Simple Things Mean So Much

mini me....mini sister

2011-12-14T12:27:00.000-05:00

for those you know my sister and i, this picture looks just like us as kids....except one is my daughter laine and the other is her daughter......i came across this today and it made me smile, it was crazy hair day at school this fall. love those fun cousins!

favorite fall picture

2011-12-12T12:18:00.002-05:00

so sorry friends and family....it has been a really long time....someone who reads my blog brought it to my attention. thank you for doing that....i needed a little kick start. this picture is my favorite fall picture. laine is taking ballet classes....she also thinks her glasses (3D movie glasses with the lens popped out) make her look cool. she was ready for class one night and had a little extra free time. so she decided to play outside and ride her bike. because i am picking my battle, this wasn't one of them. she is so unique, confident, and wore the glasses to class that night. i didn't even try to explain it to anyone....I'll post more soon. she lost her front two teeth.....so cute!

Making my own laundry detergent

2011-09-19T13:09:00.007-04:00

After hearing of others making their own laundry detergent....and also seen it with the Duggar family on '19 Kids and counting', I decided to make my own. My friends have asked how I did it, so here is how. I kinda combined a few recipes to come up with with worked for me. The Duggar family heated and combined theirs to make a liquid detergent. I found that the powder kind was much easier to make and store and doesn't require any other pans or anything unlike the liquid recipe.

First- Buy the ingredients

Borax

Arm and Hammer Super Washing soda (different than baking soda)

Bar soap (can use Fels Naptha, Ivory, or I bought Goat Milk Stuff laundry bar soap

Container- Any will work, (ie. Tupperware, plastic container, up cycled food container)

Take the bar soap and grate it. I used fine grate. Pour in your container

Second measure 1 1/2 cups of Borax and Washing soda each into your container and stir well. If you like you can add a few drops of essential oil like lavender or lemon but I left my plain.

That my friends is it! Add 1-2 Tablespoons to your laundry depending on how soiled it is. Your boxes of Borax and Washing soda will make many batches you just buy a Bar soap of your choice when ready to make another.

The big laundry detergent companies would like you to think your clothes smelling good is a good thing....it is actually a bunch of leftover chemicals sitting on your clothes and those touch your skin. Freshly clean clothes should be smell free........

summer vacation 2011....

2011-06-23T10:19:00.005-04:00

Hi friends....sorry for the long absence. We were so busy with end of school year activities and Girls On the Run (Paige and I ran together a 5 K race in early June), Piano lessons for Paige and all the other spring things the girls are involved in. Oh yeah and I work two 12 hour days a week so that keep me busy and Jeff too. But I am blessed with a great job and love being a nurse. We love Northern Michigan area and spend time here each summer. Here are some recent pictures of our trip. We make so many memories and have fun too.

Strawberry Hemangioma

2011-06-10T19:23:00.002-04:00

Laine Age 5 1/2 Hemangioma.....gone

Now for the beginning of the story

Many people have asked us about Laine's Strawberry Hemangioma. I would welcome any questions by families whose child has been born with one of these tumors. She had nothing more than very slight redness at birth. Even at one week old we were told it was a stork bite and would go away in a few weeks or months. Each day it got bigger, redder and the next morning I would see a change over night.

Laine at one month It grew fast the first months and we were referred to a Pediatric Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist and Hematologist. Laines tumor was considered Cavernous because it also invaded her eye cavity and was pushing on her eye changing its shape. We were seen every 2-3 months by the Ophthalmologist to make sure she didn't loss eye function. The Dermatologist wanted us to wait as most of these will go away on their own. It was hard to see her like that and not demand something be done but we trusted our doctors.

Laine at 2 months

We got many stares but that didn't stop us from going places. At story time every week I would end up feeling bad for the mommies whose child pointed at Laine and would ask if she had play dough or a pepperoni on her eye. Other mommies felt terrible about what their child was saying. My older daughter who was 4 years old would tell. me "mom people are staring at my sister" I think she has a gift of compassion because of it now. The comments from little ones didn't bother me. I would just tell them it was a birthmark. The rude comments from adults were the worst. I actually had adults say "what is wrong with your baby" Almost like they were disgusted from looking at her.

Laine at 8 months it keep growing

Laine at 9 months it peaked in the growth and stayed the same for a couple months

Laine at 1 year We saw signs of it getting smaller and less red. We were so excited.

Laine now at 3 years old. As the Hemangioma has healed her eye shape is back closer to normal. She will not need glasses at this time. She has a little bit of skin puckering that maybe someday we could have laser surgery. Her doctors are very happy with all the progress. She looks at pictures of when she was a baby and asks about the boo boo on her eye. When we ask her what happened she says "Jesus healed it". For that we are so thankful.

me and the girls

2011-03-23T17:13:00.002-04:00

Think Spring

2011-03-07T15:15:00.002-05:00

vacation 2011....grand cayman, and cozumel....

2011-02-03T08:35:00.009-05:00

we had such a great time relaxing and spending the week in the sun. our cruise had stops in grand cayman and cozumel where we did a little shopping, eating , snorkeling, and enjoying the different culture. we missed the girls and they missed us , but they had a great with their grandmas. it was so nice to have time with jeff and enjoy time together. can't believe we had 70's and 80's last week and now we have had a blizzard and no school for the last two days. dreaming about the vacation.

packing

2011-01-16T08:36:00.000-05:00

sorry for no posts lately but i have been packing!!!!.....hubby and i are going on a cruise in another week. no kids. just us. we are so excited. western caribbean. will so miss the girls. but they will forgive us when they are spoiled by grandma. we love grandmas. both the girls grandmas are helping. we are so thankful and blessed.

christmas day

2011-01-10T16:30:00.002-05:00

we had such a good Christmas morning....I made the girls wait until 700 to open presents but they could look in their stockings any time. about 4 or 5 in the morning i heard them sneak into the living room and go back to paiges room to compare what treasures were in the stockings. my sister and i did the same thing growing up and it was sweet memories ....i made a overnight baked french toast which was yummy. paige got the DSi that she really wanted and laine got the doll she wanted and they got lots of other toys on their wish list too. we invited our family and some friends to our house for dinner. we ate ham and the traditional Christmas dinner foods. it was so good. we played some games and had a great family day. it was a prefect day!

christmas jammies

2011-01-09T19:30:00.003-05:00

christmas lights

2010-12-20T17:45:00.000-05:00

i played around with my settings on my camera to get these cool shots of our christmas tree lights.....

sledding with the family

2010-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday we ended up staying home from church. Laine was getting over an illness and she needed more rest...but by afternoon she wanted to play outside and we went sledding. It was a wonderful family day with some baking ( saltine chocolate toffee....go there for the recipe), and Christmas music, sledding, afternoon 3 mile run, Wii mario cart games, dinner and coffee and snuggling with the family on a cold day. I am so blessed to have a family that makes living so much fun. We are looking forward to the next few days and gatherings, and being thankful for Christs birth.

