My Grandpa F and my son.

It has been way too long since I posted regularly- and a lot-  I mean A LOT - has happened, but I need to capture this tonight- and then, I might eventually get the back log up on here.

One of my most favorite people in my entire life was my Grandpa F.  He- of any person in my life- made me feel special and loved.  I had the perfect child for an older sister (well, I know she isn't/wasn't perfect and maybe someday I will tell tales on her) and all grandparent adoring attention (as well as uncles/aunts) was directed in her direction,  but to Grandpa, I felt that I truly mattered and was loved every bit as much.

My mom's dad was well into his 50's when she was born, the oldest daughter born to his 2nd marriage.  He adored my mom and her sister, even though he had always wanted a son, he ended up with 5 daughters.  It is a really special story as to how he had 5 daughters.  His first wife- Aggie, and he had not been able to have children.  A man's wife died, leaving him with two daughters (Marie and Katherine) to raise, and he gave them to Grandpa and Aggie. Then, Aggie gave birth to their daughter, named after my grandpa's only sibling who had died when she was young, but June was born with a mental handicap. I truly loved my aunts, by the way, even though as a child, I didn't understand the family dynamic.  Anyway, my aunts were much older, and Aunt Marie was married and they were all together in a car when there was a tragic accident, and Aggie did not survive.  Grandpa married my grandma, and thus had two families. My grandpa was quite an amazing man. Since he was so much older when my mother was born, he was retired and my older sister and I would go to visit him and grandma every summer for a couple of weeks.  I was always excited to go, but by day two, I would be so darn homesick, then by day four- all was good and we had a great time. Grandpa would take us to visit Aunt Marie and Aunt June ( Aunt Katherine died around the time I was born and I actually didn't know about her until I was 16 -which is a very long story) even though we knew that it upset Grandma a lot. We didn't know why, and to be honest, I still don't really understand, but I guess my stubbornness might come from grandma. Anyway, we just knew she didn't like that he took us there but she never said anything, and Aunt Marie would give us pop (soda) which Grandma REALLY frowned upon.

Grandpa took us camping in his little roundish camp trailer.  He took us fishing.  He took us shooting and was so proud of how well we did.  He loved those activities and decided that sharing with his grand-daughters would have to do- since it was some time before my brother would be old enough, but The Artist never went and stayed with my grandparents like my sister and I did. I was 12 the last time I went and stayed, and my sister had stopped going up a few summers before that.

I adored my grandpa.  He would fall asleep in the evening watching the news, and his false teeth would slip down off his gums- so he looked like he was smiling even though he was totally asleep. He ran this machine called Charlie that tested the air quality or something.  He had lived an interesting life, serving as a Stake President, a State Senator, State Mine Inspector, and he devoted many hours to the scouting program for which he was awarded the Silver Beaver. His father, uncle, grandfather, and a few other family members were killed in a mining accident when he was very young.  He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he was a teenager, and lived his faith.  I remember kneeling for family prayer with him and grandma, and he always prayed, and then we would say the Lord's prayer together in unison.Grandpa died 2 days after I graduated from High School, and my grandma went in and found him, on his knees as he had been saying his prayers when he passed away.  He was in his 90's.

 He had this big chair in the basement which was on a little stand and in front of a big bookcase.  He would sit in the chair to shine his shoes, and to read. He always had little packages of Sen Sen which were these tiny little licorice breath mint type things.

Grandpa also used to make me Ovaltine.

When Oldest was a tiny boy- between 2-3 years old, I was making him some ovaltine one morning.  Oldest is one of few words and was standing silently next to me, quietly waiting for me to mix it for him, and I said to him, :my grandpa used to make me Ovaltine when I was a little girl, and he said, "I know, I left him up there waiting".  I was a whole lot STUNNED, and I looked at him fully and asked, "did my grandpa send you to me", he said yes- and off he went. At that time, I only had one grandpa "up there" and that was Grandpa F. There have been many other signs that Grandpa is watching over Oldest with great care.

Today is Oldest's birthday, and my mom, Grandma Bunnie, gave him her dad's gun, which had been given to my dad.  It has more meaning to us than just a mere gun.  Oldest came to us with the intense desire to hunt and fish.  He has begged to go from a very young age, and has had to make due with squeezing in a few times amongst our other crazy life activities.  Oldest has been a smiling boy all afternoon and evening.

