Stickers

I don't say this very often, but, I don't know what to do with myself this morning. It's Wednesday, I'm supposed to be helping with hot lunch at the school, at least that's what my internal clock is telling me. The last hot lunch for the school year was last week and I already miss it. I thought I would fill the void and write my blog, next week it may be a different story.

Yesterday we went to Children's for Katie's follow up appointment with the surgeon. We had to wait a long time for the doctor. I had to have the nurse call the cardiac clinic because Helen had an appointment scheduled, and we were late. When I spoke with the scheduling department they assured me there was enough time for us to get to Helen's appointment on time, I should have known better. Once the doctor came in to see Katie, she felt her tummy, asked how many lollipops, and we were out of there. All that waiting for less than a minute of her time! Our next stop was Helen's appointment, she was there to get hooked up to a Holter monitor. For those of you who have been fortunate enough to have no idea what that is, it monitors her heart rate for 24 hours. It's like having an EKG for a day. When the 24 hours are up, I take off the monitor, put it in a Federal Express envelope, and they will come and pick it up at my house. I don't have to make another trip just to drop it off, how awesome is that!?!! After dinner the kids went outside to play for awhile. I checked Helen's stickers(that's what she calls them) when she came inside. They were in the right pattern, but in the wrong spot. It looked like they had slid down from her chest to her tummy, but that is not possible. If any of you have ever had an EKG, then you know how strong the stickers are, they don't move. I think Helen did some rearranging! I put them all back where they belonged and got her ready for bed. She kept insisting on taking off her stickers. The last thing I heard her say last night...stickers! When she woke up this morning I checked them again, all but one had fallen off during the night. They were all crumpled, I had to replace them with new ones. She was not a happy camper, in fact, the last thing I heard her say on the way to the school bus...stickers!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Short Blog

I bet some of you are a bit confused, my last two blogs went missing. We were the unfortunate recipients of a very crude troll. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's someone who infiltrates and leaves very mean and hurtful comments. That is the only attention I'm going to give it, since that's all it was looking for anyway. Now, back to business...

I hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday week-end, and had a nice Memorial Day. We didn't do anything special, just hung out at home. Noah turned four yesterday, he picked out a light saber and a Clone Trooper helmet. I think the helmet is bigger than him! I am having his party this week-end, so I have been trying to get the house in order. I thought things would start to slow down since it's the end of the school year, but it seems to have sped up. I have had no time at all to clean my house.

Katie started softball, her first game is next week. I am lucky that she plays at a field where there is a playground directly across from it. While Katie is playing softball, the other kids can stay busy by playing at the playground.

Grace graduates from preschool tomorrow, she is looking forward to being a Kindergartner. That's one more thing on my list of things to do, make something for her teachers. I don't ever remember giving my teachers an end of the year gift. I appreciate all the teachers have done for my kids, but I really can't afford more gifts. I hope they enjoy homemade banana bread, because that's what I'm making. Since I'm talking about it, I might as well get baking.

Sorry for the short blog, I didn't want to spend a lot of time on it, in case it needs to disappear.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue




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We're Stars

Grace, Noah, and I were on the Milwaukee news last night! Our city had a special election yesterday for a new mayor, we went and voted. Noah ran in ahead of Grace and I, as soon as we walked in I saw a TV camera pointing right at him. While we walked, it followed us. When we got to the table and I gave the people my name, I mentioned the camera. I was told, "That's what happens when you walk in with such cute kids." I just laughed, thinking it was the local station. I received my ballot and headed to the nearest booth to vote, as the camera followed our every move. When I went to put my ballot into the machine, I got a little nervous and missed the slot, not once, but twice. You know what I was thinking? Is that camera reading who I voted for!?!! (Yes, I am sooo much like my mom!) We got our stickers and headed out the door. I was getting the kids in the car when this very nicely dressed woman got my attention. As she walked closer I recognized her as one of the morning anchors for the early morning news. Ding, ding, ding...OMG!!! The camera that had followed our every move was for ABC in Milwaukee. She approached me and said, "I saw this young woman with two kids and so I had to talk to you." She then started asking me questions about the election, I was glad when it was over. I told her to feel free not use me, I had no make-up on, Grace and Noah were running around a car, and I thought I sounded stupid. It was a lot harder than I thought! I then told her that I watched her every morning while getting ready to take the kids to school. It was a very pleasant conversation, that part I enjoyed. At 6:00pm, we were on the news! She did a very nice job at putting the segment together, I don't think I sounded stupid, she used the best part. She had interviewed other people, and even took a walk in our downtown, talking about how the unemployment rate has hit us hard. We were on at the end, she talked about how I'm a single mom with six kids, trying to make a fresh start. So I'm using my vote to voice my opinion, as she is saying that, they show me putting my ballot in the machine (remember, it took three tries!). I had a few people tell me today they saw me on TV. One of the lunch mom's said jokingly, "So I hear your yesterday's news!" HA

I am writing this on Wednesday night because very early tomorrow morning I am taking Katie for her surgery. Please keep us in your prayers.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

UPDATE: Katie's surgery went well, it took three stitches to close the hole, six knots in every stitch. She is doing awesome...thank you for your prayers.






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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



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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



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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.




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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


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