After a long stretch of good health, we had a round of sick kids this past month. I started things off with a flu thing and passed it to them.
The signs were there for Ben and I was in denial a little bit. He always has trouble with his windpipe when he gets sick; it inflames and causes croup. Which exacerbates his asthma. But the medical books tell you that should be over by age 7. Not so for him.
So we were watching "Fellowship of the Ring" with him. He had a box of tissues, but seemed fine.
And then in 10 minutes, he went in to a slide. One minute we were watching a movie, the next he flicked off the TV and said he had to stop and took his first croupy cough. The nebulizer treatment didn't work; the steamy shower didn't work. We tried each twice. Vomiting.
I checked on him just after midnight and there was terror in his eyes. He can't really talk when he can't breathe so he had written us a few notes early on. I asked: "Do you want to go to the hospital?" Yes, he nodded.
I despise hospitals, I get asked questions, I wash my hands and use hand sanitizer constantly. But we went. He was terrified. I was terrified.
In these moments, I pray and wonder if....
We went. The night air helped, even though it was warm and humid air. We got to the ER and I asked: "Are you better? Do you want to go in?" In response, he vomited again. We went in.
And it feels dirty and diseased and the surroundings are uncomfortable and the staff never displays much urgency. I hate hospitals. But the doctor is wonderful; tells me his 9-year old just did this and Ben will eventually outgrow it. His pulse oxygen is good; he isn't wheezing. The worst has passed. He gets a dose of steroids. We can talk. He tells me, "Mom, I wasn't sure I was going to make it this time." Yeah. We wait. We are finally handed discharge papers only to have him throw up all his medicine as we left the room and have to stay, take anti-nausea medication, wait for that to take effect, take more steroids, wait. And finally go home to rest and recover.
In these times, I reflect on friends whose children are fighting deadly diseases, some who have lifelong challenges that they will not outgrow. I pray for them. I long to help ease their burdens.
In the first world, it is so easy to believe we are in control. That our destiny is ours. In these times with Ben, I am confronted with the lie of control. I can't save him. I can't save myself. I am at the mercy of God. My friends with ill children know this, they know they cannot fix their kids and their problems. They have stared it in the face and come out with the truth that eludes so many. They are better for it. But tired. And so I pray that they will find rest. And that I will find rest in the reality that I'm not in control. And that is okay.
Showing posts with label Benisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benisms. Show all posts
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
My Educator
Ben and I were watching the girls swim at their lessons last week when I asked him if he was starting to gear up for school this fall. I told him I hoped to have a short preschool with Ev one day a week and would he help with that?
He proceeded to describe the preschool program he had thought about for her and felt she should probably be in a daily program. Then he started in on Kyrie and how she should be starting this Latin this year. I pointed out that he hadn't started Latin until 3rd grade and she was only going to be in 1st. "I want her to get a good start," he responded.
Clearly, he doesn't yet share my better late than early philosophy. But I was very excited to find out I have a T.A. for the year. And more importantly, I have a son who is excited about education. When asked about vocational interests, Ben consistently says he wants to be an artist, illustrator and Latin teacher.
But personally, I'm glad we still have more than a month of summer left!
He proceeded to describe the preschool program he had thought about for her and felt she should probably be in a daily program. Then he started in on Kyrie and how she should be starting this Latin this year. I pointed out that he hadn't started Latin until 3rd grade and she was only going to be in 1st. "I want her to get a good start," he responded.
Clearly, he doesn't yet share my better late than early philosophy. But I was very excited to find out I have a T.A. for the year. And more importantly, I have a son who is excited about education. When asked about vocational interests, Ben consistently says he wants to be an artist, illustrator and Latin teacher.
But personally, I'm glad we still have more than a month of summer left!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Oh, the Places We'll Go
A couple of weeks ago we went on a short vacation "up north." My brother came in to town and I found a last minute vacation condo on Craigslist and we had an amazing time. If I ever get the pictures off my phone I will post them.
We took our kids on some LONG day trips. Two days were 10 hours of driving, hiking and site-seeing. They were awesome. They liked it. They didn't complain (much). And at some point I had this thought: Wow, no diapers to tote along, no stroller, and no snacks to pack in order to prevent major meltdowns. Awesome.
I loved my babies and yet I'm loving this season of life. I have little adventurers. All of them love trips, the car, planes, adventures. Everleigh needs to be carried a little on long hikes but she did most of a mile and a half dune hike.
Not too long along I asked Ben "What are your top three places to visit?"
"I can't decide," he responded.
"Take some time and think about it," I said.
"Mom, I've been thinking about it for months!"
That's my boy. Kyrie also has travel on the brain and she is having a terrible time narrowing it down. So we work and save and take another trip.
We took our kids on some LONG day trips. Two days were 10 hours of driving, hiking and site-seeing. They were awesome. They liked it. They didn't complain (much). And at some point I had this thought: Wow, no diapers to tote along, no stroller, and no snacks to pack in order to prevent major meltdowns. Awesome.
