Stephabeth and Family: May 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Exi - STINT - tial!

Where to start? It has been hectic and wonderful. It’s only taken me a million times to get this entry going.

We spent a glorious week with the kids last week. Monday through Thursday we had half days. Now then, in order for you to get a true picture of how hectic it was, we must revisit two posts ago.

My brother, Abraham, perhaps you remember his picture? Well, here is a new picture! AND here is the newest addition to my family! She is absolutely wonderful! Granted I’ve spent about 2 hours ish in her presence. BUT for starters, Abraham loves her. He is the “oak,” if you will. He never fell for a girl until he was found the one God had for him. Secondly, when I met her I was nauseous with pain. For me that simply means, I am not myself. Hopefully, she will read this and forgive my absolute absurd ridiculous self. No, I didn’t do anything stupid, but I wasn’t me and that is enough. Lauren is wonderful! Meet Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Kafoure!

Third, she full on welcomed my babies! They sat at the table with Abraham, Lauren and several other family members and the bride & groom were fine with it.

We left on May 16^th and came back on May 20^th. The kid last week of school was the 21^st through the 24^th. I had four days to unpack, launder, sort, and repack the kids. Add to that there was mega house cleaning to do simply to make the house bare minimum clean. There was no way on earth that I was going to spend the last week with Kyle and Abby focusing on cleaning and packing. Therefore, the hours that the kids were in school I spent frantically cleaning, grocery shopping, laundering, sorting, packing, and running life errands. From 12:30pm until bedtime, we went to the park, played in the hose, had friends over, went for picnics, and watched movies. At bedtime until 10 or 11pm, I was back to the cleaning, laundering, sorting, and packing. Friday the kids weren’t going to be picked up until 4pm so we went out on the Trace. Owens Creek has a little waterfall, hiking trails, and a picnic area. That week was just what the doctor ordered for our family. We had SO much fun! There are pictures and those will come later. Right now, that requires time and I’m trying to stay focused and get the stories out.

After Kyle and Abby left Friday, Stephen went to work. I got a phone call around 8:30pm. The car needed some work. I picked up Stephen, went for the part, and the car decided AFTER I reached the house to not start. Oh wait, that waited until 11:30pm. Yes, it’s true.

The visitor we have this week left me a gift between picking Stephen up for the car part and getting home. Yes, a wet one. Saturday I zonked out by about 8pm. That same visitor left Stephen 2 gifts. Sunday morning I found yet another. The guest is now outside at night and when we leave. Bless that guest’s little heart. Fortunately, nothing has happened since and we are all back on amiable terms!

Today? Oh, yes, I skipped a couple of days, but anyhoot. Today I got my stint out!!!! YYAAYYY!! And our pharmacy, darling people, is all out of my pain meds. Yep! So God and I have had a non-stop conversation about helping and strength giving. Stephen and I have basically watched movies, shot hoops (I got into trouble for doing a small hop while making a shot =/ ), had dinner, and watched more movies while enjoying the glorious thunder storm! Did I mention our guest doesn’t like storms either? Tends to get loud, chewy, and whiny. I simply made the guest chill. It can be done. It happened!

I love my husband. This week has been a wonderful chance for us to just relax. We have teased, joked, and laughed more than we have in a long time. Speaking of laughter my darling husband came with me to the hospital…obviously. I was quiet nervous about having my stint removed. I mean, seriously people, how many of you have had a stint removed? This was and hopefully will always be the only stint I’ve ever had removed! Stephen? He helped me laugh and smile and pass the time without nerves. Close to the end of my pre-op time I got more nervous and grumpy. Instead of getting upset, he was incredibly sensitive to that. He just stayed close and loved on me. I needed that. He has helped me laugh and relax all afternoon/evening when he would sense I was struggling with the no pain meds deal.

By the way, this week has been a nice chance to relax. Now? Well, now it is time for Kyle and Abby to return. We need laughter from children. We need the chance to have snuggles. Kaden needs his babies home. Frankly, it’s slightly adorable. The first night he spent between Kyle and Abby’s rooms. He couldn’t decide which room to sleep in so he slept in both.

