Latest Erinism

Well, David and I couldn't help but snicker at this one ...

Erin's preschool had a "mixer" event on Tuesday, involving ice cream. Some called it a party, some called it a social, and one called it "show-showl". This is funny, because she wanted to take her bunny, named "Shu Shu" along at one point ... try saying "Can I take Shu Shu to the ice cream Show showl, mommy?"

What a funny bunny!

On a not so funny note .... you might keep Erin in your prayers. There is a little boy in her class who is a bully. He apparently disobeys the teachers, spits at them, has to be held down during story time, touches kids randomly (as in their hair or arm), ... and pushes the other kids around concerning the toys at recess. Erin is trying to reach out to him, and we've had several talks about this little boy. She wants to be Jesus to him, but was brushed off today ... she painted a picture for him, and he said he didn't want it. Her response to me about this was "When he did that it made me feel like I wasn't a very good artist." I think she's talked to the teachers, and their response is that he is just three. Her teachers are excellent, and after Erin covertly pointed out the mystery bully to me today (it was funny, her lips barely moved, and she pointed "through" her body because he was behind us as we were waiting for the doors to open before school today - yes, imagine Erin being discrete, and that is really funny!), I have seen the way they handle him, and it seems to be with love, and out of concern to help him grow while keeping the other kids safe. We have started praying for this little boy, and that God would use Erin and the others in the classroom to show love to him.

Okay, that's it for now. Good night!

Wild Weeks

Well, since the last illness and the birthday, we've had a busy schedule it seems. Erin started preschool (yes, we decided to keep her out of kindergarten ... for a myriad of reasons, but mainly, because she has the rest of her life to be in school, and we don't want to force her to be there yet, and as the youngest in her class, we didn't want to put that stress on her). She attends the Lawrence Arts Center arts-based preschool program. It is wonderful! She has brought home so many paintings and discovered so much already! You'll have to ask David about his new favorite children's song ... clue: it involves all the children singing "Where is TallMan?" and demonstrating together - priceless. Miss Allison and Miss Miriam are wonderful, and the environment of the classroom is so great! This teacher/mommy is very excited! I would be excited to teach there, if I ever wanted to teach preschoolers! She has already had her first sick day -- she caught another round of the stomach bug, and actually came down with the fever about an hour after returning from the first day of school. The need for a bucket arose later in the evening, and continued through early morning. The fever hung around for 3 days, which was unpleasant, and a bit scary, as she started to get very weak. I had to carry her from the potty to her bed once because her legs wouldn't work. However, all is right with her world again, and she had a great time at school on Monday.

Over Labor Day weekend, we were busy, with household purging, new furniture in the upstairs living room (YEAH!), grandma and grandpa Gerstenkorn visiting overnight, and a picnic (well, it really wasn't a picnic, because we stayed inside, but we ate picnicy food, and had a fun time!) with our friends from church (also, we had a leadership team meeting, but the eating was more fun!).

Avery is getting to be a real clown these days. She's trying really hard to take part in family conversation, with more than just grunting. We cannot understand many of her phrases yet, but she is very intent on saying some words instead of just squawking or whining or grunting. This is amusing, but perhaps the funniest is her attempt at humor. During dinner, when someone at the table is telling a story, she bursts out with this fake laugh, dips her head, and shakes her head from side to side, as if enjoying the punchline. It is hysterical, because we all start laughing, and then she really starts to giggle, but continues with the head shaking/dipping. I think she is going to be the funny one in our bunch. What a ham! She has also developed a love for shoes, and has a pair of pink shiny shoes that cause her to dance. This is also entertaining. She seems to like punk music, and flowy female vocals as well. Today she did something very gross, and I am worried about the outcome. We had "Saucy Chicken Casserole" last night for dinner. Before I ate my chicken, I did a quick "fat check" to remove any big pieces of that before eating it - one of my worst feelings: biting into meat that has a bunch of fat, always makes me gag. Anyway, sorry, that was an icky description. Okay, after dinner, I tossed the scraps into the garbage, and it was rather full, but I didn't take out the trash. Today, during a renegade trip to the kitchen garbage can, Avery discovered the remains of the chicken, and put all of it in her mouth. When I picked her up to change her diaper, I smelled something that wasn't diaper-related, and asked her to open her mouth. She obliged, and I found the chicken. I was pretty grossed out, and after digging it out, called Grandma G, the nurse, and asked her if I should be worried. She gave me the number for poison control (I guess that answer was yes), and I called them. They told me not to worry, but just watch for signs of food poisoning, and if she has those symptoms for more than 24 hours, see the doctor so she doesn't get dehydrated. Hopefully, all will be well, and her digestive system will take care of any bacteria she ingested.

