Family Fun

Well, the weekend's not over, but we are having a good time so far! Thought I would write a quick blog post while everyone is sleeping!

Jonathan has a doctor's appointment Monday in OKC. We usually drive here Sunday afternoon after church. It is a lightning fast trip and not much fun. We have been trying to take a mini-vacation for the last few months. We wanted to go to Branson, but could never really make it work out. So, since we were coming here anyway, we decided to just make a weekend out of it. Not really the best of vacation places, but it works!

Of course, nothing with us really ever goes according to plans. Just see some older blog posts for evidence of this!! We had planned to leave Friday as soon as I got off work. Of course, that didn't happen. We were not really packed, so we had to do that first. Left the house at 2:30pm. Everything packed, we were off! Didn't even get across the river before we turned around and headed back home. The A/C in my car has been acting up lately and it was already blowing hot air that soon. So, back to the house at 2:35pm. Had to move EVERYTHING to Mark's car which took about an hour. Jonathan had fallen asleep in that few minutes we had been on the road, so of course, that made moving everything even more exciting and time consuming. Plus Mark's car is much smaller than the Jeep, so that also complicated things. Moved the car seat last while I held Jonathan. Left the house for the SECOND time at 3:30pm. Of course, Mark's car didn't have any gas (never does), so we drove up to Sam's to get gas. While filling up, we realized we had left stuff in the center console of the Jeep. Back to the house. THIRD time was the charm and we got on the road around 3:45-4:00pm. Due to all our delays, Jonathan's nap did not work in our favor as we had planned. We had hoped for him to sleep two hours of the trip. Instead, he slept about 1 hour. Oh well, that's what TV's are for! After several potty break stops and one stop for a suspected flat tire (stupid OK roads), we made it to OKC at 10pm!!!

The wind started blowing as soon as we started unloading the car. Evveerry single time we come here it is some kind of bad weather. We had barely made it inside before the rain started. And by rain, I mean torrential downpour.

Saturday morning, we slept in. It has been a long week for all of us and we just needed a break. Surprisingly, I was the first one up at 8:30am. Mark and Jonathan didn't get up til 10:30am!! Unfortunately, we slept through the good free breakfast at the hotel. We got dressed and headed to the Oklahoma Science Center. What a neat facility! Kind of like Wonder Place and Museum of Discovery in LR on steroids. They had tons of hands-on exhibits and displays and all kinds of fun stuff. Mark's favorite thing was riding the Segway. I was a little wobbly on it at first but caught on. They even let Jonathan do it while they steered. He did fantastic! Jonathan's favorite thing was the water table and the gymnastics mats. Of course, I'm thinking we could have done the water table at Wonder Place at home but hey, he was happy, so it works. I think my favorite area was the American Indian exhibit. They had a stuffed buffalo/bison that was so impressive. Also a couple of beautiful, beautiful headdresses and papooses. Just some amazing authentic things.

Mark on SegwayNorth American Bison

Came back to the hotel for a much-needed nap. Got up and went to the Oklahoma Redhawks minor league baseball game. Thankfully, I had brought a long-sleeved shirt and jacket for Jonathan. It got COLD at the game. Mark had refused to bring a coat, and he paid for it. He was cold by the time we left. The game was bad, they lost 8-3, and they were just a bad team. Completely deserved to lose. We had a good time anyway, and Jonathan ended up on the Jumbo Tron...again! He has been on the one in LR twice, I think. I know, he's just so stinking cute!! We got him a soft bat and ball that he had a wonderful time with. He even took the bat to bed with him last night! Mark and I love going to baseball games, and have really enjoyed the team in LR. The Travs are a good team and win more than not. Also, if you don't buy advance tickets, you will be sitting in the grass. There was just not that many people at this game. They have a beautiful brand-new stadium in a perfect location, and just did not have the crowd. Plus, it was so cold, and they were losing, that people just kept leaving. There were probably only 200 people there by the end of the game. Sad. We had fun and Jonathan was glad when the crowd thinned out so he had more space to play.

Jonathan & Mark at Baseball Game

Jennifer & Jonathan at Baseball Game

We got up a little earlier this morning, but didn't get out of the hotel any earlier. We are staying at the Embassy Suites (thank you Mark's work points) and we had to enjoy our breakfast first. Yummy, yummy, yummy! Then we left for the OKC Zoo. They have a really nice and BIG zoo here. We have been here before when Jonathan was about 6 months old. That time, we came in August, and it was just unbearably hot.

Jonathan on monkey statue.

We have another pic of him at six months on this same monkey!

