Tuesday, May 31, 2011

May in Review

Ok, this is being backdated because I totally forgot to do this at the end of May.

1. Read the bible. I did read more of 1st Samuel, even finished it, and started 2nd Samuel, but that's as far as I got. Actually it was amazing, after a long time of avoidance, I picked it up and started reading, the passage was ‎2 Samuel 18-22: "Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? ...You know me, Master God, just as I am. You've done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are --out of your very heart! --but you've let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, no God but you..."
It gave me chills, literally. Because that really summed up how the last few months have been. Here we are, Blessed to have a couple miracle babies, and He Blesses us even further, with a new house that is going up by God through Eric. But I feel like he's really let us in on the process of Miracles. My God! My boys are amazing miracles Every Day I get to see them grow, their wonder, I literally get to see miracles in Action. I had to stop reading, I could go no further.

2. Go to Choir. Massive fail on this one. Church has just been so difficult. Chris has many good reasons to not feel like cooperating. On my Birthday, I came home in tears, it was so difficult. I can barely handle taking them to church, let alone leaving him to do choir. And choir ended mid-month for the summer season. We'll try again next year, we should be in the house then, and I'll have my husband back when we go to church.

3. Join a gym. It's all well and good if you join a gym, but it only works if we actually go. This month has been too crazy for me to go.

4. Take a photography class. I got a neat opportunity this month. I took an online class seminar with an actual food photographer, Penny de los Santos. I couldn't do the whole thing because it was like 6 hours a day, and well, I have another full time job, it's called Raising Sweetboys.



It was interesting, but really around here, macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets just aren't pretty enough food to photograph. I find I've been having more fun photographing flowers. And May is an awesome month for flowers.



We got beautiful tulips. But we also got a lot of rain during the tulip season, I didn't even make it to the zoo.





Grandma's Irises went bonkers, and turned out real pretty this year. I really thought the house would sell when they were in bloom.



But it didn't, and that's ok, because with all the insanity of the month, we wouldn't have had time to move anyway.



My mystery mom at MOPS gave me a beautiful red gerbera daisy and I loved playing with taking pictures of it.



Practicing editing a bit more in picasa.



So did Sam, he beheaded one of the flowers, but that just gave us more opportunity to play.



My personal fav.



And the new house got a driveway, so added our prints to that. Someone told me I should frame this one.



5. Get the boys healthy. Big Steps taken here. Chris's surgery was the 24th of May! They put in his MACE, he calls it his surgery spot, we're still recovering. We got home the Friday after the surgery, and just have been chilling for the holiday weekend. He seems kind of constipated. But he's feeling good enough to get on my nerves. Our visit to the hospital was kind of crazy, Chris received good treatment, but there were a couple problems in the hospital, not with any long term effects on Chris, but enough to freak me out pretty good. He came home with a tube in the stoma, acting as a placeholder that will help the spot heal around it, better for long term. Though it's stitched to Chris and taped to him, and its uncomfortable for him. But the flushes seem to be going well. At the beginning of May, Chris had a sleep study done, and the results were the same as the one he had in 2007, but when we got home from the hospital there was a message from his Dr. they want him to have his tonsils and adenoids out sometime this summer too. Ugh. But if it helps, it helps. That would be great. Anything that helps. He's been doing well with his therapy too, we've been doing Doug once a month, and Miss Lisa on the off weeks.
Meanwhile Sam is fine, a little grumpy, teething, feisty. We keep going on his thickened milk and he drinks water when we're out. So he's good, with everything going on with Chris, he's just a bit of an emotional mess. But hey, aren't we all?!

House update,,,,Shhh...

I shouldn't say anything...but you know me, I'm terrible at keeping any secrets, or surprises. While Chris was having surgery last week, Eric took the week off and worked on the house. And it's getting very exciting, and the time is near!

For the most part, Eric worked on the flooring. In our current house, he used some special products, Daisch Coatings, on our master bathroom. He's using it on a larger scale at the new house.



Step 1 is to put down a waterproof membrane layer. It's really cool because it just rolls on with a roller. So we're doing it in the mud room and bathrooms.




It's going to be neat in the upstairs bathrooms, because he's using different stuff for floors and in showers. Here's the boys' bathroom.



Then he puts another texturing coat, or non-texturing, as the case may be. In the boys bathroom, it's going to look like ceramic tile, rather than spread rocks like in our bathroom.



This was how Eric blocked off the mud room and bathrooms, making sure no shoes get on our special flooring layers. Even he is walking around barefoot, leaving his sandals outside in the doorways.



The weekend before Chris's surgery, "The Guys" did the final grading and seeded the yard. By the time I got back over to the house on Friday night...there was a haze of green in the yard, coming up through the hay. Can you see it?



