Woo Hoo! I'm Healthy!

I do NOT like needles in any way, shape, or form. It's always a big joke when I have to get a shot or labwork done because I pass out 95% of the time and Mike thinks it's hysterical (gee, thanks honey!).

About 18 months ago, Mike and I really started to watch what we eat and exercise a little more. So, this week, I had my first true complete workup since the birth of Paige. The lipid panel came back - and much to my surprise - it was a great report!

Triglycerides - 66 (desirable less than 149)
Cholesterol - 191 (desirable less than 200)
HDL "Good Cholesterol" - 49 (desirable over 35)
LDL "Bad Cholesterol" - 129 (desirable less than 130)

Add to that my blood pressure 124/82 and I'm still losing weight - down another 8 pounds from just a month ago at an appointment.

Feels great to be healthy!

Time For A Change

If you know me at all, you know I like to switch things up a bit on a regular basis. My furniture gets moved around for each season, I like new colors and things in the kitchen, and I'm always re-organizing.

So - I felt it was time for a blog change to go with the changing colors outside. Let me know if you like it by clicking "leave a comment".

Happy Fall!

Wordless Wednesday Week 1

I've decided to add yet another fun day to our blog.... Wordless Wednesday! Why? Because you don't need a big long boring narrative!

Afterall... A picture is worth a thousand words!

Right, Honey?

Blowing Rock

Many of you know, Devin has taken up rock-climbing with a good friend of his from church. They call it their "stress relieving outlet"!

These are a few pics they took this past weekend at Blowing Rock (North Carolina). I don't know about you.... but it looks like stress achieving, not stress relieving to me!!

For you rock-climbing enthusiasts, these are level 5.12b climbs.

Edited to add: They were not wearing gear or helmets at this level because they were not very far off the ground! Don't panic - they do wear harnesses, belts, clips, and more! These were nothing more than some pictures they took during some early practice climbs and they spotted eachother.

"I've got to climb THAT!?!?!"

"Too late to turn back now! How much farther?"

"Don't look down!!"

"Not Me!!!" Monday

Check out MckMama's My Charming Kids Blog if you'd like to join in the fun!

Now, for Week 2 of "Not Me!!" Monday.... things I absolutely did not, would not, have not done (hee-hee!)

I did not tell my Saturday PRN job that I had to go to my primary job first to see a patients before I went there just so I could get some extra sleep and not have to be there by 7am...

I did not bring home an extra piece of my neighbor's birthday cake and tell my husband "oops... I'll eat it"...

I did not forget to put the birthday gift I bought my neice over a month ago in the mail...

I did not mail my step-mom's birthday card on her birthday...

I did not keep my husband from watching football by guilting him into putting together the new trampoline immediately after church, and then make him go to a birthday party right afterwards this afternoon just to keep the two younger one's happy...

I did not let Andy (our Golden) sleep in our room Friday night because I was too lazy to make him go upstairs where he belongs and then tell Mike Saturday morning "I must have left the door open"...

I did not drop an entire box of spaghetti all over the floor and then let a bad word come flying out of my mouth right in front of my five year old...

And, I did not spend an hour trying to remember all things I "did not" do in the last week!!!

Happy Birthday Anna!

Happy Second Birthday Anna!

Wish we were there to give you big hugs and kisses!

Love Uncle Mike and Aunt Michelle

Finally... A Trustworthy Candidate!

What an election year it has been! I don't know about all of you - but I've been pretty disappointed at the candidates we have to choose from, what they stand for, what they've done (or not done), and what their views are on various policies.

Finally, tonight, it hit the news that there's a new candidate that I can trust!

Click HERE and see what you think! Donations are being accepted!

Happy Birthday Jill

Happy Birthday to You...

Happy Birthday to You........

Happy Birthday Dear Ji-illlll..........

Happy Birthday to You!

You should be happy you can't hear me sing! Wish I was there to celebrate with you, Kurt, and Caleb!! Miss you guys!!

Happy Birthday...

to my step-mom, Cassie.

What an awesome person you are! You have always respected my Mom's place in our family, loved us as if we were your own, and been there when we've needed you. You've made my Dad smile again and given me comfort that he is taken care of. My Mom is surely your Angel as well as ours for all you've done for us. We are very blessed to have you!

Happy Birthday!!!

One of THOSE Days!!

Yes... this really did happen to me tonight while fixing dinner. I picked up an entire large box of spaghetti from the wrong side... absolutely sums up the day I've had.

On the upside - my staff bought ME a gift for Rehab Week. I had something special planned each day this week to thank them for their hard work and they returned their thanks on me with a gift bag of a nice red wine, a herbal body wash and bubble bath, and an awesome herbal candle.

Now... of to drink that bottle of wine!!!

Our New Pet???

