Once Upon A Time...

there was a guy...

who met a girl and he asked her to be his princess.

She said, "Yes!" and they sealed it with an, "I do!" and a kiss.

A couple years later...children joined their family.

Three silly but precious gifts from the Lord.

They really are good friends.

They love each other.

They have grown up so quickly.

The journey hasn't been easy...there have been some mountains to climb.

But God has given this family His mercy, love, and grace from His abundant supply...

and they continue to take each day one step at a time.

This family likes to play together.

This family anticipates what God has for each and every day.

This family knows that one day...these children will have their own families.

So they take every opportunity to spend time together...building, teaching, loving, praying...

and seeking God's plan...because He is the One who started this story thirteen years ago!

Thank you to a special gal with a camera, some time, an assistant, and a pocket full of creativity who captured the personality of our family on a beautiful fall day in 2011!

A 6 Month Check-up Extravaganza on a Thursday

Up before the birds and most sane people!  Alisa had time with Daddy before he left for work.  Our Chicago bound chariot arrived promptly at 5:30am.  We enjoyed the ride till Schaumburg came into view...and then the going was slow!!!  We rolled along watching the minutes tick by...34 min to the circle...19 min to the circle...

and then we took an alternate route accidentally.  "Wait!  We're ok!  I'm dialing in the GPS and she will tell us where to go!  I recognize this....Lakeshore Drive goes by the museum which is by the hospital...we'll be fine!  Yep, see...she is telling us...oh, that's Ted calling..."  Mom, MOM, I feel like I am going to puke..."Oh...no...not now, Alisa, we are almost there...just settle...oh, that's Grandma...we turn right her...oh Alisa....I didn't bring...I'm sorry...oh...we're here."

We checked in at 7:56am...and then the changes started kicking in that made the day not go like we expected.  "You need to go across to the DCAM building for the MRI.  They are waiting for you over there."  Uh, ok...but...hmmmm?  It is the adult side of the medical testing...they tried to be kid friendly...but...no headphones, no music, no movie, no child-life...

"Alisa, we can do this. It will be ok.  Kim will take good care of you."

Alisa's MRI started and we took care of the business side and got a Pumpkin Chai  Latte and found a bench.  The tech came and got me...27 min. Wow! They are done?  Uh...NO!  It was time for the contrast and Alisa wasn't doing so good.  REALLY?!  I TOLD YOU THAT!  I held her hand and she did fine...needle in her arm quick and add the...blown vein.  2nd tech came in...used smaller needle in her hand fast and...collapsed vein.  Take a little break and wait for a nurse to come.  3rd time in other hand...in fast and easy amid lots of tears and add the contrast...blown vein.  YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!  YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE AND WE ARE DONE.  4th time as we are talking...into arm and doing great...blown vein.

Alisa was sobbing.  I was cracking...nurses "were very sorry".  I have a question..."Do you think dehydration could be a problem here?  Nothing to eat or drink since last night.  She threw up on the way...4 times is too much...we are done.  I told you...and I don't even know why we are over here when they know she has trouble with this..."  Tears...I couldn't help it.  "Next time...you tell them you want Comer's.  You have that right."  HELLO!  That is where I scheduled us...I don't even know why we are over here.  "I'm a Mom too and I know it hurts to see your child in pain, but I want you to see the whole picture.  We need to get the contrast in so we get a clear picture and good results for you."  BUT HOW FAR DO YOU PUSH IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS...IT IS TOO MUCH FOR HER...THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE DEAL FOR HER...AND NOW THIS...DO YOU KNOW WHAT NEXT TIME WILL BE LIKE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED THIS TIME...

"We will take an hour break for her to hydrate and eat a little something. I don't want to talk you into anything as it is still your choice, but I'd like you to consider it."

WE'LL TAKE A BREAK AND HYDRATE AND YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE.  YOU CALL SOMEONE TO HELP HER!

"We'll call Bern from Comer's."

Apple juice over ice and Lorna Doone cookies...on "our bench" with our sweet friend who gives great back scratches and shares tears when we have them too!

We walked around outside.  We sat and watched people.

We called Daddy.  We texted Grampy.  We drank...water...and were glad that we come here in the spring and fall...missing all the winter weather in such a crazy, busy place.

Alisa's spirits brightened and then we went back to finish the MRI.  We were met by a child-life friend, Aimee, and our new nurse friend, Bern.  What a difference being hydrated made!  Bern and Aimee had that iv in and taped in under 30 seconds.  The MRI schedule was so busy on the children's side yesterday, we

got bumped over...but not next time..."You insist...and then you have them page Bern!"

Within 45 minutes, the MRI was completed and we made our way to Dr. Frim's office...1:03pm...a far cry from our 11:40am appointment!

Our girl with her battle marks and our personal "bag lady"!  We were hungry by this time...no breakfast and no lunch...headaches all around.

