January 12, 2012 - True love - Isaac got a "big sucker" for having an entire day with no consequences, and he shared. Big time. Gotta love that kid.
January 13, 2012 - The sharing saga continues.
January 29, 2012 - Tonight at supper, Ruby was thoroughly enjoying her concoction - soynuts in her carob shake. And Jadelyn was thoroughly enjoying getting as much relish as she could out of the squeezable relish container. Any guess who the health nut is? Ai yai yai.
February 11, 2012 - Jadelyn and Xander bonding time. (By Shelley)
February 11, 2012 - Ruby wanted to get dressed up for Sabbath in my boots and Selah's coat (by Shelley)
March 8, 2012 - The sweetest brother this house has ever seen - Ruby wasn't feeling well, and when I looked over from the kitchen, this is what I found.
March 8, 2012 - On a "date" eating "dates".
March 8, 2012 - My sweet little hairy man.
March 8, 2012 - Caring for sicko-Daddy-o in their own special way.
March 8, 2012 - Taking advantage of our snow/hail/combo/thing - David's idea. Smart fella.
March 8, 2012 - Ruby's very proud of her stash!
March 8, 2012 - Our snowman of the season - since it doesn't appear we'll get to build a real one. Much to Isaac's chagrin. =O
March 8, 2012 - Crazy Lynnie, who acts completely normal while running high temperatures. Except the crazy eyes in this picture. Ha!
March 8, 2012 - A more normal Jadelyn. If that is possible.
March 8, 2012 - Lovin' this activity of the past few days.
March 10, 2012 - Was reading some old gems my children have blessed me with when I stumbled upon this one from last month - "Today, I asked crazy Jadelyn where she came from. She didn't know. I asked her if Jesus made her. Yes. I asked her if Jesus loved her. Yes. I asked her if she loved Jesus. "Monkey's bite me all the time" was the answer I believe I got. Okay, kiddo. " That kid cracks me up.
March 11, 2012 - Got 545 seeds, (okay more, really, but 545 little holder-things - yes, I'm a nerd) planted and in the greenhouse in probably less than an hour and a half thanks to my little farmhands. I used to dislike spring, but it's become magical in my old age.
March 15, 2012 - Had a great conversation (okay, I mostly listened) to Jadelyn at bedtime tonight. It started by talking about who loved her, turned into a lengthy conversation about teeth, (Mr. Matt and Ms. Josie love her and won't bite her because they have teeth...or something to that effect, I believe) then tornados "sucking you up" and needing to go under the house, then about "oh! My light just went blink, blink, blink!" And then about why did she used to bounce in her crib. Got the attention span of her father, I fear....
March 26, 2012 - Bike crashes, sunburn, waterfall hikes, hot tubbin', rainbow-viewin', family time - 'twas a good vacation.
March 28, 2012 - 1 week until Ruby's surgery and today she came down with the cold that the rest of us got yesterday. Please pray she gets over this QUICKLY so she can still have the surgery.
March 29, 2012 - The joys of pruning apple trees comes indoors.
March 29, 2012 - Family time in the pasture....
March 29, 2012 - Crazy loons - Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
March 29, 2012 - My Brave Ruby - Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
March 29, 2012 - My Little Fella - Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
March 29, 2012 - Silly Little Lynnie - Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
March 29, 2012 - My 3 Little Monkeys....Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
March 29, 2012 - Oh, yeah...I still got it. Photo Courtesy of Tammy Sowder Photography
April 1, 2012 - 2 more days 'til Ruby's surgery. Any favorite Bible texts about fear/worry/anxiety you wish to share with us? I'm hoping to write 'em down and review and review and review and claim and claim and claim and cry and cry and cry and pray and pray and pray...you know...stuff like that...during what I presume will be the longest 5 hours of my life. "I need the prayers of those I love!"
April 3, 2012 - Pre-op visit, x-ray, blood draw, urine specimen COMPLETE! Ruby was NOT all about the blood draw, but you know....she shared her stickers and toys with Isaac and Jadelyn when we got home. Supposed to check in at 6am tomorrow. We won't know if Ruby is too sick for the surgery until the anesthesiologist sees her. Please pray that she's well enough!
April 3, 2012 - And...Isaac threw up at worship tonight. When it rains it pours. This time literally. Gross. Please pray Ruby stays well enough!!! Poor little fella....
April 4, 2012 - Playing with the bed...BEFORE WE GOT SENT HOME!!! Crazy. She was fine, minus her little stuffiness...pretty much had gotten the all-clear to proceed, went to the OR place, where the anestegiologist was checking her, noticed she was hot, fever of 100. It had been fine when they checked before. Then, once we got home? It was 98.1. So, April 16 is the new date.
April 5, 2012 - Got to plant some of the garden (thanks for tilling it up better, Dad), and tuck all 3 kiddos into their own beds last night. Wasn't thinking that I'd get to do any of that. There are good sides to sugery getting postponed, I suppose.
