Thanks God for turning the tables on me, again.

What a title right? Well by now you would think that I should've learned not to place judgement on others, but I must confess that I am still learning. Okay, to be honest it is not just the judgement thing but also me stating or proclaiming my own plan and then even years down the road God changes it on me and I feel stupid for having openly stated my life one way and it is turning out another. I have no current expamples of the plan proclaiming, but I do have a recent one of the ever so kind judgement of others.
So, enter one little haitian into my life and things aren't as they used to be. Not that they ever are when you add to your family, no matter how you go about doing it. My example, I choose to believe, is not so different from most people out there at least that is what helps me sleep at night :). So my example may not be exactly what you have said, but give me a break and at least admit that you have done something similar, please. Example: Families out in public with a child on a "leash". My comment has been, "I couldn't ever see myself using one of those. My kids stay by me for the most part, don't everyone's?" Now, back to the present time when Steeven enters our lives. I like to compare him to the Tasmanian Devil, but don't get more out of this than intended.
Side note: I tend to find myself trying to be careful about my comments about Steeven when I never do about our other three. Is that because I don't want people to take what I am saying the wrong way? Probably. From here on out realize that as I write about my kids and family I love them all with everything I am and would not even for a second change what God has given me. Good, now that is covered and I can move on!
The Tasmanian Devil as you might remember from old cartoons destroys everything in his path, acts very wild, is out of control, oh and he drools if I remember right. Steeven has similar characteristics :). Which brings us back to the "judging others" issue. The longer Steeven is here the more I feel the undesireable need to get a leash! Yes, I said it, my child requires a leash! There you go God, take something I made a comment about and make it applicable to my life. Gotta love it. So what do I do, I post a comment on facebook to get a feel for what others think about the leash. What do you think the comments were? Well of course everyone loves them and are "pro leash" so that just leaves me as the only one who judged those poor families :(, insert bad feelings about myself here.
You would think I would learn, but I must admit that I still haven't gotten this one yet. A little pat on my back for improvement though. The thing is, why do we as a people look at situations from the outside and make our own unfounded judgements almost automatically? Like the "leash" thing, I never once considered that a child might have special needs, been adopted and not aware of boundaries yet, or whatever the situation might be. Even better yet, is it really my place to put my judgement on someone else just because I might not agree with them? For some reason I tend to see things in my own bubble of life. Meaning that I hold everything I see up to compare it with my life. Sometimes that leads to judging others, but more often than not it actually leads to me judging myself and putting unrealistic expectations on myself and my family. Ugh, this has turned into a therapy session, well at least it is free!

