Job endings, Twin birthdays, and more!

So, it’s been a while. Hmmm…let’s see…David’s boss finally found his replacement (he resigned at the beginning of October, but he was sticking around until they could find a replacement), so his last day of work was Dec. 11. What’s next? Only God knows! We’re stumped…just know that nursing home administration and family time don’t mix very well. =P So, that was exciting. The next day, on 12-12-12, my twiniokies turned 12 (if you add their ages together, of course – thanks Aliya, for pointing that out…I totally would have missed it!), meaning, naturally, that they are 6. SIX whoppin’ years old. Ai yai yai. =O We had a low-key day with Daddy-o. Well, if you consider sledding behind the lawn mower on the grass and down the driveway "low-key". It was crazy, let me tell ya. They wore a hole right through one of the sleds, that got found out when they hit a mudpuddle (kid’s request) and Jadelyn got soaked right through her snowpants. Of course, I must document what cakes the kids wanted. Ruby wanted a cheesecake. With a pink and white soft blanket in the middle, the words "Happy 3…6 birthday, Ruby!" (okay, she really just wanted "Happy 3 birthday, Ruby!" on it, but I told her that might be a little confusing when looking back at the pictures =O) in "light green", and red flowers around the edge. Isaac, who is again on a no-sugar kick, still wanted a cake, so Jadelyn could eat it. Aww…He wanted a round, double-decker blue cake (yup, the actual "cake" part), with green frosting. In the middle was a blue ladybug with a black head, antennas, and spots, and the words, "I’m glad you had a birthday. Happy 6^th birthday, Isaac!", also written in blue, were written around the lady bug. There were white moons around the top of the cake and pink stars around the bottom. Silly kids. Their cake choices always crack me up. This is the first time they got to choose the words – veeeeery interesting! ;) Isaac picked "sugar-free" (whatever) mint chocolate icecream, and Ruby chose Rainbow Sherbert…then switched to strawberry ice cream….and then back to Rainbow Sherbert. So crazy they are this old!!! =O OH! The weekend we went to Karl and Linda’s, Linda threw a surprise party for "two special guests". She had the kids helping her all morning, cleaning windows, and decorating for the "two special guests". When it came time for the actual party, and we told Ruby and Isaac that THEY were the "two special guests", it took a while to sink in. Ha. Anyhow, Grandma and Grandpa gave them some really cool ABC stickers and some awesome math books. Ruby has been eating hers up! She finished over a chapter in just 2 days (there are only 8 in the book). Most of that being in 1 day, when she spent about 3 hours total on it. She’s been on a bit of hiatus the past few days…with the exception of a little work she did with Daddy yesterday…life has been a bit…ahem…unique. Anyways…on to some little stories!

One day, Jadelyn was pretending to be a bunny. "Mom?" she asked. "Yes, Honey Bunny?" I replied…not realizing at the time that I had called her bunny, and she was pretending to be a bunny. When I realized it shortly after it came out of my mouth, I was quite pleased…=) Ha. Anyways. Back to the conversation…"Why you say, ‘swimming bowl’?" Jadelyn asked. I informed her that I had said "honey bunny". To which Jadelyn retorted, "you’re supposed to say bunny!" AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Ruby was praying sometime after her birthday party at Grandma’s house, telling Jesus something like, "thanks for the party, but thanks more for You". In a different prayer, she again thanked Jesus for the party, and then asked something like, "help Jadelyn to have one just like it someday". Sweetie pie.

Remember I was saying earlier that Ruby loves her math book? Well, here it is, in her own words: "I like my math book more than any toy in the house". She may just be a math nerd like her mother. =O

I was working in the kitchen, when Ruby and Isaac came in to get some containers for whatever game they were playing at the time. The drawers in the cupboards were left pulled out. I asked Ruby if she would close it all up for me. "Yes, I can", she replied, and then she added as an afterthought, "’cause my arms aren’t broken." Ha! Soon after, I think, I was brushing my teeth (too vigorously, the dentist says, ooops), while Ruby was on the potty. True to form, Ruby was just saying whatever came into her mind, I suspect. And what gem popped out this time? Something like, "it’s better for a toothbrush to fall in the toilet than for somebody to die." True. Random, but still true.

