A "FREE" Day

A few families from our Indiana history class met at the History Center downtown this afternoon and enjoyed FREE admission. Stepping back in time, each one found an article of clothing or a tool from the past.
Locked in the dungeon. This is the holding/booking area of the original jail.

Toys and musical instruments from the Civil War era. For fun, I allowed the girls to have a brief "cram session" to study the different patterns of an Underground Railroad "communication" quilt and then gave them a quiz.....they passed with flying colors!

From the History Center, we went to the zoo.....again, for FREE! Watching the red panda sleep.

The female orangutan in the Indonesian Rain Forest. So fun to watch.

Picture-perfect lemurs. The amazing thing is that the lemur in front has a 4-day old baby attached to the front of her. I guess the other lemurs were there for extra protection!

Entering the African Journey.

Walking past a concession stand, the clerk called us over and handed each of us a bag of FREE popcorn. If we hadn't taken it, the garbage can would've!

Down on the farm, I couldn't believe Mr. Peacock allowed us to get this close to him....close enough to "freely" feel all his different types of feathers.

After the zoo, we went next door and enjoyed a FREE concert put on by Star 88.3!

The girls joined Miss Indiana down in front of the stage.

The artists for the evening....Jonny Diaz.....

and Kerrie Roberts.....

What a great day....complete with all this FREE entertainment!

~Wee

Heart Dissection

We love science Fridays! We looked forward to today's class because we were going to observe and participate in a dissection of a heart, probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
A view from the side of a cow's heart.

View from the top.

To determine the correct anatomical position of the heart, we passed it around for each one to squeeze, poke, and prod the tough walls of the ventricles. Knowing that the left ventricle had the thicker walls, we could then determine which side was the the front.

Here, Grace is putting her finger through the mitral valve, and as we looked down into the left atrium, we could see the opening where the pulmonary vein empties into it.

Then, Mr. D. cut open the heart vertically to expose more detail. On this shot, you can see: 1) the arteries and veins around the outside of the heart; 2) the thickness of the heart muscle, especially in the ventricles; and 3) the opening of the aorta.

Here, you get a better glimpse of the valves. Mr. D has his right thumb in the aorta and his left finger in the superior vena cava.

Megan, Moriah, and Grace get an upclose look.

Here, you can see the difference in the thickness of the walls of the right and left ventricles. The left ventricles are on the outside of each half section of the heart.

The pig's heart is about the size of a human heart (much smaller than the cow's heart).

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. ~~ Psalm 139:13-14

~Wee

Signs of Spring

Oh, what a beautiful day! Leah poked her head out the front door this morning, listened, and stated, "The birds are squeaking." Ahhhh, the wonderful sounds and signs of Spring......which, of course, includes kite flying!
Can't wait for more "Spring" color to appear, as well!

~Wee

Remembering Tess.....

Today marks the 12th anniversary of my sister's death, so I am revisiting one of my archived posts of two years ago. This entry is in loving memory of Tess, who flew home to her Creator, Redeemer, and Lord 12 years ago today ~ February 18, 1999. Twelve years ago I didn't know at the time that I would spend the last week of my sister’s life with her. Twelve years ago I had no idea what it was like to say goodbye, for good. Though 12 years have passed, my memories are still very real. I don't mean this to be sad or morbid, just a reflection back on those days, 12 years ago....