December Pictures

2010-12-19T11:51:00.002-05:00

fall photo shoot

2010-10-12T21:25:00.002-04:00

fall time

2010-10-04T14:32:00.003-04:00

The girls already have their halloween costumes picked out and had a trial run over the weekend. Laine is Daphne from Scooby Doo in cause you didn't know, and if you aren't in the know regarding Tinkerbell and the fairies, Paige is Vidia. We have been busy with school starting and Laine is doing so well in Kindergarden. We had considered waiting another year, but her school offers 1/2 Kindergarden class. She loves her small class of 16 kids and 2 certified teachers. It is a great Academy here in our town. They require uniforms and it is so easy. White shirts and Navy skirts or pants. Makes getting ready a breeze for her. Paige started 4th grade at her school. She goes to public school and loves her teacher and has great friends. We have been busy with soccer (both girls are playing, Laine's coach decided she might as well play on offensive cause she is going to run the entire field anyway...ha....She does well at taking the ball down the field and trying to score....not so well at playing defense where she is standing in front of her goal and protecting it....doesn't get it), paige has piano and we have church on Monday nights. The kids love the program of AWANA that our church does and are excited it starts tonight. Oh yeah and I work part time too.....

I love fall and started decorating already. Paige helped me put up my Department 56 New England village with 14 little buildings and fall trees. The day after Thanksgiving we let it snow in the village and all the fall trees and accessories come down and the evergreens and snows comes out. She loves helping me with it.

I love these things about this fall.....love stopping to get coffee and having some free afternoons which I haven't had in 10 years with both girls being at school, pumpkins, candles burning, our church which is inspiring and growing and building us as a family, sitting in our new hot tub, looking forward to a vacation with just hubby and I this winter for 6 days, and Thanksgiving, and I could go on and on.... God is good.

first day of school

2010-09-27T15:14:00.002-04:00

vacation summer 2010

2010-08-30T21:26:00.006-04:00

My Montage 8/9/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-08-09T22:21:00.001-04:00

pause the music in the side bar to hear laine explain why she needs make up....then she adds at the end that she is allergic to peanuts....which she is not.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Laine is turning 5 party!

2010-08-03T19:36:00.004-04:00

sweet summer days 2

2010-07-27T19:23:00.002-04:00

sweet summer days

2010-07-22T20:50:00.004-04:00

summer days

2010-07-11T19:11:00.004-04:00

laine's boyfriend

2010-07-07T19:31:00.003-04:00

Isn't this the cutest? If you look hard you can see a face on the stick laine put it the sand....sunglasses for the eyes, algae for the nose, and moss for the mouth and dune grass was the hair. The girls worked on "the boyfriend" for quite a while recently while we were at the beach. We played in the sand and they make their own fun. Both of them are creative and can use their imagination. What a fun day.

leland michigan

2010-06-22T19:46:00.002-04:00

the beach

2010-06-18T13:17:00.003-04:00

summer fun

2010-06-02T14:10:00.001-04:00

may 2010

2010-05-24T22:32:00.003-04:00

It has been very busy here. Getting ready for the end of school and vacations we are looking forward to. Paige is playing Spring Soccer with practice and games each week. Laine has her last week of preschool for the year this week. Poor little Laine had pneumonia last week and needed antibiotics and breathing treatments and blood work and xrays. She is feeling better now and back to her perky, feisty self. I have been so bad about blogging lately. I have been trying to limit time time on computer more and get more exercise and read my bible for the study I am doing. Some things just needed to be cut back a tad. Anyhoo.....looking forward to our summer and no more homework....no more books.....

spring 2010

2010-05-12T14:59:00.003-04:00

a few weeks back we had a family day to an art fair and tulip festival. it was a great day to enjoy each other and a nice spring day. the weather was good, just a bit windy, the sun came out for a while too. it is a tradition with our family and i love traditions! every year we shop in quaint stores and the best part is they have a great little drug store (with vera bradley purses and pandora jewelry) and it is usually right before mothers day. i show jeff something i would like and then he takes the girls to buy it and i act surprised and everyone is happy. i get something i wanted and it takes the pressure off him the find the perfect gift. i like the arrangement.

weekend fun

2010-05-03T14:52:00.001-04:00

more pics to come...here is a little peek at our weekend fun....

My Montage 4/18/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-04-18T18:24:00.002-04:00

don't forget to pause the music on my sidebar to hear this music.....

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

laine spring pictures

2010-04-14T16:28:00.001-04:00

black and white pictures

2010-04-14T07:43:00.000-04:00

my girls

2010-04-13T19:39:00.001-04:00

i needed to post these...have more to share another day....

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T17:36:00.002-04:00

What a wonderful day....Church, Easter Egg Hunt, family for dinner, and most importantly Christ has Risen! It was a beautiful day here. Getting some rest this afternoon as this week is Spring Break and we are headed on vacation with our friends. Between our families we have 4 kids who have a blast together. Jeff is off work all week and looking forward to some fun times. I better get packing. We are headed to Sandusky Ohio to Kalahari Water park. Have a blessed day!

