http://http://www.joshuaproject.net/upgotdfeed.php

If anyone can give me some pointers, it would be great.... this email sight up above I want to be on my blog. It is to be a template on the side that connects to the "Joshua Project". I can't get it and so if anyone knows, PLEASE let me know! This is driving me crazy!

January 30, 2009

Where do I begin today? I would like to begin with pictures, but that isn't going to happen. Therefore, I will just have to write "too much" as Pam's husband, Eric, says...... :)

I went to the Kiwanis pancake "feed" for lack of a better word. My co-worker, Lynne, went to the breakfast with me. We had the wonderful opportunity to eat breakfast with the Mayor. What a nice man, full of ideas, and open to new ones.....He told us to come by anytime and I know Lynne will because she LOVES government....I will go for the food.

We left the event so I could attend my follow up with Dr. Matar. Dr. Matar was running late so Luke and I left to get some lunch. Luke and I had a good time and enjoyed hearing the "sales pitch" at the other table (not really but what are you going to do)! We chuckled a lot...is that bad !?!

Once we got back to the clinic we still had to wait but was one of the first two to be called back. It should have been a sign when the nurse put me in the "surgical procedure room" I should have run......Dr. Matar came in and said my white blood cell count has consistently stayed between 2-3 for the last 6 weeks. So his theory of my body not keeping up with production of WBC was void. Then he said I had some abnormal "lymph cells" and he needed to do a bone marrow biopsy. His overall feeling was something inside of me was attacking my white blood cell count. He did not think it was leukemia because my red blood cell count is okay. I told him I had a presentation at 2:30 and if he thought we could be done by then, then we could do it.

Dr. Matar did the biopsy in my hip. He took about 3/4 of bone and marrow. He said "you don't have osteoporosis" as he was using his body weight to grind his tool into my hip bone. I got very hot and thought I might pass out but my loving husband was there to "fan" me until he was done. I have about 1/2 inch incision and it is rather uncomfortable. I did make it to my presentation but didn't stick around long to answer questions. I came home quickly because the numbing medicine was wearing off. NOW I am laying in bed on an ice pack and there isn't much I can do....except maybe bark orders and act like a PRINCESS..... :) What else is new!?! Ha Ha!

The results should be back in two weeks and we will see how that turns out.

January 26, 2009

When raising children it seems like there are always milestones to be celebrating. Today is one of those days...

Ben was brushing his teeth in the shower and he said his tooth was "wiggly." On a side note, a lot of Ben's friends have lost teeth so naturally he has been wishing some of his would fall out too. He is very anxious for the "tooth fairy" to come and visit. Anyhow, he showed me and sure enough his tooth is quite "wiggly." He couldn't wait to go show his dad.

Ben ran down the hall and loudly told his father about his tooth. Jacob heard the announcement too and happily replied "I can fall you on the ground so it will come out." I think that means "now we have a reason to wrestle (to make your tooth come out) without getting into trouble."

The boys have had cabin fever and I think mom and dad have it too. Luke and I have run out of patience and frustration with the boys has been a common theme the last few days/weeks. However, I would not trade this for anything. We are so blessed to be celebrating these mile stones with our children as we have found out some parents in our church won't be given this opportunity with their children on earth.

I have cried more in the last 24 hours than I have in a year. Our church family lost a 10 year old boy on Friday to cancer and a 10 month old baby underwent surgery for cancer that they found out about on Thursday. The family of the 10 month old really thought she was suffering from ear pain and possibly needing ear tubes and felt like some of her "fussiness was due to "teething." I can't describe in words how my heart goes out for these families.

It is tough when tragedy hits so close to home. You think of the "what ifs" and then your mind wanders........Luke's 6 month CT Scan was today where they are still watching the other spots on the left side of his lung. Part of me is wanting the Dr. to call and say everything is okay but the other side of me is not wanting to answer the phone if Dr. Claibornes office calls before his follow up appointment in February.

