Nathan's Oral Surgery

At the dentist, she discovered that his 6 year molar was coming in at an angle. When she took an x-ray, she discovered that the molar has eaten away part of the baby tooth. She sent us to the orthodontist to take care of the problem.

Orthodontist took a panoramic x-ray and discovered that Nathan does not have permanent teeth behind the two baby teeth next to the molars. The ortho decided to have the baby tooth that is being eaten away removed. She will allow the molar to drift for now and when he gets enough permanent teeth, we'll pull the matching baby tooth and use retainers to straighten his teeth.

Our dentist didn't want to pull the tooth and felt it would be better handled by an oral surgeon. Last week we were able to get Nathan in to have his tooth removed. We chose IV sedation because of the anxiety he goes through for just a routine cleaning. No sense having him awake while they pull the tooth out!

Here he is before surgery in the waiting room. We took Teddy with us for moral support. Nathan was confidant that the numbing cream they would put on his arm would help him be relaxed while the IV was inserted.

Here's Nathan with numbing cream on his arm and the back of his hand. We had to wait about 30 minutes for it to take effect.

After the fact, he told me he cried because the IV hurt a lot. Not sure if they were restraining him and that is what hurt or if he could still feel the IV going in. I forgot that 2E kids often feel above and beyond what normal people feel so numbing agents are not always truly effective for them.

Here he is after surgery. He's VERY groggy and trying to keep his eyes open so he could go home. They brought him to the van and we got him buckled in. He was happy that the bleeding had already stopped so he didn't have to use any more gauze. He hated having the gauze in his mouth.

By lunchtime, the sedation had worn off. He was still a little numb (you can see it in his smile), but he was hungry. We went to DQ and he got to eat applesauce, ice cream and an artic rush (slushie) for his lunch. Lunch of champions!

In the evening, he wanted to eat chips, onion rings, crunchy granola bars, etc. We managed to get him to survive with leftover Texas toast from lunch, a cereal bar chewed very carefully on the other side of his mouth and lots of jello and pudding. The next day, we took him out for the onion rings that he had been begging for on surgery day. He was thrilled that the tooth fairy brought him double because a pulled tooth is worth more than one that comes out on its own.

I have a few words to say this Wednesday

Normally, I'd try to have "Wordless Wednesday" for you. I can't hold this one in and need to put a whole bunch of words behind it.

In my photos for this week, you'll notice a dark blob next to a blurry girl in the first one. What could that blob be?? Well, look at the second photo--it's Nathan popping up out of the water at swim lessons.

And this, my friends, is a bigger accomplishment than you'll ever realize. We've had Nathan in swimming lessons for 4.5 (yes friends, that is four and a half) years. At the end of 4.5 years, he no longer cries when we tell him we're going swimming and he will play happily at lessons if you don't make him go under, put his face in the water and/or let go of the side of the pool. Needless to say, swimming lessons are a real bear for us!

We were given a grant for swimming lessons as therapy to help him with his back strength. Swimming is the best exercise we can give him for the muscles we need to develop. We put him into lessons at a private swimming school with our grant. His physical therapist has noticed a dramatic increase in his back strength between the exercises she does plus his swimming. He'll use his arms as long as his head is above water.

We've been at lessons this time for about 10 weeks. He's getting very comfortable with his teacher and she coaxes a little more out of him each week. Last week he tried to dunk himself under the water. Sean had him at lessons and said he got over his eyes (which to him would be fully under), but didn't quite get his head all the way in. Poppa challenged him to do it again and offered a $3 reward for putting his head in again.

So at swimming lessons this week, he told his teacher he'd get $3 if he put his head under. He did it once, but I missed it on film. I told him to do it again and these blurry photos are the result. He's all the way under.

Later in the lesson, they each took a sinking toy and threw it into the water. Then they had to dive under and get the toy. I couldn't get to the window fast enough to catch it on film, but Nathan went all the way under to get the toy...and came up not screaming and not crying. His teacher even had to push him down a bit for him to reach the toy.

