It all started on our way to family camp. Noah started running a fever 2 days before we left for Michigan.  It was low-grade and, other than a cough every now and then, there really was no other symptom. It lasted 48 hours and by the time we got to camp, he was back to normal.

Fast forward to Thurs. morning 3:45am. I am awakened to Ellie screaming in the bunk next to me. I get up and go over to her to find that she is now burning up with fever.  Hers, too, lasted 48 hours. She had a sore throat. Her last day of fever and our 1st leg of the trip home, Lucas is complaining of a sore throat. But, he has no fever and is acting completely normal. The next morning, Lucas woke up with a cough and said his chest felt funny. I thought he had bronchitis.

We got home that night and he did indeed have a low-grade fever. I sent him to bed.

Sunday morning he was vomiting, coughing and grunting when he breathed. I couldn't leave the thermometer in his mouth long enough for a full reading but when I pulled it out it was 103. I called Kyle home from church and took Lucas to immediate care.

After a chest x-ray, it was confirmed he had pneumonia. They sent us home with antibiotic and albuterol for breathing treatments.

Monday morning we went in after a sleepless night of vomiting, high fevers, and cough. The triage nurse took his oxygen level and was alarmed. It was 95. Not awful, but an hour after doing a breathing treatment, it really should've been higher. She checked his pulse and immediately told us to go into Room 2 and have him lie down. She ran (yes, literally) to get the doctor.

"Pulse is 280."
"Really?" our ped. replied


The pediatrician listened to him. I was told to calm down.

"His pulse is high, but not THAT high. We wouldn't even be able to count that."

I'm crying, Lucas is freaking out (which didn't help his heart rate), and the doctor says:
"I need you to head over to the ER. Do you feel comfortable driving him?"

I head next door to the ER. I can't get a hold of Kyle. While registering Lucas, I see a good friend from church in one of the offices. Who knew she worked over there? God did and it was just what I needed at that moment.

They take us to a room and while waiting on the dr. I get a call from Kyle.

Long story short, Kyle did indeed come right over. (so glad he works at the hospital!) We spent 8 hours in the ER that day and were on the verge of being admitted to Children's. We spent every day of the next week in the doctor's office. Lucas' oxygen level dipped to below 90 several times. Each time, though, they were able to get it to come back up so we were sent home. It was a scary, stressful week.

After being put on a super-strong antibiotic, breathing treatments every 4 hours round the clock for a week, zantec for the heartburn caused by the antibiotic, and finally steroids, Lucas recovered. An entire week of fever and feeling awful. It was, by far, the sickest any of my kids have ever been.

One month later he was deemed "all clear" and we celebrated. With the H1N1 vaccine. :)

Volunteers anyone?

This morning I was reading the story about Daniel out of The Jesus Storybook Bible for Noah & Jacob's Bible lesson. I was telling them that God is teaching me that He is still the same God that closed the mouth of the lions for Daniel and kept Shadrach & his friends safe in the fire.  The following was our conversation:
Me: Isn't it cool to know that the same God that did that for Daniel is the same God that we worship today? He hasn't changed! Do you ever wonder why we don't see God do those things anymore?

Jacob: Well, He doesn't really get the chance. I mean, they don't just throw people to lion's anymore.

$50 Publix Gift Card Giveaway

For the past few months I have been combining weekly sales & coupons to significantly cut our grocery budget. It's taken a little while to learn the ropes, but I have learned everything through other websites and blogs. One of my favorite blogs is I Heart Publix - since Publix is the closest and my most favorite store, I heart this site. :)

She is giving away a $50 Publix Gift Card. To enter, just leave a comment at the end of her post.
Go here to enter and let me know if you win!

Ouch?

Quote of the day from Noah:

"Sometimes they bring a real bulldog to the Bulldog game and sometimes they bring a real falcon to the Falcons game, but I don't think they'd bring a real yellow jacket to the Yellow Jacket's game."

Nine

Dear Lucas,

Today you are 9.  It seems like yesterday that all the excitement surrounding your birth was taking place. Yes, son, you sure know how to make a grand entrance! Don't ever forget that you are a miracle. God placed his hand on you and has great things planned for you and I can't wait to see what they are!

You have grown into such a young man. I know it's an awkward place to be - sometimes you feel like a little boy and sometimes you think you're grown.  It'll be over soon. Enjoy the ride. :)

You love to draw. Especially comic strips. And I have to admit they are quite good. For a child that's never had an art lesson, I see some great things coming from that pencil (or pen, or marker, or crayon....). Your sense of humor isn't quite the same as mine, but I guess to other boys your age it would be hilarious.

You have taken an intense interest in cars recently. You know them all. You love VW beetles and Mini Coopers. You love Corvettes and Porsches. In fact you told me the other day that when you're older Porsches will remind you of your childhood. I questioned that fact considering the best we can do is a minivan and a Ford Focus that is in such bad need of being replaced the windows are taped up in the back.  But it's just like you to have grandiose ideas.

You love Switchfoot. You love music. You have come a long way in your piano abilities and are starting to learn a few guitar chords. You'd much rather play the guitar, but we've told you you have to learn to read music on the piano first. One day you'll thank us.

You also read. A lot. At least a book every day. I pray that continues for the rest of your life.

Right now in school we are memorizing the book of James. You were not happy about that at first, but now that we're 1/2way through the first chapter I see you enjoying it! (though you'd never admit it!) I can't tell you what a joy it is to hear you quoting scripture. My prayer is that it takes root deep inside your heart. That you would follow your Creator with a passion.

I see your hunger for God's word - I've seen it since you were three and would recite the story of David & Goliath. Just yesterday Pastor Steve preached from that and I had to smile as I remember you saying - in the lowest voice you could get - "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" Then you would be David slinging the slingshot. Then you were Goliath falling down - you get the picture. :)

So my biggest boy, today we celebrate God's goodness in your life. I am so proud of you. I love you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Eph. 3:14-20)

Mommy.

       

kissed the girls and made them cry

Last night I picked up Ellie and a good friend's 5 year old son from a birthday party. The following is their conversation on the way home. (name changed to protect the innocent. :))

Joe: Ellie, you're beautiful.
Ellie: What????
Joe: I said you're beautiful!
Ellie: Say it louder!!!
Joe: YOU'RE BEAU-TI-FUL!
Ellie laughs.
Joe: Did you hear me?
Ellie: Yes!
Joe: Do you want to kiss me now?
Ellie: No!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I've never done anything like this before, but one of my favorite bloggers - boomama - is having a diptacular and since Kyle just brought home a fabulous dip recipe from work, I thought "why not share it with all 5 of you?" So here it is:


Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 – 12 oz cans all white chicken

¾ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce

2 – 8 oz cream cheese

1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup ranch dressing

½ cup blue cheese dressing

• Mix chicken and hot sauce, add cream cheese and both dressings.
  
• Add ½ cup cheese and put in crock pot. Right before serving add remainder of cheese.
• Serve with Tostito’s Scoops or your favorite dipping chip or just grab a spoon and eat it as is. :)

Enjoy! And hooray for college football - GO JACKETS!!