So tired.... big day.

What a sunny but cold day it is! The wind was sure something else last night. At one point I told Jeff to go see if the garage was still attached because it sounded like the wind might have ripped it from the rest of the house. After seeing the damage on the news to other houses, that probably wasn't too much of a exaggeration. Some houses lost roofs and siding and were split almost in half in counties north of us. South of us a car was tossed off the road and a mobile home was turned over.

Sean had a good night but a really rough morning. We went to see the doctor after he lost his breakfast a few times from coughing so hard. The doctor wanted us to put him on cough medicine. They usually don't want that but she said they don't want him coughing that hard either.

He made it to Circus Day for a while but was ready to leave by the time they were done.

I couldn't find our dog Sam this morning. I expected to find her huddled in her doghouse which is up next to the house. Instead, when I opened the door, I heard a rustling noise from the deck. Out she popped.

And here's a picture from a few days ago when Sean still had fever. The black fur ball on my stomach is Shadow.

It is raining so hard right now that I feel like I should be YELLING SO YOU CAN HEAR ME.... the rain is beating against our master bedroom window. I just talked to my brother to alert him that his county was under a Tornado Warning. He was sitting in his truck at home waiting for the storm to lessen so he could go in. He said they just had moth ball sized hail. Yes, it is January and we're having severe thunderstorms and at least one tornado. Kind of strange considering our state just recognized a 30-year anniversary for the Blizzard of 1978. The temps have fallen from the 50s into the 40s. It is supposed to be 12 by morning, so we'll be switching from our spring jackets and rain gear to our ice gear in less than 12 hours. What is ice gear, you say. Mainly it consists of some slip on straps with spikes on them for our shoes.

Sean hasn't felt very well today. I think maybe he overdid it yesterday. He still has a nasty cough and isn't eating much. I'm hoping he can go to preschool for a little while so he won't miss Circus Day when they put on a pretend circus. We have his elephant mask ready to go. I think it is pretty clever if I must say so myself. Sean and I worked on it together. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Sean had a better day today. Very little if any fever. His appetite has increased (probably from Orapred) but once he starts eating, he won't eat much (probably because of the antibiotic). He's still wheezing some. He played more today but was wiped out by 8:00pm and didn't argue going to bed. He looks pale, but I have to remember - he has pneumonia.

Quick update. Sean still had fever today but it only went to 101.2 this evening and Tylenol took it down. I got the prescription for Orapred filled and he had one dose this evening. It's going to be a long week as he had trouble going to sleep from just the one dose. He is still wheezing some. He isn't eating much but he never does when he is taking antibiotics. It seems he is getting better just very slowly.

Pictures and update

Sierra still loves the new camera.

Sean is doing some better. Still needs Tylenol for fever every 6 hours or so. He doesn't sound wheezy now so we have held off on the Orapred.
These are Sean's skinny pajamas. He looks skinniest in them. He did almost weigh 36 lbs. at his doctor appointment. He had been eating good before he got sick.
Breathing treatment number four today.

Sean had a better night. He was only up twice the second time with fever. He went back to sleep both times. He's had 2 treatments today and his fever went up to almost 103 by noon so I gave him more Tylenol. He's still wheezing quite a bit so it looks like I'll be getting the prescription filled for the Orapred.

It amazes me how Sean can go from zero to pneumonia is such few hours. I suspected that was what it was again, but then it's only been two months since he had it last and everything was so familiar. We're home now and he's had his breathing treatment (4 x a day through the weekend and then start cutting back) and his antibiotic. Hopefully like last time, he will not need the extra steroid that we have a prescription for. If it is like last time, the nebulizer and the antibiotic should work quickly. After Dr. M listened to him thoroughly and was typing on his little mini-laptop, Sean said "Mommy, when we get home I think I need another breathing treatment." Dr. M said, "Yes you do".
This time last year it was Sierra who needed the nebulizer every time we turned around, but so far this fall/winter she has not needed it at all. That is a blessing.
Pray for Sean to get over this quickly.