Okay, just wanted to give a little update. Hope life is going well for all of you, and know that I enjoy reading your news!

Royal "To Do" at Castle Rahija

- ARP (Associated Royal Press)

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! (I guess it should be "Read Ye! Read Ye!") Princess Erin has celebrated the fifth anniversary of her birth. The Royal To Do, held at Castle Rahija, in the kingdom of Lawrence was a huge success, with all invited guests attending, and even a few surprise guests! Unfortunately, the royal photograph machine was not functioning, due to a lemonade situation a week prior to the celebration. Guests, including Evil Aidan, Lady Chloe: Tamer of the Dragons, Lady Jordan, William the Terrible (fire-breathing dragon), and Sir Avery: Knight of the Square Table arrived in their finery, as was Queen Sarah, who wore her finest queen attire from the wedding celebration of Their Highness John and Michelle of Castle Riggs. Surprise guests were Sir Matt and Lady Dena of Castle Broderick, who "rode in" for a quick moment.

Guests enjoyed exploring our castle grounds, and were brave enough to enter the cave of the dreadful dragon, William the Terrible, who chased them back to the safety of the castle walls. The Evil Aidan attacked at some point during the evening, and the group fended off his evil army with their marshmallow catapults. The guests also had the task of returning the tails to the dragon (dragons, much like some lizards, periodically lose their tails). William the Terrible (of course being a dragon) did very well in placing his tail in the correct place.

Guests enjoyed a strawberry tiara cake (bunt cake, frosted yellow with jolly rancher jewels, and 5 yellow candles for the "pointy parts"), fruit punch/pineapple, apple, orange juice in jeweled tumblers with their names insribed on the side. They also feasted on crackers, pretzels, and a castle of cheese, constructed by none other than King David.

Guests were all different ages and sizes, but a good time was had by all. Sir Avery, who had traveled from Castle Baranet in the Kingdom of Eudora, stayed later to have some special play time with Princess Erin. What a blessing to have good friends, near and far!


(Evil Aidan's mom snapped a few pics, so maybe we can find some pictoral evidance of these goings-on)

"I think I need a thermometer"

After a "weekend of wilderness fun" - or at least controlled camping environment fun! - we are slowly unpacking the bags, moisturizing our sunburns, and trying to figure out what kind of cake we can do to even come close to being as cool as the one Uncle John and Aunt Michelle made for the Rahija Birthday Campout Weekend! Erin had a blast at Clinton Lake this past weekend, after a year of planning, inviting, and painstakingly waiting, her dream was fulfilled. She played so hard in the water, that I think she started developing scales. She is so brown, and her hair is quite a bit lighter as well. She was so tired that she fell asleep on a couch before worship service, slept through the music practice, through the service, and through the furniture re-arrange that happens after service and before the meal.

Today, we had a not-so-fun day, as Erin woke up "feeling really yucky." Thirty minutes later she was hunched over a bucket, watching Toy Story. I, for one, was impressed. She turned her head to the side to heave, and never broke eye contact with the television. I wiped her mouth with a washcloth, dumped her bucket, and returned it to her, where she held it at her side until it was needed again later.

She is such a good little trooper. I think the funniest thing about Erin being sick is that she gets far more panicky about the thought of having a fever than throwing up or having a tummy ache. I felt her hot little head and told her that she had a fever, and she nearly went into a panic attack. Later this afternoon, she ambled upstairs and flopped on a chair and said in a very dramatic voice, "I am so sick that I think I even need a thermometer." I asked why she thought that, and she told me that thermometers help sick people feel better. She knew that on good authority because her grandma is a nurse. Well, we did indeed have a thermometer, and put it to use, healing the sickness right out of that girl. We also prayed and sent her to bed at a good time!

Only time will tell if the thermometer is a healing agent ... I have to say I'm embarrassed to say I did not know of this healing measure - and I lived with the thermometer expert for 20 years!

