ER visit # 302397598039725....

Well, I got a phone call today at 10:15 from the school nurse. Drew had been playing soccer at recess (which fuel's Chad's argument for soccer being evil/stupid/insert derogatory adjective here) and he tripped over another boy's feet. He planted his face nose first into the pavement. Apparently Kindergartners play soccer on pavement and not grass.

The nurse said it never bled but was pretty banged up and that there was a protrusion on his left side. That can't be good.

I was fine letting the people know that I had to leave...for about 3 or 4 people. Then, my hormones/protective mommy feelings kicked in and in the midst of 400 4th and 5th graders who were moving after ISTEP testing, I lost it. I'm standing in the middle of the hallway among all of them crying with my friends about how I just want to get out of the hallway so I can go get my son and they haven't found a sub yet, etc. Completely hormonal, I'm sure.

All I could think about was Drew's little face all black and blue and surgery and setting the nose and blood...I know, the nurse said "no blood" but remember I'm hormonal. PLUS the last time I got a phone call about a broken nose/face was Chad's pitching debut which left him with a titanium cranium! My experience with facial injuries is not pleasant.

Anyway, I left without the sub there (too bad!) and went to rescue my son, whom I predicted needed his mommy very very badly. I drove as calmly as I could, and I really did pretty well with this. I think my top speed was 62. REALLY! When I got to the school, I went to the nurse's office where he was sitting on the cot smiling away. No blood. No tears. No trauma to say the least. The end of his nose was slightly red where it has small scratches/scrapes from the pavement. That was it. First words out of his mouth?? "I'm hungry. When are we eating?"

Instantly I felt silly for jumping to the conclusion that his hair would be shaved off from the numerous reconstructive surgeries he would need to look normal and that he would finally find a girl who would love him for the inside and not his mangled face. Ok...I exaggerate a little. Just in efforts to poke fun at myself!

Anyway, the nurse encouraged me to take him to be seen in the ER so that an xray could determine how badly he was injured because he did have that bump on one side and it was difficult for him to breathe. So, we did.

Turns out there was a small break. Must have been tiny because Drew didn't even have to have it set. The only thing the ER dr said was that if he continued having trouble breathing in a few days and the swelling had gone down (what little there was) that he should go see an ENT to determine if he needed further treatment.

I'm pretty sure that won't happen since he was playing football tonight with his dad, brothers, and cousin.

Heavenly Football

Anyone who knows me or spends time with me will realize that of all sports, football is by far my favorite. I can't wait for the boys to play. I love it! I am in two fantasy football leagues and have been known to play 4 in a year, but cut back because of the baby coming this year.

The start of school and the hoopla on the news over the new Lucas Oil Stadium gets my family excited. We're devout Bears fans and devout Colts fans. I bleed blue and orange!

Luke has been wanting to play football at recess at school. I noticed one day last week that he had been taking his football that my dad gave him to school. I didn't say anything at the time because I wanted to think it over. The opportunity presented itself a few nights later when he had it out and announced he was going to put it back in his backpack for the next day's recess. I began talking to him about the significance of that football. It was the one Pappaw Bob had to play with him. It was the one that was very special. His brothers don't have one from Pappaw, but he does. Etc. My final statement produced silence in the room (a pretty significant accomplishment in my house). "Luke, that's the last football Pappaw will ever give you. If you lose it, it will be gone."

He paused.

His reply stunned me...made me proud...choked me up...it was utterly amazing for an 8 year old boy.

"Maybe not," he said. "Maybe the next one will be gold."

I just want to go see this guy!

THIS is worship!

Leaving on a jet plane...

...ok, so it's not a jet plane, and it's not even a train. We're leaving, though, to go to Montana in a rental van tomorrow. Don't know how much I'll blog...we'll be gone for 2 weeks. Should have some pictures when I get back.

Why Montana and not Florida? or someplace else exotic? My mom lives in Montana.

Pray for our 30-ish hour drives to and from!! :) The boys ought to be good and SICK of the van by about Illinois!

PINK!

So my husband suprised me by painting the baby's room without me asking him to do it. I had already bought the paint, but we had to move Gabriel and Luke out of the room before we could start her room. So Maya's room now has freshly painted walls, a crib, and a dresser. I've ordered some things and they have shipped...but I'm doing it in small increments since we're starting over on the nursery department. We got rid of everything for babies after Gabriel because Chad was very adamant that he didn't want any more children. His change of mind means it's back to Babies R Us for us! It's exciting but a little expensive when you have to start completely over. We're working on it slowly. I try to buy wipes or diapers each trip to the grocery store...or lotion or baby spoons or something like that to get a small supply going. I realize we may get some things but without another all-out shower, we're going to have to chip away at this. It's okay, though because after 4 boys used our things, buying new would have been necessary (or borrowing) anyway on some items.

Anyway, back to the original intent of this post. I am excited that it is started, but you'll have to wait for pictures until it is finished I think. I want you to see the whole room as I envision it. And I have to say...

THIS IS SO MUCH MORE FUN FOR A GIRL!!!!!!! :)

Wall-E review

Well, I'm exhausted so I'll keep it relatively short.

I took the kids to see Pixar's new movie, Wall-E. It's...er...well...uh...okay at best. There were some funny moments, and the "message" was clear: We are a fat, dumb, lazy society that relies upon technology way too much, live in an overly comsumable world, and if we don't watch it, we're going to end up destroying our planet and too fat to walk.

Literally, the "hero" who saves the day at the end has to get up out of his hover chair and (*gasp*) walk.

My kids didn't really get the message but enjoyed the slapstick-like humor. There is a strong romantic element, as far as children's movies go. Girls may get more out of that than my 4 boys.

On the up side, there were no cuss words and no "near-cuss" words that I recall whatsoever. This didn't have the recent near-cussing like referencing the "Piston Cup" and using the phrase "What the --- ?" which has become so common. It was extremely kid-friendly in that regard.

I guess I'm just a little more optimistic than this movie wanted me to be. For instance, I love my internet and my cell, but I'm not so focused on techno-advances that I am entranced in a hover chair with a virtual screen in front of me - to the point that when it gets unexpectedly shut off I don't wake up from a trance. I don't eat every meal from a cup.

Some of it was a little too out there for me. I'll take good ol' movies like "Aladdin," "The Fox and the Hound," and "The Lion King." Thank you.

Right now

Right I'm takinga break from painting the room Luke and Gabriel are moving in to. I'm moving more slowly than I want, but it's going to get done.

I write because I am hearing the most amazing thing right now. The 3 younger boys are at the babysitter's house. Luke has been laboring with me today - buying paint, taping off windows and doors, taking off light switch plates, etc. Since I'm tiring fast, I am taking the break to check email quickly, but I hear him in the other room singing at the top of his lungs. I gave him my old MP3 player today. He's going to town!


Everyday a brand new chance to say,
"Jesus you are the only way!"
My Savior
My Savior lives

(mumble mumble)
My Savior
My Savior lives!

He doesn't care about the mumbles...but he's singing his heart out. It's so cool to hear!

Well, back to the painting for now.

It was a good break.