Weekend Recap

A busy weekend has come to an end. I am thankful that's it a short week! Joel has been really busy at work (since July!) so I LOVE having him around on weekends!! :)

We had company come in Friday night, and they left yesterday morning. Joel's Aunt & Uncle came to visit with their 2 kiddos. We went to Fremont Saturday and brought lunch to my In-Law's who are furiously working on their new house, to hopefully get moved in this week!?! Joel, his Uncle, and Dad all worked on the house and saw some minor progress in sanding floors. They still have a LOT to do before they're move-in ready!

In other happenings, P has been pulling on his ears - almost constantly! This has been going on for about 3 weeks now. No - it's not an ear infection. I've taken him to the Doctor. The Doc said it was allergies, and he did have fluid in his ears - but it wasn't infected. I have him on allergy medication, but it's NOT helping the ear-tugging. In fact, Joel pointed out that whenever P goes to do something, he has to take his  hands off his ears FIRST. Is it possible that a kid can cause his ears to stick out by constantly pulling on them? If so, maybe THAT is what P is trying to accomplish. I'm not sure. Today I began drops of Distilled White Vinegar in both ears. I read online (isn't that the best way to do medical research?) that a fungal infection could be cured by 2-3 drops of this Vinegar in each ear, every 2-3 hours. We'll see! So far, it already seems to be helping. P always keeps me guessing!

Better than Expected

Everyone had a good time camping. The kids played outside, held bunnies, and had their fingers bit by chickens. Maybe I should explain-last weekend was Heritage weekend at Ponca State Park. There were some special activities going on, including a mini-petting zoo for the kiddos, yummy cobbler & homemade icecream, and a wagon ride pulled by horses. 

The first night I didn't sleep much...at all. Joel insists that my parents deprived me by not taking me camping as a kid. I told him that I don't feel like I was deprived! I really enjoyed staying in hotels while we vacationed. :) That first night, I heard the crickets chirping LOUDLY & was freezing cold since it got down in the 40s Friday night there...But, Saturday night, I slept! Outside. In a tent. I feel very accomplished. :) I even told Joel that a few more times, and I maybe wouldn't mind camping-and maybe would eventually ENJOY it! Baby steps. There was 16 of us camping...4 tents set up at our campsite, and my sister & her family slept in their camper (now THAT is camping!) There is just something about being away from the internet and not having a phone signal...that allows you to really relax and enjoy your surroundings. I definitely want to do it again! 

Adventures this Week

This week has been a week of adventures for us. Joel & I decided Monday night that Tuesday morning, P & I would head to IA to see my Sister-in-Law & her 2 boys. We did over 10 hours of driving in 2 days! Of course, the trip took long longer...with stops. One of those stops occurred when we were on interstate, and P says, "I have to go poopy!" Okay! We took the next exit, then had to drive about 10 min. to the nearest gas station. At least we made it! :) That stop alone took about 30 min. though...so we didn't exactly HURRY to get to our destination. I usually like to make as few stops as possible, and QUICK stops, at that...but with a 3-year-old, that's not always possible. He did really well though, when he wasn't bemoaning the fact that, "We're NEVER gonna be there!" :)

We packed a LOT into the 24 hours that we were in Iowa! My Sister-in-Law took us to a c-u-t-e apple orchard, spoiled us with wonderful, fruity, baked oatmeal, and treated us to Pizza Hut. Another highlight was getting to meet up with TWO of my former college roommates in ONE day! We got to visit my sweet roomy from my Senior year on Tuesday night, at her house...and then Wednesday, we met her and her 2 kiddos at the park. It was great for all the little ones to RUN off energy! We all had a great time chatting, and eating watermelon. It was great to catch up! Wednesday night, on the way home...P & I met with my Sophomore year roomy and her 5-year-old daughter. We had dinner and chatted. She and I met before I even met Joel, so she got to was forced to listen to the drama involving Joel & I in the early days, when I was trying to figure out if I liked him...etc. HINT: I really did like him! :)

Tonight we are headed to a state park about 2 1/2 hours away to go tent-camping. Yikes. I previously referred to camping in tents as: sleeping on the ground, with BUGS. I'm trying to stop that. Really. Joel says bugs don't get in your tent. :) As much as I am not a camper, I am really looking forward to some quality family time away from it all!