• A little over 12 years ago, four-month-old Megan and I flew to Texas for two weeks to help my sister, Tess, and to stay with Connor and Cole while she went to Houston for treatment. Tess and I would walk the Austin mall searching for a new warm-up suit to fit her thinning body that she could wear that Christmas, which was her last.
• 12 years ago, we would hear a doctor say, “There’s nothing more we can do here (at M.D. Anderson). We’re sending her home to be placed on hospice care."
• 12 years ago I would fly back to Austin with now six-month-old Megan to hopefully spend some quality time with Tess before the cancer possibly changed her personality or affected her speech or consciousness.
• 12 years ago, I would walk in the front door of my sister’s home to see her lying in a hospital bed in front of the big picture window, make eye contact with her, and hear her raspy, weak voice say, “Hi Wee.”
• 12 years ago, I would sit for many hours by her bedside, hold her hand, rub her skin, place my warm hands on her cold feet, speak promises of scripture into her ear, join in song as her husband sang her favorite songs to her, or just…..sit and pray. I would watch as she looked wide-eyed up at the ceiling (seeing angels, I'm sure) or pointed off into the distance.
• 12 years ago, I would witness a horrendous scene - that of my sister having a grand mal seizure as a result of the pressure built up around her brain. From that point on, she basically was unconscious.
• 12 years ago, I would know what it’s like to be waiting for what seemed to be the inevitable. I would know what it was like for my sister’s friends, her church family, her Bible Study gals come to share their love for her or to say their good-byes.
• 12 years ago, I would know what it was like to actually be thinking that I'd rather see my sister go to heaven than to see her suffering continue.
• 12 years ago, I would actually look for various “signs of death” on my sister's body.
• 12 years ago, I would experience excitement as it seemed she was regaining consciousness, only to have it be possible because her body was no longer taking in fluids and the pressure around her brain was decreasing.
• 12 years ago, I would know that helpless feeling of hearing my sister’s lungs fill up with fluid and being unable to do anything about it. I would know what it was like to watch my sister struggle to even get a breath.
• 12 years ago, I would know what it was like to feel a warm, strong hand go cold and limp. To watch the flesh-colored skin turn to gray.
• 12 years ago, I would know what it was like to feel that final heart beat, pull out the feeding tube, and unhook the IV; to throw away all unused medications and supplies.
• 12 years ago, I would sit around the bed that held the empty body of my sister and reminisce about her life.
• 12 years ago, I would make the phone call to my husband telling him about my sister‘s death.
• 12 years ago, I would sit by, listening and watching Mom as she contacted family members and rehashed the painful details on every single phone call.
• 12 years ago, I would watch as the funeral director came to the house, placed my sister’s body in a black bag, and wheel it out of her house on a stretcher for the final time.
• 12 years ago, I would lie awake in bed next to my sleeping baby realizing how drastically my life had just changed.
• 12 years ago, I knew what it was like to hear plans of my sister's Texas funeral take place, to sit in on the meeting with the pastor and funeral director. I knew what it was like to receive cards, flowers, and phone calls saying, "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you."
• 12 years ago, I would love on her two young boys, who are left without their Mommy.
• 12 years ago and 1 day, I would wake up to an empty hospital bed in the living room, reminding me that my sister was no longer with us on this earth, but at home with her Creator ~ whole, healed and healthy.
• 12 years ago and 1 day, I would stand in my sister's closet and help pick out her burial dress. Later that day, I would fly back home to Iowa.
• 12 years ago and 2 days, I would take my husband to the airport and send him off to the Dominican Republic on a scheduled medical work team, then I would drive to Illinois and await my parents’ arrival back from Texas.
• 12 years ago, I would know what it was like to figure out what to wear to my big sister's Illinois funeral; learn how to eat when I wasn't hungry.
• 12 years ago and 6 days I would learn what it was like to see my big sister, lifeless, in a casket. I would know what it was like to see friends and family come say their final good-byes.
• 12 years ago and 7 days I would know what it was like to attend the funeral of my sister I knew for 29 years. I would know what it was like to watch my sister's body get buried in the ground, fully knowing her soul was at home in heaven. I would receive a rose from atop her casket.
• 12 years ago, I was learning what it was like to begin to live life without my sister.
• 12 years ago, I had no idea how those events would effect my life. God has been there through the struggles, the laughter, the tears, the life lessons, etc. He has seen our family through the 12 years Tess has been gone, and the evidence of His constant presence is very much alive.....in the life of the boys, in making their family whole again, as well as for us. It does make me sad, though, that I didn't get to share motherhood with her, home-schooling with her, my girls with her, my life with her. I still miss her very much. I miss her friendship. I miss her laughter. I miss her being only a phone call away. I miss our long talks. I miss her encouragement, her perspective, her positive attitude, her understanding. And, I miss her unending love.