Last Friday night, we went to the Critter Barn with the Lehmans. David is in love. ;) The kids were shockingly hesitant at first. I had wondered what our time in Michigan had done to them, as far as nature stuff, ‘cause we just don’t get out as much as we did in good ‘ole Kentucky. Well, I found out. We walked into the barn, and they were all scared and stuff. Yikes! Time to move back to Kentucky!!! =O Anyhow, they eventually warmed up. They got to pet a turkey (I think Isaac passed on that one), all kinds of chickens, goats, sheep, bunnies, cats, hold baby chicks, and see even more. They all LOVED holding the baby chicks, though I think Isaac said his favorite part was the bigger chickens…I think he misses our feathered friends in KY. We also got to go to a live nativity, which was nice…I liked the part at the beginning when the lady was talking about historical things, and she had all kinds of pictures from the Holy Land, including what barns looked like then (kinda a cave-like thing), and cement-looking mangers. Anyways, I thought it was cool. Not as cool as David thought the animals were, though, apparently. He’s been raving about it ever since!

Was working with Ruby on her Memory Verse for Sabbath night’s homeschool Christmas Program at Grandma and Grandpa’s. When the following conversation occurred:
   Me: "Now there was in that same country."
   Ruby: "What country?….Oh! Now there was is that same country….."
   Me: "Shepherd’s living…"
   Ruby: "…in a house".
   Me: Disbelief.
   Ruby: "Once upon a time…"
Ai. We have a bit of work to do!!! =O  In her defense, though, that WAS the first day we'd been working on it.  Today, she gave up, I'm afraid.  Which isn't all bad.  She needs to focus on learning the words to "Away in a Manger".  Funny kid. 

Today we had a "big" day. For, you see, we went to the doctor’s AND to the dentist’s! Wowzers. We’re getting all SORTS of crazy in our old age. Anyhow, Ruby and Isaac had their yearly check-up, and then all 3 kids and myself got some shots. Jadelyn kept asking throughout our time at the doctor’s, "when am I gonna get my fluid shot?" You’d think she was all excited or something. Well, physical’s ended, and shot time arrived. I went first – to show my bravery, you know. =P Jadelyn was next. She handled it all like a champ – BLESS YOU, JADELYN!!! Because if little sister can be brave, big siblings have to be, too, right? =) Ruby got 2 shots, and whimpered near the end. Isaac was superb. This is GREAT, considering that he told me earlier in the week that he was going to scream REALLY loud to "make them deaf" because they were going to be "mean" to him. Anyhow, it was so, so, SO much better than 2 years ago, when I had all THREE kids screaming bloody murder – either because they were getting a shot, were scared, or because someone else was crying and was "hurting my ears". Yes, today was a definite improvement.

Then, it was off to the dentist. For 4 cleanings. Which fell right during naptime. When you’re trying to get appointments in real quick before your insurance runs out, you just do what ya gotta do, ya know? =P Anyhow, the kids did GREAT. Well, they were a bit rambunctious during MY cleaning, but for theirs they were amazing! All 3 kids were very excited to get their teeth cleaned, but I especially enjoyed watching Isaac. Part because Ruby and Jadelyn were out in the waiting room with David for pretty much the whole thing, so it was more peaceful, and partly because Isaac was so GEEKED. He was opening his mouth when he didn’t even need to, and it was just cute watching his little jaw get tired from holding his mouth open for so long. Well, tonight, as I was putting the kids to bed, I was talking about how excited Isaac was and how he kept his mouth open even when he didn’t need to. Isaac then piped up, telling me that he wasn’t keeping his mouth open due to excitement, but because he wanted to store up "slobber" in his mouth so she would use the "spit sucker". Oh, boy…I-see, my man…you crack me up!  On a side note, his bottom two middle teeth are getting quite loose - and I just found it out today - when we were eating lunch right before the dentist appointments.  Eating an uncut apple was proving to be a bit painful, and then I found out why.  HOW IS HE THAT OLD?!?!?!?!  I told him I might cry when he loses his teeth, 'cause it means he's getting all old and stuff.  Sniff, sniff.  Oh, and Ruby has an adult molar.  Who knew?!?!?!  I mean, I think I saw it coming in months ago, and then, well, I forgot about it, until I was informed of the news at the dentist's.  =O  STOP GETTING SO OLD ALREADY, WILL YA?!?!??!?!?

