to hear about my numbers or the kids numbers and be able to understand when we are "high" and not think we are junkies.  I have to keep my homeschool moms because that is an outside connection that I need...or maybe its their ideas that I really need.   Cross stitchers just "get" me...most of them at least do.  Some have the ADD bug like I do and stitch for awhile and then wonder why they aren't stitching for the past month?  So, yes, I am cleaning up my facebook.  I am glad I have found people I haven't seen in ages but just because I found them doesn't mean I talk to them.  Do you?
• I plan to blog more.  Blogging is like therapy to me.  It gets my feelings out and I don't have the fear of being judged.  Because if I did feel judged I would blog about YOU! lol...j/k! ::maybe not::

This may be a good start for me.  We have a lot to look forward to this year.  Big plans...lets just hope they work out!  One of our big plans involves a great present received last week!  This kids have been out of the house most of the week because of it.  I have had an empty bed at night also!  Big perks for me!  We have already started mapping out where we want to go too!  We all got new bicycles...nah, just kidding!

This is so new to us and we are so excited!

Hurry before the end of the month!

I don't know if anyone else does this...but we do!  Since our insurance is all paid up from deductibles and OOP expenses we needed to get all equipment in before the 1st of the year and all the deductibles go back to ZerO!

The kids were able to get their sensors in!  Yay!
I suppose you can say that we have a charging station now on the edge of my bathroom vanity.  I wish it stayed this neat and tidy...but it doesn't!  I have one tha tis blinking red right now so I am assuming it needs a new battery!  I will have to look at this in a bit!  Getting the boxes delivered felt more like Christmas to us!  They have waited a good time to get these and have spent quite a few night with lows and shaky, yucky feelings!
Our 12:12 on 12/12/12 picture!  Only one was not at 12:12...she did it at 12:14 because it took her extra time to get more blood out of her finger!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas I blog over to you...

This fun day!!

Yesterday, Elizabeth was able to meet her K12 teacher in person at the winter social 2012.  In our area the children met up at the bowling alley.  They had a coloring poster for each of them to color on and then had a drawing for 10 of the K12 string backpacks.  Elizabeth was a lucky winner for the backpack.!!

Jacob didn't want to come with us...must be a 13 thing not to go bowling with your mom and siblings. Idk!  But we did have fun!  This bowling alley has the BEST fried mushrooms around and when I told Emily we were going she was so giddy about getting the mushrooms.  I was smart this time and bought our drinks as a pitcher of soda otherwise I would have been paying more for refills.  So we downed a pitcher of soda, two orders of fried mushrooms and a large pizza!

I bought the kids 3 games each because I figured the time will go by quickly and this would keep them busy.  But it was hard to keep Elizabeth at our lane and she was fluttering around talking to other kids (which is fine!) and trying to keep the attention of her teacher.  "Watch me", "Did you see that?" and "Can I go home with you"...which I feel makes a parent feel about an inch tall thinking we aren't doing something right that Elizabeth thinks her teacher can do better.  While I am sure that is not the case but that's what it feels like anyhow.  

About 10 minutes into the bowling session the lights turned off and cosmic bowling was ON like donkey kong! I know cheesy...but it sounded pretty good in my head to say that on here.  Emily wore the perfect shirt for this occasion.  Didn't plan for it to work out as good as it did...but it was awesome!

The other three have taken their holiday break a bit early.  So much has been going on to get ready for Christmas.  Some nice weather we have had with a few days of rain.  We are still recovering from the Christmas play days where the kids took part as banner carrier, offering bearer and in the homeschool handbell choir.  These days were proud mama, daddy, grandaddy and aunt days!  We even had a friend of ours come with us on 2 nights of the performance.  Everyone that took part in the play did a superb job!

If you would like to keep up with my cross stitching and learn about giveaways and how you can win for yourself or somebody else (great stocking stufferes right now!) Come check it out at:  http://yougotmeinstitches.blogspot.com/  I am posting a new giveaway tonight, become a follower and you are in!  No other strings attached...I promise!

And it wouldn't be a complete blog post if I didn't plug in Pampered Chef as well!  
This month I will be organizing a Pampered Chef Order of the Month Club.  Looking for groups of 12 who will commit to buying $20 in products + applicable taxes & shipping.  Each month a new hostess of the group will have the honor of earning the free products and hostess gifts!  Easy, right?  If you are interested in this leave a comment and let me know.
Yesterday was a long day with appointments and shopping.  But I came home to daddy and Jacob making potato chips in the deep fryer!  He used the Simple Slicer from Pampered Chef and raved over how easy it was to do!  "simple" would have been my word and the obvious word to use but I will take his "easy" anyhow!  The Simple Slicer is only $30 in the catalog and it adjusts to 3 different thickness selections.  See our potatoes??  Come visit me at pamperedchef.biz/rcj176