Friday Friend Fun (and scans)

Our Friday started off back at the doctor's office today.  Julia had her renal ultrasound study that Dr. Hodges ordered.  When the radiology tech came to get us in the waiting room she was curious as to why we were getting another ultrasound so soon after her abdominal ultrasound last week.  I had the same concern when the hospital called to schedule the test.  I knew she had two very close together and called the scheduling department to see if one could work for both.  The woman on the phone was very condescending and rude about it and told me they were two very different things.  Well, in reality- not so much. A few extra shots and measurements and last weeks would have worked.  Oh well.  The girl doing this one was definitely much more skilled and I was happy to have her getting the info we needed.  Now hopefully the insurance company agrees on both, after the fact.  I tried to save them some money, but no one listened.

Julia did well, despite not wanting to go and protesting loudly about getting out of the car.  Her bladder was again measuring huge, as usual.  They had her pee and then measured again and said it had shrunk as expected.  The tech was chatty as she worked.  She did not bring up any major concerns.  She did bring up another kidney study Julia has not had yet.  Not sure if that will be in our future or not. 

We go back on Monday for her appointment with Dr. Hodges (urology).  I am interested to see where he stands on all of this.  We have not seen him since before Julia;s most recent surgery when her urology issues became a problem again and since we have started with home cathing. Then Tuesday is her genetics appointment and in the afternoon KidsPath.  On the way to her appointment today she asked why she had not been to KidsPath this week for counseling.  We had to cancel because of her stomach bug.  I love that she enjoys going so much.

When we got back home she pulled out the Human Body computer.  She was happy to report that she knows right where the kidneys are and they are the size of her fist. Then she turns to Carter and says, "To keep your kidneys healthy drink lots of water and eat a low-salt diet." And she can find the bladder, too. Guess she's paying more attention than we thought.   

We'll get t6he official results at her urology appointment on Monday.  Then Tuesday she sees genetics and in the afternoon they both have counseling at KidsPath.

Friday afternoon was time for some fun with friends.  We had a Egg Hunt and Potluck Dinner Celebration at our friends' house.  It was a delicious spread.  We always eat well with this crowd!

So much yummy fare- ham, potatoes, pasta salad, broccoli casserole, corn, sweet potatoes, rolls, strawberry salad, fruit, chocolate heath bar trifle, pineapple cake, and rice krispie treats.  Mmmm, let's just take a moment.

After a delicious dinner, we gathered the kids to give them egg hunting instructions.  In the front yard were over 250 eggs.

The kids were all such eager little hunters.  Mia caught on in no time and had a basketful.

Kendall collecting treasures...

Nathan thinking hard about his next move...

Julia getting a boost from Daddy...

Carter sharing with Claire and Ava...

Then we told the kids to empty out their eggs into bags.  It was like Christmas morning- all the squeals and joy.  I think most of them had no idea what was inside.

Sweet Ava enjoying a beautiful night outside...

When you're one of the youngest in the bunch, you never know what the big kids will do to you next..

Then we enjoyed some time to talk while the kids played...

Such a great night! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives. When we all gather together and I look around  and am overwhelmed.  Such incredible friends.  And the blessings of babies just keep coming and coming!

Almost Made It

I thought we had done it.

It seems only fair to Julia that she get through this illness season without having the stomach flu.  She has been through SO much, especially from a GI perspective.  She doesn't need this, too.

Her little fingers were poking my back at 4am.  Unfortunately this is very common, so I wasn't shocked.  She has had weeks of pain and fear from everything and has rarely slept through the night.  She said her stomach hurt.  The weird part? I am actually hoping it's surgical pain and not the stomach flu.  Sorry JuJu, but pain meds are much easier.  I gave her some and sadly, I saw them again just a few minutes later all over my pillow.