This time, it was cool in the morning and perfect by this afternoon. Of course, we feel the need to do the ENTIRE zoo, so we wore ourselves flat out trying to see everything. We didn't. Not even really close. We did see all the things Jonathan wanted to see. He has said for the last few days that he wanted to see: Monkeys, Giraffes, and Turtles. So funny, but that is what he wanted. He loved the huge Galapagos turtles, the Gorillas, the giraffes, the zebras, and the rhinoceros. He is such a big boy and wanted to walk or push the stroller through most of the zoo. We rode two kid rides, the choo choo train and carousel that he greatly enjoyed. The end of the day was probably the best, we rode the BIG train that went through the grazing animal part of the zoo. He was so very excited to ride the train. The conductor was stop at the gates to let them open and again when through them to make sure nothing got out when they closed. Each time, Jonathan would yell out, "Stop just a min-ute!" He is such a sweet little boy. We each got an ice cream on the way out and he was VERY excited about that as well. New toy and t-shirt from there too. Can you tell that he's the only child and that we aren't going on a big vacation this year?

Jonathan and the big train.

Now, we are just hanging out in the hotel. Jonathan passed out in the car on the way back. Did not even move as we came in, up the hotel, changed his pull-up, and put him in the bed. Mark passed out shortly thereafter. I should probably take a nap, but just enjoying a little free time to veg out.

Jonathan in the swimming pool (after nap).

I have had that moment today where I am just filled with love and awe and gratitude for the beautiful family that God has given me. Thank you Lord for all our blessings and for loving and caring for us. Thank you for a turning a 2nd choice vacation into a wonderful time to spend together as a family. Thank you for the opportunity to have this time together. And as much as we hate coming here, thank you for the doctors we come to see and their God-given talents that have helped our son. Thank you for leading us to this point in our lives and in our walk with you. It is truly amazing to look back and see all the things that have happened that led us to this place. Thank you Lord.

Please remember Jonathan in the morning and pray that his appointments will go well. First one at 8:30am and next one at 10:10am. Thank you for praying for him. We could never repay any of you for the many prayers that has been said for our son. We know that God hears them all and answers our prayers. We have faith that God is and will continue to completely heal Jonathan's body.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

I think I may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder. It has done nothing but rain here for weeks!! It is just yucky outside and so dark and dreary. Our grass is loving all the rain, but it is so wet that Mark hasn't been able to cut it. A little concerned we will end up with a snake in our yard, so want it cut as soon as possible. He was able to cut the front yard last Friday, and it already needs to be cut again! The back yard is just too wet to even try.

All this rain means that the playground at school is also too wet for the kids to go outside and play. Jonathan and his friends are a little stir crazy. Child needs to get outside and run off some of his energy!!

Jonathan and I have been enjoying spending time together this week while Mark is gone. We went to his Gymboree class last night and he did really well listening and staying on task. (Sometimes the need to run and play freely is just too strong to stay on task with the teacher.) This week is Teacher Appreciation Week at his preschool. We went to Home Depot today to buy some plants for his teacher. Within a minute of walking into the plant section, he found a rock and a puddle of water. By the time we left, his shoes and pants were pretty well soaked and he had mud all over his shirt where he kept wiping his hands. He likes to play in it, but he does not really like for his hands to be dirty. Funny boy! So we came home and got straight in the shower today to clean him up. He did well in the shower for the first time. I had him stand up on the little seat and he did better being a little higher up. He usually takes a bath, but I didn't want him to be sitting in all that nasty dirty water. So shower it was today!

Mark is coming home from Atlanta tomorrow. Thank goodness! We miss him!! He visited his brother and family while he was there and had a great time playing with our niece. She will be one in July and is just such a pretty little girl. Jonathan and I were jealous that Mark got to go without us!!

Lucy

Nothing else to really report. A short one!! Who would have thought it was possible!! Hope ya'll have a great rest of the week, and hope it stops raining...at least for a little while!!

Never Ending Fever, Swimmin' Pool, and Snakes!!

Well the never-ending fever saga continues. Jonathan continued to feel better through the weekend after Disney on Ice. The following Wednesday was our last day of three times a day antibiotics. By Thursday night, he was running a fever again. So frustrating for everyone and just breaks our hearts to see him not himself. I kept him home on Friday and started the phone calls to all the doctors. Of course, they keep telling me that it is an unrelated virus, but the timing just seems to scream UTI again. And, of course, it all goes down on the weekend I am supposed to go out of town. I never leave, and the time I do, he gets sick! So, lots of drama later, the doctors decide to just watch him. Mark convinces me to go on my trip. As he kept telling me, he is perfectly capable of giving Jonathan Tylenol and Motrin. He ran fever Friday, low grade Saturday, and only right before bed on Sunday. (see end for the continuing saga...)

