Baller Chronicles: January 2008

Well, for lack of a better word, we have had an exciting few days in our house...for all of the wrong reasons. As you may remember from my long blog after the holidays, we all came home sick from our trip to Indiana. Syd was quite sick while we were in Indiana and ended up having a double ear infection. She started antibiotics while we were there and last Friday had her ears checked and was given the "all clear." However, out of the blue this Thursday, she had a seizure. I actually had a friend over and she called 911 and we rode in the ambulance, spent the afternoon in the ER...flash back to when this happened less than 9 months ago. Anyway, the doctor there took one look in her ears and said, "Yikes, she has a raging infection in both ears." So we are on another round of a stronger antibiotic and follow up with our pediatrician on Monday. Please pray that they conclude that these are simply febrile seizures, which do not have long-term effects on kids and they usually outgrow by age 5. It is quite scary to see your kid seizing and then non-responsive for some time. We appreciate your prayers.

On a lighter note, you may know that we have some of the most wonderful neighbors on our street. It is such a blessing. One of the families could really use your prayers right now. I have been in Bible study with Suzanne for the past 5 years and they are such a fantastic family! When I had Will and Suz came to meet him...she said that she had some exciting news. After much consideration and prayer about adding to their family, they had decided to pursue a local adoption of a non-newborn. I was completely shocked at this information but nevertheless excited for the journey our friends would be taking. No news for some time, when I asked her right around Thanksgiving what was going on, she said, "we're in a holding pattern." Well, God sure has taken them for a roller coaster ride this last month! Around December 18th they were contacted about a 14 month old little girl who was currently in foster care but needed a permanent family. In just 3 short weeks, sweet little Mikayla has come to live with them and hopefully be adopted by them. So many God handprints on this. For starters, her name starts with an M, just like their kids Max and Megan; and she totally looks like them with her dark hair and blue eyes. Today was the magical day where she officially moved in. This is such a praise and they could certainly use a lot of prayer for a smooth transition. Enjoy the picture of Lou, Mikayla, Suzanne, Megan (7,) and Max (8;) and please join us in lifting up this special family...

After a not-necessarily self-imposed hiatus from blogging this past month, I’m back! While it seems like “forever,” I was just venting to myself in the car—“What happened to December?” This question was asked while I was trying to remain in control at the Starbuck’s drive thru when told, “We don’t have Cranberry Bliss bars anymore…”
You see, I am so doped up on Sudafed that I have been up since 3:00 this morning. When 6 o’clock rolled around, I said to myself, “I’m going to need some good coffee to get through this day…” My optimism for a good day was momentarily disrupted at his proclamation of not having the aforementioned delicacy. Anyway, thank goodness for the drive thru because I went in my robe and slippers.
You might be thinking as you read this, “What has kept her so busy that she could not spare a few moments to ‘vent’ on her blog?” Well, please forgive me for being long-winded, but let me give you the low down.

December 19^th-21^st: Kids’ Christmas parties at school (fun but time consuming.)

December 22^nd-23^rd: Lance’s brother & family fly in, 48 hours of non-stop celebrating (including a 3-hour family picture ordeal, also including 3-hour BIG Baller fam get together—there were 50 of us.) Enough said.

December 24^th: Wake up, kids thankful that Santa was savvy enough to visit us a day early since we would be leaving for Indiana, thanks to Mom e mailing him with this special request. Kids “ooh” and “ahh” over the Build-a-Bear clothes Mrs. Claus “made” for their critters, and the girls fight over who gets to hold the special “Champ Beary” Bronco bear that Santa made for Will, (complete with birth certificate that reads, “Stuffed with Love by Santa.”) Mom finished laundry and packing, head to the airport at noon. Flight delayed (duh,) Syd cried the whole flight that her ears were hurting, arrive in Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m., rental car debacle, 20 minute drive to Uncle’s house. Kids starving, all drive thru’s closed for Christmas Eve. Two choices for dinner—China’s Best restaurant or Rice King Buffet. We chose the first. Feed kids, put them to bed. Watch Bronco’s game then sleep. Whew.

December 25^th: Drive one hour north to West Lafayette to spend day with my parents. Somewhat relaxing although we are all allergic to Nana & Pa’s 3 cats and 3 dogs. (This is why we cannot stay with them...)