Twinderella: The Musical

2010-03-28T09:39:00.004-04:00

We have been so busy this winter with play practice 2 times a week. My sister and I helped backstage with about 4-5 other parents. The dress rehearsal earlier in the week was a disaster! The director was still on stage reading about 1/2 the lines. The kids were not ready and one kid puked on stage because she ate to much pizza. It was interesting and I wasn't sure it would all come together. They did not run through the entire show in one setting until the night of the first show. But.....thankfully it did come together. All the kids did a good job with alot of backstage help. Paige was an Old Lady Matilda with a secret and my niece Avery was The UPS delivery girl. It was a cute show. Great Job Paige. We are so proud of you and the hard work! P.S. Don't forget to pause the music in my side bar to hear the play

March Madness

2010-03-16T14:18:00.003-04:00

We have been so busy around here....Paige is in her first play next week and has practices two times a week. She also has piano and girl scouts and church activities. Laine has church activities and pre school three times a week and we try to go to storytime on Tuesdays (which we did today). We are loving this warm weather and Laine and I spend a few hours outside today cleaning up the yard. She played with the neighbor boys and my neighbor and I visited while I worked which was nice. Here in Michigan in the winter people hibernate and we miss our friends who live right next door.

Anyhoo, we are looking forward to a mini Spring Break trip (3 days) to a water park in Ohio with our friends in a couple weeks. Our kids have a blast together.

Paige's birthday is coming up soon and that for sure means Spring is right around the corner.

I also have a online basketball bracket for the Road to the Final Four....lets see how I do....Go Duke!

scrapbooks

2010-03-07T20:14:00.009-05:00

lately i have been making premade scrapbooks for my friends and family. they have encouraged me to sell some. these are some of the books i am selling. i am hoping sell some books to help pay some of laine's medical bills. if you're interested email me at jenniferdecker@me.com. most of these books are 12-14 pages and 8 X 8 or 6 X 6 in size and ready for you to add your pictures. perfect for a birthday, shower or yourself. they have scrapbook paper adhered to sturdy chipboard and completed with stickers, ribbons and other elements to add interest. they can be personalized. these range between $ 15.00 and $ 25.00 not including shipping. if there is a book you are interested in and want more info let me know. i can send you pictures of all the pages if you need that too. thanks!

chicago

2010-02-15T21:39:00.004-05:00

we had a blast in Chicago with awesome weather and fun activities. Just Paige and I went as we needed some girl time just us. When Laine was in the hospital in December I told her when Laine was better we would do something just her and I. She loves Chicago and picked it. (I got very nervous Saturday that we might not be able to go... Laine started complaining about her leg and had a fever. I took her to the Dr. for lab work and was given instructions for us to take her to the ER if her fever rose higher or if she started limping... Her labs were not normal on Saturday and the Dr wants to see her tomorrow to discuss more testing....Sunday though she seemed better and Paige and I took our chances, we needed this time....and we could have always come home if we needed to, and hubby takes great care of Laine.....) Anyhoo.....We packed in so much fun in 2 days. On Sunday we went to American Girl, shopping along Michigan Ave, Crate and Barrel, Apple, Lego, Sephora and lots other. We had coffee at a great little place called the Corner Bakery. We went back to the hotel in the late afternoon and went to the pool and sat in the hot tub and relaxed for a bit. Then we walked around downtown and they still had all the lights and everything...so pretty. We headed to Cheesecake Factory for dinner which so so yummy. Then back to the room to watch some Olympics which we both love. This morning we went for breakfast and then to Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute and more shopping. We so needed this time together. We were both a little sad on the train ride home as we didn't want it to end. What memories. She is such a sweet girl and so funny too. She talks a mile a minute when she is excited which is the cutest thing ever. I love her to pieces.

Headed back to the Dr for Laine in the morning to see what any next steps are for her pain and fever. Hoping she can have testing that will give us good and accurate results.

snow day...again

2010-02-10T17:56:00.002-05:00

today the kids stayed home. we got hit with a big snowfall during the day yesterday and it took me hour hour to get home from work which is usually a 20 minute drive. it kept snowing all night and this morning we had quite a bit of snow. my friends and I are adventurous and with her SUV we took the kids sledding to a big hill here. it was fun. it was cold. really cold. did i happen to say it was cold. little laine is my fair weather friend and lasted approximately 1.2 seconds and she was ready to climb back in a warm SVD with a built in DVD player with dora on. we made her play a few minutes. she doesn't like to sled. she likes to make snow angels. paige and i went down and never have i had so much snow in my face. beautiful day with beautiful friends.

p.s. i know some of my spelling is incorrect with lower case letters. i just think the lower case letters are so much cuter and like to type with them....since it is my blog and everything....

Oh happy day

2010-02-05T12:52:00.006-05:00

Oh happy dance...Laine's leg is healed and she is done with treatment. After 7 weeks we are so happy. She had her PICC line taken out and done with the IV antibiotics. WHOOO HOOOO. She is ready to return to school and activities. She did say that she was going to miss her little backpack. (She had to wear a backpack 24 hours a day for the last 6 1/2 weeks). Can I just say my daughter is amazing? She is. She never once complained about having to wear the pack. Ever. Not one single time.

Can I just say this about my other daughter too. She is amazing too. Paige was so mature with having our Christmas interrupted this year that I am planning a special day for just her and I. We are taking the train into Chicago next week and staying overnight. I got a great room at the Sheraton for 48 bucks! The train ride is only 10 dollars per way. I couldn't keep a secret and told her this morning before school and she was so excited and hugged me and said she can't wait until time for just the two of us. So anyway...we are looking forward to fun times and thankful for all God has done for us. And reminded us of the important things.

On other notes I have been doing a little bit of shopping on etsy lately and aren't these so cute. The snow white sticker is for my MacBook. You can find it here if you want one. I received it in the mail today and it looks so cute. I also got this awesome sleeve for my MacBook from Bellamela. I also loved these wool felted balls. I have made them in the past but it takes forever!!! These didn't cost much and I think will look great in a glass jar, or maybe I will great crafty and make a necklace with them. Anyway...have a great weekend. Go Saints!

model rocket launch

2010-01-31T15:38:00.002-05:00

Paige built a model rocket and studied about how a rocket lifts off. Here is a video from this afternoon and us launching the rocket. We launched it twice and it was a blast....Get it?...:)

mac in the shop

2010-01-27T09:31:00.003-05:00

uggggg.....my mac is in the repair shop. I hijacked another computer but it isn't the same and has none of my pics. Hopefully this week it will be back.

P.S. Laine is doing well, labs look great and she will hopefully get her PICC line out next Friday. She is a little trooper and does so well with her medication.

