2nd place: the second day of spring break:

In 72 seconds, I removed these items from my baby's mouth.   He can stuff them in as fast as I can remove them.  It's while I turn around to trash a,b,c  that he puts x,y,z in his mouth!

The cup wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't filled with Kate's water, giving me one more thing to clean up.  Guess what the other three things are and you get a wonderful prize.

Of course, all of this work is in the name of doctors orders.  Alex's doc wants his main caregivers/rule keepers to have one-on-one time with them.  So Nanny and Alex are at the movie,  Monsters vs Aliens.   And I made lunch. 

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

TRADER JOE'S RICE MAC N' CHEESE* 

*(making nature's best food available to even wheat intolerant children!)

 

Mark eating his first Mac 'n Cheese!  Thanks Trader Joe's for their new

RICE mac'n'cheese!

 

Thank's TJ's!  We love you!

 

PS:  This morning I got to declutter this!  Now  one more bit of clutter is gone before the next slicing and dicing of Rachel.

DON'T forget to guess what Mark chewed on, for lovely prizes :) 

On the first day of spring break.....RACHEL RAN

I felt good!  Hurrah!   So Nanny Julie , the four kids, her puppy and I all went too...the beach!   I can't tell you how great every moment was, to feel healthy and stronger as I played and ran and loved my children.  Hopefully I am blessed with more days like this before I'm sliced, diced and bedridden again.    But, until that, I will have fun: 

Spring Break in Seattle

In 40 degree weather, in the wind.  Everyone was cold, but happy.  This is our favorite short stop place:  The Kirkland water front. 

Someone finally liked our old Oyster Cracker:  The Ducks. 

Which meant more ducks got close enough to chase.  Above is Havoc, thinking he can run fast enough.   Below is Kate, with defeat on her face after ANOTHER duck she almost touched dared to FLY AWAY!  Boy, did she love and hate those ducks (and seagulls).  She had so much love to give them, why didn't they let her pet them? . 

 

 

 

 

 

The big event I watched was Havoc's first jump in a lake  (I didn't say push, Julie!)  The water was freezing.  Only Alex in his boots and Havoc got in.   We did have towels to warm those who got wet.

 

 

We finished off our mini-outing with a trip to Ben and Jerry's ice cream store.  Yep.  We're all freezing, and we went for ice cream.  True Zmolek runs in our blood .  (but not Julie's, she got coffee too!)

 

See, I didn't forget photos of Alex and Emily!  

For some reason we had the store to ourselves at 11am.  Everyone was happy to stay inside and eat. 

If you have a B&J store nearby, the new season flavors are in.  We loved Coconut Layered Bar:  Bit of graham cracker, chocolate chunks, Walnuts, all in a coconut flavored and laces ice cream.   ONLY IN SCOOP STORES!

Then Julie  drove us home.  She's such a great, safe driver.  The kids fought over who got to hold the puppy.  Julie has this to say:

Yes, we are lucky to keep the nanny with us now, so that she can help us all after the next surgery.  So now it's just a fun time before the hard time.   Don't judge us on having a nanny.   I needed her when we got home, overdone, and I fell asleep for 3 hours. 

Happy Spring break to you all....

What did you end up doing (or will do for those still waiting?)

Last year, we told the Easter bunny to skip our house.

You can find out why at the end of this post.  Because I can't wait to talk about THIS year's Easter....I've got Easter 60% ready.   My prep looked so cute, that I had to take a photo for you

• Alex is the red/orange basket with Orange eggs
• Emily is purple/gold with purple eggs
• Kate is pink/while with pink eggs
• Mark is blue/blue with blue eggs

In the afternoon of Easter, After we read the Easter Story,  (note to self, talk to the Easter Bunny's husband to work out the schedule) the kids will be given a decked out basket with peeps, and told to look for 12 of THEIR color of eggs.   No running needed!  No competition.  Just find your 12 eggs.  We've done this before and it works GREAT.

 

I never thought I would LOVE the many colors of Peeps! Their six colors started it all.  Though they don't list red (Alex) on their colors....   Oh, and the Easter Bunny is putting Money in each of the kids eggs.    The big kid are getting Quarters in their eggs ($3 each).  Mark is getting farm animals to choke on.  If I can get to a bank, and they fit they are good,  Alex and Emily will have a few dollar or 50 cent coins mixes in.