Worst Appointment Ever

Well I have to admit that I am not as young as I used to be, or maybe I can just blame it on my fibro. I think both are factors really. I took Steeven to see our gastro. doc yesterday and Carter came along too. It started out great, the nurse even had Carter do everything so Steeven could watch and this was great for both boys. Carter knows what to do by now because he has been going to this doc for a year now. The doctor came in and we talked for a while and then he layed out his plan of attack, which really meant nothing to me until the lady came to draw blood.
First I must say that a red flag was waved in front of me as the "blood lady" peeked her head in and asked me something along the lines of, "Do we need more people to help during the blood draw", ugh! Also, before that the nurse peeked in because we had been waiting so long, and explained it was taking them a little while to get everything ready for the blood draw and to send home for stool samples. Yes, I resumed my role as sole poop collector for this house, a great smell right after breakfast each morning I must say.
Okay, so I told the gal that the last time Steeven had blood drawn I held him, someone held his arm and someone took the blood. That was the plan we went with, but we were wrong! The vein they picked was along the side of his arm and we all underestimated this little man's strength. They got some, but he turned his arm and it didn't go well. So, change of plans, bring in another helper and switch arms. Keep in mind I have him facing me and holding him not so gently, but talking to him repeatedly in his ear as he cries and cries.
Now there are four of us with a 37lb. little guy and he is still winning. How? Well, even with all of us working together he manages to tense his little arm, and rightfully so, as he does this it lessens to blood flow. Again, they got some, but not enough. Side note here, don't forget that I have Carter along for this ride because I did not expect anything like this! Somewhere between Plan A and Plan B Carter asks if he can go out in the hall to play, "Of course buddy and you can take your toys if you want." He also has been telling Steeven the whole time, "It's okay buddy", how precious is that? Later he told me when he saw the blood it made him not feel well, ugh.
Plan C, finally, they gave us a little break and then we went back to just three grown ladies and one five year old. The plan this time is to take blood from the top of his hand. It worked and they got what they needed. I switched my plan as well, I braced myself with my left foot against a near by table because of all days I picked today to wear running pants, aka slippery pants! We were done, finally.
I think I forgot to mention that I was sobbing, controlably, during Plan B. When we were done we were both sweaty and exhausted. Carter came back in and the doc in the hallway had given him two bouncy balls! Steeven held on to his like crazy. He was almost alseep in my arms by the time we left. We got there at 1:45 and were driving to get an x-ray at 4:00. Yes, we still had one more thing to do!
As we were leaving I called home and left a message for Wade so he would know where we were and what we still had to do. I must have sounded awful because he didn't got to his meeting that night, thanks hon! Did I mention I had fibromyalgia? What can cause flares you ask, well stress and tensing of muslces are just two things. STRESS and TENSE MUSCLES! So as I am leaving I am feeling that entire appointment in my neck, shoudlers, arms and hands. I can only imagine what was going through Steeven's little head.
I don't even have the energy to get into details about the x-ray appointment. Let's just say we got the run around and I finally found a lady that saw how desperately exhausted I was and she took pity on us, because I cried, and we were able to hang in there and he hopped up on the table and was perfectly still for his tummy picture! Insert huge sigh here!
What happened next? We all had McDonald's in the comfort of our home and the boys both got cupcakes for dessert! Boys, you rock :)

Garbage Can and Wal-Mart Sales Associate

Well it is President's Day today, so that means no school. It has been a blessing to have them home though, for a couple of reasons. First, no rushing around this morning, love it! Second, entertainment for Steeven, other than just myself. Last, but probably most important, Jordyn can help me while Abby throw-s up!
Yes, Abby is sick...throw up sick, yuck! Steeven had an eye doctor appointment today and when we got there Abby did not look good. So while we waited I said, do you want to sit in the fan and sleep a little? She did, and being the great mom I am I sent Jordyn out with her with strick instructions about locking the doors and if Abby needed to throw up, OPEN THE VAN DOOR! (Just a side note, we were at a very small clinic and the appointment was a quick one.) To my surprise when I got to the van Abby had slept some and felt better! Okay so that should free me up to finish my other stop at Wal-Mart, right? Not a lot to get there, but a couple things that we really needed, otherwise I would've just went home.
That brings us to Wal-Mart. I do want to say that I have not been impressed with them lately, but sometimes I just need to get some things. On this trip, however, I was very grateful for two things.....strategically placed garbage cans and a helpful sales associate! We were almost done, but still at the back of the store when I noticed Abby looked pale, yes ghostly white. You know the look, it means you don't have long before she blows! So we begin to walk to the front of the store at a good rate of speed. Not too fast as to draw attention to us, but not too slow so we can't make it. I tell Abby, very calmly, we will find a garbage can. Then, ta da, I spot one and not too far away. It was at the end of an isle so we pushed our cart up to it and waited. It took a couple of minutes, but then it hit and we were prepared!!! I held the lid to the can and asked Jordyn to get the wipes from our bag. After Abby was done, I cleaned up the little bit she got on the lid and then her mouth and hand, with different wipes of course. As I was doing this I noticed an associate down the isle, so I sent Jordyn to get her. I told her what had happened and she didn't seem too surprised. She said they would take care of it and I asked her where the garbage cans were that I could purchase, since we still were not checked out and we had the van ride home. When she pointed to the other side of the store, I must have had an interesting look on my face because she offered to go to the front and get a bag for us. Way to go Sales Associate, you rock! Now that I think about it I should've gotten her name so I could sing her praises to her manager, too late now I guess.
Thankfully we made it all the way home with no messes! She is resting fine on the couch watching movies and drinking some sprite, which was strategically placed at the end of an isle on our way out, woohoo! It is only 1:30, so we will see what the rest of the day holds for us.
Since no one seemed to be bothered by us hovering around the garbage can and the sales associate was not the least bit taken back by what had occured the question needs to be asked. How often do I miss these, and other interesting things going on, as I make my way through stores? HMMMMMMMMMM.

