A Rainy Day

I really don't mind rainy days in the summer because it gives me a chance to "catch up" on inside stuff. Today is a little different because I feel like fall/winter is just around the corner and I really don't like being stuck in the house for months on end. But, the boys have made the best of this day. Quinn said "we are having lots of fun on this day, even though it's raining". :) All the cushions off the couch and the monkeys are out!

On the adoption front, we got some of our immunizations for travel today. I feel like we should be immune to everything, everybody, and their dog. But, we still have to go back 2 more times. Several of the nurses asked when we'd be traveling and I kept saying next spring. I really hope it's then, although if you do the math (with the wait time) it will probably be next summer. Anyway, it felt good to "do" something for it again today. Makes me feel like I'm kinda helping the process go faster by accomplishing things. :)

Our trip this weekend

We did take a trip this weekend, but no where I would have chosen....the hospital. On Thursday night Cole woke up really wheezing and gasping during breaths. He has had some trouble in the past w/ wheezing and we have a nebulizer at home we use. So, I gave him a treatment and put him back to bed. Fri. morning he woke up not much better. I gave him another treatment and took him to the Dr. b/c I just felt like it was worse than usual. Well, it was worse...way worse. He was only getting 84% oxygen, and normal is 96-100. The Dr. thought for sure it was pneumonia and wanted him to go in an ambulance to the hospital right away. I had Quinn and Kade with me in the Dr. office. I felt so bad for Quinn. He is so sennsitive and was crying in the corner as he watched the commotion. I didn't even notice at first because I was trying to help Cole who was screaming. He was so exhausted from not sleeping good and not feeling good, he got 2 shots of antiobiotic b/c the Dr. thought it was pneumonia and there were about 4 nurses in and out of the room trying to get the right fit oxgen mask on him. Chaos. Bart came to rescue and took Quinn and Kade to work w/ him. I rode in the ambulance with Cole.

Don't want to give you all the details but basically it was a nasty viral infection that just came on really fast and settled in his lungs. He was really bad but came around once they got him oxygen. Last night they weaned him off the oxygen and his levels were still good so we got to come home today. He is on regular breathing treatments and antibiotics. Hopefully he'll keep getting better and stay healthy this fall! The Dr. said obviously he could get pretty sick again with even a little cold because of his body being weak from this.

I'm so glad he's feeling better. It's scary seeing your kids get that sick....and horrible thinking of what I could've, should've done different. Anyway, I need to run, but also want to ask you to pray for Scott and Heidi's little boy, Fisher (they have their referral from Ethiopia and will be traveling sometime this fall when courts reopen). He has pneumonia and is in the hospital there. It would have been terrible for me to not be able to comfort and care for Cole while he was in the hospital. That first day he was terrified and just miserable. All he wanted was for me to hold him. I know Heidi would like to do the same for Fisher. But, as she said, we know that Jesus is with him when she can't be.

Back to school

Well, today was the first day of school. Carson is in 3rd grade and an old pro. He was up at 6:15 and wanted to ride his bike early so he didn't have to wait on Quinn and I. Quinn, on the other hand , had his first day of Kindergarten. He wasn't up early (I had to wake him) but he was ready to go and loved his first day. I'm excited for a good year. I have to admit, I do like having the school schedule. It gives me structure and a good routine for the day.


















This next picture is the reason I made these all so big. I really wanted you to see this. When we were getting Carson's backpack ready for school, he found this in the front pocket. Gross!! A whole banana that had not been eaten (I'm sure it was his snack on the last day of school). It shrunk to nothing and molded through 2 layers of his backpack. Needless to say, he got a new backpack this year. Lesson learned...look through your kids' bags before storing for the summer.

The Circus

Our house is never quiet. Just this morning, the 3 older boys stuffed their shorts full of guns, swords, balls, bow and arrows, and were chasing each other around the house yelling "surrender or die!". :) Fun times.

Vacation

Vacation was such a blast! We went with all my family, with the exception of my brother and his family. We missed you M & M! Lake Cumberland has to be one of my favorite places ever. A perfect vacation in my opinion...water, sun, family, boating, skiing, tubing, fishing, swimming. I love it. Thanks mom and dad for a great time.

Embarassing post that my husband added last night. He never even reads my blog, let alone post something. His love language is "words of affirmation" can you tell? :) He loves to build others up.

superwoman

Bart here. i've snuck on Janell's blog to tell you about a talent that Janell won't share with many people... Not only is she a great mom, best friend, and amazing lover, she is arguably the best water skiier you will meet. Here's a very short video of her skiing at Lake Cumberland, Kentucky earlier this week. Believe me, she can go so low, her shoulder almost touches the water. It's fun to watch her graceful moves.

When we 1st got married, we went to this Lake a few times, and we'd spend hours on the water skiing and clowning around. Many times we'd double ski, tube together, and attempted goofy tricks. It seems like yesterday we were kids in love, and after a fun time on the water this week, I'm reminded of how fun Janell is to hang out with.

Thanks to janell's parents, wendell and karel, for making it happen.

Adoption Update

Just got back from vacation (that post is coming) and had some good news waiting for us at home. My case manager left a message that my dossier was shipped to Ethiopia on Monday! Whew. It made it through DC okay and arrived all in one piece to CWA. They approved it and it's off. It's really amazing how much time I spent preparing and worrying and praying over that and now it's gone, totally out of my hands. This is a new place for me to be. Not "doing" anything to speed along this process. I just have to sit and wait. We are number 14 on a waiting list for infant girls. CWA said the wait will probably be around 6-9 months. So...I'm trying to remind myself again about why I chose the title for my blog. There is no better place for me to be than right here where God has put me. I don't want to wish away this time with my boys. God created me the way I am to fulfill His plan for my life (which includes this wait). So, let me live and grow and praise you, Jesus, during this wait! I don't think it hurts to pray that it will go a little faster, though. :)