I hope you all are relaxing this summer. Life is all about the little things. The baby tomatoes on vines. The rain drops on the window. Puppy kisses. Basketballs swishing with a nothing but net shot.

Love ya! Praying for you!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Too cute not to share

Dear friends, it's no mystery I had kidney surgery. It is a mystery how eight weeks post op can make me swell until people ask if I'm prego. Which I am not. Anyways, we made a lengthy trip home Sunday. This morning Kyle asked why I was a little grumpy. I said it was because I still wasn't feeling great. This afternoon the question was repeated with greater concern. I told I am fine but that my kidney didn't agree. Lol. He asked to see it. I showed him with my shirt covering my tummy. Then I showed what it would look like if I weren't trying to hold it in. Kyle's response was, "It's ok. You can let your tummy out and I won't even think you're fat!"

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Can you smell it?

It's that deliciously heavy scent. The sky is clear and everything is holding its breath. That is the scent of rain. I love it! Rain means everything is going to be washed clean. What better place to enjoy the rain than on a screened in porch? Oh, a screened in porch in the beautiful Blue Ridge, GA mountains! It was been a wonderful weekend that has flown by entirely too quickly.

My parents rented two cabins that housed my parents, brothers (2), Solomon and family, Aunt Jo & Uncle Dan, Aunt Shawn, Lucien & Molly, my sister and her friend, and my family of four. There are no highways or big lights nearby. It is beautiful. It is perfect! If the Lord allows, Stephen and I will move to a very similar home. This has been a wonderful weekend of family reunion and celebrating our newest addition!

The lovely Lauren (Mier) Kafoure has joined us! We all love her and her family is very sweet as well. She and Abraham (2nd oldest brother) are off to their honeymoon tomorrow. We couldn't be happier! This wedding was the first wedding that Stephen and I attended as a married couple. Lauren & Abraham were so sweet and adorable! It reminded me of our wedding...except no one reached for the wrong hand to put the ring on or tried to read their vows upside down.

It's growing dark now. You can't even see the mountains the rain is so heavy. It's beautiful. I truly hope that someday Stephen & I may have our dream home. I will post pictures of all the events later. I just wanted to share with you the joy of rain drops on leaves with thunder rolling across the sky. There is nothing more perfect. Keep your chin up! Smile into adversity! We love you and are praying for you!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Oh...let's see...

Oh...let's see. Stephen's poison ivy is worse. Doodles is getting healthier. Mr. T. (aka Kyle) has been much more normal (which I have missed!) I am healthier. Kaden is being a poo head. Yes, that about sums it up.

We discovered there is a shot that can help Stephen. (PRAISE!)

We discovered Doodles has a cold and is on antibiotics. That seems a rather obvious statement, but after 3 days of fever we were concerned.

Mr. T - I'm not sure what brought our Mr. T back to us, but I am most definitely glad he is!

Unfortunately for my family, after today I am on overload. Multiple times a night I wake up to stop Stephen from scratching himself to death. I wake up to listen if Doodles is coughing then go check her to make sure she isn't burning up. Today I had to shower while the kids ate breakfast. (7 minute shower with shaving the legs - I'm that good.) We (Doodles& I) ran Mr. T to school, set her up with a movie, called the doctor & set up an appointment, and finished cleaning myself and the kitchen (from last night's dinner chaos) all in about an hour and 20. It was bad in the kitchen, but Stephen & I were exhausted so we did the bare minimum.

Doodles & I left the house at 9am and didn't return home until 12:50pm. Doodles never complained, huffed, or whined. I also never ate in that whole time. We picnicked over a light lunch. Doodles lay down on the futon so she could rest and I did more housework.

Please note the NO BREAKFAST & LIGHT LUNCH. We all know, well those of you who know me well, that I must eat. It's not optional. Not only does it effect my mood, it effects how awake I am.

2 hours - that is all the time we had. We left to get in line to pick up Mr. T. Once we got in line, I asked Doodles to let me rest for 10 minutes. Let us point out her last name "Langenmayr," it is synonymous with "antagonizer" ...well, at least for the Pine Ridge section. Please don't be offended dear Langenmayr family, you know what I mean.