Equally impressive was the work Eric did in the kitchen. That's our new tiffany style lamp that will go over the breakfast table. Eric is putting the finishing touches on getting the base cabinets together, but he has to put a layer of flooring down first, so that once we put floors down, it will all be even. Something like that. Anyway, cabinets are almost done, looking fabulous on Friday.



Check out the difference when we went back on Monday. Look at that lovely hint of green in the yard. Oh and the boys are cute too. ;)



The boys were so excited that there were doors last night. They kept wanting to throw them open, particularly the closet (elevator shaft/storage) doors. Chris was just as thrilled with his room's sliding closet doors.



And the bathrooms are getting grout lines. Eric puts special grout tape down where he wants the grout lines to be, then he'll apply another layer, this will be the layer that looks like what we want...like in the boys room, it's going to be a dark blue glaze, to create a blue ceramic tile, under the sea motif. It's gonna be gorgeous!






Meanwhile, the Willman boys spent a nice chunk of time yesterday putting up ceiling fans. Eric's Dad is really getting the hang of it. And since the air conditioning isn't working in the new house, and it's been 90 degrees, getting air moving is a Priority. And it looks good too!



My kitchen is looking more and more finished. The pre-flooring preparations are coming together, and the big deal this weekend was that Dad and Eric set up the sink base, that cabinet that starts the island in the middle of the floor. But with just the breakfast lamp on, it looks so cozy in there, even with a little mess, it's going to be so cozy.



The end is in sight. Though I dare not say anything too loudly. But we may be moving this month. Shhh! We don't want to jinx it. It's been a long time coming. I'm trying not to get too excited. I keep getting so happy when I think of finally being able to live in this house. It's our Dream House, and our dream is so close to coming true. God is letting it come together, it's almost done, and He's working so wisely in things starting to come together, well, I can't wait.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Adding a vase

Took a couple gerbera daisy pics today after Sam broke one off the plant and put it in my bud vase. Amazing a little sunshine and glass can do.



This one is Straight off the camera (well, I added my watermark). and I Love It. I suppose I could mess around with it, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Mystery Mom's Flowers

Our MOPS group did a wonderful thing this spring, we had a Mystery Mom. It was kind of like a Secret Santa, but another Mom, and mine sent me all kinds of homemade goodies over the last couple months, like these bulldog cupcakes when my Butler Bulldogs were done with their run for the championship.



I would recommend every mom's group ever do this. I'm going to plug for it again next year. I was pampered with bath salts, and all manner of sugary sweets. It had been so long since I'd received loving surprises like that. And I had tons of fun poking around for gardeny goodies for my Mystery Mom. Our big Reveal was last week right before Chris's surgery.

I presented my mom Kim with some fresh cut irises from our yard.



My friend Kristin was my Mystery Mom, and she presented me with this red gerbera daisy.



With the recent events I hadn't had much time to enjoy it, until now. And blessedly, it survived, thrived even. So today, I got a quick chance (while the boy watched cartoons) to take a few pictures of it.



How appropriate that my little daisy even started sprouting a bud or two while we were gone.



These flowers remind me of sunshine, happiness and cheer. How perfect to cheer up this frazzled stressed mama. Thanks Kristin, for all your prayerful support the last couple months, and for all the goodies too. ;)




Saturday, May 28, 2011

Just like this

Don't you just love these slippers?



I was walking down the hospital hallway with Chris Thursday afternoon, and another mom came towards me wearing a similar pair of slippers. I just thought they were wrapped in yarn, but she said she got them down at the hospital gift shop and they were the softest slippers she'd ever had.

I was intrigued.

As it just so happened, Chris walked 3/4 the way down to the gift shop, so we went ahead and wheeled in to check them out. They were Indeed the softest slippers. They are like a slipper and a flip flop at the same time, but so soft and not hot going to make my feet sweat. I didn't have the funds on me to purchase at the time, but on our way out of the hospital yesterday, we picked up a pair.

Worth every cent! They are the Snuggliest slippers. They would have been perfect for while we were in the hospital. But they're just as perfect for Recovering at home.

So that's what we're doing today. Hanging out in our jammies, a little playing, a little TV, we even got a little crafty. But I'm cozy, happy, blessed that everyone is healthy, and in my new slippers. ;)

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Storms

Even as the storms roll in....



Beauty can be found.



And Shared.

I'm so glad my boys got to spend some time together last night, Chris felt like getting up and moving to the see the city from our window, and he's gotten up twice this morning. He's getting better and better every day. And I can't help but Praise the Lord for these Gifts, this rain, this Peace, and his Strength.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Jobs I'd like at Riley

Spending the week at Riley hospital for children we get to see a lot of the goings on. Each time we come, I learn more about what they do here, and I find things I really enjoy about the place.

