Well we spent the evening at the ER last night. Our dear, kind, doctor of a home teacher recommended Jim go in after looking at his right calf.

Last week Jim's leg was feeling a bit sore and by Friday it was swollen, red and warm to the touch. He tried some antibiotics and nothing changed so off the the ER we went.

Here are some of the highlights of the evening:

*We had been bottling salsa all day and we really wreaked of it! I was kinda grossing myself out/craving mexican food. When the Tech came in to take Jim's blood pressure/temp the first thing he said was: "Wow it smells like Salsa in here! Does anyone have chips? It smells good." (we shamefully admitted to being the cause of the stench-later the 9 week pregnant nurse will notice the smell and not appreciate it as much.)

Jim got wheeled to his private room (cubicle with a curtain) and a lovely gown where he sat and waited for the following visits: Nurse, admin lady, doctor, ultrasound guy, etc.

*After the ultrasound guy did his thing the nurse came in and informed us that: "Well I spoke with the the tech and I have a verbal diagnosis which I am to give to the doctor. He has to come in and talk to you about it, I can't. . . but you do have a couple of blood clots in your leg. They will probably start you on Coumadin but I hope they don't since I personally think it is RAT POISON. It's better if they just give you the shots that you will administer to yourself everyday for the next 6 months or so. But you didn't hear it from me so act surprised when the doctor comes in."

15 minutes later nurse enters the room (doctor never came)

*Nurse: "OK so the doctor wants to go ahead and start you on Coumadin"
Jim: "You mean the RAT POISON?!"
Nurse: "Well it's not THAT bad. But he also wants you to do the shots for a few days. I am going to go ahead and show you how to do it. It's not that hard I promise. Now the best thing to do is to give yourself the shot in the fattiest part of the body-so go ahead and grab a chunk of your belly. Now all you have to do is stick it in and punch the medicine through. In my skinny patients I have them put it in at at 45 degree angle but it looks like you have enough flesh to just stick it in. Go ahead now-the medicine going in hurts way worse than the needle."

20 minutes later the Doctor comes in

Doctor: "well you have a few blood clots but since they are in the leg we are going to go ahead and treat it as an outpatient. If it were in your arm we would have you stay. You will need to be on the blood thinner for about 6 months and the shots for roughly 5 days.
Jim: "Are there any side effects?"
Doctor: "If your Coumadin levels get to high you can bleed internally and ultimately die. Just be sure to see your physician and get your blood checked regularly. Ok you are good to go we will get you your discharge papers and send you home."


Good times! My saint of a mother came over and sat with the kids while we were there. We got home around midnight, Jim got his prescription filled and this morning began with a show and tell to the kids of Daddy putting the needle in the "fattiest part of his body". I'm just glad it was him instead of me, it would have been really hard to find a fatty part of my body! :)

Cravings Gallore!

This has definitely been a weird pregnancy. Well just different from Lilly mainly.

This time I can eat meat- and lots of it. A few weeks ago Jim asked if I had been to Burger King lately and when I sheepishly answered yes he asked " do they know you on a first name basis there?" What's a girl to do? The Jr. Whopper was calling my name (many times in one week to be truthful-oh well!)

This time around I have acne-none of that pregnancy glow. I look like a thirteen year old who's father is constantly reminding her to wash her face at night and "don't forget the clearasil!"

I crave rootbeer, popcorn, meat, candy, Burger King, and today I hit an all time low-Top Ramen. That's right, Top Ramen. I actually cooked and ate an entire bowl of chicken flavored Top Ramen and enjoyed every minute of it. I am quite certain that my blood pressure is off the charts due large in part to the sodium intake that I just consumed.

And should you see me and wonder how far along I am let me go ahead and curb the shock factor. I look 6-7 months and yet I am only a mere 15 weeks.

This is our last baby and I have always said "Go big or go home!" Well, here I am: big at home so what does that say about me? (no rude comments please-I'm a fragile hormonal pregnant lady who is big enough to crush you)

She's 12

Happy Birthday Anna! I can't believe you are 12-I know I haven't been your mom since birth but somehow God has managed to cram 12 years of experience, love, emotion and life lessons into just two years with you.

12 things that I love about you are:

You aren't afraid to show your emotions
You care deeply for those less fortunate
You have single handedly planned a yearly donation drive for the homeless shelter
Your unending help with Lilly
Your eyes
Your deep laugh when something is REALLY funny
Your love and concern for your friends
Your brain-you are so smart!
Your amazing ability to play the piano so well
Your tenacity
Your sensitive heart
Your faith

I am honored and blessed to be your mom. I know it's not what you had in mind and at times it probably would be better if mom Michelle were here. But know that I am trying and that I do love you. I give thanks every night for you and for the lessons you are teaching me. Happy 12th b-day doll and I look forward to many more fabulous years with you!
xoxo mom

uh ohhh spaghetti-o's!

Remembering September 11th

I was late for work that day eating my usual bowl of Grapenuts with orange juice (don't ask-it's a family thing) watching the Today show with Matt Lauer and Catie Couric. I remember watching the news as everything unfolded and driving to work in a complete daze.

I taught a different seminary lesson that day.

We watched news reports in bewteen classes.

Some students mourned in silence while others cried out loud.

Some even had fathers in New York and were anxiously awaiting word on their safety.

I will never forget the events of that day.

And today at Anna's insistence we had a family moment of silence. She explained it all to Kirsten and then timed us for one minute. I love that she wears her heart on her sleeve and isn't afraid to show it. I love that she hasn't forgotten and makes sure we haven't either.

Home Again Home Again

I just returned from a 5 day trip to St. Louis. It was the Annual Sister's Weekend and we decided to go visit our old stomping grounds. We moved there back in '87 so granted I didn't live there for long but the fam did and many summers and christmas' were spent there and I have such fond memories of the place.
Some of the highlights:
Staying at Embassy Suites
Prepared breakfast every morning
Sleeping in
Laughing
Shopping
Eating
Seeing the house and old hang-0uts
The Murder Mystery Dinner
Racial Diversity
All of the religion and "Suppers"
Farmers Market
Eating for 2 at Pasta House Co (soooooo good)
Catching up and talking
Missing my family

I used to think that mom's got away so they could rest and take a break. This trip just made me appreciate what I have and in a way, long to be home.
I had such a wonderful time being with my mom and sisters and I love that a tradition started 10 years ago has continued to live on-we haven't missed a year!

cake wrecks

I just stumbled upon my new favorite Blog-Cake Wrecks.
Good Stuff!
Do yourself a favor and check it out