Exciting Stuffs

Did I ever tell you guys that Kevin was offered the new job that pays better and has great benefits?  His last day at his current job is soon.  He is taking a mini vacation before starting the new job.
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I will have some time of Kevin to just myself because the kids will be at school and you know what they say, 'When the mice are away the cats must play!'  Wow.  We'll be having some fun, fun, fun while the kids are in school.

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Then we'll have some time with the kids home with the two of us and for a couple of those days we are going to Kansas City! Anyone live near Kansas City? 

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Gross stuffs?

• Monday night Kevin started barfing at midnight and continued to do so until 6am.
• Tuesday night Isabella started barfing at 3am and continued to do so until 7am
• Wednesday grandma watched Isabella because I was signed up to take Joey on a field trip to The Butterfly House.  Well, as luck would have it, one of the boys in my group barfed while standing right next to me.  And then I died. The End.

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I'm cautiously optimistic that everyone is healthy as of right now.  I have the whole family on a probiotic schedule so I'm hoping that Joey and I don't start the barfs.

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Awesome Stuffs!

• We are a Wish Family.
• We stayed at Give Kids The World during Joey's Wish Trip
• We were just asked to be an Ambassador Family for an event that is nearby called Float For Hope and I'm so excited.
• Sponsorship Levels if you can donate or know someone who would want to donate.
• If you would like to 'join' their facebook event click here.

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AND I need to add a Funny Stuffs because I almost forgot about dropping an 'F' word.  Not that one!

So, it's Wednesday morning. I'm exhausted from listening to Kevin all night Monday and taking care of him all day Tuesday.  Then holding back Isabella's hair Tuesday night. Anyway, Wednesday morning I am in a rush to get things ready for Grandma to come over.  I have a brilliant idea.  I figured I'd make barf food. Ya know, Jell-O.  So I put a cup of water in the microwave for five minutes. Yeah, 8 ounces. One cup....five minutes.  Lack of properly functioning brain cells and little to no sleep does that to a woman.  So, I figure it out when there is only one minute left that five minutes is way too long for one cup of water and I pour the cup of water into the bowl and immediately I think, 'Wooh that bowl can't be right there' So I grab the bowl and move it quickly.  Too quickly because the four minute water sloshes out of the bowl and onto my hand and that water is scalding steamy hot and my brain is really thinking the big bad f word but my mouth is very 'g' rated so it said, "FUDGE!" and I sling the water off my hand and ya know it's 6am and I haven't eaten, drank anything so I'm really comatose but Joey is sitting at the table and he jumps up and comes running over to me and looks all around and I could see his eyes darting over every surface and at me and on the floor and then he speaks up and says, "Where's the fudge?!"  And then I was all looking at Kevin and he's looking at me and we just cracked up laughing and now when I think of that moment I just crack up because that's the kind of stuff I find wildly hilarious.

Frag-a-lag-a-ding-dong baby!

Sunday's In My

I Found A Recipe for Maggiano's Chicken and Spinach Manicotti

And it tastes just like the real thing from Maggiano's. I am SO happy about that.

This is my new quilt and shams! I am very thrilled about this!

Sunday's in my city, neighborhood, street, house, bedroom.  This Sunday we are in my bedroom all because I have to share with the world about how I have some of the bestest friends ever.

It first has to be known that I am not a shopper.  I just am not fond of spending money.  Just like the rest of the world, I do love spiffy new things but when it comes to parting with my hard earned cash, that's another story.  I might need the cash for something like medical junk.

So anyway, I've been looking to replace the comforter that has been on my bed for only nine years.  I really didn't like not wanting it anymore but the thing is, I have to go to the laundry mat to wash the comforter because it's way too big to fit inside my washing machine.  Because the laundry mat is kinda a scary place for me, it has only been washed roughly four times.  Ever.  Gross, I know.

So, I've been looking into duvets. While a duvet will cover the comforter, and I can wash the duvet, I still can't wash the comforter so I'm back to square one and that's the square that doesn't sit well with me.

