Education is a must!

It could have been preventable with earlier diagnosis.  I have seen the news this week where two children in separate parts of the country have died due to misdiagnosis and late diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.   Ive also seen a child diagnosed early and within the week was back participating in a sport he loves.  The only difference in the diagnosis is how quickly it was made.   As a parent you have the right to demand a blood glucose test on your child if you have even the slightest suspicion something is off.   Its only one drop of blood.    Don't be afraid to demand the test or question your child's doctor.  You could save their life!

Until someone they know is affected though, most parents never think about type 1 diabetes.  Our pediatricians, er doctors need to put blood glucose on their radar, one of the first tests they perform when something isnt right.   It would be a very simple change in their practice.  One drop of blood.   Because that one drop of blood can save lives.   You can help by writing your representatives to get this made into law, that blood glucose screenings are common practice in pediatric care.   Feel free to use the letter below to write your congressmen and women to get this to be a hot topic in Washington...a topic that will save the lives of American children.
    

I am writing today on behalf of millions of children in America. As parents, they have entrusted us with taking care of them and providing for them. We, in turn are left to trust our physicians, to believe that they know what will be best for them to keep them healthy. I would like to share a story with you. April 2013, an eight year old named Cameron got sick. It didn't seem like an unusual disease had gripped this young boy, it seemed like a nasty case of the flu. But he kept getting worse and was taken to the emergency room, his body not giving up the fight for whatever was draining the life out of him so quickly. Cameron was lucky. His body was otherwise healthy, ready for the fight, but his doctors also thought to test that one drop of blood... A test that if it had been done hours later would likely have not helped. But the quick thinking physician tested his blood glucose. It was over 1000, normal would have been 100. Immediately treatment for type 1 diabetes began and even though his life is full of insulin shots and blood sugar checks now, his life is still full of LIFE. This week, two children passed away because their doctors didn't think to check blood sugar until it was too late. These lives could have been saved by a simple blood glucose test when they first exhibited symptoms. I am writing today in hopes that legislation can be passed that requires blood glucose to be among the first tests performed on sick kids. It literally takes one drop of blood to check, and I don't know a single parent out there that wouldn't rather test a drop of blood and it come back fine than to risk losing their child forever. Please help get this simple test required in pediatrician offices, urgent cares, and emergency rooms across the country. Thank you.

JDRF WALK FOR A CURE!

April 19, 2013, I wake up and start getting ready for my day, just as I do every morning.  I quickly checked my email and nearly passed out.  My youngest nephew Cameron, was fighting the battle for his life, his parents and grandparents by his side, thanking God for every breath he took.  I knew he had been home from school sick all week, I never dreamed he would look so frail, so lifeless, lying there in that hospital bed.  But this story isn't about me, its about Cameron.  Let me introduce you again to Cameron.

A year ago, Cameron was an eight year old little boy.   Looking at him, he didn't stand out in a crowd.   A good student that enjoyed spending time in the woods with grandpa, riding bikes with his friends and that lived for soccer.   Just an average ordinary eight year old.   April 2013 though, that all changed.   Cameron got sick.   At first, it was just a stomach bug, but instead of getting better, the days passed and Cameron grew sicker, until one night that full of life little boy was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life.   The diagnosis was quickly made, Cameron had Type 1 diabetes.   His blood sugar was at 1039...blood sugar ranges in the 90s is where it should have been.   Throughout the night, the numbers miraculously went down.  That morning brought new challenges to this little boy so full of life.   He began to learn about insulin, blood sugar, and was forced to become a math whiz, whether he wanted to or not.   He learned a new vocabulary of lantus shots and carb counts.   The doctors said he would be in the hospital for a week, but Cameron was not to be kept down that long.   He recovered enough and was sent home within a couple days.   He returned to the soccer field having not had to miss a single game.   But the normal life he had previously known was no longer his. Meals couldn't be skipped or delayed.   Snacks had to be timed, no longer consuming anything just because he was hungry.   He couldn't attend the after school program that he had gone to for years.   Birthday parties, or even just a night at a friends house involved a parent tagging along or extensive education of the friends parents that would care for him.    To make things even more complicated, in June Cameron was also diagnosed with Celiac disease, a disease where his body does not tolerate gluten.   So the breads, cakes, cookies and pasta that kids love became on a forbidden foods list.   There are alternatives, but it isn't easy.   And through it all, Cameron has continued to love soccer, do well in school (probably could do better than most high schoolers at math in their heads!) and just try to be as average of a kid as he can.   And he never complains, even when he can't have seconds, as everyone around him pigs out.   As he goes from feeling great to incredibly low blood sugar in a matter of minutes.   We all think it, but never hear Cameron say it, but it isn't fair.

This May, the juvenile Diabetes Research foundation of the ozarks is holding a fundraising walk for a cure, to raise money to find a cure, not just management, for this cruel disease.   Will you support kids like Cameron by making a donation?  Because it's not just an inconvenience when you have diabetes, it's a roller coaster ride with the illness in charge.   It still takes lives of children.   

A year has passed since the diagnosis.  JDRF is no longer just four letters of the alphabet, those four letters hold the hope that a cure for type 1 diabetes will be found.  Hope that what could be a minor stomach bug would once again just be a minor stomach bug, not something that messes up blood sugar levels and becomes a life or death issue. 

