Paracord for Antigua

The last couple of months I have struggled. 
I have struggled with this mess...

And this mess...

My 10 year old disappears for hours on end to his room.  It is a strange and unsettling feeling to not have him underfoot, running in and out the door.  A little frustrating when there is math to do or books to be read.

Then there are the nights, I go into peak on him and discover him still awake.  Hard at work creating or researching and learning a new pattern.  

But my through it all my heart swells..

Ever since the missions team visited Awana one night to explain their upcoming trip to Antigua to build a hard court at a church he has been a man with a mission.  Their visit to Awana was to drum up excitement for the missions offering to be collected for a month.  They happened to mention that some of the money would be used to purchase prizes for a carnival night during the mission trip.  My young man dreamed of making para cord bracelets for the team to give away.  A dream he has not let go.  So while I do ask for the occasional clean up and vacuum and insist on lights out, I am very proud of this young man.  He willingly takes breaks to do some math and read when I request him to, but when my requests have been fulfilled he is back to work.  He is a young man with a very big heart, generous and thoughtful.  He even sold some creations as a fundraiser to help pay for all the supplies.  Sometimes, he just couldn't help himself and he would just give away his creations just to love on someone.  Each bracelet has a story.  Each made with love and thought to the color combinations and type of pattern.  Though each child may not know all of this, it is our prayer they will be blessed and feel the love of the Lord

His endeavor has created a bond with his oldest sister as she is going on the trip.  They have brainstormed together.  She has patiently listened as he explained each bracelet to her.  She has encouraged him as he questioned whether each was of high enough quality to give as a gift.  Would the color combination be liked?  Earlier this week she took him shopping to buy more para cord.  Something this Momma has stood back and watched.  I have held myself back, not interfering, because it has been a beautiful thing to watch unfold.  To be honest, sometimes when Momma gets involved she redirects and changes the flow unintentionally.  It is a wondrous thing to provide tools, encouragement and stand back to see what will happen.  

There are only a few hours left, and more will be added....  And I am sure I may have to say lights out at some point tonight, but this is what is flying to Antigua tomorrow.  The attached verse is: 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

One of the very first verses children learn in Awana...

My Teenager Theory

I have this theory.  I have, even in a brief embarrassing moment for my daughter, spoke to another teenager about my theory at an athletic event in Oklahoma.  Amazing what conversations can be had in a hotel elevator.  He nodded his head and agreed I had a point.
What is this theory?
Take your teenager's age and subtract ten.  That is their true age.  You just thought when you made it through the 2s and 3s life was going to get better.  Think crazed psycho laughter coming from me. 
NOPE!!!
The joys of 5 children in 10 years.  When my first was thirteen the last was 3.  I saw first hand one day when they both CHOSE to have a tantrum within minutes of each other.  Now I must say my oldest and youngest have a lot of similarities in their personalities.  That was my aha moment.  5 years later it has been observed by this Momma to be true more than not!
Today my 14 year old gave me flash backs to his younger years.  Gave him a job, took a shower and came back and it wasn't done.  Deer in the head lights look.  You meant now??  (or rather then?)  Now he did apply some critical thinking but his critical thinking led him straight back to the same choices he made when he was 4.  Look charming and absent of his mind!  I watch my younger two closely... 8 and 10.  I. IN. FOR. IT!!!
Today the 8 year old is crying because I set a timer for a handful of problems to be done in 30 minutes.  He would rather do the soccer homework for his coach on You Tube.  Yeah, whatever.  While he cries, he announces..."My head hurts!"  "There is no way I can do this!"  and the clincher, "I Hate my life!!!"  To which the almost 18 year old giggles and says, "I hate mine too." 
The 8 year old asks, "Why, because you are short?" 
The almost 18 year old, "NO, because, I am almost 18 and have to pay bills and work!" 
The almost 18 year old at some point also rolled her eyes an sighed..."The drama!!"
Yeah exactly!
So all you moms of youngers....I am warning it, enjoy them as they are cause they are who they are and are and they only get older... the drama gets more dramatic, the tantrums only get bigger and cluelessness loses some of its charm. 
We won't even discuss the prayers I say regarding the 10 year old.... He has his own set of quirks...like books belong in the closet and clothes belong on the bookshelf.  Beds are not for sleeping in...
I DON"T EVEN TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT HE WILL THINK WHEN HE IS A TEENAGER!!!
At least, I get a good laugh now and then. 
Lest you think it is all bad, it isn't.  They reach a certain wonderfulness between 9 and 12...They are helpful and capable and sometimes want to learn new things around the house.  Then they regress....A LOT!.  While they may act like the youngest you once knew ten years ago, you can have more intelligent conversations with them...just not when they have relapsed 10 years for whatever hormonal or emotional reason at the moment.  Deep breathes.  LAUGH!! it helps, just not when they are in their moment...run hide in the closet and laugh like a crazy person!

Ummm, what happened to all my plans???

It is Spring Break for all around us here locally.  We weren't going to take Spring Break....


I had plans:  Lots of school catch up would get done
Lots of EBay would get listed
Garden would get planted
Daily chores would be done
Garage sale would be had or we would go garage sale-ing
Graduation to do's would be done
Meals would be cooked


It seems school breaks never quite pan out to be what I hope them to be...


This weekend while out of town, a sick kid...No big deal right?? Except I sleep on a COT with him NEXT to me.  Okay when he was 2,3, 4 years old...but now he is bigger.  Since the sleep study and changes made in life, THE MAN is growing and well, sleep is over rated anyhow. Right?  If not on the cot, then not at all.  Or maybe in a hotel chair.  Or maybe on the floor next to him, on an air mattress...which just isn't the same when you are 40.  He feels better.