But, it doesn't matter anyway ~ because I know what she has been doing the past 12 years. And the best part is, she doesn't have to come back to this sinful world ~ full of death, loss, heartbreak, hunger, tears, etc. But I get to go where she is and where our Father is, waiting for us. I get to run on the streets of gold and worship God as I, too, was made to do. That is the day I long for. So while these past 12 years have been far from easy, I look forward to time again with my sister where there will be no more cancer, no meds, no sin, no guilt, no shame, no regret...I long. I ache. I crave that day.

~Wee

Baby Teeth.....Gone!

Bright and early this morning, Megan and I left the house and headed to the out-patient surgery center to have the rest of her baby teeth surgically removed. The total number of extractions came to seven...five of which were ankylosed (fused) to the bone and the other two were her upper canines (one of the two being loose, which he pulled for free). The five anylosed teeth had to be cut out, while the right canine tooth just pulled.

I am so proud of her bravery throughout this whole procedure, even the days leading up to today. She had to have an IV, her first. I was able to go back to Room 5 with her before they put her to sleep. While I was there, she got hooked up to the heart monitor, O2, respiration, etc. The surgeon came in, examined her mouth again, and looked at the x-rays. I had to sign approval for the teeth to be extracted. The nurse then said she would show me out to the waiting room. I kissed Megan and told her I loved her....but did not cry until she was behind me. Once I sat down out in the waiting room, I read through some Psalms, which spoke peace into my soul.

One hour came and went, but four short minutes later, the door opened up and the nurse said I could come back. Megan was in recovery room 1, laying down, and covered up. When I arrived, the nurse was wrapping the ice pack around her head. I teared up again when I saw her. She had tears running down her cheeks, which they informed me was normal for kids when they are coming out of general anesthesia. Her face was numb from the nose down; she really didn't look swollen at all.

The nurse changed the gauzes in her mouth, which were there to help the tissue start clotting, while I watched. We changed them throughout the day until no more seeping was noticed.

During recovery, Megan whimpered some, which the nurse also informed me was normal for kids as they are waking up after surgery. I just whispered prayers over her, and God's presence immediately calmed her down. Megan kept trying to tell me something as she put her hand up by her nose. I could not understand her with all the gauze in her mouth, but later realized she was telling me that they had put something over her nose. (I had shared with her that when I was young and had surgery, they put me to sleep with a mask over my nose.) It was the O2 they were putting on her. The location of her IV was a little sore. As she lay there, I held her hand, rubbed her back or arms, and wiped her tears away.

Megan does not remember walking from the surgery chair to the recovery room, but she has shared what she remembers just before going to sleep. I am encouraging her to write down in her own words what she remembers about this day, and maybe I'll share when she gets it done.

Recovery lasted a half an hour at the most, then we were ready to leave. I brought the van up to the door and the nurse and I escorted our patient out. Before going home, we stopped off at Wendy's and picked up a frosty for her. When I pulled up at the pick-up window, the lady said, "I thought you'd be from the dentist; they're always the first customers."

After arriving back at home, Megan headed straight for the couch. While we were gone, Grace got her "bed" set up on the couch and made things as cozy as can be for Megan's return home.
We gave her a balloon signed by all of us..

..and a Surrounded by Love figurine.

After she was settled at home, I ran to get her prescription filled. I was gone maybe an hour, which was getting close to the time that her numbness should be wearing off. She told me later that just before I got back home, she was feeling a little soreness. She took a half a vicodin pill, which her body rejected an hour later (no surprise there). We've been alternating ibuprofen with Tylenol the rest of the time, forgetting the vicodin. She has really done great this afternoon! I am amazed! She has not once complained, and has asked for food a lot.

By 7 p.m. tonight, she was up and ready to play Mouse Trap with me and Leah, while Grace went to basketball practice.

And before bed, we iced one last time. Notice the hint of a smile. She was feeling better.She has now gone six to seven hours between any meds, so we'll see how things continue to go. We have been so blessed to be surrounded by those of you who were covering her with prayer throughout today. We have truly been carried on those prayers! Thank you!

And, so, there you have it....the ending saga of teeth A, B, C, H, J, K, and T. They are now safely preserved in Megan's own take-home pouch.