Wow! What a breakthrough. We've learned with his Twice Exceptionality that he's super sensitive to sounds. That's part of the problem with swim lessons--it's too loud and too many echos. We've got custom ear plugs for this and that has helped. Then we discovered he has sensory issues and water is a huge sensory overload because it's everywhere on you at one time and you can't get away. We've never found a good way to combat this other than immersion therapy (no pun intended). Add to all of this a generalized fear of the water and we've had our share of trouble at lessons. (But it amazes me that he loves going to the water resort. Of course, life vests are encouraged and you don't have to get your head under unless you choose to.)

It was such a great night for Nathan. We're so proud of him for trying and coming so far.

The last thing they do every week at lessons is go down the slide. He has always resisted this activity, too. In the last few weeks, his teacher has been able to move away from the slide to catch him. Before she had to be touching the slide and catch him before he ever hit the water.

Tips on Tuesday: Fall Colors & the Burning Bush

I love fall. I love watching the leaves change colors and this year I’ve been extra in love with the leaves. The red leaves are my favorite and we usually don’t get much red here in the Midwest. I’ve seen more red this year, but my love of red leaves always makes me notice “Burning Bushes” when it’s fall.

Have you seen these bushes? Most of the year they are a terribly boring, plain green bush. You wouldn’t notice them, they don’t stand out. But when it’s fall, they change to the most magnificent red color and you can spot them from miles away. I drive around and my kids now know the litany as I say, “Look, there’s another burning bush.”

Part of my fascination is the reference to Exodus 3 where God appears to Moses in a “burning bush that is not consumed by fire.” Moses was a very ordinary man. He was a Hebrew boy who should have been executed as an infant, but his mother put him in a basket and floated him down the river where the Pharaoh’s daughter found and raised him. As a young man, he ended up killing an Egyptian and fleeing his country. Eventually God called to him from a burning bush and told Moses that he would lead his Hebrew people out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey.

I don’t know about you, but I find that to be good news. Knowing that God used Moses with all his flaws to do something great. Even though Moses had killed a man, wasn’t a great speaker and was uncertain that he could do what God asked, God used him. It reminds me of myself and all my faults and how I’ve been entrusted with my children anyway. God is using me to raise these children even though I’m often too quick with my tongue, often inept at what I’m doing and some days I really don’t want the job. Burning bushes remind me that God can use me, just as I am, to do what He needs done. It also reminds me that God loves me just as I am and is using me right here with my family and friends. So the next time you see a burning bush, remember that God has called you just as you are, to this time and to this place, and remember that even with all of your faults, God is using you. Most of all, remember that God doesn’t use perfect people, but he does use people perfectly for His plans.

Andrew's Big Show

Recently, Andrew participated in his school's fall play. It's called ImprovFest and is comprised of 30 skits done in (hopefully) 60 minutes. The Improv comes in because they don't know what order the skits will be in. They are announced and the kids hustle fast to get set up and go. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Andrew was in three of the skits. Before the show, Rebekah had to give him a hug and tell him to "Break a leg".


His first skit was "Camp Coffee" where people keep trying the coffee and think it tastes terrible. At the end, he pulls out dirty socks and announces they look clean now.

His second skit was the 12 Days of School and he was day 5. Instead of Five Golden Rings, he was The Gongs are Ringing (they have gongs instead of bells for their passing periods). He had a great time with this skit and is now somewhat notorious for his Gongs debut. Sean was able to capture the 12th day so you can see all the kids. Each day, they get a little more obnoxious on what they are saying. On the 12th day, all heck breaks loose and they are hysterical.

His final skit was "Voices in my Head". Our photos didn't turn out well from that skit. Here's the whole cast at the end of the show for their curtain call.

I know Andrew had a lot of fun, but he now understands what Sean & I keep telling him about being in a show. It's fun, it's great times, but it's a lot of work and you won't have a life during the run of the show. Now he gets that. When the carpool kids asked if he'd be in the spring play he told them, "No way. You don't realize that you don't have a life while you're practicing a play. I think I'll wait until next year to try again."

I think that means ImprovFest will be on our calendar next year, too.

Elf Yourself Video

I realized after the fact that if you subscribe via email, you got an email last week that appeared to have nothing on it. It was the "Elf Yourself" video I had made.

If you missed it and would like to see it, click here.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thank you veterans!

COURAGE: Bravery doesn't mean you aren't scared. It means you go anyway.