During nighttime prayers, Jadelyn was praying right along. She got to this part pretty early on in her prayer: "sometimes I hit. Then Mommy gives me a spanking. Then I die. I tink." Then, directed to me, "do I die when I hit?" I assured her that she didn’t. She went back to praying, "help us to find a new house. I like this jacket that Mommy is wearing. Help me to be good. Help me not to be bad. Amen". I "tink" she inherited some ADHD tendencies from her father. =O

And on that random prayer note, I will leave you! Adios!

Life Stories

One day, David was walking by outside the kid’s bedroom, when he heard Isaac exclaim, "amazing!" Then, as soon as he got inside, Isaac was begging him to come back and see his "gorgeous [train] tracks!" Gotta love I-see’s enthusiasm! ;)

Ruby is feeling better, after a few days of being sick. She was quite happy about feeling better, as evidenced by the first words I heard her say when she got up on Wednesday morning, "I didn’t throw up at all!!!" Good thing. That kid continues to be so bloomin’ skinny, that lately we’ve been a bit concerned off and on. David has told me before that when he looks at her toothpick legs, he’s just proud that she can even walk! =O

One morning the kids begged David to fix their twisted-up slinkies before he left for work. As he was working on it, Ruby told him, "you’re the slinky man". David responded, "way to butter me up". I was laughing about the whole conversation when Ruby interjected, "it’s true! He IS the slinky man!" Isaac then said something that I didn’t catch. But apparently David did. "Slinky Man doesn’t do criticism", he told Isaac. Then, for some reason, David said something about "Mom’s a sweet pea". "So are you", Ruby said, "you’re supposed to be at work, but you’re fixing our slinkies". And then Jadelyn burst into the conversation, "my mouth’s broken!" said with a hanger in her mouth. Just a random conversation from the Dickerson household. =O

It was "wash sheets day", and I needed Ruby’s soft blanket in the washer. She came over, threw it in, and then told me, "I have to get away, or I might get sick" since it smells bad when it’s wet. ;)

Ruby was eating Jello, that special "I’m sick" treat, while looking longingly at Jadelyn’s tossed salad, and dreaming about the day she could eat "yummy salad". Apparently she didn’t inherit my sweet tooth! Ha.

One night while tucking the kids into bed, Ruby lifted my face up because, "I want to see your pretty face". Aww. Then she said, "I have a pretty face, too." I asked her how she knew that. "Because you tell me", she replied. =)

Ruby had to tell me about a "bad dream" she had the other night. She dreamed that David was a horse. And she was trying to feed him. And then I think she got tangled up in the fence, and Aunt Aliya helped her get out. And Aunt Aliya wanted to go lay down in the pasture. And the horse bit Ruby and put her in the pasture, and then out, and then back in, and then out again. And then David the horse wiped the "waucamole" off his face. Well, she told me, "I’m not sure it was waucamole", but it was green, and she was like, "waucamole is green!" Oh, the nightmares…;)

I went to get my blood drawn at the hospital on Thursday with all 3 kids in tow. Last time I went, I only had Ruby. Well, we were registering at the registration desk place, when Ruby started whispering some secret to Jadelyn and then to Isaac. I overheard her telling them that the lady who was helping us was "Ms. Brenda". I asked her how she remembered that. Because it’s the name of Daddy’s boss (who she’s never met, I might add), I was told. That kid is just INCREDIBLE with names! Today she was telling Isaac and Jadelyn about Aunt Hope (who she saw at Grandma Nancy’s funeral) and Aunt Joy (who she’s never met). She had all her facts straight. Incredible. Maybe she didn’t inherit my sweet tooth, but she certainly got ALL my social skills – because I’m lacking pretty much ALL of my own! =O Just fascinates me. Anyways…then, I was getting my blood drawn and all 3 kids were smilingly (like big ‘ole smiles) watching. They must not have inherited my wimpy-easy-to-get-sick-when-blood-or-vomit-is-present gene. And the lady drawing my blood, who did REALLY well last time, was so distracted by their smiling faces that I ended up a little bruised this time. Oh, well. At least the kids enjoyed the field trip to the hospital! =P

Jadelyn went poop. Good to know, right? And then went on to describe the shape of it by using her finger. Lovely. Then, she said, "funny poop". Oh, man…that kid is just random. And strange. And I love her to pieces!

