Update on Will

So we saw the pediatrician again today. She had three opinions of what might be causing Will to have fever for this many days. 1) It could be strep that is not completely responding to the amoxicillin, and therefore we would need to try a different antibiotic. 2) It could be mono. The mono spot test came back negative, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the virus that causes mono is not present. 3) It could be the flu.

She did a nasal swab to test for flu. The result was negative. She said that rules out flu. However, it seems funny to me that both the strep and the mono tests produced a negative result too, and the doctor said that you could get a false negative on those tests. I don't understand, but then again I'm not the doctor.

Futher testing for mono would require blood work which would take two weeks to confirm the results. She decided to continue to treat Will for strep throat. Mostly because his throat looks better, his tonsils aren't swollen, and his lymph nodes aren't tender to touch anymore. In her opinion, that means it did respond to the antibiotic. But there could be a "pocket" of infection that isn't responding to it, hence the continued fever.

We will try the new antibiotic over the weekend, and if he continues to have fever we will go back to her office on Monday morning for blood work and further tests.

So Will and I didn't go to Kate's basketball games tonight. We still aren't sure if he's contagious. The doctor said if it's strep, then he is not contagious, in spite of the fever, because he has been on an antibiotic for several days. On the other hand, if it is mono, then as long as he has a fever he is contagious. So we will stay put for the weekend. Just in case.

Not that he would have felt like going to the games anyway. His temperature is back up to 101.4 now. And he is tired and achy from the fever. As long as his fever is down he feels ok, but when it goes back up, he feels pretty rotten. I'm praying that it is the antibiotic, and that this new one will work. We should know something by about 5:00 tomorrow afternoon, because if it is strep the fever should be gone within 24 hours after starting the antibiotic.

Please join me in praying for him. This has been one long week.

Still Sick

He's still sick. It's been 5 days now. And Lizzy has hardly left his side.

I'm up to check for fever in the next little bit. It is easier to stay up and wait, than to go to sleep then wake up.

I will call the doctor in the morning (hmmm... it is morning). Just not sure this is strep. Wondering if it might be something viral, maybe flu? He has had aches and pains off and on throughout the day since Tuesday. He has slept alot. He has had temperatures ranging from a low-grade 99 degrees all the way up to 104 degrees! The last couple of days, he has had no appetite.

Just when I think he's getting better, the fever goes back up. Or the headache returns.

This morning when I woke him, his fever was back up to 102 degrees. A couple of advil and two hours later, he felt fine. Then he slept through lunch. He felt good for the first part of the afternoon. We even played a few games of Uno! Then he felt tired again, and the fever went back up...

talking to his big brother... he called to check on Will, and to wish him a happy birthday... Sorry Will, it wasn't such a happy one!

And there are stomach issues too. I wonder if that is a reaction to the antibiotic.

He has had strep throat once already this year, and it wasn't like this at all. Within a couple days of being on the antibiotic, he was back to normal. So uncertain.

On This Day in 1998

The day began like any other day. I was heavily pregnant with my third child. "Bay Will," as he was affectionately called by my almost-three year old daughter, (she couldn't quite pronounce the word 'baby') was exactly one week late, according to my doctor's timetable.

My doctor had encouraged me to consider labor induction, but I had gone that route with my two previous pregnancies. This time I wanted to wait and let God bring this baby on His timetable.

I had been having contractions off and on for the last few days, but this day was different. As I have already stated, I didn't go into labor on my own with my previous pregnancies, so I didn't have much with which I could compare it. But these contractions felt different. I knew that my baby was getting ready to make his debut!

I spent a good portion of that day walking, as per instructions from my doctor's office. By around 8:00 pm, the contractions were regular and timely, and after a call to the hospital, things were set in motion. A quick call to our parents, followed by dropping our kids off at a friend's house, and we were off to the hospital.

