Today is Valentine's Day. My husband did not give me roses, or one of those fancy, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. He didn't take me out for a romantic, candlelit dinner, or buy me jewelry.
Some women would be looking at me with pity, or looking at my husband with disgust. They would think he has not displayed his love to me, on this national day of love and romance. Oh, but they are so far from the truth!!
Over the weekend, when many couples were beginning to celebrate the holiday of romance, our family was hit with a very bad stomach bug. The two youngest children got it first, then I got it, then three more of the children. Usually, when the children are sick, I am the one to care for them. But this bug was so severe, I could not, in fact, I could not take care of myself.
Gene came home from work to a household of sickness, and no supper. Many husbands would have complained, or left for the evening. Not Gene. He dumped buckets of vomit, and washed soiled sheets. He brought cold drinks, and tylenol. He refreshed cold cloths for feverish faces. He mopped up accidents from floors, and changed dirty diapers. He made trips to the store to bring home drinks and soup. During this time, the two oldest girls were both at winter camp. Some fathers would have gone after them to help with the sick family, but Gene did not. He wanted them to enjoy their weekend, and hopefully avoid this plague.
During his acts of love and sacrifice, I never heard him complain, or say that we better not make him sick with this bug. Sadly, Sunday night, he did get the stomach bug, too. Just as I was beginning to feel better, and could take care of him:)
I would have enjoyed flowers, and I never turn down chocolates. But the actions of my husband showed more love than cheap trinkets and flowers that fade, and flavorful treats that get added to the waist line. So, feel sorry for me if you like, I know what true love is;)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Valentine's Day Party
We had our homeschool group's Valentine's Day Party today. My kids look forward to this every year. They enjoy filling out the corny little cards as much as they enjoy recieving them.
This year, we all took a pink desserts to share. There were many tastey homemade treats, lots of red food coloring:)
Most of the girls wore dressy dresses, or prom gowns.
Today also happens to be Topher's 5th birthday! Other than not wanting to eat lunch, and not being allowed to take off, he had a pretty good day. He even made a new friend! For some reason he seems to gravitate toward people who are much taller than he is. He pulled Will along by his coat for a while, then Will decided to carry Topher on his back, or maybe that was Topher's decision:)
Either way, it made Topher's day! And it made my day! I am very impressed by this 14yo young man! He seemed unconcerned about impressing anyone, not worried about being self-important, as many teens can be. What a blessing!
This year, we all took a pink desserts to share. There were many tastey homemade treats, lots of red food coloring:)
Most of the girls wore dressy dresses, or prom gowns.
Today also happens to be Topher's 5th birthday! Other than not wanting to eat lunch, and not being allowed to take off, he had a pretty good day. He even made a new friend! For some reason he seems to gravitate toward people who are much taller than he is. He pulled Will along by his coat for a while, then Will decided to carry Topher on his back, or maybe that was Topher's decision:)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Can't Buy Memories Like This (Sundry Happenings)
That is one of Allura's favorite expressions. She usually says it in a sarcastic way when really odd things are going on around here.
Bethany, who will be 17yo on Tuesday, was on the worship team at church this morning. So her dad took her over early for practice. Bethany shares a room with 2yo Trinity. It is an interesting, and often funny arrangement, which they both seem to enjoy. I went in to get Trinity out of her crib this morning, and she was sitting there with Bethany's wedge high heel shoes on her feet. Bethany must have considered wearing them today, and flung them on the floor close to Trinity's crib. When I picked Trinity, she managed to keep them on her feet. Too bad she couldn't walk in them.
During worship, Bethany is very good at looking at the congregation, and making eye contact, seeming very comfortable. When she looked over toward her dad and I today, I quickly made bunny ears behind Gene's head. She laughingly told me later she is ashamed to have parents like us! Bwahaha! Just a little payback for the many silly and embarrassing things she has done throughout the years. Parenting teens is sooo much fun!
Joshua, who also has a birthday on Tuesday, and will be 7yo, was snuggling with me earlier in the week. We were talking about his upcoming birthday, and he made a comment about himself having Down syndrome. When I told him he doesn't have Ds, his brother Topher does, he was confused. He thought we all have it! I realized Josh doesn't see his brother's differences, he sees him as being just like the rest of us. So precious to my heart!
Aaron had a episode of vomitting on Friday evening. It started at supper-time, and did not relent. We took him into the local hospital, where we took him last summer when he was sick. It is amazing how quickly the hospital can find your child a bed when he has a history of acute renal failure and cardiac arrest!
Shortly after the triage nurse saw him, they took us back to a hall bed, he had barely laid down when they began putting the B/P cuff on him, and the leads for the telemetry monitor. Sinus Rhythm has to be about one of the greatest sights to behold! They started an IV right away, gave him something to stop the vomitting, and ordered lab work.
They did swallow studies, which showed narrowing of his esophagus, which we already knew, and have another dilation scheduled. I think his esophagus continued to have the sensation of something being lodged after he vomitted out the offending food chunk.
They considered admitting him, but said if he could keep some liquids down, he could go home. Aaron piped up that he drank the "chalky stuff and kept that down, did that count?" It did, and they sent us out the door at 1:30am.
He seems perfectly fine again.
Bethany, who will be 17yo on Tuesday, was on the worship team at church this morning. So her dad took her over early for practice. Bethany shares a room with 2yo Trinity. It is an interesting, and often funny arrangement, which they both seem to enjoy. I went in to get Trinity out of her crib this morning, and she was sitting there with Bethany's wedge high heel shoes on her feet. Bethany must have considered wearing them today, and flung them on the floor close to Trinity's crib. When I picked Trinity, she managed to keep them on her feet. Too bad she couldn't walk in them.
During worship, Bethany is very good at looking at the congregation, and making eye contact, seeming very comfortable. When she looked over toward her dad and I today, I quickly made bunny ears behind Gene's head. She laughingly told me later she is ashamed to have parents like us! Bwahaha! Just a little payback for the many silly and embarrassing things she has done throughout the years. Parenting teens is sooo much fun!
Joshua, who also has a birthday on Tuesday, and will be 7yo, was snuggling with me earlier in the week. We were talking about his upcoming birthday, and he made a comment about himself having Down syndrome. When I told him he doesn't have Ds, his brother Topher does, he was confused. He thought we all have it! I realized Josh doesn't see his brother's differences, he sees him as being just like the rest of us. So precious to my heart!
Aaron had a episode of vomitting on Friday evening. It started at supper-time, and did not relent. We took him into the local hospital, where we took him last summer when he was sick. It is amazing how quickly the hospital can find your child a bed when he has a history of acute renal failure and cardiac arrest!
Shortly after the triage nurse saw him, they took us back to a hall bed, he had barely laid down when they began putting the B/P cuff on him, and the leads for the telemetry monitor. Sinus Rhythm has to be about one of the greatest sights to behold! They started an IV right away, gave him something to stop the vomitting, and ordered lab work.
They did swallow studies, which showed narrowing of his esophagus, which we already knew, and have another dilation scheduled. I think his esophagus continued to have the sensation of something being lodged after he vomitted out the offending food chunk.
They considered admitting him, but said if he could keep some liquids down, he could go home. Aaron piped up that he drank the "chalky stuff and kept that down, did that count?" It did, and they sent us out the door at 1:30am.
He seems perfectly fine again.
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