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Friday, 25 May 2012

  • Par-T-y Time

     Mama's goin' out!

    Two or three times a year there is a mom & teachers "drinking party" 飲み会 where the moms and teachers go out to eat, chat, drink <tea for me please>, in short, get away from the stress of dealing with special needs kiddos 24/7.

    Tonight's THE night!

    It takes a bit of juggling to manage this... not only for me, but for all the moms.  Life with a special needs child requires special juggling skills!   Very likely several of the kiddos will be in respite care, while others are fortunate enough to have grandparents or other family members to babysit.  For us, we are doing something we don't usually do... The girls are going to be babysitting Joshy.  I will keep my phone handy and I will need to make it a short evening so that I can be home in time to give bed time meds - but that's OK... cause...

    Going out with the other mom for even a little bit is a wonderful break!

    <I may or may not get some pics which I will add later.>

Thursday, 24 May 2012

  • Looking...

    I drug my tired, cranky self out for a walk this afternoon.  The kids came along as well, and for the most part were easier to convince than my body was   We ended up walking for 32 min. and covering 2km/1.26mi.   Today had a few more stops, but I still figure we managed almost 30 min. of walking! 

    There was this hawk perched over the river. <this was the only pic I took during our 10min-ish power walking time, & I only paused long enough to snap the shutter>

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    Bekah pushed Josh from time to time so that I could walk and take pics at the same time. <we have the WIKE set as a jogger rather than a bike trailer right now>

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    As always, I'm a sucker for beautiful flowers

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    I am feeling less grumpy after our walk, but the tired didn't go away... in fact, it may have multiplied.

    Well, I have caught my breath and it's about time to get started on dinner.  I am trying out a new recipe, Cheesy Mexican Rice, to go with pork chops.  IF, I feel energetic I might also try making Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

    Well, I'd best get busy before the troops start pestering me... I wasn't fast enough... the hungry teen was just in begging for food! 

    Peace Out!

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

  • Another Snare

    Yesterday's Snare post ended up taking a different direction than I had originally intended...  See, I have been feeling convicted about something else and the verse in Psalm jumped out and slapped me around about a bit.  I was planning on bringing that point into my blog, but I chickened out

    ...DEEP BREATH...

    OK ~ here goes...

    I have always struggled with my weight.  I know that when I stay focused on the LORD that with His help I can lose.  However, I get to doing pretty good and my focus in regard to the food department gets a bit blurry and... yeah... you know the story... 

    I  was doing pretty good the end of last summer and in the fall.  I managed to maintain during most of the "club med vacation".  However, as the time drew closer to going home I gained just a bit.  I figured that once I was home and had better control of my diet it would help... YEAH, right  Needless to say, the situation has not gotten better.  I stepped on the scale a few days ago and I am UP 8.5kg. / 18.7#'s <I like looking at the kg weight... looking at the weight in pounds hurts more!>!   This gain wiped out 1/2 of my progress

    IN comes the verse from Psalms.  That snare of over eating and not eating healthfully has grabbed me around the ankles and is trying to pull me back in.  The ONLY way to overcome it is to get my focus back where it belongs ~ on the LORD!

    This morning, I had an email in my inbox for a walking group that I had signed up for way back when.  Instead of deleting it, I went to some of the links.  I wondered around checking things out and found an idea for homeschool.  Did some thinking and decided that I was going to create some walking buddies

    Between when Joshy's teacher left and lunch, the kids <Joshy joined us in his WIKE> and I went out for a 15-20 min walk.  We walked for 5 min., stopped to stretch <and argue with a pouting teen> then walked about 10 min at a brisk-ish pace before stopping to take a couple pictures for a quick breather before heading back home at a cool down pace.  Other than having a teen who did not want to do it, it was actually, dare I say, FUN!

    What snares do you have that are trying to hold you back?  Turn them over to the LORD and keep your eyes on Him.

    May2012 001 May2012 003  

    "My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare." Psalm 25:15

    ”私の目はいつも主に向かう。主が私の足を網から引き出してくださるから。” 詩編25:15

    BTW ~ Joshy slept all night, but has been awake all do.  He isn't as active as usual, but that's likely due to his low RBC's.

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

  • Snares

    Seems like life is full of snares and traps and pits to fall into.  Seems like I am constantly tangled up in something or another...sigh!

    Last night I caught myself being grumpy.  After a great weekend off, it was back to the grind.  Getting back into the swing of things takes some effort and by the end of the day I was getting crabby  

    Thinking about it I also realize that Monday has an added twist for me... see Tuesday is hospital day.  Monday night, I have to have bags packed and loaded for Tuesday's day trip.  I need to remember to also toss the over night things "just incase" it ends up being longer than a day trip.  There is also the reminder of Joshy's critical illness.  Plus the reminder that our days are not the normal they used to be.  Then there is the question of what will his levels look like?  Will they show a hint of improvement or not.  Will we need to stay for yet another transfusion?

