School Days

“Oh my phalanges!  My phalanges!”

That was the cry that came from my third grader’s mouth after accidentally grabbing a bee while working in the bee yard with Jake.  That kid is something else.

It seems like it’s been ages since I last blogged.  As I type, we are finishing up week six of our homeschooling.  Wow!  I can’t believe we’ve already completed SIX WEEKS!  And, lest you think it’s been an easy six weeks, let me quickly correct you!

 

Jonah’s working hard to improve his reading while at the same time steadily improving his math skills that were already pretty good.  He also started back to his speech class at Medart Elementary this week.  I can’t believe he’s in first grade now!

Levi’s learning division, capitalization and punctuation (okay, so that’s more review), American history (more detailed from what he learned last year), classes of animals and some of our body’s bones and muscles.  Yes, I said BONES and muscles----my third grader!  Well, we’ve only covered a couple of muscles so far, but he’s pretty versed on the main bones of the body now.

I don’t think we learned this stuff until tenth grade when I was in school!  But my third grader can fairly easily tell you where his skull, scapula, clavicle, sternum, pelvis, patella, phalanges, femur, humorous and several other bones of his body are.  And we know he’s truly learning them because in addition to the phalanges statement, on another day shortly after that, he came home pointing to his chest and telling me that he’d gotten stung in the sternum.  I think he’s having fun with it now despite the rough start.

Levi’s also attending P.E. at Medart Elementary on the days Jonah goes to speech (as he did last year).  And, let’s not forget gymnastics.  Yep, both boys are now enrolled and loving every minute of it!  On top of all that, AWANA has started back so they’re also steadily memorizing Bible verses on a daily basis.  We’ve even had brief geography lessons as some friends of ours moved to Alaska and we tracked them there and learned a few facts along the way.

But lest I make it sound like peaches and cream, I’ll confess that there was some head butting and fussing and pouting and ugly attitudes when we first began----- but I’ve repented of all that now and am trying to have a better attitude.J

I almost forgot to include that Jonah had his annual appointment with Dr. Weinstein at Shands earlier this month and got a great report.  We did find out that some bacteria love cornstarch (Jonah’s medicine that he has to take daily) so that explains many of the problems we’ve had and that there’s not a lot we can do about it (other than probiotics which I’d already started him on).  But, all-in-all he got a great report and we’re very glad about that.

Another day, another antibiotic

Seriously?! 
Another infection? 
More antibiotics?
The saga never ends, does it? 
Are you tired of hearing about it yet?  We're a bit tired of dealing with it!
Yep, you guessed it... Jonah again.  Though it's not impetigo this time (not that I know of!).

We were in "town" for Jake's doctor appointment (more shots for his back/leg) and for Jonah's routine blood work for Shands.  After those two things, lunch, new tires for the van and a little mall shopping for Levi who has gotten too tall for most of his pants, we headed over to Sam's Club.  As we were getting out of the van, Jake noticed the lump on the back of Jonah's neck.  It's been there for a long time (months at least), but it was noticeably bigger today.  Enough so that Jake advised we call the doctor right then (which we did and they got him in within 30 minutes.  We so love the boys' doctor's office!). 
The nurse takes his temperature and says it's 99.5 (we had no idea he had a fever) and when she started asking us how long he'd been complaining about the lump we had to tell her (as usual), "He hasn't!" He hardly ever complains of anything.  Jake pushed on the lump at 3:00 to ask him if it hurt and he then said it did, but this was now 3:30 and we're sitting in the doctor's office... so how long has he been "complaining about it"? 
About 30 minutes. 
That is if you count his "Yes" answer to "Does this hurt?" as complaining.

The lymph node in his neck is swollen a good big indicating infection (the doc is not sure if the lymph node itself is infected or if it's reacting to another infection). 
So, here we go again... another 10 days of antibiotics :(
But, at least he's still happy and not complaining (other than the leg that he has said hurts ever since we left Walmart---not sure if he bruised it on something or what).
Another day in our already stressful lives... but, as always, God is good and is in control and taking care of us all.  This too shall pass.

P.S.-  I know I've already said that Jonah doesn't complain and he's tough as nails, but can I just brag a bit in that area about him?  For his blood work they had to stick him in both arms (couldn't get enough blood out of the first vein) and he never even flinched (as usual).  And just a minute ago, Jake pulled his loose tooth with no opposition in the slightest.  THAT'S our Jonah!

