Winter Blues

I believe that Jonathon is a lot like me.  I do not like winter.  I don't think Jonathon cares much for it either.  Last year he never went out.  Every time there was enough snow to go out and play he was sick.  This year we took him out once so far and he was not thrilled.  Maybe when he gets older he will enjoy the snow more.  Maybe if he would stop looking at the ground and his feet he would enjoy the snow more.  Maybe if we still had snowmobiles he would enjoy riding them and enjoy the snow more.  I remember growing up on snowmobiles and then we each had our own junky ones to ride when we were big enough.  Maybe because I am older I do not enjoy the snow anymore.


I am not sure!  I think this has been a long winter.  I am so over winter.  I read other blogs that are into the sunshine and parks and swimming and gardens etc. and I am jealous.


Jonathon and I are ready to get back outside.  Jonathon and I are ready to go for walks with the dog.  Jonathon and I are ready to swing on the swings in the back yard.  Jonathon and I are ready to go to the park.  Jonathon and I are ready to run around outside in our back yard.  Mommy is ready to sit and relax on her deck.  Jonathon is ready for some P.T. on the deck.  Mommy is ready to pull weeds and get her flowers ready to bloom.  Mommy is ready to feed the birds and squirrels and watch them return.


Please spring.....hurry up....we are ready and anxiously waiting for your return!!!


In the meantime we will remain in doors where it is warm and play.  This weekend I got out the wooden blocks again.  Every time I bring them out, I put them away pretty quickly because all Jonathon wants to do is throw them.  I know one day he will get it.  And guess what?  That one day finally came!!!

F is for......

FUEL OIL!!!!!

Fuel oil is what we use to heat our house.

Fuel oil is very expensive right now.

Fuel oil tank is located in my basement.

Nobody checked fuel oil gauge.

Last night I was told Fuel oil is almost on ZERO!!

Now this is really not what I wanted to hear at 8:30p.m.  So I turned down the heat so the furnace would not run as much through out the night.  I added some blankets to Jonathon's bed just in case.  I told Kenny if he woke up and felt cold to come and get me.  And then I prayed.  "Please do not let us run out of fuel oil before morning"  "Please keep us warm through out tonight"  And I repeatedly said until I fell asleep "God will provide"

I woke up this morning and heard the furnace running!  I was amazed and so happy.  We made it through the night.  I got Jonathon up and got him dressed right away in some warm clothes.  When we walked out the door for school I shut the furnace down completely.

Then I came home from dropping the boys off at school and started making phone calls.  I first called the fuel oil company that I have used for over 1 year now.  (Cramer's Gas and Oil).  They were not sure where truck would be today and if they could help me.  I was kind of disappointed in them.  I have been a good customer for over 1 year.  I have always paid same day as delivery - which is very hard because 100 gallons is over $324.00 and barely gives me 1/2 tank.  They didn't even ask who I was on the phone.  They told me to call back.  Ummm thanks, but you just lost me as a customer.  This is an emergency.

I got out the phone book and started calling other places.  Foster Oil could not get to me until Tuesday.  Which is fine.  I don't like them anyway.  And that's why I dropped them years ago.  Just thought in this emergency I would use them.

I finally spoke with a gentleman out of Imaly City.  He was very nice and informational.  Explained how he was sorry, but he would not be able to help me out today, but he did tell me a couple of secret things I could do to get by. (sorry its a secret).  And then he gave me a name of a company out of Port Huron to try.

I called Secory Oil(Michigan Petroleum) and they were very excited to help me out in my time of emergency.  Signed me on as a new customer.  Has a driver coming out today to take care of me.  And I was still able to get the minimum 100 gallons.  Hooray!  There are still nice caring people out there.

So for the time being I have closed down part of the house and turned on a couple of little space heaters that we own.

Andrew's little heater for basement

little heater we use for the bathroom

you can see furnace is off and its 68 in here

So we will spend our afternoon hanging out in the living room today.  Maybe I will make it a movie watching, relaxing, blankets, pillows and pillow pets day.

I am relieved to know that this is just for a few hours and that fuel is on the way! 

                                      UPDATE!!!!