If there is one person in my life that I wish the DR could have met, my Grandpa F would be that person.  I love knowing that Oldest did.

March- Where did you go?

March was incredibly busy.  Our bantam team took 3rd in one league.  Then three days later- we loaded up patients and Middle's hockey bag and headed to SD for a four state Girls Team Tournament.  It was a great experience and we turned it into a mini family vacation. Got home on Monday and left again Thursday for more hockey- and after way too many years-  our kids finally got it done and took State.  It was a very drama filled weekend- and I didn't get to watch much because every time I was watching, the other team would score- if I walked away, we scored.  So, after a few times- I just went and sat in Middle's dressing room- only coming out to peek- and watch the last period of the championship game.  It was an amazing feeling for my patients and their dad to hold that trophy.  I was so proud of our kids.  We fight a lot of prejudice and discrimination- not to mention flat out abuse from other teams and our kids usually have a lot of retaliation penalties.  This time-  they totally kept their heads and played super clean (for hockey).  We have had some sadness with the team as well-  March 12-  one of the hockey mom's passed away from a rare autoimmune disease.  Then- the week of tournament- the father of one of our long time team members died unexpectedly.  The team wore his number on their helmets to have him "with" them as they played. I have never been so proud of those kids-  and even if they had lost- as long as they played the way they did-  it would be the proudest hockey moment for me.

That weekend also brought a huge surprise trip for Middle-  her Uncle's company borrowed her to use as a Teen Spokesperson at the Pre-Events for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.  So- immediately after we got home- we practically turned right back around and took her out to fly to CA for that.  It was an unforgettable experience for her and she got to meet a lot of stars and some of their family members.  Part of the reason she got to go is because she is a 4.0 student- even with all the school she has missed lately for hockey.

Life is not going to be settling down much- so we will see how much I get back to this.  I want to post about SD- so crossing fingers I can post some pictures.  I have traveled over 4 thousand miles since January-  and that is just the miles on my van.  We also put miles on the DR's truck- and my inlaws every so generously let us borrow their much more fuel efficient vehicles as well.

Weekly ReCap- Dec 3-11

Well- possibly one of the busier weeks we have ever had- or at least in a really long time.

Saturday the 3rd there were games in a town 7 hours away. Thanks to the weather and mountain passes, it took closer to 8 going and 9 coming back. Youngest and I stayed home. 

We have had the regular lessons, practices, plus extra for special numbers, and then Oldest decided to scare us by getting sick- so we hurried him in to the doctor to be very proactive and head off pneumonia before it got him again.  So- on Wednesday- we had a dr appt, hockey, piano times 2- ward Christmas party for which I had not one- but two food assignments, Middle and Oldest's SEOP's, Youngest -Activity day.  Fun stuff.

We also threw three haircuts in there on Thursday and Friday, and dress rehearsal for TaVaci Christmas concert- which Middle couldn't do because she and I were on our way for her to play hockey with the team from my birth town.  She hasn't had games in a month with them- so of course it was this weekend.  She played very well-  she plays defense- and had a rating of +2 in both games- which means her team scored two goals while she was on the ice- and no goals were scored against her line.  This is a very good thing.  They tied the first one on Friday night, and won the second one on Saturday Morning.  She and I then jumped into the car and sped the couple of hours home so she could get to the TaVaci concert.

Meanwhile, Oldest and the DR were also doing hockey in Small Town on Saturday morning and made sure that Youngest made it to the rehearsals.  Luckily LOL was here to help with hair or we wouldn't have made it to the concert in time.

Friday we finally forced in time to get the tree decorated- it has been standing in the corner for a week, waiting for someone to love it-, and to get our Christmas decorations out and set up.  Only the 10th-  gee, we are so on top of it  :)

We were supposed to have a company party-  but we said there was no way possible we would be attending that- since it was scheduled for Saturday night and we just had enough going on without traveling a couple of hours out of town just to turn back around and be home that night.

 Middle also had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The DR spent all of Sunday at the church with Tithing Settlement.

One more week of out of the ordinary, super crazy, and then Christmas will be here.  I am not ready. Can't imagine why.

Best Laid Plans- October Replay

So much for my plans to post more frequently :).  I am sorry, but I also know how very busy I am- so something has to give.


Moab:

Youngest's Last minute Class Party.  Went very well if I do say so myself.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins.