April 8, 2012 - stove that's been sitting out in our garage for around a year and a half? SOLD!!! Finally.
April 8, 2012 - Not to sound like a broken record or anything, but please keep Ruby in your prayers. She's had a fever pretty much all day today and her new surgery date is a week from tomorrow - we need her well!!!!!
April 10, 2012 - Ruby just did something that I must admit I've never done - caught her very own frog!!! I was so proud! Isaac wanted to catch one, but was too afraid, so was trying to have Ruby catch the frog again. That's my boy!
April 11, 2012 - They're making the decision about if Ruby's surgery on Monday will continue or be postponed due to a low-grade temp that she had on Sunday, Monday, and part of Tuesday...please pray! I'm so impatient, I just want this over already.
April 15, 2012 - Tomorrow morning will start out bright and early - 4am. Please pray for us as we again go in for Ruby's surgery. Thankfully...she told me she's not scared right now. I, on the other hand....yeah, I've been doing lots of memory verse reciting and praying. "I STILL need the prayers of those I love!!!!!" P.S. Her temp has been fine...though she got a little rash-looking thing from her pre-op scrub tonight. =O
April 16, 2012 - Ruby was gettin' ready to head back for her surgery. She's back now. Please keep us in your prayers today - it'll be a long haul.
April 16, 2012 - Just got a call. Ruby went to sleep fine - held her own mask to her face. So proud of her - that's the part she was most scared of. I'm sure the "happy juice" helped. I love that gal and can't wait to see her in a few more hours. Thank you so much for your prayers! Please keep 'em comin'!
April 16, 2012 - PRAISE GOD!!! They are already sewing Ruby up - that will take about 20 minutes and then another 40 minutes or so to do the cast. AND!!! The graft took well, so NO SCREWS OR PINS!!! God is SO good!!! Looking forward to seeing my little girl in an hour! Whoo-hoooooo!!!!!!
April 16, 2012 - Talked to the surgeon...still waiting to see my girl. Things went really well...hope she's not hurting too bad.
April 16, 2012 - Watchin' my baby girl go to sleep for a nap. She's such a brave girl! Looking forward to her incessant talking again...who knew I'd miss it so quickly!
April 16, 2012 - Here's part of her cast...the rest is all covered up! Wasn't expecting it to look like this, but am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't go on her one leg at all....
April 16, 2012 - Finally sleeping - for hopefully more than 2 minutes like the last "nap". Poor girl is exhausted. And hungry (but she's laying on her belly and they don't want to turn her again just yet). And wants a cuddle but alas that's not allowed right now. I love my Ruby.
April 17, 2012 - Well, the pain has started - especially when we have to turn her. She's still brave as all get out, but hurting - in her hip and in her arms, which she hasn't been moving much. She hardly slept after the surgery yesterday and didn't sleep real well last night, so she's resting now. Just checked and she's sleeping. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and kind words!
April 17, 2012 - Ruby had some pretty special visitors today!
April 17, 2012 - Oh, and she loves this boy, too...though it doesn't particularly look like it.
April 17, 2012 - These next few pictures about melt my little heart....love these kids.
April 17, 2012 - Isaac took the soundmaker out of the doll...and Ruby actually had enough hand strength to squeeze it this way....
April 17, 2012 - He loves her so very much! Did NOT want to leave when it was time. Of course it MIGHT have had more to do with the fact he was having a ball making the pinwheel go crazy fast in front of the fan, but I like to pretend it was all about his love for his sister....
April 17, 2012 - Caretaker Isaac, who would've loved to stay up here tonight...
April 17, 2012 - There it is - the cast in all it's "glory".
April 17, 2012 - Enjoyed a relaxing few hours with Isaac, Jadelyn, Karl and Linda at a park for lunch and play. So thankful for my incredibly amazing kids and my wonderful in-laws. Oh, and for David, who stayed with Ruby, of course. Ruby update: resting for the longest time I've seen her rest here except for at night (which I technically didn't "see", 'cause I was busy resting, too ;D), though she keeps jerki...ng herself awake which terrifies her - she feels like she's moving, which is a side effect of the medication. Luckily these times a little kiss and reassurance seems to calm her down. Beat me in her first game of Old Maid tonight, too. Thankful for our wonderful doctors and nurses and aids, too. Special people.
April 17, 2012 - Okay, scary-for-Mama update: Ruby's heartrate is hanging around 150. Then she complained of chest pain. Then the doctor was called. Then orthopedist person was called. Said her cast wasn't too tight. Nurse thought it was. Orthopedist left to call someone. Came back in soon after with the cast-saw. Cut it down the length of the not-bad-hip side and stretched it some which traumatized both R...uby and Mama (because Ruby was so scared and they didn't explain things well to her). (Hope it still keeps her hip in place properly!) That relieved Ruby's pain. So, they were hoping her heart rate would go down. But it didn't. Well, it did some, but it's still in the low 150s for the most part. Nurse just came in and talked to me - said that we're hoping it will stay in the 140s again. They are hoping to take the epidural out tomorrow morning, but Ruby keeps complaining of hip pain. Some is fear, and some, I believe, is real pain. Please keep praying for her pain (and fear) level to go WAY down. Enough of my long update.