I went and picked Jonathon up from school and 11:15a.m. today and we came right back home.  This is what pulled into my driveway at 11:25a.m.

I went outside to speak with driver about where to go and he said " I was in Romeo and decided I would come to you first instead of making you wait"  I thanked him for coming to me first.  What a nice gesture.  Makes me feel good to know that there is still some good people out there.  


I then ran back inside and told Jonathon to look out window to see the big truck.  

We are nice and toasty again!!!  

Dental papers

never arrived in the mail.  I thankfully did not clear out my call list in my cell so I was able to call the number back from last Wednesday and let them know that their paperwork never arrived.

The receptionist said she would resend the paperwork in the mail.  I told her that we(husband and I) decided that we want to meet the Dr. Dentist before we schedule surgery.  So I will not be getting any paperwork in the mail.  We have an appointment.

On March 2, 2011 at 2:30p.m. we will be meeting a new Dr. Dentist.  I am not sure if I am going to have Gilbert go with me or not.  We really cannot afford for him to miss any work.  But it would be easier if Gilbert goes too so he understands what needs to be done.

I have a few days to think and try to come up with some plan so he can go with us too.

Wordless Wednesday

Random Thoughts

1. Wonder what happen to the paper work they were supposedly sending me about surgery ~ about new dentist?

2.  Guess I need to make a few phone calls tomorrow and find out what is going on with paperwork for new dentist/surgery.

3.  Cannot believe that February is almost over.

4.  Really would like to spend more time with Jonathon on his alphabet learning.

5.  You can tell time change is coming soon ~ Jonathon has been waking up at 5:30a.m. some days.

6.  I think I am going to try Yoga.

7.  I think I might try Zumba Dance.

8.  Jonathon is doing great on self feeding.

9.  Wish Jonathon would go to bed and stay in bed for the night.

10.  Had a really good play date with Rylee ~ and her mommy today.

Another day of

partying and pizza and cake and bowling!

On Saturday afternoon, we went out and celebrated Rylee's birthday with her and her family and lots and lots of friends!!

Jonathon got to bowl some more!  He really enjoys bowling!  And he is doing much better behaving and listening and having patience waiting his turn.

I really want to keep him involved in bowling because I think it is something that he enjoys and will stick with it as he grows older.

 

A Trip to the Vet

 This is our kitty Ghost!  She had a well kitty check up and got her rabie shot done.  She got a clean bill of health and is good until 2014.


We also took Copper(dog) to get his nails trimmed, but they(Copper and Andrew) were in another room so no pictures.


Jonathon did a great job being a big boy and waiting patiently!  Mommy is very very proud of you!  Thank you for being so good.
 

Not much here

today.  Jonathon and his brothers had a half day of school today.  Jonathon and Andrew got out of school early because Andrew had his dentist appointment today for a cleaning.  He has to go back to get his molars filled and this summer he needs to get his wisdom teeth pulled. (yuck)  I hope he is a good patient when that comes up.

I was worried that Jonathon would associate what happen 2 days ago at the dentist office and not want to go in....but I guess he didn't remember because he was fine and was content watching Toy Story 3 while we waited for Andrew.

After the dentist we went and paid on Gilberts glasses ~ then we went to the gas station to put in some fuel in van ~ not much this week ~ I only got barely 1/2 tank. (yikes)

Then we went to the water store to pick up our water ~ yes we have very bad well water so we were buying bottled water, but I just switched us over to getting water in 5 gallon containers ~ and I bought the teenagers 3 liter BPA bottles for drinking.  Jonathon already has a tupperware sports bottle ~ he is slowly getting better each day at it.

Then we ran into Krogers and got some milk and yogurt.  I forgot all of my coupons at home so that pretty well ended our shopping trip there.  Tomorrow we will try that again.

Took Andrew to Radio Shack to check out new phones ~ he is ready to upgrade ~ but then we noticed how expensive the new Sprint Android phones actually are still after our upgrade.....He is waiting until something has a good sale to go along with his upgrade.

Then we headed for home ~ I did not get anything accomplished this afternoon ~ I haven't been feeling good lately.  I am hypo glycemic and don't know if I am just off or what the problem is.....Of course I have alot going on in my head and it's been hard to shut down at night time ~ I have been dreaming all night and then waking up tired as heck...I have upped my water intake so I am hoping its nothing major going on....