    Realizing the cause is a good step in the right direction.  BUT it takes more.  It takes turning it all over to the LORD <again>.  I means putting it in the LORD's hands and leaving it there.

    ONLY with the LORD can life's problems be handled. 

    "My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare."  Psalm 25:15

    ”私の目はいつも主に向かう。主が私の足を網から引き出してくださるから。” 詩編25:15

     

    It's a constant battle for me to keep my eyes focused!  When I loose that focus then I get tangled up...again!

     

    Today was a long day.  As usual, Joshy & I were on the road @ 7am.  Joshy chose to nap most of the way.  He was a bit on the cranky side for the doctor, but awake.  Levels were better and not better

    WBC's went UP

    RBC's went down to the should we or should we not transfuse   We decided not to.

    Platelets were about their normal 1 week post transfusion level

    Everything else was pretty much "normal Joshy".

    Doctor goes with the caution that because RBC's are low, if Joshy starts acting odd or temps drop, then call.  Doctor goes back to wherever doctors go and Joshy decides he's had enough of this and goes to sleep.  <Remember Joshy does not nap!>  He then sleeps through being put in his wheelchair and taken to his ortho check up on the 1st floor.  He sleeps through being put back into his bed to have the taping around his CVline changed.  He sleeps through PT.  He sleeps through another doctor pestering him.  By this time the nurses have called the doctor, who comes back to check on things.  Is something up?  Does he need a transfusion?  Is he getting sick?  Does something hurt?

    <SNORE>

    The doctor did allow us to come home   With orders to call if this continues!

    He sleeps ALL the way home!!

    At home...

    He's now awake and as happy as can be!!

    LORD help me to stay focused on You and to trust You to understand the things that I don't!!

    Also help me remember that it's the rain that makes it possible for plants to bloom and grow.

    May2012 007  

     

Monday, 21 May 2012

  • Eclipse

    annular-solar-eclipse-may20-2012-track  AJ201205210049M

    This morning we were able to watch some of the live coverage of the eclipse.  I attempted to get some pictures from our window.  <It's times like this when I really, really wish I had more than a point and shoot camera.>

    Elipse 2012 006 

    We did some research on eclipses for school.  It's fun when The LORD provides the science lesson for the day!  

Sunday, 20 May 2012

  • Vitamin D

    This afternoon we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and stocked up on a bit of vitamin D   Izzy is here visiting and Aki-san came over after church.  We loaded up everyone and headed to the park.

    May2012 018 May2012 030 May2012 024

    Izzy, Aki, and the girls hiked some, while Jerry & I kept Joshy out of the woods and away from people.

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    We didn't stay long, but it was so nice getting out on this lovely spring day.  It was even more fun because it was something "normal"

  • WHICH One?

    I had some pie crust in the freezer.  We have a friend visiting this week.  Decided that we needed a pie.  Logical, right?!?

    Decided on a cream pie.  So far so good.

    BUT...

    The basic cream pie recipe had varieties listed below!  Which one should I make?

    Banana Cream Pie?

    May2012 003 

    Maybe Peanut Butter Cream Pie?

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    OH... how about Banana & Peanut Butter Pie?  Peanut butter & banana sandwiches are good, so a pie would be good, too, right?!

    May2012 005 

    But the Chocolate Cream Pie looks good, too!

    May2012 006 

    Only 1 pie crust... Ah Ha!

    Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana Pie it is!!

    May2012 007 

Saturday, 19 May 2012

  • News & Such

    A while back I said something about some decisions that needed to be made/worked out.  Well... things have been progressing and I am now able to share more details.

    Mission Nanny contacted us about a possible nanny.  We have been in contact with a lady from the UK, Chan.  Chan is a nurse and has a good job, but she wants to go where the LORD directs.  She saw the information on Mission Nanny, felt convicted to applied, and the rest is quickly becoming, as they say, history.  This week Chan turned in her resignation at work so that she can come to Japan to help our family!  There are still details to work out, but with continued prayer, we all feel confident that everything will fall into place.

    We are all very excited about Chan coming.  IF Joshy continues to improve, then Chan will end up working more with Joshy, freeing me to do other things.  On days Joshy has to go for checkups, Chan will be home to lend a hand and keep the girls on track.  Having Chan here will also give us a bit of freedom to do family things with the girls.  Joshy could well be house bound for months yet.  Having someone who can care for Joshy means that we might actually be able to go out to eat or to a museum or park from time to time   IF Joshy ends up back in the hospital, then Chan will be at home.  She will be able to take a load of household management & homeschool off Jerry's shoulders.  Also the girls will not need to be home alone for hours on end which was a big concern during the 6 months Joshy was in the hospital.

    Please continue to pray that all the loose ends get worked out.

     

    ...& SUCH...