David was asking Ruby the other day something about if she wanted something with cheese on it for supper. "I’m trying to stay away from the cheese stuff", she told him. So…she’s staying away from cheese, and Isaac’s back on pretty much trying to avoid sugar, though not as much as he tried to avoid it last time. How are they ever going to gain weight on "yummy salad"?!?!?!?!

I’ll let this quote speak for itself. It just cracks me up. "It’s amazing how we get food on our foreheads when we’re just trying to get it in our mouths" – deep-in-thought-Ruby. HA!!!!! =D

The other night at supper, the kids were being a bit…ahem…rambunctious. David suggested that they "play human". The kids were listening intently as he told them how the game would go. Pretending that they were people, you know. Behavior dramatically improved. (My behavior MIGHT have gotten worse if I started snickering, but you know, not sure I did…I didn’t write THAT down. ;P) Later, after supper, Ruby asked David, "why aren’t we playing human?" Who knew that was SUCH a good game?!?! =)

Jadelyn has been waking up from naptime significantly before the other two lately. On Friday, she came upstairs where I was folding laundry and went about quietly playing that she was a turtle in her "turtle box" (aka "laundry basket"). As soon as Ruby and Isaac got up, she was downstairs, telling them excitedly about the "turtle box" and asking them if they wanted to come play. Ruby came shyly up the stairs, sucking her thumb (HOW DO WE BREAK THE CHILD OF THE HABIT!?!?! =O), like she didn’t really WANT to play in a "turtle box", but she was coming because Jadelyn asked her to. Right. ;) Anyways, soon after that, I had one turtle in the laundry basket "turtle box" and one in the beanbag "turtle box". I think I like that game….it’s even quieter than "playing human"! =)

The kids have been coloring like crazy lately. Namely because they want to "use up" the markers and crayons. Now, I certainly think they will use up the markers…but they have so many bloomin’ crayons that people gave them when Ruby was in her cast that I don’t think it’s possible to EVER use ‘em up. EVER. ;) Unless, of course, we melted ‘em all down and made a candle. Or 20. Or something. Anyways, Isaac’s been the only one who actually FINISHES a picture. He colored two pictures of unicorns. Which he refers to as "dinocorns". Love that kid. He also refers to his "art set" as a "sun set". Ha.

I overheard Isaac talking to his sisters back in his bedroom the other day. I’m not sure what he was talking about, but whatever it was "just takes a MAN’S muscle", he told them. ;) Gotta love when they use lines straight out of "Your Story Hour" stories. ;)

Jadelyn was complaining "I can’t see it!" the other day, as she so often does. "Use your eyes", David told her. And there was silence. Why didn’t I think of that one before? =O

During bedtime prayers, Jadelyn was praying along when she paused, "let me tink…."….. ….. ….. and then she continued with thanking Jesus that her light isn’t broken off. ;)

During children’s story at church on Sabbath, the kids were asked what they were thankful for. "Daddy!" Ruby said. And then Jadelyn started talking. "Aww", I thought, "this is when she says she’s thankful for Mommy." Nope. "For Gam. And Pucka. And Grandma, and Grandpa. And Grandpa Link is sad ‘cause of Grandma Nancy". And that was all the input any of the kids up at children’s story had. Oh…and earlier in the story, Jadelyn interrupted to let everyone know that Pucka is coming soon. She sure loves her Pucka! Even if he has a beard.

Ruby was telling me that she was having still more problems with her belly last night…that it was feeling "tight". Jadelyn then piped up, "I was having some problems with my belly ‘cause it’s not on my ears". Right. I have that same problem! Random Lynnie…;)

And that’s all I have written down! Adios!!!!!

Surgery and such....