JDRF is the only organization with a strategic plan to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.  Through their efforts, the disease is somewhat manageable now and families dealing with the disease have a support system and researchers working diligently on their behalf.    Type 1 diabetes can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime, not just children, and obesity plays no part.

This week marks the one year anniversary of Cameron's diagnosis and three weeks until the JDRF of the Ozarks holds their annual Walk for a Cure.

In an effort to support research for a cure for T1D, I have three options for you to assist with fundraising.  First, there are almost 20 listings on ebay this week.  Just search "hikingpj" and all the listings should appear.  Or to make it simple, follow this link.  http://www.ebay.com/sch/hikingpj/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Second, you can purchase from my LillaRose fundraiser.  20% of purchase price will go directly to JDRF.  if you are unfamiliar with LillaRose, they are beautiful hair accessories.  Purchase through this link to support JDRF. https://www.lillarose.biz/parties/4467

Third, since Frozen has become HUGE and you can't find an Elsa dress anywhere, go to http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/dress-inspired-by-disneys-frozen-elsa/83810 and purchase the pattern.  $5 of each sale until April 21 will go to JDRF.

Finally, you can make a monetary donation of any amount.  If you do not wish to do the online donation, contact me and I can get it in another form from you.   For an online donation, simply go to http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/emilychristine

Together with your support and prayers, a cure can be found.

A HUGE thank you to the many contributors of the ebay auction. 

Wild Animal Safari, Strafford, MO www.missouri.animalsafari.com

Desiree Marvin

Soccer.com  www.soccer.com

Price Cutter grocery stores www.pricecutteronline.com

Tinyprints.com a division of Shutterfly  www.tinyprints.com

Fundraisingrides.com www.fundraisingrides.com

Perrie Hudson, Country Living Representative 

Amber Wilson, Arbonne Representative

Lamberts Café, Ozark, MO  www.throwedrolls.com

Stained Glass Theater, Ozark, MO www.sgtheatre.com

Nikki Flynn, Thirty-One Representative 

Real Wellness, Nixa, MO

imaginegnats.com www.imaginegnats.com

Glutino Gluten Free Food  www.glutino.com

Anchor Inn on the Lake, Branson West, MO  www.anchorinnonthelake.com

B & B Movie Theaters www.bbtheatres.com

Lori's Playtime Pieces www.etsy.com/shop/lorisplaytimepieces

Once upon a time

Once upon a time, in a land not so very far away, I decided to open my own daycare.   Now I cant honestly say I had spent my life dreaming of this, or that I really even wanted to, but when my little angel was placed in my arms for the first time, I knew I would never be able to leave that little baby every day and miss out on her growing up.   Well, that tiny thing has grown into an active five year old and daycare has become my life.   She refers to work days as friends days.   My very first child to sign up for daycare is now her best friend in the whole world.   We have had many kids come and go through our doors.   We have seen the carpet go from beige to more of an array of rainbow colors.   And I can now change diapers quickly, efficiently and have changed diapers almosr every single day since my child was born, even though she was potty trained before her second birthday.   And there are moments I am not sure how I was going to survive the week.   Then are those moments when they just curl up on my lap for another story, or to sing songs, run in the door in the mornings excited to give me a hug, show me their new shirt, that I love.   They get excited over acorns, walnuts and bugs found in the yard and i realize that I am not missing out on living, that God has placed me here for such a time as this.   And now as we are preparing for the next phase of life.,.the school years, questions and concerns and if homeschooling will really work questions are prevalent.   But through it all, we just have to ask for Gods guiding hand to lead us, and to believe that it will. 

Unexpected places

Last summer, my daughter got all into Sofia the first, loving every aspect of the new Disney Junior show.   She wanted a dress like Sofia.   And well, the dresses I had seen in the store just weren't of a quality that I was content with.   At least not for the price.   So I got on pinterest and found the perfect dress on a blog.    Hmmm...the pattern hadnt been released yet but the designer was looking for pattern testers.   I loved the dress and really wanted to make it, so after rolling it around it my head a few days I decided to email her and see if she would like me to test the pattern, admitting I had never done any pattern testing before.   She said yes, and so my pattern testing journey began!   In the fall she asked me to test out another pattern, Anna or Arendale from the soon to be released Disney movie Frozen.   My little princess wasnt sure if she wanted the dress, but the twins birthday was coming up soon and they love dresses.   Somewhere along the way, I got an idea....an Elsa dress to accompany the Anna dress, after all I had heard they were sisters in the movie.     So late at night, I stared at the movie poster and drew and elsa dress pattern.   Then I made the dress.   A couple months passed with this idea bubbling around in my head and with mich encouragement fro the designer of the other dresses I had recently made, I decided I would sell the pattern on etsy.   We could use a little extra cash (Really, who couldnt?)   So i thought maybe i would be able to make $30 a month, at least enough to help out.   I posted the pattern and wouldnt you know it, people actually liked my pattern...it started selling.   Then the questions started coming, "would you make this dress to sell?"   Hmmm...I hadnt really thought of that.   I had extra fabric.   I had the means and ability to make it look nice.   Maybe i would sell the dress.  I had enough fabric for 2  more dresses and they sold very quickly.   The requests continued to roll in.   So I bought more fabric.   And now I am behind.   I dont like being behind....Im that person in college who did the papers on the day they were assigned, not the day they were due, because being behind is stressful.   It makes me question things.   So my plans for tomorrow eveing include  sewing.   Lots and lots of sewing.   And I have a friend to thank for the newfound money making hobby....a friend that I have neevr met, but yet she has encouraged me so much.   Drop on over to www.joy2sew.blogspot.com and check out her site.   She also has some great patterns on her etsy store, well worth taking the time to check out!   Unexpected friends, found in unexpected places, giving the courage to do things we had never thought possible.    Yes friendds, God is leaving his fingerprints all over this one!