"This is how today has made me feel!" I muttered as I sat playing with my necklace...trying to get it untwisted.

We did our best to amuse ourselves.  Our cheery friend was hesitant to demonstrate the use of the blood pressure cuff...drat...maybe next time!

Headaches in full force...stomaches growling...laughter loud...minutes passing...

we opened the door to remind everyone we were still here!  Finally, at 2:45 pm...answers! 

NO CHANGES IN THE SCAN SINCE APRIL! 

We will scan again in six months.  We want to make sure some of the moaning we hear at night is not pain related...that nothing is changing even in small ways.  Movement, reflexes, balance are all good.

We spent a whole day in Chicago...at the hospital...with countless people asking us, "What are you going to do for fun after this appointment?"  UM...we are going to get something to eat.  After 7 hours in the Windy City for our special girl...we pulled out all the stops...and went to the first place we could get to fast...the hospital cafeteria!

We collectively sighed and enjoyed lunch!

And...we were just ready to head home.  Alisa was whipped.  And our chariot driver and I realized...it was rush hour...again!

God was and is still good...even when this day was completely different from what we had expected or imagined!  Alisa isn't sick.  It was only one test.  And as I watched other parents and patients today, I was reminded of what God has done for us in His mercy, love, and grace.  Our day was a little crazy...but we are so blessed.

We took scenic routes into the city.  We took a scenic route back to I-90 and found out on news radio that our usual route held a bad accident.  This truck made us laugh as we sat in the middle of rush hour going 4 mph!  Our cheery friend calculated that it would take us 34 hours to get home at that rate...and we laughed.

We enjoyed a climate-controlled vehicle, beautiful music, sweet company, and many sights!

Alisa was just glad to have the pokes out of the way!

It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to go 37 miles.

And we just kept laughing and talking...

and soon we were headed out of the big city.

We stopped to enjoy a special treat from a special friend.  I think we earned it! 

Alisa took a big drink and exclaimed, "This is the perfect way to celebrate our never-ending trip!"

We are thankful for prayer.  We are thankful for friends.

We are thankful for another good scan.

We are thankful six months are in His hands...just like today was in His hands!

I didn't get a Good Mother Award today...

I am pretty sure she ripped it all up...in her mind at least.

All I did was...

ask her to jump in the shower right away this morning...

and then...

I made scrambled eggs for breakfast...

with ham and cheese.

Oi!

Tomorrow, I'll make up for it...

with no school...

and I'll be gone all day!

Where's the tape?

She was right! My cheery friend was so right!

"The Pumpkin Spice Latte is like a fall party in your mouth!" 

I took her words of advice, since I had never tried it before, and ordered it with half the flavoring because I can't handle all that sweet in a drink.

Oh my!  Let's just say that I just really enjoy that hour break in the middle of the week for music lessons!

I even tried the Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffin because I had a friend who gave me that fun little gift card to use on myself.  I will be making these at home for the ones I love just as soon as I pick up a can of pumpkin!

I will be adding a streusal topping too.

Fall party in my mouth...courtesy of a friend and Starbucks!

And I can do it again...next week?!?!

"How is school going, Ashlynn?"

"It's going good, but it isn't very fun." is her usual reply.

Nobody ever said school had to be fun...but I tend to disagree with her viewpoint...

there are lots of different things to do beside reading, writing, and 'rithmetic!  We get to do a Mammal poster, book reports, research paper, and a space project!

She hit diagramming in Language...and it is not her favorite.  As long as we find the subject and verb carefully...the rest is a piece of cake!

I guess this could be called another class...or maybe just therapy!  Ashlynn has been a super big help in all things kitchen related this week.  She rolled her eyes at me when I told her we would need to do Math for this batch of cookies (I used 3 sticks of margarine...which meant I made a batch and a half). 

Too funny...I laughed and said, "That's life!"

I have learned much...

