Daisy's new trick

It's no secret that Daisy is crazy about us and the kids.  Last night she was running from one side of the couch to the other side of the couch chasing the girls as they squealed and egged her on to do more.  Jeff was off watching sports during all of this so missed it.  After the girls went down, I egged him on to come watch Daisy's new trick.  He was impressed enough to break out the video camera.  I'm not so sure it is really a trick, but rather just a little furry rodent who sure does love her Grandma (this is what the girls informed me I am to her).  Try to get past the big buffoon running around and kissing a rodent and focus on the cute little fur ball please. I always hate seeing myself on camera.  Anyhow, if this isn't proof that rats make way better pets than hamsters, I don't know what is.  I don't EVER remember my childhood hamsters getting this excited to be with me.  Notice in the very end how she jumps up my side to be with me.  Silly girl!

Should've named her Butterball

Daisy, our rat, is a big butterball.  It seems more often than not, she's finding an excuse to lay on her back with all four paws in the air.  Usually all it takes is a willing subject to tickle her during play, rub her tummy because it feels good, or just because she is relaxed and wants to take a snooze. 

Jeff and I were hugging each other next to the couch the other day.  The rats were on the couch playing with the girls.  Next thing I know, Daisy is crawling up my side trying to get right in the middle of Jeff and I.  She's such a ham.  So much personality packed into such a tiny package.  We sure do love that little rodent! Perfect pet for small children and a busy mom.

If you look close enough you will see my smile.

A little to the left please.

May I have a sip?

Just hanging out in my Grandma's sleeve!  Cozy and snuggly in here!

Branson Tornado

Last night I awoke by horrible winds, rain, and thunder.  I was groggy and kept thinking the weather sounded pretty bad.  A couple times I even thought it sounded like that "freight train" everyone describes when speaking of a tornado.  It was 1:30 in the morning.  I stewed over whether it was bad enough to get up and check the television and then decided it was.  We didn't have any reception on our computers or TV.  We try not to wake the girls unless it is obvious we were in danger.  I hate to say it, but I think I slept through the worst of it and was awoke towards the end.  When we finally did gain our reception back I was startled to know a tornado had went through Branson.  About 30+ people were treated at the hospital for minor injuries but no casualties in Branson.  There were several hotels and a couple businesses and theaters hit on the strip namely the Dick Clark Theater and the Variety Show theater.  I think most of the residential areas were spared.  Someone did loose their life to the tornado in Buffalo, MO not to far from here.  The Branson Landing was hit, mostly the Hilton convention center.

Anyhoo....when I finally woke for the day I got news that Branson schools were closed for the day.  The strip was closed to traffic because of debris and the kids literally couldn't get to school although we are told their school suffered no damage.

After seeing the pictures and knowing we should have been downstairs during all that, but didn't know it was going on until it was too late, I decided it was time to invest in a weather radio.  Hopefully we get good reception out here.  Why oh why do tornadoes seem to strike when everyone is oblivious to them in the dead of the night?  We can't hear the sirens where we live thanks to the ozark mountains and we were only a few miles from the devastation.  Scary.  Anyhoo...if you are interested in seeing more pics, there are several more at:  https://www.facebook.com/BransonRecovery

 After seeing the devastation the Joplin tornado did, I consider our little town very lucky.

Skating Party

Kadyn got invited to a birthday party at a skating rink. I wouldn't have been able to make it because it landed at the end of my work day, but Jeff was kind enough to fill in for me for the last two hours. It felt sooooo good to get out and just spend time with K doing something super fun!  I was worried I was going to crash and burn.  It's been YEARS since I have roller skated.  Although very wobbly at first, it came back to me within about an hour. I did crash once, but this was only because a little kid rolled right into me from behind and knocked my knees out from under me. I felt really bad because I landed right on him.  Poor kid!  The rink was allowing kids to ride trikes, scooters, and anything with wheels.  This kid was on one of those scooters that you wiggle the handle bars back and forth to make it move.  He had a helmet on, thank goodness. I found his mother later to check on him and make sure he was still ok even though he told me he was ok after it happened.  I could tell he was trying not to get upset, but the tears were starting to gather in his eyes.