Daniel

I am currently in the midst of Beth Moore's study on the book of Daniel.    Last week, we discussed fire.    In the sense of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, it was literal fire, they could feel the heat, they had seen people die in the fire, and the way things were headed, they were going to be next.   But yet, they never wavered, when wavering would have assured survival, they still praised the Almighty God.   In this study, Beth Moore pointed out something I had never really thought about.   What do we do when we are faced with the fiery furnace?   Most people that claim to be Christians will pray.     And God will either deliver us from the fire, through the fire, or deliver us into His arms by the fire.   Our faith may grow, it may be refined by fire.    What god wants us to remember is that in the midst of the fire, no matter how hot it is, He is right there beside us.   In Isaiah 43 God said, when you pass through the fire, I will be with you.   He never promised there wouldn't be fire, or that we would only get close to the fire.   He doesn't say IF you pass through a fire.   He says WHEN you pass through the fire.  

He is the everlasting Father, the prince of peace, the one and only God, and He loves each one of us enough to step into the fire with us.  Isn't that just amazing?

Meet Cameron

A year ago, Cameron was an eight year old little boy.   Looking at him, he didn't stand out in a crowd.   A good student that enjoyed spending time in the woods with grandpa, riding bikes with his friends and that lived for soccer.   Just an average ordinary eight year old.   April 2013 though, that all changed.   Cameron got sick.   At first, it was just a stomach bug, but instead of getting better, the days passed and Cameron grew sicker, until one night that full of life little boy was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life.   The diagnosis was quickly made, Cameron had Type 1 diabetes.   His blood sugar was at 1039...blood sugar ranges in the 90s is where it should have been.   Throughout the night, the numbers miraculously went down.  That morning brought new challenges to this little boy so full of life.   He began to learn about insulin, blood sugar, and was forced to become a math whiz, whether he wanted to or not.   He learned a new vocabulary of lantus shots and carb counts.   The doctors said he would be in the hospital for a week, but Cameron was not to be kept down that long.   He recovered enough and was sent home within a couple days.   He returned to the soccer field having not had to miss a single game.   But the normal life he had previously known was no longer his. Meals couldn't be skipped or delayed.   Snacks had to be timed, no longer consuming anything just because he was hungry.   He couldn't attend the after school program that he had gone to for years.   Birthday parties, or even just a night at a friends house involved a parent tagging along or extensive education of the friends parents that would care for him.    To make things even more complicated, in June Cameron was also diagnosed with Celiac disease, a disease where his body does not tolerate gluten.   So the breads, cakes, cookies and pasta that kids love became on a forbidden foods list.   There are alternatives, but it isn't easy.   And through it all, Cameron has continued to love soccer, do well in school (probably could do better than most high schoolers at math in their heads!) and just try to be as average of a kid as he can.   And he never complains, even when he can't have seconds, as everyone around him pigs out.   As he goes from feeling great to incredibly low blood sugar in a matter of minutes.   We all think it, but never hear Cameron say it, but it isn't fair.   

This May, the juvenile Diabetes Research foundation of the ozarks is holding a fundraising walk for a cure, to raise money to find a cure, not just management, for this cruel disease.   Will you support kids like Cameron by making a donation?  Because it's not just an inconvenience when you have diabetes, it's a roller coaster ride with the illness in charge.   It still takes lives of children.   

To make a donation, please go to walk.jdrf.org and search for team Cameron in missouri.   Cameron thanks you!

A million ideas, a million plans

I decided a few weeks back that it was time to put my sewing addiction into good use.   I decided to open an etsy shop, Lori's playtime pieces.   Since opening it, it has more or less sat dormant as I tried to decide what to make yet and dream of getting my house clean, a weekend with nothing to do, and a day to sew.   Patterns are drawn up, ideas as vivid as real pictures in my head.   Fabric strewn about, awaiting that first cut to be transformed into more than just fabric.   Tonight, I clean.   This weekend, I sew.   Projects include doll clothes, Barbie swimsuits (as per request of a special little lady that received a Barbie cruise ship on Christmas), dress up dresses, I could go on and on.   There will be no shortage of projects.   

I have also spent the week researching various homeschool curriculums.  The decision has been made, we will homeschool!   Exciting, a bit scary, and so much more.   I do worry about the social aspects, but have vowed to get her involved in a few activities so that she has friends...and she is already showing that friendships are made during church activities.   If finances permit, we will also be signing her up for gymnastics this fall...she wants so badly to tumble across the floor....although if she takes after her mother, the term tumbling may not be the graceful maneuvers of a talented gymnast, but the feet flailing, crashing to the ground at unpredictable intervals, tumbles of a person filed with the grace of God, but no other type of grace.    Maybe, just maybe though, she will be a successful gymnast.

