Sleep Study

While Joel was getting all the pre-op test done for his cyst surgery last month, his doctor said that he needed to have a sleep study done since he snored. I was thinking yeah right….he doesn’t have sleep problems, they were just wanting more money. Well after his surgery, we talked about it and since he has already meet his out of pocket deductible why not. So Tuesday night he had the study done. He had to sleep at the clinic. He got there at 7:00 p.m. and the nurses began hooking him up to all the electrodes. At 10 p.m. lights were turned off. He didn’t sleep good at all. He said he woke up at least four times. So who knows what the doctor will tell us. We should within the next ten days. The girls thought he looked so funny.

Happy Anniversary!

Thursday, Joel and I celebrated our nine year anniversary. It has been a wonderful nine years filled up ups and downs, but most importantly God’s blessings. He had to work because Thursday’s are conversion days for him and there was no way he could reschedule them. So after Riley’s T-ball game we all went to Newk’s to eat…Samuel picked the place. We had a great meal with the kids. Yesterday, he took off so we got to spend the day together. We got Riley out of school at noon and he met his parents and they took the kids for us. We went to Bluff Lake and fished till dusk. Then we had a nice quiet meal at The Grill. It was so nice getting to eat without being interrupted by toddlers. We had great adult conversations. Today we have enjoyed window shopping.

We look forward to many more wonderful years together. Just can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.

What have we been up to?

Where do I start. I can’t believe it has been so long since I have blogged. This post will not be in order, so sit back and enjoy your read.

April was a hard month for me so I was a little down and out. April 27th was the one year anniversary of the EF-5 Tornado that ripped through my hometown of Smithville, MS destroying the only home I knew as a child and taking the lives of my granddaddy and grandmother. Smithville had a Memorial Day on the 28th and I ran in the 5k in memory of my grandparents. My best friend for ran it with me. Later that afternoon we spent at the memorial service where the town Mayor, Governor & First Lady of MS, & Congressman Alan Nunnelee spoke. We had fun at the city wide tailgate & at the Smithville High School Alumni softball game. It was a bittersweet weekend.

Joel finally got to have his surgery on his nose for a Dermoid Cyst after a month of problems. First we were told that the surgery could be done in the office but he first needed a MRI. So we scheduled an MRI and had that done and faxed over to his doctor in Columbus. We had already scheduled a visit after the MRI for what we thought would be his surgery in the Starkville Office (this was in March). We got to that appointment and find out that the MRI did show how far up the tail of the cyst went. So we had to schedule surgery in the hospital and Joel would have to be completely sedated. This meant he had to do all the pre-opt testing. We schedule that and he went to Columbus to the hospital to do all the blood work and EKG. Well guess what….he failed the EKG. He was sent back to our family practitioner who said that he believed everything would ok for the surgery, but would rather him see a Cardiologist. He scheduled that appointment and had another EKG and a treadmill test. The treadmill test liked to have killed him he said. They do it by your age, so he had run fast. The cardiologist said he was perfectly healthy and his heart looked great. So we got the surgery reschedule, but this time in Starkville. He had it on April 24 and all went great. He only had three stitches and he got those out May 4. All is healed and looks good. He is still a little blue from the bruising but he no longer has the tiny hole in his nose.

Riley has finished soccer and is now playing t-ball so we are at the ball field every Tuesday and Thursday. She is enjoying it. She is still doing great in school…all A’s. She is so smart and I am so proud of her. She has lost both bottom front and both top front teeth. She looks so funny. She is almost finished with school for the summer. Her last day is May 23rd. She has short hair too. We went and got eight and a half inches cut off about a month ago. She loves it too.

Olivia and Samuel are out of pre-school for the summer so things are full force at the house. We are busy going to birthday parties and having playdates. They are so much fun at these ages and very busy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Some days are stressful, but I cherish everyday. Olivia is so entertaining. She talks all the time and loves to play with her baby dolls. She is going to be a great mother one day. Samuel is talking a whole lot more. He loves to play on the computer (sesamestreet.com & sproutonline.com) and he is better at most of the games than I am. Oh….Olivia kissed a boy at pre-school. She told me all about it and I wished I would have gotten it on camera. Joel had a long talk with later that night about it and lets just hope it doesn’t happen again. HA HA!