I loved my babies and yet I'm loving this season of life. I have little adventurers. All of them love trips, the car, planes, adventures. Everleigh needs to be carried a little on long hikes but she did most of a mile and a half dune hike.
Not too long along I asked Ben "What are your top three places to visit?"
"I can't decide," he responded.
"Take some time and think about it," I said.
"Mom, I've been thinking about it for months!"
That's my boy. Kyrie also has travel on the brain and she is having a terrible time narrowing it down. So we work and save and take another trip.
Sunday, February 03, 2013
The Flu that Befell Us
Last Sunday I said a "thank you" to God for the good health we have enjoyed this winter. HA!
I think what occurred next must have come right out of the book of Job. The devil called up and asked God if He couldn't test us and see if we would still love God when the good health streak ended.
Ben started in at 4:22am Monday. His flu cocktail of choice always starts with a long croup-like episode that scares us all to death. His body gets the slightest fever and he needs to throw up. A LOT.
I will spare you the details of the rest of our falls....We have all been sick to varying degrees, though Mike merely experienced a dusting and has largely taken care of the rest of us very well. We are hopeful he will stay healthy. We've each had different symptoms.
I am so grateful I had done a huge grocery shopping trip last Sunday and we had freezer meals too. We haven't wanted to eat consistently but at least I didn't have to worry. Mike has been to the store for movie rentals, cough syrup, drops, ibuprofen, tea, and various other items nearly every day.
Our plans have been canceled. It looks like we will have to cancel a few more things for this week as several of us are still going.
Best lines of the Winter 2013 Reitz Plague:
Ben (Saying "no" to a fish stick on the first day he felt better): "I don't want to throw up fish."
Evie (Laying on my bed): "I'm just going to lie here until my head stops hurting."
For the first time in years, we are alone for the Super Bowl. Think I will drag myself down to watch that now.
I think what occurred next must have come right out of the book of Job. The devil called up and asked God if He couldn't test us and see if we would still love God when the good health streak ended.
Ben started in at 4:22am Monday. His flu cocktail of choice always starts with a long croup-like episode that scares us all to death. His body gets the slightest fever and he needs to throw up. A LOT.
I will spare you the details of the rest of our falls....We have all been sick to varying degrees, though Mike merely experienced a dusting and has largely taken care of the rest of us very well. We are hopeful he will stay healthy. We've each had different symptoms.
I am so grateful I had done a huge grocery shopping trip last Sunday and we had freezer meals too. We haven't wanted to eat consistently but at least I didn't have to worry. Mike has been to the store for movie rentals, cough syrup, drops, ibuprofen, tea, and various other items nearly every day.
Our plans have been canceled. It looks like we will have to cancel a few more things for this week as several of us are still going.
Best lines of the Winter 2013 Reitz Plague:
Ben (Saying "no" to a fish stick on the first day he felt better): "I don't want to throw up fish."
Evie (Laying on my bed): "I'm just going to lie here until my head stops hurting."
For the first time in years, we are alone for the Super Bowl. Think I will drag myself down to watch that now.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Seahawks vs. Lions
 |
| Look at that joyful glow |
When we talked to the kids about the move to Michigan in the summer, one boy was very sad to leave behind what he knew and his favorite football team. We promised him a chance to watch the Seahawks in person and last Sunday, he and Mike watched the Seahawks narrowly lose to the Lions in a very exciting game. Ben LOVED the whole experience and even took the loss in stride (he is an optimist about these things; there is always next game!). He went up to a fellow Hawks fan who was about his age and introduced himself and talked a little football. The Lions fan sitting next to him made the mistake of asking him if he knew anything about football and Ben probably taught him a little bit before the day was over.
Other than the loss, the biggest disappointment was that the stadium security prohibited him from bringing his football in to be signed. But he had a great day and hopes to go again soon.
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Ben's Program, Part 1, Latin
Yesterday I was at the mailbox and our neighbor asked what time classes started so he could drop in and "learn something." I told him Latin started in 15 minutes and he decided to opt out.
My greatest fear this year was Latin. In a classical education program, it is typically introduced in 3rd grade and I was very very tempted to send Ben to the local classical school to take it there. I'm glad I didn't, though I will have that option in the future and I may use it.
I expected wailing and gnashing of teeth when we did Latin every day. Instead, Latin just may be his favorite subject, and it is also the subject that his sisters eagerly join in on. It is very strange to hear your 2-yr old walking around conjugating Latin verbs. Why is Latin such a hit?
Classical Academic Press and their Latin for Children
The curriculum is brilliant. I read this review late in the summer when I was trying to make a decision on how we were going to handle Latin. I also knew the local classical Christian school used Latin for Children which was a great encouragement.
