It's Christmas Eve Eve!!

The day after tomorrow is Christmas! Can you believe it!? We are going to be taking it easy. There will be ham, rolls, Christmas cookies, candy, and Christmas movies! Most likely an adventure or two As well.

These past few have been very exhausting. The kids have been on sugar high after sugar high! Lol. Steve has been hard at work and me? I start to get going and am reminded to chill. So instead I was here for the new roof, hopefully new thermostat (heat got down to 63 due to miscommunication between the thermostat and furnace). Our wonderful landlords came quickly to our rescue.

Thursday I go to the K.Dr for he midway check of my stent. We will most likely schedule the stent removal as well. I tell you, it is SO wonderful to not feel full of fluid all th time! The tater tot timer is calling. So much live to you all! Adios!

Gingerbread & Espresso Kind of Morning

It's just one of those mornings.

Believe it or not, my friends, you have not been forgotten.

There have been so many moments when I have started to write and had to stop; finished a post and my computer has blipped - effectively erasing everything I just wrote; words have welled up inside of me until I felt ready to burst!

 

I am not free to write everything that is going on. Embarrassingly enough, my focus has gone from counting gifts to counting frustrations in this the season of joy.

 

So...let's starting those gifts and joys, shall we?

 

 

1. November 28th went as smooth as butter.

K.Dr. was able to go in, remove my scar tissue and insert my new stent.

Did I already tell you that? Anyhoot, it goes from kidney all the way down to my bladder. It's rather large. Thankfully, my body is no longer cramping down on it like it did in the beginning.

 

2. My momma, who has Lymes, has begun her antibiotics.

If you are unfamiliar with Lymes, you don't know how awful it can be. Most people's cases are caught quickly, Mom's took years to discover. Last time the antibiotics were shutting down her liver, causing intense pains, and multiple other issues. Her body is reacting again, however in a more positive way. Her adrenals are improving and the Lymes is responding as we had hoped. However, that means that she is overall not feeling well. You know how it is with medicine (and storms) it always gets worse before it gets better.

That's a gift/joy that she is responding well and a prayer request for her.

My Momma is bar none the absolute most amazing, compassionate, loving, gentle hearted soul. I hope that some day I can be a fourth as wonderful as she is.

 

3. Frankie is no longer messing in the house!

He is limiting his accidents/fits to the concrete back porch, the bed of the truck and Steve's office.

 

4. Steve's and my Christmas gifts came in!

We bought ourselves a new living room set! It is so comfy that I tend to sleep better on it than I do my own bed! ...well, except for last night. I was so exhausted last night that outside of when Stephen decided it would be a good idea to squoosh (sp?) me by rolling on top of me in his sleep, I slept like a log! It was that lovely sleep where you feel as if you are just floating and cocooned safely where no grumpy thing can reach you.

Unfortunately, my darling husband's MULTIPLE alarms went off and there went the feeling.

 

5. Our new espresso machine has arrived!

Our old machine (not even 2 yrs old) had gone kaput. After emailing Cuisinart, we learned that if we paid to have the old one shipped they would send us a brand new machine for free! So let's see, continue living in a town where I make the best espresso (it's not bragging if it's true) without an espresso machine, or buy a new $200 machine, or pay $30 to ship the old one back. We chose option three!

 

6. The aforementioned option three is being helpful at this very moment!

Espresso, steamed coconut milk, and gingerbread cookies.

 

Nothing is necessarily wrong, so don't be alarmed or concerned.

I am being selfish and emotional.

This year is a little tough on all of us, it seems. God is so good though. He pours out His blessings each and every day. I know it's selfish to ask for prayers right now when so many are truly suffering. But I am. Family is more important to my Stephen and me than anything else in this world. This Christmas is flickering between spending it with family and not. My personality does not do well with flickering, I do solid and steady. So please just pray that we remember that as long as we are focused on Christ He will carry us through and be the reason for our joy regardless of what happens this Christmas.

 

7. Kyle received a pretty good report from the ENT!

He will need to have one more minor procedure and then we should be fine! The left ear is mostly healed. (That is the one repaired back in Sept/Oct) There is only a tiny slit of a hole below where the graft (sp) was placed. Kyle's right ear only has a tiny little hole as well. The ENT will be going in and repairing both of those hopefully next month. If all goes well, Kyle will be able to play in water without fear of getting ear infections! You have no idea how big of a deal that is until you have to be concerned about it. His ears have been so sensitive that the little water that wiggled around his ear plugs at Blue Bayou gave him a minor ear infection this past summer!