Then I started shopping quilts.  Not the inked and one whole piece bedspread that is made to look like a quilt, quilt but a real, honest to goodness quilt.  I looked at the styles and prices for over a year.  For the styles that I liked, the prices started at $225.00.  Which, oh my word, that's like two, almost three weeks of groceries.  That's almost a month of health insurance.  That's a quarter of my mortgage.  That's just way too much, in my book.  But I'm a special kind of cheap.

So, a few weeks ago I went into Kohl's and found the Emma Quilt and it was still crazy expensive but this week they had all quilts on sale for 50% off and I think the Emma Quilt was even more discounted because they had 'limited quantities' of that particular style.  So since grandma has a Kohl's card and a friend had a 20% off coupon if you use the Kohl's card, we had all of that additional $$$ off the price of the $225 quilt.

When it was all said and done, the quilt cost just $75 which I think is a fair price.  So, since I was so excited, I behaved like a kid on Christmas morning and  I took a photo of the quilt and shared with my friends.  They've been along for most of the journey of me wanting to get rid of the bulky comforter so they were probably glad the end of that chapter was finally here.

Anyway, one of my friends actually went out in search of 'limited quantities' for the Emma Quilt accessories and stopped by a Kohl's that is at least 30 minutes away from here and bought for me the pillow shams that go with the Emma Quilt.  To get the extra 20% off coupon from one friend and then to get the shams as a gift from another friend are just two of the examples of why I feel so blessed.

Plus, both of these friends feed me.  I'm kinda like a stray dog when it comes to food.  If you feed me, I'll never leave you alone for as long as we both shall live.

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The Thing About X-Rays

So Monday went well.  We made it to the appointment at 7:30am.  Before the doctor started in the operating room with his surgery patients for the day.  We were x-rayed, sent to a room to wait, the doctor had already been in to check on us before we even made it there so the doctor waited for US!  Wow, isn't that a game changer?  I can't remember if I've badmouthed Joey's orthopedic in the past or not but here's the thing.  The guy is so old he probably rode to school on a dinosaur and shared a desk with Moses but he's brilliant.  When he's in a great mood and not rushing around he's the brightest shining star in the sky and that's the doctor we had on Monday for that early morning visit.  I love his brilliance and quite honestly, he's the best thing that has happened for Joey, medically speaking.

So here's the thing.  The x-rays came out fine.  Nothing looks different and by the time we made it to the appointment Joey was walking in his brace quite normally.  BUT, here's what's going on.  He used to be able to walk almost 'normal' without his brace in the weeks prior to the accident at school.  Now, he won't put any weight at all on his expensive leg without the brace.  I've given him two showers since Monday and each time he wouldn't do as much as touch his toes to the ground for more than two seconds.

Also, I've noticed that his brace is fitting him differently.  It's such a small and subtle difference that nobody would notice but me, of course but it's the way one certain part of his leg rubs on one side of his brace and that didn't used to happen.  The last time this sort of thing started happening was roughly 2 years ago.  He developed problems that started in October (or before?) and it wasn't until February or March that they finally found the break in his leg.  It was a HUGE process to find the break.  A process that takes several months to uncover but I'm so afraid that is the path we are currently on.  My heart is so heavy right now.

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The PT still says that there was never a fall.  It really angers me that what Joey is telling me and what the PT is telling me is so different.  If the stories would sort of be a little different but have similarities I'd figure things were about right from both but skewed for one reason or another (perspective).  But when Joey says that he fell from the monkey bars and landed on the ground and the PT says that the 'student PT' had a hold on Joey the entire time and there was never a fall.  Well, that's pretty different and I'm so angry that I'm being lied to.  But how do you prove the he said/she said stuff.  The PT also says that she was there the whole time watching the 'student PT' but Joey tells me that the PT wasn't there. 

All I know is that my baby boy is in some sort of pain when his brace is taken off and it's heartbreaking because of how far we have come.  We were further along than we have EVER been. Ever.  He was stronger than he has ever been.  Ever.  Since birth!  Even at birth, he was not where he is now. That bone has come so far and ..............I'm just so scared.