April 18, 2012 - Rough, rough night last night 'til about 2am, then got MUCH better. This morning, Ruby's been quite alert - "playing" and talking, but still lots of fear. They stopped the medication through her epidural and since then there seems to be more pain - seems quite bad when they move her at times. She has been out and about in her wheelchair - played Chutes and Ladders and some "Sorry" before she tired out. Resting now. Poor girl. Heart rate is still up, but not as high. No idea how we're going to manage at home - she can't sit up at all, so eating, playing, etc. are going to be a real trick.
April 18, 2012 - "It's crazy how Jesus made night shifters....normally people don't work at night." - Ruby
April 18, 2012 - Oh, what a long, long day. Ruby is almost manic with all her talking and worrying and wow. "Just-in-case" IV out, catheter out, epidural out, out and about on wheelchair (followed by an hour of bad pain), she's hardly slept at all and still isn't. Still hurting when getting moved, but most of the crying seems due to fear. Oxygen levels have gone as low as 88 tonight that I saw, but are at 93 n...ow. Pulse is still in the 140s/150s unless she's real scared, when it jumps to the 160s/170s or so. Reality that we have to figure out a way to take care of her at home is setting in and I'm getting a bit scared. It's not been too bad here - she's the only one I have to focus attention on and the nurses do most of the scary stuff - I'm just the support person. At home it's 3 kids, housework, and garden time. And thankfully David, who has already volunteered to do most of the nighttime turning - THANK YOU, BUDDY!!! Inner super-Mom, where are you? ;P On a positive note, though, I've got to hear Ruby sing several times today. Medicine for my weary soul!
April 19, 2012 - GOOD night. Ruby slept and slept and is still sleeping. Praise God!!! She was SO overtired. And as of 5am, she had a dry diaper, and around then went a good pee in the bedpan, so hopefully she'll stay dry. I got nearly 5 hours of sleep in a ROW thanks to our nurse
April 19, 2012 - Well, Ruby is making sure that I am well inducted into bedpan use before we go home. Pretty much for 4 hours I've been doing bedpan runs. Only took me 2.5 hours or so to eat part of a roll, some chips, and some juice (well balanced, I know. =O). My back is killing me. But, well, we're getting the hang of it.
April 20, 2012 - Home!!! And whadd'ya know, Isaac has a fever over 102. Poor little fella. All kiddos are in their beds and sleeping. Ruby's first real nap at the "right" (or sorta right) time since Sunday. Ruby has had some pain today, but she's pretty medicated to avoid that. Still not pooping (minus the few spurts), so prayers would be appreciated. It's been since Sunday since a good poop. (Man, you c...an tell I'm old when I'm posting about poop. =O) Oh, and WHERE IN TARNATION DID I PUT MY CAST COOLER?!?!?! =O That's what I get for "organizing" - I forget where the thing is, and I tore the closet apart, and STILL can't find it. ARRRGGHHH!!! Someday I'll find it, but I'd really like it today to take care of the wet places on Ruby's cast. Oh...and we tried to get her on a real potty today, but she doesn't fit right with the angle of her cast...Dr. said with the type of hip problem Ruby has it would be best to cast her straight down, but can't do that 'cause she's gotta go potty. Okay, enough potty talk. Consider yourself updated - probably more than you cared to be.
April 20, 2012 - Sweetest phone conversation I've ever overheard - Ruby and Isaac were talking last night and Ruby said "I love you!" (okay, I told her to say it, I admit) and then I heard Isaac, "I love you, too!" to which Ruby said, "I love you, too!" and Isaac said, "I love you, too!" (or something like that...distance must REALLY make the heart grow fonder...never heard a conversation like THAT from them before. =D) Sweetest thing now...Ruby woke up from her nap but managed to scoot herself up to the head of her bed and reach over her head to find the baby monitor we put in her room for if she needed help to let me know she was awake without waking Isaac up. Just LOVE that girl!
April 21, 2012 - SUCCESS!!!
April 22, 2012 - Today I am thankful. Thankful for an amazing husband and 3 healthy kids. Thankful that our "health crisis" is not a life-threatening one. Thankful for dirty clothes and toys that were strewn all over earlier today. Thankful for food to make and bottoms to wipe. Just overwhelmingly thankful, thankful, thankful
April 23, 2012 - Me to Jadelyn: "are you my girl?" Jadelyn: "will you share with Daddy?" Guess she doesn't want to be JUST mine!
April 24, 2012 - "Good thing they didn't put a cast on my mouth....'cause then I couldn't talk." - probably paraphrased Ruby. 1/2 hour later or so she commented that another reason it's a good thing they didn't put a cast on her mouth is then she couldn't kiss.