At about 9:00 pm, as we walked into triage at the hospital, we were greeted with these words: "Oh no, not another one." These are not exactly words you want to hear at a time like this. As it turned out, all the labor and delivery rooms were full that night. And two more expectant couples came in behind us!

We were taken to the waiting room in labor and delivery to await a room. I was restless and felt the need to walk. As I walked around in that small, confined waiting room I actually felt my baby drop! The nurse instructed to me to stay put in my wheelchair, telling me that it wouldn't be long for me. I was scared and excited, all at the same time!

After a short wait, I was taken back to be checked, finally. This nurse was surprised to find that I was dilated to an 8 already, and as she was checking me, my water broke. She informed me there would be no time for the epidural I had requested. Now I was no longer excited, just scared.

I was moved into a recently vacated labor and delivery room and literally, after just a few pushes, at 12:07 am on November 18, 1998, William John left the safety and comfort of my womb and made his entrance into this world. My precious baby boy weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces, and measured 21 and 1/2 inches in length. He had ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, and was perfect in every way.

Later, in the wee hours of the morning, comfortably snuggled in with my new baby, we discovered that a meteor shower had passed through. The labor and delivery nurses were attributing the meteor shower to the onset of all these labors.  :)

At the time, I didn't know what was happening outside the walls, but I do know that inside those hospital walls, I was falling in love all over again. This tiny bundle had already captured my heart when I found out I was expecting him, but seeing him for the first time, holding him in my arms, I was overcome by that fierce love for him, gripped with that protective instinct that is motherhood.

Today we celebrate his 12th year of life. Happy Birthday Will!

his first night home, with Kate and Grandmama

Christmas 1998

the game he wanted for his birthday

Sick Days

I have a sick little man at home today. Actually, he's been sick since Monday. The doctor suspected strep throat, but the test came back negative. So she tested for mono. That came back negative as well. She explained that you can get a false negative result, and based on his symptoms of sore throat (which looked like strep to her as well) and headache, she prescribed an antibiotic. He never had a temperature and he never felt really bad.

Until today. After two days of being on his medicine. When I woke him this morning, he felt as if he were burning up. I felt like such a bad momma, not checking on him during the night...

So he has spent most of today lying on the couch, alternating between watching tv and sleeping. Taking tylenol and advil, which has helped him to feel a little better, but has really done very little for keeping the fever down.

He threw up this afternoon, so I began to wonder if he has strep throat after all. A call to the pediatrician, and the nurse assured me that nausea and vomiting can go along with strep throat. But she took down these notes and told me the doctor would call me this evening.

So... waiting.

If you think of us, please say a little prayer. I feel so helpless when my children are sick.

On the Cover of a Magazine...

I thought I would share one of the pictures Mike sent to me from Auburn University, where he and Kate are having a wonderful time enjoying all the pre-game activities. War Eagle!

Fathers and Daughters

Today is a special day for Mike and Kate. They have gone on a "Father/Daughter" trip! They are on their way, across the state from our home in south Georgia to Auburn, Alabama. Tonight they will spend the night with our niece and her husband, and tomorrow they will attend the Auburn vs Georgia college football game. They are both pretty excited because 1.) we are Auburn football fanatics! and 2.) this is Kate's first time going to a game with just Dad and no brothers! They promised to take lots of pictures for me.

I thought we might have a quiet evening around here with just the boys and me, but my youngest has asked to have a friend over to spend the night. So I can assure you, quietness has eluded this household! Really, that's alright with me because I'm quite used to chaos around here and not sure I'd know what to do with myself otherwise. I am thinking I might go to bed earlier than usual, though and snuggle up with a good book and a cup of decaf coffee.

I can hardly wait for tomorrow night. They should be arriving back home sometime around midnight. I'm happy for them to be able to have this time together, just father and daughter. But I really don't like it when my family is apart. I miss them so much! However, I know it's important and I'm thankful my husband has such a good relationship with each of our children.

