Sweat Pants & Camel Back

Yep, that was my means of existence for more than a week! Sweat pants and one of those water bladders used for hiking (that way I could sip water without having to sit up)I woke up a couple Saturdays ago...so sick! I spent 6 straight days in bed. Not kidding. I got up to visit Miss Suzie and that's about it! Tim took a couple days off to take care of me and our children...and the house! The 7th day He took the kids to his parents. The 8th day I was on my own, so I moved from our bedroom to the sofa. He relieved me at lunch time for the rest of the day. Then it was the weekend again. Praise the Lord. So, by then I was feeling a little better, but still absolutely drained! Day 9 I sprained my ankle. I couldn't even walk. That night I crawled, but only when absolutely necessary to move. Today is day 14. My throat is still a little sore-but not too bad, and as long as I wear this huge moon boot cast/brace thingy I can make it through the day walking without too much pain. I have a lot more energy. I hope to bake something really special for my sweet husband today. He took such good care of me. He got the laundry caught up, and kept the house tidy, cooked and even baked a couple pies! So, I am blogging today to brag about my wonderful husband to all who choose to read this blog. And to publicly say thank you! I have never been so sick, and I don't know how I would have managed without his help, and him waiting on my every little desire. In sickness and in health. He promised me that over 6 years ago. Now that I'm pretty healthy again, I want the world to know how thankful I am(to my husband for being such a good one, and to God for blessing me with him!)...and how much I love my wonderful husband. I truly am blessed!

Me?...Break the Law?!

So...Charles turned 1 year old on March 14th! Those of you who have been keeping up with this blog already know that. You also know that we did a photo shoot that morning. My strategic plan was to upload them and order them at our local Wal-Mart 1 hour photo...that way I could pass them out at his party that night. I figured I would save postage if I didn't have to mail them, and I would save gas if I wouldn't have to deliver them! I really am brilliant! (ha, ha) Being even cheaper...I was able to con my grandparents into stopping on their way to the party to pick them up for me considering that I had already paid for them when I placed the order.

So...back to the photo shoot. We recently did (still doing) some remodeling up-stairs at our house. I decided to use the freshly painted walls of the boys room (red and latte) and our room (foe finish) as the "backgrounds" So I dragged the furniture out of the way to clear a spot to take pictures. Previous post shows some of the results. I was irritated at myself for accidentally getting the outlet in one of our favorite pictures, but I figured I could just crop it out before I ordered them. That afternoon I went on line and did my thing...in about 4 clicks of the mouse I had a keeper.

Back to the party...My grandparents show up without the pictures. So I asked them ( I thought maybe they just forgot) They gave me the message from the photo department. "It is ILLEGAL to reproduce copy writed pictures from professional photographers and studios!" I laughed and said "You have got to be kidding me! I just moved our dressers and took those pictures this morning in our bedrooms!" They said I was supposed to call the photo department. After the party I called. I explained our photo shoot and it's location. I offered to bring the chair that he was kneeling on and our camera to the store if that would be proof enough that they were indeed just snap shots taken at home. Then I remembered that wretched little outlet that irritated me so! I explained that before I used the on-line enhancements that the wall was red behind him and even had a white outlet in the lower left corner that I just cropped out. I explained that a studio surely wouldn't have an outlet in the middle of their pictures! ( I would have politely invited the manager to come to our home and show her the location in person if that would prove that I was a law abiding citizen!) They put me on hold for about 10-15 minutes. Finally I convinced them that they were just snap shots and they said that I would be allowed to pick them up. I didn't even have to take the chair! All is well that ends well, and I didn't land myself in jail! LOL! I decided to post the before and after...Enjoy! *grin*

Before...
After!

Happy Birthday Son!

Some of these pictures are doubled in the posts below, but please just put up with me. You know I just can't help myself! I just love these slide show things...but in order to explain some pictures in detail you almost have to do a regular post too. *grin* So, just for you...the best of both worlds!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Charles 1st Birthday Party!

I decided to do a John Deere theme for Charles birthday. I didn't think the tractor was enough cake, so I decided to make a barn to go with it. The frosting recipe I used tasted absolutely wonderful, but it was NOT ideal for piping! As evidenced by the picture. It was too soft. It was hard to make nice detail because it just kind of melted and sagged together. So I wasn't very happy with how it turned out, but it sure tasted yummy!Charles went right for the candle, of course. Notice I'm laughing...Janelle looks terrified! *grin*
He wasn't very impressed with frosting on his fingers.
He was very cautious...but, he decided to try again.
Nope. Still not impressed! He looks repulsed by the whole idea.

He is probably thinking..."This whole birthday thing is over-rated!" Definately NOT liking the whole cake thing!
It's his party, and he'll cry if he wants to!
He was much happier with a balloon! Too bad the only reason he even had that little bit of frosting on him was because he was rubbing his face and eyes while he was crying.
He was VERY happy to get a bath! He loved it, and was splashing water all over the bathroom. *grin*

Happy 1st Birthday Charles!

Just wanted to share a few pictures from our photo shoot today! *grin* I don't have time right now to crop and do fun stuff to them. So, here he is...1 year old!

Morning view from our bedroom...

These pictures don't do justice at all! When I woke up this morning the "after storm" view from our bedroom was absolutely beautiful. All the colors from the sunrise didn't show up on the picture. This picture is the same view, just zoomed in. Notice the wind mills. These are actually 15-20 miles away from our house! You sould see them up close! We stood directly at the base of one of them a couple summers ago. I can't even tell you how enormous they are. They are actually pretty cool. So this is the view we wake up to every morning. *grin*

A little sister for Janelle...