So we are home and my body rebels on Monday. Huge knots that my daughters can see all over my back.  Exhausted, I sleep, nap, stare off into distance.  He feels better. 


Tuesday comes and maybe things won't be so bad, garden is cleaned out.    But he is wheezy.  Breathing treatments.  NO time outside is allowed...so I spend all my time policing him and trying to get him to stay inside.  The garden is beckoning.  NOPE!  Dad comes home, I get the shopping done for the garden, take big brother to golf practice and do the parent meeting thing.
Then nighttime rolls around.  I can't sleep.  His breathing is off.  He is restless.  Talking, crying, and teeth grinding in his sleep.  I snuggle and pray over him.  Watch him relax as prayers are answered.  More breathing treatments in the night.  Constant running of the diffuser... He says it helps some. He relaxes and sleeps for another 15 minute spell. I realize why people like their e-readers.  No lights need to be on.  My IPad is my other companion through the night.  Might as well do something since I am NOT sleeping.  He finally relaxes and breathing easy.  I dose off, but not for long.  Gut wrenching body wracking coughs.  I can hear deep down in his chest.  This is NOT good! I work to convince my body I was just joking, we weren't really going to sleep.  Good news, it is 7:30.  Another breathing treatment.  Now I can call the doctor's office. 
Appointment made, teenagers woke.  Dad called at work.  Oldest drives the zombie mom to the doctor office.  Pneumonia!  Ear infection! 
The best part....My teenagers are well trained in caring for the sick. :)  Home and I go to bed.  I am awaken a few times.  I have no concept of time.  Just crazy spy riddled dreams...guess what they were watching on tv??? 4 hours later I am staring off into nowhere trying to decide if I am awake or asleep still and wondering what happened to my Spring Break??
I realize another crazy school break.  I wonder about taking next week off so I can get my to do list done.  And I realize this is the twisted pattern of all of our school breaks and why our breaks always end up extended.  Just want my "perfect break". 
Then I hear the whisper: "For I know the plans I have for you...."
I choose to not ask why my plans can't be accomplished.  I suck down my Pepsi.  Yep, it is back but not to the extent it used to be, I think today is considered special circumstances.  Grateful, my kids hop to it when I assign chores.  My obnoxious pre-teen quits badgering me about when I am starting school because I tell him to go get the lesson plan book.  I think I hear angels singing Hallelujah!! 
There is still time this week for the to do list. 
This blog post wasn't on the list but maybe it will help someone else. 

Sleep Study Results are In....

This has been a journey in of itself. 
Starting late last Spring/early Summer. 
We were looking into some oral therapy for one of our kiddos.  Mild speech issues no one has been able to figure out a cause for, but as this child has matured learning to compensate and overcome.  As we were setting up an evaluation it was suggested we have the whole family evaluated.  Often issues are congenital and multiple family members have issues.  The therapy cause correct issues before they become issues later in life.  Worth looking into.
What we weren't expecting was concern regarding another child's palate.  We were aware of the issues, but no one had suggested anything else.  The quirks in his behavior we dealt with, thinking it was just the way this child was created.  Such as this child doesn't like to sleep in bed, always sleeps in recliner and/or couch.  Frankly, I don't care where my children sleep as long as they sleep these days.  Life is busy and some things I just don't have the energy to argue about.  Even if this child starts in bed, always ends up on the couch, either due to sleep walking or just waking up and wandering there after a bathroom trip. 


Next stop was the doctor to check adenoids and tonsils.  Nothing remarkable, so a sleep study was requested.  We were put on a wait list and I received a call just before Christmas for after New Years.  After our initial appointment, the PA agreed our kiddo was borderline and would benefit for a sleep study to either confirm/diagnose an issue or it was behavioral and we would decide what to do regarding behaviors. 
Best part was there was a cancellation and we were asked if we could return later in the week for the sleep study. As we hadn't been able to restart school, I said sure. 
I wish I could post pictures of all the wires.  While I was allowed to take pictures for Dad I was forbidden to share them with anyone else including siblings.  Which is why I also am being very careful to not suggest which child went with me to KC to the Children's hospital.  While there is noting to embarrassed about, I am trying to respect wishes here.  So if you do know who I am speaking of please, request my child's desire for privacy.  I am posting results only because so many have been praying and asking. 


So the results:
Airway is clear! No apnea!  No issues with orthodontics that need to be done. Wahoo!!
Diagnosis:  Periodic Limb Movement Disorder which causes brain arousal during sleep and causes low levels of dopamine in the brain. 
In our case, the disorder is being caused by iron deficiency.  Which also means there is a ferritin deficiency.  Since this child is a carnivore I asked what could be lacking in the diet to prevent iron absorption.  Vitamin C.  Said child does not care for produce!!  Lesson is being learned that Mom's balanced meals are meant to allow for maximum nutrition.  Each food is reliant on another food for maximum nutrition and health.  While this child consumes produce, it is not varied enough.  Understanding that athletic performance and overall feeling well and happy is dependent on diet, there is a willingness to try and eat more variety, albeit reluctantly.  We will need occasional blood tests as a result of the iron supplements, but in time we should hopefully be able to discontinue the supplements and just eat healthy!  Praising the Lord! 
We also discovered the child is lingering too long deep 3 sleep.  An indicator of not getting enough sleep on a regular basis.  Wiggling around in bed, procrastinating, asking all those late night questions.  You get the idea, all the stuff that drives a parent nuts when they just want their children TO GO TO BED!!! 
Well now, the child has heard it all from the doc!  Sleep and eat your veggies!! Amazing how much more validity there is to the mantra when it isn't the parent saying it!!