Note: I don't know why the format of this post is so wacky looking. I have tried and tried to fix it...but it won't be fixed. So please pardon the weird looking paragraphs!
For my small handful of faithful readers, I'm sure you've been wondering where I've been for almost a whole week...so here's what's been going on.
Last Tuesday evening, Wesley spiked a temperature of close to 103 degrees, and that reading was taken under his arm. I'd already taken him to the doctor the week before, and he'd been diagnosed with a sinus infection and given an antibiotic. Well, he'd already been on that antibiotic for over five days when he had that high temperature. So Chad told me to take him back on Wednesday.
Concerned, the doctor ordered bloodwork and a CT scan on the sinuses. By Wednesday evening, Wesley was in the hospital hooked up to an IV. He was being treated intravenously with two different kinds of antibiotics for a severe and chronic sinus infection that showed up on the CT. He stayed in the hospital until Thursday afternoon around 5 pm. Apparently, the oral antibiotics weren't making a dent in the problem. We left the hospital with prescriptions for two antibiotics to be taken by mouth for 21 days, Allegra, and nasal spray. Plus he is supposed to irrigate the sinus cavities twice daily, and use a humidifier.
We were already planning to leave at 6 am on Friday morning to head up to Charlotte, NC for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference...about a seven hour trip. The pediatrician said Wesley would be fine to go on, so we did. About the time we got to Columbia, SC, however, Ellie was crying and complaining that her head hurt and she felt terrible. I felt of her head, and she was HOT...as in 103 degrees HOT! I couldn't believe it. I gave her a dose of Motrin, and she slept the rest of the way. By the time we got to our hotel, she felt much better. Chad said that since we were already there that Erin and I should go on to the opening session of the conference...he had everything under control...and he did! I am so thankful for my husband. He's one in a million!
So, off Erin and I went to the Renaissance Hotel to our long awaited and much anticipated writer's conference. I was not disappointed. After the first general session, there was a meal, and then there were break-out sessions. And might I add, the food was wonderful! Yes, leave it to me to comment on the food! Since we were at a different hotel from the one where the conference was held, I had to do some maneuvering back and forth to see about my sickies and tend to Mr. Hungry Baby...but it was worth the trouble.
I was absolutely thrilled to meet Marybeth Whalen! She is a gracious, lovely lady, and it was a blessing to make the transition from 'blogging' friends to 'real life' friends! I felt as though I'd known her forever. I also attended her 'blogging' workshop on Saturday, and she made some excellent points! I was also able to meet her husband and their youngest little girl. Curt, her husband, is also an excellent writer, and I've enjoyed reading his blog, Love For the Prodigal. Just a really nice Christian couple! I think they should join forces and write a book together! (Hint, Hint)
It was also a wonderful treat to meet Karen Ehman and Bonita Lillie. They are both lovely ladies as well--and definitely kindred spirits. In fact, everyone I met was just so friendly and encouraging! Even the publishers I met with were very kind and helpful, and I really think it was a great learning experience! Who knows if anything will come from my proposal, but the time I spent on it really helped me to dig deep and think about what I wanted to share with others about creating an enriched and godly family culture. Family--something that is very important to me and something I strongly feel led to write about. But even if my words are read only by my own family...that's reason enough to write it!
Because the children were temperature-free on Saturday, Chad took them all to a small private zoo. They saw all kinds of neat animals, and they even got to hold and play with a baby tiger. We have pictures to prove it! LOL They rode around Charlotte, and took in the sights. Wesley especially liked seeing Lowe's Motor Speedway. They also enjoyed ordering pizza two nights in a row! I know Chad and Elisabeth had their hands full while Erin and I were off enjoying ourselves, and I do appreciate their willingness to make Mama so happy!
Meanwhile back at the Renaissance...Erin had a wonderful time participating in the Next Generation track. She made some new friends, and she said she learned a lot in her breakout sessions as well. It was a fantastic experience for her--and me!
I took lots and lots of notes, and I have many new ideas. I was also reminded and convicted that my writing should be all about what God would have me do. As I've said before, my family will always come first! And if God would only have me write a menu plan or do a short encouraging post on my blog...so be it! Yes, I will always have more ideas than time to follow through, but even in that I want to be doing what He would have me do. And I always want my words to honor and glorify Him.
Erin and I finished up on Saturday night and said our goodbyes to our new friends. We knew we wouldn't be back on Sunday for the conclusion! But what a wonderful, wonderful time we had! I rank my She Speaks experience up there as one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. I was so blessed!
By Saturday night, however, it was apparent that John and Alexander were coming down with some ailment as well. They were both congested and John sounded croupy! By Sunday morning, they seemed somewhat better so we traveled to a church about 25 miles south of Charlotte near Monroe. Chad took part in the preaching service, and then we stayed for lunch afterwards. Everyone there was so sweet and hospitable, and we really enjoyed the service and the people immensely. I hope we get to go back up there someday!
After lunch, the whole hee-haw gang loaded up for the long trip home. All teasing aside, I think that return trip was one of the longest of my entire life! Ellie, John, and Alexander started feeling bad and temperatures began rising again. It's the most perplexing thing...we'll think they're better...and then they're not! In fact, today all three of them have been croupy and congested, and they've slept a lot. But Wesley is doing great! I take him to the doctor tomorrow for a follow-up visit...I may have to take three more along!
Well, that catches you up on what's been going on. Today was spent doing laundry, holding sickie chickies, and baking bread. For supper, I made whole wheat rolls and individual meatloaf patties for sandwiches. I served chips with these, and it was all delicious! Other than that, we just rested and tried to recuperate. We really do need to rest up as we are heading to the beach next week if everyone is back up to par. It's a yearly trip with my parents and my sister and her family, and my children can't wait! So if you have a mind to, please pray that everyone will be healthy and ready to go again! Our summers are very busy--we'll have to start back to school in order to slow down! LOL
Sounds like you had a great time at the She Speaks conference. I have heard so much about that ~ I would love to make the trip sometime. When you've had a chance to go through some of your notes and grasp things further, I would love to know more! I even asked Marybeth if she could tape her Blogging segment and post it to YouTube so we all could see it. I wonder if that panned out?? Thanks for sharing about your weekend. I'll be praying for you and your family! I would hate to see anyone miss a beach vacation! =)
Your trip sounds wonderful! I love to write. I've always loved to write. As a little girl, I'd write stories, and I was the one who enjoyed writing papers. I would like to improve my writing, and I don't always know quite what to write about. I would really like to improve the quality of my blog. Do you have any suggestions? Hoping to see you soon! We're going to be up there Saturday. Maybe we could stop by a minute to visit. I know you said y'all were going out of town, but if you're still home and up for a visit... :-)
Thank you for the wonderful update, Amy!! I will be sure to keep your family in my prayers, I'm glad that Wesley is feeling better! Your trip sounds wonderful and what a blessing to be able to meet blogging friends in person!!!
Kelli
www.kellishouse.blogspot.com
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
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