Please remember to thank those who have served our country in the armed forces. Veterans Day is extra special at our home since our Granddaddy and our Poppa and our pastor all served in the Air Force. We have other friends who served in the Army and Marines.

Thank you to each and every man and woman who have served America. God bless you!

Tips on Tuesday: Organizing Clothes

I live an interesting life. Through the years, I've learned that people think I'm very organized. My family would be quick to say I'm not organized...most of the time.

I have a real Type A-B personality. Having Twice Exceptional children, I'm learning that I probably contribute to their quirkiness. I'm organized in the things that matter to me. Other areas that I don't care about, like desks, closets, etc., are a barren wasteland of mess and chaos.


Several years ago, I read about an organizing idea that really helped me personally. The kids kept wearing the same 4-5 shirts over and over. They would pass up their favorite shirts and I couldn't figure out why. When I realized they only took the top shirt out of the drawer, they were only looking at two choices each day. They wouldn't lift one to look underneath it to find their favorite.


I decided to try the idea I read about and it's been so amazing we've never gone back. I had to learn to fold shirts slightly differently because the drawer is longer (front to back) than it is deep. Instead of folding shirts in half, I now fold them into thirds and put them in the dresser drawers like file folders.


Now, anyone who opens the drawer has a quick shot of all their shirts. You can see part of the design and it makes it fast and easy to find the exact shirt you are looking for. Want the Mickey Mouse shirt, try the 2nd row at the "bottom" of the drawer. Want your favorite shirt about playing video games, it's the blue one in the first row, middle.

It's made it a lot easier for my children to be independent and dress themselves while also giving them decision making opportunities. An added benefit is the shirts take up less room this way so I've been known to use the rest of the drawer to store shorts in the summer or pants in the winter.


What organizational ideas work for you? Since I only fool the rest of you into thinking I'm organized, I would love some additional ideas.

My Weekend

I had the great pleasure of spending time this weekend with my sister and bro-in-law and my folks. Sis was able to score tickets to the Husker game and we got an invite to the Governor's residence for a tailgate. (I know, I'm jet-setting...ha!)

Long and short of it, Sean and my BIL didn't want to be in any photos so we got one of me and my sis. (state capitol building in background)

Then one of me, my mom and my sis.

After a very long, draining game, the Huskers won. Go Big Red!

Wordless Wednesday

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Rebekah made Sean lay down on the floor--with a pillow and Dora blanket to read him a book. Nathan snuggled into the middle and Andrew (well-trained child) came to get the camera and take a photo for me.

Tips on Tuesday: Libby's Virtual Food Drive

This week I learned more about the plight of many food banks across our country. I was reading about the tough times food banks are having over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Then I went to the Libby's website, http://www.getbacktothetable.com/ and learned how Libby's is partnering with Feeding America to help food banks across the country. Due to increased demands on local food banks and a decrease in giving, many food banks are unable to meet the needs of those who need food. This year, more than ever, they are seeing children in need of food and have to turn them away.

Children caught my attention. I know what our local food bank does to make sure kids keep eating. It breaks my heart to hear that children are being turned away from some food banks. Then I read more about the Libby's program and decided to give some support there.

Read what I found on the website (below). Did you see that $5 provides 35 meals. That is 7 meals per dollar. I looked through the information and instead of creating a new team page, I donated through the "5 Minutes for Mom" team page. Even if you choose not to donate through this program, I urge you to put a few extra things in your cart during each grocery store trip. Donate those few things to your local food bank or homeless shelter. A few extra cans doesn't make a large hole in your budget, but helps feed families this winter.

From the Get Back to the Table Website:

"This holiday season, Libby’s Vegetables is launching the first-ever team-based Virtual Canned Food Drive to support Feeding America and the increased demand on its network food banks. Families who raise $1,000 or more for Feeding America will get their pantries stocked up with a year’s supply of canned vegetables from Libby’s - we’ll send you 200 coupons so you can choose
your favorite Libby’s vegetables! In addition, Libby’s Vegetables will match up to $30,000 of donations raised by December 13, 2009, to total 350,000 meals for needy families.

GET STARTED TODAY and support families in need in your community! Simply click HERE ...to create your own page, support a friend or give to the cause. Every $5 raised provides 35 meals for needy families."

