Job From Home

I finally got a job I can do from home. My husband is a great contact and he's a good networker. You know what I mean? He talks to lots of people and they talk to people. He always has tons of work and this time the work needed was actually some Quickbooks data entry and reconciling of accounts. I'm actually working for a legitimate business who has been established for a few years. I've always wanted a job to do from my own home computer, but never found anything that wasn't pay us $49.99 and we'll tell you how to do surveys so you can make $2 for 15 minutes of your time. I'm not real interested in that kind of stuff. If you could actually make decent money I'd jump at the chance to do surveys. Anyway, this job is temporary. It's just supposed to be through the end of the year. You never know, though. Maybe I can prove to be an assest and the company can find another use for my talents. I hope so!

Chili

My husband has been harrassing me to make him some Chili for quite some time now but I didn't think the weather really necessitated it. So, he's been getting his fix elsewhere. Last week he came home bragging about getting 3 bowls of homemade chili for lunch from a lady he did computer work for. So, I am staying up right now fixing some chili for his lunch tomorrow. I will not be outdone by customers. Just kidding! I love my husband and am happy to please. I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner.

Facebook

So, under a little pressure I decided to join Facebook. I have to tell you, though, I actually enjoy it. I don't really chat too much with the people who pressured me into joining, but I have reconnected with my cousin. She and I were great friends back in the days where our families got together a lot. Now that our Grandparents are gone, we don't see much of each other. Plus, we have families of our own now and it's hard. It's been good to be in contact with her and be a friend and have a friend, again. I've also been able to chat with some missionary friends, a pastor's wife friend, and friends from Kansas City. It's nice just to get little tidbit updates on what's going on in everyone's life and also be able to check out up-to-date photos. I probably should post some of my own.

