Rain, Rain, Go Away!

We never made it to see Katie's artwork on Sunday, we were going to go when I finished in the kitchen. I was in the middle of cleaning out the refrigerator when Ted told me Noah was trying to clean up water downstairs with paper. I sent Katie and Grace down there to clean it up because I thought it came from them playing with the Barbie cruise ship. I didn't hear anything from them in awhile so I checked in with them. They came upstairs holding a very wet towel. I asked them how much water they used. They told me they didn't play with any water...uh-oh. I went downstairs to see what was going on, I found two puddles of water(I thought Toby was to blame at first!). When I opened the door to the laundry room...HELLO...water everywhere. My heart sank, I have never had water in the basement. I started to move the boxes of my mom's things out of harm's way, and even had to unpack some of it in order to save it. I couldn't figure out what happened, my sump pump is fairly new. I tried checking it, but what do I know about things like that, nothing. I called my brother John and got his voicemail. Thinking he was out of state I called Jerry, Robbie's friend's dad. He has been such a life saver, he was the one who fixed my car when the fuel pump went out on me, not to mention other things. Jerry came right over and took a look at it, he said it was still working...whew! While he was here, John showed up carrying an extra motor, so I had two life savers that day. They both thought the sump pump got overwhelmed by so much rain in so little time. I am finding out that I wasn't the only one that happened to. John left the motor here, just in case. When all was said and done, the art show was over by the time I was done mopping up water. Katie didn't seem to mind, in fact, she had forgotten all about it.

Robbie is very excited about making his First Communion on Sunday. We had rehearsal last night, we are the first ones to walk in. Robbie is happy about it, me, not so much. I like to blend in, being first is not blending in. We do have front row seats, so I can't complain about that! Ted will be one of three altar servers, he feels special. Robbie also gets to take up the gifts with five other kids, he is first doing that too. They practiced their song that they sing, of course I got teary-eyed. They look so precious when singing about Jesus. They have their hands together, as if they were praying, and when they sing, "We want to see Jesus", they look up to the sky. I'm getting teary-eyed right now just thinking about it. It should be a very nice day.

I'm off to clean the house today, I wanted to work in the yard, but once again it's raining. Let's hope the water stays outside this time!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue



Free Counter

Body Of Christ...Amen

This week is back to normal and everyone is feeling good. On Tuesday I went to the school and made communion hosts with Robbie's class. Wheat flour and water, that's all it takes. About 30 years ago, while doing construction on the school and church, someone found a communion press in the basement. The stamping on it dates back to the 1880's, it is very cool. Father placed it on top of the stove, when it was hot enough, he placed a small amount in the center, then he squeezed. It oozed out, sometimes too much, the kids loved it. When it was done, he put it between damp cloths and went on to the next one. When he was done making all of them, he then cut out a large circle with a knife, this would be his. They had little round cutters with tall handles to cut out the rest, these are for us. The cutters were also from the 1880's. The hosts we made will be the ones we receive at the First Communion Mass. We were able to take a taste of the left over, it tasted much better than what we usually receive. I guess homemade does taste best, even with communion hosts!

The side mirror on Helen's bus was hit by a parent's van the other day. They couldn't move until the police went and took a report, and the bus company could fix the mirror. As soon as Helen gets dropped off, we leave to pick the others up from school. I waited an extra 10 minutes until I called the bus company, they told me what was going on. I left to pick up the kids, they were waiting for me against the fence. I figured I might as well swing by Helen's school and see if I could take her off the bus. I thought she would be very bored, and therefore, fidgety. I expected to see the mirror dangling on the side of the bus. It wasn't, it looked like it hadn't even moved, but it was cracked. I told her bus driver I was there to take Helen off her hands, I was sure she would be bored. Helen was the only one on the bus that was listening, so she was sorry to see her go. As we were pulling away, I saw someone from the bus company fixing the mirror. If we hadn't picked her up, she probably would have been at least an hour late getting home.

We have somewhat of a busy week-end, Katie and Grace have Greek dance class on Friday. Robbie has a den meeting on Saturday, and on Sunday we are going to the Catholic High School for the art show. Katie will have a picture on display, she is very excited. Ted had his self portrait displayed there a few years ago, he was very proud.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue



Free Counter

Spring Break '09

Oh my goodness...I can't believe it's Thursday afternoon already! The kids are off from school for Spring Break, that's why I haven't written this blog yet. I finally had to kick one of them off, every time I saw the computer available I was in the middle of something. When I was done with what I was doing I would come to the computer only to find it occupied once again. The week didn't start off so great, we have been fighting an intestinal bug. While at church on Easter morning, Noah was the first to share with everyone what he had eaten that morning (the cry room was packed!). The kids will be the first to tell you that it didn't smell so pretty in there, in fact, an older couple left the room and went to the other side. I got him cleaned up just in time for Communion, and then we left. He wasn't sick for the rest of the day. Ted on the other hand wasn't feeling the greatest. As soon as we got home from my brother's house, he got sick. Robbie got sick during the night, but both were fine the next day. I was the next in line to catch whatever was going around. My bug decided it wanted to be different, and came out in another way. I spent most of the day on Monday and Tuesday trying to recover. We have gone two nights without anyone getting sick, let's hope we're done(I'm knocking on wood!).

