Video Diary

Its been so long since we've had 'normal' here in our little abode that I sorta forget to blog routine pics and videos. So...here are some videos. I still haven't found an alternative for picture sharing - if you have any ideas email me.

Have a lovely week. I hope you are all staying relatively dry!

Behavioral Rehab

I am so very happy to report that everyone in this household is now healthy! I am so very grateful for all of us feeling well again! Desmond started to improve last Thursday and got better each day. I think that he is still a bit worn down because he reports to me, when we are out and about walking, that his legs won't work and he needs to be carried.

The last symptom of illness that we are currently working on is: behavior! I have, thus, instigated behavior rehab. We had 3 weeks of illness and for the last 11 days of that time we spent most of our time watching movies and eating crackers because it was all the little bodies could handle. As a result the boys assumed that that was our new routine and forgot the majority of our house rules about how to treat people and listen to mom. Today is a touch better but we still have a ways to go.

This last weekend was graduation weekend. We spent Saturday busy going from party to party congratulating seniors we knew. Sunday was a busy day, as well. I was in charge of the Sunday service and then my parents came down to babysit while I went to graduation. Then the boys and I went to a few more graduation parties. It was a fun, albeit long, weekend filled with lots of visiting.

With the end of the school year I can't help but start to feel a bit anxious about all the changes ahead of us. I know that the Lord has provided this wonderful opportunity for Marc to be a part of the Army bands (and I am excited about it) but we won't be stationed in a new home until March sometime. So between now and then has a lot of variables and I find my head running in circles considering all the different possibilities of what to do during the interim. I don't even know a good way to summarize all the choices that we have to make in the next month or so but I'll try for my sake, more than yours, because when you write a problem down it seems to shrink in size compared to when it is running wild in your thoughts.

We have to decide where I will get a job this summer/fall to help during the short time between paychecks for Marc's Army job.
We have to decide where to live until Marc leaves for basic training.
We have to decide where to live after Marc leaves for basic.
We have to decide what to do with the cats.

There. Not that much when its written down.

And you may all be saying: "Jill can find a job no problem, she's a nurse." But, you forget, that it is the season of New Grads and so most jobs have been filled!

And you may say: "Apartments to rent are easy to find!" Yes, but not on our budget and not for only a few short months (most require a lease of 1 year).

Anybody have a basement they want to rent to us for a couple months?

The last decision is an alternate site for my photos. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know.

Our special tent for sick boys to watch a movie.

I guess the protocol for food you are too sick to eat is to put it on your head to save it for later?

Jaxter talking to Gramps about his 'airplane' (the thing in his hand has a fan on it to blow bubbles, so he called it his airplane all day).

Desmond getting comfy (he told his Dad "I am very comfortable").

Monkey see, monkey do.

Stupid Germs

I know I've used that post title before but.... I really can't think of any other way to sum up the last week (two weeks?).

Desmond and Jaxter continued to be sick last week, even after our trip to the doctor. Tuesday evening the hospital called to say that they had found a secondary bacterial infection (in addition to his already positive viral result) in Jaxter's tests. Jaxter was progressively getting worse and so, on Wednesday morning, we headed in to the doctor again. He got some IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and an antibiotic and came home. Usually they don't give antibiotics to bacterial gut infections but poor Jaxter's body was just not coping well under the strain of 2 infections. After the second dose he perked up a little and Friday morning he laughed. That laugh made me tear up because it had been so long (14 days) since he had been himself!

Desmond wasn't so bad as we were dealing with Jaxter's difficulties. He has some symptoms but was still fairly chipper and energetic. Thursday, however, he took a marked turn for the worse and has been battling it ever since. Yesterday Marc took the day off to help us out at home as I was completely wore out. Desmond did awful yesterday, high fevers, vomiting... today he is still fairly sick with fevers (although lower than yesterday) and very run down. There isn't much worse than watching your little boys suffer! If you think of us, say a prayer for health!

In the midst of all this we have been busy fundraising for our group of 10 to go on a mission trip to New Orleans this summer. I am getting excited for our trip, although, I will admit, after hearing about how big the bugs are down there I have a bit of anxiety, as well. Taking 7 teenagers cross-country? No problem! Honestly doesn't stress me out! Finding cockroaches in my suitcase (as my pastor assured me I would)!?!?!?! Makes me want to take anxiety pills with me! Ack!