So she did. She antagonized, until I finally looked her square in the eye and said (in a very calm voice - no joke!) "You will look out the window. I'm down to 2 minutes. I need those 2 minutes if I'm going to make it the rest of the evening." She sat, stared at me, then turned to the window completely floored that I had said it.

10 minutes later - RAP! RAP! RAP! "Hey Lady! Nap time is over!"

No? Oh yes! I had fallen so deep asleep that 10 minutes passed and I was holding up the car line by 5 car lengths! The very kind gentleman out weed whacking, weed eating, whatever you call it, his lawn noticed I was completely out. He tried to wake me quietly, which didn't work. He had to RAP very hard on my driver window to wake me up!

SO EMBARRASSING!!!! I know...I misspell that word every time, forgive me.

Doodles and I laughed histerically! I can't believe I did that!

Here I sit. STill have not eaten. That will take place in 10 minutes. However, I have downed quite a bit of fluid.

Never fear, I don't just pass out. What happens is I get tired. If I sit still, then everything is over and I fall asleep. Crazy! But my metabolism demands I eat! So...I'm signing off!

Keep it real! Love you and praying for you!

Friday, May 4, 2012

So much going on!

Hellooooooo my friends! As you can imagine, there is a lot to be done and a lot being done! For example, my washing machine no longer backs up into my kitchen sink leaving a less than desirable scent. (Thank you landlord!) Stephen is fixing our toilet and kitchen faucet! YAY! We can now use our own bathroom again and I can....Stephen can do dishes without three streams of water! All of these are just general wear and tear on this house. It is an older home be we LOVE it!

There is also baseball/t-ball, school functions, church, work, doctor appointments, exercising, cleaning...oh the list! Kyle's team won their first game of the season! Abby's team has won four games, last night being the fourth! Abby's school had their field trip to Gone Wild Safari, it was great! Kyle's school had their May Day celebration, aka field day. We think we found a church home! Abby & Kyle finisshed their Awanas program. So cute! Stephen is working like crazy during their dockside period. I finally spent a day without being contacted by or visiting a doctor for the first time in a while. Water fitness class started...and ended. The house does not stay clean! But I love it!

Here are some pictures for you!

So in LA, KDG roundup is during the school day. Poor defenseless and so...well, you'll get the picture ;) Abby and I spent the day doing things that only girls would love to do! She played baby dolls for a couple of hours, made some hair bows, went on a picnic, and watched a movie!

Of course, Abby HAD to bring her buddy on the picnic...

After such a fun day, we went to pick Kyle up from school.

Abby looked like this 5 minutes after we got in line.

This GORGEOUS flower is on a tree in our backyard.

I wish I was better at identifying flowers, and growing flowers, and just taking care of them in general.

Fortunately for me, the lady that owned this house originally planted many hardy flowers that return every year! (Yes, there is a word for it. However, it is 10:36pm my time and I'm tired!)

Kyle and Abby had to accompany me to a checkup for a minute.

I got nervous, we all know how I love doctors, so Kyle gave me a pep talk.

Abby loves to cheese!

On...Tuesday, Kaden and I decided we would go for a walk.

You see, I do not enjoy sitting still.

Last week I began water fitness classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

That means I have Tuesday, Thursday, and either Saturday or Sunday to walk!

Since March I haven't been able to walk very far.

You may remember how Kaden felt about the pace I used post-op.

Well, I wasn't winning any speed walking races, but I did well!

Kaden and I made it almost to the very end of the Riverwalk!

Almost...Poor little Kaden couldn't make it quite to the end.

Kyle's school had May Day celebration!

I volunteered at it and manned the speed cup station. Kyle and I did get a few minutes to walk around together. They offered hair spray painting and Kyle wanted to do Gator colors. Of course, we are in the midst of LSU territory. They did not offer orange and blue. We therevore found the closest thing...pink with a tint of orange.

We had a HUGE bounce slide, wall ball, nail painting, hair spray painting (see above), card making, cake walk, speed cups, concession stands, an obstacle course, and bungee racing!