Last night…

Nate and I rang in the new year last night playing Mario Kart and Mario Galaxy on our new Wii we got for Christmas (thanks Dana and Walter!). Natalie and Amy were at a sleepover at Grammy and Papa’s and Lindsey was thankfully asleep in her bed. It was very nostalgic for us since we used to stay up late playing video games on our Nintendo 64 before we had children.

This morning I caught up on some TV shows while Nate continued playing Wii. Nate commented that it was so strange to have all this “free” time and that it was nice to have that before having children. I agreed. I DO miss those lazy Saturdays (I know today isn’t Saturday, but it felt like it) where we would sleep in, stay in our jammies all day, play video games, and watch movies. Sometimes, I’ll admit, I REALLY miss those days.

But as we went to my parents to spend the day with them and reconnect with Natalie and Amy, I realized how boring my life would be in comparison to what I have today. My children our such an incredible gift from the Lord. Even though there are many days where I am tired and emotionally maxed out, I wouldn’t trade them for just one Saturday to  myself. Before children, our lives were all about us. Now our life is about our family. And one day our children won’t be home and we will have those lazy Saturdays…and miss the laughter and presence of our children.

In 2008, some dear friends of mine lost their 4 year old daughter and another dear friend of mine lost her 33 year old husband. I hope I can embrace the wonderful gifts God has given me…because we never know when God will call anyone of us home. And I hope to enjoy my chaotic Saturdays!

our little yellow glowworm

On Monday, Lindsey had her fist doctor’s appointment. Nate and I noticed she was starting to turn yellow, but our other girls did as well and it never turned into anything. Well, the doctor had me to go the hospital for a Bilirubiin test. We got home and settled and the hospital called us and told us to return immediately to have her admitted for phototherapy. Apparently they want her levels to be between 11-12 and hers was 21. It was scary to know there was to be immediate action…even though we knew she was going to be okay.

So, Lindsey and Mommy spent 24 hours back at the hospital. She was under a blue light for 12 of the hours. Once her levels started to lower, they just had the light on her back (as you see from pictures). Thankfully we were sent home after 24 hours with the light for her back.

She has another blood test today and her levels are 11.5…which is what we were aiming for. We are so thankful she is okay and that she responded well to the therapy. Our prayer is that the jaundice won’t return.

Other than this predicament, Lindsey has been a very easy going baby so far…as long as she is fed and allowed to sleep! The girls LOVE having her at home and want to help me in any way we can. Nate and I are so thankful for the gift of our 3 daughters.

Nap Time

We are back home, mom and baby are napping. It was an expected night last night: a little feeding, a few hours of holding and entertaining and a little bit of sleep as well. Kara’s mom was here last night which was a huge help, what a blessing she has been to come over, watch the kids, clean, organize, and even re-decorate a little!

I love Gail, not just because she and I are wired very much alike. We are task people, we like checking off stuff, like cleaning, like stream-lining processes and so much more. We laugh with one another that we are not Veermans, that we are the outlaws. I love her because of her resolve, her servant’s heart, her desire to minister to others especially her family. She is a defender and protector, she desires wonderful things for her family and her friends. I am so thankful for her presence here for the oldest kids and for Kara in particular. She is a strength and support to us.

Finally Well!

We’ve been struggling the past week or so with health issues, I got knocked out last Saturday night until Tuesday, then limped through the remainder of the week. By Wednesday Kara and Natalie were starting to feel bad, 104 fever, aches, chills, etc. Amy was strong and never actually got sick this week! We are thankful for that.

Thankfully we are well this week and even last week a little were able to get back into the grooves of ministry, life, lessons, Awana, swimming and gymnastics. We are glad to be well. More later! -Nate

We’re Home.

Now, for two weeks of laundry all day today, upacking, finding all the pictures and video, putting everything back! :)

Hollywood Studios

The kids have been great this week so far, but they had a ahort night last night, so we’ll see how today goes at Hollywood Studios. Epcot tomorrow since we are supposed to get a lot of rain here.

Photography

Check it out: Kelly Powers Photography

Amy’s Endocrinologist Appointment

Amy had her “every 3 months” appointment yesterday with her endocrinologist. She was very sweet at the appointment…she is used to going to the doctor these days and knows to lay very still and let them observe her. Dr. Zeller was very nice and at one point Amy went up to him and kissed him on the cheek! He said that made his day!

As for the results…I don’t understand all the terminology, but a “normal” thyroid hormone reading is around 4.3. Amy’s is at 6.5…and they will put her on hormone replacements when that number reaches 10. He said 6.5 is most likely normal for her since her thyroid has to work extra hard (part of it is attached the base of the tongue, so it isn’t fully formed). We will continue to monitor her, but dont’ have to go back for 6 months this time. The doctor also had 3 nurses and 2 doctors come into the office to check out her neck…they were very appropriate: “Let me see your beautiful neck, Amy!” It was a little disconcerting though to know that she has something so rare that people want to observe it.

Please pray that Amy would continue to grow healthy and tall (she grew 5 inches last year, so far so good). The longer we can put off drugs, the better.

Our Furnace

The furnace… yeah, it has been cycling and not actually heating the home, I have to come downstairs in turn it off at the switch on the furnace itself, wait, then restart it.  We’ve never had it serviced or cleaned, so he cleaned it, wiped it down, check the gas pressure, exchange, pilot, and flame detector… seems to be better, $90 later… but a pro did it and he checked the stuff that I/we could not.

The thing would turn off in the middle of the night and it would be about 56 degrees (or lower in the dead of winter) throughout the home.  I got nervous, and tired, of having to go down there and reset it all the time.  I was worried about the kids, the safety of the furnace, and my own sanity of another winter having to do this about 3-4 times per week.  Worth the $90 I think.  I hope.

So far, so good.  We’ve have some cool nights and the furnace has been fine, I have not heard it cycle at all, so the safety and comfort I think has been worth the $90.

Cicadas

Around here we were supposed to get a bunch of cicadas; we never got any at our house, but some people north of us in the densely wooded areas did…

National Geographic