So, shall I do American girl, baby alive, build a bear, Barbie, or cabbage patch clothes first?   If only work didn't interfere!

New year, new life to the blog

2014.... The year I am really going to do it, the year I return to blogging.   I started this blog 6 years ago, when blogs were new, unheard of almost, and I wanted to document some very important changes in my life.    Six years later, that important change is 5 years old, and has definitely changed my life.    I gave up a good paying 40 hour per week job to start operating a daycare.   I have dusted off my sewing machine and have begun making dresses, backpacks to carry dolls, doll clothes, teddy bears and almost anything else I can think of.   I have discovered the sacred moments of time to myself.   This is short, somewhat of a test, to see if t it will work on this device or if I am going to have to blog elsewhere.   Maybe without two snoring children on my arms.   :-)   the photo is a recent project for my daughter and her doll.

Preparations

I used to blog faithfully, then, well, life happened.   But my need to write, to express myself is still there. Starting in January, I plan to start blogging regularly again, as life is poised to throw some great challenges and momentous occasions my way.  

Letter to my high school self

This is something I've been thinking about writing for a couple years, since my friend, "the park wife" did similar and challenged others to do the same.http://www.theparkwife.com/2011/01/22/letter-to-my-high-school-self/  Well, and there is that song that will inevitably be stuck in my head all day now.   Better late than never though, right?    So here goes, a letter to myself at my high school graduation.

Dear Lori,

Looking back on the last 15 years there are so many things I want to say.   You are walking across the stage tonight, receiving your high school diploma.   This is important, it will open doors for you.   But that ceremony isn't as scary as everyone seems to make you think.   After tonight, your life will change.   In just a few months you will start college at Southwest Missouri State.   This is where you will really start developing into you.   Your roommate will have almost nothing in common with you...and will spend the next several years being your best friend.   Share dreams with her, although I have to warn you, this is a friendship that will fade.   That's ok, you will learn from it and grow.   Your sophomore year, that strangely quiet girl that moves in will eventually be the first friend you call with the biggest news of your life, and the friend you tell all the little things to, as well.    Don't be afraid to be yourself, you'll overcome that incredible shyness quickly realizing that the world isn't quite as cruel and hateful as high school was.

Tonight, enjoy hanging out with your high school friends.   It's the last time you'll ever do that.   And take time this summer to hang out with Granny and Pa.   Those stories of the past...ask them to share and right them down.   Years from now, you'll want to do a living history presentation of the great depression and those stories would add so much to it.   Hug them, love them, because they will be gone before you know it...and ask for roast, fried chicken and cinnamon roll making lessons...simple treats that will take years to get and then you still won't be sure its right.

When you get to college and your professors ask what you want to do with your degree, don't hesitate to decide on interpretation.   You've been shy all your life but will discover in college that it is being in front of an audience that makes you happy.   Go for it.   You'll be offered a job in Wyoming after graduation, trust me, you couldnt handle the winters and it is ok to decline.   When offered the seasonal job in Arkansas, realize that this is where God has placed you.   You'll learn many inter iew tips in college, you'll forget them before every interview.  Its ok, trust that instinct.    God will lead you to a mountain in Arkansas.  I know you think you are all grown up now, but you aren't.  This is where you will really grow up.   You'll have your heart broken, you'll stand in awe at an Easter Sunrise service, you'll draw close to God.   These are the easiest years of your life.   Stop occassionally, smell the flowers.

As you go out on your own, realize your parents have given you wings to fly.  Don't forget that as you make your mark, they'll never stop supporting you, even when you ask for a flying squirrel costume, nowhere near halloween.   That support will be there through everything.   Plan less, do more.   Don't ever let the weather cancel your plans...just allow extra time for backpacking trips in a heavy rain.   Double check those packs before every trip, although the memories you'll make when Dad brings extra tents are worth him carrying the extra pounds a few miles.  Take more pictures, they tell the story of you.  And when you get that call that Dad was just in a bad accident, just stop and pray.  He'll make it, but will live with pain every day.

I want you to realize those dreams of where you'll be in ten years, fifteen years from now will shape you, but that isn't where you will be.   Your dreams will change with you.  You will get the opportunity to do a presentation at a national conference, and you'll feel like you've conquered the world.   A year later you will put the rest of those carer dreams on hold.  Don't worry, those little eyes watching your every move, those little feet following you around everywhere...that will be what begins shaping your everyday dreams.   Go with it.  Make new dreams.  

And back to that dating thing.   Don't stress over it.  You'll be helping your best friend pack up and she'll convince you to sign up on a dating website.   You'll think she's crazy but a year later you will be walking down the aisle, becoming Mrs to the one person that will be your everything.    Cherish these times.

If I could tell you to change something that I know you will do, it would be to listen more, take notes.   You will find that "family" means more than that group of people you were born to be with.   Family will be a tight knit group sitting in a Bible study in Yellowstone.   Family will be the friends shoulders you cry on when your grandparents pass away.  Family will be that amazing group of "big brothers" you get in Arkansas.  

