Little E update..

 

Ella is still on the vent, and fighting a high fever.  They have her sedated so that she will not fight the ventilator.  They are waiting on the cultures to come back to see what type of infection her little body is trying to fight off.

She will be fed via  g-tube so that she does not loose any weight.  She just hit the 9lbs mark at 4 months old.

She's a sweet baby with the cutest cry, she sounds like a little kitten when she's upset.

Please continue to keep Ella, and her family in your prayers.

Karen

Spaghetti anyone?

 

mixed with some pureed fruit..

This self feeding thing is easy!!

Little miss..

 

Please say a prayer for little Miss E (the baby I care for a night).  She has been fighting an fever for the passed five days.  She was seen by the doctor twice, and was even given an x-ray.  The brushed off the fever as  teething, because she had no other symptoms.

Today she was rushed to the ER with a temperature of 105.  Despite her clear x-ray last week, they think she is fighting pneumonia. 

When I spoke with her mother last, she was put on a ventilator and being airlifted to the children's hospital three hours away.

Please keep Miss E, and her family, in your prayers.

Washed up

Today we ventured over to Winnstead plantation for a golf cart ride. We ventured off path slightly, to check out the damage caused by hurricane Fay. The pictures below are of what is left of a road that led you through the plantation.

Wayne checking out the 20 foot hole.

Waynes crutch sinking into the quick sand.

The road, washed into one pile..

Pointing out the granite below.

Wayne heading down to the bottom.

On our adventures, we found a fossilized sea biscuit, a few pieces of pottery, some broken milk glass, and a few pieces of china, that the water washed out of the soil from an old dump, from the early 1900's.

BBQ

 

The weather has finally cool down enough to stand being outside for any length of time. So we decided it was a good day to have a BBQ.  !8 hamburgers, 3lbs of Georgia boy sausage,  and 32oz of potato,  chips, spinach salad, and bake beans  our guest were content for a few hours!!

Once the sun set, it was time to light the fire pit, and roast marshmallows, and make smores.. mmm, mmmm, good..

Passed..With flying colors!!

 

Well we got a 100 on our safety visit, but I am sure you already knew that since I am super organized. (tooting my own horn for a second)  She did however tell Wayne he needed to declutter his "man room". (ha)

We are now scheduled to have our home study completed Oct 9th, and should be up and running by the end of October.  Maybe we will have little "Ray Ray" in time for Halloween.

Today I took some time to talk with Parker about Wayne, and I becoming foster parents.  I told him that we were going to take care of a little boy or girl, because his/her Mommy, and Daddy were sick, and were/are not able to take care of them.  I said once they are better the little boy or girl will go back home.

His response, my Mommy and Daddy are sick, so I need you and Wayne to be my parents until they feel better.  Mommy has a cold. So can I spend the night at your house?  Priceless!

Let's talk about..Carseats..

 

-Did you know that car accidents kill and injure more children than all major childhood illnesses combined?

-Most accidents occur within a 25 mile radius of your home.

-a crash at 30 miles an hour can create as much force as falling from a third story window.

-Infants should ride rear facing until their first birthday, AND weigh at least 20lbs.  However it is best to keep your child rear facing as long as the carseat allows.

For example Willie B is one year old and weighs 26lbs, however his carseat states the it can be used rear facing up to 35lbs.  Extended rear facing is the safest way for a child to ride in the car.

Most five point harness can be used forward facing until a child reaches 40lbs.  Did you know there are other carseats on the market that will allow your child the safety of a 5 point harness until they reach 65lbs?

Britax makes several 5 point harness carseats that hold a child until 65lbs. Once the child reaches 65lbs, the carseat can be used as a booster seat until 100lbs.

graco also makes one with a weight limit of 65lbs, at half the cost of Britax carseats.

Parker is 4 yrs old, and 35lbs, he rides comfortably in his Graco - Nautilus carseat..

Older children should ride in a booster seat until they are at least 5' tall.  As seatbelts are design for a full sized adults.

Remember all children should ride in the backseat!

Thursday is the day!

 

On Thursday our home resource coordinator from Georgia safe, is coming out to do our safety inspection.  We have spent most of the weekend making sure everything is in order.

We tidied up the outside of our house, which in tailed removing a dump truck full of wood from our remodel. We bought a fire extinguisher, two more smoke alarms. A locked box to store medication, and a few supplies to add to our first aid kit.

We tidied our guest room, and clean out the closet to ensure we have enough space for "Ray Ray" (our pet name for our foster child).

Keep your fingers crossed!

My birthday present..

