Get a Clue!

This year for Halloween, we were the "Clue Family". Daniel was working on his Family Life merit badge and needed to organize and lead a family project. We put him in charge of our Halloween costumes. In the end, Miss Scarlet used the wrench and Mr. Green did it with the rope. Laura was bored as the Clue board, while the two younger kids were simply "paradise". It was a fun, easy idea, and we crossed off another merit badge. Eagle Scout~here we come.

Good news! Bad news!

I have been having a lot of pain in my left abdomen and fevers on and off for about two weeks now. Not intense pain, but constant and aggravating. In order to figure out the cause, I have been to the doctors' office several times and had some ultrasounds and other tests done. I have a cyst on my left ovary, but it was nothing to be concerned with at this point. Unfortunately, no one could find the cause of my constant pain. I was beginning to think that maybe I was imagining the pain? Not really.

Two days ago, my pain increased and moved into my back. At this point, I knew that I had kidney stones AGAIN.

Good news~I went to get a CT scan today and the doctor found multiple stones in my left kidney and one in my pelvic area causing the pain in both areas. All appear to be "on the move".

Bad news~After passing stones on four other occasions, I know that these stones are going to cause severe pain any day, any moment. The big question will be~can I pass these stones on my own, or will I need to go to the hospital? Either way, I am not super excited.

Happy Birthday, Manders!

It is so hard to believe that Amanda is 14 years old. Where has the time gone, and why is it going so fast?

We had two celebrations for Amanda. On Saturday, we had an M&M birthday party with 11 of her friends. The official theme was "M&Ms Make Friends". Amanda is a wonderful friend, and in return she has so many nice friends. We played fun relays and games and ate too many M&Ms. It was a great party!

On Sunday, her actual birthday, we had a family party. Amanda wanted turkey pockets for dinner. We ate apple crisp with ice cream. We played Scrabble together. Mom won, of course. (Hee Hee, Dad!)

Amanda is so excited about turning 14 years old. Now she can attend school and church dances. Today it is attending dances, tomorrow~driving and dating, and then off to college. (Sniff, sniff, sniff)

Poor Little Buddy!

Little Daniel is sick again! Two weeks ago, Daniel had a very high fever and ear ache for 4 straight days. He stayed in bed and slept most of that time away. He didn't eat and lost weight. I took him to the doctor, and she said that he had fluid in his ear causing vomiting, dizziness, fever, etc. After a few days of no fever, he was back to his normal self~for a week or so.

Sunday morning he woke up with a terrible cough and a fever of 103.1. He had no appetite or energy. Again today, he had a high fever, but was able to eat soup. He looks so pale and thin.

I feel so bad for my little buddy! If he has a fever again tomorrow, we will return to the doctor.

Beauty and the Beast

The Hickman Honor Choir just finished their final performance of Beauty and the Beast last night. Life has been so busy preparing for this performance. The students attended choir 2-3 afternoons a week for the past month or so to learn this show. Daniel was Monsier De Arque, a wolf, and a townsperson.