New Favorite

Well, I have a new favorite song ... "East to West" by Casting Crowns. It really hit me as a song that speaks to a place I hit somtimes ... not that I am afraid, of rejection, just not wanting to fall back into a lifestyle that destroys ... AND the assurance that Jesus did, does, and will always know, understand, and be there in those moments! The song is on their new album that releases in August, and is currently the first song that plays on their myspace page. LOVE IT!

East to West

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Did you know...?

Another Erinism has come to my attention ...

Last week Erin and I were taking a walk around our little condo neighborhood, I was pushing Avery and she was pushing Abby in strollers. Erin's stroller is a little short for her now, so the walks are a bit painful to watch, but she still likes to do this. As we were walking, I noticed a dead slug on the sidewalk, and pointed it out to her, merely in hopes of helping her stroller wheels avoid contact with the expired slug. She skirted it, and I dismissed it. Two or three sidewalk squares later, Erin pauses, sniffs the air, and says,
"Yep, that was a slug alright."
I said, "I know, I pointed it out to you, remember?"
"Yeah, but how did you know, Mom?"
"Well, I saw it and just knew, because I have seen them before."
"Well, I know too."
"Oh?"
"Yep, don't you smell it?"
"Smell what?"
"The slug."
"Um, no, I hadn't stopped to sniff it."
"Well, you don't need to stop, Mom, just smell the air. Come on, try it. " (model sniffing ensues) "Don't you smell it?"
"Well, it does kind of smell like something."
"Slug stink mom, that smell you are smelling is the stink of slug, and that's how you can know if it's really a slug or not. Trust me, I know, I touch those things all the time, and that's what my hands smell like, exactly."
"Oh, thanks for sharing that with me, Erin, I learned something from you today."
"Thank you, mommy!" (beaming face emerges, and stroller resumes route).

Oh, what a kid!

Cast-Off!

Well, Erin's arm is stink-free now, as her cast came off last week. She was so itchy (and stinky), and scratched a sore in the crease of her arm. Poor thing, we were trying to wash it to remove the cast residue (and STINK), and she was so afraid of moving it, in case it wasn't better. Thankfully, it is healing nicely, and the bone has made the protective "cocoon" around the break, so she can be without the cast, but still needs to be careful while it is healing. We go back the first week of July to hopefully get the "all clear".

Some things we learned through this process:

1. not all doctor offices expect or display the same level of courtesy in their reception area
2. worm-diggin' four-year-olds can get dirt in the most interesting places
3. water can invade a plastic trash bag in many places
4. plastic trash bags tied onto arms make great baby-scaring splashers
5. a pink cast, no mater how cuddly it appears, is a weapon in disguise
6. it is hard to eat a sandwich when the arm is bent in a 90 degree angle without the contents falling all over the floor
7. a comfortable sleeping position is something highly desired by one wearing a pink cast weapon
8. a pink cast draws much attention and sympathy from adults
9. said cast also gets many great bargains (even free-bies) at garage sales
10. And, perhaps the most memorable, the aroma of a pink, fading to dirt-brown cast is overwhelming near the hand region of a small child (especially when the small child has been handling worms, slugs, mud, dead rabbits, snails, and other fairly disgusting and stinky things). (David and I actually bickered over who had to sit on the "cast side" of the bed during story time at night, it was so bad!)

Thank you so much for your prayers, notes of encouragement and humor, and just loving Erin and our family. We thrive knowing that God has placed us in the middle of such a caring family. Erin sends her thanks, and told me today how special it made her feel to know that people were praying for her and her arm getting better faster. Thank you.

New accessory

Today we returned to our arm doctor for Erin's checkup. Thankfully everything looked great, and things are healing nicely. They even were able to cast her arm today, vs splinting it again, which makes me feel really great.