Youngest had a Rapunzel/ Tangled theme going (can you see the long hair coming out of the tower window?)

Middle is sort of in love with owls right now

Oldest went for a flaming face

Dear Oldest-  if you are going to pull stupid faces, I WILL post them on my blog AND facebook.

Girlies before leaving to go Trick or Treating.  It is Middle's last year-  I have a prejudice against kids older than Middle School going.  And I am okay with that.

Rapunzel meets the Mafia

the 80's meet the 50's

Back To School 2011

Fill in the Blanks- TQ Super Activity

August 12/13, 2011

While the Girlies were home in Small Town, the menfolk stayed in (Oldest) or traveled out to (the DR) the Wasatch Front for the Teacher's Quorum Super Activity.  They were able to participate in baptisms in the Jordan River Temple, then went to Momentum Climbing or whatever it is called to climb and hopefully earn their montaineering merit badge. They stayed in a hotel and swam, ate, and did some shopping.  The next day they returned to Momentum to finish up.

Luckily, Oldest was feeling up to all of that, pudgy face notwithstanding.

He earned his badge and had a great time.

Random Conversation Quote

When I asked what Oldest was going to wear for his first day of school, he responded:

"I am  going to get up and put on clothes and whatever I put on, that is what I will be wearing."

Out of Wisdom (pictures added)

Teeth, that is.

Last week- we added to our already crazy life by taking Oldest out to Cougar Country to get his wisdom teeth removed.  There is a surgeon that comes to Small Town, but it is only once a month and he is booked out for months.  I called on the 2nd and got an appointment for the 10th.  We took him to the same surgeon who did Outpatient.

Now-  I don't know if I have shared the story of his teeth, but here it is, non-cliff notes version.

Oldest did not get any teeth- at all- until he was nearly 17 months old.  I was a tad concerned, but the doctor had a patient not get teeth until 15 months, and my own cousin's daughter who is only 2 weeks older than Oldest, didn't get teeth either.  Finally, what I think made them come in was the fact that his little sister was starting to get teeth, and he wouldn't be outdone by her.  This is a pattern that still exists, I'm afraid.  Anyhow- his first teeth were the top and bottom right teeth-and they took something like 6 months to fully come in.  The remainder of his teeth followed this pattern, taking their own sweet time to show up and be useful.

When he was 10- we went to the dentist to learn that his 6 year molars had finally decided to join the party.  We also got a really good look at what was going on with his adult teeth.  It was not a pretty picture.  Every adult tooth wanted to take the space being used by up to three baby teeth.  So- we went to visit our friendly neighborhood ortho, and began the process of trying to make room for those giant teeth. 

The next problem, his baby teeth didn't seem to be in any bigger hurry to vacate the premises than they were to join the party in the first place.  You might recall Oldest's lovely tooth pulling adventures from Dec 30- 2009.  The dentist pulled 8 baby teeth out then- and left the 4 canines to come out on their own.  Only two were obedient, and it took over a year for most of the permanent teeth to come up into place.

Bored yet?

So- when we went to the dentist last October, we saw that the punk's wisdom teeth were already forming.  Yes- those teeth that most people don't get until they are about 18- were already coming in.  This is in the mouth of a kid who doesn't believe in getting teeth.  To make matters even funner- the wisdom teeth were holding his 12 year molars hostage.  In July, the dentist pulled the remaining baby teeth.  We decided to go ahead with braces because if we wait for his teeth, it will be years!!!! 

So- the oral surgeon removed his 4 wisdom teeth and went on a search and rescue for a wayward canine.  The possible bad news is that his 12 year molars may not ever come in- and may need to be removed just like wisdom teeth are. So not funny. By the time we are done, I think we could have bought a decent car for what we will end up investing in that kid's mouth.

He had a little trouble coming to after the surgery, which made the headnurse-momma a little nervous,  He twitched periodically which was a reminder of the seizure he suffered as a toddler.  He did reach out a couple of times to pet my face (he has the biggest hands!), and fell in love with the office's fuzzy blanket.  Finally- after 5 hours at the surgeon's office, we got to leave.  He has done well, but he did puff up and is now moving on to bruising stage.  He was able to participate fully in his Teachers Quorum Super Activity, and this coming weekend he will get to start the bow hunt.

All is well, until August 31st.  Then we will start the braces.