 

I need to go eat some real breakfast. Here are some pictures for you. =)

 

Frankie has been feeling a little under the weather. Did he come to me? Nope, big tough Stephen! Frankie's problem? It's COLD! He is not at all a fan of cold weather!

(Sorry the picture is bleached. Trying to get Stephen to take anything less than a "manly" picture at that moment was  a little difficult!)

Cousin It came to visit!!!

 

We LOVE Christmas!

 

Christmas cookies!

Christmas trees!

Plus - my baby is just the best looking 4th grader EVER!

 

 

My puppy knows when I need some extra lovins and stayed on this cold hard tile floor while I typed this.

Follow that up with me allowing him to put his front paws on my lap. He tried to literally climb his 96lb self up onto my lap, finally settling for giving me lots of kisses.

 



October through November! YIKES

My oh my how time does fly. It has been a month and a half dear friends since I have written you. That month has been full of all sorts of activities! However, those are mere excuses for not letting you see all the fun we have been having.

 

Typically, when Stephen comes back, we both hit a point where we are ready for him to go underway for 2 - 3 days. This time - well, it is not at all what either of us wants or even slightly desire. It has been a time of growth and laughter for us all. Growth came mostly on my part, since I seem to be the one who most desperately needs to learn. Up until now, it has been easiest to just stay the one in charge. The one who does bedtimes, getting up, errands, behavior, dog training, chores, cooking, cleaning, etc. God used the St. Louis trip to teach me. I had to be the one in charge for the majority of that time. Talk about exhausting! These past 6 weeks have been full of God helping me open my hands on control. I don't need to be the one jumping on everything all the time. Stephen needs to be allowed to be the head of the household. Thankfully my husband is absolutely fabulous and has not ever complained or belittled or checked me harshly for  how I have acted. He took it in stride and loved me despite all of my short comings! We have all jelled more as a family and the kids are much more at ease with everything now that Stephen is at home. They are pretty upset still over the fact that Daddy knows everything with this new way of handling things. Lol. They both have let it be known on various occasions they'd rather me keep their mistakes to myself. Sharing it with my husband has helped them understand what a family team is truly supposed to look like though, and Stephen & I love that!

 

Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat were wonderful! The kids had a wonderful time eating too much candy and playing games! Kyle was Spider Man! We found a costume complete with muscles and a mask!

 

 

In reference to how slender my darling daughter appears, she had been sick off and on for about 3 weeks. Poor baby could not shake off the bug! Guess who she dressed up as! We even found silver sparkly slippers and put a cotton ball on the toe! After our church Trunk or Treat, we learned of a nearby gentleman who worked with the police to block off several blocks of streets. He coordinated hot dogs, chips, pop, and a variation of hay rides! Kyle and Abby LOVED it!

 

Kyle went back to the ear doctor. His ear (left one) is healing nicely. However, the graph/patch has not completely bonded with his ear drum. What this means is that there is still a very tiny hole. Overall his hearing has improved though! Yay! We go back the last week of school to have another check up on that ear.  Please pray God lays His hand upon Kyle's ear and heals it. We won't mind if you also ask God to miraculously heal his right ear too!

 

Abby's tummy aches during the past 3 months great to a point where she was doubling over, not eating much, and joining me every night just to get some comforting snuggles. I didn't mind at all that I got to snuggle. Neither of us enjoyed the reason she came to me though. =/ We immediately got her into a GI specialist. A number of factors caused her system to become constipated. We adjusted her diet, added some Miralax and Barley Grass. Abby & I are happy to report she only VERY rarely gets a tummy ache! Usually when she cheats behind my back and has too much dairy or any chocolate. The GI specialist did bloodwork, stool samples and an Xray of her digestive tract. Bloodwork and stool samples came back normal. The Xray showed the constipation.

 

Me? Well, I spoke to my kidney Dr (will call him K.Dr. for short) back in June/July to ask if we could see why I was literally fuller on the right side of my body than the left. If you used your hand to span my depth, my right side without fail measured fuller. He said I should be fine, but ordered a Lasix test. It showed kidney function as better than before surgery and he recommended waiting. I asked for a stent. As God would have it, the scheduling didn't mesh with Stephen going to St. Louis. As soon as Stephen came home again, I called to request the stent be scheduled. I included the fact I had painlessly passed 3 clots in about a 2 week time period in addition to a kidney stone. (not all three at the same time.) K.Dr. immediately called for a Lasix and a CT Scan with contrast. The short version of this story is I get my kidney fixed on Wednesday November 28th! YAY! Let me tell you, I will be THRILLED to lose these 2 extra inches around me. My kidney is back to pre-op size. The procedure is outpatient. K.Dr. will laser the scar tissue and put in a new kind of stent.