BACK TO THE POINT OF THIS POST...Why did we miss the Easter Bunny last year?

It wasn't because the kids were bad.  It was because THE Easter Bunny is fake.  But the Easter Bunny was real....real tired.    And the Easter Bunny's husband didn't think it was important enough to put on the "hat" and be the Easter Bunny.

When the kids woke up to NOTHING on Easter morning, they hoped it would be later that day.    Later, after church, there was still no Bunny.  When Alex and Emily asked me, I told them that I wrote the Easter Bunny and told him not to come, since he snuck in a few eggs at the group Easter Egg Hunt the day before.  (come on kids, you each got like 50 eggs!)

They were mad.  More mad than this:

Alex even announced, "The Easter Bunny is NOT REAL!  You lied to us!  You always lie to us!"   I don't know how I got out of that.

This year, I thought I'd have to pass on Easter again.  But I got an Easter Surprise: I'm in less pain more often....or....I'm taking longer to be in pain!  This is the result of that horrible shot and new pessary.   Yes, I'm 30 and I buy things that your Grandma has. 

(At the end of a recent day, happy, playing lite bright with my girls)

Now I can go up to 6 hours without pain, instead of the 90 minutes I used to have.  Little things around the house are getting done.  The kids are loving the new time I have to play with them.   And for some reason, I'm happier, so the whole house it happy  (can you tell I'm excited by this new font?)

Hmmm..it took me almost an hour to make this post.  Now I've spent enough time flat...I better finish those baskets before the kids come home :)   Happy Easter!

Mommy Laid an Egg...

I want to be this kind of family: A family where the kids know about life. Where kids know where to get truth. Where kids know that they can come to their parents for it, because they talk to their parents about everything.

So I am going to own this book. And I will read it to my kids. (but one at a time)

You can find it at:

http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Laid-Egg-Where-Babies/dp/0811813193/

I don't want to embarrass anyone, but a bishop I know had this book in his house. The wife wants kids to get info from her, not the school playground. Ironically, I was at a baby shower when this book was brought off the shelf.

I read it.

I smiled.

I got half way thru.

I laughed all the way to then end.

The I went home.

And laughed.

And got on Amazon.com.

Bought it used for 4$.

Now the only question is not, are the kids old enough.

it's...should I tell Grant before it arrives in the mail?

if you're lucky, you can view the book online, and you might get a good page with the "surprise me" button. But you only get so many pages before they remind you to BUY if you want to SEE MORE!

My laundry is GONE!

My house is empty of any dirty clothes.
The washer is empty
The dryer is empty.

That wonderful angel has come to my house again.

Thank you God,
For Angels.
They ARE real.

I can see smiles on all as we skip our normal Friday night movie while we sort and start laundry.

THANK YOU, (one of) MY PERSONAL ANGEL

Hide and Seek

Where's Alex? (can you see him?)

Peek-A-Boo!

Alex is such a good big brother!

He did this over and over just to get a laugh from Mark and Mom!

Too bad this angle didn't capture the heart-melting smile on Alex and Mark!

'cause I thought you needed to see

This is what I had written on my backside for my cortisone shots. 2 shots. On my bum. One in each cheek.

The laughs make me calm down. The check in lady said I was the funniest patient EVER!

I'm waiting for an EKG now ..shaking with nerves. Wish I wrote today!

This also counts as a missionary moment because a neighbor and a nurse looked it up in a bible because of me. Now let me tell you about another book that is the frosting to the bible cake...

Sent from my Windows Mobile Phone

Emily is....a photo journey

Emily is a great big sister to Mark

Emily is a loving big sister to Katelyn

Emily is creative....

she makes fashion trends every week.

Call if your daughter want's this look and you don't have scrap school notices around to fold into fans.

Emily loves High School Musical, especially #3 because she got a HSM3 games and her cousin ( Alena) is in the movie

Emily has been having fun with lots of new presents.  One of her favorites is the Hanna Montana Mat, where you learn to dance like her!

Grandma Z sends us presents like stickers, paper, bows for our birthdays and Christmas.   We put them in our special sticker book that she gave us.  

 

 

On the last day of  Mid-Winter break, we went to the Zoo.  Even Mommy came along!  Alex and I are trying to catch the peacock.   Nanny Julie and Katie are watching us.