Nothing Much

Well, nothing much is new lately at least no bust-a-gut stories I felt just had to be told. Does that mean that our little guy is already settling in? Maybe. I guess he did eat powdered dishwasher detergent this weekend, so there is a little something for you to laugh at.
This week looks to be a busy one, but I kinda prefer them that way for the simple fact that too many days spent in one's home can lead to boredom and naughty kids! No school tomorrow so I will be taking all four kids to Steeven's check-up at the eye doctor. It should be a quick appointment and the kids want to "see" what goes on. Get it, "see" ha! That was pretty sad wasn't it? Anyway, then Steeven goes to a new doctor, for him anyway, on Tuesday to try to determine what is causing his diarrhea. Thankfully all of his tests have come back negative, but his stool is still pretty bad. He will be seeing the same Gastroantologist that Carter does, woohoo! Yes, we will have two kids going to a specialist, bring on the doctor bills! Carter actually has an appointment with him in two weeks. Then on Wednesday he goes for another haircut, boy does it grow fast! Actually all three boys and myself will be getting our hair cut, should be fun! Don't forget the two chiropractic visits for him this week as well.
The glasses are a big hit, he doesn't mind them at all. Sometimes he takes them off, but it doesn't bother him when we put them back on. When he woke up this morning, at 5:45 UGH, he wanted his glasses right away. I think it helps that daddy has glasses too, so they must be cool!
I feel like the time is flying by and I have not done even a portion of what I "needed" to. I know, I know some of you will say, "Don't worry about it. Spending time with Steeven and now having four kids is enough right now, you will get use to it and fall into a routine." I knew you would say that and for the most part I agree, but there is always that side of me, the icky perfectionist side, that thinks I should be able to Conquer The World and am disappointed when I fall short. That and just the basic stressers of life that I just need to either push aside or plow through, note to self I should probably ask God which action I should apply to which problem. I can get into trouble when I forget to do that sometimes.
Tonight we atempt to reclaim our bed! Steeven has never gotten up in the middle of the night yet, so we will stil put him to sleep in our room and then move him when we go to bed. One big reason for this is so Carter will be alseep before we bring Steeven in. Steeven has quite the little snoring problem! I think this will be fine, and Wade did the little happy dance when I mentioned it this morning. So, being the sarcastic loving wife I am, on Valentine's day no less, I said, "Well, maybe if you had mentioned that you wanted to do this it would've happened sooner. That is what you call sharing your feelings or communication, it's suppose to be a good thing." So of course he laughed, because by now he knows to expect such an answer from me!
Well, thanks for humoring me by following our journey, sometimes exciting and sometimes mundane but mine none the less.

Kids Gone Mad!

Well we have had a great past couple of days, where did those come from? With the exception of last night.
We had our post placement interview and that went well, but coupled with that was an interview for our local christian radio station. The guy arrived late, which really is no big deal, but what we thought was going to be some basic questions was really a video recorded interview, come on! Now, normally had we known that this was going to take place we would have threatened, I mean preped the kids for what was going to happen and how they should act during this! So, having said that you can guess how this went down. The guy arrived about 5:00 and after some technical difficulties we wrapped it up around 6:00, yes in the evening, yes past supper time, yes Steeven skipped his nap yesterday as well.
As we sat in our living room chatting with him, on camera, our kids acted like wild things. I must say that Jordyn was not involved in any of this, except for trying to keep the peace. Steeven was pulling on the guys arm, dragging toys everywhere and ripping up one of Carter's papers. You can imagine how well that went over, I thought I might have to step in to that siuation, but no need it cleared up on it's own. Abby was waving the Star Wars light saver in front of the camera, then she went into the kitchen, still in view of the camera, and continued to wave it freely. Carter was acting like a kid on crack, not that I know what that would look like, but I can now imagine. The entire time our social worker is behind the camera recording, oh yes the whole time.
After having described this to you it sounds really bad, doesn't it? Actually it seemed horrible at the time, but I'm sure it will turn out fine. You know how parents always think it is worse than it really is. Wade and I were very exhausted afterwards though, we just sat and looked at each other for awhile and Wade said, "I don't think I have another one of those in me"! The man that came out was extremely nice and very considerate so that helped. He also isn't married and has no children, so you can bet he was cheering inside when he left!
Oh yes, another intersting day at the Christensen house!

