Dear Germs

Dear Germs,

I regret to inform you that you will need to pack up your things and move on from our house. Come to think of it, we did not invite you. You have not been a good guest in our home. You have caused much disruption to our normal routine and most of our family members to feel very ill since the beginning of February. You have caused us to fill our medicine cabinet with many very expensive medications, required that others to help take care of us, and have taken away our sleep. We have visited the doctor's office more times than I can count and have also visited Radiology office and the ER. Most of all, you are messing with our emotional well being.

You have now overstayed your welcome by many weeks and we would like to kindly ask you to leave. Please leave as soon as possible and forget this address. It would be nice if you never came back. One set of little lungs could really use some time to heal and we could all surely use some fun and smiles instead of worry and exhaustion.

We would like to warmly welcome the sunshine back. We really need it this week. Thank you for respecting our wishes.

Sincerely,
One Emotionally and Physically Worn Out Mama

40 plus...

If you've read my blog long enough, you know that when you see a number in the title, it usually has something to do with The Rays of Sunshine Foundation and it usually has something to do with a donation.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned the delight we experienced playing some miniature games that we got at Sonic.
The more we played the games, the more I got to thinking that these games would be perfect for the kids in the hospital. Truth be told, there is a little part of me that never stops thinking about that place. It is healing for me to think about the ways that I can make the next experience a little better for another child. I don't have letters after my name nor do I have plans to get them, so my support with love (with the help of many) will have to do for now.

I have mentioned before the breakdown that often occurs between my head and my body once one of these grand ideas pops into my head. I get a really good idea and then they often fizzle out...life happens. I dream big but often lack the time, talent, or money to see the idea to completion. Don't get me wrong, many have and continue to help support many wonderful ongoing projects that we have currently in the works such as the Tissue Fund, and of course the upcoming annual Mother's Day project. By the way...I have already started collecting my contribution to these bags and many others have too. Michaels and Target both have some lovely items available now that would be perfect for these bags. More info. about these bags and this project to follow soon. Anyway...

Many have encouraged me to share my ideas. You never know what will happen next. The foundation that we created has a wonderful vision, lots of heart, many hands ready and willing to serve, and certainly abounding talent shining through many wonderful folks. Time is relative and God will orchestrate and create the opportunities that He desires for this foundation to accomplish.

So I did just that a few weeks ago. I shared an idea about these little games. One dear friend, Michele, took that post about the Sonic games, and she ran with it. Boy did she run!! Michele spent her time and talents speaking to the kind folks at Gamewright. Michele's time and love secured an amazing donation from Gamewright. In the end, forty miniature games were donated by Gamewright and they also generously offered to sell us any additional games at wholesale pricing. Amazing. I really am grateful. Michele met me and my idea where I was without time or steam to get anything done about it and she ran...

One person:
reached hearts within one very large corporation and countless hearts were given the opportunity to love
forty children will receive a new game to play
forty too many children facing some really tough and scary times -an understatement by far!
forty children will have a momentary distraction from their reality
forty little faces will hopefully smile
forty families will be so grateful for the smiles on the faces of their dear children
forty opportunities to share a memory and a moment in time
forty little blessings in forty little boxes
Who knows where this will end?
I imagine it will be different for each little box and where it ends up.

Gamewright is willing to sell our foundation the full size versions of these games for around $5 each which is a steal since this games regularly sell for between $8 and $10 each. You can view the selection of games offered here on their website. Here I present you with the opportunity to be a part of this project too. Here is where even pennies can add up to big things. Donations in any amount will help our foundation get more of these games into the hands of the kids and families facing really tough times at the hospital. If you have a desire to participate in this project, please contact me through the comment section, e-mail, or by phone. Checks should be made payable to the Rays of Sunshine Foundation. Money collected will be used to purchase these games directly from Gamewright.

If you have any of these games, I'd love to hear about your experiences playing them with your family.

Thank you again Michele and Gamewright. What you have done is amazing and many will be blessed by your compassion and generosity.

I'd also like to say thanks to the many others who have contacted other corporations such as Kleenex on our behalf. I appreciate all efforts of love...ALL.

nine

Last week I got sick.

It's been a long time since I was sick so I really can't complain.

My mommy immunity held out for a long time.

but then I did get sick and the fevers raged their ugliness.

Nine days in bed so far.

Doctor says this is likely the flu.

Got a vaccination for that...Hmmm, I must have gotten the strain that wasn't in the vaccine.