So I talked to my brother for a long time on the phone ~ thanks brother ~ it was great catching up!  And then I put in Toy Story 3 for Jonathon ~ put the gate up so he couldn't get into the kitchen ~ and grabbed a blanket and cuddled with him on the couch and took a little nap.  I didn't sleep long because Jonathon was up and down from the couch while watching his movie, but I just vegged there until dinner time.

After dinner I helped Kenny clean up the kitchen and then played with Joanthon for a few before we picked up and got ready for bed.

And I already wanted to be in bed to try and catch up on some sleep ~ and here it is after 9p.m. so I better get going.....6a.m. comes early and we are heading out early tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday

Surgery

is in our future yet again.

Jonathon had his first official dentist appointment today for a cleaning.  I explained to Jonathon on the way to the dentist that she was going to look into his mouth ~ make him say ahhhh and she would look inside ~ I explained to him that she was going to clean his teeth all shiny.

And here he is all happy hanging out waiting for Dr. Dentist to come in......

And then we found out that Jonathon does not like Dr. Dentist ~ and the screaming began ~ and my mommy heart started to break......

Seriously I really wonder if all pediatric dentist do this to their patients?  I did not protest because honestly I don't know if this is the norm or not....  I can tell you that Jonathon really and truly hated it ~ I have not seen my son so scared in quite some time ~ and she wants me to do this at home ~ "really"......

And this is how a parent looks when she is trying to remain calm when the word "surgery" needed comes out of a physicians mouth ~ dentist ~ close enough...  Jonathon has cavities ~ Jonathon has..... Jonathon will need to be sedated ~ Jonathon will need to have xrays to see if he has cavities in between front teeth ~ Jonathon will need to go to Children s Hospital ~ 

 
And then Jonathon got to pick a prize out of the prize basket and we got ready to leave.

A much happier little boy now to be all done..and he got to pick out 2 prizes.

Not a real clear picture, but see the red speck ~ Jonathon has broken blood vessels in his face from screaming ~ not a good thing ~


And then while you are in with the Dr. Dentist listening to all of the information she is telling you and the only thing that is registering in your head is the word "surgery" and then you say o.k. and then you leave.....and then you get outside and then......hey why didn't she clean his teeth today?  If she couldn't clean his teeth today ~ then why would we come back in 6 months for a recheck ~ all in all I guess I will just wait for the phone call tomorrow and try to be better prepared ~ because as of right now my husband said "what do you mean surgery"?  I guess I need a better explanation so then I can better explain to him!


I swear sometimes it feels like its never ending........

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!  Not really.  We don't really celebrate Valentines Day.  Not sure why.  We just don't.

This is as good as it gets.....

Sick Again

This has been a rough winter for us.  It seems like I just get Jonathon better and send him back to school and then he is back home sick again.  And it seems to always happen on a Thursday......

On Thursday we picked Kenny up from school to go to the dentist office for a cleaning.  All went well there.  Then we decided to make a quick run to Chesterfield to pick up a couple of flannels from JC Penny that were on sale for $4.97 before lunch.  And we did.  And I saved $75.00 on 2 flannels for Kenny and 1 long sleeve shirt for Jonathon.

Then we went to lunch at McDonalds.  Jonathon had a Cheeseburger Happy Meal with fries and a pop(orange hi c).  But then he didn't want his cheeseburger or pop and only had a few fries so I knew something was up.  I thought maybe he was just tired.

So we went home.  And I took his temp.  Of course.... He was at 102..Darn it anyway!

So this is how we spent our weekend....

A much happier healthier Jonathon again!!

Wordless Wednesday

And this is "Monster" face ~~~~~ GRRRRRR!!!!!

Getting Back on Track

We have made it through all of "our" parties for this month of February.  We do have another birthday party to go to on Feb 19th, but "our" parties are done.

It is nice to actually cook a home cooked meal and not be running around with our heads cut off....  Seriously, I love pizza and I love cake...but I am not even sure at this point if I will eat pizza or cake on the 19th.  Cheeseburger and Onion rings are sounding mighty fine!

