I'M IN THE EASTER MOOD ...

Savior, He can move the mountains.
Our God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation.
He rose and conquered the grave.
Jesus conquered the grave.

Hi Friends!

I'm in the Easter mood today. The kids had their last day of school yesterday, so last night was nice and relaxing. No homework, no lunches to make (except Bill's) -- but you get the idea.
We hard-boiled the Easter eggs last night, and Isaac was in my bed this morning asking to dye them. He was very excited, but I was hard to convince. He did finally drag me out of bed, though -- and we dyed the eggs. Molly and Isaac did the eggs with me, and we had a good time. Nate did one egg, and Cameron was too cool to do any!

After doing the Easter eggs in the late morning, I made brunch. It was questionable what the kids had made themselves for breakfast -- so we had a nice brunch of cinnamon rolls and breakfast sausages. Right now everyone is lounging around the house -- mostly still in their PJ's. I'm going to go and take a shower before it's time to drop off Nate and Isaac for their Friday night sleep-over at Shirlene's.

Yesterday, Molly and I hit the dollar store to buy Easter basket goodies. So, I think tonight we'll do the Easter baskets while the boys are gone. It's nice to have older children who like to be "holiday helpers!"

We are also hoping to make it to our Good Friday church service tonight at 7:30. I'm concerned about whether Bill will make it home in time, though. He's left super-early and gotten home super-late most nights this week. All I know is that there is an important admiral in this week!
I feel like I haven't seen Bill for a while. But, I do feel blessed that I'm feeling good enough to parent the kids and run my household alone when necessary! I am also happy that in this economy -- Bill's job is secure unlike so many others. Anyway, if Bill doesn't make it home in time for church, then I think we'll watch "Passion of the Christ," which is always a good thing to see in the season of Lent.

Molly is currently setting up plans with a friend to go see "Hannah Montana -- The Movie" tomorrow. She and Tiffany are absolutely thrilled about it coming out! It's nice for her to get to do some "girl things"!

More later...
Much Love,
Michele

WEDNESDAY...

Hi Friends,

I just got back from the doctor's office, and Dr. Cohen is very pleased with my progress. I hadn't seen him for 6 weeks, which is the longest we've ever been without seeing one another. For a while, I was his best customer! He told me today that I definitely have the thickest chart of all of his patients. But he feels that I am doing and looking much better since the last time I've seen him. In fact, he commented that I look better than he's ever seen me since the whole lupus flare. I've lost 20 lbs of puffiness now that we're going down on Prednisone, and so I think that's helping. I do have bronchitis, though -- so he switched my antibiotics which weren't working and gave me some other meds for the symptoms. Hopefully, they'll start working soon. So far they're just making me really tired!

So, I think I'll take it easy today and not do much except for homeschooling. The boys are currently busy, so I may have a chance for a small nap soon.

Much Love,
Michele

TUESDAY ...

Hi Friends!

I'm feeling a bit better today ... not sure if it's the 3rd day of antibiotics... or if it's the muncinex DM that Bill brought home for me last night. I see Dr. Cohen tomorrow morning, so we'll see if he wants to change anything.

I wasn't feeling well enough to anything except for homeschooling today. The maids came so at least my house is clean. And we managed to get the laundry done and folded, which was a big accomplishment -- since I hadn't done any since Thursday. I guess for most people that wouldn't result in a lot of laundry -- but with 6 people, it's a lot!

I just picked up the kids from school, and Molly is illustrating her poetry book. Cameron was upset tonight because he's not happy with his final grade in Computer Website Design. But, he's recovered and watching TV. The boys are outside with their remote-control boats in the pool.

I am hoping that Bill makes it home earlier than 10 p.m. tonight -- but I guess he'll be forced to because of Boy Scouts tonight. He's the Committee Chairman, and I believe they're having a committee meeting tonight. It seems like they're always having a meeting, but that's just me!

So, I should start making dinner in a bit. I think we may still have left-over chicken soup to start with.

I'll write more tomorrow ...

Much Love,
Michele

SICKLY MONDAY ...

Hi Friends!

Feeling very sick... Sinus and respiratory issues...already on antibiotics...not working yet...hopefully, it will get better.