Above all else, serve God.   It's ok to cry when you are sitting in those services where you just feel God.  And always wear coveralls to the sunrise service at Stout's point.   Take notes during the girls Bible study..the newly married and new moms will teach you many things you will often refer to in those early days of marriage and parenthood.

Your life will be fun, you will meet many amazing people, and yes, even you will find your soul-mate.   Enjoy it.  Photograph it.   Love it.

From fifteen years in the future,
Lori

The mountain

Ok, gonna try this again, after its refused to work so many times....


There are many moments in life that shape us into who we are.   I just ran across a quote on Pinterest that I hadn't seen in years.   A man named John Muir once said,  "The mountain is calling, and I must go."   This started my mind working and thinking about those moments in life that are gone so quickly.

Travel back in time to 2002.   Fresh out of college, I landed my dream job at an amazing state park in central Arkansas, forever after referred to as "my" mountain.   I was grown up, on my wn, ready to conquer the world.   Looking back, wow, I was soooo very young.   I spent four years pouring my heart and sole into that mountain, learning about all the flowers, wildlife, and history that my young mind was so eager to soak up.    Today, I don't remember the number associated with the CCC, the details of the forest fire that scarred the mountain.   I probably couldnt tell you the names of half the flowers.   But looking at myself, who I am, my mountain was so very influential.   I look back fondly at the Sunday evening Bible studies, and am curious about where the rest of the group is now.   I look at our girls nights and girls Bible studies, longing for that innocent comraderie once again.   And yes, I remember the best job a girl could ever hope for, and would only give up for the man of my dreams.  And I look back and see how much I grew in those four short years, and how much I've grown since.

Its those rough spots when I have to struggle with myself to keep from driving 400 miles back to my mountain, to walk 1 1/2 mikes down a trail to sit on a rock near a small trickling stream, because it's there that I learned so much about life.    I faced the fear of actually being able to give a presentation, came up with ideas for programs and wrote newspaper articles in my head.   But that rock is also where I sat, battling those feelings of being alone,and sitting on that rock, I truly felt God.   I conquered broken hearts, wondering how I'd survive when my best friend moved, and found God was there when, for the only time in my life, I fell in love.   It was on this rock, tears streaming down my face, that I truly grew up.   I changed from a child into an adult, with all the triumphs, tears and testing that goes along with that.  

Sometimes life gets the best of me, and I miss that rock so much my heart aches.   And I want to take my little girl to that rock, so that she can sit, just be still, and be with God, far from any modern conveniences, but so close at the same time.  Its in these moments, I can truly appreciate the simple words of Muir, "The mountain is calling, and I must go".  Because as a wife and mommy, I've never found another rock, and sometimes I need time completely alone, just me and God.

Just testing

I havent posted in months because I get aggravated because it wont let me post from my tablet and that is what I use the most.   So just seeing if it wants to be agreeable now.....

Memory bears

Its been a while, I know.  I have thought of sposting many times but the thought often gets interrupted by a cute little curly headed kid wanting Mommy to pkay or to watch something on mommy's tablet.  and time spent on an actual computer are becoming further and further between.   I have sevreal things I want to blog about, but none that are really time sensitive, so no hurries.    In the few minutes I have this evening I thought I'd ask  about memory bears.  Have you heard of them?   {(urg tech difficulties agin....I was typing the end and ended up here...)   You take these old clothes and cut them out and sew them into a teddy bear.   You can give it a hat, a vest, additional clothes for the bear.   I'm getting ready to cut the first one out in my free time, but its not going to be from sentimental clothes, in case it isnt as easy as it sounds.   Then I already have a couple people that want them if I can successfully make them.   And I just may dig out a couple pieces from the depths of my storage of favorite baby clothes of Em's and make a bear for me.    But first, I've got a little princess that needs her bedroom transformed into something walt disney might create....a princess castle!

A couple weeks before Christmas a friend asked me that question, and I admit no, I'd never heard of a memory bear, but google is a wonderful resource and so now I am educated as to what a memory bear is.   But for those of you that know me well, you know that it doesnt stop with knowing what one is.   I have this thing about making things, I enjoy it, too mxuch I'm afraid sometimes.   Ok, so a memory bear is a teddy bear, made from memories....the clothes of a loved one that has passed on, those cherished baby clothes you just can't give up, that favorite outfit you loved in hogh school, that still hangs in your closet even though it should have died with the nineties.  

I haven't forgotten

I haven't forgotten about my blog.   Its not that I havent had anything to say.   Its just that, well, its Christmastime and I've been busy.  Excuses....yes, but 90% of my gift giving this year is homemade and the rest has been at really good bargains, which take a little time to find.   I purchased exactly two items that weren't at least 50% off and they were both for my hubby.   So I'm working on a good Christmas post....stay tuned!