That's all from Emily this time.  Thanks for reading.  I hope you have a great time making your new post.  I'm dying to see it!

Love,

Emily (with a tiny bit of help from mom)

The neighborhood crazy lady, proof II

So, just thought I'd share this with the world wide web.   Since my neighbors already saw.   More proof that I am the neighborhood crazy lady

Wednesday night.  Two weeks ago.  8pm.   My two little kids were fussing beyond human toleration. 

So what does the neighborhood crazy lady do?

Hmm..she's still wearing the same thing she woke up on.  T-shirt.   And added a bathrobe for the family.  

Fussy baby is naked.  Except for a diaper.   He's very warm inside Mom's bathrobe.  And with the belt tied tight, it's almost like a baby sling.

Fussy toddler is still wearing her PJ's.   A shirt and a diaper. 

No one has brushed their bedhead.

And yes, it really is 8 o'clock at night. 

Mom and toddler put on boots.  Cause when it's cold outside, t-shirt and boots are the way to go.     Baby tucked in robe. 

Now is the perfect time to leave the house, walk down the street, and get the mail.  

Not crazy enough?  We sang preschool songs, and danced.  

And were happy.   Like this:

We were happy.  For a long moment.   And then we came back into the house and it was all over.

And it felt good.   I can't wait for happy to come back for longer.

p.s.   I'm glad Kate got the Zmolek cheekbones. (photo from Sunday)

Welcome home from the hospital:

My first 6 hours home.

Water overflowed several inches in the laundry room and pantry

 

We used every sheet, towel, washcloth to dry it.  Now we have 10 loads instead of 3    #(*&$*#(

So Rachel Pulled out her hair

 

And took a bath

Now the bath won't empty because I pulled out too much hair.

 

I wish I would have stayed another day in the hospital.

From the hospital

it's 1am . I had to call the nurse to use a bedside comode. Again. And now I can't go back to sleep. This time last night, Mark woke me up crying. I gave IN AND CHECKED ON HIM. The smell hit me before I could see his face. I out him down by 2, new bottle and fresh diaper. Then went downstairs for a third of a box of samoa girl scout cookies.

Friday didn't go a planned. I'm up again, craving those cookies. But i'm pretty sure they don't have those here.

I did just get different relief when they took my IV out. I'll have quite the bruise. Since I had to use that hand to move around.

You see, Thursday I met this highly recommended cortisone shot neurologist. He was so anxious to have me pain free, that he got me in the next day for the shot.

Since I had such a horribly painful shot with my last doc, he gave me the option of conscious sedation. I was thrilled! Even though I would need to stop eating after 7am for the 3pm shot.

The two shots went great. I made so many people laugh with my body writing. This time it was

Matt. 5:39
...turn the other cheek...

It took a while to wake up. Then I had help getting up for the first time. I'm so glad they were there. Both my legs were so numb, I could not make them work. The numbness went up to my hips. I collapsed. It took me minute to realize I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY BLADDER!!

Well, they don't like to send you home like that to 4 young children, so my doc strongly encouraged me to check in over night.

So here I am. Grant said to eat breakfast slow since they want to go to the bishops sons baptism. I'm in no hurry, since they said this would wear off in 8 to 9 hours and I'm still half numb and can't get up alone.

It's my first stay at Swedish cherry hill. And its a pretty nice set up. Room service style menu to order from, 7am to 8pm. I had french toast and fruit for dinner.

Okay, fatigue is setting back in. Goodnight and good morning!

Rachel

Ps the doc says that people who get this end up with a great pain blocker!



Sent from my Windows Mobile Phone

Turn the other cheek....

No photos, just a note...
, Friday the 13th I get to be sedated for a double cortisone shot to my pelvic nerve. Yep, tow shots, one in each cheek! I'm grateful that this doc got me in THE DAY AFTER he saw me for the first time. And I'm grateful he really listened to my last horrible shot experience (where i was screaming because my leg felt like it was being ripped off by a semi truck on fire. Just a bit more pain than I expected, ya know? So he's making an exception and letting me be sedated...like they do for colonoscopys. Hey, I had one of those Monday! And the test it self wasn't that bad!

Mark also gets to meet his foreskin chopper tomorrow afternoon. Grant is braving his demons and taking Mark alone to the appointment. Then driving across Seattle to pick me up at one of the Swedish buildings.