Someday he will be so thankful that we put him through all this, and that I made a record because he better start saving now for his own children, or become an orthodontist or oral surgeon himself.

Thursday- not too bad- only the right side was puffy

Saturday- both sides were puffy-  but hey- he is vertical and functional, much better than I did.

And- when it comes time for mission prep- he already lost his wisdom.  Teeth.

Buzz Reunion 2011

This year- the reunion was bigger than it has been in a long time.  We had lots of newer attendees- like LOL, and plenty of old timers.  The weather cooperated with no rain from Thursday evening on.  There were plenty of mosquito and buffalo gnat bites for those who didn't religiously apply bug spray, but for those of us who did, we were good.

Middle trying out her new bow.  She is a pretty good shot already.

Theme for this year was fairies- and it was a HUGE hit with all the little girls in particular-  but the older girls and Outpatient and LOL painted canvases and found other fun things to do-  here is Youngest's face after "makeup"  She was a Garden Talent Fairy and helped the younger fairies make garden stones.

The water was HIGH!  that boat would usually be docked at least 50 to 100 yards further away.  The patients and cousins were bummed because they didn't get to make their traditional mud pit.

But where there is a will- there is a way!  They had to go a bit further around the lake- but find some beach front property they did.

There was also the regular shooting of the breeze ( this is just some of our own branch of the family tree)

The boys- and Norine- created a flotation device.  They called it a raft, but my vote says it was too hole-y to constitute a raft.  There was also lots of fishing.

And downshifting.

A hugely successful auction.

Youngest always entertains and she did not disappoint the crowd this year with a skit from an episode from That's So Random.  She was totally in character!

And- for the second straight year, Middle and Cousin Am did a wonderful job dancing to a parody they worte about the reunion.  I unfortunately couldn't find the charger to the video camera, forgot to grab the iphone, and didn't have either Middle or Oldest's cameras so there is no video record of these acts this year.  BOO! Oh- and the word "shoebox" will never be the same and no- you really don't want to know.

When talking to my sil about some of the missing cousins who currently reside in Europe, I said without any doubt that my patients ( with quite likely the exception of Out and LOL) would far rather go to the reunion that take a trip to Europe.  And for now- that is the absolute truth.  Maybe as the girls get older it might change for them- but for Oldest- it never will.

Dear Larsen Family Aunts:

Fabulous as usual!

Thanks!

EFY report

I know it has taken a while- but here is what I got out of the Oldest patient.

He has a C.O.W.  (Crush Of the Week)-  her name is Kelsey- and unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) she lives in California.  They are now facebook friends and he gets on several times a day - he did not do that before- maybe a few times a week or so.  He and his cousins had a great experience, and Oldest danced every slow dance (he said on the fast dances they stood around and did stuff) I will give him .90 on that since he did much better than I though he would.

EFY cost him his iTouch.  He had it in his pocket when he shouldn't have, and it fell out and got wet.  The nice lady at the store gave him the rice he went to buy in order to try to dry it out.  But it hadn't worked in a couple of days -  so other people decided that putting it in an oven seemed like a good idea.  As the DR said-  well the rice didn't work, so you decided on a rice cooker?-  Note to all-  something that gets HOT is BAD  for electronic equipment with plastic parts. So he is working on earning money to replace that.

Best Thing:::

He has been very sure to read his scriptures and prayers even more than before.  And he is willing to earn the money to pay to go again.

Successful experience?  Yes.

Sunday Moment

I just want to record here the spiritual experiences from today.  It is seldom than an entire Sacrament Meeting has me near or in tears but today was such a day.

The DR is conducting this month and he is out helping his parents so he just called me to hear how it went.  Thanks to last week being Father's Day- (which was also a great meeting) , he had asked for one of the YM and the YM president to speak about their experiences with the Aaronic Priesthood encampment as well as a couple of the YW and one of their leaders to speak about Girls Camp.  There are times in General Conference and other such  meetings where the General Leaders talk about our youth- and today was such an experience.  To hear of such strong testimonies and the bonds of friendship and brotherhood or sisterhood that are forged at such events just gets the spirit burning. 