 

A little late at posting a picture, but this is what Wayne bought my for my birthday.  I can't wait to get the rest of our outdoor furniture.

my lil man..

 

Parker is growing up so quickly, in the passed six months he has went from a toddler/preschooler into a little boy.  Some of the thing's he has said lately, have had me laughing..

On Wed, we went to Zoinks with my friend S, and her little girl M.  Parker, and M are around the same age.  On our way home from Zoinks, Parker announced that next Friday, he was taking M on a date to chuck E cheese, because she is his best girl.

Later he told me that he was my husband, because are spend a lot of time together.  I  then asked parker "who is Wayne", and he shouted "Wayne is your daddy".

Lately he's been calling me "babe"

 

He has also informed me, that his house is much larger than mine, and that I should buy a bigger one.

As I was giving him in trouble for misbehaving he told me "Karen, don't you be cheeky to me".

He keeps me on my toes..

A Georgia thumper..

 

This is what greeted me today, as I pulled up to work.  It's a rather large grasshopper, also known as a Georgia thumper.  He's pretty small compared to some of the other ones i've seen. 

A am deathly afraid of bugs, and usually run screaming if one comes near me.  It's something I have had to get used to living in the south.  We have ants that bite, massive roaches that fly, and grasshoppers that scare the hell out of you.

Oh, and lets not forget the poisons snakes, and alligators that are in nearly every body of water.

Someone care to remind me why I moved here?

Who are you?

 

I want to get to know those of you who are reading my blog..So answer a few questions for me!

1. What is your name?
2. Do you know me personally?
3. What do you do for a living?
4. Do you have any children
5. What is your favorite food?
6. What do you like to do for fun?
7. Add one other thing, that will help me get to know you.

 

oh..and for those of you who don't know how to answer the questions..Copy and paste them into the comments section..

Placement

 

I wonder what your story is?

What color are your eyes? 

Will you look like us, or have a darker complexion? . How old will you be? 

What will  be your special needs?

Will you be happy, and content?  Sad and confused?

Will you call us Mum, and Dad, or Mr. and Mrs?

Will you laugh, sing, dance and play?

What is your favorite food? 

Will you need counseling? 

Will you take medication to help you deal with life struggles?

How long will you stay with us?

Even though our first placement is months way  these are a few of the many questions that have been racing through my mind.

I can't wait to meet you little one.

The stages

 

 

How can it be, almost a year already?  How can your mind me stuck in one place in time,  yet the days, weeks, and, months fly by.

There is no denying it any longer, she isn't coming back.  The shock of the trauma that I endured watching her suffer, is also fading. I have been trying my best to stay in the "shock, and denial stage" it's the easiest of the stages to handle.

Next comes unbelievable pain, coupled with huge amounts of guilt.  Did I tell her I love her enough? Was I a good daughter?  Did I do everything in my power to save her?

Where is she? What is she thinking?

Why her?  Why me? Why us?

How do I help my sisters deal with their grief when I can't even help myself? How do I face the rest of my life, without her? 

cousins

 

 

Catch up..

 

Things have been wild around here.  I am still working two jobs, Wayne's in full-time school, doing rehab, and working part-time at Winnstead. We also just spend the weekend in Albany, GA becoming IMPACT certified.

In between all of that I got pulled over for doing "an illegal u turn".  Gas went from $3.65 a gallon to almost $5.00 here in Thomasville. Someone broke into my car at work, and stole my purse, took my cash, and threw my purse in the back yard.

We had some uninvited guests in Parker's room. Baby  Squirrel's, three of them over the course of the week. 

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the emergency ultra sound Wayne had on his leg.

What have you all been up too?

Patriot Day

 

The president of the United States has declared today as Patriot Day.  Please remember all those who lost their life in such a tragic way seven years ago today.

Gone, but never forgotten.

 

 

Happy first birthday

 

 

Just 12 short months ago

I made my big debut

So now I'd like to celebrate

My 1st Birthday with you.

My little hands play patty-cake

They peek-a-boo and wave.....

They catch me while I learn to walk,

And splash me as I bathe.

They hold your fingers tightly

And touch your heart so deep...

My little hands reach out to you

For hugs before I sleep.....

My little hands are tiny now continued

But yours will serve to guide me.

And when I'm grown I'll still reach out

And know you're right beside me.

Happy first birthday sweet boy!!

Waiting..

 

I can't wait until the temperature drops below 85 degrees.

I can't wait until Mark (my brother), and his family visit in November.

I can't wait till the leaves start changing colors.

I can't wait to until our vacation (Atlanta, Tybee, and Disney)

I can't wait for William to walk, my arms are sore..He's 27lbs.