Enough.

I am tired of feeling bad.

I miss my husband.

I miss my kids.

Opening up windows today.

Letting in the sunshine.

Praying and hoping today is my day.

My day to finally feel better.

Counting my many blessings.

I have been well taken care of...

Thanks to all.

Giveaway!!!

A message from Shutterfly appeared in my inbox . They have allowed me to give away a few of their 8x8 photo books. I love taking pictures and keeping family albums to remember the memories and fabric of our lives. I have made several Shutterfly photo books in recent years. They are both easy and fun to make. I made most of mine about trips that we have taken and overall they really didn't take much time to create.


Are you interested in giving these photo books a try? They might make a great gift for Mother's Day, a trip album, an album showcasing your child's art, or even as an end of year teacher gift. The possibilities are endless.



If you are interested, leave me a comment with your name and e-mail.

These coupons are good for people who are not current Shutterfly customers already.

Leave me a comment if you are a Shutterfly customer too...What do you love about Shutterfly?

Around Here

What's new in our house?

Well AROUND HERE...

Things have continued to be busy. When is it not with little ones?
Our youngest has remained sick for well over a week now. AHHHhhh

We are curled up snuggling for much of the days and nights.

Little one wants ALL of my attention ALL of the time.
I wouldn't have it any other way...but it is still hard sometimes.
Just being honest and of course not complaining.

My new eyes have taught me perspective. There really is far worse in the world.
We have even seen worse with our own eyes.
We can do this...

I still worry a little...okay a lot. It is hard to sleep even when I can sleep because I am worried about little one's ability to breathe properly. I worry that I won't hear him if he is in trouble.

We are real good friends with the nebulizer machine.

We are still checking in with the doctors pretty much daily.

We are on a rotating schedule of watching Surf's Up and Ice Age.
Makes me wonder what movies would have been Jeremy's favorites?
I am content to sit but cannot watch with full attention any longer.
I have chosen to read while snuggled up to the one who does like to watch these movies again, Again, and AGAIN. I have started to read and finished Heaven is For Real. I am still reading and enjoying One Thousand Gifts, and also half way through The Help.

The steamy shower in our big soaking tub has become a daily adventure of fun. My sanctuary has been taken over by plastic animals, various empty bottles and containers in various sizes to pour and play with, and Hot Wheels. Who knew these small cars would be such fun to zoom around the base of the tub?

We are playing lots of games when little one is feeling up to it. Someone is really getting good at Tic-Tac-Toe and Too Many Monkeys.

Little one won't let me out of his sight. Housework and other tasks will just have to wait...

Elsewhere in our house...

I have continued to enjoy the Bible study that I attend each week. It has filled me with more challenge than I had previously imagined but it is good to grow in these directions.

I am still focused on my word- Opportunity. Thinking a bit more clearly about the opportunities to grow from some of the more challenges areas of my life right now.

The lovely sounds of beginning and budding guitar players fills our quiet spaces.

Birthday plans for another family member is in the works.

We are so very proud of the wonderful spellers that we have in our house. The spell-a-thon was a big success again this year at our school and we are grateful for the family and friends that sponsored our kids. Way to go!!

Meal swap meets again next week. I am assigned beef and at the present time have no idea what I will be making.

I am so sleep deprived that I didn't realize that the season of Lent is beginning NOW. I thought for sure that it was coming in a few weeks. Also didn't realize, but none the less, am happy to now know that Daylight Savings time is THIS weekend. Hooray!!!

More and more signs of spring are popping up everyday. I am loving all of the yellow things that are filled with signs of new life all around our house. I love the way the yellow welcomes us home...and fills us with sunshine as we depart from our driveway too!

What's happening around your house?

Who Knew? Rest Edition

Who knew that one could actually purchase and drink REST? Well I am writing to share with you that you can...Feast your thirsty eyes on this divine tea. It is lovely...

Not sure if I can attest that drinking a cup of this tea is equivalent to the amount of rest one feels after a proper night's sleep. None the less, I have enjoyed several cups of this goodness all week. Above all, the tea has afforded me a few moments of joy since I just can't stop chuckling at the name of the tea.

I might also add that I have since returned to the store to purchase more since I have already decided that it would simply be perfect for the Mother's Day bags this year. It's pink too, what a bonus!

Happy Saturday! Here's hoping for the well being that is stamped on the box! It has been a very long week!

Sunshine Eyes

The third child and I were snuggling on the couch. He is sick again.