April 25, 2012 - This morning I asked Jadelyn if she had a song stuck in her head. Her response? "No. Just hair". Ha!
April 27, 2012 - Is it wrong that while looking at some pictures today I came across a picture of me blowing out my "31" candles and thought something along the lines of, "WHAT?!?!?! I thought I was only 30!!!!" Oh, good grief....
May 3, 2012 - Rough day. May tomorrow not be like this.
May 6, 2012 - Gearing up for the next surgery on Wednesday. Ruby seems to be relatively okay, other than not wanting all the "tubes" in her again. Thank you all for all your prayers!!!!!
May 8, 2012 - It appeared that Ruby got teary tonight as she hugged Isaac goodbye. Harder for me to say goodbye to Jadelyn and Isaac, too. Headed out for sugery #2 bright and early tomorrow...please keep us in your prayers...again and/or still.
May 9, 2012 - Ruby was taken back for surgery around 8:30am SCREAMING her head off. "Happy juice" didn't work so hot today. Really, she had been doing GREAT minus the finger stick and then when they took her back. She told me, "I want you to stay with me". Child sure knows how to rip my heart out. =O Cast is off, skin looked great and surgery has started....pink cast coming!
May 9, 2012 - Surgery is over already! No pins and screws again, Praise God!!!!! Closing her up and getting her cast on, which could take another hour, then she has time in the recovery room, so we'll probably get to see her in 2 hours or so. So, so, so thankful!!!!
May 9, 2012 - Off to meet with the Dr. in the surgery waiting room.....
May 9, 2012 - LOTS of pain this time around. Worse than the worst owie face on the pain chart at times. Please pray for Ruby!
May 9, 2012 - 3 loonies on a log....
May 9, 2012 - Quite sure the epidural was leaking and not doing a thorough job of pain management. They've turned it off and started her on IV and suppository meds but if she's sleeping, how is she supposed to push her pain button every 6 minutes? Dr. is supposed to be here at 9pm to remove the epidural, I think. Please keep Ruby in your prayers. She's sure hurting today. Also, hoping her cast lining isn't all wet from the epidural leak. My poor girl.
May 9, 2012 - Okay, off to bed! I think I have an hour or maybe even an hour and a half until I need to be up for moral support!
May 10, 2012 - The "jerks" have started...so scary for Ruby. And she's pretty consistently rating her pain as an 8 out of 10. Thank you all for your prayers! I think it was in one of her prayers last night/this morning that Ruby was telling Jesus about the people praying for her. Or maybe she just told me. =O My brain is failing me.
May 10, 2012 - Ruby continues to be in LOTS of pain. Supposed to get her epidural removed in the next 15 minutes or so - very upset about it, as it hurt her so bad when they took the tape off last time. Also looking like the cast might need to be loosened some again - it's incredibly tight, and even has some rough edges rubbing on her bottom. Cast loosening was the most traumatic thing for Ruby last time. Please keep us in your prayers! My heart is breaking. Ruby keeps asking me to pray for her, too....
May 10, 2012 - Thank you all for your prayers! Ruby has been sleeping for about 2.5 hours - unheard of for a nap in the hospital for her. She sure can use some rest!
May 10, 2012 - This afternoon I witnessed my sweet Ruby endure 2 and a half hours of pure torture. She was in agony, saying over and over, "Oh, so owie! Oh, so owie!" Broke my heart. They loosened the side of her cast a little, but didn't seem to give her relief. Dr. is concerned with how low her oxygen is going, so we're limited on how much morphine we can give her for the pain. Please, please, please pray that she stops hurting soon.
May 10, 2012 - And Ruby has thrown up and is feeling sick and is on oxygen. Poor girl. Thankfully the Dr. found a way she can suck her thumb even with the oxygen mask on. It's all gotta get straightened around soon, right?
May 11, 2012 - We seem to have turned a corner! Ruby expressed some desire to get "out and about" today once her tubes come out, I got 6.5 hours of sleep, and she's been quite alert and talkative today. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11, 2012 - Couple Ruby quotes from the last day - "You're a good Mommy", and in response to me saying that I'm so sorry she was hurting, "Jesus is even more sad than you are". She's still definitely not her normal self (hence the "you're a good Mommy" quote. Ha!), but things are looking up. She's been eating - felt nauseous but didn't throw up; has been awake most of the day - resting now; got up in her wheelchair - we didn't go anywhere, but she ate and played Old Maid in it; oh, and the most important - I've seen some smiles and heard some singing!
May 11, 2012 - We're in the midst of the pooping battle again. TMI? Sorry. =O Anyhow...it's worse this time, as she's in incredible pain. Things she has screamed (over and over and over) in the past 2.5 hours? "I NEED HELP!", "I NEED IT OUT!", "HELP ME!", etc. Poor girl. It's just agony. We turned her on her belly (smart nurse) to relieve some pressure, and she's resting now.....
