Rosy-Oly-Ola & Molaritis

Roseola.

I had never even HEARD of Roseola till this past week.

We left for our trip to Tennessee on Wednesday. Sydney was a little warm, but I didn't think anything of it.

Thursday, she was a cranky girl. We put her in a life jacket, which she hated. Took her out on the lake in 90 degree weather, which she did not enjoy. She kept wanting to eat ice from the cooler while we were fishing. That should have been my first clue. She was anxious to get back to the marina. She was VERY warm. I only brought a digital thermometer because I thought, "Surely she will be okay for 4 days while we are gone. I'm not packing that fancy, expensive ear thermometer. It might get broken. Sure, it is remarkably accurate and so easy to use, but nobody gets sick on vacation...the rectal thermometer is small and I can throw it in her diaper bag just in case."

Let's just say that the digital thermometer was used. Upon taking her temp, it climbed up to 103.4...and then I just stopped taking her temp because I didn't want to know how high it was...

Guess what, the ibuprofen bottle was empty. We made a run to town to stock up on baby medicines.

Sweet Sydney staying cool with her sippy cup of Gatorade and her iced down green washcloth. We had every vent in the vehicle pointed to her. I'm surprised she avoided hypothermia.

She ran fever the entire time we were gone. On the way home, she was the most pitiful. She was, "Hot! Hot! Hot!" We stopped at a B-B-Q place that has been a family favorite for a long time. It was 105 degrees outside and the air conditioner in the little restaurant was not keeping up. My sweet child laid her sweaty head on my chest and just breathed. I felt like a loser.

She was thrilled to be home. She continued to run fever through Sunday night. Then, on Monday, the rash appeared.

The only way I could get Sydney to show me her stomach was to say, "Where's your button?"

I called my doctor and was told she has every symptom of classic Roseola. Once the rash appears, they are on the mend. Well, thank goodness. Roseola is a virus and there is no treatment...you just get through it.

And to top everything off, my poor baby has been cutting 4 molars....and #5 is on the way. I don't know how she survived this trip, but she is a trooper. As sick as she was, she played, ran, and visited with her long-distance family members.

Home again, home again, jiggety jog!

4 G

It's about time I had a picture taken of all 4 generations on one couch.

Can you tell we're related?

Things to notice:

1. I am the only one showing my pearly whites.
2. My mom has a spot on her shirt from Sydney's slobber.
3. Sydney & I both have hair in our face.
4. I definitely have the Ford jaw line.
5. The sailboat curtains in the background add quite the nautical flare.
6. We have NO make up on.
7. We are wearing our grungiest clothes
8. Sydney has at least 6 bruises on her right leg. I promise, it wasn't me.
9. We have the same nose.
10. We are blissfully happy to be together.

Chillin' With Uncle Rick

Sydney saw her Uncle Rick while we were on vacation. Uncle Rick always sends the BEST presents to Sydney. Sydney loves being spoiled by him!

Ricky lives outside of Chicago and works for Exxon Mobil. He has yet to get used to the blustery, frigid temps of this area and has finally decided to thaw out and come back to Texas. We can't wait for him to come home! He is waiting on his transfer to go through...so it is just a matter of time.

Thanks to Aunt Fran for picking up those gorgeous shades and sending them to Miss Sydney!

They remind me of an old school marm.

Oh yeah, baby. I know I look good.

Nothing like chillin' with Uncle Rick at the lake house...oohhh weee!

Rental Car Mayhem

A few months back, my husband and I planned a trip to see my grandmother, dear younger brother, and Uncle Troy in Missouri. Our plan was to meet at Kentucky Lake since that is where they LOVE to fish! They have a camper right next to the water. We planned to rent a cabin, take the baby, fish, swim, and eat to our heart's content.

I invited my mom and dad along. They needed to get out of the house as well. That prompted our need for a larger vehicle. We have a GMC Yukon, but it is the smaller SUV sized vehicle. We needed a large suburban style vehicle to haul all family members comfortably on our 11 hour drive to the lake...the meeting up place.