Started this morning after getting Cameron and Molly off to school with an 8:40 appointment to CT my bladder/kidneys. I am praying the results show no permanent damage. The test itself wasn't too bad once they found a workable vein. I am a "hard stick" for everyone except the nice ladies' at the oncologist's office. So, the nurse today got the iodine infuser (for contrast) in 3 separate veins, but every time they started to put in the iodine -- the vein would collapse. Once that finally ended -- and we got a good vein, it went well. I don't blame the nurse, I told him my veins are just tired -- too much action lately. If they decide to do chemo ever again, I will insist on a port. It took 2 hours start to finish, so Bill left for work late. The only issue with homeschooling is the little kids can't be left alone while I go places. As a result, Bill is actually still at work, but he just called to say he'd be leaving soon and not to worry!

So, after the fun of my morning appointment, I came home and did school with Nate and Isaac. Then a bit of housework -- recovering from my absence this weekend. Soon enough it was time to pick up Cam and Molly from school. Cameron went to the Getty Museum today on a field trip. He had a great time, but they were late getting back. So, we waited in the school parking lot for quite a while, not getting home until almost 4 p.m. Then after regular homework -- Molly and I went to Staples to buy supplies for her next big school project -- a poetry book which is due on Wednesday. We're going to put the finishing touches on it after I finish this. She also found out she got an A+ on her chair of torture today. But the darn thing continues to torture me. Apparently a nail fell off of it in the garage, and I stepped on it on my way to the laundry room today. OUCH!!!

The kids swam for a while this evening, and we didn't get left-overs on the table until 7:30 p.m. It's really warm again here in sunny CA with temps in the upper 80's. I hope the hormones start to help soon with my hot flashes! Otherwise, I'll be swimming in the cold pool soon, too.

Cam is entertaining the younger boys with Kung Fu Panda right now. I talked them into that instead of bedtime stories since I'm feeling so crummy! I guess I'd better go and help Molly now before it gets too late.

Please send healthy prayers my way!

Much Love,
Michele

ENTHUSIASM ...

Thought for the day ... "Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do." -- Norman Vincent Peale

Hi Friends,

I returned from the women's retreat, and I definitely got some clarity on life as well as the transitions I've been going through from an able-bodied to disabled person. I had already been trying to focus on my blessings rather than losses, but I left the retreat center more encouraged to do so! Life really is all about change, and everyone is going through something. But we are all verbs, not nouns -- and everyone is in the process of becoming someone or growing into the challenges of their life. So, I have decided that I (much like a child) spend too much time whining about and trying to figure out the plan. I realize now that God has the plan, and it's my job to trust Him -- not analyze his plans and suggest alternate endings! God has always given me enough grace for the moment ... I need to worry less about what happens next and take one day at a time ... one hour at a time ... one minute at a time if necessary ! This is a great reframing process for the current situations of my life ... More Later on that!

We had a good time, and spent the weekend at a beautiful retreat center in Encino. We arrived back this afternoon, and I was greeting by my sweet and adoring family. Life had gone on as usual ... Bill had cut back numerous trees in our backyard jungle, knocking out the neighbors' cable inadvertantly. Oops! Nate and Isaac were swinging like Tarzans on a zip line that they had constructed in the backyard out of bungee cords over the pool. Dads are much more fun than Moms! Cam was pacing in the front yard, and Molly needed help with her homework.

In essence, it was the usual chaos. But I was calm and at peace. I explained to the kids that I was not feeling well, and I went and lay down in my room. I'm battling an infection, which seems to have brought my usual lupus headache back to its previous painfulness. I lay down in my dark bedroom for two hours. Cam and Molly brought me Bo Bo (our loving cat), and we spent some time talking in the dark about summer jobs they might be looking for. After that, I rested and woke up refreshed. It was the kind of retreat where they keep you busy, so I hadn't gotten much sleep!

Now I am going to help Molly with her Poetry Book homework, which is a blessing because I love poetry. (Remember, I was an English minor!) Then we'll have some dinner.

More tomorrow ... I'm going to have a kidney/bladder CT scan in the A.M.

Love,
Michele

I'M OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD ....

Hi Friends!

I just have a few minutes to blog before starting to pack up for my women's retreat. Annie and I are aiming to leave at 4ish. That way we can stop for dinner and to pick up a few things before getting to Encino at 6 tonight. We have to bring something symbolic of a transition in our life to the retreat. I'm bringing this picture. I printed it out last night, and also looked through a bunch of other pictures taken during my illness/chemo. It really hit me even though I had seen the pictures before -- last night it was like seeing them for the first time. I had a good cry and realized that I've been so busy taking care of everybody and just dealing with the illness -- that I haven't taken the time to process the whole experience! So, I think I'm going to be where I'm supposed to be this weekend!