Sick

This house is infested with puke and diahrrea. Two weeks ago we were out to eat and I noticed Eli was extremely stinky. I took him out to the car to change his diaper because we were getting ready to leave anyway and the restrooms didn't have changing tables. He had diahrrea. When we got home Dylan started complaining that his stomach was upset. I quickly gave him some herbal medicine and hoped all would be well. We all went to bed shortly after that. Chris and I were watching TV and I thought I heard Dylan cough through the monitors in our room. Then, he called "Mommy". I didn't think anything of it so I told Chris it was his turn. Then, I heard Chris talking to Dylan through the monitors and I thought he said something about "did you throw up?" So, I started running and when I got in there it was horrible. It was all over him, his Minnie and Mickey, the bed, the pillows, the comforter, down the wall and on the floor. He did it good! So, we made him a pallet in his floor, gave him a trash can, talked to him about what to do next time, cleaned everything up and went back to bed. About 2 hours later he was standing in the hallway crying. When I went to help I asked what was wrong and he said he needed to go potty and couldn't get his diaper down. We got that all taken care of and then as I was putting him back in his bed I touched something totally grosse. I said, "Dylan did you throw up again". He said, "Yes, but I did it in the trash can". Well, only about 1/3 of it actually made it in the trash can so the rest was on the towel I had put the trash can on and then his blankets where he was sleeping. I cleaned that up and got him back in a pallet on the bed and he begged to come sleep in our bed. I told him I didn't want to get sick and he wasn't sleeping with me but I would make him a pallet in our room and he could sleep on the floor. I got up with him one other time that night but by morning time he was sleeping good. I had a Sunday School class to teach so I took Eli with me to church and Chris stayed home with Dylan. When I got home from church, Dylan was running around in circles and he said he was feeling great. We took him to church Sunday night and he was fine. Monday he started all over again but this time it included diahrrea. Eli also had diahrrea that whole day. Then, Tuesday they were both fine. Then, Wednesday, Dylan started all over again. We had a Home Missions Conference at church that week which required my attendance. He went with us on Tuesday night but Wednesday Chris stayed home from work because I had to be at church all day. Chris said he wasn't feeling the greatest anyway. When I called later to check on them, Chris was having all the same symptoms. While at church that evening, I was sitting next to my brother, Aaron and his wife, Julia. The children's worker came out and said Emma was laying around and said she didn't feel well. They went back and got her and thought she was just tired. Within 15 minutes she puked all over the floor in front of us. So, while Julia was trying to clean her up and get her to the bathroom, I got to help my brother clean up her mess. Thursday, Chris thought he was ok so he went to work and I just told Dylan he had to go with me to church since he only had diahrrea and he would just have to sit in the back with me. My job was kind of crucial and no one else could do it that was going to be there. He had diahrrea one time before we left the house and then he has been fine ever since. Chris ended up coming home early from work on Thursday because he spent most of his morning at work over the toilet puking and he stayed home Friday, as well. His symptoms lasted until this week on Wednesday. He had it a full week. He did go to work on Monday and Tuesday (don't ask me why). He just said he had to be there so he closed his door when he was in his office and just washed his hands lots. Thursday night during the night I had the feeling in my stomach and throat you get when bad stuff is getting ready to happen so I got up and took some herbal medicine stuff and prayed really hard. It took about 3 hours of just laying in bed hoping I would either throw up and feel better or just feel better. Finally, I fell asleep and when I woke up in the morning with the kids I was really tired but actually felt better. Friday, Eli was acting kind of fussy in the morning so I just thought he was tired. I laid him down for a nap which I knew he needed. I had just sent Dylan and my niece Emma outside to play. I was going to be right behind them. Eli was whining and crying so I went in and he was standing up in his crib. I kind of swatted his leg an little and told him to lay down. He complied but by the time I walked out of his room he started screaming that pain scream when you know something is wrong. I picked him up and walked the floors, sat and rocked him in the recliner and did everything. All the while, he's still screaming in my ear. He would want out of my arms and he would walk around the living room and then he'd come back and get in my arms and squeeze really tight. Then, he'd get down and walk around and do it all over again. I think he didn't know what was wrong and he was trying to get comfortable. He got back up in my arms just in time to throw up down my shirt, in my bra, all over my back and pants, all over the chair and his blanket. It was a huge mess! I got him to the bathtub where he threw up several more times and then just became limp. I laid him down in the bathroom floor with only a diaper on while I got out of my nasty clothes. He just laid there pail as a ghost not moving or saying anything. About that time, Dylan comes running inside and says he just peed in his pants because he couldn't make it to the bathroom. So, I strip him down and make him go get some clean clothes while I get dressed and then lay Eli down on my bed. He immediately falls asleep. I'm sure it wore him out. I got Dylan fixed up and sent back outside and called the doctor. To no surprise, there's nothing they can do. So, I called my sister-in-law who happens to be a naturalist. I tell her my whiny story and she says she has just the thing. I package up the kids and go over to get this stuff called Bentonite. She said it tastes like dirt and it honestly looks like water with dirt in it. I don't think I want to try it. She says just to give him a teaspoon in whatever he drinks and it will help coat his stomach. She said to do it in every drink over the next 24 hours. It is supposed to pull out the toxins in your intesines and push it out through the bowels. When I got home I gave him a little in a cup with some juice but he no more than finished it when he puked again. I decided maybe if he only drank a small amount that was more concentrated it might work. I tried that and it worked. No more puking the rest of the night. Last night we celebrated family birthdays at my Mom's house and so we just all went. Eli did great the whole night. I took the Bentonite over there and gave it in his drinks there. When we left I forgot the Bentonite. Saturday morning he got his regular milk when he woke up and then he ate breakfast with no Bentonite. I had a ladies breakfast with the church ladies and Mom brought it to me. When I got home Eli was kind of fussy and very clingy. I knew he wasn't quite feeling good, yet. Chris said he was hungry and to feed him lunch and I did. Eli got down from his chair and walked over to the window where he gave us back his lunch, in a not so colorful way, down the wall and behind the baseboard, as well as under the baseboard. So grosse! I really should have given him a small dose of the Bentonite first. Chris said just to put him down for a nap and try when he wakes up. So, that's what we did. That was the last of the puke I have seen in the last 24 hours. Now, since Eli has been taking the Bentonite he has been having some really nasty diapers. The Bentonite is a detoxifier and it is doing it's job. I'll take the yucky diapers over puke, any day. They are at least contained.

That was probably more detail than anyone really wanted to hear. Sorry about that!

Chris wanted a wood stove for his birthday (the real thing). A guy at our church sells them and it came in Thursday. We went last night to pick it up and now we have to wait for somebody to come make a hole in our roof and get it all hooked up. We are hoping it will cut down on our heating bill. I'm hoping it doesn't make an ashy mess everywhere.

