Remembering Mom

Tomorrow marks the 4th anniversary since my mom passed away from lung cancer. She was only 59 years old. She was the best mom in the whole world.

My mom married my Dad when she was only 18 years old. She stayed home with us kids as we were growing up. She kept an immaculate house, sewed us clothes, cut our hair, was a fantastic cook, planted flowers, got us where we needed to go. HOW she managed to get all this done is beyond me. I couldn't do it in a million years. Of course, I didn't realize how amazing this was until I got married and became a mother of two myself. I've failed miserably at trying to accomplish all she did. She went back to work when we were older, and worked her way up from secretary to site planning for the Corps of Engineers. Soon, on top of being amazing mother, she was also an amazing grandmother. She was there for all of us as our babies were being born. She was always with us as we trekked through the pumpkin patch, hunted for Easter eggs, or just went shopping. She sewed clothes for the grandkids, and she had big family meals. She was the most honest and trusting person I have ever known. I loved her so much and I miss her terribly.

p.s. I think I've aged a little since my wedding picture!

A little out of control with the clippers...

Okay so I got a little out of control with the clippers today. But you should have seen Austin's hair when he got out of the hospital. Ewwwww. Of course, he didn't get a good shampoo for a whole week, plus we missed our 6-week hair trim. Since he will be going back to the hospital on Monday, I decided I better cut it myself. I did this this morning before his temp got too high.

I also had to break the news to Austin last night about going back. He insisted I turn the calendar over to February. I had his P.E./Life Skills days marked on the calendar, and I had to cross them off. He looked at me like..??? So I had to explain. I asked him if it made him sad, and he said yes. But, overall, he took it well. I told him we have to figure out why he keeps having fevers so that he can feel better. He understands. But I wonder if he wonders why nobody else has to stay in the hospital six times a year!

Home....but not for long

Because Austin did not have a high temp for the previous 48 hours and his CRP and sed rate had come down some, we got to come home yesterday.

The doctor sent me home with a chart to keep track of his temperature. At 5:00 it was 99 degrees. He acted fine. I put him in bed about 8:30 because he was yawning and yawning. I went back in a couple hours later to check on him, and his temp was up to 102.2! I couldn't believe it! He had a normal temp for the last two days, and then we come home and he spikes a temp.

I talked to the doctor today, and he thinks he needs to see a rheumatologist. Unfortunately, the pediatric rheumaatologist for the hospital is backed up until mid March. He is also out of town until Monday. The doctor wants to admit Austin back into the hospital on Monday so he can be seen by the rheumatologist quickly, as an inpatient.

I have not told this to Austin. He is so happy to be home. I just keep taking his temp and smiling. Last reading was 101.5.

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Marilyn at Mixedbouquet.blogspot.com. Marilyn is a super person, a good Christian, and a wonderful mother of five. She lives on a farm in Texas. She blogs about her family, about devotions, special needs and well, just a mixed bouquet of things! Now it is my turn to tag.

Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules before you give your answers.
2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).


M - Mom to two great kids.
A - Always trying to do better.
R - Really enjoy homeschooling Austin.
I - I have 3 dogs.
E - Every day I spend with my family is a blessing.


I'm tagging:
Laura at lifedreamed.blogspot.com - a homeschooling friend from blogger land, who has a great kid and one on the way.

Missy at homeschoolblogger.com/barrynmissy1972 - a Weaver mom who has four kids and the neatest blog and lapbooks I've ever seen.

Darcy at 3boybarians.blogspot.com - a homeschooling mom to three boys, who I don't know well, but she always has something fun to read about.

weavermomof2.blogspot.com - another Weaver mom who has two of the cutest kids I've ever seen.

Nevin at photoblog.com/IamNevin - a very special new friend of Austin's.

Home today Maybe?

Well, Austin's fever has been down for the last couple days and no more vomiting. His CRP and sed rate were still high yesterday, but not as bad as before. They are going to do more labs to see if those have come down more. If they have, we get to go home. Not that we know what the heck was wrong with him or is wrong with him???? Hopefully whatever it was/is, it does not return!

As I look out at this beautiful view on the sixth floor of Children's Hospital, I see fiercly blowing snow and cars crawling down the street. I walk into the bathroom of our corner suite, and it sounds like I'm in an airplane. Sigh. This will definitely be the day we get to go home.