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In other news, I started watching a new boy baby today.  He is the sweetest little boy. He's almost two yeasr old and quiet as a mouse.  He's a snuggler and such a good little baby.  I'll have him the rest of this week, next week, the week after that and then school is out so I won't have him over the summer but will have him when school starts again this fall.  TWO Babies next fall. Two Boy babies!  I'm so excited because they are both the best little boys.

Also, boy baby that I had been watching this year, his mom has surgery on Monday.  They will remove her uterus and remaining ovary.  There is a mass that is suspicious of cancer.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

The most amazing little boy.

Heavy Frags

So to get caught up, you might want to read this non fraggy post.


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After writing that particular post, I cruised Pinterest and found this little gem.

And you know what?  That's some pretty sage advice because as I was 'falling asleep' Wednesday night I told life, "You've done this to me so many times before. Don't you get it. You can't win.  I will fight you every step of the way.  So just stop being so mean and start doing good stuff."  

The next morning, Life handed me something a little better to deal with.  Joey woke up and was walking with only a slightly more than normal limp but he was WALKING!

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I did find the IEP.  There are NO goals for jumping.  Mostly walking goals and getting around the school building safely goals. Nothing was written in the IEP for jumping.

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We will be seen on Monday (very early) for an x-ray, and consult with the doctor, and PT (clinical not educational), and brace shop.  Should I send the kids to school after the appointment or just keep them home for some fun?

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I'm still worried about Joey's leg.  Something could have been damaged and the way things work out with him is that nothing shows up until months later.  So continued prayers, please.

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I really love this new button. 

Heavy Weights

Do any of you do Pinterest?  Have any of you seen the pin that says something to the nature of "It is said that God will only give you what you can handle.  Apparently, God thinks I'm bad ass"  He's at it again and trying to prove to the world that I'm bad ass because craps hit the fan.

Anyone familiar with that thing where you don't want to tempt fate, gods, or any of the like by noticing obvious things around you?  Kinda of like if it's been raining for several days and you notice it's not raining anymore and you're afraid to mention that it's not raining because it might wake the rain gods and it'll start raining again and flood your basement?  That's kinda the way it all went down.

We were reviewing health insurance packages (more on that next week) and I said to Kevin, "Joey is stable now. He's doing better than he ever has done since birth."  And the next day.  The VERY NEXT DAY! Joey comes home from school broken.  Broken is too harsh of a word because as of right now, I really don't know what is wrong but I have that sinking feeling in my chest that his tibia is broken once again.  Can we all just shout out as loud as we can the 'f' word that is one of the biggest baddest swear words known to man?

So when I took his brace off for his shower Tuesday afternoon, he was wobbling around and not putting any weight whatsoever on his expensive leg.  I asked him what was going on and he said, "I accidentally fell from the monkey bars today at school."  (Brain did first screeching halt)  I just assumed he meant recess and I freaked out because he's supposed to have an aide who keeps him from doing crap like that.

After much discussion I learned that he was having a physical therapy (PT) session and he was on the monkey bars with his PT and he fell.  (Why wasn't he being spotted so he wouldn't fall?!)  Then he told me that his leg was further injured when he was asked to jump from the second step on the playground.  (Second screeching halt)

So, I spoke with school and was told that jumping was one of the goals on his IEP (individualized education plan) and that we spoke about jumping off 10 inches of height back in February (Third screeching halt).  Why did I agree to Joey jumping from anything but stuff like hop scotch?! What was I thinking? I should have caught that and not agreed to that kind of thing and I'm so upset and frustrated.

Of course, I have no idea where the IEP is.  There is a good chance it was recycled but there is a mountain of paperwork in Joey's bedroom closet that is his medical chart/history so I plan to go through it as soon as boy baby (babysitting) is picked up.  I  asked the team to print out a new IEP so I can review it myself so I should get that today or tomorrow.

There is a huge he said / she said thing going on right now because there's more to what's going on and Joey is telling me something completely different than the PT is telling me and that is even more upsetting than everything else going on.

I've called Joey's doctor and left a message at 7:30am today and another message around noonish today and I've still not heard back from them.  In each message I urged them to let us come in for an x-ray on Thursday or the very least Friday because he's in pain.  Of course the problems with our careless coordinator go way back so who knows how far we'll get with that one.