I've spent more money on Latin than any other subject, but it is worth it. Here are the tools we use and my review:
Latin for Children, Primer A:
Latin is a foreign language. It isn't easy to learn. This is a textbook and frankly, as a stand-alone, it would be overwhelming. It is packed full of grammar (noun declensions, verb conjugations, gender, etc....) that I didn't learn well in English. It is tough. At the same time, it is well written, and teaches a Latin phrase in each lesson as well as vocabulary and grammar. Very first phrase: "In the beginning was the Word" from the Latin Vulgate.
Latin for Children, Primer A, Answer Key:
So until this year, I've thought an answer key was for sissies. But let's face it, I don't know Latin, and my brain is 30-some years older than Ben's. The answer key is a must.
Latin for Children A, Activity Book:
I bought this, regretted it, and now I'm back to being thankful. It is probably the least necessary of the tools we are using 1) The Primer A has at least one of the activities from this book in it for each lesson. 2) The website also has a few activities. Regardless, there are crosswords, word finds, mazes, and other word activities that give a little more vocabulary practice. Ben has enjoyed it. But other than the History Reader, which I didn't buy because we just don't have time in our day for it, this is probably the least critical piece of the program.
Latin for Children A, DVD & Chant Set:
The $54.95 price tag set me back. I buy everything used but it says something that you can't find this set used. (I did, but it was scratched and I had to return it and buy new.) This piece is brilliant. The CDs have the vocab chants for each lesson. The DVDs have the vocab chants done by living children. They have the grammar lesson taught by the teacher, and then a brief video clip...a fun story acted out, interviews with the kids, stretches...something. My kids live for this part. This set was invaluable for pronunciation.
Clash Cards:
Again, the price tag ($26.95 and no where used) gave me pause. I didn't buy these until we were two weeks in and I realized that this is a foreign language and we needed them. They have a variety of uses as games, and review. They are worth it.
HeadventureLand.com:
Yes, you can just use the web site with something else, but it makes more sense with the program. The website is brilliant. Ben plays the Clash Card game online (easier than the physical cards so we have both), he watches the clips OVER and OVER again. (Check out this sample.) He can track his scores and compare them to other kids.
So why Latin? Teaching this subject has increased MY knowledge of the English language. My understanding of English grammar has grown; Ben's has skyrocketed. He is learning English grammar simultaneously and he easily grasps the parts of language and gets grammar on a level that I never did. I admit to having a very utilitarian reason for teaching him Latin. My days reading hundreds of college admission applications taught me this: Students who take Latin ROCK the SAT Verbal section. I became very used to seeing perfect verbal scores. Just five weeks into teaching Latin, I know why.
Why in 3rd grade? A young brain is a sponge. Memorization is FAR easier at this age.Which is why I'm falling behind my children. WAY behind. (Again, the answer key is a MUST.)
My greatest fear this year was Latin. In a classical education program, it is typically introduced in 3rd grade and I was very very tempted to send Ben to the local classical school to take it there. I'm glad I didn't, though I will have that option in the future and I may use it.
I expected wailing and gnashing of teeth when we did Latin every day. Instead, Latin just may be his favorite subject, and it is also the subject that his sisters eagerly join in on. It is very strange to hear your 2-yr old walking around conjugating Latin verbs. Why is Latin such a hit?
Classical Academic Press and their Latin for Children
The curriculum is brilliant. I read this review late in the summer when I was trying to make a decision on how we were going to handle Latin. I also knew the local classical Christian school used Latin for Children which was a great encouragement.
I've spent more money on Latin than any other subject, but it is worth it. Here are the tools we use and my review:
Latin for Children, Primer A:
Latin is a foreign language. It isn't easy to learn. This is a textbook and frankly, as a stand-alone, it would be overwhelming. It is packed full of grammar (noun declensions, verb conjugations, gender, etc....) that I didn't learn well in English. It is tough. At the same time, it is well written, and teaches a Latin phrase in each lesson as well as vocabulary and grammar. Very first phrase: "In the beginning was the Word" from the Latin Vulgate.
Latin for Children, Primer A, Answer Key:
So until this year, I've thought an answer key was for sissies. But let's face it, I don't know Latin, and my brain is 30-some years older than Ben's. The answer key is a must.
Latin for Children A, Activity Book:
I bought this, regretted it, and now I'm back to being thankful. It is probably the least necessary of the tools we are using 1) The Primer A has at least one of the activities from this book in it for each lesson. 2) The website also has a few activities. Regardless, there are crosswords, word finds, mazes, and other word activities that give a little more vocabulary practice. Ben has enjoyed it. But other than the History Reader, which I didn't buy because we just don't have time in our day for it, this is probably the least critical piece of the program.
Latin for Children A, DVD & Chant Set:
The $54.95 price tag set me back. I buy everything used but it says something that you can't find this set used. (I did, but it was scratched and I had to return it and buy new.) This piece is brilliant. The CDs have the vocab chants for each lesson. The DVDs have the vocab chants done by living children. They have the grammar lesson taught by the teacher, and then a brief video clip...a fun story acted out, interviews with the kids, stretches...something. My kids live for this part. This set was invaluable for pronunciation.
