So my week continues.  Wednesday really wasn’t too bad.  A trip to the Dr. for Annika, Dane played with a friend, Christian did homeschool, Matt worked and taught confirmation, I tried to convince Annika not to climb on chairs…

Fast forward to Thursday afternoon.  We had a pleasant morning.  Lunch was finished, Christian and Dane were playing, Annika was enjoying an afternoon nap. 

Soon Dane and I were upstairs talking and Christian was downstairs, I presumed playing.  The downstairs is kind of the kids domain – minus the laundry room and pantry.

Anyway, soon I hear Christian coming up the stairs, not crying, but obviously something was wrong.  He acts panicked and quickly tells me that the fan downstairs was half-way unplugged, so he tried to plug it in the rest of the way and when he did it shocked him.  I’m thinking he probably saw a bit of a spark – you know how sometimes you see that when you plug something in, and it just scared him.  At this point he is just acting scared, not hurt.  Then all the sudden he starts crying and saying Ow, Ow, my hand it hurts!  I looked down to see that his fingers are BLACK and one has skin missing.  YOWZA! 

Matt was next door at church.  He had just done a funeral, they had eaten the meal and he was just visiting.  I ran over there and motioned for him to hurry and come with me.  We ran (and I don’t normally run) home while I explained that Christian had been shocked.  By this time, Christian is outright screaming – I’m sure it scared him when I said I needed to run and get daddy. 

Matt got him calmed down.  He has two large blisters on his fingers – one that is popped and one not, and he was complaining that his hand stings and tingles, and HURTS… he is obviously in a lot of pain.  As Matt is getting him some ice, Christian tells me that I should go look down there because he is worried it is on fire!  WHAT?!?  As I start walking down the stairs the infamous burning electrical smell hits me.  I panic a bit, and run upstairs.  I told Matt, I’ll do the ice… you go see what is on fire! 

Thankfully…. there are circut breakers, and nothing was on fire…  He said, “but you need to go look”.  All I could think of when I saw it was… well… I won’t type the words I thought, but anyway….  something along the lines of “Oh my goodness, that is much worse than I initially thought!”

There was both a nurse and an electrician at the funeral, so that was helpful!  They both provided their services. 

This could have been sooo much worse!  Our house could have caught on fire, Christian could have been completely electricuted.  The nurse said it was very lucky it went through his hands and to the wall instead of to his heart.  He could have been laying there in who knows what shape and I wouldn’t have even known it for at least a half an hour.  It is not unusual for them to play down there for awhile on their own.  I wouldn’t have gone to check on him for awhile I’m sure!

The electrician said that when something is half-way plugged in, the current is constantly trying to meet the metal in that plug.  So that was happening and when he tried to plug it in it exploded.  Generally speaking, if something is half-way plugged in I guess you are supposed to unplug it before plugging it in again.  Lesson learned the hard way I guess. 

Christian should be okay, it will just be a few days of healing – you know how burns are – so painful! 

In the meantime, I am feeling a bit nervous – what’s next?  Everything could have been so much worse for both Annika and Christian, so we are counting our blessings.  But Wow!  What a week. 

C-

Wow, it has been a stressful week around here!  How are you doing?  Here’s the summary of the excitement around here.

First off, Matt and I started a new Lifestyle Change (read between the lines – diet).  It is the Prism Weight Loss Program.  So far so good.  I will probably post more about it on my Menu Mom Blog in another day or so. 

But that has been the least of our worries!  We hardly have had time to worry about eating (although we have… don’t worry..)

So Tuesday as Matt was cooking dinner and I was in the dining room organizing some homeschool stuff, Annika was crawling up and down chairs on the table. (This is a normal thing… she is a climber, and usually does just fine.)  Suddenly we realize she has fallen – neither of us saw it happen, but she is on the floor, trying to get up, and crying.  I rush over to pick her up and she begins her typical open her mouth to cry and nothing comes out cry. (This is also a normal thing for her – although not something I like…) She has always done this where she doesn’t breathe for a few seconds when she is really upset and then finally breathes and either lets out another cry, or just stops crying all together.   Only this time… it lasted longer than I cared for – her lips were turning blue and she was not breathing.