The Darndest Things

I know you've all heard it, "Kids say the darndest things." And I'd venture a guess that you're in complete agreement with that statement, but in case you're not, let me share a few of Jonah's "darndest things" as of late.

After a full day of Sunday school, church, lunch at Grandma's with cousins, and church again, Jonah and I were sitting at the kitchen table getting ready for bed (corn-starch, meds, etc.---normal nightly routine). While sitting there, Jonah was sharing things about his day with me (don't you just love when your kids do that!). This is how part of that “conversation” went (I say conversation with quotes because it was really more of a monolog than a dialog as is often the case when Jonah is sharing things).

JONAH: (talking about Olivia & Levi playing Temple Run on Olivia’s ipod while at Grandma’s) They never let me play! 
(with even more expression) They don’t think I know how to play! 
(with even more totally exasperated expression)   How am I ever going to get better if they don’t let me play? 
(at this point, he’s getting pure emotional about the seriousness of this situation)  When I get older, my son may save up his money and buy an ipod.  He might download the game Temple Run and I’m not even going to know how to play it.  (his voice is almost quivering and he’s practically in tears over his pain of this situation)
PAUSE (now with calmness returned to his voice in a very matter-of-fact way he says)  Might happen, might not.


And kids DO the darndest thing as well.  Jonah had gotten himself dressed for church yesterday and was in the living room waiting for us.  Jake walked into the living room and looked at him and said, “I think you might need to go look in the mirror, Son.”  So, Jonah walks to the mirror, looks at himself and says (in all seriousness), “What?”

So, let me ask you, do you see anything wrong here?

How about now... does the back view help?

And if that wasn’t bad enough, he got himself dressed again after lunch (same clothes) and came out this time with the shirt backwards AND inside-out!  How can you not know something is wrong when it’s not winter and you’re wearing a turtle neck?!

Okay, so one last thing… this time it’s one of Jonah’s deep thoughts that he amazes us with on a regular basis.

The other night while getting ready for bed, Jonah says to Jake, “Dad, you know what happens when Jesus comes into your heart?”

Jake, “What?”

Jonah, “Your heart stops beating just for a second.   Jesus comes in and it beats real loud!”

He continues, “He stands outside knocking and you need to let Him in because He won’t always knock.  Someday He’ll put up a wall where you can’t get to Him.  So when He’s knocking you need to let Him in.”

And that, Folks, pretty much sums it up! J  From the mouth of babes…

There’s no place like home (if you like barns)!

Calamine, Tea Tree and Bleach… oh my!

Have you ever smelled Tea Tree Oil?  It’s a bit strange (though Jake likes the smell, but we all know he’s a bit strange anyway).  When I was young, our family had horses and it seems this stuff reminds me of something we used with the horses, though I can’t put my finger on just what it was… Caron, you know???  Anyway, the age-old question, “Were you raised in a barn?” might seem a bit suited for our house right now because it seems it smells more like a stall than a house, but we’re praying this does the trick!!

Okay, so I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing about our “burdens” here on the honey farm but yep, we’re at it again.  Trying to clear up Jonah’s impetigo (at least I assume that’s what it is again).  Maybe the third time’s the charm ;)—and, no I am not superstitious at all!

As most of you know, I hate medicines and antibiotics and all such nonsense and try to avoid them as much as possible (which is why I don’t go or take the kids to the doctor any more than I do).  I’m a firm believer that if we never allow our bodies to fight off things, they’ll never learn.  I do NOT want to weaken any of our immune systems (Jonah’s seems to be weak enough already) and we all have a high pain tolerance in this house, so we tend to “tough it out” with most things around here.  But this one is about to get the best of us!

Also as most of you know, Jonah’s already been prescribed an antibiotic ointment (for the first round of impetigo) and an oral antibiotic later (for the second outbreak which was Bullous Impetigo).  Now, I’m trying the ever-present internet for advice before heading to the doctor again!

Jonah’s doctor already recommended a cap full of bleach in his bath water a couple of times a week, so I do that when I can, but I’ve now read that Tea Tree Oil helps to heal it; so that’s what I’m trying now (in addition to the bleach baths, Calamine and antibiotic ointment!).  Thank you, Walmart for carrying the Tea Tree Oil (I’m not a fan of visiting specialized stores).  I am also using a mixture of water and vinegar for down in his ear because I suspect the impetigo is down in there, too!!  Bless his heart (sniff, sniff).