Anyhoo....it was pretty chaotic.  With all those different types of wheels on the rink (even tiny remote controlled cars) and a bunch of beginning kindergartner skaters, it was a little crazy.  They had these cool walker things on wheels made out of pvc pipe for the beginner skaters.  Kadyn could't really skate without one of those things.  She L O V E D it!  We did try to go out once without one and it was a complete disaster, she kept falling and couldn't get back up even with my help.  We laughed pretty hard.  We also got to play limbo and a little bit of that game where you skate to a number.  By the end of our time she was BEGGING me to buy her skates for her birthday and wanting to come back the next weekend.  If they will allow for Bren to use her trike, we may just have to make that happen again soon.  Such a fun family activity.   

Date Night

Jeff and I get to go to a black tie event each year about this time.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of Branson.  Jeff is an ambassador  for the chamber or commerce.  He was recognized at this event along with several other ambassadors.  There were many awards given out to outstanding individuals.  The food is fantastic and the attire, oh the attire!  I always feel like I am attending the grammys or oscars.  Some of these women go all out.  Jewels, dresses that drag the ground, glitter, glam, fancy updos, flowy down dos, you name it!  Half the fun is looking at all the dresses. For the past two years I have reworn formals that I had acquired from college.  This year I got to go shopping and found a cute little number on clearance.  It wasn't the fanciest dress, but it did the job.  It always is a bit awkward because I never know anyone and I get introduced to a ton of people through Jeff.  You just have to smile, pull out as much charm as you know how, and play the part of a financial planner's wife.  PS. I am NOT pregnant in the photo LOL.   Not sure what was going on with my dress; I look 7 months pregnant  It seemed to poke out a lot in this photo, but Kadyn was manning the camera and it was the best shot we could get.  Oh well!

The girls stayed with our next door neighbors Roger and Teresa.  They are an older couple.  They have no children so it was a lot of fun for them to watch the girls.  The next day I received and email from Teresa saying that our girls were a joy to watch and the most well manner children they have ever babysat.  She said she'd be glad to watch them again anytime.  It always feels good to hear such kind words about my children.  You go through a lot as a parent, but when you hear things like that you know it is all worth it.

Mom update 2

Thankyou! Thankyou!  You're prayers are working.  My mother came out of surgery in sobs because for the first time in 10 years she could take a deep breath and there is no more coughing. She says she feels better after surgery than going into surgery.  The oxygen levels in her blood are supposed to be 90% or better to have the surgery and hers were 91% going in.  After the surgery her levels went up to 97-98%.  I'll be curious to see what her lung capacity is now that the surgery is done.  The last check before surgery was 59%. 

Anyhow, the procedure did what it was meant to do.  She had a fungal infection inside and they were able to clean it out.  Her latest scans are actually showing that her lungs look better than they thought.  She does have sarcoidosis, but the scarring on her lungs isn't as bad as they thought.  Praise Jesus!  I'm so glad to know my mom is happy and back on the road to health, hopefully!

Mom update 1

Thank you everyone for your prayers after my last blog.  My mother is in surgery as we speak.  She regained enough strength to get through the surgery so they went ahead and scheduled it ASAP.  The procedure is an out patient procedure, and typically only takes an hour, but they are going to take 3 hours.  They suspect there is a fungal infection on or around her lungs and want to take their time and look around and try to figure out what is really going on and gather material for further testing.  She saw the pulmonologist a couple days ago and he is not 100% sure she has sarcoidosis.  Yea, for other opinions! She assured me that the doctors don't think it is cancer.  Whatever it is, we want it gone.  She's had it for 12 years and it only seems to be getting worse.

Anyhow, we are hopeful that this surgery will be a step towards a recovery that will last.  I will keep you posted as I know more.  Thanks again!