from being married to a man who has a knack with tools!  I was not such a sissy that I didn't know what a screwdriver was...I even knew there was more than one kind!  Thanks to my Dad!  He also taught me about the "thing-a-ma-jig", the "doo-hickey", the "whatcha-ma-call-it", and "that, that, THAT right over there!"
After helping Ted with various home projects and car-guy maintenance stuff, I realize I have learned so much!  This post will be picture-less...because...sometimes...there are times when taking pictures is just not helpful to a person's mental concentration and the helper's hands aren't free to be...well...helpful!  So as I stood in all of my helpfulness, my mind wandered back to the different scenarios of the last 12 plus years...
I know there is a difference between an allen wrench and a crescent wrench.
A tool called a square actually looks like a T.
"Righty tighty. Lefty loosey." Really works!
The batteries are never charged when they are needed.
A man can never have too many bungy cords or zip ties!
A tube of caulk can fill many holes and gaps.
Socket wrenches go two ways and have all sorts of little hats they wear...don't call them that though.
Girls are good for pushing in brakes to bleed the lines.
Our son already knows the pros of duct tape.
"Always cut away from your body."
Guys think girls can steer cars up and down ramps without getting nervous.
Don't make pretty patterns on the wall, floor, or person with the flashlight you are asked to hold.
Doorways are NEVER wide enough for whatever you need to move in or out.
Guys will make fun and laugh at tap hammers that girls use...for hanging pictures mostly.
I know tools don't always make it back to their original spot...making the next job very frustrating.
Every guy NEEDS a garage or shed to call their own.
When a guy says, "Throw me the hammer."  He really doesn't mean that...you need to know that what doesn't sound like a good idea to you to do...isn't!  It just means that he needs that tool asap.
Any project never goes as smoothly as the guys on This Old House make it seem.
Screws and nails are used for different projects.
Wear work gloves to prevent slivers and foul smells from sensitive hands...that can handle hot, hot water...but not other painful troubles.
It is important for the bubble to always be in the middle...but it isn't really that funny to a man on a mission.
Wives can be distractions to husbands who are trying to concentrate...so be a good one...and keep him company!
"You can never have too many tools."
When a guy says, "There?" after telling you to hold the tape measure at his mark...he is asking you a question ("Are you there?  Are you ready for me to start measuring...accurately?") and wants an audible response.
Always allow time for clean-up...that is part of the job.
Measure, measure, measure...but sometimes you will hear, "That's close enough for me!"
Guys don't care if you get dirty and sweaty if you are actually being helpful...breaking a fingernail is not license to quit...
but starting supper...is!  I took my two helpers...and we made a good supper for our tool guys...complete with chocolate pudding for dessert.  I've learned that the way to our men's hearts...is by a cheerful, helpful spirit followed by a good meal.

And thankfully...for my husband...Teddy was hanging around...waiting to step in and be Dad's helper!

If it is not the kiddos...it is the dog!

I bought a different kind of dog food yesterday.  It said it had a "special formula for joint health for older dogs".  It is the same color and size of the food we have been using, just a different brand.   BUT...Chevy must not appreciate my concern for his nutrition and overall health.  He is leaving piles of food all over the livingroom.  That "can't teach an old dog new tricks" saying should be "can't change an old dog's food"!

I guess this "won't be a do-again" meal/buy/idea!

If it is not the people in this house being picky...it's the dog!

It's been six months again already!

A reminder call came this afternoon...I am waiting for the call from the MRI team.  I didn't need a reminder...it is marked on the calendar...and there is that little knot in my throat.

Time for another excursion to University of Chicago.  Alisa told me she is not going...which will be a bit of a problem!   I know it isn't pleasant...the whole iv thing for the contrast isn't fun.  But...she isn't going to sleep for the MRI...so she won't feel loopy and out of it.  I know there isn't much I can say to make her feel better about those first few minutes.  We have to tough that part out.  It has to be done. 

 I did make her a hot pink soft knit skirt, since she can't have any metal on her person...that way she doesn't have to wear a hospital gown.

We will hug her tight and keep focused on the lighter side...

our special cheery friend is going with us as Daddy will be at work.

I have a few little ripples of concern...wondering what the MRI will read.  If you think of us this week, we would appreciate your prayers for Thursday morning. 

Our day will start at 5:30am...the MRI appt is at 8:00am and the appt with Dr. Frim at 11:40am.

His only request...

"Could you please get some apple cider while you are at the store?" said our resident Snuffluffagus.  Teddy did schoolwork in the recliner and on the floor today.  He has a plastic bag for all of his kleenexes.

"Uh, Mom, you are probably going to have to buy more kleenex by the time I'm done!"

Maybe...there are still three of us who haven't succumbed to the first seasonal cold.

Restful Sunday scenes

We have a critter that keeps getting into our garbage cans!  Third time this week...nice way to start a morning! Yuck!  Thank goodness, we are past the diaper era!

Teddy's turn for a fever...so I stayed with him this morning.  While he sniffed and snorted through Andy Griffith episodes, I made dinner for my family.

Chevy has been sun-bathing all day!

Double-date night!

After 12 plus years, we still like going on dates!  And a double-date is even more fun!

We were introduced to Portillo's!  YUM!  And such a neat place...so much to look at!

We chose the healthy sides to go with our Italian beef sandwiches!

We spent the evening listening to these men sing.  I didn't bring the good camera.  These men have faces...and voices that were used to remind us of God's mercy, love, and grace.  I cried through most of the songs...You Were Faithful Yesterday, We Are So Blessed, His Eye Is On the Sparrow, I Surrender All, God Wants To Hear You Sing...

An evening spent with friends and good music...makes for a wonderful double-date!

Thank you, friends!  For reminding us to keep singing, praying, laughing...and eating at yummy places!