A huge thanks to all those who are taking care of our other three kids. We hope you still like us tomorrow!!

And of course, no surgery would be complete without Rachel writing something. I think I like Sarah's idea the best. "....turn the other cheek"

Thanks for Gods little and bit miracles as we do this. Like that angel, Tammy, picking up a few things at a grocery store AND taking Alex and Emily's clothes with her. What a huge relief, since that's our normal Friday night activity.

Anyway, it's 3 am, I'm making sure that two crying babies are down for sure. Better make sure I get down too!

If you have any bum writing ideas before noon, let me know :)

Thank you angles in heaven, those I can see, those I can't who make even a shimmer for me to see . :)


****my eyes keep closing. I have a feeling this will be edited tomorrow. By Grant. Oh well, thaks.

FHE: What do you want to be?

Tonight we had ice cream as treat, and talked for our activity.

"what do you want to be when you grow up?"

The kids laughed when we said we hadn't grown up yet.

They guessed my first one easily:   Grandma!   I was surprised at the change in the older kids answers.   No more firefighters and ballerina! 

(photo from playdoh flu day, we threw away all their creations)

Alex's Top 3:

Scientist; Chemist; Scientist who works with metal; Professional Skier;  Pro Snowboarder; Pro Cricket Player (he helped ONE game); Pro Soccer player; Missionary, Father (of course mom, I HAVE to be those)

Emily's Top 3:

Pop Star;  Vet; Part of a band; Mom

(I miss last years, Mom who teaches dance from her big house)

Rachel's Top 3:

Nurse; Grandma; Missionary

Grant's Top 3:

Mattress Tester; Service Missionary for the church; Help fix improve the church computer department

Kate's Top 3:  

Mark's Top 3:

Oops, Time and ice cream ran out before we could guess those.    Any ideas? 

Or what do you want to be when you grow up?

We got a puppy!

He lives in the living room (wood floors), on an old blanket and pillow.

Mark thinking he's in control of the leash

Katelyn, barking and shaking like the cold puppy

Mark and Katelyn stick their fingers in to compete for puppy licks.  They loved it on the first day....now two weeks later, not so much!

Emily plays and runs with the puppy, when she will put him down.

Alex even puts up with the puppy's natural play activities.

So, do you still think we're crazy for getting a new puppy with all the health problems on top of caring for 2 kids still in diapers?

.

.

.

.

.

.WE THINK WE'RE CRAZY TOO!

.

.

.

.

That's why we didn't do it.

This is Nanny Julie, the puppy's real mom!

His name is Havoc.  He's a French/English Bull Dog.  He was 8 weeks old when Julie got him, and he started coming to work with her. 

And he's incredibly cute and fun for the 8 hours he's with us. 

And he's even cuter at night when he cries at Julie's house and not ours!

And yes, I am allergic to dogs.  But he's so cute, it's therapeutic.  So I just take extra Benadryl to deal with it.  Besides, he's so tiny, and shedding so tiny (for now)

If you gotta do it, do it in style!

Rachel's list of must have for the night-before prep for a colonoscopy;

 

1. Clean bathroom:  Really only the floor, toilet, and sink. 
2. Chilled "special drink" with flavor packet.  DO NOT pick a flavor packet that tastes like the Jell-O you've been eating all day
3. Drink from a metal measure cup.  You get the right amount, and you can pretend that you're a pioneer who is super thirsty but had to drink from a nasty well. 
4. Kitchen type timer to remind you when it's time to drink.  AGAIN. 
5. Lined trash can, with in arms reach at anytime.  Toilet is already booked if you feel overly nauseous. 
6. Hairclip if your hair is any longer than mine. 
7. All jewelry, glasses and rings removed.   Really. 
8. Unplug everything you can in your bathroom, you'll need the sockets.   Or bring in an extension cord. 
9. A portable DVD player, with plug in nearby in case you outrun the battery.
10. Stack of DVD's you LOVE to watch  (Thanks Sarah!) 
11. A really emotional, keep-going-even-when-it's-over movie that makes you happy you're just in the bathroom, and not living the movie's life.  (I picked Narnia: Prince Caspian)
12. Warm shirt.  Long sleeves a must.  Can't be longer than belt level.   AND THAT'S IT  (Trust me, it's better that way)   But of course, I'm totally dressed under there. 
13. Foot stool in bathroom.  Two thick books will do if your space is limited. 
14. Electric hot pad to hug, that can reach to the toilet. 
15. Electric blanket on high, on the other side of a tiny bathroom.   Perfect to wrap up in between "sessions".   It keeps the body shakes to a minimum. 
16. Nice, soft "wet wipes" like Cottenelle.  Trust me, it's worth the $4 in the morning. 
17. A pad of paper for funny ideas of words your doctor would laugh at seeing on your backside in the morning. 
18. Bathroom/bedroom door locked so no children ask for your attention.   Better if you also can't hear them.    (ear plugs, or loud movie)
19. Give hubby the key, so if he's extra nice, he'll hang out with you after the kids are in bed.  He'll measure the drink.  He'll help you guess when you're half done.  And he'll laugh when you do a dance after drinking your last cup. 