By the time the sun came up I had already done 3 loads of laundry and changed our bed four times.  You would think we would have this down to a science by now.  It was almost comical.  Couldn't find any of the puke buckets.  Finally found one only to discover it had cracked on the bottom.  I couldn't figure out why everything was getting soaked every time she got sick.  It was landing in the bucket after all.  I thought I was losing my mind.

By lunch time she had turned the corner and was talking laughing and keeping up with Carter.  She was very excited to eat lunch and when I gave her the plate she requested Doritos to go with it.  Sorry JuJu, I'm pulling the 'mommy card' on that one.  No Doritos today. Though I'm thrilled you feel up to it.

So all in all, it wasn't so bad.  I'll take the 6 hour version over the alternative any day. And after life on chemo puking isn't really a big deal around here.  The problem comes in that she wants to know why she can't just have her zofran now. Julia knows how to fight back :) Take that germs! You can't keep this princess down for long.

And her brother is working hard to not get it.  He would not come in the bedroom with her and proceeded to disinfect all his belongings with a towel and hand sanitizer.  He's learned so much :)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Carter was doing his GodTime cards during school today.  One of the tasks was to flip the paper over and write down all the things you can think of that you know about Jesus. Here is what he came up with...

Jesus...

• rose from the dead.
• died on the cross.
• is God.
• gathered the disciples and trained them.
• told some of the Bible.
• was born in Bethlehem.
• grew up in Nazareth.
• did not invent the light bulb.
• did not invent the UPS truck.
• is perfect.
• had teeth and yawned.
• was put in a tomb blocked by a big rock.
• healed people.
• resurrected the dead.

...saith the 7 year old.

Baby Blessings

One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling (and doing it year round) is the flexibility it gives us to live out life.  Yes, school is a priority but our family, friends, and faith come first.  When a need arises or an opportunity presents itself that God is leading us to do we are free to make that choice.  A 180 day school year works out to 15 days a month.  This gives us the freedom to take extended trips any time of year, to enjoy sunny days outside while saving school for the rainy and cold ones, to say 'yes' more often than 'no', and to have school on the weekends if our schedules are more open then. We follow this philosophy, too.

One of my favorite parts of homeschooling though is that we are doing life together as a family.  My kids are a part of everything that goes on to run our house and in the process learning like skills.  I love "life school" like today...

Carter loves his time with the twins.  He is old enough now that he can really help with them- calming, feeding, playing, and carrying. It's hard to believe they are three months old already!!

We all had so much fun having two babies in the house.  How can you not smile with one of these snoozing in the corner of the kitchen...

and this sweet pea snuggled on the couch?!

And the icing on the cake, they now give out sweet smiles and coos! Such a blessing! We love you guys...

Natalie and Jenna!

(and Mia and Allison, too!)

Come back again soon :)

Spelling and math are not anywhere near this much fun!

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

I went out to get chicken from the freezer and had to do a double take.

What is Little Bear doing in the freezer and how did he get in there?!?

Shh! Don't tell him the salmon is in the drawer :)

*********

Which is weirder?

The fact that my child has a Happy Meal box on her head or the fact the directions on the box explicitly say, "Turn the box over and put it on your head."

Annual Brenners' Oncology Picnic

This past Saturday was our annual picnic for the staff and families on our floor. This is the first year we were able to attend and we were really looking forward to seeing everyone.  The picnic was held at Camp Carefree- a local summer camp for kids with specific health conditions and their siblings.  The day turned out to be cold and rainy. Unfortunately spring around here seems to have two choices 50 or 80- Saturday was 50. So the picnic was moved indoors.

Evie, Julia, and most of the other kids hit the art table first.  Ms. Betsey has lots of fun activities for them- a 3D bunny craft, balancing butterflies, and hopping woodpeckers. So much fun! 

After a yummy lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, pork loin and wonderful side dishes, it was time for games.  There were four teams of kids- one each for Ms. Betsey, Nurse Karen, Nurse Nancy, and Dr. Wofford. They had 5 minutes to wrap and decorate them the best they could. 