Janelle has been making her desire for a little sister very well known for quite some time now. Every time we are in Wal Mart she is picking out little baby outfits-not for Charles...for her sister! I remind her that we don't have a little baby girl. Finally, this last time, she was so frustrated with hearing that, she said "but Mama...I've been wishing for a little sister!" She cried that night. I tried to explain the best I could at a 4 year old level, and we prayed about it. She hasn't given up the idea, but now she is praying ...every day, and asking...every day. Bless her heart! So last week she brought me this picture she drew. It is a picture of me...pregnant! Can you guess who is inside that bulging tummy she drew...her sister! Yes, her sister and I are standing amidst wild flowers with a balloon in tow, surrounded by butterflies and bees. She is so sweet! I can't help but hope that God answers her very heartfelt prayers. *grin*

Don't Forget...

Before you view my slide shows and scrapbooks, you need to scroll down to "my music" on the side bar. Click the pause button twice. Once to wake it up, and once to make it obey. *grin* If you don't, there will be two songs trying to play at the same time...what a terrible racket that would be!
Enjoy!

Almost 8,000 homes without power!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Rideau Canal

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Charles is almost 1 year old!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

A day of surprises...

This morning was absolutely beautiful!!!! We got up to 43.5 degrees! Huge! I opened the windows, turned the radio up, and up some more. Janelle and I started "spring cleaning" while Timmy enjoyed a play date with Grammy. Do you have any idea what I saw when I was washing the windows? MUD! I was so excited I started singing! So we got two rooms finished today, and we even re-arranged our living room.

Then Tim & Tim (ha, ha) For those of you who don' t know...We named our first son after his Hot Papa! So anyways...they got home early! That's always a special surprise!

So then we decided to take some things to the Dunkles that I intended on delivering Wednesday when some of the girls and I went to see her at Syracuse hospital...but we had a terrible snow storm and decided not to go. In the mean time, Leann came home (and Tom went to the hospital) so she could spend a little time with the children, especially their oldest-who turns six tomorrow. So we all head out to our van and it is SNOWING! HUGE, FAT, FLUFFY, SNOW!! Typically, this is my favorite kind of snow-normally I think it is sooo beautiful and it makes me want to sing. I almost could have cried. So we get to the Dunkles, and by now it is snowing so hard we can hardly see, and it is slicker than snot! So, my hubby, being the gentleman that he is, offers to take the goods inside while I wait in the van with our children. I was glad to accept his kind offer!

A few minutes later he got back in the van. He shut the door and said "you might want to go in there." So I did. Do you know what I found when I walked in the door? A five pound bundle of answered prayers! My eyes are stinging as I type, trying to hold back the tears! Surprise of the day! Guess what else, Leann got the same surprise I did, when Tom walked in the door this evening WITH little Ian Shepherd! Remember I said that he was at the hospital today. Long story short, they decided to discharge Ian today. Praise God! Tom didn't call Leann to tell her. He surprised her. What a precious memory! I know they are enjoying their very first night all together, as a family of 7! Praise God for all he has done! Thank you all so much for your prayers. I truly believe all your prayers joined with hundreds of others has helped bring the Dunkles together tonight...as a family, complete!

Ian Shepherd Dunkle

Leann just returned my call...the news is absolutely wonderful! Little Ian is off all machines, tubes, oxygen, etc. He has moved to a regular haspital crib and is on his own, no incubator-and maintaining his own body temperature! He doesn't have any more IV's and is nursing like a trooper now (which means he has learned to suck and breathe at the same time) I don't remember if I mentioned that was a problem earlier. Not any more. Looks like the little guy may be able jo join his Mama & Papa and four other brothers & sisters REALLY SOON-possibly even tomorrow! Praise God! And thank you to all who have been praying! Please continue to do so!

If I have his parents permission, I would like to post some pictures as soon as possible.

Stay tuned...

Baby Dunkle

I have gotten some phone calls wondering about the Dunkle family and especially their baby. I haven't posted because I didn't really have any new information yet. I have been in contact...the update was "still doing well". Which is absolutely wonderful! But not much new info. Please keep praying. I hope to talk with Leann this evening. Hopefully she will have some wonderful new news for me to share with all of you! *grin*

Another Update!

I talked to Leann on the phone for just a couple minutes this morning. She was doing well. She said she has her teary moments (of course) but over all she senses Gods peace. She is getting ready to be discharged from Lowville hospital. I'm sure that is exciting for her. She is going to make a stop at home to be with their other 4 children for a little while. I'm sure they need her. She was taken to the hospital very unexpectedly in an emergency. I'm sure that is very scary for a child (especially all being under 6 years old) They don't understand whats happening. So it is important for her to spend a little time with them before heading to Syracuse. They need to be held by her and know she is safe. Leann said the baby (still haven't heard a name) is making text book progress. She said it's scary for them, but to the doctors that means things are going well. Of course they are wishing for miraculous healing type of progress. But text book is good...it's progress, and that is what counts at this point. She said at this point they have inserted a cathedar into his umbilical cord so they don't have to keep sticking him with needles, because the need constant oxygen level tests. She was somehow soothed by that. Every mommy could relate to that feeling. Mothers are protective of their children. I have yet to see my children in pain that I haven't wished to take away for them. Like every other mother, I too, find myself in tears over their pain. So for Leann, this cathedar thing is so soothing. Her little guy is going through enough without having to be pricked every little while. She asked us to pray specifically for Gods peace during all this and the ability to reach out and hold on to that peace, that gift from God, that is there for them, waiting to be accepted.