2 years ago I am not sure how well I would have handled Luke's cancer, as two years ago we didn't have a church home. I am so thankful that Luke and I found a church we both felt comfortable attending in order to learn about the word of God. Two years ago I would not be praising God for these circumstances. However, today I am. I take great comfort in knowing that through all the hardships God is with us. ALWAYS. As Ben memorized for AWANA'S "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I have written and rewritten another paragraph but decided to leave it out as my thoughts aren't coming out right......It must be after 10 PM and I have turned into a pumpkin (not quite). Thanks for reading this as I went off task.

January 22, 2009 ~ Blonde Moments

When I was in high school, Lisa K. and I were always together..............We did a lot of very funny things and we still laugh about them. Not only did we do funny things but we had plenty of "blonde moments." The least embarrassing blond moment with Lisa would be wanting to call information 1411 and calling 911 instead...............You get the gist.....

Well, today I must say I had quite an embarrassing moment. All I could think of was Lisa! I went in to Conoco to get some coffee..............no big deal~right.............. WRONG!

I noticed someone I use to work with at HMCCC and was getting my keys ready, etc. I went outside and clicked the "unlock" button but didn't hear the "click" that indicates your car is unlocked. I figured I didn't lock it and grabbed the handle, only to find the car door didn't open. I looked up and I was trying to get in a mini van................oops....................

I walked around to my my car and once on the other side I noticed a couple in the minivan. I was so embarrassed I just started shaking my head saying sorry... The lady rolled her window down and said "I think you need that cup of coffee!" At least she had a sense of humor! I am sure my old client thought it was pretty funny too!

Oh-well, what are you going to do!

January 20, 2009

No pictures today, you will thank me later!

The Inauguration..............................I spent this morning at Derby High School meeting with 6 other Site Coordinators with Communities In Schools. There was a TV in the office so we got to watch. I asked Elainne (the woman running the meeting) what democratic party she belonged to? She didn't answer, so I blurted out I was having a really hard time watching Obama give his speech. Therefore, she and I continued our meeting while the others "watched".

My friend Tammy had an awesome interview on her blog re: former President Bush. I think I will try to copy the interview on my blog in the next few days. Basically, I may not have agreed with Bush on everything he did but I do have a lot of RESPECT for the man. I think I could go on, but will stop because my brain is too tired to be "politically correct." Politics can be a very heated subject.

The other big event today was Mr. Ben's thumb.....He was helping me make "real" salad for supper. You know, the kind I never make because I buy it in a bag. After reading the email about "baby carrots" being soaked in chlorine, I decided to buy the "life size" or "mature" carrots and peel them. In addition, I also bought a bundle of celery to snack on too. Yes, that is quite "Rachel Ray" of me (ha, ha). I was running out of time and got out the slicer for the carrots. Ben thought he wanted to try so I stood there and helped him. I kept reminding him his hand was too close to the metal and it would take his skin off if he wasn't careful. I literally took one step and turned off the stove. When I turned around blood was spuing out of his thumb, into a bowl full of freshly sliced carrots. Yum. Let's go to the Schmidt's for supper and have salad! :)

Ben was mostly afraid he was going to have to get stitches. I was trying to remain calm but I have never really experienced that much blood coming out of my child. I can usually remain calm during a crisis but it was much harder keeping myself composed with my own child. I have been lacking in patience for about a week. Therefore, trying to remain controlled and confident while trying to stop the bleeding about did it for me tonight.

Ben walked around with a hand made sling because his thumb would throb at his side. I had to wrap a blanket around him so his dad and Jake couldn't see his sling. Of course, he doesn't like anyone talking about him so we could only talk about his thumb when he brought it up. He is funny. Jake and Luke walked in the house after the "incident" and saw blood. Poor Jake was so worried about his older brother. That was sweet too (while it lasted).

January 15, 2009

Today was my birthday and my family really surprised me. It had been a long week and today was my turn to get down with the "bug" that had been shared by everyone in the family! I didn't go into the office today but worked on my lap top (in bed of course) and enjoyed some "me" time.