P.S.S. I found this old picture from last summer somehow on this computer. Looking forward to summer.

winter day

2010-01-16T10:20:00.000-05:00

{new scrapbook room}

2010-01-13T17:52:00.004-05:00

I am so lucky to have my new scrapbook room coming together. I still am organizing and decorating it. I found an awesome art print by Amy Ruppel that is going to look sooooo cute in here. Then I discovered other great prints by Angie Lewin that is going to help me be creative! I also just really love my vintage camera collection and am thinking of finding a new shelf for my room and moving them from the living room to my office. I plan to organize and hang a wire from Ikea across one wall to hang different inspiration and ideas. I have another shelf that hubby will have to help with maybe this weekend we can get that done. I posted more scrapbook pictures along my side bar on the right side. Enjoy...happy Wednesday.

P.S. Laine is feeling so much better. She is walking and running and do everything again. Stairs still bother her but getting better. She has her stitches out and has 4 more weeks of IV antibiotics with 3 weeks done. She was able to stop by her school today and see her friends. She still can't attend all morning but was so happy to see her friends for snack and story time.

day date and scrapbook room

2010-01-11T22:23:00.003-05:00

Sunday my hubby and I had a little day date....cuz we forgot our anniversary until like 2:00 in the afternoon back 2 weeks ago. (Laine had surgery...we were so focused on her....we both forgot for most of the day). So we said when things settle down we will carve some time for just us. Sunday was the day....it was soooooo great.

First we went with the whole family to church, then Paige had a Girl Scouts event, Laine spent some time with dear friends and hubby and I had the whole afternoon. We took a little road trip.

We had lunch at Zingerman's which is in Ann Arbor. A very cool college town bakery/deli with awesome food. The kind of sandwiches that you think about the next day. So yummy and great coffee and root beers. Did I say it was yummy?

Then we went to Ikea....Oh how I love that store. I have been dreaming about my office for a while since we have finished our basement. I had some Christmas money and a gift card to use and it was so fun. I seriously could spend the whole day there.

It was great to spend the afternoon with my hubby. Our lives have been a bit busy lately and it was special to have time together.

And I have a new desk, bookcase, shelf and such a cute scrapbook office room that I'll post some pics soon.

Ya'all have a warm Tuesday...we are looking to having a warm up here...might even get to the mid 20's this week. yippppeeeee!

things i heard my 4 year old say...hospital edition

2010-01-06T15:25:00.002-05:00

Laine is a character....sometimes more than others. In no particular order these are actual conversations or comments made by my daughter last week while in the hospital.

1) Jeff- "I am bringing Paige over in the morning to visit for a while."

Jen- "Oh good, maybe if all the doctors make rounds before she comes I could take her to the museum in the afternoon for a while"

Laine- "whoa, whoa, whoa" (with her arms held up like stop).

2) "Dad, you have 2 mustaches" (coming out of sedation)

3) "Mom, you have 2 heads" (coming out of sedation)

4) "I just don't understand all this" (after being poked for IV start and lab draws)

5) "I need a bandaid....and hurry it up" (while the nurse had left the room to get one and was still in the doorway of her room)

6) "You just made me throw up in my mouth a little bit" (after the surgery resident made her sit up in bed at 530 in the morning to examine her leg the day of surgery)

7) "I think it is time to head back up to the room....I am not going to be brave today" (I had told Laine in her room that she was going for a ride and doctors were going to help her leg heal, and she might be scared but that she would need to be brave....her comment was in the pre-op room)

Christmas clean up

2010-01-06T06:05:00.002-05:00

target shopping trip.....

2010-01-05T15:43:00.001-05:00

This is all the stuff I got at Target for $11.00. I was so excited! I bought another 6 1/2 foot tree for our basement and lots and lots of red and silver ornaments and a nutcracker laine had to have.

my day

2010-01-05T13:26:00.006-05:00

thanks to my friend here who showed the post it notes.

celebrating time!!!

2009-12-31T14:01:00.003-05:00

We are home...time for Christmas parties and fun, thankful laine is doing better, she was able to open more presents last night which was fun. She slept really good and I did too. She is wearing a cute little backpack that runs a pump for her IV. Thank you all for your prayers. Will keep you posted. Lots of follow up appointments and lab work and home nurse visits but we are home and thankful.

home!

2009-12-30T19:25:00.002-05:00

Well tonight we are officially home. I can not wait to sleep in my own bed. It is going to be wonderful!!!! Laine was so happy to see Paige and play with her Christmas toys. She had a blast opening more presents. Jeff and I opened presents too which was fun. Her home nurse came to see her and explain the IV pump ( I use inpatient pumps and not familiar with the home pumps). She will wear a backpack until Feb 5th. She has antibiotic medication running 24 hours a day. She is walking on it but it is sore and hurts at times, but at least she is walking! She had not able able to walk since last Tuesday so obviously we are so happy. Looking forward to some family night.

PICC Line and one step closer

2009-12-30T08:09:00.002-05:00

Laine had a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line inserted last night and looks like we are getting another step closer to getting home. She was very funny coming out of sedation last night...apparently I had 2 heads and dad had 2 mustaches. I am hoping that all goes well today. She will need home IV antibiotics for 4-6 weeks and weekly doctor appointments and lab work. I am taking FMLA but am hoping to work when I can. She still has a fair amount of pain in her lower leg and it is making walking not a fun experience. Please pray for her leg pain and also that should would not require any more surgery. It is possible for the infection that is still there to settle in areas again and cause an abscess as her leg heels. It isn't totally uncommon for the surgeon to have to open her leg again. But something we are praying doesn't not have to happen. I am missing Paige so much...my heart is hurting for her. She has had a lot of fun with friends and family, but ready for her own bed now and to see her sister and us. The plan is this afternoon we will be switched over to her home IV pump. It is a continuous pump that she will wear as a little fanny pack. Hopefully tonight we will get to be discharged. Please pray for infection to clear and no recurrences ever, protect her body from infection, heal her leg, and for our family getting settled back at home. We will also have medical bills and co pays and I don't want to even think about that mail arriving. ugggg. But God is good and so many are praying for her and healing and we are so thankful for that.

fever free!