 

Stephen is still as healthy as a horse and stabilizing the kids and me! Which is awesome! Abby had her 7th birthday! She was thoroughly spoiled and her entire day was covered top to bottom side to side with pink! It was fabulous! Facebook has all those pictures.

 

Due to the way things on the boat were going with engines being repaired, etc. we weren't sure if we would be able to travel for Thanksgiving. God is good and allowed us to leave on the Friday before Thanksgiving for Florida! Yippee!!!! True to form, we surprised my favorite mother-in-law! I just LOVE surprising people! The entire week was a time of sweet reconciliation and refreshment! Kyle and Abby were able to spend time with their cousins, both grandmothers, all uncles and aunts on the Langenmayr side PLUS see their aunt who works at Disney! Well, two aunts, we've pretty much adopted Esther's roomie. A fabulous friend who takes both of my babies in stride and helps spoil them rotten!

 

The lights synchronized with music were AWESOME!!!! We got home around midnight that night. The puppies were supposed to stay in their crates, but my amazing father in law (Jim Langenmayr) let them out, played with them, and overfed both! Neither dog complained and neither am I!

I have always loved all of my in-laws. My sister Kelly though, I am learning how wonderful she is! Let me tell you! She and her hubby, Jacob, are seriously the best! They are both raising two kids, going to school full time (sometimes a 3hr round trip car drive) and still manage to keep up with all the FL family down there and smile through it all. Did I mention they have THE cutest 3yr old and 18month old ever?

Audrey absolutely LOVED talking with Frankie through the window!

 

Audrey & Luke got lots of kisses through the window

and when they played outside with the puppies!

 

 

Cutest baby girl ever! Yes, I know she is eating. However, part of her being so darn cute is how she goes from stoic, to smiles, to upset, to ballerina toes! All that to say, this is the only smiling pic. Every other pic she would smile until I hit the camera button!

 

 

The many faces of Lukey!!!!

 

 

 

Kyle's best buddy came to visit for the afternoon!

 

 

Mimi had herself plenty of fun with her babies!!!

 

Mimi even got to soak up a few moments with Stephen!

 

Mema got in on the lovins too! Mimi & Abby worked very hard on Kyle's birthday cake!

 

 

The kids LOVE their Mema!!!!

 

Saturday morning around 2am we left for Louisiana.
It was not a happy moment.

The Lord looked out for us and gave us smooth sailing the whole way!

Around 9am or so, I think, I woke up. Stephen and I had switched to him driving around 8am. We were about 30 - 45minutes away from some family members that we had not visited since last December! We contemplated dropping in and what an inconvenience that might be. However, our love of family won out!

 

Aunt Kathy played, did crafts, and cooked us a FABULOUSLY delicious and huge meal!

 

Jeremy (Aunt Kathy's son) hung out with Kyle, Abby, and Stephen all by turns. He made Kyle's day by just sitting and listening to him. Jeremy also set up the Kinect so Kyle and I could play!

 

Uncle Jack and Stephen had a lot of "man" time with Jeremy as well. Stephen needed all this family time! Don't get me wrong, I needed it too! However, Stephen's job is a just a tad bit more stressful than mine.

 

There are no pictures of me with Jack, Kathy & Jeremy because I was off. All of the driving and going caught up to me on Saturday.

 

So, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Jack, and Jeremy, if you read this, please for give my rudeness while I was there. I didn't try to be. My dumb kidney was making me nauseous. As an adult, I should still be able to use my manners and say things politely, but I failed. I hope you'll forgive me.

 

 

We are all home and happy to be in our own beds again. Frank & Kaden are MUCH more chill now that they are back in their own territory. Hopefully it won't be another 6 weeks before I write to you my friends. I love and am praying for you all!

REmember!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Put up the lights and cherish all of the warm fuzzies of the season! God meant for us to celebrate Jesus coming to save us from our sins! Let's celebrate this season!