I handed her to Matt (yes he remembered to turn off the burner of the stove thank goodness) and she did finally take a bit of a breath, but then her eyes started rolling back into her head and her arms tightened by her face, almost seizure like, and again she wasn’t breathing!  I grabbed the phone and called 911.  Matt continued to talk to her and she came to, but then did the same thing again.  All I could think is “Oh my goodness, we live out in the country with volunteer EMT’s – they are never going to get here in time to save her!”.  It was a terrifying moment.  I do not wish that upon anyone. 

Thankfully, after the 2nd round she came to.  She was pale – yellow instead of blue, and was alert.  The ambulance crew arrived – first a neighbor down the road who just drove straight here when he heard the page – instead of going into town to hop into the ambulance; and shortly after the ambulance.  It was an approximately 10 min. wait from the initial call to 911.  FAST for the country, as the station is 7 miles away and the crew has to get to the station and then head out, but it felt like an eternity. 

So I had my first ambulance ride.  They strapped me down to the gurney – we’re talking fully strapped, ankles, hips, and arms/chest.  The heat was turned up in the cab, I had my coat on, they put a hot blanket over us and you travel backwards, with the bright lights shining on my face.  (I was praying not to throw-up from the panic and motion sickness….  I didn’t – thank goodness)  Annika laid on top of me, responsive but very serene.  They hooked her up to the oxygen and heart monitors and all was normal.  They checked her eye dilation – normal. 

We rolled into the ER as the only patients there at the time.  Unfortunately, I never have been too impressed with our little town hospital.  It’s good they are there for emergencies, but if I am driving kids (or anyone) to the hospital, I am heading to the one Annika was born in a bit further away.  Anyway… once again they seemed like they had no clue what to do.. which made me a bit nervous!  Thankfully she was perking up by the moment, so I wasn’t quite as worried. 

Meanwhile, choir was starting at church, so a few people had seen the ambulance, and one asked if they could watch the kids for Matt.  So, he headed out right away, and arrived within five minutes after we did. 

They took all her vitals, and within a half an hour or so, she was pink again and looking good.  They decided to just observe her for an hour and a half to see how she did.   She decided to get down and wander the hospital halls for the next hour.  She hadn’t had dinner yet, so Matt went and got her a cheeseburger at McD’s and she gobbled that up just fine.  She didn’t have any signs of a concussion, and seemed great.  So we were sent on our merry way with instructions to check in on her throughout the night.

When we got home Christian informed us that he was right next to her when it happened.  (remember, we didn’t really know what had happened – we knew she was on the chair, but we didn’t know if she was sitting or standing.)  Turns out she was only standing on the crossbars under the chair, so only 6” or so off the ground.  He said she fell backwards and hit the back of her head. 

We followed up with our primary doctor on Wednesday and all looked good.  She said sometimes when kids are sensitive to stress, their endorphines over-react and produce the type of symptoms we saw. 

So… the good news is that she doesn’t have a major head injury.  Bad news is.. that may be how she reacts when she gets hurt!  I’m hoping to not go through that again!  I’m thinking if she was hurt somewhere else – that it would have still been scary, but maybe not quite as scary.  But when you think it is a head injury, and then she started acting like that – it totally freaked us out! 

She has been great the last couple days – her normal busy toddler self.  Her parents on the other hand… have been a bit paranoid.  We give praise to the Lord for protecting her.

So…. that is the BEGINNING of our excitement this week… (oh yes… there is more…) but I think I am going to make that another post because this is getting so long!
 
Stay tuned…

c-

MckMama recently had a few posts in the Stream of Consciousness style, and I like it!  It’s an easy way to just openly journal without worrying about everything being in perfect blog style – a random post of sorts.  So here is mine for the moment.

What a gray windy snowy day – I’m ready for spring!  We had a little taste of it this weekend and it felt so great!  It is 4:15 (the days go by so fast!)and I have no idea what is for dinner..  HMMMM Maybe meatloaf.  Cub Scouts in cancelled tonight, so we’re not in such a rush.  Although I do have a meeting to attend tonight.

