This week

Excuse my absence. I haven't even thought about blogging because I have been so wrapped up in the everyday. This was my first week of school. It was great! Time consuming but great. I love my anatomy teacher. I have a feeling I'm going to love this class. Anatomy is very facinating to me for some reason. I am probably one of the oldest in the class, but because of my "girlish figure" (I mean how I look like a 12 years old), I think I fit right in. My 3 lab partners are probably around 21 and listening to them talk and discuss what is going on with their lives was cute, I was laughing inside. I was probably just like them when I was that age. One girl looked at me like I was an alien when I told her I have 3 children.
This week I have had an uphill battle and full out struggle with my middle child. MISS OLIVIA, God love her, I know I do. There are just some moments that I want to pinch her. She wants to argue about everything. Now she is at the point where she full blown YELLS AT ME! She is grounded right now. From gum, candy, friends, and last night she had to go to bed early. I had a long talk with her. She was half listening, half not. She didn't want to talk to me. She just got crocodile tears and asked for her Daddy (mind you, she has never been a Daddy's girl). So my prayer for this week consisted of Olivia, Olivia, Olivia. I feel like I am failing as a mother. I thought that her and I would have a great relationship because of me being the middle child as well. The harder I try with her, the further I get.
I had a little break down and played the "what if" game in my mind. Eli wanted to talk to me about it and I felt that I couldn't speak my mind because I didn't know how to explain my feelings in a way that it didn't offend him or make him feel like "WE" were a mistake or that I was regretting anything in our lives together. I made so many mistakes as a teenager and as a young adult. I hate thinking about how stupid I was right out of high school and how I could let wanting to party with my friends and boyfriend at that time alter going away to college. I took the easy way out. I was affraid to try something new and meet new people. Affraid I wouldn't fit in. I stayed in my little comfortable situation and lived at home. I had a university life sitting right in front of me, no questions asked, paid for. What did I do.....ANYWAY....enough about that.
Erika had her 2nd and 3rd soccer game. She is getting better! She says that she loves it but would like to switch back to gymnastics in the spring. I'm just happy that she is willing to try different things. I found myself being a "soccer mom", screaming, cheering, and carrying on....get the ball Erika, GO GO GO. I think I embarrassed Eli.
Makenna is doing better. She has a great attitude. She doesn't mind her cast and is using that arm more and more every day. Her recheck with the ortho was pretty good. The bone has fused together FINALLY, but not as straight as he would have hoped. He said that there will be a visual difference between the 2 arms, but as the bone grows it should straiten out and get back to the normal shape withing 6 months to a year. She might, and I say might, get her cast off in two weeks. Yippy!
I think I have covered my week.

Healthy Lifestyles

I started my online class on Friday night. I am happy to say that I am a week ahead of schedule. I worked on it Friday and Sunday, turning my project in early. I was a little nervous about the whole on-line learning system, but it is pretty simple and self explanatory.
My anatomy class starts on Wednesday. I am excited to be in school. I don't think it will be easy, but I have a drive that I have never had before. Eli is being so supportive and I think that helps as well. I was reading on Friday night and I looked up and caught him staring at me. He gave me a little look and said, "Dana, I love you and I am so proud of you." That was enough to make my heart melt. It made me feel like I was on the right track. I know I will need his support on so many levels in the next couple of years and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!
I was happy to get all my homework done and out of the way so I could enjoy the new season of 24 that started last night and another 2 hours tonight. The best part about it is we have TIVO now, so we can fast forward through the commercials......it was a whole new experience, complete with popcorn.

Nathan

Eli's mom called us yesterday to let us know that Nathan, Eli's brother, is going to be sent to Iraq. He is so young and he just became a Daddy. Please keep in your prayers, to keep him safe and bring him home soon!
Eli's sister, Tara, found out that she is having a girl. GIRLS, GIRLS, everywhere. She will be my 4th niece.

My trip to Lansing

I left the house last night! It was great! Cathie and I drove to Lansing to meet up with Monaca at the bookstore near MSU. I was able to get all my books except for 1. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was picking out books and Monaca was making sure the books for the class that she teaches was in, her students lied to her and told her that the bookstore was sold out. It was a little strange hanging out with a "teacher", especially such a young and cute one (and younger than me)! We went to starbucks for coffee and some girly talk and then headed home.
Cathie pointed out all the places that her a Dave used to live and talked about old times. It was so great to get out.
Tonight is my first "official" small group meeting. I am in need!
Two nights out in a row....I hope Makenna is better for Eli tonight than last night. Thanks Eli, I love you! (Correction - This will be Eli's third night in row alone with kids....I forgot that I worked on Tuesday night)

And the Saga continues....

Tuesday, Makenna had to go back to the orthopedic specialist. Her radius had shifted again, worse than before they set it the first time. SO....off with the old cast and on with a new. I chose a different color cast this time, purple, maybe it will change our luck....along with a ton of prayer! This is becoming exhausting, and I am becoming pretty emotional about it. It is making me feel that I am not as strong as I thought I was. I feel helpless to her. I just wish I could explain everything to her.
As if she doesn't feel crappy enough....yesterday she woke up with 103 temperature. She has pink eye and an upper respiratory infection. She looks so miserable, she won't eat, she hates her medicine, I can't get the ointment in her eyes.....has anyone been able to put ointment in a 16 month year old eyes before? Take it from me, it is not fun! The funny part is, I can medicate a nasty cat that is hissing, biting, spitting at me, but I can't medicate my own daughter!
I am tired. I am sad. I am so many things right now....

I just keep repeating over and over......"If God brings you to it, he'll bring you through it"
Sounds so simple doesn't it?

Update on Makenna

Isn't this just the saddest face.....this was at the ER last Tuesday night, before the the put her temporary cast on. Almost one week later....she is on her 3rd cast, soon to be 4th. Her cast is slipping once again, so I think we will be back to see the orthopedic in the morning. She is doing great though! What a trooper. She is becoming quite the daredevil. The cast is not stopping her. She is starting to lift her arm more and I think she is going to start to use it as a weapon soon.

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the prayers, love, and support that our family has been receiving the past week. We are truly blessed for all the great people that we have in our lives! Cathie and Jen were even so kind to make us some food to help me with the everyday Mommy load, they were so kind to think of the girls as well......cookies and stickers! I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

Makenna has a BOO BOO

Most of you may know...but in case you don't, Makenna broke her arm yesterday. She broke both her radius and ulna just above her wrist on her left arm. We went to the ER pediatric unit at St Joseph Ann Arbor, which I have to say, the nurses there are absolutely wonderful and so kind and know just where to put the chair when a mom is about to pass out. It is a pretty bad break. They set her arm the best they could and sent us home with pain medication and a referral for an orthopedic surgeon. Today we saw the surgeon. WHO CLEARED HIS SCHEDULE tomorrow morning to reset Makenna arm with a live X-ray. He wanted to do it tonight but couldn't get an open spot or an anesthesiologist. He was so nice and Makenna smiled and waved hello and bye bye to him (which was such a huge thing considering Makenna has been pretty miserable). I feel like we are in good hands but I am completely terrified.
I just wanted to keep everyone posted, while I had a quick second. I have so much to do to get ready for tomorrow. If you could please throw a prayer our way I would greatly appreciate it!