We woke up to a very frigid day today..It was only 9 degrees without the windchill when I went to pick Jonathon up from school.  Did I tell you that I hate winter.  I like to watch the snow fall from indoors.  I do not like to go out in it to play.  I really have to force myself to take Jonathon out to play..maybe after he learns to like snow it will be a little easier..I am not sure though..When Andrew and Kenny were little we had snowmobiles and we used to take them or pull them on a sled in our yard..Now I just have to get Gilbert to make a snow hill for Jonathon so he can slide down..Right now he does not like snow either.  Maybe when it warms back up into the 30's we will go out and play again.

Jonathon is becoming more and more vocal everyday.  This morning he had his vacuum out and when it was saying the ABC's he was repeating and then the vacuum would laugh and he would laugh.  He is trying really hard to put words together in a sentence.  Ex: Down Andrew (lay down Andrew).  Kenny please (please help me)  Mama more (more food ).  He is doing much better eating his snack at school also.  Teacher told me that they are almost ready to let him have his container all to himself.  Jonathon likes to shove as much food in his mouth as he can and then he freaks out because he knows he has too much in there.  This has been my one lasting war with him.  But over the last 6 months he is doing much better.  My son can eat M & M's finally and I spoil him with them!  He has a love for them just like his mom.


So we are back to our regular routine of getting up early, getting ready for school and after school we hang at home, eat dinner as a family, hang out some more, watch a little t.v. and read some good story books and then snuggle down for the night.


But that will change soon.....Thursday is the start of some more busy days for us....Dentist appointments are coming for the boys and we have to take Andrew and Kenny to open house for Tech and Jonathon will be staying home with "the" babysitter.....Auntie Carol-Ann.


I really don't like leaving Jonathon for any amount of time....I trust my sis 100%....Lets hope all goes well.....2 days until I have to worry about that.

Happy Birthday MOM/Mommy/wife

Today is my birthday..I never imagined when I was in my 40's that I would have a toddler..that I would have teenagers...that I would be living my life....so different...

I can remember growing up how I always told my mom and dad that 40 was old and I would probably be dead by then.  How scary is that?  How naive was I?  Now I pray to God every day that I do not die and leave my children.  I pray how all my children need me...so please keep me healthy!

I never thought I would be a non smoker - non drinker- SAHM...  As far as non smoker...I just quit on October 12, 2010.  I have been smoking for many many years...Kenny always complains and tells me how it's not healthy and that I need to quit.  Then I got pregnant with Jonathon in 2006.  Jonathon was born in 2007 and I still smoked.  But then things changed....I found out that my newborn has Down Syndrome...I found out that my newborn had 2 holes in his heart....we stopped smoking in the upstairs of the house...we stopped smoking in the vehicles...then my infant got asthma..we stopped smoking in the house all together and hung signs "NO SMOKING"  Now during all this time, I was and still am so busy with Jonathon that I just didn't have time to walk away and go out or earlier months go downstairs to smoke....so as time went on I smoked less and less....and that led me up to October 12, 2010 and something inside me said "NO MORE"  and I said "Okay"   And I have been smoke free for almost 120 days and I am proud....and surprisingly I am not missing it.  I have my moments when I get irritated because my husband still smokes.....

As far as drinking....I never really quit....I can have one anytime I want....WANT being the key word here...I don't have time to sit and have a few....that takes time away from my children...time I don't have to give away...do I want to feel like crap the next day....I cannot/will not take the chance...Besides drinking is highly over rated.....and my husband is an alcoholic and doesn't need to be around it....so we don't drink.  He gave up drinking for his 3rd child (Jonathon) and has been clean since Dec 2007.  I am very very proud of him....and pray to God everyday that he does not pick up a drink....

SAHM - I stayed home when Andrew and Kenny were little..I just went back to work full time in 2005...so Andrew was 10 and Kenny was 8.   I loved being back out in the working field..I was a waitress and having money in my pocket everyday was great..  I helped my husband pay the bills....I was able to save to buy Andrew a 4 wheeler and new doors for our house....we even got to go on vacation off my pay....but then we had a huge surprise and I guess God didn't really think I needed to work.....we found out I was pregnant again...  

