So this morning Ricky carried a half asleep Kelly downstairs. Looking at her, about a forth of the leopard bands in her hair were unwrapped, although still snapped. Not a good sign. I proceeded to unroll and unsnap the rest, and ta-da, we have waves. Amazingly most of the locks were going in somewhat of the same direction. But the real test was a look in the mirror. The result...Approval. Whew! Even her brothers gave a thumbs up. Well, that might be an exaggeration, I should say they didn't say anything negative about Kelly's new look.

So overall the morning went well. Connor flew out the door early to cadet. Forgot his lunch but no biggy. The other three were also ready with smiles in plenty of time. Kelly even squeezed in finishing a Spanish worksheet that she forgot to do the night before.

Then out the door we go. Found a moment to snap a few pictures. But suddenly realized one person dropped the ball on picture day. That someone being ME! I forgot to fill out the picture forms. So I ended up rushing around at the last minute anyway. That's to be expected.

Picture Day Prep

In order to get dressed for school, the biggest decision our family has to make in the morning is whether to wear the white shirt or the red shirt with the uniform. So imagine the morning of picture day when the kids have to step outside their uniforms and "dress up"... that can really throw off our family's morning routine. I try to be prepared the night before so we will not be slowed down by unexpected fashion dilemmas. But no matter how prepared I try to be, there is that possibility for stressful moments.

This year Kelly, my plain and simple, low maintenance girl, decided she wanted curls in her hair for picture day. What!? We have only had curls in her hair once before and we practiced multiple times to get it right. But if the girl wants curls we will go for it. So tonight I rolled her hair in our "wrap, snap and go" leopard rollers, and we will see how things fall in the morning. Now it's time to turn in for the night, and set the alarm for an earlier than normal wake up call.

Apple Days

I believe today is the first day of autumn. Not quite sure, but the lady at the bank told me so. I'll go with that to start off today's entry.

The first day of autumn should be accompanied by crisp weather, although today it is still warm and very humid. As I drive around lately there are those familiar images of fall...ghosts and haystacks, pumpkins and cornstalks.

These past days leading up to fall I have had one particular autumn image on my mind...Apples. That makes me think these days should be called apple days. I'll call them apple days because Patterson's orchard is open again. Yum! Apple days because the kids are back in school. Apple days because of my new computer, and a trip to the Apple Store for my "One on One" session.

I like Apple days! They are much better than PC days.

One last thing to celebrate apple days...a layout of Delaney at Apple Holler last Fall.

Home Again

Our thoughts are still in Michigan with our family as my mother-in-law fights to get well. We plan on making multiple trips back to visit while she spends months in the hospital recovering.

But for now we returned home. Home to our kids who shared lots of hugs and stories with us, they seemed to have gotten louder in our absence. Home to my parents and baskets of clean laundry that my mom washed while we were away (thanks mom, you're the greatest). Home to our friends who shared their prayers and support. Home to all the busy distractions that our family does daily. Home to my ordinary, wonderful life.

Did I mention...it is good to be home!

On the Winning Team

Three days ago I would have not thought the phrase "winning team" would not be posted. But today Mom's surgeon reported that we beat the staff infection...although she is still extremely ill, we are winning. After three different surgeries to remove the dead tissue running down her leg, today there were not any signs of new infection, and her organs seem to be coming back to holding their own (sigh of relief).

None of this would have been possible without the team effort put forth. The team made up of all those who are praying for our family, the volunteers, friends and family who have treated us to food and comfort, my friends and mom and dad who are taking care of things back home so that we can be here, the nurses who are at bedside around the clock and willing to answer all of our questions, and of coarse the doctors who have the knowledge to become the winners.

Today the ICU physician who has been responsible for fighting the bacterial infection in Mom's blood, the one who has prescribed the countless medications to keep her alive, came into the room to report to us about her progress. As he was walking in to speak to us a colleague patted him on the shoulder, and in a manner of congratulating someone who has done something unthinkable said "You did it". That moment and those words put much of what has happened the past week into an awakening perspective.

Creative Healing

Last Tuesday as Ricky and I were packing up to head out to Michigan my kids were busy making cards for Grandma and Grandpa. Making something, having the brain and heart on creative mode is such a great distraction. The kids were giggling, excited, and making a huge mess on the kitchen table. The results of their efforts were wonderful. I could feel the love seeping out of their little works of art. Wish I had a scanner here so I could share but instead here are some pieces of what they wrote....