He looked up at me and very tenderly said "Mommy, I love your sunshine eyes."



I smiled accepting the compliment. After a few seconds I wondered where this comment had come from?



I asked him to tell me more about my sunshine eyes...

He responded " Well, you have red lines all around your eyes, just like the sun Mommy!"



I chuckled a little knowing these red lines were indeed the result of too many lost hours of sleep.



As I am drinking my third cup of coffee somehow hoping the caffeine totals will work together for my greater good today, I am thankful for my sunshine eyes. I am thankful to be a mommy and to have the ability to make someone feel better just by snuggling together on the couch. Not too long ago, I was in a very different place and was unable to love all over my child. I vividly remember the pain in my heart watching Jeremy in his hospital bed and being unable to hold him and comfort him in the ways that my heart longed to do.



Somewhere right now there are parents in this very place. Parents taking care of their children all the while knowing they are fighting something much more than a nasty cold. Parents not able to hold their child. Parents having to put their complete trust in others to take care of their child. Parents feeling helpless. Parents feeling afraid of the steps that lie ahead of them. Parents hurting knowing they cannot take this experience from their child.



There are far worse things than Sunshine eyes...I'll take them and be grateful for the many gifts in my life today. My perspective is so very different from where I stand. I am actually grateful for the fact that we have a cold, a nasty one, but thankfully to my knowledge, just a cold. I am grateful for the medicines that are so expensive but that are working to keep us out of the ER,

for the ability to run round the clock nebs on my own, for the patience of my pediatric practice as I need constant reassurance, and for good friends who are sending me love and sunshine along the way. Thanks R and A. The reassuring talks really helped and the Starbucks treats rock!

These sunshine eyes have seen far worse and will never forget the sights. Will you please pray for parents and their children who are facing so much more than a cold? Will you pray for healing, for peace in the midst of their trials, and for the medical staff involved in their care? Will you please pray that the days are filled with many moments where they feel God's presence with them and can see the Rays of Sunshine in and through the darkness of their trials that they are facing. Thank you. It means so much to me...and to them.

And while you are praying, could you add us to the list? Please pray for my little one to kick this cold out of town...TODAY!!! Please pray that the evil one cannot get a foothold on this sleep deprived Mama's heart, I am an easy target today. I am emotional, weary, and vulnerable.
Please pray that I can stay fixed on the sunshine, true gifts from our Father above, and to feel His presence alone in my heart. Thanks.

Amen

Fast Food Kid Meal Toys

I am loving the miniature versions of games that are being offered at fast food restaurants. We have had fun playing these games with our kids. It's also a good way to test out a game before you buy it right? Chick-Fil-A introduced us to a game in the fall and we have since acquired the full standard version of the game and still love it. ALL of us.


My kids recently found a similar grouping of games in their kids meals at Sonic. I have spent a few minutes today trying to find out how to contact Sonic to purchase these little games. I have spent some time on their website but was unable to locate the information I was looking for. Of course, with a little one sick AGAIN, the sleep deprivation that comes along with that experience could be to blame. I think these little games would make a wonderful addition to the bags that we make for families at the hospital. I would welcome any help trying to get ahold of the right people to make this a real possibility. McDonald's helped me out last year when they had small Lego kits and American Girl paper dolls. Slamwich, Too Many Monkeys, In a Pickle, and This Big are all really fun games that I would imagine would offer a smile and/or distraction to kids in the hospital if they were up to playing. They are small, individually wrapped, and just plain fun. Any suggestions?

March?

March? Really...where did February go already? Time is whizzing by and spring is awakening before my eyes.

The bulbs that we planted the last two seasons of fall have begun their journey to emerge from the ground. They are peeking through enough that I can already tell which variety of flower they will hopefully become. That is IF the deer or other forest animals don't discover them first.

I welcome this new season of spring. I feel better already.

I purchased my flip flops for the summer season this weekend. I know it seems crazy, but it is true folks, the retail world forces us to buy bathing suits and flip flops in February. You will learn the hard way if you don't, because in June when you have worked hard to get your figure into bathing suit shape, there won't be any bathing suits available. The fall line and winter coats will have emerged and the bathing suits will have been long gone. Anyway...back to the flip flops. It was instantaneous joy to just slide my feet into the flip flops. Funny how one simple thing can make me happy, even if for a moment.

I think I will wait to purchase the bathing suit. In the mean time what are you looking forward to this spring?