God gave us the most precious gift in the world...he gave us another child...but most of all he trusted us to take care of Jonathon....I pray to God every day thanking him for choosing us.  

Jonathon has changed our lives so much....it's funny how God has a plan...I am not sure where we would be at this point in our lives if it was not for Jonathon!  I love my life and I wouldn't change anything for the world!

So here I am turning 42 today...and I do not feel that old...my boys keep me young...and I love them all very very much!  I love my husband too.  We have our moments, but we continue to stay strong and I hope we always do!

Andrew bought me a new wireless mouse for my birthday! And Kenny, he gave me a can of Coca Cola (my favorite) and $40.00 to go and spend on myself (and he specified myself) LOL.  Jonathon and daddy bought me flowers - carnations to be exact - my all time favorite.  I love all my presents.  I had a good day too.  We did not have cake, which was just fine with me....we have so much going on in the beginning of February (Andrew's birthday and Happy Heart Day and then me) and we already had so much cake....we are caked out and pizza'd out for awhile.

God works in mysterious ways.................

I have a good life.........

Happy Heart Day Celebration

We mailed out invites for Happy Heart Day this year. We decided to take Jonathon bowling to celebrate and wanted to include the whole family and close friends.

Today was the day.  We had a great turn out for it.  Over 25 people showed up for the event.  We ate pizza, drank pop, bowled for about 2 hours and then ended the day with some yummy cupcakes.

I am still trying to figure out my new camera so I am very disappointed that I didn't get any good pictures.  I kept playing with the settings as I was taking pictures.  Some are very blurry, some are dark and some just don't look good.  I am hoping over the next couple of days I can figure it out or I guess I will take it back and look for something more user friendly.  Once I see my sister I will get pictures from her.

All in all we had a great day and Jonathon received some wonderful presents too.
He got a pillow pet from Rylee and some donuts from Tim Hortons and chocolate hostess cupcakes.  Thank you Nik, Martin, Logan and Rylee.
He got a balloon and M & M's from Auntie Carol-Ann and Uncle Dave.  A new story book, some hot wheels and Valentines from Chris, Nate and Mr. Miller - Thank you
Balloons from Barb and Candi.

We didn't expect presents, but they were appreciated very much.  Thank you to all our family and friends for coming out and spending the day with Jonathon!

Here is a couple of pictures.....

HAPPY HEART DAY!!

Today is Happy Heart Day.  Today is Jonathon's 3 year anniversary.  Today is a day to celebrate.  Today is a day to be thankful.  Today is a day for pure happiness.

On Feb 5, 2008 Jonathon was 5 months old and went to Children s Hospital of Michigan and had OHS to repair ASD/VSD. 

His BAV is still being monitored.

And I am very happy to say Jonathon is a healthy 3 year old.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) - a hole in the septum between the upper left and upper right heart chambers. This causes mixing of the red and blue blood, thus overworking the right side of the heart. The three types of ASD's are Sinus Venosus, Ostium Primum and Ostium Secundum. Sometimes the ASD can be closed during a cardiac catheterization or surgery may be required. 

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole in the septum of the lower left and lower right heart chambers. This allows blue blood to mix with red blood, causing the heart to be overworked and possibly enlarged. A small hole may not need to be closed, a medium-sized hole may be closed during a cardiac catheterization and a larger hole may require surgery.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) - a defect of the aortic valve that results in the formation of two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three. Normally only the mitral valve (bicuspid valve) has two cusps (instead of three). The aortic valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. About 1-2% of the population have bicuspid aortic valves, although the condition is nearly twice as common in males. It is more common than any other congenital cardiac anomaly. In many cases, the condition will cause no problems. However, especially later in life, a bicuspid aortic valve may become calcified, which may lead to varying degrees of severity of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation, which will manifest as murmurs. If these become severe enough, they may require heart surgery. 

 

Please click on the links to learn more about CHD.

http://chdbabies.blogspot.com/2009/08/chds.html

http://tchin.org/index.htm

Now about our day....Happy Heart Day #3 was a success...Jonathon and I woke up at 6:30a.m. this morning...we decided to have juice and pancakes for breakfast...mom had coffee too!  We were just finishing up our breakfast when Andrew came up stairs...