I was right about a long night with short sleep. I wanted to give Sean a breathing treatment before bed but he complained so I let him off the hook. Around 2:20am he was awake thirsty and hot with fever so I gave him ibuprofen. Around 3:30 we did a breathing treatment (he was begging for it by then) and I gave him Tylenol since he was still hot. Of course, after the treatment, he was wired for sound so he watched a video and then did a puzzle on www.jigzone.com. By then, Jeff was up early at 4:30 to go into work for an inventory audit. I talked Sean into going back to bed. By 6:30 he was coughing again and requesting another breathing treatment. Went back to bed for a nap (ha ha) then I woke up at 8:30 and dialed a few times to get through to the busy doctor's office. We have an appt. at 11:40. His fever is still down.

Let the painting begin....








Bungalow Gold:

With the flash, it is hard to tell how much darker the paint is compared to the white. From the kids' artwork, you can get a better idea. We found a new chandelier for the entryway. The old one just isn't working with the darker color. By the way, it took the kids days to paint all these walls with their foam brushes but it looks great, eh?

It was really cold here today. You know it's cold when it feels warm at the ice rink. Sean has a cough and fever tonight. It may be a long night with short sleep so I'm going to turn in early.

Painting project

These are overdue but here are some pictures of the painting project. These are the before pics.

There were many marks on the wall but Sean claimed the blue ink marks.

Eager to get started!

When I went through outplacement services offered by the company that downsized me three years ago, I took a test that was designed to find a person's interests. Interestingly, it kept coming up with things like "interior designer" and other jobs that require creativity. So what changed? I was totally hooked on computer programming before I graduated high school (never mind what year) and that was a career that paid decent so it was an easy decision as I entered college. The truth is, I didn't change me, God did. He took away the passion I had for doing systems analysis and programming and replaced it with a passion for raising my children. Now instead of trying to keep up with technology, I am seeking to do His will which does not seem to require much technology. Although I did spend time last night creating a powerpoint slideshow that I hope will help with some geometry memorization. A few years ago, I never would have guessed I would be using my skills for homeschooling.

Frigid temps... snow... frigid temps

I read today that one of the teams for last night's championship game practiced with footballs straight out of the freezer. Interesting. I wonder if they made the receivers stay in the freezer with the footballs for a while too. I wonder if it would help if they would lick their hands right before the play so the frozen footballs would just stick right to them instead of slipping through them because their fingers are numb. Eli Manning said he was warm and he sure played like it.

Even though their season is over, there is good news for the Colts this week. Tony Dungy is going to stay at least another season. Yea!

We're supposed to get 1-2" of snow tonight or tomorrow. I'm glad we do not need to go anywhere tomorrow so maybe, if the temperature is reasonable, the kids can play out in the snow. I can play out too. But my idea of playing is staying on the deck with my camera and zoom lens. I do not even need boots for that.

It was cold cold cold today, but not nearly as cold as it is in Green Bay right now. I'm glad I am not a season ticket holder for the Packers. I am rooting for the Giants tonight. Peyton's brother Eli Manning is playing very well and it would be kind of cool to see him in the Super Bowl.
.... I interrupt this post to say "WoooHoooo, way to go Giants!!!!" Tynes just kicked a 47 yd. field goal to win the game in overtime of all things. After missing a couple of field goals, I bet he is very relieved to have made the long one.
So there will be a Manning in the SuperBowl two years in a row after all. Cool!! Nothing against Brett Favre, but this is neat.

Boy it is so cold there. It was something like -23 degrees wind chill factor. I bet they are glad to be heading to a much warmer climate in two weeks for the big game.

Speaking of cold, Sierra has her seasons mixed up. She has been asking to set up the swimming pool out back or to go to the pool at the park. Ummm, it's winter? So, to help her understand, I got a few books at the library on seasons. We read one tonight about summer.

Well all that Benadryl I took earlier for my cold/sinuses is kicking in so time for me to turn out the light and go night-night.

Short post. Please keep little Julian Avery's family in your prayers. He went HOME to be with JESUS today. He was 4 1/2.