Thank you to all my family and friends who have sent support to me already! I really appreciate it. If you want to donate to our trip you can visit my page at www.gofundme.com/nolayouth
Any extra I raise will go to some of the youth that are not able to raise all the money necessary.

Jaxter getting some IV fluid and having a cracker (after his anti-nausea meds)

Boys having a low key afternoon, watching Sesame Street.

Sick little boy - He was playing with this string and just fell asleep. =(

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Of course, that title has a bit of sarcasm in it, ok, A LOT of sarcasm in it.

Don't read me wrong, I'm not upset or bitter, but my Mother's Day was less than ideal!

Marc was out of town for the whole weekend. I'll spare you all the details but: Desmond and Jaxter were sick. We went to the clinic on Saturday for Jaxter because he was doing so poorly (high fever, lethargic). We stayed overnight at Nana's house on doctor's order not to leave town. Sunday we got a phone call with a diagnosis: Rotavirus. Argh. For those of you that are familiar with this common childhood virus, you know its a pain. Long lasting and fairly harsh. That and contagious to other kids so we are on modified quarantine till we are two days without fever.... Last night both boys had a fever still so today is perhaps day 1? On a positive note: Jaxter's gift to me was making it to the potty every time, which in the scheme of things was pretty nice!

So, I declare today REST DAY! Movies, pedialyte and cuddles all around. And we'll keep praying for health to return to our shortest family members.

Sick little boy, this was his preferred position all day. He even fell asleep in the exam room.

Desmond and Nanannette making the most of their waiting time - we found this little kids' corner down the hall.

Sick boys sleeping on the way home.

Where was I?

Oh, yes, Easter.

Right after Easter was Marc's final concert of the year and the final concert of Marc's High School Music Teaching Career (well, for the foreseeable future, anyway).

It was an amazing concert. Not only did the groups sound great but the kids were fully engaged and having a great time. They pulled off an "epic" performance (that's the word the kids were using). It truly was a highlight of the year. The seniors honored Marc with a poster filled with wonderful signatures and pictures of the senior music members. There has been so much positive feedback from the kids, parents and community members. It was absolutely an amazing way to end, for the seniors and for Marc.

Ok, I can hear you all asking the question: "What?! His last concert? You guys are moving...AGAIN?!"

Yes.

Marc auditioned for an Army Band Liaison. He was selected among candidates from all over the U.S. by a hiring board for the U.S. Army Band. In July, Marc will be given a choice of three bands to be in. The Army has over 30 bands spread all over the U.S. and around the world. In addition to the concert band and marching band, most Army bands have smaller groups such as rock bands, jazz bands, Dixieland bands, and salsa bands that he will have the opportunity to be a part of. Marc is reluctant to leave his school and his students but very optimistic and excited about performing professionally.

Marc will be required to do the lengthy process of basic training (9 weeks) and Army School of Music (9 weeks) starting in October, but we won't be settled into a new home until March sometime. We are not quite sure about some of the details in the interim but trust that God will continue to be faithful and provide no matter how exciting our living arrangements may be. Our house in Iowa has still not sold, but we will not be moving back there, for various reasons.

This is an amazing opportunity for Marc and while we have appreciated the community here and felt at home, God has called us to something different. Although, I won't lie, I do look forward to the day when we stay somewhere longer than 4 years, especially now that Desmond and Jaxter are along for the ride as well.

Well, after that announcement, I can't imagine any other narrative would be as exciting so I'll post pictures and catch ya' next week. =) Many of you probably already got a letter from us telling you the story but wanted to make sure that all our friends knew. We'll keep you posted on the details.

A favorite game of the boys, jumping onto pillows.

Gramps and Grandma came down for the concert so we go to spend some time with them.

Desmond helping decorate for our fund raising dinner last night.
Fund raising? Yes, I am going on a missions trip with the youth group this summer to New Orleans to help those still struggling with the aftereffects of Katrina - more on that another time.

I was the mother of 3 today. I babysat a friend's youngest for the day. We had a blast - the boys were all so preoccupied with each other that I got a lot of domestic tasks done. =)

Last but not least, we have baby birds in our backyard. We can watch them from a couple windows and the boys have loved it. =)

PS. For those that follow the myphotoalbum page - they are deleting their site at the end of the month. So I will have to look into another way to share all my photos.