Busy? Who Us?

So much as happened in the last 3 or 4 weeks and I haven't had time to Blog or check out my Facebook. It's been crazy around here! I used to think stay-at-home Mom actually meant staying at home. Ha! That is so far from the truth. Let's see!

Dylan has had Parents as Teachers meetings, pre-K testings, and started PreSchool two days a week for two hours each day at a place just a few minutes away. Yep, he started school. He loves it and they do a great job. There are 2 ladies teaching. One is a former Kindergarten teacher and the other is a former elementary counselor, both working for Willard Schools. There are only 2 other girls in Dylan's class so he gets lots of one-on-one attention and now I can give Eli a little one-on-one attention. Each day they do the Pledge of Allegiance and they have a letter of the week. Everything they do that day revolves around the letter they are studying. They have a snack that starts with that letter. They do an exercise that starts with the letter or somehow work the letter into the exercise. They have a science experiment that has to do with the letter. They do an art project that has to do with that letter. They also get to work with numbers, shapes, colors, calendar days and time and so much more. So far I like what I see. He's also been involved in birthday parties, fall picnics, and even topped it off with being sick for about 5 days last week.

We had Eli's 15-month pictures last week. He continues to grow and mature. His personality is really coming out and he absolutely loves his big brother. They play together very well. As a matter of fact, I was out washing the car this afternoon and they were both with me. I had to bring Dylan in for nap and Eli had another hour before he needed to go down and his attitude completely changed after Dylan came inside. Crazy!

Chris has been busy with the usual work, side jobs, and helping me take care of the boys. He's such a great Dad. When Dylan was sick last Sunday Chris stayed home with him because I had a SS Class to teach. Chris did a great job of making sure Dylan was comfortable and getting Dylan to the bathroom quickly when needed. Because of that, he ended up sick and is still recovering. I am so thankful for him. Tomorrow he turns 30! I try to remind him that life just keeps getting better and 30 is just a stepping stone for more good times.

I have too been busy. I am the "Mom". I take the boys for all their stuff; school, doctor appointments, testings, picnics, parties, and yes I helped clean up puke last week, too (more times than I wanted to). In addition to all the normal Mom stuff we had a 2 1/2 day Home Missions Conference at church. Basically, that means we bring people in from around the nation who are trying to plant churches and try to give them some spiritual and financial support to encourage them and keep them on the right track. I know what you're thinking, though! 2 1/2 days doesn't seem like that long but there is prep work involved and it starts at 8:00 in the morning with breakfast followed by classes until 12:30ish and then lunch. You get the afternoon off and then back to work by 5:30 for dinner which is followed by church and might conclude by 9:30 in the evening. There is also clean-up involved and then you need to visit with the church planters or missionary workers that have come in for the week. We ended the week with a big bang on Sunday which was a celebration of 20 years by our Music Minister at our church. That's a long time to be at one church, especially in this day and age. We had lots of special stuff Sunday morning and a big barbecue dinner Sunday night. So, again, prep work and clean up. Don't get me wrong? I wasn't involved in all of it from start to finish. With my two boys being so young and sleep being vital to them we weren't available as much as I would have like to have been. Some day, though, some day!

This week I actually don't have anything going on today so I went grocery shopping, did several loads of laundry, and cleaned my car inside and out. Now, I really need to be cooking dinner because Chris didn't eat breakfast and when I talked with him earlier he wasn't thinking he would eat lunch so he'll probably be hungry when he gets home. Tomorrow is Chris's birthday as I already said so if he is feeling well, we'll probably go out for dinner. Wednesday is my dentist appointment and a visit to Grandma's house for dinner before church. Thursday is dinner with my brother and sister-in-law and their family while she helps me complete my vacation scrapbook. Friday is a birthday dinner for Chris and my other sister-in-law at my parent's house and then Saturday is a church ladies breakfast with special honor shown for the Pastor's wife. (It's clergy appreciation month, you know!) Then, if the weather is nice I think our family is going to try to cut out and maybe do a day at Silver Dollar City. Whew!

You know what? I love my busy life! It's busy with all the right things. I wouldn't change it for anything.