Sean had a big day yesterday. His preschool went on a field trip to the Love Chapel http://www.columbuslovechapel.com/ which is a local food pantry and they put us to work. First, we removed labels from water bottles, added poison and laundry soap labels to the bottles and filled them with either liquid or powder laundry soap. We also sorted out plastic bags to be used for the clients to receive their food. After that was done, we sorted food and stocked the shelves with the food the kids had donated. Then we sorted large crates of Ramen Noodles into boxes that will be set on the shelves in the pantry. We learned that the pantry serves approximately 600 families a month. That was a real eye-opener to me as that seems like a huge number of families in our community that are hungry each month. It was a good field trip. I recommend if you've never volunteered at a food pantry, to consider that as an act of community service.

On the way to the field trip, I had three boys including Sean in the van. One boy asked Sean what his Wii person looks like. Sean says, "My what?". No, we do not have a Wii. The boys did learn that they both have Leapsters so they talked about that.

Afterward, Sean went home with his friend Samuel for a playdate. This was the first time he has went to a friend's house without us. Samuel's mom said they played very well. She did not have to break up any squabbles. Coincidentally, Sean and Samuel played a video game at Samuel's house. When Sean got home, he demonstrated that the game they played did not require a controller (he held his hands out and punched imaginary buttons to illustrate this). Sean waved his arm all around to show how the game was played. I told Sean that he played a Wii which was what the other boy was talking about in the van earlier.

CASH CAB

Anyone watch Cash Cab on The Discovery Channel? It's a game show played in a cab in New York City. The cab is actually a Toyota Sienna minivan with a driver who is the host of the show.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/cashcab/cashcab.html

We really like to watch this show (most of the time). It is fast paced and they actually get through more than 5 questions per show and we don't have to listen to "We'll find out.... right after this!" There are commercial breaks but they aren't used to torture the viewer (me). I just do not enjoy all the reality-type game shows or the ones that go so slow that you fall asleep waiting for them to get to the good stuff.

But one thing occurred to me today. In this show, people win hundreds or possibly even a couple thousand dollars. Then when they reach their destination, they are let out on the curb in New York City of all places with a handful of cash and usually at night.

Does that seem a little scary to anyone else?

On tonight's episode, there was a woman alone who won $1750. So the driver hands her the cash and lets her out of the cab. In New York City at night alone. Yikes!

Maybe they'll start up a new reality show called "What Happened After I Got Out of the Cash Cab."

I saw a story on the news today about a new car going on the market. It is called the Smart Car. I've been chuckling all day since seeing pictures of this car. What struck me as funny is that it reminded me of those car strollers that you can find in malls to rent for your kids. Do you see the resemblance?







Leave me a comment and let me know if you know anything about these new Smart Cars.

I went to a meeting tonight with several other moms to learn more about American Heritage Girls. It looks like we may be starting a local troop here in our community. There is certainly enough interest. It is a Christ-centered scouting program for girls K-12th grade.
Callie wanted to join Girl Scouts when she was younger but I did not let her for a couple of reasons. Well, I am beat so I am heading to bed.
Please remember Julian Avery and family in your prayers as his battle on this earth nears the end. www.carepages.com carepage name juliansworld. If you choose to visit Julian's carepage and read past posts, you will no doubt fall in love with him and be amazed at the courage and faith his mother has as she blogs about their journey. Read the message board to witness the magnitude of the impact they have had on this world. There are so many people, myself included, who have been touched immensely by this mother. She has made us all realize how important our children are. It is easy to fall into the trap of taking things for granted -things like goodnight hugs, feeling them breathe while you hold them, touching their warm skin, tousling their hair, dancing with them. Soon, Julian will be dancing with Jesus just as he danced only a few months ago in a video with his mama.

Goodbye to the Dome - RCA Dome, fka the Hoosier Dome

Demolition will begin soon on the RCA Dome following the Colts loss today. I thought I'd post some pics I took of the Dome and the new Lucas Oil Stadium currently under construction. I will say that the new stadium is breathtaking just by its size alone. We were in awe of how big it is. It was a bit tricky to get pictures. One below is of the new stadium on the left with the Dome on the right just to give a size comparison.

At least there is still one Manning left in the playoffs. Congratulations to Eli and his team! We were sorry to see the Colts lose today but the Chargers certainly deserved to win that ball game. We hope Tony Dungy will return next year but that is the big question around town.

Our weekends are free for a few weeks now until NASCAR starts up again with the Daytona 500. :) That doesn't mean we will not watch the playoffs though - it just will not be as much of a priority.