 

 

 

 

 

Oct 8 - 17

Oh look! An extra long post! PLUS an apology! Yep, all  in one! Aren't you lucky!?! The week of the 8th was one of those emotionally turbulent weeks. It's that "going in to the home stretch" deal. The False Finish. Stephen was supposed to make it home by Tuesday, didn't happen. What were we to do other than say, "We love you. We are fine. We will see you soon!" When in reality we were thinking, "DUMB BOAT! QUIT BREAKING! WE WANT STEPHEN!" Yes, in all caps our thoughts flew out towards the boat that continued to have trouble. However, in addition to thinking in all caps we prayed. The Lord knew we needed him home for peace of mind, comfort, laughter, and strength/support. So, we called God out on it. Stephen came home on Friday evening!

To be honest, I don't remember much of that week other than Wednesday. We go to Awanas out our church. That was the first night I had the opportunity to go! Kyle had to sit and do homework throughout the entire time, but he did it! He did the best on homework he has done this school year! It was a wonderful experience for him because he finally had an epiphany! We have been reassuring him of how intelligent he is, how he can do anything he sets his mind to! Kyle didn't really believe us because he hadn't seen it just yet. Well, that night Kyle did all of his homework and did a fabulous job on it! I praised and bragged on him up one side and down the other! Thursday's homework went just as smoothly! Kyle finally understood it takes a bit of focus and effort combined with positive thinking! Friday Stephen came home and we all breathed a sigh of relief that he had arrived safely! Saturday was full of the kids getting properly spoiled by Daddy whilst Mommy went shopping and just HAD to get her first grande pumpkin spice latte of the season...in addition to a triple tall americano with cream. =) So yummy! Sunday was a wonderful time between church and family time, but it flew by so quickLY!

Yes, two caps at the end to emphasize speed...well, speed in typing. I have a 13lb-er on my lap trying to get into trouble. Yay for puppies!

Anyhoot, the thing I told Stephen the most when he was nearing the end of his trip was this, "I need a day with you." He gave it to me. =) We went for a walk. We ran errands. We (I) took a nap together. He picked up the kids (because I hadn't yet woke up) and did homework and dinner! I needed that rest. Abby did a fantabulous job on her Student of the Week poster that day as well! I merely showed her the supplies and helped glue, tape, staple, etc pieces where she told me to! I'll show a picture later.

Now? Well, now it is again Wednesday. The kids got their report cards today! Kyle made Principal's List! That means he earned As and Bs. Abby made the Superintendent's List! That means she earned all As. We are SO proud of both children! They have started in their 2nd school since moving, using a new curriculum, making new friends, and still rockin the awesome grades!

That is our life right now. It is SO nice to have such a wonderful hubby! It is so free-ing to go back to being just a mommy. I can keep up with the house, yard, cars, dogs, laundry, homework, meals, errands and still have time to play with the kids!

LOVE IT!!!!!!!


PS. It's fall!!!!

Oct. 8 - 14

Sorry no pictures.

Stephen made it home.



Oct. 1 - 7

Here are the pictures from the Monday "storm"

 

 

That mud path created the need for baths.

Dogs & I got soaked.

My white tub turned brown. =(

 

 

 

I LOVE my Big Man!

 

Frankie snuggled with me to make up for being such a mess today.

 

Yeah, I look awful. It was one heck of a day.

 

Abby lost her first 2 teeth on Tuesday!

 

 

Kyle got the packing from surgery removed!

 

Yummy Chicken to help us celebrate - plus, we don't have this where we live!

 

I love daisies!

 

Funny face!

 

I was tired. Cut me some slack...that's as "funny" as I could get!

 

On Wednesday I lost Frankie.

Completely MIA.

Searched what I thought was the whole house.

 

 

However, as you can see above, he didn't really go missing.

I still snuggled with him despite the fact he was a stinker and got up when he shouldn't have!

 

 

Sorry this pic is SO fuzzy!

One day this week, I don't remember which, we got to Skype with Daddy!

 

 

Saturday was semi-lazy.

The kids helped me clean.

We ran some errands.

We ate waffles w/ chocolate chips for dinner!

And we all bundled up with our favorite blankets to watch Planet 51.

No, they couldn't snuggle with me...which broke my heart.

My stomach is up in arms and my fear was...well, you can imagine.

 

 

 

So wonderful!

Check out our new waffle maker!

 

 

Funny face and smiles for the night!

 

 

 

Sunday dawned gray and gloriously cool!

55 degrees! YAY!

We celebrated by going for a walk!

As you can tell, the kids prefered walking in the ditch. =/

 

 Both kids had to act like Spiderman climbing a wall!

They also helped walked the dogs for me!