Clash Cards:
Again, the price tag ($26.95 and no where used) gave me pause. I didn't buy these until we were two weeks in and I realized that this is a foreign language and we needed them. They have a variety of uses as games, and review. They are worth it.
HeadventureLand.com:
Yes, you can just use the web site with something else, but it makes more sense with the program. The website is brilliant. Ben plays the Clash Card game online (easier than the physical cards so we have both), he watches the clips OVER and OVER again. (Check out this sample.) He can track his scores and compare them to other kids.
So why Latin? Teaching this subject has increased MY knowledge of the English language. My understanding of English grammar has grown; Ben's has skyrocketed. He is learning English grammar simultaneously and he easily grasps the parts of language and gets grammar on a level that I never did. I admit to having a very utilitarian reason for teaching him Latin. My days reading hundreds of college admission applications taught me this: Students who take Latin ROCK the SAT Verbal section. I became very used to seeing perfect verbal scores. Just five weeks into teaching Latin, I know why.
Why in 3rd grade? A young brain is a sponge. Memorization is FAR easier at this age.Which is why I'm falling behind my children. WAY behind. (Again, the answer key is a MUST.)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Saying Good-bye (3)
Today Ben, Kyrie, and Everleigh said "goodbye" to our Washington home. Ben and I had a little date first to the AAA office where they had a special Lego map of the USA (today only) that Ben could play a little game with. At the end, he was given a map of the USA and a little Lego car to assemble. He was THRILLED, claiming he had seen some new configurations to try. He told everyone he was moving to Michigan and would be highlighting his map to show where he was going on his trip. When we got in the car, he told me he had question and he knew it was silly. But did they have McDonalds in Michigan? And I assured him they did and other known places. He told me he couldn't imagine it there but he was ready to go and he thought it would be fine. And today was a complete change in his demeanor. He is ready.
As we were loading them in the car the new little neighbor boy (age 6) who has lived next door for a month came and asked when they would be back. When I told him they weren't coming back (which he knew was coming), he began to cry and he sobbed as we pulled away. It was heartbreaking.
I took my mom and the kids to Portland and met my dad who gave them the car and came back with me. I was able to see my Aunt Lee and meet her new friend Bob.
Kyrie is so excited she can't quit talking and asking questions. We picked up maps and national park guides at AAA and we are ready for a road trip.
As we were loading them in the car the new little neighbor boy (age 6) who has lived next door for a month came and asked when they would be back. When I told him they weren't coming back (which he knew was coming), he began to cry and he sobbed as we pulled away. It was heartbreaking.
I took my mom and the kids to Portland and met my dad who gave them the car and came back with me. I was able to see my Aunt Lee and meet her new friend Bob.
Kyrie is so excited she can't quit talking and asking questions. We picked up maps and national park guides at AAA and we are ready for a road trip.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
A Week (7)
If I dared, I would take photos of my passed out children to tell you about our day. A picture paints a thousand words.
Yesterday, Carlene. my matron-of-honor/long-time friend and our children helped us prepare for a garage sale. I knew we had entered a new stage of exhaustion when Ben told his friends during an XBox game that he needed a nap and went up the stairs and climbed into bed and slept at 4pm.
Friends made us Indian food and the most amazing homemade ice cream last night. I have forgotten to eat a few meals this week, not a problem I'm accustomed to having. Any potential weight loss was eradicated last night, and again tonight.
Today, we had a relatively successful garage sale. Could have been better, could have been worse. Kyrie was ready to sell more. She was a vulture waiting to sell. She has amazing potential in sales. Then the kids had a birthday party. Then they went to friends' for dinner and a movie night while we went out to an amazing dinner with friends. .
Despite all this socializing, we did manage to get a lot done. The rental contract was signed by both parties today and that brings a huge sense of relief!
Yesterday, Carlene. my matron-of-honor/long-time friend and our children helped us prepare for a garage sale. I knew we had entered a new stage of exhaustion when Ben told his friends during an XBox game that he needed a nap and went up the stairs and climbed into bed and slept at 4pm.
Friends made us Indian food and the most amazing homemade ice cream last night. I have forgotten to eat a few meals this week, not a problem I'm accustomed to having. Any potential weight loss was eradicated last night, and again tonight.
Today, we had a relatively successful garage sale. Could have been better, could have been worse. Kyrie was ready to sell more. She was a vulture waiting to sell. She has amazing potential in sales. Then the kids had a birthday party. Then they went to friends' for dinner and a movie night while we went out to an amazing dinner with friends. .
Despite all this socializing, we did manage to get a lot done. The rental contract was signed by both parties today and that brings a huge sense of relief!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
"If We Aren't Packed We'll Just Go Later." -Ben (10)
Yes, he said that tonight, when I went in to a panic and told him that my children were going to have to do more for themselves for this brief time in their lives. So we had a big clarification talk and now I think he understands that we are going. And we will be ready.