2009-12-29T11:43:00.002-05:00

fever is gone and she is eating well and drinking again. she wants to play and be active. except her leg really still hurts around the ankle and she doesn't want to walk on it. docs are still coming up with a plan for her. Her incision on her leg looks great. A little red still but improving. We are hoping that in the next day we can get plans made to head home. Thank you for you prayers.

perking up a bit

2009-12-28T10:48:00.002-05:00

Well today Laine is perked up a bit because her sister was able to come and spend time with her. During the night she had leg pain and still is not able to walk on it. But she is talking and wanting to play a little in bed which is a huge improvement from Friday when she layed in bed and slept all day. The surgeon will see her today and her doctors already made rounds and are developing a plan for her. She most likely has either a staph or strep infection in her lower leg and has changes in her bone called Acute Osteomyelitis. She may have had either organism with the cold and cough a few weeks ago and the bacteria was in her blood and settled in the vascular areas of her growth plate in her Tibia bone. She still had fevers during the night and they are making some changes to the antibiotics based on the cultures sent from surgery yesterday. We should have final culture results on Tuesday and that may help to confirm which antibiotic will work the best. Because she is still having fevers she can't have a long term PICC line (central catheter for long term antibiotics) until she is fever free for 24 hours. If she still has bacteria in the blood causing the fevers it can cause a the PICC line to become infected as well. In the morning she will have more labs done to check her inflammation and White Blood Count. That should tell us if she can have a PICC line placed tomorrow or Wednesday and then we should be able to start the antibiotics for home and then maybe toward the end of the end she may be able to go home. At least that is the plan for now. Will keep you posted. God has been so good to us and helping her feel a bit better and our family and friends are so supportive.

surgery this morning

2009-12-27T18:59:00.003-05:00

Well last night the ortho docs came to see laine and thought she may need surgery in the next day or so...then rounded on her again this morning and decided they didn't like the way her leg looked and she wasn't much better on 3 antibiotics for the last 4 days. The docs decided surgery would happen today....800 this morning we found out surgery was at 900. We have so loved our doctor who pushed for testing and surgery this weekend.

Laine had an incision of the tibia bone where the infection was, and cleaned and debrided it and the culture and samples were sent to lab. It could take until Tuesday to get the results. She will continue on antibiotics through her IV, but probably needs a longer term IV line called a PICC line placed in the next few days, as she will most likely need IV antibiotics long term (4-6 weeks). We will be here for a while still. God is good answering our prayers about having surgery ( a good thing....she feels better since they open her leg and cleaned it, fever is better, and the surgeon was able to get samples to send to lab). Today she actually ate dinner and this was the first time in a week she had an appetite. She has been a trooper and been handling being in the hospital over Christmas, infection, surgery and all this really well. We should know more this week about the plan. Paige is doing well considering we have been with Laine a lot but she has been so mature and not acted too disappointed. She has been staying with family and having fun with her cousins and rest of the family. They all have been such a blessing to us...thank you family and friends.

Please, please pray...

2009-12-26T17:59:00.003-05:00

Our 4 year old has been sick since Monday and in the hospital since Tuesday. For those reading previous posts she was admitted to the hospital due to high fevers, vomiting and also not wanting to eat which can be an issue with her VLCAD condition (read side bar for more info). She was actually sent home and within one hour of being home she started limping while trying to play with her sister and kitty. After I looked at her leg I noticed an area that was swollen had a rash and was painful to touch (that was not there prior) and she was again readmitted. The rash continued to spread up her leg and triple antibiotics have not helped. She had an MRI today and it revealed an area of infection called Osteomyelitis. In children bacterial infections can settle in the bone after having an illness from a few weeks ago. (She had a cold and runny nose and occasional cough 2 weeks ago). Some of that bacteria probably settled in her bone and over the last couple weeks and started showing us something was wrong. It isn't common for it to happen like this.

We really could use all your prayers.....she will need iv antibiotics for 4-6 weeks, maybe surgery and I will need to be off work most likely for an extended time to stay with her. But our God is faithful and gave us great doctors who ordered the right tests for her. thank you

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T20:48:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

back in the hospital

2009-12-24T22:03:00.003-05:00

uggggggg. we are back here. it seems like an infection has settled in her leg and she won't walk now. She still has high fevers despite IV antibiotics. We are still waiting on blood cultures. Her white count was very high. Still won't eat. So we will be spending another night here at the Children's Hospital.

But we have a great God and can celebrate the birth of Jesus. What a gift. Our family is so supportive and making this time for paige fun and santa knows where to find her tonight. This evening we can be thankful for much He has given us. Time to turn some Christmas tunes on. Good night.

trip to the hospital....

2009-12-22T21:43:00.004-05:00

say a little prayer for laine...we are in the hospital. she has had the same virus her sister had last week. for laine any illness can be an issue with her metabolic issues (see my sidebar for more info). I am hopeful for just a day or so stay (please jesus let us be home to celebrate your birthday). 104.2 temp today and not eating, gets her a direct admit to the hospital. i am so glad we have wonderful doctors who work so well with her.

crafty days

2009-12-20T06:56:00.000-05:00

I love these days to listen to Christmas music and bake and do crafts...Paige helped me make some of these for family who visited us last week for a Christmas gathering. I just took a 6X6 piece of chipboard and covered it in different christmas papers. I then added scrapbooking supplies like stickers, brads, ribbons and decorated them. I made about 10 in all. Hoping our friends and family enjoy putting their families picture on it for the holidays.

Santa can have the glory

2009-12-19T07:45:00.000-05:00

Remember my post from a few days back???? Well I think this might be the last year of magic for Santa as far as Paige is concerned. Next year she will be the 4th grade and 9 1/2. Not sure I am getting another year of her believing in him. She is only young once right? I love the innocence of this year ....So I am rethinking my plan. Santa can have the glory. The DSi can come from him. In fact, I want it to come from him. To read the other post go to Why does Santa havta get all the glory.

our 2009 gingerbread house

2009-12-18T06:34:00.000-05:00

Monday afternoon after Paige got home from school we got our gingerbread kit out and had fun making a big mess. But remember.... is was fun. Laine and Paige had fun placing all the candy on the roof and windows. I love the bright colors of their decorating. I didn't eat any of the house because as they decorated the house, they were licking their little fingers. They had a good time sampling their work. Happy Holidays....

nutcracker show

2009-12-17T14:21:00.005-05:00

Last weekend my sister and I took our girls to see the Nutcracker. I remember my own mom taking me to see the production back when I was younger and enjoying it. The girls really liked the show. The show started at 2:00 which right at the beginning of normal naptime for Laine....but she did great. She did dose off during the second half. She was put to sleep by the mesmerizing orchestra sounds! Paige could not get enough of the Dew drop Fairy. Rainbow tutu of coarse. What a fun Christmas memory!

blizzard 09

2009-12-11T22:29:00.003-05:00

back to school today...lots of snow at least 8-10 inches here between wednesday and thursday. paige is better from her virus and laine has stayed healthy...fun in the snow on a beautiful day...

we have the best friends!!!! and papa!!!

