I thought 54 was A LOT of books to read in a year....but I was wrong.

I keep a little notebook of all the books I read.  The ones for both of my book clubs as well as any others I pick up at the library, buy at the Costco, or receive from a friend's recommendation.  In 2009, I decided to keep track, and realized at the end of the year I was averaging a book a week.  Pretty good, right?  Yea, that was until I talked with a very good friend, and fellow book nerd, who I also knew was keeping track.  She had started her a little notebook back in January as well. 

Come to find out she quit keeping count, stopped writing down in the notebook, or tracking her books......because along about April she had already read over 65.  By the 4th month of the year....over 65 books.  It would seem like that is all she could possibly be doing, reading books, but quite the contrary....she also takes wonderful care of her household which includes a high manitenance husband ;), is very involved with her 4 children and all their school activities and sporting events, church, maintains order for our mutual book club, and also works a full time job.

But that's not the most amazing part....she can hold a discussion about any of those (probably close to 200 books) she read this year.  Me, I get confused with my characters, cross over plot lines, and forget even the juiciest details at times.  But boy do I love talking books with her anyway. I just pretend to be as smart as she is....maybe one day I'll read that much too.  A girl has to have a goal. 

Which brings me to the point of this post.....you had no idea I could have a point to my posts, did you?  Well, I can and I do.  After talking with that bookworm of a friend recently, discussing our future books of the month, great readings we've stumbled on at the library and such.....it reminded me to ask all of y'all.....have you read anything good lately?

I know I ask that question from time to time, (and will probably continue to do so) but you know, since the last time I asked, you may have read something really awesome and I might need to read it myself!! If you have a book that you've loved, couldn't put down, a real page-turner, maybe a classic revisisted, one you read in high school 20 years ago, or one that was life changing, feel good, thought provoking, good discussion topic, or one that made you SMILE out loud, or cry the silent cry, or whatever....would you let me (us) know?  You can leave it in the comments below, or if you'd rather, just email me (bowlingfamilymoments@yahoo.com).  

A new year, a new slate of books just waiting to be opened.......

H3--Scripture Verse for February--short and sweet!

Well, the month of "love" has arrived.  Some savor every heart filled minute of it, others do not.  I, for one, think Valentine's Day is overrated and just another hugely commercialized event.  Seriously, do we need a 4 foot bear holding a heart that says "U R CUTE" , or a box of chocolates, or a whistling stuffed ape wearing kissed lip boxers, or a few dozen roses, or whatever else they're selling, to make us feel loved?  To make us feel whole??  I think not. 

However, there's nothing wrong with any of it, I just think it's a tad bit over the top now a days. That's all I'm saying.  Sure, I'll be giving my own kids a little something when the 14th rolls around, and I'll probably even give that man I married a card that sings "Wild Thing, You make my Heart sing"....but all in all, I want them to feel loved in the month of March and September and throughout the year...not just during this time.

And most importantly, I want them to know what really makes a person feel whole....having the Lord to reside in your heart. Because no matter how much I love them, my children, my husband, my friends, my family members.....and folks I love my kids a TON, just as you all do.....but can you even realize how much more our Heavenly Father loves them?  Loves me?  Loves you?

It's more than a TON, I can tell you that.

And He is a perfect example of what our verse this month will be about.....so without further adieu.....the verse for February:

"Love is patient, love is kind." 

~1 Corinthians 13:4(a)

6 words.  That's all it is. And now you are saying, "Oh, Kimberly, that is too short. We've heard it a million times. It doesn't even have any real meat to it....etc.etc."    But read those 6 words again, slowly, really listening to the meaning in every word.

Love IS patient, love IS kind (not it can be at times, or usually, or most often, or sometimes never, or any phrase you stick in it's place).  Sure it's hard.  But it's something we need to work on (or at least I know I need to work on it), it is required of us as a Christian to become closer to God in our daily walk, and in doing so, we will become more Christ-like.  That is our ultimate goal.  No, we will never be perfect.  In fact, we will always be sinners, far from perfect, but it doesn't mean we can't have more of Christ in our lives, showing more of him daily to the world. Less of us, more of HIM. 

So here's your challenge for the month....and really for as long as you choose to act on this verse. Hopefully, prayerfully, it will be a lifetime challenge.  All month, use love as your guide. More importantly, use HIS love as your guide. Be patient. Be kind.  We have no idea what blessings the Lord may have in store for us.....when we reach the end of a trial....so be patient, be kind, love the moment the Lord has given you.

• In the grocery check out line which is 5 people deep when the lady rolls her eyes at your stack of coupons. 
• In the car on the way to that very important appointment when you are suddenly cut off in traffic. 
• When the kids spill a bowl of cereal, with milk, all over the table, chair and floor.  
• When your boyfriend decides he needs his space and it's just not working out between you two.
• When the infertility treatments don't work.
• In the workplace when you know you have the best plan of action for the office, but no one will listen.
• In the church when you are called to handle just one more task. 
• When your husband disagrees with your line of thinking...and you know you are really right. 
• When the kids have melted marshmallow goo stuck to your hardwood, leftover from their roasting session in the living room fireplace. 