Almost Besties!

Well there has been a sudden turn in events, or should I say attitude, at our house. Steeven wants to hold Oscar, and he doesn't care if Oscar wants him to or not! That's right, we have gone from a little boy who was terrified of Oscar to a little boy that is obsessed with holding him. What happens if Oscar growls and tries to get away, well of course Steeven just keeps going after him. He still has some fear, but if he is in "the mood" there is little stopping him from getting that dog. I don't think Oscar knows what is happening!
It gets better! Steeven likes to pretend to actually be a dog, really. He woofs, walks on all fours, "paws" at you and don't forget he will lick anything. Yes, he licks the floor, people, the couch and whatever else he sees Oscar licking. So what do I do, I pet him and tell him he is a good little doggie. I wonder that will do for his adjustment, just kidding :o)!

Monkey

Well, Wade predicted it. Steeven just pulled the t.v. right off the stand!!!! Can't get those glasses soon enough. He stand so close to the t.v. to see it and then sometimes he holds on to it and tries to climb. Well, this morning he pulled it right off the stand. Thank God no one was hurt, oh and the t.v. still works! Interesting way to start the day I guess.

Nap Time, UGH!

Well I have to admit that we haven't had nap time at the Christensen house for a number of years now, but I have been thrust back into it. Does Steeven want to nap, NO, does Steeven need to nap, YES, does Steeven get a nap everyday, NO.
So I will describe what nap time was like today for Mr. Steeven. I started at 1:30, so that is fair on my part right? I close the curtains cover him up and slowly he starts testing me. Rolls this way, then that way, then on his knees, then on his back, then to his stomach then covers are off then on, then pillow is up, down, sideways, have I lost you yet? All of this occurs while I patiently sing the song I have sung to him since his first night here, Jesus Loves Me. Did I stop singing to tell him to "lay still" or "stop doing that", NOOOOOOOOOOOO. I kept my cool and figured he would just give in, boy was I wrong. Finally I stopped singing as he began to kick the wall, not hard or out of anger, but just because he could you know.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I did take his pillow away. Then, after doing so, but still singing the song, a thought occurs to me, "He has never slept on a pillow so do you really think it matters to him that I took it away, probably not." Do I give it back to him, no way. I guess I am too stubborn and wanted to prove a point, yes to a 5 year old!
It is now 2:15 and he is sound asleep, has been for the last 15 minutes. What a strong little guy, I absolutely love him.

Ugli Fruit

Carter tried a sample of an ulgi fruit at Hy-Vee today. He really liked it so he asked, what is that called. I said, "It's an ugli fruit" and he said, "What?" so I explained it to him. I told him it is called an ugli fruit so it must be a boy's fruit because boys would really appreciate a fruit named UGLI. The lady handing out the samples thought that was quite funny!

Nothing Really

Well, not much is really happening around here right now. Last night we went and picked out some incredibly cute glasses for an already cute little boy. His prescription is so strong that they have to order them and it will take about a week, so yes he still stands in front of the television, sorry kids. The problem now is that the other three think they need to stand there also, so that means four kids in front of a small t.v. and some whining because they really can't all fit there!

Carter started basketball today,w e had signed him up before we knew our lives would be getting so busy. All of us went, yes all 6, and it was a small challenge keeping the little Haitian off the courts! So an educated decision was made: Wade and I will alternate who takes Carter, Steeven will stay home and the girls can decide what they want to do. Carter did great by the way, he is such a neat boy.

We had some lunch and then went grocery shopping at Hy-Vee. The boys rode in the car cart and the girls helped shop, it actually went well. When we got home the girls' friends had called and wanted them over for a play date, the dad even came to get them! So now it is me and the boys, that included Wade. I made a dip for the game tomorrow, vacuumed and am catching up on laundry, which I knows multiplies in the hampers, while Wade played some Wii with Carter and is now cleaning. He is a great guy!

