Nov. 19, 2008
moving blog
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I am moving to my blog on blogspot. www.bplemons.blogspot.com |
Oct. 20, 2008
some school stuff
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Well, I think school is going well. We met for our annual IEP meeting. Basically the team of teachers and therapists that Noah works with on a regular basis sit down and we discuss goals and things we can do to help him in any way needed. I am super impressed by the principal. She is a trained reading recovery teacher and really knows her stuff. I feel we have a really super team and I am confident that with some further evaluation, they will really get the ball rolling and I pray we start seeing results. We know that Noah is behind . What we will try to find is- Is the problem cognitive, or is it the language barrier? Is it a learning disability? What sort? These are all things they are looking at through Reading Recovery. I want to be clear that we don't want to label him in any way. We need to know how to approach this in the correct way. He is doing okay. The teacher has to modify spelling tests for him. There are a lot of things that he just simply cannot do. The week goes by and he enjoys it for the most part. But as the weekend gets here, he is all out of whack and we have had some tough weekends the past 2. Monday mornings he doesn't want to go to school. This morning I got a call that he said he wasn't feeling well. He did not have a temp. I did not go pick him up. I think he just wanted to be home. I wanted to but I knew that if I do it this time, he'll want to do it again. I can't let that start up. It was hard. Ellie is doing really well and loves it! She loves going, loves the work, all of it. It is hard for me to let go of some control. I know that if things get bad, we'll pull him out. We are just praying that God uses this and uses Noah in some way. |
Oct. 1, 2008
school update
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Just an update for ya'll! We have put our little ones in school. We are comfortable with this choice. We know that this is a season and they may not always be in public school. But I simply must help with our families finances. It just had to happen. For now, that is the deal. They love it-by the way! So we are going to be okay. This may or may not be forever, we will just trust God in this. Brooke |
Sep. 5, 2008
absense
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I feel like I have been absent. I just haven't had too much to say. It is my weekend to have my son. He will be 12 on Tuesday. We are having a birthday party for him this weekend. He called last night and asked if he could come on Saturday morning instead of tonight. He wanted to go to a back to school dance at school. Of course I said sure and that is fine. I just saw him last weekend. I always love to see him but the thing that bothered me was I am missing his first dance. I missed his first day of middle school and that was hard and I am missing this too. It is the beginning of a long list of things I may miss. Obviously if I lived closer things like this wouldn't be so hard. However, we live 2 hours from him. Just long enough to be too far to just drive down. Weather permitting I will see his football game on Saturday. That will be fun!!!!!! I am just sad. Sad that he can't be both places he wants to be. Sad that I am missing these things. I know in time this will get easier. I won't have to miss things with my younger two. I am so glad to have them also!!!!!!! Off to a busy weekend!!! |
Aug. 25, 2008
School has started..
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We started school back up today. I explained to them how it was going to go down and they responded well. Well as in no fighting with me!!!! I went through all that would be done and expected from them. We reviewed some from the spring. I think they remembered a lot. The day went by with bible, school, toys, games and some sibling arguments but it was a nice and quiet day. Even a Monday went well. I love these days!!!!! |
Aug. 20, 2008
Hodpodge Update
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We have been home from our trip for a week now. I miss the beach and the careless freedom felt when there. But, in our real life, we have a house, a job, responsibilities. We are gearing up to start school. I chose to push it back a week because the little boy that I have babysat this summer will be going to kindergarten next week. We thought that would be easier. My oldest started 6th grade this year. New school, new kids, new everything. He was nervous but liked it a lot. There are a lot of things I can't decide to blog about but I will post this list to keep me on my toes. Things to do today: 1. devise a plan and look over the lessons for next week. 2. Clean my bathrooms. 3. Go grocery shopping. 4. Clean out pantry. 5. Go to dance class this evening. 6. Need to get alone time with God-Most Important!!!!! Things to pray for: 1. my grandmother-ulcers/infection 2. my brother-joining the army 3. family decisions 4. our church |
Aug. 15, 2008
We are home
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Well, we are back and vacation week is almost over. We had such a great time! The kids had never seen a beach before. We were at St. Joseph, Michigan. Right on the Lake and it is so grand, it looks like an ocean. We walked the quaint little town, ate in local cafes and visited the amazing children museum. That was well worth the money!!!! The kids loved it and didn't want to leave and wanted to go back. At the beach David and I sat in the sun. (it was a little chilly) and watched the kids play and splash in the water and build sand castles. Then on our way home we stopped in the Warren State Park and climbed this huge sand "mountain". Well, the kids and David climbed all the way up and I got about 3/4 the way up. We then went down to the water and the waves were coming in and the kids were having a blast jumping into the waves. I laughed so hard at them. It was truly our best trip yet. We could actually make a home in St. Joe. If we could pack up all our family and friends and all we love around here. We will go back again! Plus we have a friend who lives there. :) Well, that is about all I am going to share. I could go on and on. One last thing, we painted our bedroom yesterday. It was the last room in the house to be painted. It turned out great. It is Atheian Green (possibly spelled wrong here) and it is like a little cottage. I love it. Back to real life! |
Aug. 7, 2008
And we're off.....