1. A big shout out and thanks to Cheryl St.John for giving me a Kreativ Blogger award. I knew an award winning author and blogger as "my BFF" would pay off someday.
   

The rules for the award are:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each.

Seven things you may not know about me (I was in a kid mood when I typed this up):
1. Rebekah & I have the same middle name...it's also my dad's name and my grandpa's name.
2. Andrew did not have a name (boy name) until I was hard into false labor a few days before he was born. I was convinced he was a girl, so Cassandra would have been his name.
3. Sean bribed the ultrasound tech at Nathan's ultrasound. He brought her a Snickers bar and told her we weren't going anywhere until we knew girl or boy.
4. I had planned a "My Three Sons" birth announcement until the perinatologist told us, "It's a girl!"
5. I stood in my underwear in front of 600 people. (It was a play and they were ugly granny panties.)
6. My degree is in Theatre--Acting Emphasis.
7. My degree has sat unused for years and years, but it comes in handy when reading bedtime stories to my children...I can do voices. :-)

I'm giving this award to:
1. Sherilyn of Park Place
2. Jennifer at Beauty instead of Ashes
3. Beth at Keesler Chaos
4. Tiffani at Child's Play (found her when searching for 2E blogs)
5. Holly at Embracing the Chaos
6. Jenny at iCraft
7. McLovin at Bored Penguin (He hasn't posted for a while, but start at the beginning of the blog and work forward. He's a jet-setter with a sense of humor.)

Boston Market Dinner for $1

Boston Market is giving Quarter White or 3 Piece Dark Chicken meals for $1. Meal comes with Mashed Potatoes and Cornbread.

This offer expires 11/1/09 so use these coupons fast. For all the information and to get the email from Boston Market, head over to Who Said Nothing in Life is Free and get your coupons. Or you can enlarge the photo here and print it out. Their are additional coupons in the email, but this is the best one!

I'm happy to say I had planned for us to have oven baked chicken and mashed potatoes on Thursday for dinner. We're now having chicken and potatoes at Boston Market tomorrow. I can't cook chicken for 5 people at home for only $5. 35. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Me with Bob & Larry (Veggie Tales) and with Mike Nawrocki (the co-founder of Veggie Tales and voice of Larry)

I was able to attend a special preview of the new Veggie Tales Christmas movie at the MOPS Convention.

Tips on Tuesday: Good Deals this Week

With Halloween being this weekend, there are several specials going on at various businesses. Most that I found revolve around food (yum)! Most of these are for Oct. 31 only.


I've listed my best finds of the week here so you can find everything in one spot. Anything that isn't good on Oct. 31 only is listed first. Good luck catching these deals before they are gone!


This week at Target, select Hasbro games are on sale for $9 each. Make sure you purchase a game with the Domino's Pizza sticker on it. You'll get a free medium pizza from Domino's. Add the coupon found here for $5 off the purchase of a game and you'll get a game and a pizza for $4.


Taco Bell is giving away a Free Blackjack Taco on Oct. 31 only. From their website: Creep in on Oct. 31 from 6:00pm to Midnight to get one (1) free Blackjack Taco. No costume required. Limit one per person while supplies last.


Dress up in a "burrito themed costume" (rumor is even making a hat out of aluminum foil works) and go to Chipotle from 5pm to close on Oct. 31 and get a free burrito, taco or salad. Check with your local Chipotle as start times may vary by region. Some are starting at 5pm and some at 6pm.




Sonic Drive-In has corndogs for $0.50 on Oct. 31. I believe it is good all day/evening. Check your local Sonic as participation may not be nationwide.


Applebee's is giving children dressed in costume a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Offer valid Oct. 31 only, lunch and dinner are both included in the offer.


And don't forget events at other stores that don't serve food:

1. Bass Pro Shops is hosting free family events for Halloween from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 and noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 31.
2. Michael’s is putting on The Knack Free Family Halloween event from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 31, with a free trick-or-treat pail, balloon, candy and crafts.
3. Toys R Us is hosting a free costume parade from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Kids will get a free Halloween bag and free treats

Finally, want a FREE treat to give the goblins coming to your house on Saturday night?? Brunswick bowling has the answer. If you go here you can print off sheets of coupons for a free game of bowling at Brunswick lanes. Cut apart the coupons and give one to each trick-or-treater. Free game valid through Nov. 26.