So, back in early June, I called my local Enterprise Rent-A-Car place to reserve a large SUV. The nice man said, "We don't rent those sized vehicles here. Will a mini-van do?'" I responded, "Over my husband's dead body will he drive a mini-van." The nice man replied, "You will need to call the Lufkin store and reserve the extra large SUV." I quirked, "That is an hour drive...so I will need to drive myself and another person all the way to Lufkin to pick up the car and then drive it all the way back to Jasper and then drive it all the way back to Lufkin and then back to Jasper when I need to return it?" He responded, "Yes, that's how I would do it."

With a sigh, I called the Lufkin store and made the reservation. Oh well...that's what I get for living in a Mayberry.

The DAY BEFORE we were to leave on our vacation of sun, fishing, and eating, the nice man calls me from Lufkin.  He tells me he does not have an extra large SUV to rent to me. He doesn't even have a grotesque mini-van to rent to me. He doesn't even have a pick-up truck. To sum up the conversation, I will borrow the dialogue from one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes...

JERRY: I don't understand, I made a reservation, do you have my reservation?



RENTAL CAR AGENT: Yes, we do, unfortunately we ran out of cars.


JERRY: But the reservation keeps the car here. That's why you have the reservation.


RENTAL CAR AGENT: I know why we have reservations.


JERRY: I don't think you do. If you did, I'd have a car. See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation and that's really the most important part of the reservation, the holding. Anybody can just take them.

I won't lie and say I kept my cool. I was not rude. I still maintained my Christian qualities, but I made my dissatisfaction very clear.

People, let me tell you that I called EVERY ENTERPRISE RENTAL place in the Ark-La-Tex area. I called friends, loved ones, posted a desperate plea for help on face book, offered people money for their family cars, bribed young mothers, asked to rent a suburban that someone had for sale, cried, screamed, ranted, raved, and then called the Enterprise people every 43 minutes.

Without a vehicle, there would be no trip. My grandmother was desperately looking forward to seeing Sydney. My uncle has never seen her in person. My brother hasn't seen her since she was 6 months old. My family was going to SEE MY BABY, no matter what I had to do. We were going to KENTUCKY LAKE and we were going to have a good time if it killed me. I was not going to be denied.

My pastor's wife told me at church the night before we left, "Well, God's got something better for you. I can't wait to see what kind of car he's going to give ya! You better call me with a praise report when you find out."

The next day, (the day we were supposed to leave) we still had no vehicle. Hours ticked by, hundred of phone calls were made. I was beginning to lose hope...and then...at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, my nice little man from Enterprise called to say: "We have a car for you. It is a brand new 2011 GMC Yukon XL and it is being delivered to your LOCAL Enterprise location. It should be there by 5:30."

Not only did we get the vehicle I had originally asked for, but it was BRAND spanking new and was delivered to my local rental place. It had 150 miles on it when we picked it up...with all the bells and whistles...loaded to the brim. Wow.

So, I called my pastor's wife and told her what happened and she said confidently, "God always has our best interests in mind. Everything happens for a reason, now go enjoy your trip!"

And we did...we had a ball and enjoyed seeing family. It was very special for all of us!

And I received 2 additional discounts for my rental due to pain & suffering...cha-ching!

Recuperation

I've been gone the last few days for a little R & R. I was forbidden to use devices that had Internet connectivity. ...which wasn't hard since I spent my time on Kentucky lake where there is no signal whatsoever.

I am tired and spending today recuperating from my vacation.

I promise to be back to my witty, charming self tomorrow.

Well, maybe not witty and charming...but I WILL BE BACK nonetheless to fill you in on my travels, adventures, rent-a-car death threats, sweltering b-b-q joints, fast-talking receptionists, 103.4 degree fevers, lake cabins, pontoon boats, 30th birthday parties, fitness tests, mini-Sprites, and Gatorade. Lots and lots of Gatorade.