Ironically, Kyle chose the little dog (Stephen's)

and Abby chose the giant (mine)

We don't differentiate His & Her dogs, the dogs themselves tend to cling to the respective people.

It's kind of funny like that....

 

Abby has been begging to make cupcakes out of her kids cooking book.

Sadly, we will be using a different recipe tomorrow.

The recipe made bland waffle flavor chalky dough balls.

Yes, I followed the recipe to a T.

 

Stephen is on his way home!

My hope is to continue these picture posts.

It helps me count my joys, like out of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

You should check out that book.

It's life changing.

Sweet dreams!

Love & prayin for ya'll!

I will praise YOU in the storm

Seems to be fitting for today.

Kyle woke up incredibly slowly, no big deal

Abby woke up in tears from a tummy ache, but didn't want me to touch her after getting a hug.

It promptly became my fault Kyle was tired and Abby was hurting.

Long story short, I did not earn "Mom of the Year" award because I finally said, "Enough! I'm done! I'll be back once I'm calm & ya'll aren't angry."

Which didn't happen.

 

Abby threw up.

Kyle made it to school perfectly on time.

(Thanks to the fabulous Franklins..they are a common name in this blog it appears.)

Frankie left a wet present whilst I took care of Abby.

I put both dogs out, after they got uber wet & muddy I left them in the mudroom and went to try to make myself presentable for the now necessary doctor's visit to get a school note.

Guess who opened the mud room door so she wouldn't be alone!

Guess what happened to our home!

yeah...

 

Oh...a cramp...but...not a typical cramp.

Something was off.

Exercise!

That's a good thing to do!

Dogs went out, got muddier, also left in the mudroom again.

Doctor appointment set for 2:15pm.

 

Cramps increase...they are so not in the normal place!

 

growling?

Not from my stomach.

Barking!?

NOOOO!!!!

....

yes, Abby let the muddy wet dogs out again.

We took the dogs to go get Microchipped.

We have a FABULOUS vet!

They showed Abby the squirrels they were prepping to be released, she loved it!

As we were checking out, low and behold, Abby went pale as a ghost, clutched her stomach and proclaimed ready for launch.

I threw the pen & receipt at the poor receptionist and hurried her outside.

Frankie got a less than graceful entrance to the truck while Kaden was required to sit in the rain as I helped Abby into the truck.

I raced back in and asked for plastic bags because I somehow ran out of the 50million I normally keep.

CRAMP!!!!!

Kaden is graciously waiting for me without so much as budging an inch!

I loaded him and got Abby home.

She slept for 2 1/2hrs without incident.

Never got sick, PTL!

Her appointment time arrived.

At this point, cramps were rocking my boat!

My right side felt hugely swollen & tender.

Hmmm...does that sound reminiscent of December to you?

I had been running to the restroom a lot more than normal as well.

Abby got her throat swobbed.

Poor baby! It was awful & she burst into tears right afterwards.

She had developed a low grade fever and was hurting.

Next they decided to do a blood lab. Again tears and I don't blame her!

She did fabulously and I held her as she cried.

A urine sample.

We ruled out strep, thank You again Lord!

We ruled out a UTI, YAY! Thanks God!

We have to go back for another blood lab.

Boo!

OUCH! CRAAAAAMPS!

Hey, I think that was a kidney stone at that restroom break.

UCK!

We dropped Abby's nausea script off, got the tank filled with gas, picked up Kyle, and headed home.

Both dogs literally ROLLED in mud this time.

SERIUOSLY!?!?!

I gave no opportunity for them to be loosed on my house this time.

Straight to the bathroom!

Frankie did wonderful!

Kaden? Oh how I love him!

He did great right up until he squirmed and got me soaked, the bathroom sprayed, and almost knocked me over. Oh how I love him! However, I will say, after his bath I had him laying on his bed next to Abby on the futon. She was crying from her tummy ache & sheer exhaustion. Kaden tenderly laid his head 2 inches from her face and stared into her eyes. He never tried to kiss her, simply stared. Abby reached down, hugged his huge head tight, and cried into his neck.

Tender lovins....

Pictures from today will be posted at the end of the week, but I wanted to let you know God is there in the storm. He shows up in the most "unglued" moments of your day. He holds you tight and hugs you through friends, family, and pets. Roll your eyes if you wish over the pets part, but who created those pets? And WHO placed your pet in YOUR home? I guarantee you only have the things in your home that God graciously allows you to have.

PS. I love my hubby and am so excited he gets to come home soon!