    This morning I set about coming up with a new menu format plan.   I liked my last plan, but I kept finding new recipes and it was tedious to get them worked into the system.  I thought about going with something detailed, but wasn't finding anything I liked.  I opted to go simple... Word document   Menu + "Week of"  at the top.  Two column set up with days and meals, usually just dinner, listed.  Then I can easily add the menu idea and a link to the recipe.  More and more I an finding recipes on line.  Having the link makes life easier!  I can then cut and paste menu idea to another page when they aren't on the current menu. 

    This weeks menu looks something like this:

    ~Sunday~

    Lunch - Gratin

    Dinner - Pizza

    ~Monday~

    Dinner - Tofu Stir Fry, Rice, Miso soup

    ~Tuesday~

    Dinner - Crockpot Lasagna, Salad

    ~Wednesday~

    Dinner - Baked Chicken, Boiled Potatoes, Green beans

    ~Thursday~

    Dinner - Pork Chops, Cheesy Mexican Rice, Salad

    ~Friday~

    Dinner - Salmon, Rice, Miso Soup

     

    After Lunch, Bekah and I went shopping for groceries.  I added pantry, staples shopping so it was quite the adventure.  Spend way more than I usually do, but the pantry is looking much better!

    While shopping I actually found celery for an affordable price.  I had seen on pinterest that you can grow your own celery... This is our new project.  Will it work - hope so!!

    I also experimented with a new kind of bread ~ Bread Machine Brownie Bread.  The 1.5# loaf MORE than filled my bread machine!!   It doesn't look the prettiest, because it raised too much and we haven't tasted it yet, but I still think it looks yummy!!

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    And with that, my day has flown by.  Time to get dinner made and then it's movie time!    

Friday, 18 May 2012

  • Made It

    Made it through Friday ~ WHEW!

    Kei made it through math, an English test (100%), and a spelling test (94%) 

    Bekah made it through Algebra, only missing 3 problems

    We Joshy made it through another day without school  

    Jerry made it through HEAVY rain on his bike on his way home from his university class!

    I made it through, 4 5 loads of laundry, homeschooling with Joshy underfoot, and 4 English classes

    The girls have taught Joshy how to answer the question, "Whose a gorilla?" with "Dada!"

    Bekah was told to clean out her windowsill.  When reminded to use a disinfectant wipe on it she said, "Which window? "  "Wipe down both."  "But I only have one!"   (She has 2 windows, but 1 is more of a door)

    I'm READY for the weekend!! 

Thursday, 17 May 2012

  • Death By Math

    The morning... got off to a rip roaring start, sometime before 6.  Someone, not mama, was ready to seek and destroy.  <actually he tried to get daddy to let him up @ 3:45 >  We then progressed to having a hissy fit because we had to sit still for meds... I'll show whose boss, I'll just have a short grand-mal and throw in a code brown before everyone's breathing is back to normal.

    Lunch time... Girls ~ veggies yuck.  Boy ~ Mama, I'm mad and I want down... you're not moving fast enough, I'll kick my chair OVER   <I had my hand on him, because I was trying to get him down, so I was able to slow the fall so that he didn't hit hard, but eek!!>

    Snack time... "Mom, can I have spinach for snack?"

    Add Math time...

    • If it's easier then you can always try subtracting from left to right or bottom to top, I mean... why borrow?
    • In a division problem, those extra numbers could be remainders... just because its the last digit in the dividend ~ i.e. 6301 divided by 6 - why drop that 1 down, just use it as a remainder
    • WHY aren't the answers right?????

    Snap... mama AND my big sisters are busy... OH... I'm sure there are things I can get into!

    Mama ~

     ~ "Kei Try borrowing?"  

    dragging Joshy back to his toys...

     ~ "Bekah, do your Algebra and let Kei do her own math"

    fetch Joshy from the living room ...

     ~ "Josh get OUT of the cabinets!"

     ~ "Kei check your answer...  Because that way you will know if your answer is right!"

    T~W~I~T~C~H   

MOM2_4

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    • Name: Laura
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    • Member Since: 12/11/2006
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About Me

  • My theme song is "Hats" by Amy Grant... I've been married to my honey for 25 years.. We have a married daughter (23) & 3 grandchildren. We also have 13 & 10yo daughters at home along with a special needs 7yo son. DH & I are tentmaking missionaries in Japan. I homeschool, teach conversational English classes, do all the mommy stuff and make all the PT/OT/ hospital runs with our son. And just so I'm not too bored... there are outreach events and kid's club.

Why I blog...

  • This blog is a rabbit trail to our life in Japan. The things we do as a family or for ministry. My thoughts and feelings as a missionary, a wife, a mom to "normal" as well as special needs kiddos, etc... I blog to relax and get my thoughts in order. To share a bit of our lives with others. I do not blog to put on aires or make people think that I am super woman or the busiest woman they know or anything like that. I often share the things I do in a day, but it's only as a sharing point and a way for me to remember and reflect the day.