Also, to add insult to injury. There is nothing like salt in the wounds.  Here is an unrelated story that ties in with adding stress today.  About a month ago a note was sent home about Isabella's grade going on a field trip.  I checked the date and it was scheduled for Thursday May 2.  Normally, I'd have boy baby on a Thursday but I called the mom and had her switch days with the grandma who normally watches him.  Which is always not a problem so the switch in days was taken care of a long time ago.  Every week, a note is sent home and the information on the note stayed the same.  Field Trip Thurs May 2.  YESTERDAY! a note was sent home that stated 'Send a sack lunch tomorrow Wednesday May 1 for the field trip'.

So not only can I not go on the field trip because I have baby boy I also can't go on the field trip because Joey's leg was injured so bad while he was at school he can no longer walk and he's at home and since I have baby boy I can't take Joey into the hospital TODAY to be seen.  ((Granted, the hospital would do nothing today but x-ray and confirm what's going on))

OF COURSE, I've called twice and still not heard from the careless coordinator so maybe I wouldn't have gotten Joey in to be seen today.

Anyway, thanks for any prayers and well wishes and positive comments you guys can send my way.

This is what good looks like. The best it has ever looked.

Earnest

Earnest showed up last week in one of the birthday bags for Joey's birthday party.  I get how Earnest was intended for Joey's amusement and enjoyment but that sweet old man has intrigued me and has such a special place in my heart.  He makes me warm and fuzzy inside and causes me to giggle like a 12 year old school girl eying her crush.

Earnest is kinda like Elf on the Shelf but for adults.  The only time I've caught him red-handed was when he was trying to get Joey to brush his teeth before bed on Wednesday night.  He started slobbering and gnawing on Joey's toothbrush.  Why I found this to be the funniest thing since the comedy channel is beyond me but laughter is good so I'm taking this opportunity and running with it.

He has quite the fascination with toothbrushes as he was caught in the tooth brush cabinet in the master bathroom biting down on Kevin's tooth brush.  I didn't get a photo of that one because I was laughing too hard to think any complete or coherent thoughts but it was really hilarious in my mind.

I'll keep you guys up do date on Earnest's adventures.

Meet Earnest.  I really love that guy.

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Say a prayer for boy baby's mom.  Once upon a time she had cancer (ovaries?).  They removed all of one ovary and did the whole chemo thing.  Well they found a mass a few weeks ago and now she's going in soon to have the other ovary and her uterus removed.  Keep her in your prayers that everything will be gone for good and she'll make a really fast recovery.

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Kevin might be *this much* closer to getting a new job that sounds promising.  Keep him in your prayers that the job is offered and it works out for him and everyone else involved.

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Visit Mrs. 4444 for more Fragment Fun.

Flying Fragments

Six years ago today I was in labor.


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After 12 hours of labor an angel was born.


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Well before his first month was complete we began medical testing.

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Deep down I was worried he had cancer because a doctor slipped and said, "They could be looking for...." and listed a few things.  Some were pretty big words and I recognized one as a cancer.

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I thought he'd die when he went in for his first 'big' operation.  When I kissed him 'good-night' I sobbed because I thought it was really 'good-bye'.

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When he was 9 months old and had a massive MRSA infection, I thought he was going to die.  I honestly don't know how I held it together.  MRSA resonated in my ears and shattered me inside because I knew that infection was worst on the elderly and babies.  Not my baby.

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I held it together because of awesome family and friends who stuck right by my side and let me call them at 2am.

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One friend came to sit with me.  She had just gotten out of the hospital herself.  Badly broken leg.  Still wobbly on crutches.  Awesome friend.  I am so thankful for her for keeping me company that day.

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It has been such a roller coaster.  Sure the dips and drops were dizzying to my heart and soul but the views from the top..........  You guys, they are priceless.  I am so fortunate that God gave Joey to me.

Happy Birthday, baby.

I'm in awe with this boy.

Playing dress up at Claire's at the mall.

A local doughnut shop gives kids a free doughnut sundae for their birthday. 

Joey chose a chocolate long john, cookie dough ice cream, whipped cream and sprinkles.