The time is set: The moving truck is picked up at 9am on Saturday, July 28. We are asking friends if they will come help load from 10 until 12 or 12:30pm. We will provide pizza and beverages. The truck will be set to depart no later than 1pm. If you've moved with Mike, you know that 90% of our belongings will be packed by 10am. The rest will be finished while the truck is being loaded.
More on today tomorrow when we (hopefully) know more about the outcomes of today's events.
The time is set: The moving truck is picked up at 9am on Saturday, July 28. We are asking friends if they will come help load from 10 until 12 or 12:30pm. We will provide pizza and beverages. The truck will be set to depart no later than 1pm. If you've moved with Mike, you know that 90% of our belongings will be packed by 10am. The rest will be finished while the truck is being loaded.
More on today tomorrow when we (hopefully) know more about the outcomes of today's events.
Friday, July 13, 2012
15
We have Ben back. This morning I noticed the kitchen trash needed to go out, but never got to it. This afternoon, I walked past to discover it had been taken out. There are many reasons why it is wonderful to have Ben back. That was one of them. He is becoming quite helpful (ok, he usually asks if he can't get a little more computer time for helping), he doesn't wake up too early, and he is mellow. His negotiating skills are calm and reasoned, an approach that works well for him, and me. He is also working on teaching both of his sisters these skills; sometimes hearing it is disconcerting. But today he ran a mediation between his sister and me; well on his way to success in life.
The first person who viewed our house asked for the application. We are hopeful she and her husband complete it and all goes well. We have a possible showing tomorrow and one scheduled for Monday.
Probably the best news is that Mike's dad was declared cancer-free after three different tests this week. This is amazing and unexplainable after being told a couple months ago that his cancer had spread to his lungs, stomach, and lymph nodes. He shared with us this journal entry from 06-26-12"
". . . at 12:10am I sensed that God healed me. I am only going to the
Cancer Center to verify it . . .."
If that doesn't give you goose bumps....
We are going to celebrate with pizza tonight!
The first person who viewed our house asked for the application. We are hopeful she and her husband complete it and all goes well. We have a possible showing tomorrow and one scheduled for Monday.
Probably the best news is that Mike's dad was declared cancer-free after three different tests this week. This is amazing and unexplainable after being told a couple months ago that his cancer had spread to his lungs, stomach, and lymph nodes. He shared with us this journal entry from 06-26-12"
". . . at 12:10am I sensed that God healed me. I am only going to the
Cancer Center to verify it . . .."
If that doesn't give you goose bumps....
We are going to celebrate with pizza tonight!
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Celebration! (25)
No packing happened today. I took the kids to see a $1 summer movie (Happy Feet 2) in the morning and then took Ben up to a late afternoon doctor's appointment in Bellevue. Driving in Seattle traffic is not on my Things I Will Miss About Washington list.
We have not had a chance to follow up with the doctor since Ben did his ondamed treatments. We received really good news; the doctor had not been optimistic about the treatments but he didn't react to gluten, dairy, and NUTS (even peanuts) when he was tested today. Soy is holding firm. We both forgot to test strawberries. (Ugh.) His allergist was surprised enough that she urged caution with the nuts. I had Ben eat some gluten and dairy already over the last couple of weeks and had determined he was not reacting; confirmation was nice. We also discovered he had grown 4 inches in 2 months. The medical assistant couldn't believe it and thought she must have recorded his height wrong the last time; the doctor said he looked taller and I've had to put away most the pants he wore in the spring forever. I was expecting 2 inches; 4 was amazing.
With everything I've learned about gluten, we will not be eating as much as we used to. But it is nice to be able to eat with friends with ease.
We have not had a chance to follow up with the doctor since Ben did his ondamed treatments. We received really good news; the doctor had not been optimistic about the treatments but he didn't react to gluten, dairy, and NUTS (even peanuts) when he was tested today. Soy is holding firm. We both forgot to test strawberries. (Ugh.) His allergist was surprised enough that she urged caution with the nuts. I had Ben eat some gluten and dairy already over the last couple of weeks and had determined he was not reacting; confirmation was nice. We also discovered he had grown 4 inches in 2 months. The medical assistant couldn't believe it and thought she must have recorded his height wrong the last time; the doctor said he looked taller and I've had to put away most the pants he wore in the spring forever. I was expecting 2 inches; 4 was amazing.
With everything I've learned about gluten, we will not be eating as much as we used to. But it is nice to be able to eat with friends with ease.
Monday, April 02, 2012
Oh, the Sun, the Son
So today we saw the sun. It was very nice, and despite being windy, I headed out to try to plant a few seeds in planters. I hate to garden and I have no idea what I'm doing, but if the seed packet is right, the swiss chard might be ok outside. We planted a couple tomato seeds and some parsley and basil and I put them in the window indoors.
Ben is going through a growth spurt right now which is seriously impeding his cognitive powers. His math book asked him how many inches in a foot and he measured his foot. When I looked at him funny and asked him the question out loud, he said: "Oh, right." He's far more tired than usual and the school battle has been uphill. I am considering giving him a break and resuming again in a week or so. But he and I both want our summer off.
