SILLY BANDS.....

Have you all seen the new craze? Rubber bracelets that are shapes of musical instruments, zoo animals, sports, and many more. Sam came home with several bracelets, and wanted to go spend his money on more. Both boys emptied piggy banks for these precious, and 'must have' bracelets. At the store, they were on special '2 pkgs for $3'. Jake got 2 packages, Sam got 4. Because they are so great... Jake now has none (he traded his for Bakugon's) and according to Sam, he allowed kids at school to look at his bracelets, and they refused to give them back....Lesson learned? Probably not, but they enjoyed the bracelets for at least 2 days.

Music, Music, Music

On Thursday, Ty's classroom had a special visitor. This young man visits classrooms every week to share his musical talents. He plays several different instruments. Ty loves to sit and listen to him. I enjoyed watching Ty, watching the banjo playing. Ty's teachers told me that he is the best audience when music is involved.

I May Be a Little Cracked, but Know I'm Doing Good, Somewhere

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck...One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water...

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them...For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

A new day, a new week

Last week was hectic. Monday - took Ty to Chapel Hill to see his surgeon. Scheduled appointment at 1:30, finally seen at 4:00p - there was an emergency surgery in the emergency room. Ty now has his button back in his stomach - he had a temporary one after surgery, that was no fun for me and loads of fun for him. It was very easy to disconnect from the bag that feeds him. He loved to disconnect, while feeding and spread the milk as it dripped, everywhere! Tuesday - took Ty to Winston Salem to see his endocrinologist (thyroid) had blood work done. Wednesday - took Ty to pediatrician (follow up for weight gain) he is putting on weight, yay, and he had an ear infection. I kept him home the rest of the week.

Saturday, we had a day of service with our church. Very fun to work at the Children's Museum. We worked in the new edible garden, it is being created. Sam carried border rocks and hauled mulch in a wagon. Jake helped, twice, according to himself. He pulled the wagon 2 times!! Ty sat in the middle of one of the paths, throwing mulch, and hitting the ground with a stick - completely enjoying himself. I took pictures, and then carried border rocks (I even got scratched and had to get a bandaid). I also raked dirt. After we finished at the museum, went to the church and helped some with the blood drive. Served food to those who donated blood, and ate some too :o)

I am in shock myself.........2 posts in 2 days!!

Had my wonderful 1 hour body massage today (compliments of the drunk guy who hit me in January - best thing ever to come from being hit!) Dad "watched" Ty for me while I went. "Watched" = Ty sitting in his stroller, while Paw Paw mowed the yard and Ty yelled, "HEY, HEY, HEY" and giggled and kicked his feet every time the lawn mower and Paw Paw came close. Upon returning, Paw Paw in his garden, working, and Ty passed out in his stroller, with his foot hanging over the side, and toys thrown off to the side in the grass.

From Paw Paw's house, went to see Ty's surgeon. He clipped the stitches off, looks good, and took the steri-strips off his belly. He is healing very nicely, and can be on regular tube feedings now. No more continuous feeding (yay!!!!)but still has to have soft food. We go back to Chapel Hill in 2 weeks, for his button to be put in. I am so excited for that!!! I really don't like the temporary tube he has, he LOVES to pull it apart, so milk goes everywhere. He is a stinker!

Speaking of stinker, he just pulled Jake's easter bucket to himself, and took all the paper grass out, and when he realized I asked Jake to get it from him, he started throwing it in the air as fast as he could, with a HUGE grin on his face. He is too much fun!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Spring has definitely sprung - or is it summer? Yesterday it was 93', and the lovely yellow pollen has coated the cars - yuck!
Last week, Ty came home from the hospital, after having a nissen repair (wrapping of the esophagus, with part of the stomach). This will hopefully, stop all his throwing up, and help him WANT to eat food through his mouth. We meet with the surgeon, tomorrow, and hopefully he will be allowed to go back to school on Monday. He is starting to get bored with mom, at home.
Sam spent the entire spring break with Trisha Apple and family. Love her!! Trisha was Jake's caregiver, when he was 8 weeks old, and I had to go back to work. We had the opportunity to see each other 2 weeks ago, after 5 years. Picked up, right where we left off. True friendship at its greatest. One of the kindest women, I've ever known. While Sam played with the Apple girls, Jake went to another kind family. The Witbeck family, from church. Hayden was kind enough to share his mom and dad with Jake, while Ty and I were in the hospital for 6 days. Jake also had a wonderful time.
Blessings continue. Ty is scooting all over the floor - you would never know that he has a 4 inch vertical incision on his belly!
I am so grateful for the many prayers offered on our behalf. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers them.

Trials and Blessings

The Lord continues to bless me as I am wading thigh high in trials. So often, I feel as if I am not going to make it. My dad said to me today, after I told him that the timing just isn't good (for backing into the car), "Daughter, when is there a good time?" Such a true statement. There is never a "good" time for the trials that unfold before us, as we see it. The Lord, on the other hand, has a "good" timing for each of the trials that come our way. As frustrating and heart-breaking as the trials are, I know that if I follow the Lord's counsel, He will see me through each and every one of them.

I read in the Ensign, Jan. 2010, an article by Elder Stanley G. Ellis, titled "What Should We Do When We Don't Know What To Do? He outlined 6 things that helped me remember what is MOST important.
1 - Seek answers through study and prayer.
2 - Obey the commandments.
3 - Trust in the Lord and in His Promises.
4 - Follow the prophet.
5 - Go forward in faith, not fear. (I needed to be reminded of this one, especially)
6 - Complete our mission.

Counsel from Boyd K. Packer: "Always, always follow the promptings of the Spirit."

I am grateful for my older brother, Jesus Christ. For His unselfish love for each and every one of us.

The boys and I have been so blessed this past year, and many prior, by so many wonderful and loving angels who were placed in our path. We love you and are so grateful for each of you!

Merry Christmas.

How much more to get rid of?

The boys and I are moving again.......we will be "temporarily" living with Rachel and Ryan while I am seeking employment and a place for the boys and I. We are moving from my friend, Deanna's house, the day after Christmas

Penguins in North Carolina?

After dropping some things off at my parents home, Sam and Jake decided it would be fun to do some sliding on the ice in their driveway. At first I was concerned, until I realized, they were having fun, what's a few more bumps and bruises? As I watched my children take running starts and belly flop onto the ice like penguins, I couldn't help myself, and had to laugh.

Not even planned.....

Today started as a normal day....with the only scheduled appointment for the day at the vet - to change Diesel's splint. While waiting, I noticed how cute the boys looked, all in blue, sitting in 2 chairs. So I took pictures. The day has ended with the neighbor's car, having a gash in the bumper (1 inch long), and he was VERY angry. I was very grateful that there was no other damage, except my feelings after he cursed me out, and the fact that it is Dad's truck I am driving right now, and not mine. My truck is getting a new water pump. Trying to feel the Holly Jolly spirit right now......