The young man who spoke is the older brother to Middle's friend B- and he spoke about their building of their fortress against the storms-  in real life-  but it was also metaphorical for me-  the relationships these young men make on the camps and activities are helping to build the fortress against the storms of High School and Life in general. He spoke of some of the boys reading their scriptures together in their "man cave"- mentioning Oldest by name- and the discussions they had.  He went on to speak about the strength of the youth in our ward-  which for the most part- they are really great and stalwart. He was teary and so was his mom and I at the very least.

The young women also spoke of the spiritual experiences that they had and felt.  They are both girls from my circle- and I have known them for the past 13- 14 years.  The spirit was strong- even in the midst of their personalities shining brightly through.  H has known and babysat my patients pretty much all of their lives- her sisters are my patients' close friends- but this camp gave Middle and H a whole new level of relationship.  It was heartwarming to see H's face glow with the spirit.  I couldn't contain it either. She sang a beautiful song- accapella and beautifully.   The YW leader- in the interest of time- briefly summarized what the girls had said- from the perspective of an adult.  It was perfect.

The final speaker was the YM president who happens to be a firefighter in his spare time (he is a banker by trade).  He talked about the service project, the twist of events which led to him speaking to the youth instead of the Bishop- which then led to him being reluctant to take up time during testimony meeting, until the spirit hit him so hard to share the thoughts he was having.  Which were these-  each of the youth spoke of feeling the spirit, of their testimonies.  He said it was like the fire they had been sitting around-  it had started out big, and bright and burning hot and clean-  but then as time went on- they didn't put any more fuel on the fire and it began to burn lower and less bright, it also created more smoke and the lower it burned, the more hazy it became.  For some reason- this analogy really hit me.  We talk a lot about needing to feed and strengthen our testimonies, even likening it to a fire-  but the visual of the increasing haze as they didn't feed the fire was so incredible to me.

She is home and He is off and they are coming home

Today Middle returned from her first Girls Camp. The DR and Oldest went up the first day to pull our trailer up for the "Priesthood Quarters" (much to Middle's chagrin- she wasn't happy to hear she couldn't go in the trailer at all) and Oldest got to help a lot of Damsels In Distress and set up tents and whatever.  They stayed up the whole evening until Devotional was over and another Priesthood Holder showed up.  The Bishop stayed up the whole week and cooked for the girls-  SPOILED!! Our bishop can cook!  and he was very grateful for my trailer because there were a few things forgotten in the packing. Middle did not enjoy the first night-she did not sleep thanks to freaking out over every little noise thinking something was out there.  I will tell you that we do camp in bear and mountain lion territory- so it isn't like the back yard.  The second night- the DR was up again for the evening for the devotional time and they were able to calm her and give her a Priesthood blessing.  It is just one of many times that I am sooo grateful to have married someone who not only holds and honors the Priesthood, but is willing to use it frequently enough that my patients readily ask for blessings from their daddy. The third night her daddy stayed up the whole night and she slept just fine.It seems that she had a fabulous time and it was good for her spirit as well.  She helped encourage a more recent and reluctant convert girl to go and participate.  That girl was only going to go for one night-  but then she decided to stay- so hopefully those experiences will help her testimony and help them all to make good choices in life. 

On the other hand-  Oldest is off to experience EFY for the first time.  His personality is so different than Outpatient, that it is going to be interesting to see how this goes.  The DR threatened him with needing to bring home at least 4 girls contact info (hah!).  We didn't manage to get his hair cut until today and I gave a quick explanation of what needed to be- and it ended up too short for his taste and he is not happy (understatement) and he looks like a dork and he does not want to go but he will because he doesn't want to pay me back the (approx) 500.00 that it cost.

But he is packed up and he and the DR left tonight with the added purpose of helping G. and G. Larsen- also known as my in-laws- get packed up and moved home. They completed the extended mission last Wednesday and are very ready to be home.  Truth be told I am ready for them to be home as well.  I haven't had the time to deal with my own little yard let alone their huge one and it is kind of a mess (sorry- you should have seen it last year- I did much better).  I only have to finish cleaning  a little more of the house up and I am going to get some basics in their fridge and then we are all set. Not sure what day they are coming but they are anxious enough that I wouldn't be too shocked to see them tomorrow night (I won't, but still- they would possibly) - most likely I will see them Sunday or Monday- at the earliest/

Week in Rewind

Well-  still sick sick sick-  although Oldest got to return to school.  Middle missed one day, and I have felt like garbage warmed over, and Youngest has finally succumbed to the hacking cough.