Holy Week is my favorite week of the year. I've been struggling with just being so overwhelmingly busy it has been hard to make a place for worship. My morning time has been good, but briefer than I had hoped. I am working to bring my whole self into the events of this week.
Ben is going through a growth spurt right now which is seriously impeding his cognitive powers. His math book asked him how many inches in a foot and he measured his foot. When I looked at him funny and asked him the question out loud, he said: "Oh, right." He's far more tired than usual and the school battle has been uphill. I am considering giving him a break and resuming again in a week or so. But he and I both want our summer off.
Holy Week is my favorite week of the year. I've been struggling with just being so overwhelmingly busy it has been hard to make a place for worship. My morning time has been good, but briefer than I had hoped. I am working to bring my whole self into the events of this week.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ah, Gluten
Mike and I took a wonderful marvelous little getaway to the Columbia River Gorge. We relish time to ourselves and even though we can only go for a day or two right now, we really enjoyed the peace. My mom stayed with the kids. She looked pretty tired when we came home yesterday. We know.
Mike had given me a Groupon to the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel and it included a wine-tasting passport which allows you to visit the area's wineries and taste for free. Mike kept track of mileage and I took photos and I will do a write-up because it was a really fun experience and, oh, if I do, I can write off my expenses. (Smile.)
We came home yesterday and today Ben and I went to see his allergist. He hasn't been to see her in 3 1/2 years and because his health hasn't been as demanding and we have added another child, we have let some things go. But he actually asked to go see her a few months ago and when he asked a second time, I knew we had to go in. He's started to realize that not everyone feels bad after they eat and not everyone is covered in eczema.
I was hoping to find some of his allergies had gone away but no...he's still allergic to soy, strawberries and nuts. And this time, he tested intolerant of gluten. She is concerned that he hasn't grown much (42 lbs at 8) and that he could have celiac disease in which gluten prevents the body from using nutrients well. So he has to follow up with a blood test. She is also worried that we've never seen his peanut reaction, which could be mild or severe. A blood test will give us more detail on whether or not we need an epipen again. We also think it is time to test shellfish. This requires eating it once, since the body doesn't reject it the first time. It forms antibodies and then rejects it the second time. So somehow I get to work that into our diet before the blood test so it will pick that up.
Ben is more upset he has to have a blood draw than that he is going off gluten for now. I'm going gluten free with him for at least three weeks and we will all move toward less gluten foods to make it easier for him.
The happy news is that he can still eat dairy. And that in the scheme of all the things that could be wrong with him, allergies are not that bad. He's a blessing to our lives and we hope this will help him live life to its fullest.
Mike had given me a Groupon to the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel and it included a wine-tasting passport which allows you to visit the area's wineries and taste for free. Mike kept track of mileage and I took photos and I will do a write-up because it was a really fun experience and, oh, if I do, I can write off my expenses. (Smile.)
We came home yesterday and today Ben and I went to see his allergist. He hasn't been to see her in 3 1/2 years and because his health hasn't been as demanding and we have added another child, we have let some things go. But he actually asked to go see her a few months ago and when he asked a second time, I knew we had to go in. He's started to realize that not everyone feels bad after they eat and not everyone is covered in eczema.
I was hoping to find some of his allergies had gone away but no...he's still allergic to soy, strawberries and nuts. And this time, he tested intolerant of gluten. She is concerned that he hasn't grown much (42 lbs at 8) and that he could have celiac disease in which gluten prevents the body from using nutrients well. So he has to follow up with a blood test. She is also worried that we've never seen his peanut reaction, which could be mild or severe. A blood test will give us more detail on whether or not we need an epipen again. We also think it is time to test shellfish. This requires eating it once, since the body doesn't reject it the first time. It forms antibodies and then rejects it the second time. So somehow I get to work that into our diet before the blood test so it will pick that up.
Ben is more upset he has to have a blood draw than that he is going off gluten for now. I'm going gluten free with him for at least three weeks and we will all move toward less gluten foods to make it easier for him.
The happy news is that he can still eat dairy. And that in the scheme of all the things that could be wrong with him, allergies are not that bad. He's a blessing to our lives and we hope this will help him live life to its fullest.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Ben and I met friends downtown Olympia last night for the Messiah Sing Along. To say that we live in an unchurched community is an understatement. Downtown Olympia is a godless place that makes me feel bleak whenever I go there.
So imagine my surprise to find myself in a crowd of 1,000 people all singing "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain" and "Lord God omnipotent reigneth." It was pretty amazing. The words to the Messiah are powerful and amazing. To hear all the voices singing them in unison and be in Olympia and hear the conductor say "We are here to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior." Well that was cool.
Ben was transfixed by the orchestra (easily 150 strong) that included children as young as 13.