December 5

I used to think a decade was a long time.   Ten years....amazing what can happen.   But at the same time, I remember ten years ago today like it was yesterday.   It was a day much like many others.   I had finished classes for the day, gone back to my apartment and was talking to Mom on the phone.  Her call waiting beeped.  It was a number she didnt recognize but she answered it.  I stayed on the line both of us assuming that she would quickly return to our conversation.  She did, but it had been my dad on the phone.  He'd  ben in a "little" accident on his way to work.  He was fine but he was going to let them take him to the hospital anyway.   Of course I was already in Springfield, so I beat the ambulance to the hospital.   I beat my mom to the hospital.  I sat....paced the waiting room, watching for ambulances to arrive.   Finally I saw the one from stone county and saw them wheel daddy in.  strapped to the guerney I could see he was talking to the ambulance guys but I couldnt tell much else.  Mom, Tara, and Blaine, a one month old came in immediately following the ambulance.  They took xrays, they gave him pain medicine, he introduced us to his new guardian angel, and they sent him home, telling him he could go back to work in a couple days.  Ten years later, the pain has never completely gone away.  I wonder sometimes about the girl that hit him.  I remember the many conversations backpaxking with my ddad, talking about how God evidently still had a job for him on earth in order for him to have survived.   You see, his "little accident"  was really a sixty plus mile per hour head on collision.  Three months qlater he was able to go back to work, but he hasnt had a day without pain in those ten years.  But he hasnt stopped living, and I think of all thats happened in those ten years...we've had many fun backpacking trips in the rain, sleet, snow....and I think we've gone hiking in good weather too..just not as often!   I've seen my daddy go from more than just daddy...he lights up my little girls eyes when she plays with "pa pa"  Ten years ago, I was certain I was all grown up....looking back, I see how much I've grown.   I've watched my best friend have to give her daddy back to God eight years ago today and four years later, also give her Mom back to God.  I'm so thankful to still have both of my parents!  Ten years ago, I almost had a college degree and was going to conquer the world with it.  I've had my dream job, I've spoken at a professional national conference for my job, all before giving that up to have the best job in the  world...mommy.  So yes, in ten years a lot has happened.  We've taken good with the bad.  And yes, as we look back on today, a decade later, we are once again certain in the power of angels and so very thankful to still have Daddy around, because without angels, no one would have walked away from that wreck.  It also reminds us that our time on earth is not guaranteed.  So what will you do with the time you have left?

Ok, since I wrote this I have had technical issues, so it is being posted a day late.  I also wanted to add a funny story.  Emily.  The Nativity under the tree.  It is the Little People one, incredibly cute, that she has played with for the past year.  Ok, so we put it under the tree the other night and were talking about why all the different pieces were there, the angel, Jesus, Mary, the wise men, the sheep, and then we got to the donkey.  I told her that Mary rode the donkey into Bethlehem.  She said, "no, wait" and ran off into her bedroom, obviously with a mission.  She came back with another Little People horse, much larger than the donkey.  "Jesus mommy needs the best horse"   Aww....how cute. 

So far today....

Not much of anything has gone according to plan.  My hubby had lots of plans to get major things accomplished this weekend....woke up at 4 am with the "bug" that he believes he got because he stepped foot in the daycare room yesterday.  Regardless, his plans were shot.  Emily and I were getting her pictures made, going to the bank, and a few stores, getting groceries and going home.   Pictures went wonderfully, I'll put a few of my favorites at the bottom.  Will still need to do Christmas pictures, but isnt the best backdrop the one that God made?  Anyway, after we get done with that we are heading to the bank, less than  five minutes away.  "Mommy, I need poot poot...NOW"  followed immediately by "Mommy I poot poot my panties"  Uh oh.  So at the bank parking lot we get all cleaned up, she says she feels fine and so we go over to Big Lots, where they have a sale that if you spend $15 on Disney Princess or $15 on Barbie you get a $20 toy free in the mail.  Yeah, wasn't impressed with their selection, and what we really don't need are more toys!  Anyway, so we arrive at Big Lots and start getting out of the car, "Mommy I need to pee pee"  Ok, surely they have a public restroom.  We hurry.  Hurry, carrying her to try to get to the bathroom quickly (I'm thinking her stomache is upset), and I came across a pot hole.  I didnt see it.  I twisted my ankle and said "Ouch" evidently much louder than I thought cause another lady came over to see if I was ok (at that point I wasnt sure) and then I decided I was and she went and got me a cart.  Meanwhile, "Mommy I need to potty".  Ok, so I hobble into the store, wondering how badly I sprained my ankle, and we get to the bathroom on time.  Ok, maybe we should go home.  But the best deals at Kohls end at 1.  Must keep going.  From that point on the day improved.  Great deals were to be had at the salvation army (perfect princess cups for a Christmas tea party, a cute cardigan for me for a quarter, a pretty dress for fifty cents), got a couple things at dollar general, and then went on to Kohls, were I scored!  Tennis shoes, tights, princess lipgloss, total less than $3.  Went to the grocery store.  Saved $56.  Spent slightly over $100.  In this day and age, that's not too bad.  The ankle is tender but I can walk.  Groceries are in teh cabinet...yes, the day is improving, I think:)  At least its warm, even if the wind is approaching those blow you in front of a bus strengths!  So here are a couple of my favorite pictures.  Now to clean a little and finish the apron set I'm making for a little girl I watch.