Delaney colored a picture and wrote the ABC's across the page. A big effort on her part. She wanted to include a secret message on the back included in a maze but I decided she was running out of time.

Kevin wrote"Hope you are staying strong. Everything will be alright because God is watching over you"....He is really growing up.

And Kelly, my overachiever, went to town making three different cards. She put a slogan on the back of each of them "It is all in what you THINK". She wrote many times "hoping you feel better, with all my heart" and even a poem for Grandpa...

"A scary feeling for your wife

In the stress that makes you fright

Just remember there's a light

That helps you with your fright"

A silly little poem, but really insightful as to how we are all feeling and what can give us hope. That one brought some smiles...Grandpa really liked it. Can't wait until Grandma is well enough to see all the cards for herself.

Is It A New Day?

It's not a new day, but it feels like it has been about that long since we arrived last night. Mom is hanging in. As we sit in the waiting room I watch as each bed rolls off the elevator waiting for it to be our girl. Finally six medical staff push her by and a sense of relief washes over. To know she has made a few more hours and through another surgery is such a relief. The surgeon explains that the bacteria has traveled further down her leg so he has removed more of the skin and fat that is infected. As far as everything else...she hasn't gotten better, but she hasn't gotten worse. I am surrounded by an incredible group of people. My sister-in-laws, my father in law, a good friend, and of coarse my husband.

So here is my spin on this...The whole experience is so hard but what a gift. It is incredible to see how these individuals join together and play their parts to support and comfort. I love that we can gather around Mom in such a critical state and still fill the room with giggles. That we can hug each other and it feels soooo good. That we have the same ideas when it comes to what is in Mom's best interest. That we even have a few inside jokes that we can keep bringing up when the mood needs to be lightened. That we are not letting this get us down and hopefully what Mom can hear and feel is positive and filled with hope and love. Like I said...incredible.

Now I think it is time to get a shower and some rest!

Unwanted Possibilties

I never thought I would wake up this morning, after a two hour sleep in Kalamazoo Michigan, joined by my extended family, faced with the possible decision of whether or not to amputate my mother-in-laws leg that is being attacked by a flesh eating bacteria. That coupled with her organ failure...I have a pit in my stomach. It is so unreal, I feel like I am still asleep. I wish I was still asleep.

No creative dialogue today. Just a plea for prayers for Mom and our family.

Summertime in September

This past summer has been marked by fall like temperatures. Some may disagree, but a summer where you never have to use the air conditioning it the greatest.

Usually about this time of year I look for relief from the heat with the approach of some good sweatshirt weather. And like every other year, as we roll into September, the usual signs of cool weather are appearing. The raspberries in my yard are ripe for snacking, the landscape is starting to yellow, the nights are cool and perfect for sleeping.

But hold on, there is something amiss. The predicted high for today is 89 degrees. I think that is what Wisconsinites were looking for two months ago.

Well today I'll take it, be thankful I am home to enjoy it, and watch my kids do the same.

Meet Herbert

PARENTS BE WARNED! If you try to be a fun mom and take your children on a little outing to the Humane Society; even though you say it's just to VISIT the animals.....you may end up handing over a whooping $2.11 to bring home a tiny box with a new friend.


Yes, meet Herbert, "Herb" to his pals....he's our new dumbo eared rat. And a cute little guy, don't ya think?

Joining the Club

I'm finding lately that life can throw you some unexpected curves. Because of circumstances that seem out of our control we can find ourselves part of a club. A club that even with the most welcoming of invitations, we would refuse to join.

That being said, I would like count my blessings and be thankful for all those that surround me and support me, those who lend their ear when I need to talk, and give a hug for comfort.

I am also thankful for those situations that transpire where I am on the other side, outside that unwanted club. Those times where I have the opportunity to try to reach out to offer some support to someone in a tough spot.

The happenings this week, in and outside my family, forced me to face some things I never planned to. I've come to contemplate how it is wonderful that God has put us all here together in this club, whether it be for the good or the ugly, and we need to help each other in order to figure it all out. And hopefully we all become better people in the process.