So funny to see their enthusiasm and creativity.  Their expressions were priceless! Vinny's laugh was a riot.

Somehow everyone ended up with their faces wrapped.  Julia didn't know what to think of Nurse Karen's new look...

The finished products....

Then we headed over to the stables and indoor arena.  After our trip to the horse farm last week, Julia was thrilled to be back in the barn so soon.  She jumped right in petting, feeding, and hugging them all. Then it was time to ride.  She was so excited.  They let them stay on as long as they wanted.  I think she could have been up there all day!

Thanking Winston for her ride. I love this face!!

After horseback riding we were in for a wonderful treat.  Haley took the stage and serenaded us all with her angelic voice.  I love hearing this girl sing! You can hear her, too.  Come on out on May 14th from 1-5pm at Bicentennial Park in Asheboro for the first annual Make-A-Wish Fun Festival fundraiser ($10/person, open to the public).

Outside, the kids were braving the cold for some bubbles, juggling, and drawing fun.  Vinny's faces make my day :)

Inside the fun continued at the ChildLife table with Ms. Stacy.  Julia made a Find It jar...

At the other end of the table the kids got to make their own therapy dolls. Lilly's included lots of bling of course...

Julia loved making her doll.  She gave her a dress, a face, earrings, and pigtails. She gave her a button cecostomy on her abdomen for flushes. When Ms. Stacy asked her what her name was, she said "Lucy" just like Ms. Stacy's medical therapy doll.

As soon as we got home, Julia got our her supplies to flush Lucy.  It has been wonderful therapy for her already.

We walked around the camp some before it was time to go home.  Julia liked talking to all the animals at the petting zoo.  The llamas were very intrigued.

Despite a dreary, cold day we had a wonderful time with our Brenners' family.  It is such a treat to have a day filled with nothing but fun to relax and enjoy the bonds we all share.  Rain or shine, there is always joy to be uncovered.

As we drove home, Julia said over and over it was one of the best days she had ever had- her favorite activities and some of her favorite people all in one place :) We are so blessed to have each other!

Field Trip Friday to Fellowship Farm

Love me some alliteration :)

We had a field trip Friday that we have had to reschedule several times because of bad weather.  Friday, however, could not have been prettier. We visited Fellowship Farms, a large family run horse farm.  

They have over 40 horses of all ages and breeds.  They compete in dressage, jumping, and other categories.  They have a variety of lessons and a wonderful Christian summer day camp that they have been running continuously since the 1960s! We met several family members at the farm and they all could not have been more professional, hospitable, and friendly.  It is an incredible facility with some amazing animals, and a family full of passionate individuals.

We started off in one of the large stables. We were introduced to a few of the horses and the kids were given a lesson in anatomy, horse care, and horse tack. 

These horses live the high life- heated showers under a heat lamp! My kids don't even have it this good.

We walked around some of the property and saw the many pastures, performance rings, hay lofts, tractor barns, and covered riding arenas.  The kids really took to life in the country.  As much as they loved the farm equipment and horses, they were equally fascinated by collecting wildflowers...

Then we got to know some of the horses a little better.  As the weather gets warmer, the horses shed their winter coats which means LOTS of grooming.  They all had their own mini lesson and got to work.

Julia was in love.  She's has always liked horses, but has never had a this much time to really be around them and get to know them.  She was completely in her element and joyfully at ease for the first time in a really long time. We all need to see more of this face...

Even after over a dozen little groomers, we hadn't even made a dent. But the horses were very happy when we broke out the sugar cubes. Guess who was first in line?

 I love the way they lick their lips!

Then we headed down to some of the other pastures and outside stalls.  It was time for some good ole farm fun.  The Bell's took turns taking the kids for gator rides around the property.  Their squeals could be heard from fields away...

The highlight of the afternoon was definitely the swing...

If it hadn't been for their moms making them leave, our kids would all still be swinging :)