This spider has seemed to make his (or her??) home in our bushes out front. I have to say - it is quite beautiful for a spider, but I prefer it find another home!

We did some research on it - afraid it might be poisonous. It's actually called an Argiope Aurantia (otherwise known as a garden spider) and is very common in the state of North Carolina. Not poisonous and feeds on bats (which we have plenty of around here!).

So.... next time you come to visit, we'll have to introduce you to our new pet...

"Not me!" Monday

OK - So I've decided to join MckMama (My Charming Kids) "Not me!" Mondays idea. Jump on over to her blog to see what the average every day Mom's NEVER do wrong - tee hee! If you like it, join us! So here's what I would NEVER do.... really.... I mean it...

Here's my "Not me!" list...

I did not scratch the passenger side of my shiny silver van trying to park where I know there's lots of branches while dropping off the kids to Bible Study. And I certainly did not hide it from my husband.

I did not eat a brownie for breakfast and skip the milk & cereal because I know that it's not good for me.

I did not run in and put money under my Paige's pillow in the middle of the afternoon after Paige mentioned toothfairy "forgot" to stop by overnight.

I did not preach to the kids about cleaning their rooms this weekend and come down to my room and say "ehh... no one sees it anyhow"!

I did not tell Paige her make-up gymnastics class was cancelled on Saturday because I didn't want to rush through shopping to get her there on time.

And last, I most certainly did NOT take Devin to Bible Study Wednesday night with him wearing a "Cerveza" t-shirt with a big beer bottle acrossed it!!

So - what did you NOT do this past week?

Crazy Chase!

Crazy Chase! That's All We Have To Say!

Prayers for Margelle!

The little girl in the family picture below needs lots of prayers. Mandy and the kids evacuated for Hurricane Ike last Thursday - and now find themselves in a Children's Hospital in Dallas where Margelle was to have surgery this morning.

After a gut feeling that the first doctors were overlooking something more serious, Mandy took Margelle to see another doctor in Dallas who ran a test that said yep - Mom was right! Margelle has a bacterial infection in her hip that required prompt surgery.

Please say a prayer that she will recover quickly and the infection will clear up with the surgery and antibiotics. Also - keep them in your prayers for their return back to their home after it is safe to return.

Yikes! Ike!

This sweet family is among many who may be without power and flooded from Hurricane Ike. As of right now - Ike is projected to hit right into Galveston and Houston, TX. Mandy and her family are right in that path between the 2 cities!

Please keep the Kyle's, and all of these families in the line of Ike in your prayers!

Update Fri 9pm: Mandy and the kids have evacuated and are safe. Her husband had to stay behind for work (meteorology). Her last email just requested prayers. You bet Mandy!! For you, Brian, and all the others!!

(ps - Mandy - my kids tell me I "tagged" you! I guess when you snag a pic of someone else's site or blog it's "tagging" the picture! LOL!)

It's Just Not Fair!

I have two sets of dear friends - both sets are wonderful, happy, married couples that would be the best parents! When they are with my kids - they light up and the kids love every minute of it! Both couples have dealt with heart-breaking infertility, numerous treatments, surgeries, tests, and trials. Both couples have gotten their hopes up on more than one occasion only to be let down. Today - one of those couples was let down yet again.

I get so mad at how the world works sometimes! Teenage mothers, unborn unwanted babies, abused and neglected children, yet these two couples can't have their own very much WANTED baby. I know it's all God's will, but my heart aches for these two couples. I still yell "It's Just Not Fair!"!

Tonight I pray for comfort and strength for my dear friend who is hurting so much. I pray that I be able to say the right words of respect and be here if she needs me to.

"Thees Tho Thilly"!!!

Paige lost the other bottom tooth today - this time she pulled it all by herself! Now she has the "th" problem! It's so funny to hear her talk! Thilly Girl!

I'm Moving Up!

In the world of technology that is! I finally have an AIM screenname!! Look me up at "lilmissticklebee"!

Trip to the Library

Just last winter, our little town of less than 9,000 got a new library. Today - we FINALLY ventured out to visit it. I'm such a slacker Mom sometimes! I haven't taken the kids to a library since we moved here from Indiana 2 1/2 years ago!

The kids loved it! It's well organized and easy to find what you're looking for. Paige spotted the youth section before we were even done at the service desk getting our cards! Kayleigh ran right to the James Patterson books, and even Chase found something (now if he sits down and actually reads it I'll be impressed!).

I think we have a new Saturday afternoon activity!!

Friday's Favorite Five Returns!

Sorry - I've slacked a bit on the Friday's Favorite Five! So - here we go again!

I'm thankful for:

1) Paige's ability to know herself!! Here's a conversation I had with her just last night. She was so hyper all evening - I finally came down to my room to sit on the couch in quiet and watch TV/read.