I have been busy with the kids of course, but I have also been crafting a little. I really need to scrapbook because I an over 2 years behind, but I don’t have the time to do that right now. Maybe when Samuel starts school and all three are gone for most of the day I can get it caught up. I painted some canvas art pieces for Samuel’s room and the girls room. I also made my mom and my mother-in-law their Mother’s Day gift this year. I have been battling pre-cervical cancer for over a year and I go back tomorrow for more biopsies. I have biopsies done every three months and they are no fun. I am almost to the point of saying lets just do a Hysterectomy. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow if I have to wait for more biopsies or if we will do the surgery. I have also been going to a neurologist for my migraines. I am taking two medicines as a preventive and one pill at the onset of the headaches. Not sure exactly if the preventive is working much, but they do make me sleep good….that is something that I haven’t had in over a year. A friend and I had a yard sale last weekend and I made $175. The good things that I didn’t sell I put up on a Starkville facebook page and have sold two things so far. Thursday is my and Joel’s 9 year anniversary. His mom is taking the kids Friday night so we can go out and eat and just enjoy some peace and quiet. We usually go somewhere for our anniversary, but decided not to this year because we plan on taking are really nice trip next year for out 10 year anniversary.

Over all, we are doing great. Busy and loving life. God has blessed us and we are thankful for everything. Enjoy a few pictures of the kiddos.

Congrats to Riley

Riley brought home her third nine weeks progress report and she had yet another great report. She had straight 100′s. Her lowest grade has been a 98 from the first nine weeks, so she has been doing great this whole school year. We are so proud of her. However, she is taking us to the broke house. We give her $5 for every A, so she earned $30 for her progress report. She and Joel have a deal with star sticks and she is making him pay for their agreement. For ever eight star sticks she earns he gives her $1 and if she gets more than eight she gets an additional $1 for everyone over eight. Last week she earned eleven in one day. And the funny thing is she doesn’t let him forget how many she has earned. I am just glad that she is still liking school and gets excited about learning new things.

Last week, she had breakfast with the MSU football team and the player served her breakfast. She really liked that. She said that she talked to a few players for a long time. So glad that MSU’s athletic program sets things up like this for the kids. Today, her class is having a “Shoe Tying Party” for all those that can tie there own shoes. Riley learned to tie her shoes about two weeks ago all by herself and she has mastered it. She was looking forward to showing her teacher and classmates that she could tie her shoes all by herself.

Keep up the good work Riley!

Sam on the computer

Sam singing with sprout online from Joel Washburn on Vimeo.

Spring Break

Hello everyone…It has been a long time since made my last post. Things at the Washburn’s household have been busy, but we are all surviving.

All three kids were out last week for Spring Break and we had a fun filled week. We left when Joel got off work Friday night and drove to the Beach to visit with Luke and Shey and had a great trip. We shopped, visited some markets, discovered a really neat Children’s Discovery Center, ate lots of great food, and enjoyed being away from Starkville. We left Samuel with grandparents…the girls loved that idea because they got all our attention. Joel and I really enjoyed that special time with the girls as well. We only went down to the beach once because the water was pretty cold. We told the girls that they could walk up to the waters edge and wade ankle deep, but not to get wet. Well guess what…graceful Olivia fell in of course. We should have known that she would fall because she fell just about ever other step that she took. She is so clumsy. Riley was running in the shallow waves and guess what…she fell and went completely under. I knew right then that it was time to go. The girls started getting really cold because the wind picked up so they were ready to go back and change their clothes too. We got up early Monday morning and headed back. We stopped at several places and shopped.

Tuesday I met up with the in-laws and picked up Samuel and dropped off the girls for a couple of days. Samuel and I enjoyed just hanging out at home, playing outside, and running errands. He had a blast just playing all by himself while I painted some canvas art pieces for his room.