Molly took her chair of torture into school this morning with Bill. When they stopped in the office, the vice principal was not happy to hear of her teacher's project. There were other kids bringing in weapons as well, but Bill said Molly's took the cake. Anyway, she started to have a melt-down, but the vice principal told her it was a great project, but the teacher would have to come to the office to grade it. Poor Mr. Kingsbury is probably not having the best day -- I have a feeling. So, the chair of torture continues to live up to its name.

After that morning experience as well as dropping off Cameron -- Bill took Nate to his therapy appointment. His testing came back showing he still has some type of mood disorder along with the ADHD, OCD, and autistic-like behavior. So, we'll take those results to the psychiatrist who may able to work some more medicine magic. Meanwhile Dr. Barrus, the therapist, worked with Nate and Bill on some coping strategies. Nate is still grounded to his room, but his attitude is looking better and he may just make his parole date of midnight Saturday.

Meanwhile, Isaac and I ran errands this morning -- we went to Smart and Final for groceries, the bank, and the pharmacy. Isaac also got to spend his allowance. He had saved up for a month ($20) and he chose to buy a model car and go to Jamba Juice. We had a good time together!

After getting home and unpacking everything and cleaning up and getting the house ready for my departure (you Moms know what I mean -- doing laundry, etc. because you know it won't happen while you're gone!), I realized I had forgotten several imperative items. So, back I went to the store, cursing this Swiss-cheese brain! (Men, don't read the rest of this paragraph!) I had forgotten to buy maxi-pads for Molly, and whenever I ask Bill to do it he comes back with panti-liners. I couldn't do that to my teenaged drama queen or my husband. Also, I had bought all kinds of salad dressing and came home to discover all the lettuce was bad. So, I picked up some salad, too -- want to encourage my husband to be heart-healthy while I'm gone.

Anyway -- I'm finally off to pack and start on my weekend adventure down the yellow brick road. Luckily, I'm leaving the munchkins with Bill!

Much Love,

Michele

THURSDAY!!!

Hi Friends!

Where has the week gone? I don't know, but it's been busy and I feel bad that I haven't blogged since Monday. I did manage to get Bill to walk Monday night, but we haven't walked since then. It's hard because Tuesdays is Boy Scouts, and Wednesdays he has his Men's Group for church. Maybe tonight? I hope -- but we're under the gun on a project that Molly has due tomorrow for Social Studies. They're studying medieval times, and she had to construct an instrument of torture. I've been joking it will be the new timeout chair, because she decided to make a chair of torture. Sometimes, I think the teachers are just trying to torture the parents. I spent hours last night gluing spiky nails on a large plastic chair with her. We even had to send Alice out for 10 more lbs of roofing nails when we ran out, and my teenage drama queen was freaking out! We did manage to get most of the nails glued on last night. So, tonight we need to put the straps on. Apparently Molly and Bill are planning to uses dog collars for that. I hope to not be involved.

Nate has also had some behavior issues this week. We are still working with his therapist to handle it in the best way possible. He is currently grounded to his room until Saturday. If he manages to earn back our trust by Saturday, he will be set free. If not, another week. He has his toys and is allowed to watch educational TV. But no computer, gameboy, or PS2. And I'm homeschooling him separately in his room. He's only to come out for meals. It's difficult and more work for me. Also hard for Isaac -- but necessary!

Add to that, we took Molly to the orthodontist yesterday. And we did a grocery run. We also organized the kids' rooms this week, so that they might be able to keep them neater. And today, I need to catch up on everything because --

On Friday I am leaving for a Women's Retreat offered by our church. It's entitled "Practicing Trust in Times of Transition." So, I definitely NEED to be there. Annie is going with me, and it's in Encino from Friday - Sunday. I am looking forward to a few days off to rest, relax, recharge, and get closer to God!

I'll try to blog tomorrow before leaving or else on Sunday when I return ... Off to finish Isaac's homeschooling, and then I'll be moving upstairs to Nate. Luckily for me Terry stopped by this morning and offered to make us chicken noodle soup for dinner. So, I don't need to worry about dinner. I am so blessed by my support network of Fletcher Street girls!

Much Love,
Michele