the great Santa debate

I didnt sleep well last night and while lying around I started thinking about none other than the jolly old elf himself....Santa Claus.  You see I don't remember ever believing in santa, although many kids I know did.  As an adult, we've had fun with Santa with my nephews.  But the fact remains, there is no Santa.  We have our children write letters to him, leave him cookies, and makes requests, hoping on Christmas morning to find a tree spewing forth all of their wants and wishes.   And while it can be fun, I question it as this season we are faced with the reality that if we start he Santa thing it is ours for years yo come, until that day when we have to look Emily in the eye and say, "yes sweetheart we have been lying to you about Santa now for your entire life.  That guy in the red suit you saw at Bass pro doesnt live at the north pole, he probably lives just down the street."  Ok, so there lies problem number one....we asked our children to believe in something with their whole hearts only to crush there sense of faith whenever they are old enough to realize Santa just won't work."   But lets say they come to this conclusion at the age of 8.   Slowly losing that innocence, we swipe a security blanket out from under them.   Meanwhile we've also been teaching them all about God, how to pray, and the story of the nativity and  christ dying for us.   Do you know an 8 year old?  If you disspell the Santa myth, isn't it going to make them question the very roots of their faith....in the important things?  Each night as Emily lays down to sleep, we talk to God.   Mostly she repeats after me, but she's learning about this awesome God of ours, how he cares about even the smallest little detail in our lives, down to the number of hairs on our heads.  Whythen do we feel as though we must attempt to make our children believe in something that will subsequentl break their hearts when they learn the truth?  I wan Emily to enjoy the holidays, and the "fun" part of Santa, but more importantly I want her to know how to give and share, not so much to receive.

Which brings me to my next train of thought.  As you probably know I enjoy following Ana White's blog.  She has great woodworking plans on sher site that she graciously shares for FREE!  She had a great idea this holiday...and has issued a challenge to all her readers which I'm passing on to you...the challenge.  Make something homemade this Christmas for someone you love.  But don't stop there.  Make another identical item (twice the product..but not really twice the work since you'll be using all the same tools/supplies) .  Donate your extra item to someone in need, whether it be a family you know to be struggling this Christmas, or through an organized charity.  For those of you near Joplin....finding a recipient won't be hard I'm sure.  For those of you in the Kansas City area, I don't know who all accepts homemade gifts however, Emily and I will be delivering our homemade rag doll to Children's Mercy.  They sounded very excited about the prospect of getting homemade cuddly donations.   So will you, join me in accepting the challenge?

Necessity is the mother of invention....right?

It is entirely possible that I will be required to go to the store in the near future, like tomorrow more than likely.  For dinner tonight we are having....we'll call it a Lori Special.  it is something similar to a bbq chicken pizza, however since I've never had one of those, I really can't say.  I was going to make loaded tortillas, a yummy recipe I found a while back.  and a throw together so fast Rachel Ray would be proud kind of dinner.  Well...what I thought was a package of flour tortillas is really a package of corn tortillas.  ok not exactly what I had planned, but should still work.  next step....refried beans.   oh yeah, we ate the last can two weeks ago and I havent been to the store.  I've made my own before, but the only kind of beans I actually have are dried, not ready to be smooshy on my tortilla shell in a couple minutes.  ok, next idea.  Pizza sounded good.  No mozzarella cheese, and weel, cheddar cheese just wasnt what I was wanting.  I had already thawed the bacon for the tortillas, we had a couple grilled chicken breasts left over, and cheddar cheese would go good with chicken and bacon, right?  well, I thought about rice, pasta, bread...oops out of bread and macaroni too.  I still had the pizza idea, and I could make pizza cruat.  but I would need sauce.  ranch would go good but i really dont like rancch...same goes for ho ey mustard.  then like a bolt of lighting I thought Barbecue sauce.  Perfect!  Of course I'd run out of that the other day too.  Not to be easily defeated, I had ketchup....and a computer with recipes galore...kc bbq sauce.  sounded like the perfect solution.  so a cup of ketchup and a few ingredients later I had bbq sauce.  So pizza crust, homemade bbq sauce, bacon, chicken and cheddar cheese.  sounds good.  I hope it is.   It is still cooking, I'll have to let you know.
I was very excited to have found a crockpot for $1 through facebook the other day....it arrived today, so tomorrow its looking like vegetable soup for dinner!  I think I have vegetables.....I also received my barbie I paid $2.36 for.  she has a couch, laptop, cell phone, all the necessities you know.  And I know a little girl that just might like something like that for Christmas.   And this weekend I need to go to Kohls.  I think I can get her a pair of shoes fo $2, and then I have the $25 from disney that I'm going to use on a 'punzel dress, costing me a total of $1.50.   Wouldn't it be cool if I could get all my shopping done for under $10¿  ok no idea how i turned the question mark upside down.  but now i must go eat dinner.