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Well, this weekend is the start of a fun and busy time. I am taking the kids kids to my mom's to see them and swim in their pool. Fun times with grandma and grandpa. Then Monday we are leaving to go on vacation!!!! We are all looking forward to this!!!!! We are heading up to St. Joseph, Michigan. It is a beautiful little town right on the lake. It is so fun. The kids have never been to a beach so this is the closest thing to it so far. We will be leaving Scruffy here in the vet's kennel. That is always a hard drop off for the kids. For Scruffy too. Then were off for 4 days of camping and fun. See ya when we get back!!!!!! |
Jul. 30, 2008
I am still here....
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It has been a long time between posts. I haven't found too much to be post worthy these days. Since my last post, it has been pretty calm. No more hospitals, doctors, etc. I have begun babysitting again. So, new routines. I have not decided when our school year will begin again. We are going on vacation in a week and a half. I am so excited about that! The kids are really excited as well. I cant believe it is almost August! Where has the summer gone? I am trying to figure out the best/easiest way to have regular chores. As they are getting bigger, they are able to do more things to help. I do want to continue to work on this. I see how this affects some in adulthood. I say this because it is present in our home. I notice how much personality plays into wether you are a more messy or neat person. It is interesting. Any ideas welcome. We need something consistent. Otherwise I foresee bickering over which one did what the day before. Well, I guess that is all. Happy Wednesday! |
Jul. 9, 2008
Hospital stays on the 4th.
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I have to start by saying, I am so glad the weekend is over. Do you ever hear someone say that?! So, Friday was the 4th and we were staying with relatives out of town and our Noah woke up with the right side of his face so swelled up. It looked like he had a baseball in his cheek. We went to the E.R. and they decided the tooth was infected. They sent us home with penicilin. The next day we were back at home and his cheek was not at all better. In fact, his eye was starting to swell. We ended up in the clinic and our Pediatrician sent us to the E.R. He wanted us to have blood tests and anything else necessary. After 4 hours of waiting we ended up staying in the hospital. We were there from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning. His blood count was high which meant his infection was trying to spread. Not good. It was scary!!! Monday we were discharged to go another hospital where an oral surgeon would see Noah and within 2 hours, Noah was in surgery. They removed 4 teeth!!!! Two were infected and 2 on the other side were just bad and I said as long as you have him asleep you may as well just take them all. Whew, that is a lot of info-I know. I was so glad to get out of there. So was Noah. When anyone would come in our room he would ask them if they had any needles. He was really tired of the blood tests every morning. I was too. They would come in at 4 A.M. every morning to draw blood. Uhhh, it was so exhausting. Noah is doing great and he is totally back to normal. I was so glad to hear him cracking jokes and acing like himself. He was so sick Friday and Saturday, he just slept and could barely walk he was so weak. Today, he took off running down the street with his friend. I am so glad to be home!!!! Everyone is glad that we're home. Ellie really missed her mommy!!! That was our weekend. I am still catching up sleep. But God is good!!!! He took care of us! of Noah! |
Jun. 25, 2008
Window seat+coffee with a friend=good day:)
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There's not much to blog about today. I met with a friend today who is sort of like a mentor to me. She is such a wise woman. She home schools her kids too, she loves the Lord and is such a great inspiration to me. It was a nice morning. We met while the kids were in VBS. The kids are loving VBS. I knew they would. Ellie has been asking when it would start for months. I cannot believe that June is almost over! Where has the summer gone? Is it me, or is time going by faster? Last week I painted my kitchen cabinets white. They were this light wood and this off white formica (spelling?) Anyway, they were ugly. I haven't liked them since we moved in. Well, almost 3 years ago-I did it! They look great. I did it to give me a project for when David was at church camp with the youth group. Today I picked up a chair today. It was the very best kind. FREE!!!!! I picked it up from a fellow freecycler and it is very cute! It fits in a nice space right by the window and I am sitting in it right now as I type, and look out and watch Ellie dance and sing to herself! Cute! Well, I guess that is all. God is good and I am having a pretty calm and good day. Blessings!!!! |