Wednesday was no different for me and Samuel. We enjoyed laying low at the house.

Thursday Samuel and I met the in-laws and got the girls. They had a blast and had lots to tell me about their adventures at the grandparents. I took the girls to get their hair cut. I got about 6 inches cut off Riley’s and it was a lot shorter than I wanted it to be, but she loves it and I am beginning to like it. Olivia got about 4 inched cut off hers.

Friday we spent all day outside playing. Samuel started running fever and didn’t feel all that great. I didn’t take him to the doctor because I like to give it at least 72 hours before running to the doctor.

Saturday Joel helped me move all the furniture out of the girls room and I cleaned the carpet. I didn’t realize just how dirty and nasty it was until I got it all cleaned. We rearranged the furniture too. I am in the process of painting some canvas art pieces for their wall. Samuel continued to run fever.

Sunday Joel and the girls went to church while I stayed home with Samuel. His fever shot up to 103.2 early Saturday morning and he didn’t feel good at all. After lunch Samuel took a really good nap while Joel and I moved out his furniture and I cleaned his carpet. When he woke up he was feeling pretty good, so we decided to get out of the house and go to campus for supper and let the kids run around and play on the Drill Field. Yes we skipped out on church…but I couldn’t take him to church with him running fever. After playing on campus we headed to McDonald’s for an ice cream sundae. Then it was home, bath time, and bed time. Samuel’s fever shot back up, so I decided that he needed to go to the doctor.

This morning it was rough getting everyone up and ready for school. After I dropped Olivia off at preschool, I headed straight to the doctor with Samuel. I took him to our family doctor instead of the pediatrician…I haven’t had any luck with the pediatricians here when it comes with fever and colds. Since we were a walk-in we were at the doctor office all morning, but Dr. Anthony really did a good work up of him. Samuel had a rattle in his right lung (which was his weakest lung) so he put him on an antibiotic to help clear it up quicker. He is still running fever, but I am hoping after a few doses of the medicine it will go down and stay down.

Joel is extremely busy at work, which is a great thing. But he really needs a support person to take some of the load off. I just hope in the coming months he can hire someone to help him out. Me and kids are staying busy this week as well. Riley has a soccer game tonight. We have church Wednesday, girl scouts Thursday, and my parents might be coming down this weekend. Plus I have a few things to do around town.

Here is Riley’s shorter hair.

Happy 6th Birthday Riley Brook!

Our Birthday Girl!

Yesterday, my first born turned 6 years old. Where has the last six years gone. I can’t believe that you are six. You are so smart and a perfectionist. You want everything done right the first time or you get your tail-feathers a little fluffed. You always bring a smile to our face and we love your corny jokes that you make up on the fly. You love to be the boss. Sometimes your bossiness gets you into trouble. You are 3 feet 11 inches tall and weigh about 50 pounds. You wear a size 6x clothing and a size 13 1/2 or size 1 shoe (you have big feet).

We had her party in Smithville Saturday afternoon at Mawmaw & Papaw Seales’. She got lots of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, shirts, money, purses, and an iPod.

Riley, your daddy and I love you very much and wish you many happy birthdays.

Riley right after church...showing off a pair of her earrings from Mawmaw Alex.

Riley's Barbie Cake

Three best friends...minus Olivia.

Riley making her wish!

Cousins...always your best friend!

A little bit of this and that

Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. Things have been busy with us now that everyone is back into their daily routines with school and work. I have been enjoying watching the kids grow and learn new things over the past few weeks. Samuel is talking a lot more and it is so funny to see him carry on conversations with his sisters. They better watch out because it won’t be long until he starts telling them what to do. Olivia ha growing like a little weed. She has hit a growth spurt and has shot up. She is still quiet and loves to play all by herself. Riley is amazing us everyday. We got her report card last week and she had straight A’s again with a 99 average in everything. This week one of her writing pieces was chosen to be taken to the central office to be put on display. And today she was chosen as “Terrific Kid” and got a terrific kid t-shirt and a certificate. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her. She is reading so good and her writing is great. Riley has also joined the Girl Scouts and is selling cookies, so if you would like to buy any just let me know. She is back in full swing with Soccer too. She is also interested in cheerleading and we have a meeting next week about that, so we will see if it is really something that she wants to do. I am trying to get Olivia involved in some things but she says she doesn’t really want to do anything. Maybe we can talk her into dance or gymnastics at least. Who’s knows.