The past week has been really stressful for me trying to keep her arm still, clean, and from getting "more broken". Two events that stand out are Erin walking across the floor in our living room, a clear floor, surface unmarred by toys, paper, or clothing, and falling, without an explanation. Yep, there's mom coming through! The second event occurred Friday evening, at David's work cookout. Erin made herself right at home in this backyard, instantly making friends with the other child present, and immediately finding a way to be near the water feature. The two of them played and played, but suddenly Erin spied a worm in the bottom of the water. understand that when it comese to worms, Erin is all business - this is her life! She found a long stick and began trying to fish it out of the water. Now, this water feature is fairly deep, and has a fountain shooting out of the middle. Erin discovered this first hand, as she lost her balance, lost the worm, and lost her "dryness" in one fell swoop. We heard a yelp, splash, then crying, and turned to see a dripping, sniffling little girl. Her legs were scratched up, she was soaked, and she had landed on her arm, so it was hurting and soaked as well. Poor thing ... even her mouth was full of water, and when she opened up to squeeze out the words, "I'm wet.", the water poured out. Thankfully, our host offered her some dry clothes and she played the rest of the evening without incident. Those are just two examples of why life at our house has been a bit stressful this week - try explaining to a stubborn, active 4 year old why she can't ride her new bike, climb the tree, jump on a trampoline, race the other kids on the sidewalk ... it is not a fun or very successful experience, I might add.

Anyway, today, the doctor was pleased, and had the nurse put the cast on it (she wanted a rainbow cast, but settled for pink - it's very cute!), and when we go back on June 1st, we may get to keep it off! Exciting news for this girl who wants to be in dirt or water 24 hours a day! Thanks for praying for a quick and low-pain recovery! Have a great week!

Cast Away

The doctor visit yesterday was not an enjoyable trip ... more x-rays (with techs that were not as gentle as the ones we had in the ER), a doctor who could have cared less if we were there, or if his patient was a grown up or a kid (he was disgusted by the dirt under Erin's nails), and we left with no cast, just a fresh splint. However, Zack, the splint/cast applicator, was very cool, and the most helpful of anyone we saw there, including the rude receptionists, the nurse, and the doctor. We look forward to seeing him again, and Erin is still pining away for a rainbow cast. Zack promised her he'd do his best :) So, we go back for more x-rays next Monday, and will still probably be in the splint situation for the week following that, if I understood him correctly.

The doctor told us we needed to keep Erin quiet, and away from the other kids, so she wouldn't get knocked down or trip and fall ... any further injury will probably snap the bone, and be cause for surgery. Right now, it's just a fracture, so we can treat it "conservatively". Now, for those of you who know Erin, and even if you have ever read anything about Erin from this blog, you will probably get an inkling of how "easy and fun" it has been to try to explain to this child that she has to act calmly, not run, not play with the other kids, and not jump around (on beds or any other thing, like furniture, floors, out of trees - which is what she decided to do as we were heading out to pick up Avery today), but watch them out the window as they play right in front of our house. Oh well, this is a good time for learning lots of lessons, I guess, on all ends. You might think of us now and then, as we struggle through this healing period, and pray for Erin, that she would heal quickly, and also that sitting out for a few weeks would not be too torturous for her. She's been in tears several times already, so hopefully this will be easier to grasp as time goes on ... OR, David and I will spend lots of time trying to keep her tied down (after chasing her across the yard like we did last night as she made a break for it during our leadership team meeting). Thanks for loving her, even though she's a pistol!

Returned Monkeys

You may remember a few weeks back, I had a post about monkeys jumping on the bed, a trip to the ER, and a really big bump on Erin's head. The monkeys connection was simply a joke. However, today, we revisited that song (and the ER), on account of two little monkeys (aka Erin and her friend Jordan) that were jumping on my bed.

Thirty minutes prior to leaving for a picnic tonight, I was frosting cupcakes, and preparing to make the burgers for us to grill tonight. We had spent a large portion of the morning/afternoon baking cupcakes for the picnic tonight, and I needed to slap some sugary goodness on them. I heard the sound of Erin hollering for me ... "Momma, I need you, cause I hurt my arm real badly, and I just need you quick!" I didn't hear screaming or crying, but the red flag alarms were signaling loudly in my "mommy head". I ran to the stairs, where Erin and her friend Jordan kind of collapsed at my feet. Erin was crying, but not loudly, and writhing on the floor. Jordan was trying to console her, and keep from getting in trouble all at the same time. I moved Erin to the couch downstairs, loaded up a scooper of Children's Motrin, grabbed an ice pack, and headed down to check the damage. From what I could tell, there was lots of pain associated with any moving or touching of the arm. It was swelling somewhat, and Erin was still thrashing around from discomfort (all the while, dashingly attired in her baby blue Cinderella dress, a stunning display of outdated Mary Kay makeup, chocolate cake batter drippings, and good ol' backyard dirt). The story that came out, was that Erin and Jordan had been jumping on my bed, Erin fell down on the bed, and Jordan landed on her arm with her foot while she was still down.