Jun. 19, 2008
Serventhood not Sentence
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This week has been a little more busy than usual but purposely. I put a few extra things on our schedule to keep us busy while daddy has been at church camp all week. It has been a pretty good week. But we have all had weeks more like this: The laundry piles up, the just cleaned kitchen tile that just got muddy footprints all over it, the clean windows that are now full of fingerprints, the groceries that need to be bought, the meals to be made. Not to mention reading stories, playing and some of us teaching our little ones. The list could go on. It can get to be a lot for us. I read today something that is a good reminder when things are getting stressful. It was this: Dirty floors and toilets can become blessings in disguise. If we didn't have homes to clean, we may be on the streets. Muddy footprints on the floor and fingerprints on the windows are evidence of active children in our homes. And another hour chauffeuring to music lessons is developing a useful talent. Scripture says Jesus washed His disciples' feet. Imagine! The almighty God-man, to whom all praise and worship belongs, stooped over a basin and tenderly washed the dust from His follower's feet. I guess, what I am trying to say is the responsibilities provide opportunities to display servant attitudes and to exemplify a Christlike servant spirit. I hope this encourages even just one mom out there. Blessings, Brooke |
Jun. 7, 2008
Adjusting
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Well, Not a lot of things are going on. Just adjustments. We are adjusting to the changes in our house. Last summer Trevin went to his dad's and while that was a change then too, we knew he was coming back home at the summer's end. This year I know he is not. We went to his ball game when we were in my hometown, and after the game was over Ellie cried for Trevin. (After the game he went with his step mom) She cried the next morning too. It is going to be a long and difficult summer. Ahhh, change. It stings sometimes. I am battling this. I know God is in this. And he will take care of Trevin and us too. But, this is not easy. I am sure that in time this will get easier. |
May. 29, 2008
C Section or not???
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I have been hearing a lot of talk about elective c-sections. I do believe that it isn't right to choose a c-section out of pure convenience so grandma and grandpa can make it in from out of town. However, there are times when they are considered okay. I say this because I had a c-section with my daughter. My boys came naturally. But, the youngest, my little girl was measuring very large. My O.B. was concerned about shoulder dystocia. I trusted her and reluctantly had the surgery. My O.B. is a christian and she said she had prayed about it and had thought about me one Sunday while she was at church. She called me and told me she wanted to move up my surgery. I, at the end of the pregnancy was ready to have this little one here and said "OKAY!" The morning I went in to have her, she was up really high and that was very unusual. She was mostly always low. When she was born, the cord was wrapped around her neck 4 times. I am convinced that that was the reason why she was up so high. But, I quite possibly could have had to have emergency c section and that was avoided because of my doctor's obedience to the Great Physician. So with all that being said, is a c section the best thing? Maybe not for every situation. But for me and that particular situation I trusted God to take care of me!!!!! He did!!!!!! Oh, I forgot to mention that my Elizabeth Grace weighed in at 9lb 3 oz. The biggest one of my babies! |
May. 23, 2008
Not another "Downer," I promise.
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My last post was a Summer is on the way! We will be doing some school things through the summer so that we don't lose any momentum. We won't keep a strict schedule but we still need some things going. I am excited about a new co-op that is happening and there will be more of structured "class" like activities. They will have a P.E. and art class and I am sure more. While David is gone with the youth group, I will be here doing some work on the house. That will be fun. I usually have a project or two for when he is gone. I guess that is all I can ramble about right now. blessings, Brooke |
May. 13, 2008
Here goes....................