And I'm especially thankful that he and our daughter find so many ways to relate to one another. That's one thing that I did not have while growing up, (and I am not sure my momma did either) and a girl needs so much to have a close relationship with her daddy. She needs someone to protect her, someone to guard her heart until it is given into her husband's care. She needs someone to look up to, a hero to model for her the qualities that she needs to seek in a future husband. She needs someone to lead her to Jesus, someone to help keep her focus on Him until He brings to her "the one."

God has chosen to provide that to Kate. And for that, I am grateful.

Rambling

Warning: This is most likely going to become one of those ramble-posts of sorts.

There are so many things on my mind and heart lately...

Most of my posts are light-hearted, but today I feel kind of down, with alot on my mind. Actually, I've felt down and out of sorts for a little while now. It seems my emotions are in over-drive lately, with mood swings running the gamut from depressed to deliriously happy at times. Geesh! Can you say hormone roller coaster?

I'm not exactly sure what the source of this particular struggle is, but I can tell you my family has noticed! "Mom is in one of her moods today." "I wouldn't ask Mom about that right now if I were you." I hear them whisper to one another. It's enough to break a momma's heart. A mom ought not to act in ways that cause her children to avoid interacting with her.

I know we all have our bad days, but my bad days are lasting longer and longer with the good days seeming farther out of reach. My husband actually suggested that it might be time to pay a visit to my doctor to discuss hormone therapy or something. Geesh! (my new favorite word!)

Maybe he's right. I mean, I like theme parks and all, but these roller coaster rides are not working for me!

Of course, it might not all be attributed to hormones. There are other issues we are dealing with that could be bringing about some stress-induced erratic behaviors! For one, I think this adoption process is taking its toll on me, because I'm the one doing most of the work involved in it (because my dear husband is at work all day and I am at home, so it falls on me by default). Geesh! I had no idea when we started this process just how many "hoops we'd have to jump through" in order to be approved as adoptive parents! And now it's been about a month since we've heard anything from our RD. I guess no news is good news???

We're still praying and waiting. I keep telling myself it's all in God's timing. He knows exactly when we'll be united with our new child. I guess I'm just a wee bit on the impatient side.

On top of that, there are some issues in our church which are wreaking havoc on my nerves. But that is really nothing new under the sun. The church is made up of imperfect people and there will always be struggles and problems within it. But I can seriously say that God has opened my eyes to see the spiritual warfare going on there! And that has been draining, enough so that my emotions are raw.

But one thing I know for sure. God is still on His throne. When I'm out of control, I can know that He is in control. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows exactly what's going on and He's in control of it. Nothing can come to me that hasn't been sifted through His love. Ok, that's more than one thing! lol

To sum it all up, I suppose my point is this: This is just where God wants me; me admitting that I have no control, no power, nothing. It is all Him, and it is all about Him.

Family Matters

We attended the last football game of the season for our school last Friday night. We made it to the State Championship Game! But we didn't win. So we're not state champs, but our team certainly had a good season!

Kate, cheering at her last football game this year

Since the game was close to our families' hometown, we made plans to spend the weekend with them. With my husband's birthday being October 27th, and his dad's birthday November 1st, of course we had to have a birthday celebration!

My father-in-law is 84 this year, and my husband is 42. Exactly half his father's age. We had a joyous celebration... we love parties! God is so good to have blessed my dear fil with 84 years thus far.

 

my children with their granddaddy

with his children, except for his oldest son (who couldn't join us this time)

 We are so blessed to have him in our lives and are very grateful for the time we can spend with him!



We also spent some time with my family. Weekends at Nana and Papa's house are spent "hanging out" in the barn behind their house. They have converted part of the horse barn into a gathering place of sorts. Inside the barn is a wood-burning stove, which I absolutely love. On chilly nights, I spend most of my time there standing in front of this stove, or sitting in a chair pulled as close to it as I can get without burning myself or the chair. I'm not sure what it is about me and this stove, or a fireplace for that matter... lol.

my daughter, my brother and his two daughters, and my daddy

my son and his friend

my son and my brother

my brother and his son

my niece cuddling with Lizzy

Yes... when I count my blessings, family is pretty high on the list.  