So off I went for a fun scrapbooking weekend on Petit Jean Mountain. It was just beautiful up there and so much fun to have a break, even if I did worry greatly about my little man. Mark finally told me they were fine and to quit calling so much!! Of course, it did rain the ENTIRE weekend. And being at a church camp, it was soaking wet and muddy and well...fun! Running through the rain in the middle of the night in your pajamas, umbrella, and flashlight. So silly but fun. I did get a lot done though during the weekend. I made a special present for my niece's birthday and made a Mother's Day card for some special ladies in our lives. (Have to post that next week sometime!!) Also did quite a bit in Jonathan's First Year Album Volume 2. Finished Volume 1 at the last scrapbook weekend- can only put 100 pages in each book.

This week is the Art Show and Basket Auction at Jonathan's preschool. I am the PTA President for his preschool and this was my first function as president. I was very nervous, in this economy, that it would not go well. So I was very excited when we ended up with 22 baskets plus the children's art work. Friday was the last day and I cannot wait to see how much we made. Several of the baskets went pretty high, Razorbacks went for $200, Darren McFadden signed shirt for $100, Jermain Taylor hat for $75, huge art supply basket for $180, game basket for $90. Plus, one lady bid $550 on four pieces of the kids art!! So exciting to know we will be prepared for next school year and all of our projects. Plus it is always fun to watch everyone fight over the baskets, just cracks me up! I ended up with a basket of note cards that the children in Jonathan's class made and a Baby toys basket that we are going to give away as a gift. So, all in all, a successful week.

Jonathan's class artwork - handprint sheep

I got my hair cut and colored yesterday. Be careful what you ask for and be specific. Obviously I did not FULLY explain what I wanted. No pictures of the hair as I am not in love with it in any way. Waaayyy too dark, waaayyy too dark. The cut is good, but the color is not really what I was wanting. I don't blame her, she just interpreted what I said in a completely different way than I meant it...unfortunately for me. Oh well, it is just hair and will grow.

Now for a couple of Jonathan stories!! Much more fun than stuff about me!

Thursday afternoon the little boy across the street came over and asked if Jonathan could come out and play. He is six, but plays well with Jonathan as long as none of the other big boys are around. If they are, he sort of forgets about my sweet baby. Unfortunately, Jonathan is starting to realize it and it just breaks my heart. The little boy isn't trying to be mean, it's just that he can actually play more with the bigger kids. Anyway, they started playing and were soon joined by the little boys next door. Eventually they all ended up in their backyard on the trampoline. Mark got in too (supposedly to keep Jonathan safe) and jumped with them. One of the little boys asks Jonathan, "Do you want to go see the dead snake?" So, of course, we all go to the front yard to see the snake. Sure enough, there is a dead snake in the gutter. Looks like the yard guys ran him over with the lawnmower when they cut our neighbor's grass. There was probably 4-5 little boys standing around this snake. They wanted so badly to touch the snake. Of course, I keep telling them NO, we are NOT touching the snake, regardless that he is obviously VERY dead. Mark goes to get a shovel and the boys wait for him. When he goes to pick up the snake with the shovel they got soooo excited. It was one of the funnies things I have seen in a very long time. They were just giddy and giggling and running after Mark as he took the snake over to the woods. Mark throws the snake into the woods and, of course, it got hung up on a tree. They loved that even more and were beside themselves when he had to take a few steps into the woods to knock the snake out of the tree. Then Mr. Eagle Scout proceeded to give a safety lecture on NOT touching snakes, dead or alive, and informing an adult of any snake sightings. He was so serious and it just really made me smile to see him as the grown up. Reminded me of something my Daddy would do and I just see over and over again: 1) what a great Daddy I have and 2) what a great Daddy Mark is and is becoming. For the last two days, Jonathan has been talking non-stop about the snake and the shovel and the woods. He cracks me up!!

The other great story from this week is about the "swimmin' pool." My MIL had given me a Gymbuck to Gymboree that she had gotten from the outlet mall in V'burg. I also had one from the class that he takes at the Gymboree Play & Music. I would be remiss if I let free clothes slip by, so I bought him a couple of new outfits and t-shirts and matching socks (being a boy, socks are about the best accessory we get). I haven't let him wear any of them as it has been so nasty outside. Finally, on Thursday, I put him in one of the new t-shirts, shorts, and new socks for school. They were working on Mother's Day presents at school and took the kids on the playground to put dirt in the pots with our flowers. Of course, Jonathan thinks playground=play so he takes off with another boy to find some fun. They make a beeline for the sandbox. Of course, it has done nothing but rain for a week. The sandbox was completely FULL of water. They don't worry about that and get in anyway!! I'm coming down the hall at work and see his teacher leading the both of them into the bathroom. Noticing how WET they both are, I ask Jonathan how he got wet. He tells me, with a HUGE smile, "I in swimmin' pool Mommy." So I ask him where the swimming pool is. He just smiles, but his teacher tells me how they were in the sandbox. So, not only are they wet, but they are quite sandy as well. Just cracked me up. They both had to be changed from head to toe and obviously we got a bath that night when we got home. His teacher didn't think it was that funny, but I rather did. Especially since I didn't have to clean him up. And Jonathan was quite proud of himself. No remorse for that one. We did have a discussion, though, about taking our shoes off before getting in the "swimming pool" next time.