2009-12-09T11:42:00.004-05:00

last night paige started with a sore throat and during the night had a fever....so she stayed home with me today. but laine had preschool and paige soooooo didn't want to go anywhere. i have such a sweet friend who helps me so much. my good friend (tricia...who I can't hyperlink cuz she does have a blog...but I blog because she was in the "Know" a few years back and i first heard about blogging from her) picked up laine for school and brought her home, brought paige crackers and gatorade and then all of us lunch.

We had soup last week and I used all my saltines up! of coarse! so papa (grandpa) stopped by the store and brought paige gingersnaps and sprite and saltines. Today was suppose to be a grocery day while the girls were at school, but tricia and papa were such a blessing....its is cold here in michigan and not wanting to venture out with this little sick one.

paige has perked up a few times during the day and played on the computer and helped me wrap a couple presents. we are having my cousins and their families here on saturday and have presents to wrap... check, tables to set up...check, cleaning...check, laundry...check, played with the photobooth on my computer...check and taking care of my sick one and praying laine doesn't get it...check

why does Santa hav'ta get all the glory

2009-12-09T06:22:00.000-05:00

I was having a conversation recently with a friend at the gym while with were both getting our workouts in....and ya'all she just cracked me up I tell you. See, I was sharing the story about how Paige wants a DSi (expensive hand held video game), and an American Doll. I told Paige that I didn't think that we would buy both for Christmas.....to which she replies..."that's OK mom....I understand....You and Dad can get the DSi and Santa can bring me the American Doll. (Jeff is saying seriously????She still believes????? I think it is just precious my 3rd grader still believes and my husband who probably never believed in Santa....not so much I will post more about that later) any hoo.....

Well then grandma came over, and Paige marked up the American Girl catalog with her wishes and now Grandma is getting the Doll. So Paige says she is asking Santa for the DSi.....So that leaves me a few other presents on the list for us to give. I was telling my friend this whole story to which she says......"Heck NO.....at our house Santa gives books". Which just cracked me up. Her and her husband always gave the great, most wanted toys...Santa....well he gave books. So I am thinking Santa is bringing socks.....and books....and maybe a new shirt.....Definitely not the DSi....that will come from mom and dad.

Christmas sleeping

2009-12-08T06:23:00.000-05:00

we put christmas lights in the girls room after Thanksgiving...both need night lights so they love..love...love the lights this time of year.

elf yourself

2009-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

check out my video above....the girls thought it was so fun!!!

Christmas lights

2009-12-06T17:31:00.003-05:00

Put Christmas lights inside your car and drive around town with a 4 year old and an eight year old and you are bound to have fun....(My Jeep has an outlet inside it)...It is so fun! So hard to take pictures with lights though:(

Polar Express

2009-12-05T17:41:00.003-05:00

So last night we went to Barnes and Noble Storytime and they read Polar Express and had tickets and hot cocoa and cookies and craft. There was a coloring contest and our artist (Paige) was very excited because she loves to color and draw. So she tells her sister that she was going to win the contest. And the crying began. So now Laine is upset because she says she doesn't want to be a loser...she wants to be a winner too. So the only way we can get her to stop crying is Paige whispered in her ear that if she wins she'll share the basket of goodies (polar express on CD, hot cocoa, a game, a santa hat, jingles bells). It was very generous for the winner.

So then I see Laine talking to the storyteller.....And I was panicking...cuz i pretty much knew what conversation Laine was having. She walks back to us and I asked her what she was talking to the reader about (she knows the reader from storytime each week...Ms Rhonda) and Laine proceeds to tell me that she told Ms Rhonda that her sister was going to win the coloring contest because she was the best colorer. Oh great! I said Laine there is lots of other kids who are working on their project and coloring and Paige might not win. "Oh yup she will"...Laine says. So then later....much to my complete embarrassment Laine is again talking to Ms. Rhonda. She just was laughing and so sweet about it. Paige says "oh great... Laine now I'm going to lose because you are being so annoying". But Paige really did win. She really did have the best coloring job. I saw the other pictures and I do really think Paige deserved to win. When we were leaving Laine was so sweet and telling Paige "I'm so proud of you...I knew you would be the winner". Paige was so happy carrying her basket and did indeed share everything with her sister when we got home......ahhhhhh Christmas memories.

Dec 4 fun

2009-12-04T15:08:00.003-05:00

I love this picture of the girls decorating a gingerbread house from last year. We plan to do it again this year. I usually get a kit because I think gingerbread is hard to make....sometimes it is too soft and other times hard as a brick. Tonight the girls are helping me make Christmas cookies. I have a Cookie Exchange at our church on Saturday and have some cookies to get done. We also are going to Polar Express Storytime at Barnes and Noble....can't wait for a Peppermint Mocha... yea!

This little light....i'm gonna shine

2009-12-03T09:06:00.003-05:00

Laine singing just puts a smile on my face...(put the music in the sidebar on hold to hear her) Enjoy

Dec 2

2009-12-02T07:29:00.002-05:00

All I need to say today is peppermint mocha.....Starbucks is good but Caribou Coffee is the best... Go here if you really need to be tempted :)

dec 1

2009-12-01T07:20:00.002-05:00

I am so looking forward to Christmas, I love to post every day this month...usually it isn't a full post...maybe a picture or maybe a link to something fun I have seen for the Holiday season...Check out the site elfyourself.com. it is cute and easy to use...