The washer is running much more often than usual now (washing his towels, bedding and pajamas after every use), the tub is getting a workout (bathing Jonah 2-3 times a day when we’re home), and the strange Tea Tree Oil smell fills the house while the ever present “STOP SCRATCHING, JONAH!” can be heard all day most every day.  Pray with us that we’ll get this thing licked and get back to normal (whatever that is).

To Begin With...

I should've shared this link when I first started this blog.  It will give more background on our lives after becoming parents :)      http://leviandjonahanderson.shutterfly.com/

Independence Day

So, this year, we are not only celebrating the country’s independence, we are also anxiously awaiting independence from the ever-present impetigo we’ve been dealing with for weeks now.  Jonah’s first break out on his hip (see last post) was about cleared up,


June 21



June 18

June 29



when we started seeing these nasty sores everywhere.

Ear

Finger

Legs

Hip

Back & Neck

Head (even way above ear)

Side

Doctor said these are Bullous Impetigo.  Jonah’s on oral antibiotics now (AGAIN!).  We were trying to avoid the antibiotics (treated with prescription antibiotic ointment before), but it can’t be helped.  We’re just trusting God that with all the antibiotics Jonah’s had throughout his short six years, that he doesn’t grow immune to them.  And, as always, Jonah’s not complaining.  He is and always has been quite a trooper!

And now, on to what I “promised” in my last post—a clip of the “swimming hole” here at the house that Jake has cleared out around.  While the rains from Tropical Storm Debby have caused havoc on much of our county (and I’m so sad about the loss so many have endured), it did wonders for this swimming hole.  It has already gone down since these pictures/video, but this was it shortly after the rains and the boys are so enjoying it.  Oh, the joys of country living J

What a Week!

Let me hear you say “ya ya ya ya Yes to va va va VBS!” 

That’s how we spent this past week at our church, how about you?  In addition to Vacation Bible School in the evenings this past week, we also squeezed in two doctor’s appointments for Jake, two trips to the beach for the boys and I, one afternoon of Levi playing at a friend’s house, and one afternoon of having great friends over here for lunch.

So does that busy schedule excuse me from practically forgetting about Father’s Day?  I was afraid not.  Thankfully I know my husband and my dad both love me and are not offended by my oversight J.  It’s great to be part of a family that is not easily offended by such things as not making big deals over “special” occasions.

Levi and I did manage to make Jake some Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes.  Boy, were they good!  And while I did not do anything for my own dad, I do hope he knows how much I love and appreciate him (and we do plan to go over this coming Saturday).

I am blessed with a great dad and a great husband.  So, while Father’s Day is supposed to be all about them, I have to say that I’m the one who is benefitting and being blessed by them.  Thank you both for always being there when I need you, for setting Godly examples and most of all for praying for me!  I know they both do and I so appreciate it.  Heaven only knows how many hurts I’ve avoided by simply the prayers of my father (and my husband).  As Stephanie sang in church yesterday, “Somebody’s praying and I can feel it”.  Thank you, Dad!!  Thank you, Jake!!  You are both great examples of Fatherhood.

I’ve often told others how blessed I am to have grown up with an earthly father who has made it easy for me to understand what a Heavenly Father is.  So many children do not have fathers who love them unconditionally.  Many have no fathers at all, much less ones that love, protect, and discipline them.  I have one who has been such a good father that it is easy for me to understand the love of my Heavenly Father.  This has never been a concept that escaped my understanding (as I know it does others).  Yes, I can also understand the rebuke and discipline of my Heavenly Father due to my earthly father’s example and I am so thankful for them both.  So, I’m sorry that I wasn’t there on Father’s Day, but Happy Father’s Day, Dad and thank you for all you’ve done for me!  Ditto for Jake!

In other news, Jonah continues to keep those prayer lines open and active in our household.  Today it’s impetigo and an upper respiratory infection.  That kid keeps us on our toes, but thankfully he’s “tough as nails” and rarely changes his pace.  Most of the time you can’t tell he’s sick even if he is (as is the case now).  I wish he wasn’t so susceptible to so many different things, but that’s the “hand he’s been dealt” and we’ll deal with it and be happy he’s here and he’s ours!  The impetigo looks (and is) very painful, and his cough sounds “flemmy” and often gags him, and he does off-and-on say he doesn’t feel good, but all-in-all he’s not complaining (as usual) and is playing happily.  He’s a tough little fella for sure!

Maybe I’ll post again in a few days to let you see our newest family project –a “swimming hole” area of the creek that Jake and Levi have begun clearing out here at the house!!  We’re all excited about it!