All month long, take a moment to act in love, act in patience, act in kindness instead of anger, haste, jealousy, resentment....more often than not all those emotions leave us with is a bitter taste in our mouth anyway.  

However, love will linger on the lips like honey. Knowing we are truly LOVED by our creator, the one who has shown us more mercy and patience and kindness than we have ever deserved.  Be like Him.  Look, I know it will be easier said than done....my patience and kindness have been tested and the month has hardly started really.  I'm going to continue clinging to this verse though, a constant reminder of what love really is....straight from the words of the One who has shown us real love.  "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ~1 John 4:10

It is very difficult for our human nature to really love some people.  And certainly our flesh does not always want to love as the Lord does, so unconditionally.  But try it. Open your heart and let a little love in this month. Practice a little kindness.  A little more patience than usual.  
 
 Yes, it's only 6 words. 6 wonderful words. Hide them in your heart.

Short and Sweet

Okay, it's almost the 3rd of the month and if you are participating in our H3 group (Hiding His words in your Heart) then you know what that means.  Yep, a new verse will be here tomorrow.  A short and sweet verse.  A verse ANYONE can memorize.  So, why don't you join us??? 

One of the lovely ladies in our H3 group sent me a message last week that said, while she had really enjoyed all the verses, and had gotten something from each one, every month, she certainly liked the shorter verse we had this month of January.  As she said, "this old grey mare's" brain isn't as good as it used to be......

I put a lot of time, thought and prayer into the verse choice each month.  I always have good intentions of having the verse picked out and our scripture cards made and ready to mail long before the 3rd arrives....and each month those intentions never pan out quite like I thought they would.  I change my mind about a verse, I go in a completely different direction, or sometimes, the 3rd just sneaks up on me even though I know it comes right after the 2nd day of every month, all year long. :) 

I did waiver about this month's verse. I went back and forth with many verses, one of which I had already saved months ago here on the blog to post this month, but changed my mind just a couple of weeks back.  Obviously, I often like to attach some meaning from the month itself to the verse we will be learning. It's just an easier way to help my personal "old grey mare's" brain hold on to the words better! 

At any rate, the verse this month is short.  Very short.  It is only 6 words.  But rest assured they are 6 very powerful words. And the challenge that I will give you, that goes along with those 6 sweet words,  will prove to be powerful as well. Not just to you, but everyone you encounter.  It's going to be the easiest memorization you've ever had. But don't be fooled into thinking I'm going to take it this easy on you all the time.....we'll be seeing some longer verses in the future.  Nothing you can't handle, so why not join us??

DIY project...

Over the last few months we've been doing some projects in the house. Some big (finishing the basement hopefully soon) and small, (like mostly painting), remember last fall when I painted the laundry room?  Anyway, we've also been working in the boy's bedroom and even a little in Baby Girls as well.  I intend to post photos as we finish, so you'll see some soon.  However, I did want to show you this recent project I took on last wek. 

This is a secretary desk that we've had for many years. The top of the piece lays down as a writing desk with two shelves inside for storing things and then the drawers underneath are for....well, for whatever you choose I guess. I love the action of the piece, but was not in love with the blah oak color and look. It has moved around the house from room to room, never really finding a solid home.  But search no more dear nomadic furniture piece, I have found the perfect spot for you.....this week anyway.

Here's the before look.

Nice tarnished brass plated handles.

Because I am not patient enough to wait for my husband to sand it down, strip it of whatever, and then begin painting or staining it the proper way.....instead, I go with the popular choice of graffiti artists everywhere:

And a few tools of the trade to help out as well.....who doesn't use a good Reed & Barton silver knife for their DIY projects? 

And voila'!!!

Sure, I'm going to have to take it back out and spray another coat of black on it, and then sweet talk my husband into sealing it for a nice sheen and topcoat.  But all in all, I think it was a marvelous redo! 

TGIF

Seriously....thank goodness it's Friday.  I can't wait to enjoy the weekend with my bunch. Some exciting home DIY plans are in the making, been looking at recipes I'd like to try just for fun with the kiddos as well as some others for our fellowship meal at church Sunday, T-5 will be laying a fire in the fireplace this evening, a baby shower to attend for a sweet gal Sunday afternoon, a small shopping trip with the Elder Son sometime, and tomorrow morning we get to sleep late.  Ahhh....despite the frigid rain and blurry days....it's looking like a nice weekend slated for us here at House of Bowling.  Hope you have a great weekend as well!!

Really, I am a very responsible parent, despite what this post may convey.

Yesterday, on a total whim, I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, by choice. In the middle of the week. On a school night.  When they had homework that needed to be done.  And instead, we threw caution, and our educational standards, to the wind.


But boy did those kiddos have fun.  Sure, the pizza was mediocre at best, and the 10 cent tootsie pop and 25 cent plastic toy laser gun (which was the size of my pinky finger) that Middle Child won with some of his tickets at the prize counter were useless as it will probably be broken before he finds it under the back seat to play with it again......

Regardless....it was the fun that mattered.  At least that's what the voices in my head keep telling me.  And I tried hard to really focus on listening to them instead of Chuck E. Cheese and his band of maniacs who were singing silly renditions of some of my most loved 80's classic hits.  I thought for a moment I might go punch him in his big fat furry grey head, but decided that would only cause drama at the party that was going on across the way, and the birthday child would probably start crying and everyone would blame me.  So I let that table of kids have their fun and then when the last piece of cake was eaten, and they loaded up the balloons and presents as quickly as they could, because....hello....it was a school night, and my goodness, look at the time, it's almost 7:30, we must get these kids home and in bed.....well, I just sat there admiring that bunch of ROOKIE mothers and smiled.

The rat will go away now, the party's over. Thank goodness. And we basically had the place to ourselves....it's all in proper planning y'all.  Wear those newbies out and stay in it for the long haul!!!

The priceless random memories you'll see here in the random photos from our random night of fun....in the middle of the week, on a school night....when really, all the experts would have said we needed to be home finishing up that homework. 

I scoff in the face of those "experts".  

 The boys had a grand, I mean GRAND time shooting hoops, among other various ticket yielding game machines as well.  And Middle Child at one point in the night came over to the table to proudly exclaim...."Mama, look (showing me a stack of tickets) I hit the JACKPOT."  Yes, indeed you did.  And so did I....my kids are awesome.

They had a blast being the only two, seeing as how NO ONE else was in the joint, dancing on the blue screen on stage, being showcased on the Chuck E. Cheese big screens.

In between pizza bite breaks, and coke refills, and game playing, Baby Girl would stop to take a moment to feed the tickets that were piling up on the table.  And then she'd promptly bring me back the little receipt showing she had accrued  33!! , or 65!!, or 78!!, or 27!! tickets for all that hard work she had just exerted on the skeeball ramps.   Good for you Baby Girl, for all that's worth....you might get a sucker AND a plastic bracelet!  You go girl!

At which point I remembered I had been toting around an old receipt for the kids in my wallet.  Until I brought it out again, I had not realized I had been toting it around for 2 1/2 years.  That's dedication folks.  Or guilt.   You see the reason I had it in my wallet and it had not been cashed in for a prize before was because 2 1/2 years ago my patience as a mother had not reached the level it has now.  At that particular point in time I had been so frazzled waiting and watching the agonizing choice between two Chuck E Cheese sticker sheets or a miniature parachute army man....that had went on for 20 minutes one afternoon in the middle of the summer....I broke.  And I snatched up the ticket receipt (placed it in my purse for later) and firmly announced that no prize would be allowed that day.  So, as it may not have been one of my finer moments of motherhood, I was able to redeem myself from it now....in this moment.....when Baby Girl squealed with delight at having 154!!! to add to her stash.

Two years later, and we still spent an AGONIZING amount of time at the prize counter.   Carefully choosing swirly pops and pop rocks candy and tootsie pops and plastic laser guns and "fake barf" (big hit, as 2 of my 3 had to have it). 

And the "prizes" turned out to actually cost around $6.75 each when you calculate the luck/skill ratio of the games played with the tickets each produced.

Let's just suffice it to say, I could have bought enough bags of tootsie pops to feed the entire school (even those who didn't want to do their homework) and a real laser gun, even, for the amount we spent.....but the memories wouldn't have been worth half as much as what I witnessed for the night of fun. 

Like this precious moment from the Chuck E Cheese sketch pad.  Aw.....so sweet. I may cut it out and frame it....it was worth the $57 we spent on horrid pizza and cheap prizes.

But don't count the night as a complete loss.  As the responsible parent that I am, we did stay until 2 minutes to closing.  We shut them down my friend.  And in another moment of wonderful motherhood.....since it was a school night, in the middle of the week, with homework left to do, I also allowed the kids to drink from the fountain machine until the proverbial cherry coke well was almost dry.  Caffeine, so late?  Why not.

And already past their bedtime, at 8:58, with caution still thrown to the wind, I wheeled out of the rat's parking lot and noticed to my viewing pleasure the neon lights of Krispy Kreme were blinking HOT! NOW!.  

I took it as a sign from above that I deserved a HOT! NOW! doughnut......and my kids did too.  Because, in my opinion, you can't reach maximum SUGAR! CARB! EXCITEMENT! overload until you add a Krispy Kreme to the mix.

So there you have it.  We braved the scene at Chuck E. Cheese and lived to tell about it.

Chuck E. Cheese----where a kid can be a kid, and a mama can savor each and every moment....that's bringing her closer and closer to getting her very own prescription of prozac. 

Thank you....Thank you....Thank you!

Just a side post to say an enormous THANKS to all of you who have given us great advice for the future House of Bowling Road Trip!  I knew you guys were the best "route" to go to for the info needed....and you didn't let me down.   I'm still researching on-line, skimming the books from the library, and seeking out any tidbit I can from folks sitting beside me in Chuck E. Cheese.  Yes, I was desperate for adult conversation at the time, please don't judge, the rat was getting on my last nerve.  

I'll post the Chuck E. Cheese story another day, assuming I regenerate those lost brain cells soon.  At any rate, thank you, and if you have any further info that should arise, like a major attraction, landmark, museum or whatnot, remember a great eating establishment, or an off beat item of interest.....please let us know...., if it's tomorrow, next week, mext month, you know, just whenever it hits you. :)  I'd forever be grateful, yet again.   You guys ROCK!

I need YOUR help....please.

House of Bowling will be gearing up this year to take, yet another, road trip.  What can I say? We love them.  However, I need your help, if you don't mind, in deciding on places to see, things to do, attractions to visit, and of course....where to eat on the road!!! :)

So if you have ever lived in, been to, traveled to a destination, passed by an attraction, or ate the best ____ (fill in the blank....it could be from a fine dining experience, the tastiest pizza joint this side of Italy, a hole in the wall sandwich shop, a novelty diner, or the best BBQ shack you've ever stopped at).......please let us know. 

These are the states up for options on this year's road travels:

• Mississippi
• Arkansas
• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• Illinois
• South Dakota
• Minnesota

Obviously it's doubtful we will make it through them all.....or have a stop in all of them, but I still need your help, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. So.....Have any thoughts?  Have you seen, toured or ate something FANTASTIC from one of these?  Did you live in one when you were young? Attend college in one? Currently reside there, now?  Does your second cousin, twice removed, on your mom's side, run a gas station right outside that exit that leads to the ____?  Exactly. It's you I need to hear from. :)

Seriously, help if you can. Any ideas would be terrific.  I have bought a few books, and checked out almost a dozen from the library trying to do some research for our trip.  However, NOTHING beats hearing it straight from the horses mouth. :)  No matter if it's just a tidbit that would be mere minutes of our day at an encounter, or a surefire destination we need to hit that will take us days to enjoy.  Remember, we love finding out the eccentric places to visit all across each state, not just the usual stops that everyone makes. 

Off the beaten path is right up our alley.   Comment away.....or if you'd rather, email us..... bowlingfamilymoments@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Exhibition time at Alabama Gymnastics

This is the second year for Baby Girl to appear in an exhibition show before the Alabama Gymnastics meet.  A big honor.  A litte girl. Sure, she's still a newbie, and she isn't one of the "high level" gymnasts that do all the  "big tumbling runs". 

But one day she might be.....keep looking for her. For now, she's content to do her few runs across the big blue mat for her round-off rebounds, and then dance a little on the sidelines while watching her other teammates show out.

When her team was finished with providing the pre-meet entertainment, she rushed back to change and get up in the stands to watch the REAL deal.  Alabama vs. Arkansas.  Alabama is known for their great gymnasts.  Baby Girl's head coach is a former Alabama gymnast. Every year it seems Alabama is dominant in gymnastics.....and with a fiery little spunky woman like Sarah Patterson as their coach....well, it's no wonder.  

Baby Girl is ever amazed (as everyone else in the Coliseum) to see the gymnasts flying high....and making it all seem so effortless.....especially when you train many hours each week and you know it's not effortless at all.  So amazing, it's hard to just stay in you seat.

Ashley Priess flying high  (3rd place in All-Around for the night)

Ricki Lebegern makes it look as easy as floating in a pool of blue water  (2nd place in All-Around for the night)

And who could forget Morgan Dennis.....the undisputed star of the show....and rightly so, taking home 1st in All-Around for the night

Baby Girl....watching and waiting....hoping and praying....

Because one day.....it just might be her.

Sasha Cohen...

....is as thin as the sliver of ice her skates slough off.  And at age 25 she looks like she's still in the early years of her youth----13, maybe 16, tops.

I was so pulling for her tonight.  The "senior citizen" of the group.....as an Olympic hopeful.....in what would have been her 3rd time to represent us.

However, I guess it wasn't meant to be....still, I am certainly looking forward to the 2010 Olympics in February. Are you?  Bring home the gold, USA, whoever is there to slough off the ice.  

My college roommate Jenny and the Bunny Bread

I try to stay on top of what I want put here on the blog, in our family scrapbook so to speak.  So even if I don't have time, rightthisveryminute, to post a happening as it occurs, I usually keep the pictures or the story in the blog and assign it as a "scheduled" post.  And I schedule it for a much later date, so that when I have time, I intend to go back in and finish it before posting. 

Well, here's what happens if I don't do them soon enough....they get buried under other ideas, and then, WHAM!  Six months later, I see this post is about to go out.  Sure, the pic of my kids doesn't match the current season, (although Middle Child has been wearing shorts to school since his surgery....even though it's January, don't ask), and obviously it's old news, but it's another part of our living that I want documented.

Oh well. I say there's no time like the present....this time, anyway.  So, here's a post that's from way back...last summer, and memories that go even farther back, before Y2K was even a blip on the tech radar, and certainly before blogs were born. :)

This is Jenny.  She was one of my roommates while at Auburn University.  We met in a science class, immediately hit it off, and wound up living together in 3 different apartments, over the course of 3 years.  Might I add, it was some of the best years of my life....made even better because she was a part of it.  Laughter is a big part of our lives. 

Jenny came to stay with us for a visit back in August of 2009.  Although my kids had not seen her in a couple of years, they fell right back in where they left off....calling her Aunt Jenny, laughing all day, and begging for her attention.  They created her a character on our Wii game system.  They love it when she pops up on the screen, even now, they will scream, "look, there's Aunt Jenny!!"  

Needless to say, we had a wonderful visit, even though broken leg boy was just weeks into his recovery at the time.  The saddest part was when it was time for her to leave.  I don't know who hated to see her go more, me or the kids.  Well, it was me, I do know that, because I was left to entertain the munchkins alone, and they don't think it's nearly as fun when I act silly without Aunt Jenny alongside.  :)

Now, another photo I had saved for this post that came from last summer as well.  Bunny Bread. Heard of it?

And furthermore, what the heck does Bunny Bread have to do with Jenny?  So glad you asked.

As I mentioned, Jenny and I had a grand time on the campus of AU....a grand time. We made the most of our college career.  Being from a different region of the state, I was able to learn so much from her....and her cajun, Mardi Gras, mature, no-nonsense, fiery red headed ways....which I adored. :)   Upon her returns back to campus from a holiday at home or a long weekend break, she'd come bearing food gifts for all to enjoy.....like great fresh shrimp.  But, one of the best things she brought to our apartment was always Bunny bread.

I know what you're thinking, because the first time she came in with it acting all excited, I was thinking it too.....it's loaf bread. Plain ol' white loaf bread. What's the big deal???  I'll tell you what the big deal is.  It was the softest, freshest, tastiest plain ol' white loaf bread I had ever had in my life. The problem was that you could only get it in certain areas.  And since leaving college, where I shared a pantry with Jenny, I hadn't had Bunny Bread in over a dozen years....a baker's dozen, even. :)

That was until my husband had a project located in an area that sold Bunny Bread.  Nope, it wasn't Jenny's old hometown, but it was close enough (even being in another state) and was situated along the Gulf Coast.....and was full of Bunny Bread in every store.  I wish you could have seen me the day I found it....I literally squealed with delight right in aisle 7.  Y'all.....it's good.  And to have it in the middle of summer, with a ripe, right off the vine, red tomato from my Daddy's garden, and a slathering of mayonaise.....oh, my, you just can't beat it. 

So, although this post was long overdue, the message is still the same.  I love Bunny Bread.  I love my friend Jenny even more. And that's saying a lot, friends.  Have a great weekend!

Middle Child, the comedian.

• Why did the chicken NOT cross the road?   

Because he was a.............chicken. :)

H3

Although KP has posted her thoughts (as she does so graciously every month for us) in the comments section on the Jan. 3rd date, I decided to pull it out so all could see....sometimes I know you may forget to go back and check, and I think these Hebrew words are important to pay attention to....so, here's her comments to share with us for our January verse:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~Proverbs 16:3

• The word that jumped out to me this time is "commit"- hebrew means 1) to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together. Literally in the verse-"to roll upon Jehovah whatever thou doest" This word gives the picture of something heavy that cannot be carried being rolled...Can't you just envision it? Taking whatever you do, your life decisions, your heavy circumstances, etc and rolling them to the Father's feet.. Him carrying it...and you resting in Him. When we roll whatever we do on Him, we are giving it to Him, we are letting go of our control issues ( I know I have them...) and we are trusting Him, listening to Him, following Him.

Now a couple of things to attend to for you H3 members....

First, thanks to so many of you for joining us this month.  We have several new ladies who are starting out 2010 with our H3 group! Welcome them! And by the way, it's never too late to join. Anyone, anytime, anywhere. Just jump right in, where ever you are, when ever you can, how ever you feel comfortable.  I only remind you that if you are joining us on this scripture journey, please let me know so that I can mail you reminder cards.  You can email me at bowlingfamilymoments@yahoo.com.

Second, I am hoping each of you who have joined H3 (and any others who decide to do so) would also email me your birthday. Please and thank you.  :) 

Third....did you get your reminder card this month?  Are you making an index card (s) to put around you as well? Put them in your car, in your purse, on your bathroom mirror, in your make up bag, use one as a bookmark for whatever you are reading, on your fridge, etc...  Is it helping you learn your verse?  Is this verse helping you begin this new year, this new decade, with God in his proper place....at the forefront of all we are and hope to become? 

Thank you again for joining this journey....

January Family Party!!! (an inaugural event)

I thought I'd give y'all a break from all the sick and afflicted posts.   And what better to break it up, but with a PARTY!!

Tonight we began a new family tradition.  A tradition that was created in the mind of the youngest member.  Baby girl....loves entertaining, decorating, party foods, etc.   A girl after my own heart.  

Early Sunday afternoon, Baby girl made her rounds through the House of Bowling to hand deliver her invitations.

All our invitations were handwritten, but please notice this was her Daddy's invitation....he was the chosen one to bring Middle Child upstairs for the event.  And I do hope you will also notice her ingenuity.  While she does state that there will be a table set up, she graciously suggests we should each "Bring Snacks".  Smart girl.

We arrived and were greeted by a great hostess, who had changed into a nice summer zebra print halter dress, even though it's January.  But what's a party without a cute dress, right? 

She had various chairs and seating arrangements all around the middle of her room, and as we all took a seat, she directed our attention to the decorations she had spent all afternoon applying for that special party touch.

Ribbons taped to the wall.  (See T-5, there is a reason I need all those 4 crates of ribbons in the closet. Never know when a party might occur and decorations are needed.)

As we sat and had our party food, she expressed how she had decorated, her theme, her thoughts on parties, etc.  A good hostess always keeps the converstaion going....and she was such a good hostess. :)

Now for the best part of her party decor, and one that caused her Daddy to question how, exactly, she had achieved this look.....safely.

Again, Baby girl is smarter than the average bear. She stood on her bed and gently reached out to place a shaker on each arm of the fan. Then she would spin the fan to the next blade and place a shaker....so on and so on.  Look out, Martha Stewart, Baby Girl's about to take over your empire!

Even the stuffed kitty was decorated with color coordinating hairbows for the occasion....

The invitation was true to form....she did indeed have a table set up for us....and we did as we were told....we each brought a snack.

That's right, most made some semi-homemade morsels of goodies (sandwich bites of ham, turkey or peanut butter/honey---sliced cheese, crackers and summer sausage---mozzarella sticks and cranberry almond wafer cookies) and one member took the easy road and brought up a bag of oreos.  But fun was had by all.....rest assured of that.

Middle Child had fun....see that coke laden smile?  And doesn't he look cute in his glasses?  He won't wear them except at home because he doesn't like for people to see him with them on....in fact, he asked me not to put this pic on the blog, but I assured him that he looks fabulous in his specs.

And look here at Elder Son....he's enjoying his turn at picking out a party favor provided by the hostess.  She let everyone pick one silly band from her stash. Sweet.

All in all, the party was a huge success.  Two thumbs up, kind of success. Good food, great fellowship, even some leftover Christmas ambient lighting....thanks to her tree that has yet to be put away.  We laughed, giggled, I may have even snorted a time or two.  We enjoyed ourselves immensely at this first ever House of Bowling random party scene.  In fact, so much fun was had, we decided to make it a monthly adventure.  Stay tuned next month when Elder Son takes his turn at hosting our family party.

But for now....this gal right here is definitely taking home the title of hostess of the month!! Thanks Baby Girl! 

Thank you for your many prayers...just so you know, they were answered, perfectly.

Not that I doubted you, your prayers, or most importantly, the Lord's ability to answer them!  He certainly showed out this time and because of that, I must share with you this one awesome example of it from the day of Middle Child's surgery. 

As you know, Middle Child was very nervous.  I had emailed many, many friends and family asking for their prayers, with more detailed, specific requests than I shared here on the blog.  One of the more pertinent requests on that list was that they would lift up Middle Child's anxiety toward the IV needle and process.  This was by far the aspect of surgery that he worried about the most.  

He worried about it for 5 days at home, prior to the surgery. Only 5 days, because he didn't know the date of the surgery any sooner than that. 

He worried about it before he went to sleep at the hotel. (10:00 p.m.)

He worried about it when he woke up bright and early at the hotel.  (4:20 a.m.)

He worried about it while the nurses took his vitals. (5:45 a.m.)

He worried about it while he put on his hospital gown. (6:15 a.m.)

And then, around 6:45 a.m.....he quit worrying.  Because of your prayers and because of some news he received from the Head Anesthesiologist (which was also, I'm sure, because of your prayers that this topic was even brought up).

She walked in and introduced herself.  (Already several of the surgical team had stopped by to check on things and do whatever they had to do for their "part").  She chatted with him for a bit and found out about his dislike towards the IV process.....she talked him through some of it and then before leaving she turned to ask..."What scent did you choose to smell?"

"Ummm.... I haven't chosen a scent."

She turned and walked right back over to his bed, leaned in real close to his bedside to look him straight in the eyes and gave him the BEST NEWS EVER....."Well, what do you like, strawberry, watermelon, Dr. Pepper, orange, chocolate mint, cherry....we will put that scent in the mask for you to smell and then we will do the IV.....AFTER you go to sleep. You won't feel a thing."

You see, all Middle Child knew of IV's came from either his ambulance ride from the school playground that day last May when he broke his leg, or the second time in the ER at Children's after being transported yet again.   The IV's were put in place long before surgery that first time around.....and he was awake for each one.  And he watched each one.  And he remembered what each one felt like. So....like many adults I received emails from....he was anxious about any needles coming near him again.

Those fears were subsided in that instant when she asked him again...."So, which smell do you want?"

He chose Dr. Pepper.  And smiled the biggest smile we had seen all morning.  He knew it was going to be okay.  We all knew it was going to be okay.  It was an answer to prayer.  Who knew prayer requests could be answered through Dr. Pepper?   Our amazing God, that's who!

Middle child came back to the patient room after a few hours, (surgery and recovery time)....and of course he was a little groggy.  But not too bad, actually.  One of the first things his Daddy and I asked him was how he liked the Dr. Pepper scent.....this was his reply:

"The laughing gas smelled like Dr. Pepper....and it was fine.....but the sleeping gas smelled like jet fuel.....and it was bad. In fact, it made it hurt to raise my head."

Oh, Middle Child, you are so observant it scares me sometimes.  He was no fool.  They might have made him feel a litte relaxed with the cool 23 flavors of the soda of choice, but it didn't knock out his sense of smell for the hard stuff that followed it!!!

So thanks.....seriously, to each of you for your prayers, thoughts and concerns. I'll be happy to repay the favor anytime you need it!  Prayer is powerful....in the big and small things of life. And it does not go unnoticed by any of us.  In fact, I'll share one other story with you before I go....because I want it here so I can look back on it again someday. 

On the day before his surgery, I checked Middle Child out of school early.  One of  his best friends at school is a boy we'll call " T ".  As we were walking up the hallway to exit the school, he said, "Mama,  T told me he put me on the prayer list at his church."  

I said, through teary eyes,...."that's wonderful....and it was so sweet of T to do that....there are many folks praying for you, and God is listening to each one." 

He said, "yeah, when T told me that it made me feel really good inside."

I know son, I know. That feeling is precious. Hold onto it forever. 

Middle Child

As we were leaving the hospital Wednesday following Middle Child's surgery, in between naps, we had a few good conversations.  Let me clarify, he napped....I drove. :)

Middle Child tickles me with his unique thoughts and he touches my heart with his tender words.  While stopped at a red light just a few blocks from Children's Hospital, he looked up from his pillow and said so sweetly, "Thanks for coming Mama".....

I said, "well, you know I wouldn't have missed it."

He replied, "oh, I know you wouldn't miss it....I just wanted to say thanks."

Then, a block or two later, we drove up the ramp to merge onto the interstate.....he could see the buildings of the city out around him....and he could see we were on the road headed home.

He laid his head on the pillow, closed his eyes for slumber and quietly spoke, "Breaking your leg is quite an adventure." 

Quite an adventure, indeed, Middle Child, quite an adventure, indeed.  And 8 months later you came out of that surgery room for the second time just as stoic as the first.  The doctors, the nurses, the anesthesia folks....they all had grand things to say about you.  "He's so sweet, so well mannered, such a thoughtful little guy, he's very funny, full of life, awesome, adorable"....we heard it all. 

They were blessed to share in a few hours of your day....on the surgery table...in recovery....only having a few moments with each of them, and you still touched them in a way that warmed their hearts.

We are blessed to call you our son, so we get to experience all of that and more.  Thank you for warming our hearts on a daily basis.

Breaking News....no pun intended!! :)

Okay.  I really needed rest but let me just tell you how my day has gone instead. 

Middle Child and I arrived home from Children's Hospital around 12:45 this afternoon.  I told you we went in EARLY this morning, they whipped him into surgery (first on the board for the day!!), had an hour long stay in recovery, and he did so outstandingly well...we were out of there before lunch.  YAHOO!! 

We had been home less than an hour when my mom called to say she had just checked out Elder Son from the high school.  As it turns out, yesterday, he was playing basketball during P.E. and went up for a rebound with another friend, both came down with his foot hitting the floor hard and the friend landed on his foot "awkwardly", as Elder Son describes it.  He complained some with it last night, but thought all would be okay.  He doesn't like to miss school, so when he called my mom to come check him out, she knew it must be hurting pretty bad. 

It was swollen and already showed some bruising, so I figured better to be safe than sorry.....so, back in the car I settled and drove him to a Med Clinic for an X-ray.   Fortunately, it is not fractured, only a severe sprain, and he has to wear this air cast brace on it for a while.  I'm glad it's not broken, but don't let a sprained ankle fool you....they hurt terribly bad, and are not quick to get well.

I sat in the patient room this afternoon at 4:00 almost in a daze. Between both the boys, and their respective injuries,  I had signed or received so many medical papers, release forms, consent forms, patient info, prescriptions, school excuses, activity restriction papers, etc.etc.etc. and been told so many instructions to go along with it all, I had to ask the nurse to repeat the stuff all over again for Elder Son because my brain had not stored it the first time the doctor went over it. :)   Ugh. 

She was sweet and understood, so she gave it to me again.  We were released after she put the brace on Elder son, so we left to head home and I knew I had to get the pain prescription filled for Middle Child (you know, the one who had surgery earlier today???!!!!!)  It was then that I realized I had not had anything to eat since the banana at 5:45 AM at the hospital.  It was now 4:15 PM.  That could be a problem.  I wanted to stop right then and there and cry for my Mama. 

Then I remembered that wouldn't help, because she was back at my house sitting with Middle Child, who was resting from surgery.  I dropped off the prescriptions and decided Elder Son and I would get a bite to eat.  Because of the day I was having, my first plan was to find the nearest Mexican restaurant, wheel into a parking space, crawl into a booth, order some chips and queso and a tall glass of ice water sombrero sized margarita.  And then I remembered I still had to drive home.  And while I had Elder Son with me, even with his sprained ankle, the law prohibits 12 year olds from being designated drivers.  HA! Can you tell I'm delirious from no sleep and the stress of the day????

So we went to Chick-Fil-A instead.  And I had a large coke.  Very refreshing.  And the chicken nuggets helped fuel my body to push right on through to make it back to the pharmacy, gather the goods my hurt boys needed, and drive us home to all pile up for rest.   So, let's recap....

• Middle Child had surgery this morning....it was a success. 
• Elder Son took a visit to the clinic this afternoon....no broken bone, only sprained ankle. 
• Their Mama is one day closer to the crazy ward, yet again. 

Both are resting....want to see??


Elder Son is resting on the couch......

With his ankle elevated.....

And that sweet little Middle Child is still sleeping off his anesthesia....

With his right femur rod removal surgical leg elevated.......

I am eagerly anticipating T-5 and Baby Girl to arrive home soon.  And that sleep, the sleep that has been beckoning me since I rose from the bed at 4 this morning, will again be restored to all of us here in the House of Bowling.

Of course, right now the family is caught up in the American Idol reality and I can't see the computer screen through misty eyes for some sweet little country girl from Tennessee. Bless her heart.  I'm pulling for her already! :)

 I will share more with you tomorrow concerning my patients.  Also, I realize these are minor problems considering all that those in Haiti are dealing with at the present time.  It sems so far removed from us because we are here....no earthquakes....no rubble....no mass death and destruction.  However, it became very real today when we were told one of the recovery nurses at Children's Hospital (where we were this morning), has a brother who was doing something with the military there in Haiti and they have yet to hear from him. Pray. Prayer works. Just ask my boys.

The Barter System

According to Wikipedia:    

• Bartering is a medium in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/or services without a common unit of exchange (without the use of money). 

Today we made a really good trade.  But it won't be showing up on any stock market summary.

Yesterday we made these lovely chocolate covered pretzel rods to deliver to the fine folks at Children's Hospital that would be a part of Middle Child's surgery team.

In fact, we made many pretzel rods.

And earlier this morning, we used them in a barter system.  

 We traded our "bag of rods"....... pretzel rods

For this "bag of rods"..... titanium rods

Good trade, huh?  That's right folks, Middle Child did AWESOME during his rod removal surgery early this morning. 

These are the rods that were in Middle Child's leg since the end of May 2009.  If you saw the posts from back then (and you can still go back to the archives and see them now), you would have seen the x-rays that showed these rods in a criss coss pattern right through the point of the break in his femur bone. 

The orthopedic surgeon went in this morning through the same incision sites as before, on either side of Middle Child's leg right above the knee, and removed the titanium rods that were located INSIDE his bone marrow inside the femur bone.  There will be some bleeding, due to that fact of being inside the bone marrow, and thus there will be a little swelling around the incision area.  He will be sore from having to be cut again and from the surgery of removing them ....but all is well.

All is so very well.  I cannot thank you enough for your many prayers, calls, emails, comments and texts.  We have a few stories to tell of the last 24 hours, but we arose so very bright and early this morning.....and my brain is about to shut itself off, so I must run and get some rest. Thank you, once again.  The Lord heard each and every prayer from you....and in our hearts, we could feel them too.

The anesthesiologist group was delighted with the bags of goodies, the nursing staff couldn't wait to put them in the break room for all to share, trying each coconut, toffee, pecan or sprinkled flavored stick, and the surgeon, Dr. D, was very pleased in choosing one from his bag with as he said,  "just the right chocolate to bread ratio".....

Yes, today we used the barter sytem and traded edible, attractive, delicious rods for very strong, solid, bone-mending rods .....but that's not all we received in our trade.....we also have a beautiful, healthy young man who can hardly wait to try out his new and improved leg. In due time.