In the "Hess" family (my maiden name), it would not be a good picture if someone wasn't "shoving" food in their mouth. I thought I would stick with tradition! Ha!

No.....I was not consuming large amounts of adult beverages, it just looks like it!

I normally do not get things for my birthday so I was very surprised at what Luke did this year. He got me a cross made out of "nails." It is quite humbling every time I look at it. They also got me an angel holding a little boy from Ben and Jake and the angel holding the heart from him...Very, very sweet.

Uncle Louie (my brother) and his girlfriend Onn (originally from Thailand) got me a bamboo plant in an elephant pot (above). It was very nice. Onn brought it up Tuesday morning from Wichita. When she got to the house she also had a large chi tea from Starbucks. I wanted to give her a bear hug but in her culture they don't "hug" much (and I want her to come back and visit)!

January 12, 2009

****A WARNING FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT GET OFFENDED******

As a reminder, I started this blog so years from now I can remember funny sayings or stories from the boys. Therefore, this may not be "blog" appropriate but it is quite funny!

Sunday morning Jake work up saying his stomach hurt at which time he threw up. He decided not to throw up the rest of the day until 1:00 AM 1/12/09. Which was 1 hour after Ben had woken up saying his throat hurt and he had trouble swallowing. Jake threw up on my feet and my legs, his jamies, hands, you name it, it had puke on it. He quit "frowing up" at 5:00 AM which allowed me to finally go to bed. I told Luke (didn't ask) that he would need to take a day off because Ben had white blisters on his tonsils and I wasn't taking Ben to the Dr. while Jake was still sick too. Luke woke up at made the phone calls to his boss, the school, the Dr office, etc. Got Ben to the Dr. and he has STREP THROAT again!! Uggggg!!!! (Thanks Luke for tolerating my sleep deprivation attitude early this morning)

I had to meet my co-worker at Prairie Harvest where we got our week planned. I picked up the antibiotic, came home where I am wrapped up in a blanket taking care of phone calls and emails. Now I am starting to feel a queasy and dizzy but I keep pushing forward trying to think positive.

Jake just ran down the hall screaming I have to go poop! Ok, you know where the bathroom is-Right???? He finished up and thankfully yelled "dad I am done!" Once he was done Jake came into the bedroom and said.................................................(this is the part that might make you smile, laugh, gag or all 3! "Mom, my poop came out of my bottom like a gun........BAM! And off he ran down the hall, hardly containing himself so he could tell Ben.............. Boys are different than girls.....ALL bodily functions that create noise are funny and I might as well surrender to that now and save myself the frustration!!!

Missions Fest with Life Change Camp (Chuck and Sharon Voth) was great. There was a good turn out. Since Perspectives, my heart has really been with missions and its importance. I volunteered to help tonight serving cinnamon rolls while the guests participated in the chili cook-off. But the ones on my camera did not come out very well....

One of the pictures that did come out is of me. I normally would not put this picture on my blog but I needed to provide PROOF that I actually could get around the kitchen!

For the record..... PAM BULLER your cinnamon rolls ROCK! I will work in the kitchen with you any day as long as I don't have to do the hard parts! :)Ha Ha

Hey Dad! That really is an apron I am wearing. Yesterday I wore one for the first time and somewhat felt like June Cleaver minus the dress and high heels. I think I would have been more in my element with a gun in a holster on my belt! :)

January 9, 2009

Yesterday, I helped Pam and Gail make cinnamon rolls for Missions Fest 2009. We used the kitchen at church and tripled two batches of dough. I went to pick up Jake from school and Pam and Gail left the kitchen for a few minutes. This is what it looked like when they returned....I am glad this isn't Pam's first time in an "industrial" kitchen because I would have packed up and headed to Dillons! :)

260 cinnamon rolls and 300+ cookies later, we were ready for Missions Fest..............This next picture was taken earlier in the day when we still had energy! We weren't this photogenic at 6:00 when we left!