May 11, 2012 - More talkative Ruby this evening - and even some pottying without screaming, which is always nice. Okay, well, some screaming, but not nearly constant for hours on end. I think we're JUST about to get over the hump...once we get back home, all will be well - we just need to get outta here!!!!!! Ha.
May 12, 2012 - Well, we had another good night last night and pretty good morning so far. Ruby ate better than she's been eating, but after nearly every bite of the sandwich she was eating, she had to pause for a few minutes to hold the throw-up bin. Nauseous even though she has IV meds to help with that. Still wondering if her cast is too tight on her poor little belly.....and still don't know if we'll go home today or tomorrow.
May 12, 2012 - Well, because of the nausea, which is happening quite often, we're stuck here 'til tomorrow. Disappointing for sure, since we were hoping to leave today, but just a few more hours.....
May 12, 2012 - She's BAAACCCKKKK!!!!! Ruby is much more her normal self today.
May 12, 2012 - Thinking about you and your beautiful family ~
Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of
peace and truth. (By Tammy Sowder)
May 14, 2012 - Well, we're home - hence the lack of constant updates. Ruby's feeling much better and still needs much tending to, and Isaac and Jadelyn are periodically vying with Ruby for Mommy's attention...so, busy times. Still, glad to be home!!!!!!
May 25, 2012 - So, in the past few weeks, Ruby had her second big surgery, we had our current septic connected to a different drainfield, our bathroom sink and toilet broke (minorly, thankfully), we had family in from MI and AL, David and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with a date (thanks, Tracy and Mom - you guys are brave!!! =D), Ruby and a follow-up x-ray and all is looking fine, spent 3 hours at the dentist's for 4 cleanings (we all got "A's" =D), and David lost his job. Life never gets boring around these parts. Please keep us in our prayers that we will follow God's will wherever that may take us!
May 26, 2012 - Thought I would share this to all my Mom friends - well, the rest of you might like it, too. "Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift." Desire of Ages page 615. Sometimes what we do doesn't seem to matter, and seems like thankless work, but Jesus cares!
June 4, 2012 - Jadelyn: "Why you wearing a skirt?"
Me: That's just what I put on this morning.
Jadelyn: "Why you wearing a red shirt?"
Me: That's just what I put on this morning.
Jadelyn: "Why you wearing a head?"
Kinda makes me wonder what headless people she hangs out with.... Crazy kid.
June 7, 2012 - My little Jadelyn Grace is 3 today. Crazy how time flies..... Happy Birthday, Lynnie!
June 7, 2012 - Let the job interviews begin! Please pray we end up at the right place. I sure will miss my farm. ;( I got spoiled....=O
June 7, 2012 - Just made what I think will be the yummiest cake I've ever made. But also the worst looking. Learned that though oil can be substituted for butter/crisco in most recipies, it should NOT be substituted in frosting recipies! Running down the sides, for sure. =O Oh, and what did Jadelyn want on her cake? A picture of a blue bowl. Yeah. My kids are so abnormal. And I love 'em. Bowls are WAY easier to draw than a princess or something.
June 7, 2012 - Jadelyn's nighttime prayer tonight (not ver batim, but as close as I can remember it) "Thank you that I'm 3. Oh, thank you for the day that you gave us, I'm 3 now. Close your eyes [Mom - hey, she was done, and then started again!] Help me get 5." Oh, boy...nothing like rushing through your childhood!!!!
June 11, 2012 - Yes, we had a little visitor in our home yesterday....
June 11, 2012 - The fam is out flying with Uncle Darbi. Ruby takes up 2 seats, so I'm left all alone. Here's to hoping they don't crash!!!
June 13, 2012 - "Dad, this is a FUN traffic jam" says the little girl laying flat on her back in the middle seat....
June 14, 2012 - Sad conclusion to the bluebird experience...returned home last night to find things knocked down, bird poop by nearly every window, and a dead bird in the sink...
June 14, 2012 - I was showing Lona (my grand daughter) pictures of Ruby & her cast, and Lona said "that poor thing.. she looks too pretty to have a cast on" (By Linda Butcher)
June 14, 2012 - I did some serious "cast care" on Ruby tonight- replacing tape and vacuuming the snot out of her cast. What did Ruby think of it all? (This may be a paraphrase...) "THIS IS THE WORST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yeah. So not a fan...
June 16, 2012 - Ruby wanted to sing special music at church today. David told her that he wouldn't offer her services like she wanted him to, but if they asked her, she could sing. (Visiting at a different church today, so the likelihood was slim...) What do you know? They asked if anyone had a special music! So, Ruby and Jadelyn (Isaac didn't want to sing) sang "Wonderful". So glad Ruby wants to sing for Jesus! (And appreciate that she has her Daddy's outgoingness, too...;D)
June 21, 2012 - Job offer rolled in today. Please, please, please pray that we make the right decision...