I am anxiety ridden and short in patience today.  Too much stuff to do piled up I think.  It also despairs me to see my son who we are homeschooling, due to dyslexia, read wonderfully one day and not be able to read hardly at all the next day.  I want to help him so badly… it completely frustrates me.  What makes it so he can read one day and not be able to the next?  Then there is my 4th grader who gets straight A’s, but only because Matt & I help him review all his homework every night – but he is not thankful – merely expects it, hands us the book and says here, this is what you have to read.  Yeah.. we’re working on it.. that attitude is going to change. 

I got a new laptop for Christmas, but am just starting to use it in the last couple of days.  I always dread trying to get everything set up and getting used to a new machine. 

I am considering going on a diet (probably why I’m anxious! LOL) – I need to go on a diet – not necessarily even a diet, but more of a lifestyle change that involves healthier eating.  I have been looking at the PRISM weight loss program.  Anyone else tried it?

C-

So tonight, I decided to try out King Arthur’s Flour Recipe for No Knead Crusty White Bread.  I have had it sitting on my counter for quite some time waiting to be tried.  It really is EASY, so I’m not sure why I put it off so long.  At any rate….  Instructions say to place a shallow baking pan in your oven while it is preheating.  Then, pour a cup of hot water into the pan – which makes steam.  Quickly put the bread into the oven and shut the door and apparently the steam helps the bread cook.  WELL….

I’m not sure what to blame it on, but I just wasn’t thinking… so I used a GLASS baking pan.  I’m sure you already know where this is going… I got about 1/4 of a cup into the pan when the explosion happened. 

HELLO!  I know that you can not pour water (even hot) into a super hot glass pan…  Scared me, but thankfully I was not hurt.  I am shocked I do not have glass embedded into me somewhere on my body.  Lots of it shot out of the oven.  It was a huge mess, but the family enjoyed the bread (eventually – we had a take 2) when it was done… 

So… if you are going to try that recipe… use a metal pan!

C-

This week I have been reading some of my favorite blogs and I kept thinking – I could have written that – That’s how I feel! Ever feel like that? 

Here is one of those statements:
From Casual Friday Everyday – in regards to children:

”I want them to look back on their childhood and only remember goodness.

To remember a Mom that wasn’t just physically there, but emotionally there. A Mom that was really, honestly connected to them. And a Mom who not only took the time to be there with them, be there doing things and making memories, but a Mom who always made them feel special and safe and important.”

So true… I am obviously very physically here for my children – I am pretty much ALWAYS with them (except for when two of them are in school.)  But if the kids are home, I am home with them – pretty much ALWAYS.  Once in awhile we leave them with a sitter (like 3-4 times a year).  BUT the question remains… am I doing all that I can for them and really connecting?  Am I making the best memories I can for them?  Or… are they going to remember a mom who was always working and too busy for play?  A mom who frequently said “just a minute” instead of “okay, let’s go and do that – right now!” “You are more important to me than my work.”    HMMMM something to continue to think about on my road to striving to be purposeful in all I do. 

In Nell’s post she also compares herself to other moms who seem to have it all together.  I agree… it is so easy to look at other moms and think “why can’t I have it all together like X”  Well… when truth comes down to it…  we are all human, we all have bad days, we all make mistakes.  If one mommy is looking like she is doing a better job (either via blog or real life) it probably means she isn’t showing you everything.  So let’s not be too hard on ourselves.  Deal?  Deal.

The whole thought of being real did stick out to me a couple months ago when a fellow blogger asked me “so what does it feel like to really have made it?”  My response “HUH?”  “There are so many other bloggers who are so much more popular than myself, and I don’t really feel like I have “really made it.” “ 

But then I started thinking… what do we portray on our blogs and even in real life to our friends?  We portray the good stuff.  The stuff that makes it look like our life is great and grand and “perfect” and that we have “really  made it.”  Everything can look good on the outside, but totally be falling apart behind closed doors.  I have seen this time again and again and again and again.  It was on my heart then, and it continues to be on my heart now – to be transparent, to be real.  But that takes courage, it takes guts.  My family, my friends, my neighbors, our church congregational members read my blog…  These are real life people, many who I see often, and I do not want to say or do anything which may be detrimental to those relationships – it’s not worth that.  Which brings me to a whole other point… I do it too, but why do we come so quick to judgmental conclusions when we do hear the blatant truth from each other?  I feel like I do fairly good at being understanding and not jumping to conclusions when a friend is transparent with me.  But.. have you ever had that experience where someone tells you something and you are loving and caring towards them at the time; but deep down, from that moment on, you know you will look at that person differently?  (not always in a good way?)   That my friend is what I fear when I am transparent with those I know.  Where do you draw the line…

I’m not the only one thinking about this…Consider Michele’s Post here and Kingdom Twindom’s post here with a call out for Bold Blogging.