I really enjoyed hanging out with the Pam and Gail. It had been months since we were able to get caught up. We had been meeting 1-2 times monthly for "Life After Perspectives" (LAP) until August. Since Luke had his surgery, Gail and Tami adventures in China, an adoption of Abraham, etc. it has been awhile since we have had prayer group. You know who your friends are because you can pick up where you left off without missing a beat.......

January 6, 2009

Today was a GREAT day! It was great for so many reasons I can't remember them all.....Ben went back to school, Jacob went to Diane's and I started back to work. It was a good day at work, picked up Ben and Jake and came home that afternoon. The boys went outside to play (on the trampoline of course) which allowed me to "plan" supper. For those of you who know me, planning supper and actually making it in a "timely" manner is somewhat of a CHALLENGE. However, we ate supper at 5:00, the dishes were done by 6:00, all of us went downstairs (I walked on the treadmill) and the boys played "wii" and watched Everyone's Hero.

The boys got to bed and about 8:30 PM we started hearing the dreaded chirping sound for one of the 12 smoke detectors (maybe not that many, but close) in the house! Luke and I listened very carefully and we decided it was coming from the smoke detector in the living room. Of course that is the one at the top of the vaulted ceiling above the stairs..........Luke was a great sport (not even mumbling under his breath) got on his "slip-on" shoes (boots), coat and headed out to the shed to get one of the many ladders (in the dark).

(Doesn't my honey look like a pro???? Must be the 28 years he has been working as a Lineman for Westar-!)

After getting the smoke detector down we soon realized there was no battery in that one, therefore, it wasn't the one making the noise..................Luke took another deep breath AND....

At the bottom of the stairs in the basement was the bad battery.....Didn't even need a ladder to change the battery! Luke was a very good sport!

January 4, 2008

No pictures today..............Maybe later if my mom sends me some from this weekend.

My mom called on Thursday and said they had two extra tickets to the K-State men's basketball game on Saturday and asked if the boys (Ben and Jake) wanted to go. Of course I said "yes" and mom made arrangements to pick up the boys on Friday after she got off of work. Jake was so excited to leave with grandma that he told me to quit kissing him so he could shut the door then they could leave. WOW! Jake and Ben must have needed a break from Luke and I as badly as we needed one from them!

After the boys left, Luke took me to eat at my favorite restaurant, Reba's. Afterwards we went to the video store and rented a movie. We walked around the store with about 5 movies in our hands trying to decide what movie to rent. The boys weren't around so we could actually rent something with "adult content," you know something over PG...... :) Out of all the movies to choose from we ended up with "Step-brothers" with Will Ferrell. There were a few funny parts but I don't think I ever HAVE to see that one again. Overall, it was great date night and one that we desperately needed.

Luke and I went to pick them up on Saturday night. My mom told me that earlier that day Jake informed her and my step-dad, Papa Ted, that he "needed a break from mommy because she was being mean." Hmmmmmm......This is the first time I have been home with the boys during "Christmas break." It was a lot for the entire family to take in (especially me). Besides me being home, Luke was on vacation for two weeks and my brother, Uncle Louie, was here from Georgia for a week. Don't get me wrong it was great to be home with all of them but I am also very excited for school and work to start this week.

Speaking of Uncle Louie, he called today and thanked me....................Yes... he THANKED ME & BEN for giving him strep throat. He had a fever, his throat hurt and he said his throat looked like something out of a horror film. All I can say is I am glad he is in Georgia and I am in Kansas after his sarcastic remarks......However, I do hope he feels better because he is suppose to get his tonsils out in two weeks....

January 1, 2009

First off, I wanted to wish my "bestest friend in the whole world" (Jenn Logan) a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I won't post how old you are but I will say that you will always be older than me by 2 weeks! :) I couldn't find a picture of us when we were younger, so you will have to love this picture from last year. Ben is giving Trooper a lot of "lovin" but I don't know if Troop really likes it!

I hope to see you soon my "little sunshine"!