June 22, 2012 - David just accepted the job for South Haven. His new boss is letting him start a week later than originally planned so that we can be around here for Ruby's week of intensive Physical Therapy following getting her cast off next Friday. So, he starts on July 9 in MI, and we can all come up together. Time to pack like crazy! Anyone want to buy a house in Crab Orchard, KY? Or know of a place in South Haven? Good grief....moving is crazy.
June 24, 2012 - Anyone want to move to Crab Orchard, KY? I know just the home for you!
http://craborchardhomeforsale.blogspot.com/
June 27, 2012 - "I wanna watch more videos of a girl getting popped with that balloon" (or something like that) - Ruby (aka videos about airbags...=P)
June 27, 2012 - Chickens are gone. Why am I a bit sad about it while the kids are fine? ;P They loved those things! I'm a mess.
June 28, 2012 - Ruby goes in to get her cast off tomorrow!!! YAY, YAY, YAY!!!!! After 10.5 short (really, they went by fast) weeks, the day is almost here!!!! Please keep us in your prayers. She has to go under anesthesia again to have an arthrogram of her hips done, and then, as the doctor says, "the hard part starts" - learning to use her muscles again. From what I've seen, it takes about 6 weeks on average to learn to walk again, and Ruby has low muscle tone to begin with....thanks for all your prayers, support, and encouragement!
June 29, 2012 - The return of the legs!!!!! Her right leg (the one that's been casted the whole time) has quite a bit of pain. The left is fine. She's moved them both around some (left further than the right), has sat up in her wheelchair at a 90 degree angle, rode home in her normal carseat, took lots of (very assisted) steps, and is looking forward to a bath after naptime. Oh, and NO BRACE!!! What a great day.
June 30, 2012 - Today, Ruby was cruising around holding onto furniture, stood without holding onto anything, climbed onto the couch, pushed around a tricycle while sitting on it, walked around while holding our hands (or having us hold under her arms), and begged to walk a bunch more. I'd say she's doing better than I had EVER anticipated. SO thankful.
July 2, 2012 - Ruby's first day of therapy today. There was much gawking and people with open mouths watching my amazing daughter. Bursting with pride, here, I know. =O She walked for over an hour today with her new walker (real slow, but bending her knees and heel-toeing it), rode a bike, and did everything the therapist asked - and some extra for good measure. Very proud of my determined little firecracker! And Isaac and Jadelyn, too...they're getting left out of update posts, but I assure you, they are VERY special, too.
July 2, 2012 - "If I scream, the spiders will come. If you are quiet, the bears will come." - Jadelyn. What's a Mom to do?
July 5, 2012 - Tonight I realized another benefit of having a small house. Less walls and windows to clean when you move. Are we on the road yet? Moving is SO not my thing.
July 6, 2012 - Anyone want to take care of our high-energy, outdoor, 2 year-old Red Heeler, Hickory, for a few months until we can buy a house in MI? It won't work well at our rental...
July 10, 2012 - Guess who started walking on her own yesterday? And who didn't use her walker at ALL today? And who can get back to standing from laying down on the ground? (as long as she has something to hang on to) And who has gone potty independently for the past day and a half (minus the time Isaac helped her pull her pants up)? Oh, yeah, it's my girl!!! I'm so proud of her!!! She's only been out of the cast for 1 week and 4 days. Did I mention how proud of her I am?
July 11, 2012 - This morning Ruby told me that David called her independent. But that he was silly, 'cause she's just Ruby.
July 13, 2012 - Yesterday, as we were driving down a dirt road, Ruby asked, "what town are we in?" That amused me, as we were driving down...a dirt road. But to humor her, I answered, "Grand Junction". They didn't know why it was named that, and then Isaac piped up from the back seat something along the lines of, "must be 'cause there's a lot of junk here". Crazy loons.
July 13, 2012 - "That's too screamey. If you want to buy your own house and lock yourself in it and scream than that's okay" - paraphrased David talking to Jadelyn who was doing a scream laugh in the van. This guy is a crack up.
July 18, 2012 - My internet worked properly, so I got houses lined up and in order to drive by tonight. 24 more houses, here we come!!! (If the kids can hold out that long....=O) SO THRILLED that the internet worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I may have moved to Michigan from Kentucky, but I still live in the boonies....further in the boonies, actually....I miss Kentucky. =O
July 19, 2012 - Paraphrased goodnight conversation with Jadelyn: "Mommy, is Jesus coming tomorrow?" "We don't know when Jesus is coming. We just have to wait and be ready." "I'm ready!!!!!" Oh, to be like little children!
July 20, 2012 - So, tonight's goodnight conversation with Jadelyn involved her letting me know that my finger would not fit up her nose because my finger is too big, but her fingers fit up just fine because they're small enough. Oh, the things we never think we'll discuss and then do.....
July 22, 2012 - I asked Jadelyn to get a diaper out of her room. "But there are bugs in my room! I heard them when I was sleeping. So I plugged my ears". Huh....must have sensitive ears. Then, off she went to get me the diaper. She soon returned, informing me that she saw a bug, but it didn't get on her skin. This kid is so dramatic....
