How much sickness can two boys take

Trevor's statistics in the past two weeks:

• The flu
• Sinus infection
• Upper respiratory infection
• Double ear infection (today)

Ryan statistics since last week

• The flu
• MRSA

I sent Ryan to the emergency room last Sunday night after finally realizing that he had MRSA. I felt terrible because I was one of those "mean" hospital staff (you know what I mean, they're in every hospital...the non-sympathetic type) that told him it was nothing but an infected hair. What's even worse is that I'm the one that probably brought it home from the hospital.

We actually just got the report today (yes, that is Vincennes for you), stating that it is a very aggressive MRSA. Thank heavens the physican picked the antibiotic that this stran of MRSA is sensitive to. He went for a follow up today, and the doctor wants him to do two rounds of antibiotics because he still has it. It's healing, and definitely looks better than a week ago. I didn't take any pictures of it because I didn't want to gross you out. I on the other hand love looking at disgusting medical pictures, so I'll save the view for myself.

Hope you all are much healthier than we are here!!!

I've been tagged twice

I guess I should finally respond...so here it goes

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was serving my mission in Argentina.

2. Five things on my list to do.
1. Paint the shed
2. Finish the ward self-reliance guidebook/program
3. Paint my bedroom
4. Plant my garden
5. Someday take a nap

3. What snacks do I enjoy
Neapolitan ice cream, bagel chips (cinnamon and raisin), strawberries with sugar (I didn't know you liked that Jenny), chex mix ( homemade)

4. 3 Bad habits
1. Procrastination. I'll eventually get to it, just like responding to this tag
2. Not answering the phone because I can see who's on the line
3. Hiding at the library when I should be somewhere else

5. What would I do if I were an instant billionare
Open a Montessori school

6. 6 Places I've lived
1. Galesburg, Illinois
2. Fort Wayne, Indiana
3. Provo, Utah
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina
5. Cincinnati, Ohio
6. Vincennes, Indiana

7. 5 Jobs I've had
1. Cashier at a grocery store
2. Teacher's assistant at Montessori school
3. English as a second language (ESL) assistant
4. Americorp (2 years)
5. CNA

8. 5 things people don't know about me
1. When I was in the third grade some boy pushed me into the parallel bars at school and I bit almost all the way through my tongue. It was very cold outside so I couldn't feel anything. One of the aids came running to me and took me inside. At that time they said they couldn't put stitches in the tongue, so I just had to wait for it to heal. Have you tried eating without the use of a tongue. It 's hard to do.
2. Broke my arm playing soccer in high school gym class
3. I snore (so does my husband)
4. I got in school suspension for skipping class in middle school
5. I can't think of anything else!!!

On The Menu

It's always nice to find something fast and easy to fix that the kids like. I've had this recipe for a while, but just never made it. Tonight it was a success with both the kids.

Honey Glazed Chicken

10-12 boneless skinless chicken tenders
1 c. honey
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. ketchup
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 garlic glove, crushed

Brown chicken in skillet. Mix the remaining ingredients together. After chicken is done browning, add the sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Serve over rice.

Hope your family enjoys!

Earthquake

WOW! Is really all I can say. I was born and raised here in the midwest. In school we prepared ourselves for Tornados, often practicing the drill of sitting in the hallway with our head between our knees position. Never once can I remember practicing what to do for an earthquake; I don't even think I've read anything on what to do for in an earthquake. That's something that happens just in California, right?? NOT! This morning at 5:39 a.m., my family was suddenly awakened by the house shaking. I knew immediately what was happening, and noticed Ryan was not in bed (he now has the flu). So I yelled out for him. He too was awake, and we did what you do in a tornado. We picked the kids up and went into the bathroom. During the very brief episode, I said, "Are earthquakes covered on our home owner's insurance policy." I can laugh now, but as the ward welfare specialist, isn't it ironic and too late for me to be asking that question! I have felt such an urgency to help us as a family as well as the members of the Vincennes Ward to get their homes in order. We are in the process of developing a very comprehensive self-reliance program to the members here, that I hopefully can initiate in the next 4-6 weeks. There will now be included, "What to do in an earthquake!"
Lesson learned....and I will be calling Allstate today!

Mom's worst fear

There are no camera's allowed during Sacrament meeting, but if there was, boy would you be so jealous of me :-) Ryan asked me to speak Saturday morning since two of the three speakers cancelled. I willingly accepted and prepared.
Sunday morning...Trevor wakes up and throws up a very small amount. I could clean it up with a paper towel. His allergies have been acting up, and so I contributed the vomit to all the drainage he was having. By his request he wanted chocolate milk. I thought, maybe he just needs something in his stomache and he'll feel better. He drank the milk, got dressed for church, and was behaving as normal as Trevor does.
We get to church, he says, "Mom, I don't feel well." I tell him okay. I figured I would go home with him right after I spoke. I told Ryan to let me go first.
We are sitting about half way back and right in view of Ryan. Ryan gets up to conduct Sacrament meeting and Trevor begins to throw up. I caught the first part in my hand, but froze with panic because I could feel his stomach lurching. I was afraid to leave with him for fear his projectile vomit would hit someone else. Sharon Gelb, who was sitting in the same pew came to my rescue. She took her rain bonnet and put it under his mouth just in time for the next round. All the while Ryan is watching, yet still trying to conduct Sacrament meeting to a congregation that was totally fixated on Trevor. Trevor half way filled her rain bonnet, which to my estimation was about a quart of vomit. Yes, any mother knows how AWFUL milk vomit is.
Once I felt his stomach stop heaving, I scooped him up and quickly took him out. We stripped him down and covered him with a blanket from the nursery. Some dear sisters of the ward attended to him as I went up and gave my talk with out missing a beat. I do have to say, that I walked out of the mess with no vomit on me.
Most of you are probably reading this and saying, "What was she thinking giving that boy chocolate milk?" I have no answers, only to say I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
Unfortunately, he still continues to be sick today. Not fun. I'm now completing round two with washing bedding. He tries so hard to make it, but just can't seem to do it in time.

My 1st 5K

Yeah! I finally did it! I have been wanting to enter a 5k for about the last two years, but never conditioned myself enough to feel confident in doing it. This time the opportunity came and I embraced it. It's been hard to train outdoors for it because mother nature doesn't seem to want to let go of winter. In fact the morning of the race, it was 30 degrees outside and the wind was 17 mph, so you figure out the wind chill. It was cold! My family was a champ to come out and support me. I know they would have enjoyed staying in their warm beds. That morning, I even thought of staying in bed.




Believe it or not, our camera died (without any warning). It was getting old, but it still was sad that we didn't get one of me crossing the finish line. But I promise I crossed. I am now totally hooked on the thrill that you get as you cross the finish line. I love the natural high that comes with running. I hope that it's the beginning of many races to come!