Better Late Than Never

I haven't gotten the video on the computer yet, and I'm done for the evening.  Actually considering making her dress that I told her I'd get made SOON!  Anyway, here is a little Rapunzel...the $5 version, not the $35 one!  She liked it, so all was well.  And it had a castle hat.  All princesses neee a castle hat:)

A Total Toy Story Birthday

My little angel turned 3.  Now, that in and of itself may not sound like it would be a lot of work for mommy, but well, let's just say, I had fun, now I'm ready for the next project!  You see, I wanted her birthday to be special, plus I didn't want to pay a lot for gifts even though I wanted to get her nice things.  So many, many discounts later, I got her lots of toy story toys, and made, not bought, MADE her a barbie camper, totally from scratch.  That project I began in August.  I finished it last week.  It is the Barbie Airstream (the camper we usually use is the Bambi, so this works:)  However, the last two days, watching Barbie and company enjoy it has made all that work worth it.  At this time however I do not have a picture, but I guess it is just in her bedroom I could go take one...maybe tomorrow:)  So anyway, since all of her friends are here playing five days a week, her friend party had to be something really special....and I wasn't brave enough to take them anywhere so it had to be in the same place we play every day.  My newfound pinterest addiction added to the party ideas, and before long I had planned a toy story spectacular---which would have been better outside had it not been rainy and cold.  So inside it was.....

The claw game!  Remember Pizza Planet where Buzz and Woody got pulled out of the machine by "THE CLAW"?  We recreated this with some salad tongs and fruit snacks for prizes.  I attempted to make aliens, and currently that is the only major failure listed on my to do list.   Its not that I didnt try, its that my fleece aliens weren't agreeable and finally had to be given up on!

My favorite of the party games/decorations....The Potatoheads, Mr and Mrs, as pinata's.  Strange... maybe, fun...definitely!  As  you can tell by the strings, the Mrs was empty, Mr. was loaded with goodies.

Two games here, a Bullseye--stick pony rodeo (yep made the stick ponies) and a sunnyside donation box bean bag toss.  I had found some cute toy story fabric at Hancocks and cut out the characters and made bean bags.  The ponies were a little yarn, a little ribbon, a couple pieces of felt, and some dowel rods....add a little sewing, hot glue and polyfil and there were magically ten horses!

The cake table.  I made treat boxes which had their hats, a jessie hairbow, party blowers, bags for collecting candy, and a couple toy story paper things in them.  Add in a few decorations and we were ready for the party to begin.

To keep them calm and get them in the spirit before the party, we turned on none other than TOY STORY.  I think it was the third one, can't really tell for sure....she loves them all.  And yes, after the picture I did make them scoot back from the tv a little. 

The party began with discovering all the goodies in the boxes.  The hairbows were a hit!

Of course the oldest child there was Emily (other than my nephews and they didnt want ot wear the bows) and so they all had to have a little help putting in bows.  Thank goodness for good neighbors helping out!

She definitely figured out the blowers. 

The claw game was lots of fun!  Of course we blame inheritance on her tongue sticking out.

Emily surveying the party scene

More fun with the blowers.

You can see the hairbows here, didnt they turn out cute?

Ok, so the cupcakes were the color of mr. Potatohead and they were given eyes, nose and mouths to decorate them with before eating.  I think they just ate:)

The pinata was a hit, especially with my nephews.  Of course had they not been here we might still be swinging at the poor potato!

Emily had some pretty good swings.  So did a couple of the other girls, but ultimately Blaine broke it. 

But for some guests, partying was exhausting (they got to sleep, but this was definitely how I felt!)

Emily had to help me explain the game and hold up the bean bag board.  The only flaw to this game was I was letting them throw things which they thought was cool, however at one point a little shoe came hurdling at me!   And then we ate lunch and Happy Day party number 1 was over and it was time to prepare for partying with family!  (A much calmer group generally speaking)

They got the special train cake.  It took me less time to decorate than it took the cardinals to win game 7 of the world series!  And Emily helped.  See those pink cookies there, she shoved them in for me!

Here's the cake table.  Minus a few things I added on later.

And since Mrs. Potatohead survived the first party she got to come check out the second one:)

We began with gifts.  She now understands what it means when someone says, "present".  My child has WAY too many toys now.  But not a pair of toy story panties that I bought in August.  I wonder where I put those....

 We had dinner and then it was time for cake.

 She was a little bit of a showoff. 

 And she didnt like having to wait while we sang to blow out the candles.....

 There she blows!

 If you could tell what was going on in her mind, it was "Do it again"  So we relit the candles, resang happy birthday and she blew out the candles again.   She might have repeated that scenario all night had I let her!  Oh and the putting ice cream in muffin tins before the party was a brilliant idea, just dont overflow them or they are nearly impossible to get out.  The not stuck (ones that didnt overflow) worked great! 

 Then the showing off REALLY kicked in to high gear. 

 I finally let her play with the cake decorations, which Woody had broken, but was fixed with some super glue, however I emailed disney about it and they are sending me a gift card worth much more than I paid for the decoartions, so I have to say lots of nice good things about Disney!

 Cousin Rachel's birthday was on Wednesday so she put on a party hat too for the pictures. 

 Emily hasn't quite figured out how to show three yet on her fingers. 

And after all the commotion it was time to PLAY!  and wear every bit of clothing she got.   Finally this mornign she got to ride her scooter and watch beauty and the beast.  A great birthday, and now looking back I see why I feel a little tired this week.  Oh and the tooth extraction in the middle of all this might have something to do with it (but yes, my friends, my tooth (or lack of) feels MUCH better than it did last week!  Actually it feels better than it has for most of the last year).  And so, another birthday is behind us.....now, where to put all those toys???