July 22, 2012 - The kids have been eating out on the deck tonight. Jadelyn had more than her share of fruit already, and was told by Daddy that she could have no more. When I was coming inside, Jadelyn was right behind me. I asked where she was going. Talking quietly for once, she said, "to get a plum". Nice try, sneaky Lynnie.
July 22, 2012 - Jadelyn is just full of it today! In preparation of her bath, she now has no clothes on except some of Ruby's too big shoes. She was talking to the cat through the closed door, "Cat, no woofing." I'm betting Alpine doesn't need to be told twice.
July 22, 2012 - And, after bathtime, Jadelyn was in her hooded towel with crazy hair coming out the front, hiding on the couch, then lifting her head and announcing, "I a turtle. A snapping turtle. I bite people." Something like that. So, if you happen to visit, please keep an eye out for my people-biting-snapping-turtle-
July 23, 2012 - I have never heard a little girl that was wrestling-with/
July 24, 2012 - Rather enjoyed listening to Isaac tell his sisters that girls do not have gas. Only boys. He was quite insistent about it, too. I'm getting strange in my old age, aren't I? =O
July 24, 2012 - So, the house that we put an offer in on this morning is pending sale to someone else. The house that we were quite excited about at first sold the day after we looked at it, I think. Good news about this? We are spotting good deals - just have to get trigger happy now.
July 29, 2012 - went blueberry picking tonight. And blueberry bushes are so yesterday's news. These things were like TREES! Fast, yummy, cheap pickin'. (55 cents per pound cheaper than the other week. I was TAKEN then. =P)
August 7, 2012 - Mini family reunion (By Aunt Utchie)
August 7, 2012 - David, Kim and kiddos (By Aunt Utchie)
August 8, 2012 - To all who were around my kiddos recently...Ruby got a sudden fever on Monday night, threw up, and has a sore throat. Today we went to the doctor and she has strep throat...so if your kiddos have those symptoms, BEWARE! Isaac now seems to be starting it, and David and I have sore throats, too. Yuck.
August 14, 2012 - David's nursing home survey just started today. This makes a LONG week. BUT! I'm so thankful it wasn't last week when the kids were sick, AND since it's here, we'll just get it done and over with. OH! And his nursing home license just got in today or yesterday, too, so perfect timing!
August 15, 2012 - So, we drove a ridiculous 20+ minutes each way to go to a park this evening. Add to that, as I got lost and couldn't find the park. Add to that more time because I got pulled over for speeding. (SO THANKFUL I ONLY GOT A WARNING! For that, I'm glad I still had KY plates on my car...I could truthfully look even more clueless than I already am. =O Honest...it was a big wide road and I was doing 35, but learned I should only have been doing 25. =O) The kids had about 20-25 minutes to play. What did Isaac and Jadelyn want to do nearly the entire time? Swing. I think I need to hang some swings up at home and stay there. ;P
August 19, 2012 - Isaac and Ruby were carrying on a gigglefest back in their beds. David just went back to remind them that it's time to sleep, and I heard Ruby telling David that we "can't turn off our laughers". Silly gooses....
August 21, 2012 - Jadelyn had to come tell "Grandma" (yeah, that'd be me) that they are going "swimming on dry land". Must be an interesting new sport. And then I heard Isaac talking about how he is going to raise his staff and the water will go sssssssssssss (or something). So happy things have turned around from what they were an hour ago! God is good!!!
August 31, 2012 - Anyone have any homeschool curriculum they really enjoyed/have heard really good things about? The kids are somehow getting really old, and I should probably start thinking about such things. =O
August 2012 - Ruby and Isaac with their suspenders showing sibling "love" (by Shelley)
August 2012 - Making pennants for the kids to wave on our float during the parade (by Shelley)
September 2, 2012 - Oh, how different my kid's personalities are! Asked the kids tonight what their favorite part of the day was. Isaac - "fishing." Ruby - "seeing Jacob, Eric, Hannah, Jonathan, Andrew, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Aliya, and Uncle Mark." (not particularly in that order, but she did name everyone individually.) And Jadelyn's favorite part? "ICE CREAM!!!!! That's all." Crazy loons.
September 9, 2012 - by Aunt Jeanne
September 10, 2012 - Isaac to Ruby: whispered, "I have some good news...we're going up to heaven now. WHEEE!!! Hold my hand. WHEE!!!! Yay! We're up in heaven now!!!" Love that kid.
September 12, 2012 - Ruby's follow-up appointment for her hips is tomorrow. Please keep us in your prayers. That her hips are dandy...AND that I don't get lost! =O I'm so not a big city gal! =O
September 13, 2012 - Dr's appointment went FANTASTIC! (Minus Jadelyn's near constant whining when the Dr. was in. =P) Ruby's hips are "awesome". This doctor actually did a rotation during his residency at Shriner's in Lexington and knows Dr. Walker, who did Ruby's surgery. He said Dr. Walker wrote "the" paper on CMT and hip dysplasia. I told him that she never told us...he said she wouldn't. Only downside is that he really doesn't want Ruby jumping or running much for the next 6 months, as her bone grafts aren't fully incorporated into her own bone yet....yeah, she's already done jumping and running...now we have to curb it. Oh, and I didn't get lost! Well, we DID go to the wrong floor of the parking garage, but you know...we figured it out. Good thing they're color-coded. So happy to have such an awesome doctor here! YAY!!!!!