Popsicle Mastery

I introduced Sydney to popsicles this week. I know that it was probably past time, but I'm just leary of excess sugar. I don't want her to become hopelessly addicted to sugar-laden junk food before her time...'tis a battle her mother wages daily.

I just plopped her in the high chair, gave her an entire popsicle (stick and all) and watched the show. After 3 days, without any instruction, she finally figured it out. What cracked me up is how she would drop the popsicle and shake her hand back and forth when it began to get too cold. The girl loves her 'sicles.

Skin Scare

What is it about men folk that makes them believe they are (in an echoing voice) INVINCIBLE!

I am the resident nurse/physician/dermatologist & nutritionist at my house.

I listen to coughs, examine weird places on the skin, monitor all food products and constantly check temps.

I just have to keep abreast on the general health of my small brood of 2. Chris of course is included as one of my big babies.

A strange spot popped up on Chris' neck a few months ago. I knew at first glance that it wasn't your typical sun spot, age spot, or mole. It changed colors, shapes, had irregular edges, bled spontaneously, and just gave me the heebie jeebies. Every time I would tickle his neck while draping my arm around him at church, there it was. I keep feeling it there and by golly it kept bugging me.

I began to think back to a young man I taught in my 2nd grade class several years ago named "Jamie." He had an older sister and a precious mom and loving father. His mother helped out in my room and was one of the sweetest people you could ever hope to know. We visited frequently as she came up to help out in my classroom. (Yes mothers still do that, thank goodness.) She told me one day that she would not be able to keep coming regularly to help me since her husband was sick and needed her attention. As she related to me the sequence of events that led to a life-changing diagnosis, my heart sank. A few months back, she found a strange spot on her husband's back. She begged and pleaded for him to see a dermatologist. He said it was nothing to worry about. After being nagged to death, he finally went to the dermatologist only to discover that his harmless weird "mole" was an aggressive form of skin cancer that had already begun to spread. He was receiving the whole gamut of cancer treatments. He was not given much hope. This sweet family lost their dad, husband, and best friend a short time later. It was devastating to me when I heard the news. I cannot imagine their grief.

As I thought about this story, tears welled up in my eyes and I pleaded again to Chris to have this spot checked out. The man who never goes to the doctor for ANY REASON unless he feels like he is on his death bed, went to the dermatologist yesterday. The doctor took one look at the offending mole and said, "I'm cutting that off today and getting it biopsied." Chris was shocked. I was shocked. He said, "Well, it is either a basal cell carcinoma that is easily treated or it is a form of skin cancer that will kill you. I'm not sure which one it is, and I'm hoping that it is just a common basal cell cancer, but let's find out for sure. You will hear from me in a few days."

We plodded out of the office completely numb. I could tell that my rock of a husband.... my strong, brave, and invincible man was visibly shaken. I told him that God was still in control. I've known many people who've had skin cancer and they are alive and well today. We are going to put this in the hands of the Lord.

He has given me a peace that surpasses all understanding and I know that my God is going to take care of us. Please pray that we get a good report from the lab and that we learn the life lesson that He wants us to learn as we walk through this together.

Fashionista

Sydney (A.K.A. Chris Jr.) She looks JUST like her daddy here...wow.

I have never claimed to be one who stays on the cutting edge of fashion. I wear what is comfortable.

I wear what fits my body type well. I wear what makes me feel good.

I do not rush out to buy the latest styles or most popular shoes. If the shoe is uncomfortable and makes red lines and bruises on my feet, in the trash it goes. If the outfit makes me itch, rubs me the wrong way, or gives the illusion that my backside could be measured in cubic feet or acres,

 it will not be found in my closet.

Life is too short to suffer for the sake of fashion!

As for Sydney...she is the most well-dressed of us all.