i'm thankful...and happy thanksgiving

2009-11-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

i am thankful for a good many things both simple and some more complex. i am thankful for (most importantly)...my family...my husband and my daughters who live in this house with me and make my life complete, content, and bring me joy just doing the daily things.
I am Thankful
that i can watch my daughter get on the bus and she waves and waves until she can't see me anymore, i get to spend many mornings with laine either driving her to preschool or going to storytime, for my husband who works hard and is patient and loving to me and our daughters, my mom who does extra special things for my sister and i even though we are grown up, my mom who helps when laine is ill or has appointments out of town, for my friends at work who make me laugh, for my sister and her family who live in our same neighborhood, our church, good friends who helped finish the basement, awesome babysitter for laine on the days i do work, that Ikea is really not that far from laine's doctors, for laine's doctors, for my job, to have my morning coffee, my pandora jewelry, for great in laws, for days at work that i don't have to clean up poop or pee or puke, christmas lights, summers at the beach, building sand castles, that jesus cares about me, snuggles in bed on saturday mornings when the kids, our finished basement, my new scrapbook room, that when paige laughs her nose scrunches up so cute, that laine dances for me, i really could go on and on but tonight i have my girls and hubby at home and we are going to watch a movie and play some games and that is more important.

christmas book 2009

2009-11-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

I am doing a christmas book 2009 that was inspired by Ali edwards idea. Go here for more info. I plan to write traditions, take pictures, and journal during the month of December in my book.

being a little crafty

2009-11-21T11:52:00.000-05:00

These are some books I have made for my daughter's teachers for Christmas. It was so fun making and decorating them. Looking forward to my scrapbook room getting done soon.

basement

2009-11-20T13:01:00.005-05:00

we have been working on finishing our basement for the last year and a half and doing all the work ourselves. Yea! We got the carpet installed this week. I have a alot of decorating to do but here is what we have done...the only thing left is the ceiling. Maybe this winter that

would be a good thing to work on.

busy fall....

2009-11-18T14:30:00.002-05:00

We have been busy here and having fun with the awesome fall weather this month. We are working on finishing our basement for the last 1 1/2 year. We have done all the work ourselves and proud of the work. I will post some pictures soon. This week carpet was installed. I will have my own scrapbook room. oh yea! There is a family room and playroom and office too. I promise I will post some craft projects and also some basement pictures soon.

PS dear "pink" friend....
where, oh where did you go? miss your stories and pictures. i know you are out there...

happy halloween

2009-10-30T16:06:00.003-04:00

peacock paige and tinkerbell laine

fall photography

2009-10-12T08:31:00.002-04:00

i love..love..love..black and white pictures and found this overlay that with a little photoshop magic turns this into a classic picture as if through a viewfinder. Paige and Laine with their cousins Quinn and Chase (who I have to say are the nicest teenage boys to 4 and 8 year old little girls). My girls love hanging out with them and they are so sweet to them. We are thankful for our family.

happy fall

2009-10-11T15:30:00.000-04:00

Fall

2009-10-09T18:45:00.003-04:00

Well we have had a fun fall. Soccer games and piano lessons and girl scouts along with school have kept us busy. Laine, Paige and I went to the apple orchard this week and picked apples and had yummy fresh cider and donuts. Oh...but I forgot my camera. Bummer. Lately I have just wanted to snuggle my kids and play games instead of blogging. I need to find a happy medium. I had no words to say for a while last week after finding out about my friends daughter. She has cancer and needs a miracle. Please pray for her. You can visit her at Caring Bridge website and then visit regancapps site. She is 8 and has cancer spread throughout her little body. She is in the hospital getting radiation and chemo. join me to pray for her will you?

no words...

2009-09-26T09:52:00.002-04:00

There are no words to say when you have a friend is dealing with her daughter's fight for life. There is nothing to say....so hard to comprehend...I am heartbroken... that my friend's sweet little 8 year old can go from having joint pain last Friday...to have bone cancer with multiple broken bones, lung lesions and and given less than a 10 % chance of surviving.

Life is precious...I am sure today that I will not care if the house is clean...or if i have gotten enough sleep. Or if a bed is not made. I will not nag...or scold...or yell.

I will choose to love, and encourage and hug and snuggle and welcome my 2 sweeties that want to crawl in my bed at 6:00am when I want to sleep. I will welcome them with open arms...We will not watch the clock...we will enjoy our day today and have fun...we will make memories...

Thank you God for today...Pray for little Reagan...she is in pain and needs a miracle.

just one jesus...

2009-09-14T18:09:00.005-04:00

Yup...I am guilty...I did indeed pray "just one Jesus". I prayed that as Paige plays soccer for the first time (except for pee wee league at 3) that she would make just one goal. Just one Jesus. I never knew how full my heart would feel upon learning of her scoring her first goal. I had to miss this weekend's game due to having to care for the sick and dying. Yup...because being a nurse has upsides and downsides....working some weekends is not one of the fun ones.

I regress....anyway.

She called me at work after the game and was so excited. Her team won and she scored one of the 5 goals. She is the smallest and shortest and maybe even youngest girl on her team. But she felt sooooooo proud. She said to me "mom the other girls gave me hugs and high fives". She felt part of the team. Thanks pink panther girls for being so encouraging to my girl that day.

To you Paige. I am proud. Not just because you scored a goal. But because you have to work hard. You have to run harder and faster than those long legged girls. And because you tried a new sport to be active and get exercise. And To be part of a team to contribute to. And because you cheer you teammates and are a good sport.

Thank you Jesus for the goal.

We will be praying for more this season too!

UT fan

2009-09-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

isn't she the cutest little football fan you ever did see???

first day...

2009-09-08T08:36:00.005-04:00

of third grade...i am excited for you today paige...i look forward to all you will learn and all you have to offer. friendship, knowledge, skills, fun, maturity. good luck today dear one. i will miss you. love mom

goodbye summer.... hello fall...here come changes

2009-09-02T19:38:00.005-04:00

We are looking forward to the fall and the fun activities and schedule and routine that comes along with going back to school. I am looking forward to watching Paige play soccer...learn piano....girl scout meetings with friends...and learning in school. Laine is in Preschool (first day was today and Paige starts school next week) and they both may attend Awana at church. I love fall air here in Michigan that is cool and crisp on our way to the bus stop in the mornings. We love to attend our high school football games on Friday nights and cheer for our team. Hello Fall, we are ready for you.

I will miss the fun memories of the summer...sleeping in and having my 2 sweeties join me to snuggle...trips to the waterpark, vacations, the beach, playing with neighborhood friends, a baseball game, trips to the zoo, and cookouts and making smores in the firepit. Oh, summer I will miss you...