Joel is extremely busy at work, which is a great thing. There are just some days that we don’t get to see much of each other. But I can’t complain because he loves what he does and he doesn’t come home too stressed. I just hope and pray that he will be able to hire some more technical support people soon. That will really lessen his work load.

I have been busy with church activities and motherly duties…cleaning, cooking, homework, cleaning, cooking, etc. I have been doing a few crafts here and there. I made Olivia a new Valentine’s shirt and I am working on some things for Samuel’s room. About a month ago I was looking on ebay for the girls something to wear for Easter. I had several dresses on my watch list but just wasn’t willing to pay the high dollar price for them. So last week I began checking online sites that I have bought from before. My first site I checked was Remember Nguyen and this site was having a huge sale. I bought ten dresses for $140. If I would have paid full price I would have spent almost $400. So the girls are set for this Spring and Summer. Now if I can just find Samuel some really cute clothes.

Wish we all felt better

I wish the weather would makes its mind up…cold one date, warm the next. We are all sick with the crud again. Riley didn’t feel good Sunday and ran a little fever Sunday night. She didn’t play much Monday morning either. Olivia started feeling bad Monday night, and ran fever during the night. Samuel has had a runny nose too. Today, Riley felt good enough to go to school and she hadn’t ran anymore fever. Olivia didn’t feel to good this morning. She slept until ten a.m. And if you know her, you know that this is not normal. She is usually up by 6:30 a.m. After lunch, she was running around with Samuel and they had a great afternoon playing. Joel and I didn’t sleep well last night. We both have the crud. We are constantly sneezing, blowing our noses, coughing and my eyes are watery and itchy. Will it ever end? We have a busy weekend so I am praying that we all get better soon.

I would like to end this post on a good note. Riley brought home her report card last Friday and she did great again. She had all A’s and her lowest average was a 98. We are so happy that she is still liking Kindergarten (just doesn’t like getting up so early) and learning a lot. She is getting excited about the Fairy Tale Ball. She and I are also making her birthday plans….can’t believe she will soon be six years old.

A little bit of normalcy in the family.

This past weekend Joel and I took the kids to his parents while he and I helped my parents move into their new house. As you know they l lost everything in the April 27, 2011 tornado. The building process went pretty smoothly. They began building in the middle of September, so it only took about four months to build the house and shop. My parents built bigger and better. The old house was about two thousand square feet and the new house is twenty-seven hundred square feet. It is three bedroom, big living room, kitchen, sun room (kids playroom too), office, huge master bedroom and bath, and a nice utility room. My dad’s shop is a three-bay shop and has lots of space. They built where my grandparents house was and sold the land where their house was. We moved just about everything from the rent house only leaving a few things. We will go back this weekend and help finish the moving and let the kids see the finished house. My parents slept in the new house for the first time Saturday night. So glad they are finally back home in Smithville and can get back to a normal life. My dad retired in December, so he has lots of time to relax, fix up his shop, and hunt.

We are also getting back to normal routines at our house. All three kids went back to school this Monday. After I got Olivia and Samuel dropped off at preschool, I didn’t know what to do. The house was way too quiet, but I enjoyed it because I had a migraine. I got some cleaning done, read a little, and rested. We are getting ready to begin the spring season of soccer and Riley just joined the Girl Scouts…so she is a brownie. I am trying to talk Olivia into taking dance or doing gymnastics or play soccer, but she doesn’t want to do anything. She says she just wants to watch Riley. Oh well, she will eventually come around and get involved in things.

So far 2012 has been pretty good and I hope that you and your family has a wonderful year filled with many blessings.