We did very little hockey this week-  Oldest of course was off the ice completely, and we had Middle take a break for most of her practices to give her lungs a little rest, but she had games this weekend and she played awesome-  especially for how sick she was-  she would come off the ice,  cough until she threw up- then skate some more.  Her coach sat her as much as he dared-  but when she is one of the best defense- what do you do?  She just is a really smart player and they rely on her a lot.  I wish I could have recorded both of her games- but maybe next week I will remember the tripod.

The Bantams did well in their games-  it was kind of funny to see Oldest pacing on the bench. I better rephrase that-  they managed to save a victory from the claws of defeat in the first game when they played crappy- and then they pulled their heads out of the sand and played hockey the second game and won easily.

Pee Wees won the first one-  but lost the second one, in large part because we had several players spend a lot of quality time in the box with the result that we spent a large chunk of time playing 3on 5 in the second period and they got two goals in that time.  Middle took that pretty hard-  but it is hard to play with only three against 5- especially as long as they did.  She feels like she lets her team down if she is ever scored on- no matter the circumstances.  The last goal scored was a two on one breakaway-  she was all alone trying to skate down two of their players-  and she played it really great, keeping close to the skater with the puck and keeping tabs on the second skater- ready for a possible pass-  the goalie just didn't get the shot stopped.

It was not a good game- both with players making stupid penalties and crappy fans on the other team- so I got pretty upset and left the game to watch from the team tunnel.

But-  The leprechaun made it to our house on Thursday and it didn't snow even though it threatened to. 
My sister in law, T, and her family were here for her MIL's funeral, so although the reason wasn't fun, it was still nice to see them a little because we usually only see them once a year.

And tonight, I made brownie covered Oreo's.  They were not a success so you won't see those on the wedding food list.  Bummer.

LAST WEEK OF HOCKEY!!!!! 

See Saws are for the birds

Today- is day two of Oldest being back flat on his back.  His only good day was Wednesday.  They started him on another dose of antibiotics- just to be safe-  which he started yesterday- and today-  he is running another fever.  Lower grade so far (100.8)-  but what in heaven's name is going on with my baby????

On the mend

Oldest is finally coming around and feeling better!  On Monday- after receiving a breathing treatment- there was a definite improvement in his coloring and yesterday was even better.  We are setting the timer and making sure he does the inhaler on schedule.  We are now down to just the inhalers!!! Although he is starting another round of antibiotics tomorrow- just to be safe.  I won't lie- there were a few scary days in there- and I thought we would end up in the hospital for sure.

Now to get his lungs healed up and look into what needs to be done on the preventative side from here on out- because if he gets sicker every time-  I don't even want to think about what could happen if he gets pneumonia again.

Medical update: Part Two

Well- he has improved a little- so they don't think he will have to be hospitalized.  He required a breathing treatment to get his blood oxygen levels into the 90's- but his lungs are sounding better!

Another week out of school.  He is currently on the high end of the seesaw- so who knows what tomorrow will bring.

See-saw

Today we are on the low end.  Woke to fever and chills again.  Poor guy is getting pretty weak- seeing as his food consumption is probably about an 1/16th of normal- maybe- and since he is having things like cup-a-soup, and flat pop, that might be a high estimate.  He did manage some dry cheerios yesterday, and a can (both servings) of Thick and Chunky soup of some kind.  And this morning he had some cream of wheat.  We go back to the doctors in the morning-

If you are fasting, could you add him to your list?  Thanks-

Medical update: EDITED

Oldest made a return trip to the doctor's office after getting progressively worse.  On Thursday night, he had taken 200 mg of ibuprofen, then about an hour later, 250 mg of acetaminophen- and then well over an hour later, he was rocking a temp of 103.  Yikes.  He then spent the night either sweating like crazy, or freezing and unable to get warm.  We drugged him up pretty good, called in some medical advice, and determined to take him in first thing in the morning.  Well- he also threw up A LOT! after about 2:00 in the morning.  I called the office from the minute their phones were supposed to be turned on by (they weren't (grr) )- and they got him an appointment at 10:00.  He was given the diagnosis of severe influenza and pneumonia.  Three more prescriptions, and directions to keep up all the other drugs he was already on (holy moly- NINE meds) and a note to miss school through Monday- when we go back in to check his progress.  Also- the direction to keep him home this weekend.  This actually caused quite a problem- since the DR was supposed to be coaching in a state tournament, and I was supposed to take Middle to her games in the opposite direction. 