Daddy had to work today ~ Kenny stayed over night at a friends house ~ Andrew needed a ride to work at 9a.m.  So Jonathon and I got dressed and took Andrew to his job and then we went to Walmart to get a new movie and pick up a few items.

When we returned home ~ daddy was just pulling in the driveway from work ~ so the three of us had lunch together ~ Lunchables all around ~ well kinda ~ Jonathon had a lunchable and we had summer sausage, cheese and crackers.  We were just finishing up lunch when Kenny got home so we decided to watch Jonathon's new movie with him.

 Jonathon loved this movie!  He got crazy with it!  He was so funny.  He would lay on the couch and then he would jump down and run up to the t.v. when the rabbit was hopping around about being late and then he would just stand right in front of the t.v. and eventually sit back down in his chair and then he would do it all over again.  I haven't seen this movie since his big brothers were little.  I enjoyed it too and am glad that Jonathon likes it.  I have been getting tired of Toy Story and Cars and Over the Hedge.

I had to make cupcakes for tomorrow ~ for our big HAPPY HEART DAY celebration and I had 2 boys cleaning out the bowl!

After we finished watching the movie it was time to get ready for dinner.  While I made dinner, daddy went outside to work in the garage and Kenny played with Jonathon or at least tried too.  Jonathon missed his nap today so he was in rare form.  He decided it would be great to beat up Kenny. (poor Kenny)  I finally had to intercept and yell at Jonathon ~ then Jonathon got his feelings hurt and started bawling ~ then we all hugged and said "sorry".  And I decided we better hurry with dinner and get through cake because Jonathon needed to go to bed early.

Andrew never made it home in time so we did cake without him.

Cake was delicious!  Jonathon liked it.  And then it was time to pick up toys and get ready for bed.....

night night little boy....Happy Heart Day!!

I love you Jonathon and I  thank god everyday for trusting me and giving me the opportunity  to be your mom.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accomplished

a lot today!  Jonathon had an ENT check up today at 2p.m.  We surprised Kenny and picked him up from school early to go with us.  (My special treat for getting A's on his exams last week).  Very proud of Kenny!!

It takes me about 45 minutes to get to the ENT office.  We actually arrived 20 minutes early.  By the time we signed in, used the restroom we were already being called back.  We were not even in the room for 2 minutes when Dr. ENT came in to see us.  He asked us how we were doing and then looked in Jonathon's ears and mouth.  Tubes are still there.  It has been 12 months now since Jonathon got them ~ they can fall out anywhere from 6-18 months.  And we said our good byes....Quick and fast....Got our coats on and back out to the van we went.  I looked at my clock ~ it was 2p.m.  I then told Kenny "It pays to be early"

Off we went down the road to our next appointment ~ Miss Barb who Jonathon gets his glasses from.  When Jonathon got his new glasses before Christmas they kept falling off of his face and they were making his ears stick out so we went back for a consultation.  And decided to order a new pair of frames ~ the first initial pair Miss Barb cut the stems off so they were not so long, this is why they kept falling off of his face.  So we finally got the phone call to pick up his new pair.  And so far they are staying up on his face, so I hope we have corrected this problem.

After we finished with Miss Barb we had to head on down the road to Secretary of State to renew plates on Andrew's truck and my van.  Not easy having 2 birthdays in February.  Cost me $175.00 for both. OUCH, but it had to be done.  Jonathon for some reason does not enjoy sitting at S O S and usually lets me know it.  So today I brought my camera along.

When we picked our number it read 31 and the number being called was 20....so I tried looking for some M & M's to keep Jonathon occupied for a few minutes, but of course they were not in my purse, they were in the van in the backpack.

 So he kept himself occupied for a couple of seconds with Kenny's phone case ~ until he threw it on the floor and big brother took it away.

 Finally our number was called and we hurried up to the front ~ conducted our business and got the heck out of there!!

We made a couple more stops on the way home and finally arrived home at 5p.m.

Ate dinner ~ got into our comfy clothes ~ and got some toys out.....

 Tomorrow is the big day.......