What to do ... call Rachel, my nurse friend ... no answer ... call David, ask him to come home ... send Jordan back to her house ... drive to the ER.

We arrived at a slow time, so got right into a room, and began the battery of procedures. They took x-rays, and the first round, which had been very painful for the dirty princess, did not show what the doctor wanted, so we had to redo it, which didn't make anyone excited. However, they gave her some Tylenol 3 (you know, the kind with codeine in it), and that helped a bit, as did the tremendous techs who worked so patiently with her. Those films showed what we feared, a break, right above her elbow. The drug kicked in while we were looking at the film with the dr, and Erin slept right through them putting it into a splint - thankfully, because I think she might have lost it at that moment. We now have a prescription for the special pain meds that she can take every 4-6 hours, and we took a bath with that fantastic splint on tonight. We see another doctor on Monday, and will know more then, but I just wanted to let everyone know that Erin has broken her first bone.

Have a great weekend!

Satin Sale

Hi. I never know how many people read my blog, or even just stumble across it, but I wanted to use it as another avenue to share the Satin Hands Sale I am hosting ...

Mary Kay's Satin Hands Pampering Set, recently revised into the Peach Smoothie formula, contains 1 Peach Smoothie Hand Scrub (exfoliant and cleanser), 1 Extra Emolient Night Cream, and 1 Hand Cream in a cute orange bag. It is regularly $30, but I am offering it on sale right now until May 4th for $20. If you buy two sets, the third set is only $15. Mary Kay is offering a great special to consultants currently, and I wanted to offer a special price to customers, especially as Mother's Day, graduations, weddings, new babies, and all sorts of great things are coming up soon!

Brides, there are many ways I can help make your day easier. Contact me for a free color consult and facial, and tips for those gorgeous wedding photos! Graduates, are you still looking for that perfect job? Let me help you with that professional, polished look for your interviews! Class reunion attendees, need a little help with a fresh look, some slimmer thighs, or younger looking skin? Let me help with a make over, a microdermabrasion treatment, and showing you the new Cellushape product!

Check out all of our new products, and your favorite ones on my personal Mary Kay website, www.marykay.com/sarah_rahija! Thanks, and have a great day!

(when you purchase through my website, make sure to enter the word "blog" in the COMMENTS section, so I know to give the discount - when you pay with a card, I always have to add in the tax and reconcile it personally, so the discount will be added then.)

Eternity Focus

I received a link from my lovely friend Valerie today, announcing the newly available CD for the group Eternity Focus, based out of Lebanon, KS. Now why is this exciting and special to me?? Well, when these girls were very small, Valerie and I, along with two of our friends, Dara and Amber, had a singing group called SAVeD, and we traveled all over the area singing at community functions, county fairs, churches, ... We met this family during that time, and they were as cute as could be. We watched them sing and dance to all of our songs, and it was precious! We watched them grow and we performed at some of the same events. I saw them perform at Gaylord, KS, for Watermelon Day in September, and couldn't believe my eyes (and ears!). It was so precious watching them, on the same stage we were about 10 years ago, and listen to Erin sing along with them. As we were listening to their sound clips from their new CD, Avery was singing and patting her leg in time with the music. What a precious connection we have in the joy of worshiping our Savior!

If you have a minute, check out Eternity Focus at their website and listen to them for a bit!

Phew!

Well, I was getting a bit worried that I was not going to be able to continue blogging, as Blogger switched over to the "new" system, and I needed a Google account to login, but I got the issue taken care of, and it only took me a minute! Phew! You're all saved and I'm sure, relieved, to know that I will be able to carry on the blogging of the exciting life and times of the Rahija family, and other related people/issues! Carry on, carry on!

Packing in Reverse

We are here!

Settled? No.

Living without feeling cramped, despite the fact that half of our things are still in boxes around us? YES!