Paige: Mom, can I sit down here with you?
Me: Paige, only if you PROMISE that you can sit quietly and let me read my book in peace.
Paige: (pauses about 10 seconds) Hmmmmm... I think I'll go back upstairs because I don't think I can do that. (and off she goes!)

2) Chase's smile. What a week I've had at work between new patients, discharged patients, and even a few who passed away. Coming home to his smile every night just settles me right down and gets me smiling too!

3) Kayleigh's ability to create her own style and fashion! This child is truly gifted! She is able to cut apart clothes, recreate them by sewing them differently, and look like it came of a designer stores shelves! What a gift she has and she's making great strides towards making it her future career!

4) Devin's heart. I have watched Devin grow in his faith over the last months and watched him really start to care about people in his life. What an amazing power God has over this child! He has a best friend going through a tough time right now. This friend's Mom told me this week that Devin sent HER an email saying he's there for his friend and he's praying for their family. Wow!

5) My husband, Michael. Plain and simple. This man works hard, loves all, and is our rock. Michael - I love you always!

Bottom line - I am so thankful for my family and the qualities they each bring to our home.

Look Who Lost a Tooth!

Yep - at 5 years and 9 months old she lost her first tooth! She kept saying it wouldn't fall out last night, this morning it was laying sideways in her mouth!! Out it came without even a tug! Won't be long and the one next to it will fall out too. What a cute smile!

Our Sweet Girl!

This was too sweet not to share!

Paige's bedtime is 8:30pm. Usually she's wide awake until then and it takes her about 30 minutes to fall asleep. Tonight, after her 2nd day of kindergarten, she was wiped out on the couch by 7:30pm hugging her backpack!!

I think it's safe to say our sweet girl is exhausted!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for the kids.

Paige is now officially a kindergartener - how bittersweet! Last child off to school, but we now have no babies at home ... She was sooooooo funny this morning! She didn't let me even walk her to her classroom - said she'd do it all by herself! Chase - being the big brother (and a 5th grader this year) said "Mom, don't worry, I'll make sure she gets to her class". And that he did!

No pictures of Kayleigh and Devin! Being in high-school I was told "no-way" when I asked to snap a few! Kayleigh said her first day as a freshman was "exhausting"! Her classes are all over the place and she didn't even have time to go to her locker to get her bookbag before she got on the bus home!

As for Devin - he was just glad to be back in school with all his friends! They really need each-other right now - it's the best therapy for all of them ... just being together.

Look at the smile on Paige's face getting off the bus this afternoon! I think it was the highlight of her day! What a big girl we have!

A "Heart Buddy" Is Losing His Battle

Update: Johnathon David passed away in his Mother's arms at 4:06pm this afternoon.


As many of you know - we have a group of blogging "Heart Buddies" that all follow eachother, are there for eachother, and pray for eachother.

Johnny is 4 months old and endured his second open heart surgery last Tuesday the 19th. After a difficulty first 48 hours, he seemed to be doing well. But as of the early morning hours his heart is not pumping the way it should and he's experiencing some clotting that the doctors have not been able to stop. The family is with their little man, comforting him as he seems to be nearing the end of his journey.

Another that I've posted before about, 4 month old Elaina, has also had more difficulty in the last few days - experiencing dangerously high fevers and low oxygen saturations. Her family, also, has been told to expect the worst.

Both families are having to make very difficult decisions and have been given "the talk" by the hospital staff. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts - they need all the strength and comfort they can get.

A Rough Back To School Day Tomorrow

Locally - our kids have lost 2 classmates in just under a week.

First - Katie Fitzgerald was junior who has had a long journey with Leukemia. On Monday, she passed away at Duke Medical Center.

Then, a sophomore football player, Matt Gfeller, was critically injured during a play. After several hours of surgery, he passed away yesterday afternoon at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.

Winston kids all return to school tomorrow without two of their friends. For the first time, as a parent, we are at a loss and don't know what to say to Devin, or what to do for him. Other parents are feeling the same way that we are. All we can do is tell him we're here if/when he wants to talk.

Matt and Katie - Peace to each of you now and forever.

Devin - We love you and are here for you always.

Haircut for Paige ...

Paige has been begging me to cut off her blonde locks for quite sometime. Daddy, however, has been begging me not to. With her starting kindergarten next Monday - I decided to go ahead with it. I took a picture of her before the haircut for Daddy to hang on to!

As I was cutting Paige's hair - it became clear how much older she was going to look! Hard to believe my "baby" is growing up so quickly!!

Then ... I got to the front of her head and realized that there's a bit of baby in her still ... seems she got tired of her waiting on me to cut her hair and she attempted to do it herself sometime recently. Notice the "I'm busted" look on her face!! (Look closely at her bangs that she never had before!).

Overall - the end product was pretty cute! We took off 3-4 inches. Daddy is dealing with it ... Lots of hugs and kisses from his Little Princess helped!