The outfit pictured above, a precious Ralph Lauren polo dress in Maui pink with the adorable ruffle hem is quite possibly the cutest dress I have ever laid eyes on. Her Aunt Dee bought this for her, along with another fantastic outfit to be shared later when she gets a little bigger. Thanks Aunt Dee!

This dress makes me squeal with glee and giggle with delight.

She looks absolutely adorable in it.

And I could not resist the pig tails...or dog ears...or double ponytails...or whatever you may want to call them. Do you know how many baby dolls have suffered inhumane ordeals as I have practiced this technique? MANY...and now, I have a baby doll of my own to dress up and torture with crazy hairstyles.

I remember as a small child how my mom would put my hair in pig tails. She would use the small edge of the comb to carefully divide my hair into 2 equal halves. It would tickle like crazy and that is something I don't think I'll ever forget.

Sydney looking just like her mama.

My little fashionista. You go girl! Here's to many more years of rockin' some serious style!

First Things First

There is something amazing about starting each day with a few quiet moments. A time to read your Bible, pray, and meditate on the goodness of God.

It is absolutely incredible how different your day turns out if you just spend some time with your Savior, your Creator, your Lord... each morning.

Isn't the one who formed your soul worth a few minutes of your precious time? I think so.

I hear people say, "Oh, I say my prayers at night before I go to bed. That covers it." To them I'd like to say, "Yep, and your dead dog tired and can't think straight and probably fall asleep while attempting to "pray."

Give God the best part of your day! Give him the morning time before anybody else gets up...when the house is quiet and still and you can focus on all the good things God has given you and how wonderful He is. Yes, it is tough for me to get up before the baby does...but, if my Savior can walk in excruciating pain down the Via Dolorosa with blood streaming down his face, what is keeping me from setting an alarm clock? I have no excuse.

Today, I'd like to share with you a portion of a song I wrote 11 years ago. It is called "Half Way."

I was here this morning, where were you?
Don't I deserve a piece of your precious time?
I can't force you to rearrange your priorities.
I cannot make you commune with Me.

Forgiven you, I've saved you, You're redeemed.
Is it not good enough?
How can our relationship grow if we seldom talk?
You say the words, but can you walk the walk?

Can't you even meet me half-way?
I've done my part, I've poured out my heart.
I've reached down with mercy, I've rescued your soul.
But you've got to meet Me half-way.

What Lies Beneath

As I emptied the laundry basket this morning to kick off "Friday Wash Day" at the Chambers' household, I was in for a little surprise. I had no idea what was waiting for me beneath the layers of t-shirts, socks, and underwear.

The treasures I encountered were...

 This lovely Willow Tree Angel figurine that mysteriously came up missing a few days ago..

 

tubes of hiney cream

 A digital thermometer that I thought was long gone...

My husband's favorite mini flashlight

 and my most elegant piece of junk jewelry.

And I can't for the life of me figure out how they got there.

Panic, Stress, & Petroleum Jelly

This picture gives me the creeps.

It makes me close my eyes and take a breath.

The visage of an ordinary shopping cart is forever tainted in my thoughts and dreams.

*shudder*

I will never again look at a shopping cart in the same way after yesterday.

What? You don't see it?

Look again. 

There. Do you see it now?

Do you see the evil lurking?

Do you see the maniacal madness just waiting to unleash itself on an unsuspecting child?

Do you think I've officially lost my marbles?

If you do, then you are right.

My marbles are rolling around somewhere in the Jo Ann's Fabric store in Beaumont, Texas.

Yep, my marbles are there along with minuscule shards of my nerves and shell-shocked fabric cutter people wearing cute little green aprons.

...deep breath...

Went to Beaumont yesterday to shop with my mom and her buddy.

Sydney went along.

It rained cats, dogs, and squirrels.

Literal monsoon.

Sydney was not cheerful to be in the rain.

Went to Jo Ann's fabrics so my mom and her buddy could fulfill their unquenchable desire for fat quarters, quilting needles, and McCall's patterns.