Changes for our family too. We are currently trying to find a new church. We have been at our church since high school and it is hard to think about change. But it is something my hubby and I are both feeling (and praying about too) like it is time to attend somewhere else. We will miss the people. But we are looking forward to connecting to new people and are visiting churches now.

Goodbye summer, hello Fall and here come changes.

simple things...

2009-08-26T08:27:00.002-04:00

a couple beach days

2009-08-22T14:29:00.003-04:00

We have had such a great time the last couple days on vacation with some friends at the beach. We are trying to get the last few days of summer fun before the kids go back to school. Yesterday we went on a little road trip with some walkie talkies in each of our cars. The boys in one vehicle and the girls in the other. We had so much fun laughing the whole way from destination to destination. A little shopping, a little eating, a little walking, a whole lot of laughing and talking. It is so great to have such good friends. What a blessing they are to us. The girls all had their stuffed animals on their laps and Laine is in front of her face. But this is about as good as it gets with a timer on the camera. What fun we have had.

camping trip

2009-08-15T17:20:00.006-04:00

We haven't been camping in a reallllllly long time. Like about 5 years. Paige was 2 and still wearing diapers last time we did it. I really don't care for it so much. My husband would love to go alot more. So Friday afternoon the opportunity was given to use a camp site my sister and her husband had reserved for the weekend. Only they weren't going to be able to use it Friday night. So they offered it to us. It was very spontaneous. We decided to go about 3:30 in the afternoon and were all packed and ready to go by 5:00. (They had already set the tent, air mattresses and campfire wood already) That is pretty good! We took our cooler and hobo pie ingredients. For those that don't know what a hobo pie is. You take 2 pieces of bread and butter the outside and then you fill with anything. We made pizza. Sauce, cheese and pepperoni. It makes a little pocket. We had marshmallows, and chips and pop too. We had a good time. I didn't sleep great but that is OK. Laine was so cute. She loved camping and this morning after we had walked to the bathroom she said "are we going back to our new home now"? I love that home to her is anywhere her family is. Paige drew and colored about a 20 page "my camping trip book". It was so creative. She loves to draw. Last night in the tent she just colored and colored. I read a book. Jeff took a little nap. It was so nice just to relax and have fun with no TV or anything. We played card games. Took a walk. Fun family time. What a great day. We really need to do this again.

our favorite vacation spot

2009-08-14T08:03:00.011-04:00

Over at Kelly's Korner she is hosting a show us your favorite vacation spots. This one is mine. Frankfort MI. We have been going here for the last 10 years.

walking the beach...

looking for Petoskey stones...

at the beach...

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Dad and Paige a few summers ago

this summer at another beach...

Mom and the girls

funny things kids say...and a prayer request

2009-08-13T22:25:00.004-04:00

Well Laine had a doctor appointment yesterday at U of Michigan Health Systems....which of coarse meant a little shopping in very cool Ann Arbor. Her appointment was with her Hematologist who has been following her eye for the last 4 years (Her Hemangioma was very fast growing tumor, but is healing now!) She got a good report and no need to follow again for a whole year.
Anyway....while we were there they sent in a medical student who talked to her and myself and asked a ton of questions to learn about everything. The student asked "does anyone smoke in the house?" She turned and looked at me and I said "no". In the most cutest face and ohnoimintrouble look, Laine tells her "doctor.... sometimes uhhhh we roast marshmallows". (get it? camp fire?...smoke? smores? smoking? :)) haha. It was so funny. She had everyone in stitches. And then she says "its not funny guys". She just cracks me up. Have a happy Friday!

PS Please pray for our friends who are adopting. They traveled on Saturday to Kazakhstan to adopt 2 teenage girls. The have been praying and trying to get them for the last several years. Finally they get through all the red tape and now both girls (who are sisters) refuse to be adopted. So they will be coming home to an empty house. We are so sad for them.

summer fun

2009-08-10T20:42:00.000-04:00

mom's at work and laine is tinkerbell

2009-08-08T18:29:00.003-04:00

Ok while I was at work Friday and hubby took the day off to spend with the girls....they made video's. And trashed my house, and had a lot of fun doing it. Disregard the mess in the house and enjoy listening to Laine as the tells about being tinkerbell. It will crack you up! My silly little girls.

we are having a blast

2009-08-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

We have a water park in our town and 2 of my friends and our 7 kids went this week. It was so much fun. Until now Paige would not go down any big slides, but she did this time and now she is hooked. I went down too and had fun. Laine went swimming with her floaties and played in the water. What a great summer day!

happy birthday!

2009-08-05T17:36:00.001-04:00

somebody is having a birthday tomorrow

2009-08-04T18:34:00.003-04:00

Laine is 4 years on Wednesday. She is such a blessing and full of life and spirit. She talks almost all day. Pretty much everything she is thinking is said. She is funny and has a great sense of humor. We are so thankful for her health and she is growing well and strong. She is sensitive too and very caring. She loves to share and the more the merrier when Laine is around. Life is just one big party. Speaking of parties we celebrated with friends and family this weekend. It was a beautiful day to celebrate her 4 year old birthday. She was thankful and squealed at every gift she opened. It was so sweet when she opened a present and found something she had never seen before or asked for she said "oh, I always wanted one of these". Laine you are a breath of fresh air, you toot your own horn, and we love you so much! Have a Happy Birthday

a conversation with a 3 year old.....

2009-08-02T06:00:00.003-04:00

Saturday, Laine was pretending she was a cow. She has a very good imagination and likes to be kitties, dogs, or other animals. Yesturday it was a cow. So this is how the conversation went...
Laine: (in a cute little cow voice) : I am a cow and need milk.
Me: Laine if you are a cow you don't need milk, you make milk.
Laine: (starts giggling) Mom, cow's don't make the milk!
Me: Really? Well where does it come from then?
Laine: Mommies and the fridge.
Me: Laine did you know that cow's really can make milk?
Laine: (again giggling...and I could see her little head spinning.. Cows standing on their hind legs makin the milk...what a picture).
Me: really they make milk Laine.
Laine: Cows can't make the milk
Me: Why?
Laine: Cuz they don't have the recipe.
Me: Thinking to my self...( I really need to take her to farm)