I can't tell you how much trouble I had.  Couldn't find anyone to stay with Oldest at home.  Couldn't find anyone to stay with Middle at the hotel.  Finally sent her with someone who squished her in with their family, and she got drug around to their other kids' games- but she would far rather do that then miss her games. FOR THE RECORD- the DR was more than willing to cancel his plans to either stay with Oldest or go with Middle- and that was our last chance option-  but his games carried more weight importance-wise than Middle's.  Grandma was ready to put her life on hold too-  but Grandpa is not doing well himself-  so again with the higher importance-  grandpa needs taken care of worse than sister needs to skate.

Anyway- right after the doctor came into the room and began the inquisition (er- I mean- interview)-I won another bad mom award.  She asked if we had given Oldest the pneumonia and flu vaccine.  Well- after my experience with the flu vaccine last year- that was a firm no-  but then I realized that WHY did I not make sure and get him a shot for pneumonia?  I know he is highly susceptible to getting pneumonia since his diagnosis last spring.  Ugh.  That is most assuredly on the list of must do's as soon as he gets well and it is better weather.

So- for the record-  Oldest is piggy backing ibuprofen and acetaminophen every couple of hours.  He has an inhaler for every couple of hours as needed.  He is finishing the zpak. He has the yucky but good stuff cough syrup- which he is only taking when he REALLY needs it- cause he hates it.  Plus Musinex DM twice a day.
Now we added prednisone twice a day to really help heal up his lungs, and advair twice a day for the next six months- when they are considering testing for asthma. And an anti-nausea pill to help with the inclination he has to rid his body of his meds right after taking them.

Oh- and we went to the eye doctor in the middle of this-  it is looking like the astigmatism in his right eye is getting better- and the contacts are doing their job of keeping his eyes from getting drastically worse.  I think they were surprised that I brought him in after I told them he was sick-  but he wasn't feeling terrible then and we were in a time crunch from when he would be out of contacts ( they have to order his right one in) and his next appointment- so when they called with an opening, I grabbed it.

It has been quite the week medically speaking.  So far, Youngest hasn't joined us in the yuck-- and here's hoping she doesn't.

Anyone have one of those medicine dispensers that keep track of the meds you need and when?  I need one that fits two big inhalers, and multiple spots for hourly pill dosages.  My pen and paper method isn't quite cutting it-

Oh-  and he is feeling much better today!


EDIT:
Middle- who, although she was not nearly as sick- seems to be feeling better too- she was only put on azithromycin and an inhaler (she can use regular OTC cough/cold meds as needed)  She is not coughing nearly so much nor so hard.

Diagnosis:

Pneumonia again.  For Oldest- and I was afraid of that happening when he got sick last month. So- when he had the chills and a fever on Sunday- we deemed it imperative to go to the doctor. And then, Tuesday morning, he started throwing up.  Bingo.

Middle just needs to get over her cough- which is so bad, she starts coughing hard and throws up (sorry for that TMI)- She had also complained about her ear hurting and she couldn't hear.  Turns out- she had really, really bad ear wax-  and just like when Oldest got his first glasses and could "see"-  she can now "hear".

so-two visits, two antibiotics, two inhalers, and a large bottle of the strong stuff cough syrup and 150 dollars poorer-

I have to post about our visit with the nurse practitioner-  there were some pretty funny moments for me.  But no time right now.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

We were able to be home in our own house for Valentine's day for the first time in several years.  Oldest was more than a little excited to have our traditional Fresh Fruit Crepe Dinner.

Even the crepes got into the spirit of the holiday!

A few days ago, Oldest came home with a Valentine from 4 girls - they like his hair, and want to know what conditioner he uses because it is so soft (they have been feeling his hair?)  It was so funny- and made even funnier by letting a couple of the parents read it-  ha! (Casey, Jamie, Catelyn, and Kristin)

We had a fun night together and were so happy to have a minute to sit down together and celebrate our love for each other and the happy news that my niece is now officially engaged.

Middle had a fun day- she had made many handmade valentines for her friends, dressed up for the occasion and came home with a rose, singing valentine card, and a ring of her own.  So-  Lac and LOL-  Middle says....

BEAT THAT!