I have blogged boldly before… I vow to try to do that a bit more frequently this year.   How about you?  How transparent are you on your blog or in real life with your friends?

C-

When I was growing up, we would have Jello 1-2-3 (as in ONE, TWO, THREE not one hundred and twenty three).  It came in a package similar to Jello, but with a special “mystery” ingredient, I suppose, that made it set in 3 layers.  It was a family favorite, but alas they quit selling it. 

Flash forward to a few days ago.  I pulled a package of jello out to make my regular finger jello the kids love, when low and behold, a recipe for Jello 123!  So… we gave it a try!  It turned out as Jello 1-2-(maybe 3?)  It wasn’t the original third layer, that was essentially regular jello, back in the day.  But it kinda sort of had a 3rd layer if you looked really closely.  That didn’t bother me much since the middle layer is really my favorite layer anyway!

Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try.

Jello 1-2-3
3/4 boiling water
1 pkg. Sugar-Free Gelatin
Ice Cubes
1/2 c. cold water
1/2 cup thawed Cool Whip Lite

Add Boiling water to gelatin mix – stir 2 minutes – or until completely dissolved.  Pour into blender.  Add enough ice to the 1/2 c. cold water to measure 1 1/4 c.  Add to blender.  Blend 30 seconds.  Add Cool Whip – Blend until smooth.  Pour into 4 dessert dishes.  Refrigerate until firm. 

If you make it, let me know if you get 3 layers or not! 

C-

The catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th has resulted in unfathomable chaos and devastation for hundreds of thousands of children and families.  Thousands who didn’t lose their lives, lost everything else – I can not even come close to imagining.  I know there have been please everywhere to help.  Maybe you have already given, maybe you can not give, but maybe you just haven’t taken the moment to do so. 

Unfortunately, there are also those who take advantage of such situations, and it is hard to know where the best place is to donate.  The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. 
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/01/13/haiti.charity.scams/
They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy.

Both of the above organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in it’s category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.
Links regarding Compassion International’s financial integrity:
http://www.compassion.com/about/financial/default.htm
http://www.compassion.com/press/currentnews/charity-navigator-awards-compassion-highest-rating-8th-year-in-row.htm

Therefore, if you are looking for a safe place to give, Compassion International would be a great place. 

Oh my goodness, I could just scoop that little boy up!

HOW DONATIONS WILL BE USED: All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to provide for Compassion-assisted children and families affected by this crisis. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.
You can provide immediate relief today.
• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families’ needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families’ needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.

Compassion blog: http://blog.compassion.org
Compassion on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compassionintl
Crisis Update Page: 
http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/crisisupdates/crisis-advisory-earthquake-hits-haiti.htm

C-

Hi there!  I have something fun to share today.  My mom is a wonderful seamstress, and I have been encouraging her to open an Etsy Shop to share with the world her creations.  She has been selling locally in her hometown, in one of the local businesses, but she hadn’t made her online presence yet.  Finally, last night she called me to let me know that she had opened her Etsy Shop!  YEA!  I was so excited.  So far she just has a few purses in there, (I’m sure she’ll be adding more items soon) but you have to go check them out – they are so cute!  I personally am in love with this one.  Someone better go buy it before I do! 

Head on over to check out the other designs as well!  I’m sure she will appreciate having some traffic, and if you fall in love with one, I’m sure she would love a sale as well! 

C-

P.S.  If you have a friend who would like these, would you please share with them as well?  I would love to see her have a great start in her new business!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hoppertogs

The view from our front door this evening.

We had a good snow today – I would say about 6-7 inches or so.  It’s kind of hard to tell when it blows around.  Ryan got out of school at 11:30 a.m.  I’m not sure if they will have school tomorrow or not – probably depends on how much it blows tonight.  At any rate, it was a nice relaxing afternoon.

I hope you had a great day!

C-