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Lately I have heard so much about Jochebed, Moses' mother; Hannah, Samuel's mother; and Isaac, being the sacrifice that God wanted Abraham to make. You know these mother's didn't know the outcome of their sacrifices. Jochebed thought she would never see her baby Moses again. Or if he would even live. Hannah knew that she had to turn over her son Samuel to God and he lived at the temple. But, did she know his fate? Abraham had the knife ready to plunge when he was stopped by the angel. What would you do if you did know? Would you do as God has asked of you? Here's where I am going with this. For 11 and 1/2 years I have had the honor of raising this wonderful boy. My son who came to me as a wonderful surprise. I have watched him grow, learn and hurt. Now, I am asked to "sacrifice". He has wanted to go live with his dad. Until now, I knew that it wasn't time and he wasn't ready. I wasn't ready. Now, I am still not ready but God says it is time. So many words from others confirmed this, signs, just hearing from God about this. One of my fears is happening. Knowing this day would come, I am not giving in, but giving him to GOD. His dad is making his way, finding God finally after years of praying. What timing! While that is amazing and wonderful, why am I kicking and screaming but trying to be obedient? I love him. He's been with me for all this time. But, doing what God wants is so huge!!!! I want to do what HE wants me to do. This is my struggle. |
May. 8, 2008
Much is going on, here's some......
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I haven't posted anything in quite a while. I haven't had too much to blog about. We have also been enjoying the weather. Today we have a rainy day. It feels like a droopy, veg in the chair reading a book kind of day. But, I have some things on the calendar. Noah has speech this afternoon. He goes to a local school for this. We have been blessed to have a speech therapist who is very understanding and worked well with us, being different circumstances as far as school goes. Sometimes that is a scary thing to be involved with the public schools. But, no pressure or questions from them. Anyway, she is leaving this particular school after this school year. They of course are replacing her. With whom we don't know. I am hoping that it will go smoothly. Transitions are difficult sometimes, new people, all of that. He has 2 more weeks of speech until the school year is over. I am in the process of becoming licensed to do daycare in my home. We simply need the income and I will still be able to keep our kiddos at home. I am preparing for that. I probably won't start babysitting until August. But, there are a lot of things to do to get that process going. But, I am getting that ball rolling. I have a couple of "names" picked out.( just for paperwork really) One is The Tot Spot or Tiny Treasures. I think I like the Tot Spot better. I guess that is all for now. We need to get the rest of our school work done. Blessings, Brooke |
Apr. 11, 2008
Fun blog
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There is a fun give away at a fun blog called 5minutesformom.com. This blog is run by two moms who happen to be twins sisters. They somehow find the time to run this fun blog. They are giving away the LEGO police station set. I will attempt to post the link. http://www.5minutesformom.com Stop by and check it out! I will post more later. Blessings, Brooke  Okay, so it didn't work, you can still go and check it out! |
Apr. 3, 2008
This weeks ramblings....
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I thought I would post a little update of what is going on in our home. Not much. Noah was up half the night Monday night with an ear ache. I am usually not one to run to the doctor's office unless completely necessary. But with an ear infection, I don't want to mess around. I also didn't want us to have another really rough and sleepless night. Our regular doctor was out of the office that day so we saw the doctor on call. We are fairly familiar with him so it was fine. He prescribed an antibiotic (augmentin). It is the chalky, white medicine. Of course he didn't want to take it! It was rough trying to get it down him. Then I was reading about this particular medicine and an article I read said that there are metals in this medicine. I called the doctor's office immediately. I asked for zithromax. It doesn't have the metals that would do harm to his gut problem that is already there and it tastes better. A win/win!!! It is also taken for a shorter amount of time. I feel so much better about giving this medicine to him. The aumentin made him a little loopy. Last night he had a really restful night. I was really hoping for another nice day weather wise. It is very chilly out. I purposely didn't tell my kids about April fools. I am not sure how they heard of it. Possibly from the neighbor friends, but they are still "fooling" us around the house. I tried to tell them it is over. They are just having a lot of fun with it I suppose. I was so thrilled, yesterday Ellie and I were playing Guess Who and Ellie was about to ask me who my person was and she wasn't sure what the name was. Noah walked up and said, "it is Susan". I was shocked. He actually knew what it said!!!!! Wow. There are rare times like that. It makes me wonder what triggered his brain to get it, to connect it. We try so hard and some days not that kind of success. I suppose with no "pressure" of being quizzed or anything, he was able to just get it. Amazing. Maybe I should just let more moments like that just happen. Trevin has baseball try outs this weekend. He is so excited and I know he gets nervous. I am sure he will do great. That is about all that is going on here. Wow looks like more than I thought. Have a great weekend!!! |
Mar. 25, 2008
The Friend of the Bridegroom
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I was reading today's My Utmost for His Highest and got my toes stepped on a little bit! Here's a part of what I read: Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; OUCH!!!! I pray that I am not a hindrance and that I don't work against HIM by using his own weapons! What kind of friend are you? |