December 26^th: Drive all over the state of Indiana (answering a million questions in the car including “What do they do with all of this corn?” Seriously.) Visit lots of family and friends.

December 27^th: Drive back to Lafayette to stay at Aunt Mary’s for a couple of days. After much debating “to go or not to go,” and over an hour on the phone trying to find an in-network provider, take Syd to the doctor. She has a double middle ear infection. Feel like a horrible mom. Leave kids with Nana to have a night out with friends—a much needed, albeit too short, break.

December 28^th: More family time.

December 29^th: Pack up the car, head back to Indianapolis for our big Bodkin family Christmas celebration. A highlight of the trip getting everyone together and we did our first-ever Italian Christmas meal, which went over quite well in my opinion!

December 30^th: We head to Kentucky. Lance has been working on a London project the last few years with a very nice man from Kentucky. They needed to work a little over the holidays so we made the 2-hour drive to their home in horse-country. I must say, David, Julie, and their 5 incredible children could be one of the neatest families I have ever met. My kids were completely entertained and taken care of. They jumped on the trampoline, rode four-wheelers, had tea parties, watched a lot of Hannah Montana, played Wii, the list could go on…we were having such a good time we decided to stay an extra day. It ended up being the most relaxing part of our trip to the Midwest!

December 31^st: The guys worked a good chunk of the day but they wrapped things up around 8 p.m. and we rang in the New Year together. Our friends have a tradition of “banging in the New Year” with pots and pans. Katie got a kick out of this and is determined to tell everyone she knows that she didn’t fall asleep this year and got to watch the ball drop.

January 1^st: Breakfast at Bob Evan’s, why don’t we have these in Colorado? The kids were SAD to leave Kentucky and Syd got a little teary over leaving her new love—Jonathan (he is getting ready to play baseball in college, has red hair just like her, and delighted in building her block castles and letting her knock them down, only to build them again.) Head back to Indiana. Bodkin family get together at Arni’s for Pizza and to celebrate a couple of January birthdays. Forgot to mention, at some point right before we headed to Kentucky, Will started getting pretty sick…

January 2^nd: Will up ALL night crying, feverish, coughing so hard I wanted to cry watching his little writhing body. I called Urgent Care at 3 am to see what time they opened. 8 a.m. made Lance get up and call our insurance to see where we could take him, not many options but had to get him in. Take my little man to the doctor, he has a respiratory infection and the beginnings of an ear infection. The doctor writes him 2 prescriptions and advises to me to drug him up before the flight to make sure he is comfortable. Oh, had the doctor look in my ear too…did I mention that I had been feeling like crap, too? I also have the beginnings of an ear infection. Lots of Sudafed and Afrin for Mom. Squeak in one last visit with family, head to the airport. It’s snowing like crazy. Our flight is an hour + late. We walk in the door to our house at 11:45 p.m. (1:45 a.m. Indiana-time.) CRASH.

There you have it. I am headed to the pediatrician later today for Syd’s 10-day ear check, to have Will re-evaluated (I think he is worse,) to have Katie’s ears checked (she whimpered the whole flight home complaining of ear pain.) Just sent Lance to the doctor 5 minutes ago; and I think I’ll have the pediatrician look in my ears while we’re there. I certainly do not have the time or energy to go the doctor today and now both of my ears are hurting.

Here are the lowlights of my “Christmas.” First, my family's gifts to me were 2 sheets of computer printer paper with confirmation #’s. My last-minute shopper husband was unable to find me anything on the 23^rd (the night before we celebrated.) So he got online and ordered me a couple of things and gave me the printouts. LAME! Will add, however, that both things are things that I will definitely use (customized Starbuck's card) and have wanted (new cookie press.) Secondly, the illnesses wreaking havoc on my family are awful. We are a very pitiful bunch at this moment in time.

Now for the highlights. I love Christmas pj’s. We give them to our kids every year, it is one of the few traditions that I have been able to establish! Secondly, despite the way we were all feeling, we had a lovely time with family and friends. I am attaching a couple of photos of my highlights—the girls in their Christmas pj’s (it was practically impossible to get one with all 3 kiddos!), and one of Will hanging out with his new buddies in Kentucky. Our friends' sons are the two on either end. I’m not kidding, these young men were a really neat group of guys and they scooped Will right up and played with him, it was priceless. Happy New Year to all…