Thank you, God, for doctors!

This past Thursday morning (2 a.m.) we had to take Kerri to the ER. They diagnosed her with beginning stages of pneumonia. During the 6 hrs. that we were there, an initial examination of vital signs was taken & then taken again back in an ER exam room, an IV was started, blood samples were taken & results received, a urine sample was taken & results were given, x-rays were taken & read, and medicine was administered. I have said all this because it made me very thankful for modern medicine. I did not have to wait until morning to get needed care for Kerri, nor did I have to wait days for tests results, or wonder if the prescribed treatment might possibly work or not. I know doctors cannot heal all sickness or always make a correct diagnosis, but compared to just 40 years ago, the changes in the medical world are phenominal!! I cannot imagine having to sit by & watch my child struggle to breathe normally or have no hope of treatment, as parents in the past century or so had to face. So, THANK GOD for modern medicine.

My brother has a birthday Tuesday (the BIG 40!!!) and we will be the same age for the month of April until my birthday in May. As you can tell, he was born prematurely-@ 2 mths. My husband (already past the big 40) was also born @ 2 mths. early. Both, Jeff & Rob, if I remember right, had less than a 50% survival rate being born prematurely in the late 1960s. I suspect if I did some research today, I would find that had they been born in this century, their survival rate would be drastically improved.

So the point to all my rambling is this: even though I hate waiting at doctor's offices, do not like the cost involved, or tests that are administered, I am thankful that they do exist and are much improved (for the most part). Now........ I will have to practice a spirit of thankfulness as I wait for a test on Wednesday and at Kerri's next appointment in 2 weeks. :)

Convention entries

Here are the girls' entries that I said I would upload. They were on display at church for the last week, but they were able to bring them home today. Some of the pictures are a bit blurry since I took pictures of them. As we said before, we are proud of the work they did and have been a bit surprised at some of the hidden talent that has been popping out. :)

Kerri's b&w photo. She won 6th place. :)

Kerri's still life photo.

Kerri's sculpture (3rd place): a German Shephard & a Border Collie

Kerri's sketch.

Kerri's horse. This took about her about 10 hours to make.

Sharree's angel. It took her about 36 hrs. to make it. :)

Sharree's color scenic photo. (Niagara Falls)

Sharree's plants & animals photo. These are fish from the Columbus Zoo which she took behind glass.

None of the students that did a wood-working project placed. Their projects did not fall in any of the specific categories listed for convention, so they were docked quite a few points. I believe they are going to look into adding a new category for next year's convention. At any rate, I have two beautiful pieces to display in my living room! :)

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my mommy's birthday. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful mom! She always had & has time for her children, & grandkids now, is always doing something for someone else, has a gracious spirit even in difficult times, is a good advisor/sounding board, ........ and the list could go on & on! When I was growing up she was just "Mom", but now she is my friend! I love you, MOM! Happy Birthday!

ACE Regional Student Convention

Sharree waiting for her spelling bee ribbon.

Kerri receiving her 4th place ribbon for archery.

Kerri getting ready for the 200m race.

Sharree: #1 girls ping-pong player :)

This week the girls went to the ACE Regional Student Convention in Muncie, IN at Ball State University. This was Sharree's third time and Kerri's first. Both girls were a bundle of nerves before & during the convention, but still had a great time! They bunked with three other girls, but they got to stay in a queen-sized suite.

I'll have to post some pictures of some of the things they entered, after I take pictures of them. But here are a few shots they took of each other while they were there.

Sharree won 1st place in ping-pong and 2nd place in the spelling bee & for a duet she sang with her friend ("More Than Wonderful"). Kerri received 3rd place for her sculpture, 4th for a 200m race & archery, and 6th for a black & white picture & for a 400m relay race with some of her classmates. We are proud of the accomplishments of both of them!!! :)

Youth party

The teen Sunday School class & sponsors getting ready to enjoy some pizza!

Round-table pingpong (I think that is what it was called).

Mmm. Yummy dessert??!!!

One of the sponsors at the party (we won't mention any names, Wendy) made this dessert dish with her daughter: a kitty litter box. It looks like the real thing, but it was quite delicious! It was a carrot cake with a cream cheese mixture over it, cool whip whipped with pumpkin, and crumbled vanilla oreos with a touch of blue food coloring on top. The "turds" (which I don't think anyone ate-surprise, surprise) were made from rolled up brownies (I think). At any rate, there was lots of groans of disgust and laughter over the dessert. :)

The teens were being rewarded for a Sunday School Bible reading contest. They received a point for every verse they read from January 1 - March 1st. Then people from the church bought or gave money for various prizes they could buy at an auction that was held. They had many neat prizes: tools, candy, gift-cards, digital frames, soaps/shampoos, books, scrapbooking items, etc.

We had a great evening together!!

Look out world! Sharree's driving!!!

Sharree took her driving permit exam this past Tuesday and passed!! She hasn't done any driving yet and is quite nervous about doing so. I am glad that she is a bit nervous because this means she should be a better driver, or a cautious one. That means less gray hairs for me! :)

Happy Anniversary

This week, Jeff's mom & dad will celebrate their 49th anniversary. Having known them for about 22 yrs., I can say that they are WONDERFUL!!!! Every so often you hear about horrible in-laws, but I am very blessed and have no horrible tale to share.

Since we have been married, I have had a great relationship with both of Jeff's parents. My father-in-law informed me that he knew I was "alright" when I moved a crock-pot of sauerkraut from inside their house to the outside porch so the house wouldn't "stink" up. :) My mom-in-law and I have had many wonderful times together whether we were working together, shopping, baking in the sun, .... and the list could go on forever. Jeff kids around (can you imagine that!!) and says that he has two mother-in-laws and I have two moms. As far as I can figure, it can't get any better than that. :)

So anyway, I want to wish them a Happy 49th Anniversary and hope they have many more to still come!

(My sis-in-law & I are starting to make plans for an awesome 50 year celebration- what fun!! I love parties!)