This Ruby gal is a trooper. And so are her sweet siblings. Just had to get it out there. =)

Yesterday morning started bright and early - 4am for me. I got about 2.5 hours of sleep Sunday night, according to my expert calculations. =P Lovely. Anyways...got Ruby up and ready and hit the road. Things at the hospital were MUCH less crazy this time around - no 3 people talking to us at one time. Just more laid back. We even had 20 minutes or so to walk around and go outside and stuff before we had to be back in and put the gown on. Ruby enjoyed looking at the toys in the rec area and riding on the big glider swing thing out in the courtyard. ;)

Ruby walked back to the pre-op area and was doing pretty good back there until she got more nervous. Duh. Anyways, that was probably around the time the anesthegiologists showed up. Anyhow, they weren't going to give her any "happy juice" because she seemed fine, though they noticed that she was hugging her soft blanket extra tight. I told them that she wouldn't be so fine when being taken from Mommy, so they gave her some "happy juice". When they were giving it to her, Ruby jumped as this syringe-like thing came at her - told me later she thought they were giving her some blood - so she asked "what is this for" and didn't take it until she found out it was to help her feel more happy. Sure enough relaxed her. To the point that she was just silly loopy - head tilted to the side, not remembering things, not really answering questions, mouth hanging slightly open. And once she got good and doped up, they brought out an electric car thing for her to drive to the OR. Man. She's a bad driver WITHOUT drugs. With it? Help us all. =) She almost ran over one of the anesthegiologists before he wisely "helped" her and her bobbing, floppy head steer her car down the hall and around the corner. She didn't even say goodbye to us!

Surgery went incredibly well - took about 4 hours, and no pins or screws were required as her bone graft took well. And the hip was stable enough that Dr. Walker didn't need to tighten any ligaments. We finally saw her about 5 hours after she drove away. She had been crying for Mommy and Daddy in the recovery room. Wonder why they wouldn't let us back there? Hmmm...anyways...

She was tired, but unable to sleep. Pain free until about 5pm. And then last night it got worse - slight crying when they move her, but she says her hips really hurt. She didn't get a "good" nap in until today when she slept around 30-40 minutes while David was up here with her. And now she's been sleeping pretty much for the past hour and a half or so? Minus the frequent jerking awakenings that make her cry a little. She is afraid because she feels like she's moving. Lovely side effect of the medication. But you know...can't imagine how much pain she'd be in without it.

Today she told me something like, "I wish the cast was off already" and that she wishes that she only had to wear it "for like 30 minutes" or something. Oh. And that she wishes that David or I or Isaac had to have the surgery instead of her. =P Poor girl...this is gonna be a long haul.

Today Isaac, Jadelyn, David, Grandma and Grandpa got to come visit. Ruby was excited about it, but not too enthusiastic when they were here for the most part. Just doesn't feel up to it. They visited a little, then Isaac, Jadelyn, Karl and Linda and I headed out for a picnic at the park. It was lovely. I was beat tired and felt bad for "leaving" Ruby (though David stayed with her) but you know...a Mom's gotta take care of ALL her kids, right? Isaac and Jadelyn were missing their nap, but stayed sweet and kind and loving the whole time. I about fell asleep sitting on a bench at one point. Isaac then took me to a more private "room" in which to rest. =) Love that guy. They didn't particularly want to leave the park when it was time, but Isaac was excited to come back to the hospital to see Ruby. Love watching how much he loves that gal!

When we got back, David headed out to Wal-Mart with Karl and Jadelyn to pick up a few things, but Isaac stayed behind. Right by Ruby's bed for the most part - "playing" with her and sharing with her and overall warming my heart. He didn't want to leave tonight - not sure if that was from pure love for his sister or because he was having such a ball making the pinwheel spin like crazy in front of the fan. ;) I like to think it was mostly the former. ;)

After they all left, Ruby and I did some "coloring". Ruby points to what we're going to color and then points to what crayon she wants to use. She loves it, and we have done lots of it. She and David also "colored" this afternoon. I enjoy spending the time with her, and really like the "therapy" it gives to her arms. She has kept them up close by her face holding her blanket that it hurts her to move them. But her range of motion is much improved today - I like to think it's a direct result from our "coloring". ;) We looked through some presents that Ms. Sally from David's work had brought up. Wowzers. This gal has some PRESENTS! People are so very thoughtful and somehow know just what she will like! We also played a game of Old Maid which she whooped me at. ;P And then she was looking beat tired, so I asked her if she wanted to rest. She wanted to and boy, has she! I straightened up the room much to my OCD relief, and she slept and slept and slept. Minus the aforementioned jerks. Here's to hoping for a good night's sleep! For her. And me. ;)