Our small group meets tonight so I will be going to that. Usually the group meets in our home, but with the addition of Steeven we are taking a break from that so our friends have graciously offered to have it at their house. We have been meeting for about 7 years now and always have a great time together. We love our group!

Tomorrow we are attempting church for the second time with Steeven. Last week we went to the second service and I think it got to be a long busy morning for our little guy. We are going to try the first service tomorrow, which is what we usually do, then Steeven and I will come home and the rest of them will stay. The kids go to Sunday School and Wade helps in the finance department during second service. This is the plan for a little while until we think Steeven can handle going to Sunday School with me. I help in the kindergarten room and he can just stay with me. That would mean he would be there from 9:00-11:45 and have a lot of stimulation pretty much the whole time so we will see how that goes! You never know until you try I guess.

That's really all that is happening now, so pretty tame compared to last week! Next week should be interesting as well as I have to take a stool sample each morning for three days and get them to Steeven's doctor's office that same day. The last sample they ran came out fine, but the doctor did some checking online and found some other tests that should be ran to look for other parasites and things. I am so grateful that the doctors we have had have all been so great! The ENT doctor will also be calling, well the nurse will since we al know the nurse does most of the work right, to let us know when they want to do Steeven's surgery. I am hoping we can get it done before I go back to work.

I have been a little torn this week. My grandpa is not doing well and he lives in Des Moines. Traveling with Steeven right now is not the best idea, but I also cannot leave him for the weekend. It makes me sad to be in a position like I am so I wondering about God's timing right now. Don't get me wrong, I am not upset with God nor do I think he has bad timing. I have learned that even though I think His timing stinks sometimes whenever I look back I can see what He was doing. It is just that I am a little overwhelmed right now and for the past about year and a half I have wondered just how much God thinks I can handle at one time! We'll see I guess.

We Love Dr. Appointments!

What have we been doing with our time you ask, well we love to go to Dr. appointments! This afternoon Steeven had a CT scan done and the results were good. The admission lady was new, so we all know what that means. She did a really good job and thankfully Steeven didn't destroy her office. The when waited in the radiology department at Avera, again Steeven did good. I hope the other people didn't mind the singing and other things I was doing to keep him entertained.

The priceless moment came when the guy who was going to do the scan, whatever you call those people, saw Steeven and then on our walk back to the "room" he said, "He does have to sit completely still for this to work" to which I said, " I know". When we got to the room he asked me to lay Steeven on the table and "put his head in the foam thing". At that point the doubts starting coming to me. What will he think, how do I let him know it will be okay, what if he freaks out while he is in that "hole" and hits his head, and on and on? Lets just say that he did great and my very limited knowledge of the Creole language was sufficient, insert thanks to God here again.

Anyway, the results were good so our little guy just needs his tonsils and adenoids removed. We will wait to see what the eye drops do and if they don't work they will also probe, horrible word, his tear ducts during surgery and see if that helps the eye drainage.

I would just like to put this question out there: Is it considered bad parenting if you have to "gently" sit on your child to get the eye drops in his eyes? Just wondering.

Hi there.

As I stand at the receptionist I hear a man say, "Hi there" and instantly I know where Steeven is. I turn around and the man has his legs crossed, which has got to uncomfortable right, anyway Steeven is holding the man's hands and straddled across his legs!!! Seriously kid.

So we went to the eye doctor today and I can't say enough good things about Dr. Tufty at Sanford. He and his nurse were great with Steeven and the visit was actually, somewhat, enjoyable. After having said that I must now say that my son will be the kid with the "pop bottle" glasses, say it isn't so! I guess I don't know how thick the Dr. meant, but I guess we will find out soon enough. All I know is he said Steeven is extremely near sighted, which explains the standing directly in front of the television.

The poor little guy had to have two different kinds of drops in his eyes, twice! he was a trooper though. He also had his first sucker, which ended up in my hair, on my shirt, my neck oh and he drooled it on my arm too! Good Times! Oh well, I guess that is the price a mom must pay to make his visit a little easier. I also have to give him drops at home for 12 days, yes I said 12 days. I will have to let you know how that goes.