And all of those things are good things. God Bless Grandmas that sew. My love to you.

Sydney found herself browsing the aisles with Gigi.

She was in heaven.

Until we got to the checkout line and discovered that her chubby little leg

which was supposed to be here...

(child pictured not Sydney)

WAS ACTUALLY HERE!! 

Yes, her calf was wedged into that 1 1/2 inch space between two polished steel bars.

How in the world she got her leg in that spot is still a mystery.

Let me sum it up to say that is was

mayhem, hysteria, and pandemonium...

weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth...

panic, stress, and petroleum jelly...

store managers, fabric cutters, and terrified clerks...

uh..did I mention weeping and WAILING?

Several minutes (which seemed like eternity) and a greased up leg later,

my child was free.

Thanks to the quick thinking of the Jo Ann's crew and my sharp eye for finding the gap in the bars where my Houdini wedged her foot...Sydney experienced deliverance first hand.

And I experienced my first heart attack as a parent.

Which explains to you why I neglected to post yesterday.

I just wasn't ready.

But, after a good night sleep, I am ready to share my mama trauma with the world.

It is my service to you as a mama.

For the love of all that is good and holy...

Make your kid wear shoes to the store...

Even if their feet will never hit the ground...

It makes leg wedging much more difficult.

Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall

In order to make space for all of my new Sydney portraits, a mirror had to come down. Don't worry, it is being relocated to another room in the house, but for now, is on the floor where Sydney can get a full-length view of herself.

She says, "hi" to herself.
She says, "buy bye" to herself.
She kisses herself.
She reaches behind the mirror so she can touch the little girl in the mirror.
She dances for herself.
She makes faces for herself.
She smiles at herself.

Well, I guess we have a healthy self-image. Now, if I can just keep her from weighing herself on the bathroom scale.

Letter Writing

I think I shall write a letter.

A letter to Merriam & Webster...

I shall propose that they add a picture to accompany a particular phrase found in the dictionary.

You know...a picture to go along with the sentences that are used to fully illustrate the multiple meanings words.
Main Entry: cheesy

Pronunciation: \ˈchē-zē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): chees·i·er; chees·i·est

Date: 14th century

1 a : resembling or suggesting cheese especially in consistency or odor b : containing cheese

2 : shabby 3: cheap 4: insincere, silly

— chees·i·ness: noun

Yes, I think either of these gorgeous snapshots will help fully illustrate the depths of the  meaning of the word, "Cheesy."

And since I'm on the subject of cheesiness and letter writing, I think I shall write an additional letter to the Gerber baby food company and suggest they make the Little Crunchies snacks in huge, economy-sized cans that I can purchase at Sam's on a monthly basis for an astronmical price. Between Chris and Sydney, we go through 3-4 cans a week. I can't keep him out of them and she inhales them like the air she breathes.

Ahhh...the power of the pen!

She Don't Do Windows

I was visiting with a good friend the other day about how Sydney has recently developed an interest in "sweeping" with the big broom and "vacuuming" with the Dustbuster. I also mentioned that I was looking for a mini broom and dust pan so she could begin practicing these skills. After all, it is never too early to develop good cleaning habits, don'tcha know?

Well a few days later, Sydney received a surprise package on our doorstep.

Well, lookee here...lookee here! Just what I need!

Inside, she found an entire cleaning set: mop, broom, dust pan, mop bucket, small sweeper brush, and a full can of "cleaning spray."

The child was in heaven and has been busily "cleaning" my house ever since. She believes that the one handed broom approach is best and that you can accomplish so much more if you mop and sweep at the same TIME! We won't discuss the knick knacks that have met their demise as a result of her vigorous broom swinging method.

A woman's work is never done.

This mop is pretty handy for the walls, mom.

What shall I knock over clean next?

Now, if I could just attach these somehow...talk about cleaning efficiency...

Special thanks to Sydney's very sweet Aunt who sent her such great cleaning supplies!