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband

Today is my husband's birthday.

his birthday celebration in 2007

We probably won't do much school today, just the basics. I want to have time to prepare a celebration for him! There are decorations to hang, a gift to wrap and brownies to bake (he prefers them to a cake!) And since we are trying to eat a little more healthy around here, I decided to try the dark chocolate brownies this time (hehe).

I'm not a fan of dark chocolate, but my husband likes it. So... we shall see what he thinks about his brownies!

I am so thankful for my husband. I am grateful that God picked him out just for me! Do we argue? Of course. Does he have quirky little habits that get on my last nerve? Certainly. (Don't we all?) But he is also kind-hearted and compassionate in his role of husband and father. He provides for us and tries hard to meet our needs.

So when his birthday comes around, we try to make it extra special for him! Of course, our goal is to show him our appreciation every day, but on his birthday we really want to show him just how special he is to us.

his brownies

his cake, which he might not want, but the rest of us do :)

So today we will celebrate. Tonight we will eat pizza with friends after church, and we will thank Him for another year with a wonderful husband and father. We will celebrate the life that He has given us, and we'll be careful to give the glory to our God, the source of all life and the source of our joy.

Bloom Where You're Planted

This is a little lesson that my heavenly Father is currently teaching me. What's that you ask? Haven't I already been through this before? 

Why yes, as a matter of fact I have. But you see, I'm a bit mulish stubborn. Well, maybe more than a bit. It seems that He has to repeat some of life's lessons for me. It's a wonder He doesn't give up on me entirely. Thank goodness I can be sure that He won't! Philippians 1:6 tells me, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Bloom where you're planted.

This is a struggle for me. Has been for a few years now. This is not where I want to be. At this physical address. I have always yearned for the country life. Oh, I know that may sound silly to some, but this is a desire that has been in my heart for as long as I can remember. To live on a farm, in a big, old farmhouse, with lots of children and animals, surrounded by trees and ponds and land, as far as the eye can see. Ok, so now I'm just being greedy.

Lots of land, with no up-close neighbors (not that I don't get along with my neighbors, for I do). It's just that I'm not much of a people person. I kinda keep to myself for the most part. I have a couple of close friends, and that's the way I like it. I could be content with not leaving my little domain for days at a time.

But that's not what He wants for me. Hence, the "bloom where you're planted" issue.

We were not created to be "hermits," to keep within our little domains, content not to see anybody other than family for days or weeks at a time. We were created to get out and share Jesus with those who don't know Him. To share His hope with a lost and dying world.

And that goes against the grain for me. It is hard for those who, like me, prefer to live a solitary life way out in the country, far from the city and the people within its gates (nothing against people in general, it's just me). But my, how He is stretching me, growing me, changing me! I won't lie to you; the stretching, growing and changing... it hurts. But I know that it is necessary if I am going to live out His purpose for my life. What is my purpose? The same as your purpose. Oh I know that He brings to fulfillment our purposes in different ways, but the purpose is still the same. To make His glory known among the nations. As David Platt states it, "to make much of God." 

And how can I make much of God if I don't want to go into the world? If I'm content to sequester myself away from people? I suppose I can't. Hence, my physical address being located just outside the city limits, rather than miles and miles out in the country. Hence, God leading us to enroll our daughter in school (a Christian school, yet school nonetheless), so that I interact with people on an almost daily basis. I don't want to chase rabbits here, but I do feel as if I need to clarify that point. I'm not saying that if you don't live within the city, then you can't reach people for Jesus. I'm just saying that I probably would not. Ok, enough of that, I am digressing!