Tuesday Katie had an appointment with a surgeon about her hernia. She will be having surgery at Children's in Milwaukee on May 7th. Children get hernias when the muscle around the intestine doesn't close all the way while they are developing in the uterus. It is only when the intestine pokes through that the hernia is discovered. They will be stitching up the hole instead of using mesh. Because she is still growing, the mesh would only tear, and therefore, she would need another surgery. Robbie also had an appointment, the dermatologist wanted to check the incision. They put more steri-strips on to give it more support. He has to stay out of gym for two more weeks, and also no rough housing. The biopsy results came back...NEGATIVE!(Yeah!)

Helen has been blasting Christmas music this week. If it weren't for the nice weather we have been having, I would have thought they were on Christmas break.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

PS- To all of you who are Orthodox...Happy Easter.




Free Counter

Happy Easter

Robbie is doing fine, he had one incident on Monday with his leg. While getting into his desk he bumped his leg which caused some swelling. I had him elevate it for awhile, it was as if I had asked him to eat nails. He did not want to stay still for a minute. His incision is looking good, it looks to me like it is healing nicely. We have a follow up appointment during Spring break. Katie also has an appointment during the break, her appointment is with a surgeon. I was told at her check up back in August that she had a hernia. The pediatrician said it was something that could wait for awhile but would definitely need to be taken care of. If left alone it could affect her later in life, especially if she wanted children. Our COBRA insurance runs out in August, now is the time to get everything taken care of. I have priced insurance for us...OUCH!! I really don't see how I can afford private insurance, it is a difficult decision. I am looking into insurance just for Helen at this point.

Helen's report card wasn't as bad as I was expecting. She is doing much better since the IEP, I'm wondering if they are still going to place her in a different program for the next school year. The teachers commented on how she is like a different girl. She is trying harder and is even cooperating, how about that!?!! Last night at her religion class they went into the church to watch the eighth graders do Shadows Of The Cross. They reenact the stations of the cross by body language (I don't know how else to describe it). I asked her teacher how she did, expecting to hear they had to leave. When they first entered the church Helen started making noises in order to hear the echo. I guess no one noticed, I think they just didn't say anything. I have been in church with Helen when she makes those noises, I had to take her into the cry room it was so loud.

I can't believe Easter is this week-end, it snuck up on me. I realized last week-end that I needed to do my shopping this week. Wednesday is out because I volunteer at the school until 1:00pm. Friday was out because the kids have no school. Tuesday and Thursday Grace and Noah don't have school, so that only left Monday. Thank goodness I had nothing planned for that morning so I was able to get it all done. The kids are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Easter Bunny and can't wait to color eggs. You all know what we'll be doing Saturday night!! I wish those of you that celebrate a very Happy Easter.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue


Free Counter

Update

Robbie's surgery went well, it was a very long day. The doctor was running behind schedule so Robbie didn't go into surgery until 3:00pm. We got home around 6:00pm, he had a hard time waking up, and was even getting sick. He had a good nights sleep and is doing much better today. He is a trooper, he has not had any pain medicine, and in fact, hasn't complained at all. We will get the biopsy results in a couple of weeks, please keep us in your prayers.

Take Care,
Sue




Free Counter

Time Management

I thought I was doing a good job at managing my time this week. Now that it's Thursday and I have a ton of things to get done, I didn't do so good. Unfortunately that means I don't have it in me to sit here and write a blog. My mind is on so many other things, first and foremost, Robbie's surgery tomorrow. He has a suspicious growth inside his birthmark, so the surgeon is going to remove the whole thing. Since my mother-in-law died from melanoma the doctors thought it best to remove the entire birthmark instead of just the growth. I need to clean the house a bit, do laundry, meet with the accountant(time's ticking!), and get Katie signed up on her friend's softball team. I only have today to do all of this because tonight we have a Cub Scout pack meeting, it's the annual Eggstranaut. That is where they bundle up their eggs with whatever they like and then drop them from the fire escape outside of the school. They are successful if their egg doesn't break. Ted has wrapped his with packing wrap, and Robbie's is nestled in shredded paper inside of a left over container. Wish us luck!

Please keep Robbie in your prayers tomorrow.
Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue