Shrimp Salad & Potty Training

I thought I'd share some of our favorite easy recipes. This is one of the first ones.   Recipes that are long and involved are not for me.  One of the ladies I used to work with brought in this Shrimp Salad one day to an office luncheon and I was HOOKED!  I've modified it a little to make it a tiny bit more healthy, but it is easy, fast and good!


I start with a bag of peeled and cooked shrimp, so much quicker. Just defrost them in the fridge.  These can be used for anything that calls for shrimp if you don't want to take the to peel and cook them. 

 

I try to use pasta that is either, whole wheat or like the one below with a veggie serving in it. 

I usually make my own ranch dressing but didn't yesterday.

 

Then see the little white round thingy?  It is a veggie cutter.  I absolutely adore cucumbers, but they have to be sliced paper thin and this little gadget from Pampered Chef does the job. 

 

 

 

So all you do is boil and drain the pasta

(I usually pour it over the shrimp in the sink in a drainer)

Then add the cucumbers, and ranch dressing.  I top it off with pepper

It's so good! 

 

 

 

This is one of mine and Jon's favorites.  Sam is the only kid that really likes it and this is one meal that can't be pureed! YUCK! 

 

 

So

 

8 oz of cooked shrimp

box of pasta

jar of ranch dressing

cucumber

pepper

 

that's all you need!

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Look what we got in the mail!  Pull-ups!  We are trying the different brands out to see which ones fit Sam the best then we will order them!  Right now I'm leaning towards the Sleep ones.  He is too big for Pull ups or diapers from a regular store, but only a little bit too big, so it's hard to find the things that will fit him best. 

 

I am planning to start working on potty training him in October once we are back from our yearly NY doctor visit.  Potty training was the absolute worse part of parenting Steve and Shad.  I'm not looking forward to this at all but the one big difference is Sam is so schedule oriented, that I think he will actually catch on, maybe even sooner than the other boys.  We will see.  I'd love to see him out of diapers!!!!

 

So we are planning on taking Sam and Sarah to NY in September for their eye exams.  There is some concern about Sam's eye pressure, I get very worried about it if I let myself think too much.  Our local eye specialist is concerned about it but she is not used to dealing with a child with implants.  I'm dreading the long trip, Selah will stay here with her nurses, Steve will be in college.  Shad is probably coming with us. he said he doesn't want to stay with anyone. 

 

Obviously this trip makes me very anxious on several levels.  Being away from two of my kids makes me more anxious.  I'll dread it until it's done and we are back home!

 



Lauren

Life 2 Orphans is an organization that is near to my heart.  They help the orphans in Ukraine who are "left behind" the ones who have not yet found homes.  Both of my girls had Individual Caregivers.  For Selah it meant, she actually learned to walk a little when she was 7 years old.   Her caregiver had a real love for her.  Here is a picture with us and Selah's caregiver.  She was loved by all the children, I'd see kids come up to her and she'd always have a hug and a real smile for them. 

 

 

 

Life 2 Orphans is seeking to raise money so they can help finance more Individual Caregivers for more kids!

 

The children that were in the orphanage in Torez with my girls have been evacuated.  Many of them went to an orphanage in Druz, where we helped build a well for them to have clean water.  Life 2 Orphans is involved in so many different ways in which YOU can be a part of....

 

 

There's a little girl named Lauren/Lyuda that was in the same orphanage as my girls.  We spent alot of time with her.  I'm not sure of her full diagnosis but she couldn't walk, she seemed to have some leg deformity.   She wants a family so bad!  She attached herself to us every chance she got and it was hard for me emotionally but I gave her all I could give her for the time we were there. 

 

here she is participating in the Easter play in the white outfit, Selah is checking her out. 

 

 

 

Lauren needs a family but she also needs an individual care giver to help her. 

 

If you could commit just $40 a month, it would pay for a woman from the community to come in and work with Lauren.  It would help both Lauren and the woman.  L2O is about helping the communities when possible. 

 

http://www.life2orphans.org/cms/node/82

here's a link that will explain how you can give in various ways!

 

Thank you!!!!!

 

BTW my husband and I support a girl in the same orphanage that Lauren is in now.  Our girl, Angela, has learned to stand!  I love getting the reports on her and seeing the changes!!!

 

Our Schedule!

What a busy week.  The little kids started back with all their teachers.

This is our weekly schedule.....
Monday
10-12 Speech Therapy Sam and Sarah
12:30 - 1:30 Vision Therapy Selah
Tuesday
10-12 Speech Therapy Sam and Sarah
10-12 Physical Therapy Sarah and Selah
11:30- 3:30 Academics Sam and Sarah
Wednesday
10-11 Occupational Therapy Sarah
12-1 Physical Therapy Sarah
Thursday
10-12 Physical Therapy Selah and Sarah
10:30-3:30 Vision Therapy Sam and Sarah

You might be wondering how we work it out when various therapies/teachers are here at the same time....we just figure it out as we go.  They work around food schedules, medicines, eye drops and diaper changes AND the occasional melt down (usually Sarah needing mommy)

It's just like having nursing in our home, it's a blessing but it's also an inconvenience, in the sense I feel my house has to be clean, I have to be dressed and at least have my teeth brushed LOL.  Generally I get up around 7 am, just to get things done before the teachers come.  Most days I have to give Sam and Sarah baths in the mornings so to do baths and feed them both breakfast, it takes about an hour.  For the record, I've usually got them all ready for the teachers on time, myself, not as much LOL.   Our nurses get Selah ready for her teachers. 

Of course, Shad leaves with Jon around 7ish to go to school.  Jon is able to pick him up in the afternoons for me.  That's a huge help!

So that was my week until Friday.....  Friday Jon was off and kept the kids while I got to spend the day with one of my best friends.  She and I were roommates in college so we visited our college (where Steve is now) and ate lunch with Steve, then toured the college.  She hadn't been back in years.  We got to see the communications lab, tv station and radio station where Steve will be working.  We also got to see the new Science building where Steve works as a  janitor. 

We recreated a picture taken about 30 years ago when we actually had to live one year in a corner of the boys dorm (where Steve lives now)  It was my sophomore year and I was quite aghast that we were moving to Bauer Hall!  The administration gave us girls one wing of the dorm with fire doors in between us and the boys.  The doors had HUGE locks on them, probably broke a few laws with the locks but heck back in the 80's you could get by with that!  They wanted to make sure there was NO way the boys could get to the girls!

 

 

I'm the one in the white sweat shirt.  Weren't we young and didn't I have a ton of eye make up on?????

Fast forward 30 years......

 

 

BTW Jan had the umbrella both times, she is always prepared!

 

What a blessing to have a friendship that has lasted all these years:)  So glad we ended up as roommates and have remained friends.

 

 

 

Walking around campus we were commenting on the "dress code".  Let's just say "back in the day" there were NO shorts, tanks, tight pants, shirtless guys, or strapless shirts!!!!   One of the last things I got in trouble for at college was running to my car in a pair of shorts.  Now the kids can go to class in shorts!

 

The students seemed so young, maybe because I have a son there but they are just so young.  We couldn't help but comment on how much of life -both good and bad- is ahead for them and they really don't have a clue, bless their hearts!  We both commented that we were quite glad we did not know ALL that was ahead in our lives back when we were in college.  

Anyhow our young college student came home for the weekend.  I cooked his favorite meals, shrimp jambalaya and steak with garlic potatoes.  I even had his favorite chips and salsa and gum LOL  I gladly did his laundry and folded it all for him.  I did everything but kill the fatted calf :)   He had a chance to go out with some local friends on Saturday night and to church with us on Sunday before it was time for him to go back to school.  I have to admit, I've not really had a hard time with him being gone but if he wasn't close enough for an occasional weekend home, I'd probably have a problem!!   Plus I'm so glad for texting and cell phones.  When we were in college, there was one pay phone per hall....it was very hard to get through on it.  I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that!!

So it was a busy week for us, as usual and I'm sure this week will be also.

We're a bit concerned about the aftereffects of the hurricane as we are supposed to get several inches of rain tomorrow.  Our road is almost underwater in one spot now.  We still have standing water in our yard in spots.  If we have a ton of rain, we may have some more problems.   Then I guess there is another one out in the Atlantic.  Just a regular August in Florida.  I love rain, but for the first time, I'm happy when it stops!  We actually went about 36 hours without rain this week, I think THAT was a record. 

Well I hope you have a great week ahead!  I'm hearing thunder right now.....we will probably have an interesting week!

Thinking about Heaven

Back when Selah was in the hospital, I "discovered" YouTube.  I had hours and hours of sitting by her bed so I found time I'd never had before to watch videos and listen to music.  I found a church, Van Buren Assembly of God in Arkansas that put out a lot of videos of their choir singing.  They sang the "old time gospel" songs that really ministered to me during that time.  They also had some sermons of their pastor preaching.  The church was "old fashioned Pentecostal" but at the same time very theological sound (sometimes you just don't get both LOL) 

This morning I saw a friend had posted one of  Pastor Bobby Johnson's sermon.  It was on Repentance, not something you hear many sermons about anymore.  My friend stated that Pastor Johnson had passed away.  I listened to his sermon and it was outstanding and I'm quite the sermon critic....    At the beginning and near the end, the Pastor said "If this was to happen to be the last Sermon I ever preach, this would be the sermon I would want to preach!"   As I was watching it, I realized that it was a current sermon as he spoke of things going on in the world right now, so I looked and saw that Pastor Johnson preached this YESTERDAY!   It was his last sermon and it is worth the listen.....just think, now he is in the presence of God, such an amazing thought after such a sermon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3qam3wze1s    this is the link.  You can also find many of the choir songs on vbfatv.

Just really made me think.....

At one point today I was alone with Selah for a little while.  She was asleep.  Sarah was fussy so I brought her in with me and sat rocking her by Selah's bedside.  It was a sweet quiet time, not one I have too often.  I turned on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MUBhGENW-s  (one of that church's songs)  Its an old song about heaven, we used to sing when I was a child.  Tears just started flowing as I thought of my daughters who both will be whole then.   Neither of them will be in wheelchairs, they will walk, talk and see.....   It's going to be a grand day for me in so many ways.

I know most people think about heaven, but I'm not sure how many people anticipate it like I do.   Suffering in this life, will make a person look forward to that day where every tear will be wiped away.   When I think of heaven now, one thing I think about is seeing my children healed and meeting my twins.....I have a lot to look forward to. 

BTW, this service is just what I grew up going to. 

I like all kinds of music but what speaks to my heart the most is the older hymns.  Recently I heard a minister say that whatever songs where being song when a person became a Christian was usually the music that spoke the most to their hearts.  It's true, I became aware of God as a child and these are the songs, I knew and sang and even to this day, they speak to me. 

So I'm thinking of heaven tonight....

There is a lot of shaking going on in this world right now in so many different areas, I think all of us should be thinking of repentance and of heaven.

Long post, from college/school update and pictures to the Duggars (again)

Update on Mama.....I was absolutely determined not to call or text Steve after we left him.  I did not want to be THAT mother.  But I was quite happy to hear from him daily about all that was going on, he called and texted me and is having a great time!  We are so happy for him.  It feels good!   So far he has gotten a job there on campus cleaning the science building.  He has made friends and decided to add another class, RAW TV.  He will be working at the tv station too.  His major is Communications/Broadcasting and he's enjoyed every single thing about that aspect of school.  Yesterday I picked him up as he had an early morning dentist appointment today.  It was great to see him, although it was a bit rushed.  I did have to take him back this afternoon before his class and it was much easier than Saturday.  When he was walking off, though I  had this deja vu ..... I can remember walking him to the preschool door and him walking off without ever looking back.  Funny thing, he has the same walk he did as a little boy, so cute.....

 

a friend sent me this.......



 

That's the building he'll work at, brand new, just dedicated today.  



 

BTW I did not know HOW I was going to get up and get all the kids ready for church on Sunday without Steve's help.  (Jon is at the prison to do an early morning service)  Well I got up at 6 am and managed to get us to church 30 minutes early and I rushed around spot cleaning since I hadn't had a chance to clean. I was very proud!  Sunday mornings are not easy with all the little ones.  We also take Selah to church so there is some extra stuff even with having a nurse to do most of it, mostly coordination.  But we did it!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday was Shad's first day of 6th grade.   He has his same teacher that he's had for the past two years and she is absolutely awesome!  I was so happy when I learned she was moving up with them.  She has helped him to reach such high achievements.   So as far as school work goes, he is firmly in 7th grade work :)  We are expecting a great year!

 

 

The little ones don't start back to home bound school until next week but we were working on Sam feeding himself some this week.  He was good to hold the fork, but he fed himself with his other hand LOL

 

 

 

 

Sarah LOVES her toy.  She sits on it and goes all over the living room.  It makes her much braver. 

 

 

 

 the kittens love her wheelchair

 

 

 

Sam has a light up bath toy.  It turns 6 different gorgeous colors.  He laid in the tub tonight till he was almost asleep watching the toy turn the room all kinds of colors.  It's like a disco.  There bathroom is so large, it is easy for me to sit on the floor in there and let him play to his heart's content. 

 

yes he has a funny chest, and yes we've had it examined and no he doesn't need surgery.   It's called something, I can't remember right now but we've had it checked a couple of times over the years because it does become a problem for some kiddos but not for him thankfully!

 

 

Well you know I have to talk about the Duggar situation once again.....

This is what I wrote on FB

 

Well.... I defended Josh Duggar when his juvenile crimes/sins were published. I believe people can repent and change. I know I've had things in my life that I had to repent of & turn away from. I thought as a teen he had done something so stupid but was open with his family & truly repented. Obviously I was wrong.

Personally I've never cared for the Duggars, I don't like patriarchy systems like the Duggars adhered to nor did I like the way the mom related to her kids- as if... she really didn't know them & was ready to pop out some more for the other kids to raise.

I was uncomfortable with their dating system & the fact none of the older kids were encouraged to have their own life & plans.
 
I don't necessarily blame the parents for Josh's sins- we all stand alone in front of God but I doubt seriously that sexuality was discussed in a normal way in that family
 

It's a mess. I'm very sorry for his wife Anna & their children. I pray that God will give her the strength & courage to go on with her life.
 
A friend of mine who had been raised somewhat in a "Duggar style" and I were talking before any of this had happened. She shared with me that often the 2nd generation of these type families seem to run as far from God as they could go once they got a chance. That's so sad. I saw the same thing growing up in a strict Pentecostal home. So the thing I've learned is that my kids have to find God on their own. I can't make them be "little Christians" nor have I ever wanted to do that. While we've home schooled some when we had to, we have always sent them to Christian school but we've also tried never to be legalistic (nor is our school at all).

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. There is probably not one person reading this who has not sinned sexually so before you grab a stone just remember that. On the other hand IF you are a Christian God gives us a standard to live by- live by it or stop calling yourself a Christian.


I don't see this new scandal or any scandal really hurting "the cause of Christ".   I love that the bible is so very open about people's sins, even "pillars of the faith" who sinned like David or Abraham.   We are clearly all sinners in need of a Savior.  But we have a cure for our sin and that is Jesus.

I'm very sorry for people caught up in sin.  I've been caught up in sin before and it is a miserable place to be.  That old saying is so true "SIN will take you further than you ever wanted to go, keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay"   Not just sexual sin, although that seems to be something a lot of folks struggle with.  But any sin...

I pray that Josh gets his life straight and gets to really know God, not just rules.  I hope that his marriage will survive and grow stronger.   And I hope this is a wake up call to people to be real about their walk with God and not just have a list of rules to follow.

One thing that really warmed my heart is a conversation I had with Steve a few weeks ago.  We were talking about Christianity and things that have happened with various folks over the years.  He thanked me again for how we raised him.  Although we certainly had some perimeters like going to Christian school, we didn't demand from him a "Christian life".  Of course we wanted him to have a relationship with God but on HIS own.  We laid it all out for him but didn't force him to respond in a certain way.  Of course we had ground rules of what he could watch or listen to at different ages or where he could go- I think even most atheists would not allow a 7 year old to watch a R rated movie!  But as he got older, we allowed him to make a lot of his own choices.  Sure there have been a couple of things we've talked to him about over the years but we've allowed a lot of choices too.  We've always keep open conversations with him about things and are doing the same for Shad.   Steve has a faith that has weathered storms and disappointments in life.  He may not be on the front row jumping up and down, or running the aisles shouting, but I have no worry about where his heart is.  He has strong convictions about some things and he has stood true.  I'm not saying we were the best parents in the world, I'm quite certain others do a much better job than we do.  I'm pretty sure he has learned some things from me that he should not have  (LOL and I'm not telling what!) and he does have a mile wide streak of sarcasm.... wonder where that came from?  Of course most pastor's kids have seen a lot.....   And that's another thing our children have always and will always come FIRST before anyone else and before the ministry.  After seeing plenty of PK (pastor kids") disasters we swore that we would never ever let that happen.  And we would never ever make our kids feel like they had to follow us into ministry.  I figure ministry is hard enough....no one will make it unless God calls them to it!  Frankly, I have no desire at all for my children to go into full time ministry.  Not one tiny shred of desire.  I've never fantasized about one of the boys becoming some well known preacher.....not one bit!     I've never ever thought about it for any of them.  If God calls them we'd support them 100% but it has to be God. 

The only ambition I have for my kids are that they serve God and that they are happy.  If one of the boys was a Catholic monk living on an island and was happy, I'd be fine with it.  If one of them is a multimillionaire like Trump, as long as he was serving God, I'd be happy.  If one of them was a janitor and didn't even own a car, if he were a Christian and happy, I would be too.  "Success" is not important to me at all.   I just want to know that they will make heaven their home and we'll be together for all eternity.  I so do not care about how something looks to someone else.  I'm happy to celebrate my kids' accomplishments but we don't push our kids in any way.  Shad is amazing academically and I will admit to a little bit of pushing him just because he thrives on it.  But it's not who he is.  If he was two grades behind, as long as he was trying his best, I'm good with that.  I've never felt like I've had to "keep up with the Jones'" in any way LOL. 

With my three little ones....we say they have "the golden ticket" as they are like young babies/children and have not reached, nor will they reach "accountability" 

Well that is my thought on all of this......Good night :)  

 

 

 

 

College Bound!

Well this was THE day....


Here's some highlights of his "going away"  party last night

 

 

 

 Some of his gang :)

Jon and Steve. Jon gave a little speech and a short prayer.  We had to be careful not to cry:)

And yes all that pizza was eaten!

 

The car was all packed.  

 

 

 

We've had such a good time getting ready for him to go and doing planning/shopping, it was a bit of a shock to realize he was actually GOING AWAY!

 

We got there and got him all moved in.  Then it was off to do all the "stuff".  Here he is getting his ID card made. 

 

 

 

 

 We ate lunch at the cafeteria. 

It was like a family reunion, we ran into so many old friends.  FUN!
It's comforting to see our old college friends who like us, are entrusting SEU to educate their kids too. 

Obviously someone got a full belly!

 

 

Then off to the bookstore for books....Shad went back to sleep!

Several of his classes had "on line books" that were cheaper.  So he ended up that all his books cost less than $100.  And that was a good thing!  We weren't expecting to have to pay for them today.  Back in our day, they just went on our bill!!!!  Steve paid for his books and for all his stuff for collage.  He bought his laptop, sheets, towels, fridge....he is very proud that he did it all for himself.  

The library where I worked for several years- I also worked in the café but in the old one not the new one.



 

 

 

Beautiful trees by the chapel

 

 

One of the many places I lived on campus many years ago. upper right hand side.

(that's not where Steve is living!)

 

 

 

 

 

Steve in his dorm room

 



 

All tucked in before we left    LOL

 

 

So like I said, I've had fun planning for him to go to college.  I even ironed all his clothes and packed them nicely.  We went shopping together. Of course we have been working on scholarships etc....  So it was all fun and games....UNTIL  it was time to leave!

 

I'd even compared him going to college to our cat getting tired of her kittens.  Our cat Gladys that had all the nice kittens for us was a great mom but by the time they were as big as her and still trying to nurse or bother her, she'd hit them on the head, hiss at them, kick at them with her feet and try and get away from them.  I kept kidding Steve about taking over his nice room and having one less mouth to feed....and comparing him to the kittens. 

 

It didn't seem real that he was actually leaving!  And while we are thrilled with his decision, it's hard when we realize we won't see him every day anymore or get to say good night every night.....

 

As you know if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, Steve is an amazing guy in many ways.  The three of us have been extremely close.  With the big age difference with the younger kids, it's often seemed like the three of us were the adults.  Steve's walked with us through some awful days and through everything good and bad, we've been together.  Now knowing that some of that has changed, is very sad for us. 

 

When we got everything done, we were just sitting around in his room.  Knowing that the "good-bye" was coming was making me sick on my stomach.  I'm not sure he was quite ready for us to leave but I couldn't handle it anymore!  Saying goodbye was HARD!  We did a group hug and Jon and I were sobbing.  Steve was handling it better but his eyes were pretty glassy.  When we left to walk to our car, I just had tears rolling down my face.  Luckily we'd parked in an area where there wasn't too much traffic so I could get to the car without embarrassing myself.   Then Jon and I cried off and on all the way home. 