If you know of other freebies or deals this week, please let me know.

Ruppe Sisters - It Is Well

Something to bless your day. I've been humming this song all day and thinking about this video. Thought you might like to see it, too.

Wordless Wednesday

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Fall

Tips on Tuesday: Families are Forever

Recently, my family lost a precious member. She was my second...or third...cousin, probably twice removed. She passed away quite unexpectedly at the tender young age of 61. (And the older I get, the younger that looks!)

While our family reminisced, one uncle (again, about three times removed) said that we're so blessed to have a reunion every year. If we didn't the only time the family would get together en masse would be for funerals and a very occasional wedding. He said, "No wonder so many people don't look forward to seeing their families. It's only sad times when they get together."

Wow! I thought his comment was profound and I've meditated on it. My mother's side of the family is large overall. My mother's family has had an annual reunion for something like 72 years. It's for all family members, no matter how 'distantly' related you are. This summer, we had 250+ people attend. It's big, it's noisy, we eat too much, we talk too loud, we stay up too late and we have the best time.

I've always focused on the reunion being important to keep our heritage going and the foods from the old country. I believed it was the connection to the old ways that were important. But my uncle's statement hit home on the reunion front as well. The reunion is so important because I wouldn't have known this precious cousin very well if it weren't for the reunions. We've served together side by side. We've shared stories and laughter and shed tears together. So when I remember her, it brings a smile to my face. We had happy times that are helping me move through my grief as I anticipate the day I see her again in Heaven.

I encourage you...the next time someone mentions a reunion or you get an invitation to one...consider going. We always think it's the old ones who won't be around for the next one, but after a twenty-something year old cousin and my 61 year old cousin passed away within two weeks of each other--I'm realizing every one's time is short. Grab the moment and make a memory of a happy time.

State Music Festival News

Not one trophy, but two. I was a nervous wreck, but the boys seemed cool as cucumbers. Andrew had a minor miss and a little speeding up issue on his second song. Nathan had several missed notes in his song so I was really worried for him. His judge gave the kids in front of him 2's for ratings so I figured he'd get a 2 as well. You have to get a Superior Rating (1+, 1 or 1-) to get a trophy.

Andrew's scores were up fairly fast and he got a 1-. Sweet!! Then I waited and waited for Nathan's scores. It was almost 45 minutes later before they were posted. We were picking up Andrew's trophy when they came down to post Nathan's score. Whew! Always a good day when both get trophies. Nathan ended up with a 1 rating. (I believe Andrew is a little miffed that he got a lower rating with harder music---such is life.)

We celebrated with dinner out tonight. We reminded them over and over that their piano teacher has about 40 kids in her studio and only 3 went to state. The fact that they got Superior ratings at districts makes them winners already. We are so proud of their dedication and hard work and just going and trying. The trophy is icing on the cake, but we were proud of them no matter what the score.

Check out these faces. I think they were a little happy!

Sad news to share

My sister called me last night with sad news. Their dog, Zeus, blew a disk in his back and is now paralyzed. Zeus has already had three back surgeries and the last one hasn't lasted very long. It's time to look at quality of life and they have made the difficult decision to have him put down.

She called me after the kids were in bed so I could figure out how to explain everything to them. I know each of my kids will take it in his/her own way...but not something I look forward to sharing. All night, I've been going with the 'ignore it and it doesn't really exist' theory. However, in the light of day, I have to accept it and mourn a scrappy little dog who stole my heart the first time I met him.

I decided to wait until tonight. Let the kids enjoy Friday as there are special activities today at both of their schools. With us living so far away from my sister & brother in law, some of the reality won't really sink in until we go visit at Christmas.

Please pray for my sister and brother in law, our parents and his parents as they go through this time. They are waiting until next week so his parents can come and say goodbye.

Here are my favorite pictures of Zeus from last Christmas. Rebekah & Zeus became quite the pair and she'd entice him to lick her...then she'd squeal and back away while he barked at her squeal.



Zeus, I have to believe that I'll see you again in Heaven. You're the dog who never really knew he wasn't a child. I'll miss you, my little nef-dog (nephew-dog) but I don't want you to be in pain and suffer. Love you, Zeus...go with God.