Happy weekend!

The Wide-man Song!

Thursday morning, Mr. P asked if he could sing the Wide-man Song. It made me laugh. I possibly wouldn't have known which song he was referring to, except for the fact that he stacked his little fists one on top of the other while he asked me...

P: Can we sing the Wide-man Song, Mom?

Me: Oh. You mean the WISE man song?...(The wise man built his house upon the rock...) Yes, that was the song!

He sang that song Wednesday night with the kiddos at church. It's funny the things kids come up with. 

Happy Friday!!!

This-n-That

Last week we had a fun weekend ahead of us. There was a party planned for my In-Laws for their 30th Anniversary, family coming to NE, much to do...and then it all came to a halt for me Friday night about midnight, when Preston got sick. I thought it was maybe something he'd ate...but, no. His 'flu bug' continued throughout the long, long night. I'd be lying in bed, hear 'that sound' and bolt from my bed and into his room. Let's just say that he initiated his new bedding set on his 'big-boy' bed, the toddler bed, the carpet in his old room and in the hallway. The carpet needed steam-cleaned before, but now it definitely does!

After that long night, and on into Saturday, Preston was sick. Poor guy! The sad thing is, that I'd had him at the Doctor last Thursday...and of course Friday evening is when he got sick. I had a sneaking suspicion that he'd picked up SOME thing during the 45 minutes we spend in the Doctor's office waiting room! I called the nurse and discussed Mr. P's symptoms and of course she said they'd had "lots of calls" where children were vomitting...yay. So now I definitely think that I paid a $25 Co-pay and waisted about 90 minutes at the Doctor's...only to MAKE my son sick. Poor guy!

I had to miss my In-Law's party, but am thankful to my husband for texting photos to me, of people when they'd arrived, his parents with the cake, etc. I'd got to help plan the event, so it was nice to at least be able to see some of it, in almost 'real-time'...:) 

I think we are still playing catch-up this week! Mr. P had a good 2-hour nap, and then came downstairs only to fall right asleep on the couch again!! Guess he needs some extra zzz's...this might explain the super-whiney morning we had!!

28 Reasons

August 1st is Joel's Birthday. He's turning 28. Our marriage has had ups and downs, but we are happy. And I'm thankful for him. Here's 28 reasons why I love Joel! (There are more reasons than that, but I'm going with a theme here, ok?) ;o)

Joel...

1) ....loves the Lord.

2) ....is tall, strong, and handsome.

3) ....loves Preston & is a good Daddy.

4) ....makes me feel safe.

5) ....gives great hugs!

6) ....is smart!

7) ....studies and learns on his own so he is more knowledgeable in his work.

8) ....makes me laugh with his goofy sense of humor.

9) ....knows my flaws and loves me anyways!

10) ..is waaay patient with me.

11) ..can juggle!

12) ..has gorgeous blue eyes.

13) ..enjoys spending time with my parents & sister/her hubby, etc.

14) ..likes my cooking. (at least he says so...;o)

15) ..is learning to play the guitar. Good job hon!

16) ..works hard!!!

17) ..puts up with me when I'm crabby. 

18) ..has bigger feet than I do. ;o)

19) ..loves watching movies and just hanging out together.

20) ..is a great computer fix-it guy for our home computers and friends & family!

21) ..sometimes makes me coffee in the morning! (I love the sound of brewing coffee in the am!!)

22) ..made an awesome program to keep track of our finances.

23) ..is just a tiny bit shorter than me, and he's ok with that! :o)

24) ..is calm when I'm not.

25) ..has gorgeous, wavy hair.

26) ..knows just the right things to say to encourage me when I'm worried or sad.

27) ..likes listening to Dave Ramsey podcasts with me. (Yay!) :o)

28) ..doesn't judge people, and thinks the best of others!

I love you, honey!! Thanks for being my best friend~Happy Birthday!!

Prayers Needed

Sweet baby Stellan needs prayer! He has not been doing well. To read updates, click over to MckMama's blog. I am so concerned about this family. During the wee hours of the morning, I was thinking of them. Praying. I can't even imagine what they must be going through.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. - Galations 6:2