Next we leave for the hospital where he will have a CT scan done of his nose and sinus area. Then off to the ENT again to go over results. Fun, fun and more fun. At least I have lots of stories to tell, right. Oh, and I remembered to get the other three kids are squared away so there will be no stress about getting home on time when they are out of school. Thanks Kim and April for helping a mom out!

What a day!

Today was Steeven's appointment with the ENT doctor at Sanford. It went well really, even though it lasted longer than I anticipated which led to a little panic on my part about who was going to be home when Carter got off the bus! When you are used to having a cell phone and then you are put in a situation like today a person tends to get a little freaked out, well maybe not everyone but I sure did.

Anyway, Dr. Avery had the audiologist test Steeven's hearing and she did a great job with him. She actually has an adopted daughter from China, insert thanks to God here for putting people in my path that can relate. Steeven has some problems with hearing, but it is more than likely from the fluid in his inner ear. The Dr. said that he figured that would be the case with all the drainage going in Steeven's eyes and nose. So, as we were in "the booth" getting his hearing checked he decided to make himself at home on my lap and turn sideways with his legs over mine and relax a while. Thankfully this was at the end and the lady doing the testing thought it was funny.

*Back up a little in this story to the two of us in the waiting room between visiting with the doctor and waiting for the audiologist. Okay, so I am freaking out, on the inside because of course I look like I have it all together on the outside, about who will be home for Carter and I notice a phone in the waiting room, insert thanks to God again here. I ask the receptionist, "Can I use that phone?" She says yes, and by the way she has been staring at us all morning and smiling the whole time so thankfully she likes us! I call Kim, my angel sent from God that just happens to be my neighbor, and it is busy, are you kidding me here! As I am leaving a message the audiologists calls our name, so I cut my message short and pray that this doesn't take too long. Things move along and then we are in the waiting room again and so I use the wonderfully placed phone and this time Kim answers!!! So, as usual, she is able to help me out and I can relax about Carter.

I did decide that when Steeven and I are out at appointments maybe I should be the one to carry the cell phone!

Tomorrow what does our day look like, well glad you asked. Steeven gets his eyes checked in the morning then in the afternoon he has a CT scan and then back to Dr. Avery to go over results. He will need his adenoids removed and the doctor is covering all his bases so if anything else needs to be done he can do it all at once, smart guy. This time I am covering all of my bases with the other kids so no worries tomorrow, I may be a little slow but I am learning! Stay tuned for more drama at the Christensen house :-)

Princess Party

Jordyn and I had a great time Color Me Mine's Princess Party last month. She got to paint a crown night light, eat cupcakes, get her nails and face painted, and meet some new people. She had been waiting all month to go and even though she didn't feel the best that morning, she got up early and didn't want to miss it. I would like to think it is because she was looking forward to her date with mommy, but we all know that mostly she just really wanted to paint that crown! In the picture from left to right: Miss Teen SD, Jordyn, Miss SD, and Mrs. SD.

Hair Cut

Well today was Steeven's first hair cut at a salon. He did a very good job, until Dawn trimmed his neck. I think the vibrating of the razor both tickled and freaked him out! He looks great thought, thanks Dawn!

"No Steeven, Acky"

Okay, so I hear Abby downstaris saying, "No Steeven, acky", over and over so like any good parent I wait to hear what comes next. The next words are, "He is eating toilet paper!" So then I decide maybe I should go down since he is clearly not listening to his sister. As I walk into the basement I see Abby leaning over Steeven trying to get him to spit the toilet paper out, with no luck I might add. Thankfully he listened to me, this time, when I told him it was acky and to spit it out. He sure is a funny little boy and does the darndest things. He will keep this house on our toes!

Good Time Management?

Once again I am not really using my time wisely! Why would I be starting this blog on a school morning when I should be making sure the girls are getting ready?! I would like to think it is because deep down I know they are very responsible and do not need my help. Well, that is true in part, but they are still kids and probably need some guidance. So I guess my fist post will not be very long or thought provoking, not sure if any of them will be, but motherhood calls as I hear pounding coming from the basement.