I'm Grateful Today

I'm in a grateful mood today.  How about you?

It's a beautiful day in Eastern Iowa.

I was able to sleep in a bit this morning and enjoy laying in bed a little longer than normal.

But, mostly, I'm grateful that Bennett is on the mend.

 This is not a sight you want to see.

Bennett had been sick since Tuesday evening.

Fever, vomiting....constant vomiting. 

Yesterday, our Nurse Practioner wanted to see him. 

We were worried about dehydration and yes, a trip to the hospital was needed for fluids.

As he slept, 

fluids pumping into his body, 

I thought of the thousands of parents who deal with this on a daily basis. 

 Parents who watch their children being poked and checked over.  

Parents who watch chemo drip 

into their sweet child's little bodies in the hopes of making them better.  

Parents who are praying over them, 

hoping someday all these visits and needles will all be in the past. 

This I could handle 

because I knew it would make him better 

and we'd be on our way home in a matter of hours.  

I knew this was the best thing for him. 

Then, he woke up with a shock and was in extreme pain.  

Teenage-Boy-Crying kind of pain. 

Bennett is our tough kid and I knew he was in a lot of pain.  

Our NP was called and concerns were raised about appendicitis. 

After tests and an ultrasound, it ended up being Mesenteric Adenitis. 

Yep, it's a real thing. Click on the word.  

If you have children or teenagers, it might be nice to know about it 

in case this ever comes up for you.  

It mimics appendicitis.  But, thankfully, it isn't. 

We arrived home after five hours at the hospital.  

Everyone got a good night's sleep

 and hopefully each hour Bennett will be feeling better.  

I'm so thankful for the nurses in the Pediatric's Unit at Mercy Medical Center. 

I am extremely thankful to our NP Erin.  

Bennett received excellent care. 

I would highly recommend them to any one who has a sick child. 

Thanks to my friends and family who texted me to keep me company. 

Would you do this today?

While watching your child 

play or sing or eat or sleep, 

say a small prayer for all those parents 

who are watching their child sleep in a hospital bed, 

hooked up to machines

and ask for a healing touch, a guiding hand, and a gesture of love.  

If you know a parent in this exact situation, offer a hand.  

Give gas money, 

a pizza gift card, 

make a meal for the family, 

offer respite or to take their other children for a day. 

Offer a listening ear or sit with them at the hospital. 

Be a friend to a parent in need today. 

Be grateful for today.  

A New Adventure

I have embarked on a new adventure the last couple weeks.....Substitute Teaching.  Back in November I took a class to get a Substitute License.  In Iowa, if you have a Bachelor's Degree, you are allowed to Substitute Teach at the Middle School/High School level after taking this required course and completing a few other steps to the process.  I received my license at the end of January and have Substituted twice and have 3 more dates scheduled. 

I was completely nervous on my first day, not sure how the 8th graders would perceive me, how I would handle "classroom management" issues, and teach so the kids would think I was knowledgable in the particular subject.  My first day I didn't have to worry about that because they just had a worksheet to complete on their own.  Plus, on my first day, I had the pleasure of teaching my nephew who acted like it was cool (at least in front of me) that his aunt was his teacher that day.  He even popped in a checked on me my second day! My second day I was responsible for teaching 7th grade Geography.  Actually teaching on the Geography of Europe.  Yikes!  I had to label maps and lecture from a power point.  Gulp!  But, by the end of the day, I was in my groove AND I was exhausted.  I have a whole new appreciation for teachers who stand on their feet all day and who talk all day.  I couldn't wait to put my feet up and snuggle under a blanket that night!

Subbing days ahead of me include 8th grade math and high school Spanish.  I am looking forward to these challenges, to step out of my comfort zone, and to even learn something new along with the students.  On my first day, I heard from the students as they walked into the classroom, "Oh good, you're not the screw-ball lady".  My goal is to NOT be one of those "screw-ball" substitute teachers!

Facing My Fears

Over Thanksgiving, our family decided to take a short vacation with my husband's sister and her family. We traveled to St. Louis, staying in the Drury Inn - Union Station (which I highly recommend). So, since we were so close to the Gateway Arch, the kids wanted to go there and travel up to the top. UGH! This was NOT something I wanted to do. First of all I don't like heights, but have been up on the "Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center in NYC and did ok. But, the big thing I was worried about was traveling UP the arch in this enclosed pod like thing. I don't like closed in spaces. So, as we waited to go through security, then waiting to get tickets, then waited for the documentary to start, then waited in line some more for our assigned tram-ride time, I got more and more nervous. FYI...if you go to the arch...plan for at least 3 hours and NOT 45 min-1 hour like the guide book said. So, as we got to the end of the line, ready to go up the arch, underground in this little tiny stairway....I saw the size of the tram our family was going to ride up in....and I started to freak out a little bit. The kids were so excited so I didn't want them to see me being nervous, so I closed my eyes and started praying. I asked for strength and for God to calm my nerves, and to be with me as I rode up the arch as well as back down. Thankfully I was able to calm down a little bit and we took the trip up. I didn't realize how tight the area was going to be at the top. There were a LOT of people up there and it was windy that day, so I could feel the arch swaying in the wind. As soon as I got up there, I was ready to go back down. So, I stood in line immediately while the kids looked out the windows and loved every minute of it. I held myself together, but as soon as we got back in the tram to take our ride back, I let it go....I cried. I did not enjoy the arch, I did it for my kids, I survived, but I will NEVER do it again. So, next time you are faced with something you aren't sure you can do...face it...be strong....pray for strength....and cry if you need to.