September 13, 2012 - Well, that totally backfired on me. I was talking to Jadelyn while changing a VERY stinky diaper about how she still wears diapers like a baby, blah, blah, blah, hoping to kick in her "I'm a BIG girl!" sentiment that she always has, and thus promote potty training. Then I put her to bed for naptime. She was kicking the wall. I went in and told her that was not okay. Her response? "But I'm a baby!" AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
September 13, 2012 - "K, let's make a conscious choice not to be annoying." - Paraphrased David to Ruby, who was saying, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy...." He worded it so much more eloquently than just saying "STOP THE MADNESS!!!" Bless his little heart
September 14, 2012 - Ruby was in the bathroom doing her hair while singing her very own ditty, "I'm a crazy woman! I'm a crazy woman!" True story. And true song.
September 14, 2012 - Oh, sometimes the goodnight conversations I have with Jadelyn just crack me up! Tonight she was telling me all about her baby, and how she's the Mommy. She's a good Mommy 'cause she doesn't hit anyone. She just walks around them. And her baby played in the sand with her, and got dirty, so she put her in the dishwasher. (Good Mom, huh? =O) Then she saw Mr. Tom and Ms. Tina on the road and they went for a walk. And then they went to the hospital, because her baby had 3? appointments because her hips wouldn't stay in place. And she came to visit me. And her car is parked in the bathroom. What a kid.
September 16, 2012 - Girls Day out!!!! (By Tracy)
September 17, 2012 - Tonight during Isaac's prayer, he was telling Jesus about my haircut, and how it looks like Aunt Shelley. And then something like, "Mommy's not normal. And she doesn't like it." Then we had to pause prayertime while we all had a good laugh. That kid is crazy
September 19, 2012 - Our cat just came up on the deck with a chipmunk in it's mouth. The chipmunk was still alive, but really hurting. The kids, Ruby and Isaac in particular, were really bothered by this, and got the cat to drop the chipmunk, who then hopped away crazy, but not very fast. The cat then grabbed the chipmunk again. Isaac went outside to keep the cat away from the poor chipmunk, and it worked well. We prayed for the chipmunk to be okay, but by the end of our prayer, it was out of it's misery. At least he didn't have to suffer longer. I hate sin. Just for the record. ;(
September 21, 2012 - Jadelyn hurt her arms (I don't remember how) and we used napkins as her "cast" (by Shelley) (I believe she fell down the stairs outside Uncle Donnie and Auntie Martha's =O)
Hannah signing Jadelyn's cast (by Shelley)
September 22, 2012 - Kids fascinated by hailstorm at church (by Maggie Yelding)
September 22, 2012 - Enjoyed a bike ride around the lake tonight with the family. Tried out the new-for-us tandem attachment for Ruby and Isaac to ride behind David. (And I didn't even get any pictures! =O) Was a little afraid that this might have been too long a trip for thier maiden voyage, but it was a hit. Hopefully we'll go riding a whole lot more now. They were outgrowing the last get-up (one in front of and one behind David on his bike). How're my babies getting so stinking big! (I know, I know...relative to most other children their age "big" is not the appropriate term, but you know....)
September 25, 2012 - Jadelyn "ate" me as I was putting her down for her nap. Then she said, "I ate you up, so we have no Mom." "Why?" I asked. "'Cause I'm a lion". And she said it like it was perfectly normal and like it explained everything. That kid....
September 30, 2012 - This Dickerson family has a fleece out about some serious decisions we need to make...any prayers you could offer for us would be GREATLY appreciated. Really, really, REALLY feeling the need for prayers.
October 12, 2012 - I was playing the piano with Jadelyn this morning, when she asked, "are we playing the Vaseline one?" Not having a clue what she was talking about, I questionned her about it. She said something about "the vaseline arms one." Then I got it. And yes, we WERE playing, "Leaning on the EVERLASTING arms." Those poor kids probably don't get what hymns are really saying at ALL.
November 10, 2012
November 12, 2012
November 18, 2012 - "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!!!!!
December 12, 2012 - Happy 6th birthday to my oldest kiddiokies! I love you, Ruby and Isaac!!!!!
From Aliya: 12/12/12 today! Happy Birthday to my twin niece Ruby and nephew Isaac who, when you add their years together are a cumulative 12 years today! Good planning Kim and David.
December 17, 2012 - Was working with Ruby on her Memory Verse for Sabbath night’s homeschool Christmas Program at Grandma and Grandpa’s.
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
January 28, 2013 - 