1. Librarian. Sam and I went cruising through the Riley library for the first time last month, and I was quite impressed. Lots of books and movies for kids. So, while Chris was in surgery yesterday, we took advantage of them being open 9-5 during the week, to stop in. We left with 4 DVDs, 4 books for Chris, a book for Eric, and a trashy People magazine for me...in a reusable bag handmade by the Cheer guild. They operate by 2 librarians and other volunteers manning the shifts, so sometimes they have volunteers working evenings and weekends. Amy P. you could have STOCKED UP on your youth books for class here! But I could totally get behind making sure the kids and parents have plenty to read here.



2. Cheer Guild. See the bag above. That bad boy is all mine. It's pink, definitely too girly for boys. ;) They also make sure that anyone that has a test: bloodwork, or surgery, or anything, gets a new toy. They also make sure that every kid that comes through Recovery gets a hand made dog pillow. They all have the same standard pattern front..but the back is a fabric. Chris got a shamrock one when he had his pull thru procedure on St. Patrick's day. He's got about 5 of them. We got another one yesterday made of Double Bubble bubble gum fabric. So fun. When I can get crafty again, I want to get involved with this organization.

3. Child Life Specialist. Our first experience with these ladies was back in November, when we had a wonderful gal show up with her Ipad when we were in Radiology. The nurses and such were messing with his nether regions for the VCUG, and the gal from Child Life was showing him Diego cartoons. When we were admitted that day, the gal would come in and check on Chris, even inviting him to a Music group. Monday, we had a gal that had a Toy Story story on her ipad that read pages when Chris turned them and helped distract while he was getting his NG tube placed. Then she brought him painting supplies, and a plaster bank, and wooden car for him to paint. Which he did. When we were in surgery yesterday she brought a Turtle Pillow pet, (which is a local kid's wish that all kids here get a Pillow Pet, we saw donation boxes at the Third Day concert we went to in March, and had heard about it on the radio, and now Chris is a recipient) and a green cars fleece blanket. Today we were given a Pillow Pet mini to send home for Sam! How wonderful it would be to be able to be able to distract kids from these icky things. On the other hand, as I recovered from Chris getting his tube, and I was near tears at being helpless to help him. I don't know if I could handle seeing kids in pain, multiple times a day. Not sure yet if That's where God needs me to be.

4. Baby holder. You think I'm kidding. The unit where Christopher is staying has a lot of babies on it right now. I've only seen 2 school age kids. Every room I walk by has a baby in it. And sadly, most of them don't have their Mamas staying with them every minute. The nurses have their hands full. Last night, I saw our nurse sitting holding a baby, a teeny thing, while she charted. I said, well, there's a sucky perk to your job, holding babies. I could do that job. She said, actually we do have Volunteer Baby holders. That is a Job I could get behind. There was this little 6 week old sweetie, who'd just had ostomy surgery, oh yeah, we're old hat with that. I was like, you're kidding. Seriously sign me up for that! And it's apparently a real job. Baby Holder.

Monday, May 23, 2011

View Halloo



I am a little bit excited by our view this evening from the new Simon tower at Riley hospital. It's a little awesome. Big room, with room for both of us, We even went for a walk and found the Playroom. We're on the 9th floor, top floor, so it's a beautiful view around us. And we have our own nice big spacious room. We have our own fridge, bathroom (with shower!), TV with DVD player, desk for my computer, tons of storage space, and my own pull out couch with TV. And my view?...it's the downtown skyline. Chris told me he is "Very Excited" and this is the "Best Day Ever."



I think he may change his mind later, but he seems to think he's having fun.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Handprints

"The Guys" came on Thursday and poured the driveway and sidewalk. So of course, we had to go by and put our handprints in the concrete.




Mommy got to go first!



Then Daddy helped Chris take a turn.



Then it was Sam's turn to put a hand in the concrete.



And last but certainly not least, Daddy!



The driveway wasn't even dry, and the excavator guys came out to do the final grade. They stayed quite late Friday night to make sure the job got done.



The guy even brought his son out, and the kid was off roading in our yard. (Yeah, that's how big the new yard is, so big a kid can offroad in his ATV on it!) He was riding along, with a rake attached to the back, zipping along raking the dirt flat. So cool. They were there late laying down the seed and hay to keep the seed in place.



Chris and Grandma got to be the first ones to walk on it, once it was dry for 24 hours. But we don't want to drive on it for at least 20 days...the longer we keep cars off it, the longer it will last.



Check out that driveway. So pretty. AND it ended up raining a bit yesterday, just enough to set the seed, yahoo!



We are the Willmans and this is our house.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Playing around with Irises

Sam and I went on a garden walk through the Irises after the rain this weekend.



And I played around with taking pics of one with water droplets still on it.



This one was straight off the camera (A).



And these B (up) and C (down) I played around with a bit, editing in Picasa.



Which one do you like better?