Next issue, Due Late April, will tell if mixing 2 flavor packets is better than one.  Or if recent flu is helpful or hurtful to the comfort level of prep. 

PS...can you tell what Grant I wrote on my bum for the doctor and nurses to see the morning of the test?   Little did I know that permanent markers are not permanent from Skin to toilet seats.  I left my mark on toilets all over the hospital.      (cause I scheduled a 1 1/2 hour MRI after I woke up.   Yeah, it's because I like it.) 

Breakfast Bar, free drinks for the flu!

12 kinds of drinks on the table.  Unlimited combinations.   Sunday morning, first time at the table in 24 hours. 

Yet a child whines,  "there's nothing to drink!"

Yet I thank God for this event, because it was easy to prep for my colonoscopy  when the whole family was on a clear liquid diet. 

That doesn't mean that I really, really don't want this kind of family support as I stick to a liquid diet before the surgery. 

Another set of wings earned today...

The nanny came down with the stomach flu a day after us. 

No sitter for the kids today.    And Grant needs to drive me thru a day of tests. 

With a nights notice, she comes.   With her Grandson.

And watches my recovering babies.

And empties the dishwasher.  And does a load of laundry. 

And puts in another load of laundry.  She even does the nasty stuff in the corner. 

My house looks tidy and clean.  I did notice it as I stumbled from the car, into bed.

And now that the meds have worn off, and I'm awake.   And I see even more.   And I remember how many Pedialite trips she made for us.  

And when all the laundry was done, she folded it and put it away.   The kids haven't had such love in a chore done for them in a while.    

It has been 4 years at least since I have folded my laundry.   And a bit less since I've put away their clothes for them. 

She feeds my kids.   And we barely get back in time for her to go welcome home her own school kid.   

And my kids are happy.  And the house is clean. 

An Angel has been here today.   And she'll come back soon to drive me to my next appointment. 

This is Tammy R.

 

She has been a friend and cheerleader for years.  She is also my new secondary VT.     She's done so much for me in past years.   But today was the biggest.  Today was my big tests, after a fun (stomach) filled weekend, she was there.

THANK YOU TAMMY R!

PS...

Moments before I published this, I heard Mark cry.  Then cry and CRY.  When I entered his room, the smell told it all.   I rushed him into a hot bath.  But towels?   I knew I had used the last towel in my closet on Saturday.   Would I have to take this sick, shivering baby with me across the house to find a basket of clean towels?

Nope.  What an angel you are, towels on the shelve, a arms length away from wet Mark. 

Thanks Tammy, you are a great friend!   Now I hope you wake up tomorrow without a single ache or pain.   It does work that way, right?

They located and laughed and eventually let me free

I'm home. Every toilet I sat on I left letters. My colonoscopy went fine and there were no surprises.

Had a 2 hour MRI afterwards ...adult diaper ...they laughed also as they filled my empty places with blue jelly. HAD NO IDEA That this was how a pelvic floor MRI was done.

Then I slept with odd dreams.

And now I'm a mom of 4 who just held FHE.
More fun and clean photos later

Oh, mom...any family history of hearts skipping beats?

Sent from my Windows Mobile Phone

My last meal before colonoscopy

My backside artwork tomorrow will probably be ...do not enter...or maybe. Caution curves ahead ..... and no I didn't get the family flu but I had my head in a bucket several times from my nursing!

Sent from my Windows Mobile Phone

My evil plan is working

Alex playing POWERGRID as we all recover from yesterday.

Sent from my Windows Mobile Phone