 

Now before anyone laughs at me....I get to go pick him up next week for an dentist appointment!!!  YEAH!!!!!!

 

We are very glad he's less than an hour away but he's still not with us daily! 

 

I feel like I'm a real mom now, I've gone through all the stages with a child.....while Steve is always welcomed to come home, he is now stepping out on his own.  (And I'm serious about the fact he can always come home!!!!  BELIEVE ME!!)

 

 

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Yesterday was Selah's 11th birthday. 

She was almost asleep when we came in for the traditional picture with my three 11 year olds.  The three of them are the same age for 6 weeks until Shad has his birthday.   Selah did not appreciate being bothered at all.  She did give Jon a great present, he came in her room earlier and she turned to him immediately and seemed fascinated with him.  She always loved her daddy.  When no one else can get a response from her, he always can and it was like that from the beginning. 

 

 

 

And today was three years since the accident.....that fact did not escape our thoughts despite everything else that was going on.  When I realized Steve was going to leave for school on THE day, to be honest it freaked me out a bit.  But then I realized that God got us through that day and would get us through this day also! 

 

We are so grateful that Selah is very aware of things, and very stable.  She's not been sick for over two years now and the only reason she's been in the hospital was because of hip surgery.   She is making slow but steady progress in many areas.  She has not regressed in any area.   She tracks objects and people now continually.  In fact her neurologist is seriously considering changing her status from "persistent vegetative state" to  "minimally conscious "   That might not sound like a big deal but it really is!   When you add in the institutional autism that she had before the accident, it is amazing how responsive she is.  She lifts her head and moves it on her own.  AND she has been responding  by moving her hands and arms on command consistently. 

 

Well it has been a long day.  If you think of us, you are more than welcomed to say a prayer for all of us, for all the different things we face.  One thing is Steve has received grants and several smaller scholarships including one for $1000 that he was just awarded yesterday but he still has a balance on his account.  He will be working but even with that, he may have to take out loans and that is one things we'd like for him to avoid if possible.  We are still hoping for another scholarship so please pray that it will all work out for him.   We are so proud of him for all the scholarships he's gotten and all that he has paid for so far.  He is really handling things himself and being very responsible. 

A Bit Of A Scare!

We  a bit of a scare on Tuesday.  Shad had been complaining  a little of stomach pain since he got home.  Then he had a sharp pain and said it hurt to pee.  Well after just having such a horrible kidney/bladder infection myself, I took him to our Urgent Care thinking it would be a quick in and out since we were having Steve's going away party that night......   Well I should know better by now!  The doctor did a quick test that was negative and then examined Shad.  He turned to me and said that he thought it was Shad's appendix!  I was shocked speechless!  That doesn't happen too often. 

So we were told to go to a Hospital.  I wasn't sure which one to go to so I called our pediatrician and he told us to go to Tampa General as it was really good for things like this.   Jon came home and we hustled to get there.  Luckily it was a slow day and he was seen almost as soon as we got there.  They did an ultrasound rather than a CAT scan to begin with to see what was going on.  He had no markers for appendicitis BUT he had a belly full of poop!  So we got to go home with laxities.  Let's just say he didn't get much sleep that night as the meds worked well.  He is fine now and we are so grateful that that was all it was that we just laughed about it!  WHEW!!!!


Later I was telling a friend about my reaction when the doctor told me that he thought it was Shad's appendix.  The way I've dealt with scary situations is to get really quiet and have no reaction till it is all over THEN I fall to pieces if there is a reason to.  That's how I was when I was told about Sam, and when the accident happened, when my aunt who raised me died..... I have my reaction hours or days later.  After the accident, I had ran to the scene and there are pictures/videos of me just standing there, stone face and white as a ghost.  It was hours before I fell apart but when I did, it was rather spectacular!  I tend to throw up and pass out....but after everyone else calms down.   I felt like fainting when the doctor told me about Shad.  But I managed to take some deep breathes.  The thing with the little kids, it's not so upsetting to them if you get all upset but of course it would be to Shad.  But Shad is so strong and wasn't at all freaked out. 

Anyhow we all got through it and everything's ok!

Steve's party got rescheduled:) 

We've been busy around here getting ready for college and the start of the school year next week for everyone else.  It's good that everything is changing all at once and we'll be busy.

Hope you are having a less eventful week than we did!!!!!