What a difference the medicine has made.

Went to Alayna's parent-teacher conference tonight.  Really, it was grandparent-teacher(s) meeting (her mother is still very sick and at home in bed)!!!  Her report card was amazing this quarter.  She has come a long way from the first of the year.  Last conference we were talking about her lack of focus and how it has hurt her ability to learn math, reading, and writing.  This time the conference was totally different.  We were talking about how far she has come since she started on her medicine the first week of January. We have noticed a change as well.  She can scrapbook with me now and makes really neat cards and layouts.  She also has become more accomplished in reading and writing.  She is still not to the level of the other kids in her class, but is making great progress. 

I am so proud of the change she has made in a short time.  I wish the doctors would have listened to us a year ago when we tried to tell them that she was losing ground.

Exciting week-end

This week-end we are going to Kansas City for Kane Shepard's 2nd birthday.  He is the grandson of our friends Terri and Daryl from Denver.  We are really excited to see Terri and Daryl, OK... and Kane.

Next week-end we are going back to Kansas City for Kolby Eiman's 2nd birthday.  So much to do in the 2 days off, but we will have fun.  Can't wait!!!

Kristi has the flu

Poor girl has been sick since Sunday night.  She has been throwing up and high fever and doesn't really care about anything!  I don't want it - so we are staying away.  We have had Alayna since Sunday night and won't take her back until her mom is totally feeling better - or when we get tired of her!!!

mom's visit to the doctor today

Mom had an appointment today with her heart doctor.  He said that she will see more of these "episodes" because of her age.  Her heart is just tired, and can't always run right.  The question lies in whether these are hurting her quality of life.  He said that she probably has been having these for years, and they are now getting to the point that she is feeling them or noticing them more. He is going to up one of her medicines for now and she has to call him each time she has an issue.  Then, he will analyzes the times and frequency when he sees her again. So, right now we are in a holding pattern.  I am glad that he didn't dive right into surgery - but that is still a possibility.

A nice Valentines week-end

We have had a nice week-end so far.  We went to Grand Cru restaurant for a nice early dinner with my hubby and my mom.  It was really nice, one of those places that you go to once in a while.  After that, we went to Missouri United Methodist Church for an organ concert.  I could sit and listen to that pipe organ for hours.  We had a really nice time.

Today (Sunday) we all invaded Kristi's apartment for a much deserved BBQ...yes I said BBQ.  We did hamburgers, hot dogs, and pork Steaks.  Alayna made Gail's cheesy potatoes and so this make another generation that makes this wonderful dish.  I think Aunt Gail would be proud of her. Granny and Grandpapa came over as well to enjoy some time with the family.

Now, we are watching You Tube stuff and visiting.  What a nice way to spend the week-end.

What a way to start the week-end...

On Friday morning about 3 am, mom's heart decided to act up again.  She didn't wake me up but instead decided to go to her chair and see if it would get better.  It did, but left her feeling run down and tired.  So, she called the doctor (after I told her twice to do it before that) and they said to go to the ER to make sure her heart is behaving. After a few tests, they decided that her heart was doing fine now - and that she did have another episode. She had to go see her cardiologist on Monday.  We will see what the doctor says this time.  He said that she will have to have a pacemaker, so she may have this gadget before her 80th birthday.

We have rested this morning and are going to go have a nice dinner tonight (all 3 of us!) and then to the church for a organ concert. Tomorrow we are going to Kristi's house to help Alayna make a valentine dinner for her mom.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week-end and enjoy some time with your loved ones.

Scrap book

I have been trying to  catch up since I am so far behind on my photo's.  I am currently working on March 2010, so I have made some progress.  It would be a lot more progress if I didn't have a 7 year old helper, but she is learning.

I need to take pictures of the last few pages I have done.  One spread is taking me about 2 weeks to complete, because I keep adding more tidbits and changing a few things. I got a couple of new gadgets and of course Alayna loves them as well.

This week-end I hope to work on a couple more items.  I have 2 more cards to make and want to finish these pages.

Watch what you say....

I have been working on setting up a scrap area for Alayna since she is able to focus more and now is getting into scrap booking.  Anyway, I bought her a container and filled it with some stuff that I found on clearance last over the last few weeks.  Last night when Alayna went into the scrap room to make something for her mom for Valentines day - she looked at her new container and promptly said "What the Hell?"  Now, I guess that we will have to watch what we say....damn it!

Well, hello everyone.

I am not sure what my problem is, but blogging has not been part of it. I guess I should go to my room and think about what I have done wrong - for at least 5 days.  No work, no fun, nothing...just thinking about it.  OK, so we know that is not going to happen, so I guess that I will have to get better.

We have been busy.  We really had a trying week with the Blizzard of 2011.  I tell you, we have had more snow (in 1995) but this seemed to be a heck of a lot more snow for some reason. We had 20+ inches in most of our yard. We had a heck of a time finding someone to plow our drive because we were not the only house that needed help.  We finally found someone who promptly plowed all the snow in front of the garage and doors to the house.  So, after about 4 hours on Friday night and 2 hours on Saturday morning we have blasted thought about 75% of the mountain.  I personally don't want to see another snow shovel for a LONG time!!

Alayna has been doing SOOOOO much better.  The doctor put her on a very low dose of an ADD drug and it has made a world of difference.  She is so much quieter, more focused, and much happier.  She does have a few issues with her emotions (she is such a passionate child). She is beginning to understand how much fun she can have when she focuses.  We have been scrap booking a lot.  She said that she wants to be an artist when she grows up "because they make the world pretty" which I love.  She is very detailed orientated and once you show her how to do something (like making a card) that she runs with it. 

Tom has not had a good few weeks at work.  They keep adding more stuff to him, but won't give him any help.  He is just about to the end of his rope I think.  Not to mention, he really misses being at home at night with his family.  Once in a while is OK, but for 5 or 6 days a week is getting really old - really fast.

Mom is getting ready to turn 80 in March.  I have been thinking about her birthday and trying to decide what to do for her.  Well, I finally decided that what she would like more than anything is have her family all together to celebrate her special day.  So, we are all meeting at a local restaurant and going to try to surprise her (if I can do that with her living here!). We are also going to do an "80 birthday blast" for her.  Give her 80 of something....like buttons, depends, what ever you can come up with.  I think this will make her really happy since she has everything she really wants.  If you are reading this and want to join us - let me know.  We would love to have anyone!

Guess I better get to bed.  I know it is early, but I am old and old people have to go to bed early!!