So, yes, I struggle daily in this flesh-suit I wear. But I can be confident that He is changing me, molding me into His image, making me more Christ-like each passing day. That He is showing me which habits to put off, and which virtues to put on. That He is using ordinary people to make much of Himself, to make His glory known among the nations. And I want to be one of those people, no matter how arduous the journey.

  

Prayer Request

A dear friend from high school has family members who could really use your prayers right now. You can read about it here. And if the Lord brings them to mind, please lift them up to Him.

It's Fall Around Here

Finally...

It's beginning to feel like fall around here.... The weather is nice. We are enjoying being outside more.

This is my favorite time of the year! I love to see the leaves changing color... getting ready for winter. It won't be long and we'll be going home for Thanksgiving. I love getting together with family for the holidays!

my "pumpkin" I found on clearance at a Cracker Barrel Country Store last year

The home school group visited a local cotton field last week. The kids all picked some cotton, and they have to do some research about cotton (whatever they want to know about it) and be prepared to share what they learned when we meet next week. We will take a tour of the local cotton gin next week as well.

They all thought it was great fun picking the cotton. Of course, we were only there for probably 30 to 45 minutes, at the most! Some of the adults began telling the kids of stories told to them by their grandparents about being in the fields all day picking cotton. I can't even imagine! 

We visited our county fair last week. It is very small scale, nothing compared to the national fair we visited a couple of weeks ago! But it is always fun to walk around enjoying the displays, meeting friends, watching the entertainment, seeing the livestock shows.

And of course, the food! We have local organizations (like the Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club, and many others) that set up food booths. One of my favorites is funnel cakes from the Lion's Club! I like them so much that I sent my two oldest children over to pick up a couple of them after supper last night! Lol. We live close to the fair grounds, so it was very convenient!

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know how much we like to watch for birds around my house. We'd been hearing this one in the woods behind the house for a few days, but we hadn't seen him. Then Friday morning (I think it was Friday...) my son and I were sitting on the couch reading, when all of a sudden he popped up off the couch and excitedly announced that there was a red-headed woodpecker in the backyard! Of course we dropped the books, picked up the camera and headed outside to try to capture the bird in photograph. It's very pretty, as you can see, and we hope it will stay around for a bit.

This last picture is of a type of crab spider. It has made a web between the crepe myrtle tree and the house.

Very creepy looking to me. I think all spiders are creepy looking, but I do appreciate their God-given job of helping to keep the insect population under control! We have several spider webs around the yard and as much as I dislike spiders, I try not to disturb them.

So... What are you doing to enjoy your fall?

Georgia National Fair

Our third field trip this fall (wow! are we getting any book work done? yes, we actually are.) was to the Georgia National Fair in Perry Georgia. My two youngest children and I have been to this fair once about three years ago. This time, my husband was able to accompany us.

The only thing that was disappointing was the fact that the livestock shows were not scheduled to start until the next day! We don't show any livestock, but it is fun to watch some of the shows. The first time we went to this fair we were able to watch the miniature horse show. That was pretty cool, so we were disappointed that we didn't get to see that again. But other than that, we had a fabulous time at the Georgia National Fair!



at the poultry exhibit

It was fun seeing the baby chicks. We were even able to watch one hatch in the incubator!



watching a baby chick hatch

at the petting zoo

maybe he's not too happy with his cage mates



Are we in Mayberry?

This is my child that keeps us laughing!

an archaeology exhibit

at the circus

 an Australian animal exhibit

my little "upside-down" joey... I told you he's the family comedian.

heritage exhibits

enjoying honey straws while waiting for the show to begin

photo op with the cast of "Wild West Shenani-Guns"

As you can see, we had a wonderful time at the national fair! I hate that we missed the livestock shows, though. Well, some of them! As I said before, the miniature horse show is so cute. We enjoyed a magic show, a science show, an animal education show, a pig race (my son was chosen to participate in the race, but his pig didn't win), and the circus. There was so much to see and do, we didn't have time to go to the midway for the rides. But no matter. We had a fabulous day nonetheless!