Other stories...

• As we are pulling up to the house after work the other day, Jonathan gets my attention and says, "Mommy, our house is pretty." Now how sweet is that. I get emotional of course and tell him "Thank you, I think our house is pretty too!" He smiles at me, turns his head, and says "Get mail now please." We get the mail and he stops and looks at the house again before telling me, "Put lights up there." He wanted the Christmas lights back on the house. Try explaining May vs. December to a 2 year old. But I was just so surprised that he even remembered them being up there.


• After getting in trouble for not listening, he comes into the living room to play. A few minutes later he comes up to me and says, "I sorry Mommy. I be nice now."

He is such a talker. He is talking in complete sentences 90% of the time and is probably 80% understandable. Poor baby does get quite frustrated when you can't understand what he is trying to say. And when you finally do figure it out, he is doing a good impression of the word. He is also becoming quite the artist and loves to color. He has moved from scribble all over the page to vertical and horizontal strokes and circles as well. He loves to draw on his Magna Doodle board and for you to draw for him on it as well. Especially Christmas trees. Don't know if it is because that is when his birthday is or what, but he LOVES him some Christmas trees. Wants you to draw them with a star on top and presents underneath. (smart kid). Of course, I love to color too, so it has been fun to have a new activity that we are both enjoying. Makes for a fun way to pass some time.

The potty training has been going very well. The preschool staff has really jumped on board and it has made all the difference in the world. As long as you take him every hour, he is staying dry for most of the day. Still not consistently pooping on the potty, but it is progressive. He has even started telling us occasionally when he needs to go. That is HUGE for us and really means that things must be going well medically for him to be doing all this. We are so very thankful for all the blessings and healing that God has shown our little boy. Wow. Of course, now that we are going at this, we are becoming well-acquainted with the bathrooms at our most popular destinations. Thank goodness for Elmo and Diego potty covers!!

We bought some new furniture a few weeks ago and had it stained to match Jonathan's bedroom furniture. Mark borrowed Cliff and his trailer and they went to pick it up today. I am so excited and can't wait to see it in place. We got a bookcase for Jonathan's room to hold his books and, hopefully, some toys. He loves to read and we just have not had a great place to put his books. We found a really pretty bookcase that is wide and short, so he will be able to reach his books and toys and won't be tempted to climb all over it!! We also got a toy chest that we are going to put in the dining room/music room/new play room. We have his train/car table in there and are trying to transition some of his toys out of the living room to that room. So we got this toy chest to hold the toys. It is actually a hope chest, but it is going to be a toy chest at our house. And it matches his furniture, so if we ever move to a bigger house, we will probably put it in his room then. Mark found a special toy box lid support that will prevent the lid from slamming down on his fingers. He is working on that now, so hopefully it will work and we will be able to load it up this evening.

And the fever saga... We got up this morning and decided to just have a lazy Saturday. We don't get too many of them and we are all excited to just hang out around the house. Jonathan was sitting with me watching TV and felt a little warm. I took his temperature while he was eating lunch and it was 99-100 degrees depending on which ear you take it in. So that worries me that the UTI is coming back OR that he has one of the numerous fever viruses running rampant around here. Neither is good and I hope it doesn't go up any higher. Poor sweet baby tells me, "I feel better" when I asked him if he was feeling bad or hurting anywhere. We would appreciate your prayers that he will not get sick and that this will just pass on by. We are teaching his Sunday School class tomorrow at church so I am really hoping that he does not get any sicker and can't go to church. I don't think I want to keep 10 two year olds by myself!

My computer (Vista) has major problems and Mark is having to redo the entire thing. So I haven't downloaded the pictures off of our cameras. Hopefully he will have it fixed this weekend. He is going to Atlanta all of next week for work. He also gets to see our niece Lucy so I am jealous about that! Then we are going to OKC for the weekend and doctor's appointment on Monday the 18th. Please pray that they have good things to say and are pleased with Jonathan's progress. We know that God is healing him, and we have faith in His continued healing, but these appointments are always hard and scary and stressful.

Love to you all, and thanks for reading another one of my LENGTHY posts!