It has been so long since I read music or sang parts. It actually depressed me to think how musically uneducated our churches have become. (But that is NOT my post.) It took me a little bit to remember it (still can't read music well) and also revisit that I am NOT a soprano.
When it was all over, I took Ben for some chocolate cake and he regaled the waitress with football stats. She had never heard of "The Messiah" (the opera). Duly horrified.
Ben thinks he would like to go again next year; I bought the HUGE score so we will be ready.
So imagine my surprise to find myself in a crowd of 1,000 people all singing "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain" and "Lord God omnipotent reigneth." It was pretty amazing. The words to the Messiah are powerful and amazing. To hear all the voices singing them in unison and be in Olympia and hear the conductor say "We are here to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior." Well that was cool.
Ben was transfixed by the orchestra (easily 150 strong) that included children as young as 13.
It has been so long since I read music or sang parts. It actually depressed me to think how musically uneducated our churches have become. (But that is NOT my post.) It took me a little bit to remember it (still can't read music well) and also revisit that I am NOT a soprano.
When it was all over, I took Ben for some chocolate cake and he regaled the waitress with football stats. She had never heard of "The Messiah" (the opera). Duly horrified.
Ben thinks he would like to go again next year; I bought the HUGE score so we will be ready.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
And It Has Come to My Attention....
...That Ben knows how to check and read this blog. (Hi Ben!)
He gave it away when he asked me this week if "The Parent Getaway" was still my last post. My chin must have dropped and I made him repeat the question while I steadied myself. I know he can read, I know he can use the computer, I know he can hack our passwords (he showed me how he got into his dad's email), but I had no idea he cared.
And now I have writer's block. (As well as no time.)
A serious post on this later. Or maybe I'll have Ben take the blog over.
He gave it away when he asked me this week if "The Parent Getaway" was still my last post. My chin must have dropped and I made him repeat the question while I steadied myself. I know he can read, I know he can use the computer, I know he can hack our passwords (he showed me how he got into his dad's email), but I had no idea he cared.
And now I have writer's block. (As well as no time.)
A serious post on this later. Or maybe I'll have Ben take the blog over.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Things They Do and Say (That Keep Me RUNNING)
- Everleigh--At nearly 2, she has become a handful. A very cute one but a very busy little girl who is inclined to graffiti the walls, decorate her clothes, cut anything, and sadly, hit her sister repeatedly. We had a fun evening out last week that included dinner out. At not yet 2, Ev (and her siblings) eat enough, that we purchased her a kids' meal. I jokingly said to Mike, "Sorry Daddy, Ev's going to cost you more." Ev looked up from her plate, grinned, and said, "Sorry Daddy." She came up to her dad today and pointed to her back end and said, "Daddy, change diaper." And last night when I put her to bed during Monday Night Football, she cried, "Watch football, watch football."
- Kyrie--She's a very good sister who plays happily with Everleigh. Today I made a Viking boat with Ben. We worked together while Kyrie was supposed to be napping. We cut, glued, and assembled using detailed instructions. Kyrie came downstairs, saw what we had done and had made her own without help in about half the time. She likes to tell people she's allergic to things (which she isn't). She loves to play with her dolls, changing their clothes and giving them naps and bouncing them to quiet them down. Last night she was upset the doll's pjs were too big for her. I responded that she would "grow into them." "Mom, dolls don't grow," was her response. She recently told us she wants to have her first baby at 14 and then find a husband. If you don't see her for 20 years, you'll know why. We have the rain for a moat; just need to start digging.
- Ben has become a football fanatic. He spends his days reading statistics, drawing logos and asking us who we are rooting for in every game. He has also discovered smack talk and we are working to teach him that it might be fun in his fantasy football league but it doesn't extend to daily conversation. Unfortunately, he decided this year that school is not nearly as fun as football, legos, computer games, and XBox. He and Kyrie have taken to fighting, verbally and physically, and I have new respect for my mother, who gave up homeschooling me one year and sent me away she was so sick of the fighting.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
The Things They Say
I find toddlers and preschoolers baffling. I try to avoid other people's and my own have puzzled me on more than one occasion. So it is particularly nice to begin to have coherent conversations with my son. Well kind of....
Today, exhausted of hearing about NFL statistics, and a little concerned at his lack of ambition to so much as learn to ride a bike, I asked him what his dreams were. "What do you want to do someday?"
"I'd like to be a running back or wide receiver for the Seahawks. I think I'd make a good wide receiver."
Which was a little deja vu. I'm pretty sure I had that same conversation 25 years or so ago with my brother.
Then a little while later, he piped up: "Which parent did you like best as a kid, Grammy or Grandpa?"
"They were very different, but I liked them both the same. Don't you like both of your parents differently but just as much as the other?"
"No, I definitely like Dad best." And then he commenced with a well-reasoned list of why he liked his dad best, starting off with "He doesn't make me do school."
Enough conversation. I'll go make dinner now. Maybe I will take a few minutes to remind him how very few meals his father has ever made for him.