We are loving life in Lawrence, and the fact that we do not have to drive for 15+ minutes to do anything! We are close to friends, our "family", David's job, and everything else we do! We are partially throuth unpacking, and each time we make another empty box, we do a little "woo hoo" dance around here! This morning, Rachel and Lisa came to take our empty boxes, and there were lots of them! The kitchen is done, Erin's art area is done (with two whole kitchen cabinets all to herself!), Erin's room is unpacked and is a beautiful princess castle, thanks to both grandmas, Aunt Krista, the grandpas, and Daddy. The castle walls are precious, and her window seat is a dream come true for her. We still have to put up the canopy and chair rail, hang the clock, and make a picture line (much like a clothes line, where she can clothespin her creations up without pushpins or clips that little sister might like to eat), but she is really enjoying her castle each day, her electric keyboard, and dressing up like a princess! The rest we are unearthing bit by bit, one box at a time. I usually get through 5-8 boxes a day, and although that is slow, I am sorting, throwing away/recycling/freecycling, and organizing as I go, instead of having to do that three years down the road, like we did the last time we moved.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that we are becoming a part of Lawrence now, and feel at home here. We love our home, our neighborhood, and our town. May God use our home for His purpose!

Boxville

It's here! Moving Day! We closed on our first home, and will attempt to move in today ... however because of several events of the week, we are not "exactly" ready, so I'm procrastinating, but I wanted to let everyone know that we may be "disconnected" for a day or so, as we unearth things from "Boxville". We are so thankful to our family and friends who have helped this week, so far, and those who are coming to help us today, with packing, moving, childcare, food, and support. THANK YOU! The next time I post, it will be from our new home in LAWRENCE, KS! Yippee! Have a great Saturday!

Small Details

Well, we thought we were going to close on our first home tomorrow, but something has happened, and we will not be able to do so until Tuesday or Wednesday. This is not a terribly big deal, but makes me uneasy. I know, ... TRUST! It pushes back our plans for painting and the number of days we have to move over the separate rooms and get the girls' rooms ready, but we'll try to get as much done as possible.

Okay, crying baby and yelling big sister in the other room, they're both to be going to sleep ... better intervene! Happy Monday from Boxville :)

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, ...

While talking to Mom R. on the phone tonight, I heard the distict sound of the "pain scream" coming from our downstairs bathroom. I ran to the door, flung it open, and the sight within confirmed the "pain" descriptor of the scream, as I saw Erin jumping/dancing around the bathroom, screaming, and clawing at her head. I told Mom I'd call her back, and David, who had also joined us in our little bathroom, and I tried to sort out the source of the pain. We discovered a huge - no, that is not an exaggeration -- bump on the back of her head, but no blood. After a few unsuccessful tries, we finally conviced Erin to divulge the events leading up to the screaming/dancing ...

A few minutes before the above mentioned events, Erin had touched the raw hamburger I was thawing for tomorrow's lunch. I noticed and told her to immediately (not after licking or wiping on her pants) go wash her hands with soap. She headed to the bathroom, and I guess got sidetracked, or just had "one" of her headstrong moments, and did not end up washing her hands, but managed to scale the counter and was sitting on it, feet in the sink basin. "By an accident" she lost her balance, and toppled backwards, smashing head-first on the tile floor, thus causing a sharp pain at the back of her skull. To our knowledge, she did not pass out, but we were concerned at the size of the rapidly growing lump on the back of her head. I felt, once again in our life of parenthood, that we had crossed over into the cartoon realm, as a skinny, pointy bump rose higher and higher from her scalp. During the first exploration, David and I were both looking for the point of pain, and I found the bump, but thought it was his finger. I called our nurse friend Rachel, and she suggested taking Erin to the ER, which we did.

Now, we have not had wonderful results at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital ER, and have spent many hours waiting, and being frustrated with the service. However, tonight was a complete redemtion for the LMH ER. Erin was in triage before we had really finished registering, and we were there for less than 30 minutes ... WITH great service from the staff, nurses, and doctor. What a pleasant surprise! They did not do a scan of her head, but decided that only after examining Erin for signs of head trauma. They want us to wake her every two hours through the night, and take her to a regular pediatrician in the morning.

We came out of the ER to find that Grandma and Grandpa R were on their way to wait with us, and be with us. Since we finished before they arrived, we all went to IHOP for some late supper, which was nice. It's nice to be loved, and have grandparents close to us!