I can't wait to see my sisters, and their children. (also in November)

I can't wait to meet baby Mariah.

I can't wait until the end of the month so I can sleep in.

I can't wait until my house is finish.

I can't wait until we get our first foster care placement.

I've got a lot of waiting to do..

The boys..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got chicken?

You will need..

• Boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 can cream of herb soup (or any other cream of)
• 1 box of chicken stovetop stuffing
• Seasoning (I used Italian seasoning, slat, pepper, and onions)  
  

Place the chicken breast in the crock pot.
Mix soup with 1/3c milk, and pour over chicken
Mix stuffing with 1 2/3c water pour over soup
Cook on low for 6-8 hrs.
Do not stir

Nicknames..

 

MRSA boy

Danny boy

Crip

Weezie

Babe

Danny Wayne

Honey

Farty boy

Those are some of the nicknames my poor husband gets called..and not all be me..

What a day

 

Today has been a day full of adventure.  I was treated to lunch, by my friend Sandra, and her little girl Mia. Parker and I snuggled in his bed for half an hour, he was telling me how much he liked me :)

After words, I was given some lovely gifts.  From Parker and William I received a collage of pictures, as well as a gift certificate for a make over and, some make up!

 

From their parents I was given a Vera Bradley bag, along with a matching wallet, pen, and note pad, as well as a  nice cash bonus! Its nice to be appreciated.

Later on we went to dinner with my in laws. They splurged on a a gift card, to my favorite store: target.

Later Wayne took me to show me my gift, its a lovely steel Gazebo, that I had been eying up, but never dreamed of spending the money on!

My most priceless gift came from my friend Crystal. A healthy baby girl named Mariah weighing in at 6lbs 8oz.

Welcome to the world baby  Mariah..

Spoiled rotten I tell you.  

Today's the day

 

My best friend Crystal  is expecting her second child  She went for a check up yesterday and was told that she would be induced today at 38 weeks.  Today also happen's to be my 26th  birthday.  Happy Birthday too me! The gender of baby Garner is unknown, my vote is for a  boy!

Grateful

 

Yesterday, I was filling up my car with gas,. which isn't cheap by any means.  As I was pulling out of the gas station I noticed an early women dressed in rags, pulling a cart behind her.

She slowly walked over to each of the trash cans in the gas station, and started rummaging through them. At first I thought she was looking for food, but then she started pulling out plastic. I assumed she was collecting the plastic to recycle for money.

I drove over to the 80 something year old, and rolled down my window.

"Ma'am I shouted, do you need some money for food"

"I could always use money", she replied.

I dumped the change from my ash tray and handed it over to the poor lady. Their were so many coins, they barely hit in her wrinkled hand.

I then went into my wallet, and took out what little cash I had.

She asked me my name, and proclaimed "Karen, that's a beautiful name."

She thanked me countless times, and repeated over, and over again, how well she was going to be able to eat tonight.

I was curious to know if she had a place to lay her head at night, so I asked her "do you live here in town"

"Yes, ma'am she replied 850 N.  XXXX  street." 

"God bless you", she shouted.  As I drove away in my nice SUV, back to the the big white house((where I work) with the four  massive columns  the tears started rolling.

Tears of sadness, as well as joy.  I felt selfish.

This old lady should be enjoying her last few years of life, relaxing, gardening, playing bingo, you know the type of stuff that grannies do.

I am thankful that  I was able to help this lady out, but sad that her family isn't able or unwilling to take care of their aging grandmother.

I know that, because of my loving family, I will never have to dig in a  trash can for food. If times get rough, I know they will help me out. ..like wise

I plan to visit "granny", and bring a few bags of food.  It's the least I could do.

upgrade

 

Today we were able to upgrade our cell phones.  Those of you who talk to me on a regular basis know how I desperately needed a new phone.  My old phone wasn't holding a charge, and I refused to spend $40 on  new battery.  Call me cheap, but I like to think of myself as economical!

So instead I treated myself to a pink blackberry, which in the end only cost me $50!  I will admit I am totally overwhelmed and have NO clue what so ever how to use the phone.  It has WAY too many features, and too many steps in order to do something simple like send a text.

I think I will try it out for a few days, and see if I can get used to it.  Maybe I wasn't meant to have unlimited internet access.

addictive

 

I left the hospital around 10am, and hit the road to head home without eating break fast.  I decided that I would drive until I found my favorite fast food joint chick-fil-a.  Around noon, I had driven well over 120 miles, without spotting one chick fil-a.  Just as I was about to give up, and go some where else, I spotted "the cow". 

 

 

I guess I could be addicted  to much worse..