Today, exhausted of hearing about NFL statistics, and a little concerned at his lack of ambition to so much as learn to ride a bike, I asked him what his dreams were. "What do you want to do someday?"
"I'd like to be a running back or wide receiver for the Seahawks. I think I'd make a good wide receiver."
Which was a little deja vu. I'm pretty sure I had that same conversation 25 years or so ago with my brother.
Then a little while later, he piped up: "Which parent did you like best as a kid, Grammy or Grandpa?"
"They were very different, but I liked them both the same. Don't you like both of your parents differently but just as much as the other?"
"No, I definitely like Dad best." And then he commenced with a well-reasoned list of why he liked his dad best, starting off with "He doesn't make me do school."
Enough conversation. I'll go make dinner now. Maybe I will take a few minutes to remind him how very few meals his father has ever made for him.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Oh, the Mystery of 7-year olds
About a month ago, Ben came to me and said, "Mom, I know something bad happened in 2001 but I'm not sure what it was."
I was stunned. I had concluded on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 that he didn't seem that aware and therefore, I would postpone that particular talk.
I started in by asking why he knew something bad had happened then. And he stringed together an interview he had read with an NFL player who had mentioned 9/11 and an illustration (not a photo) in a book he had seen of the fiery Twin Towers.
I tend to say too much and so I was hesitant. I told him it was a difficult time for our country and I was happy to talk to him about it but I wondered what he thought happened.
He thought a helicopter or maybe two hit some buildings. So I carefully told him they were airplanes and that those buildings were in New York. "Oh, so it happened in New York City."
Pause.
"Well, and the Pentagon."
"In Virginia? But you were living there then, right?"
Our conversation went a little further and then I told him that some of the details might be scary. So I would answer questions but I wanted him to be sure he was ready to know more. He decided he had heard enough for the day.
It did come back when we saw the Pentagon (and the new 9/11 Memorial) in D.C. but he has otherwise left it alone. For now.
But he will still come up with some interesting things now and then. He recently apologized for the painful delivery I went through with him. And told me he was sorry that being a woman was so painful but that it was sometimes hard to be a man too. I had to laugh. And pause to remember that he hears a lot more than we realize.
Ben likes to tell us what we want to hear. You have to really make him talk with you and it can be hard. He wants to make us happy and move on and this a quality that concerns me as we head into pre-adolescence. You want the truth so you can help them work through things. And he knows that parenting Kyrie leaves me into a pile of exhaustion by the end of the day and he would prefer not to go that route. Keep the peace is his motto.
But he is 7 and he is more emotional than usual. And he would rather play computer games and X-Box than do schoolwork.
He is becoming a little man and I am enjoying him.
I was stunned. I had concluded on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 that he didn't seem that aware and therefore, I would postpone that particular talk.
I started in by asking why he knew something bad had happened then. And he stringed together an interview he had read with an NFL player who had mentioned 9/11 and an illustration (not a photo) in a book he had seen of the fiery Twin Towers.
I tend to say too much and so I was hesitant. I told him it was a difficult time for our country and I was happy to talk to him about it but I wondered what he thought happened.
He thought a helicopter or maybe two hit some buildings. So I carefully told him they were airplanes and that those buildings were in New York. "Oh, so it happened in New York City."
Pause.
"Well, and the Pentagon."
"In Virginia? But you were living there then, right?"
Our conversation went a little further and then I told him that some of the details might be scary. So I would answer questions but I wanted him to be sure he was ready to know more. He decided he had heard enough for the day.
It did come back when we saw the Pentagon (and the new 9/11 Memorial) in D.C. but he has otherwise left it alone. For now.
But he will still come up with some interesting things now and then. He recently apologized for the painful delivery I went through with him. And told me he was sorry that being a woman was so painful but that it was sometimes hard to be a man too. I had to laugh. And pause to remember that he hears a lot more than we realize.
Ben likes to tell us what we want to hear. You have to really make him talk with you and it can be hard. He wants to make us happy and move on and this a quality that concerns me as we head into pre-adolescence. You want the truth so you can help them work through things. And he knows that parenting Kyrie leaves me into a pile of exhaustion by the end of the day and he would prefer not to go that route. Keep the peace is his motto.
But he is 7 and he is more emotional than usual. And he would rather play computer games and X-Box than do schoolwork.
He is becoming a little man and I am enjoying him.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
RIP Ribbit
Today I noted that the tadpole was upside down. This, and his/her corresponding lack of movement, led us to the sad conclusion that Ribbit had left this life. Ben wrote a eulogy and requested that we wait until his dad came home to give Ribbit a burial at sea (i.e. our city's sewer system). Ben did conclude at dinner that he felt pretty certain that tadpoles did not go to heaven; he's less sure about dogs.
Ribbit was guaranteed to metamorphosis. So his replacement will be arriving a little later. We are hopeful that we will get to see the whole thing through.
Ribbit was guaranteed to metamorphosis. So his replacement will be arriving a little later. We are hopeful that we will get to see the whole thing through.
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