We are so thankful that she is okay. We are hopeful that she learned a valuable lesson ... one that was further enforced on our car ride into town, as the song playing when we turned on the music was "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed", who, as we all know, fell off and bumped their heads. It was kind of funny, however, I don't think Erin agreed.


... No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!!!

Hip ... Hip ...

Lots to celebrate at our house ...

1. David is HOME! He and Wayne arrived last night at 10:31, and we were SOOOO happy to see them! I don't know who was more excited/impatient, Erin, Mommy, or Grandma :) It's amazing how much I missed that man! The girls had fun reactions to his return, so that made Daddy pleased ... I don't know who was smiling or hugging more, Daddy or Erin :)

2. It looks as though our house purchase is going to happen! We have a contract, the inspections are done and passed, and I think we are just waiting on the final business end of things, with the appraisal and loan. I am going to call our landlord this afternoon and let them know we are planning on leaving.

3. Along with #2, comes a closing date of March 26th, (two weeks from today!) which means moving the last few days of the month, which means two weeks to pack! Mom R. came for the weekend and worked really hard to help get us ready. We worked on getting the kitchen back under control and doing a bit of cooking in advance, packing up the framed pictures, putting away the clean laundry, cleaning/organizing/throwing away lots of junk from the floor of the girls' room, clearing out the upstairs hallway, and other general cleaning to be organized to pack -- clean things are nicer to pack than dirty ones! The boxes are starting to accumulate, and soon, we'll be in the land of cardboard around here! Thank you for ALL of your help, Mom!

4. KU won the Big 12 Championship

5. Erin and I have spent the last hour planning on how to decorate her new room at our new house. She is not very open to the idea of moving, so I'm hoping that this project will generate some excitement.

6. Avery is on antibiotics for an ear infection, but the good news is that we found a new pediatric office in Lawrence that we like! She doesn't complain of the pain very often, and is such a good baby!

7. Erin and I didn't kill each other while David was away. In fact, it seems today has been a bit more rough than most of the time he was gone.

8. I slept soundly for the first time in about 2 weeks last night, even though it was a short night.

So, it feels like we are having a little time to breathe, together, as a family. Thank you for all of your prayers and support during the last two weeks. We have been blessed! Have a great week!

Still Standing

Hello. Just wanted to let everyone know that we are holding out, and enjoying our time together, just girls. Erin, Avery, and I went to Athol to visit the farm, where baby calves were poppin' out right and left! The trip was short, but fun. Now, we are home, and Grandma Rahija has come to help us get ready to move! How exciting! We are mainly cleaning right now, but tomorrow we'll get some packing done, and that will feel great! David and Dad arrive home on Sunday, barring any problems in Guatemala with the special guest arriving with added security. We are all missing each other, and now counting down the time until we are together again.

Some things learned this week:

• Calves have stickery tongues (learned by Erin when licked on the hand by Speedie the calf).
• Cow poop stinks.
• Grandmas don't like prairie chicken feathers on their kitchen table, especially the ones that came from a prairie chicken recently ripped to pieces by a wild animal.
• Mommy can sing "I Love You A Bushel and A Peck for 30+ minutes without stopping if needed.
• Babies can cry a lot when they get their toe poked by a sharp thing wielded by their grandma.
• Green beans are not as appetizing as pieces vs. mush to a near-one-year-old.
• Erin looks/acts like a future American Idol starlet (as noticed by a man in Walgreens today).
• There are many wonders to be found in Walgreens, especially if one has an hour to kill walking through the store.
• Other people's children are sometimes as obnoxious as mine :)

That's about it. Thanks for your prayers - they are appreciated and being answered (Erin has only had a few major tantrum-like episodes all week, less than normal!).

Mushroom

It's a fungus, it's a cloud, no, it's ... Erin?

Here is a fun Erin story from our adventure to Sam's on Saturday with Grandma, Aunt Michelle, and Natalie. We had a nice outing, and some great "girl time" together! I can vouch for Michelle's laughter ... I heard it in the next aisle, and zipped around the corner, fearing what I would find my daughter doing. Thankfully, it was simply comical, not comical and destructive :)

Thanks for pushing the girls, Chelle! I know Erin enjoyed our day, as did Avery and I!

http://chellenee.blogspot.com/2007/03/sams-club.html