(I know it is very uncharacteristic of me to not have had my camera along; and in hindsight, I really wish I had taken it. Oh well :) )

~Wee

The Other Side of the Court

Tonight was Megan's game against the team she played on last year, Central Christian. She was looking forward to the game, mostly to see some of her former teammates. Central Christian is a 5th thru 8th grade team, so the older girls on our JV team were not able to play. Because of that, the younger girls saw more playing time, building on their experience; and Megan even got to be a starter. She was excited about that!

During their pre-game stretches, Coach went up to Megan and asked her about the players on the other team.

A prayer starts the game.

On offense.

Playing defense.

Moving away from the stack, Megan waits for the inbound pass.

Our girls came away with another win!

~Wee

Homeschool Ski Trip

We arose early, met up with a bunch of other early risers, and headed off to Michigan for the annual home school ski trip. After checking in and getting all bundled up, we were ready to move on out! Since there were several first-time skiers this year, we spent a short time over at the bunny slope (just behind the girls) to help out where needed and to give ourselves a few "refresher" runs.
It wasn't long, and the girls were ready to move over to the slopes. We spent the time before lunch on Dean's Pass and Lumber Jack.

Grace comes around the final bend on Dean's Pass.

Megan on the Lumber Jack run (I realize the names of the runs mean nothing to the average reader, but they're for my memory:) )

Grace heading down.

Breaking for lunch and a much-needed time for warming-up. This year, after learning from last year, we took along hand warmers. Those things worked great!

Then, in the afternoon, we went up the double chair lift to a different part of the slopes.
Just off the lift, Megan chose to stop literally at the edge of this nice dropoff....a bit too close for my liking.

We knew we were on a more challenging slope and that knowledge was confirmed when we came around the bend off the ski lift and saw the steep decline. Standing at the top of the crest, Megan said, "I'm scared."

However, she proceeded to take off, going straight down! I guess any fear she was experiencing was short lived!

Grace takes her first run down this intermediate run.
One time down the Oak run was all it took. We were hooked after that! So much so, that we spent the rest of the time going up and down that run. The second time down, we went through and out this hut. You come out of the hut at a bit of an angle (rather than hitting the slope going straight down), which made a big difference (at least for me, it did).

Megan heads out...

..and doesn't stick around long!

Grace's turn out of the "starting block."

Our last run of the day, Megan went down, Grace went down, and I followed. Megan apparently had gone back up, which then put her behind me (unknown to me). Grace and I headed in to return our rentals, etc., and it was then that I was made aware that Megan had fallen. One observer's words were, "It was a HARD fall." Instead of skiing straight down, she thought she'd attempt to weave like I have to do. Unfortunately, trying a new move for the first time going at an incredible speed is not a good idea! She fell....no, wiped out majorly, losing both skis and sliding head first down 15-20 feet. Since she landed on her chest, the wind was knocked out of her, and I believe she blacked out for a short time. Coming to a stop, she laid there unmoving for a brief time trying to catch her breath, and then she remembers looking behind her up the slope to see where her skis were. Someone brought them down to her, helped her get up, and then down the slope the rest of the way where her friends were waiting for her at the bottom. They helped her into the lodge to sit down. That's where I found her. No broken bones, just some bruised ribs. AND VERY THANKFUL FOR THE LORD'S PROTECTING HAND ON HER, AND ALL OF US!

Stopping for pizza on our way home. It really was a great day!

~Wee

Shrew News

Look at this little guy that we captured this morning on a glue trap in our garage! After first being "grossed out," we started to examine our captured mammal a bit more closely, noticing how different it looked from a mouse. Megan mentioned that it looked more like a shrew, and after further review, we all agreed she is right!

What perfect timing too, just after completing our beloved study of Zoology!
~Wee

What's Wrong With This Picture?

The first snowfall of this year was on December 1. The girls were so excited to see the "white stuff" gently falling on that morning. As usual, though, the first snowfall of this season barely amounted to much accumulation.

Today, however, it snowed off and on throughout the day, leaving us with a nice white dusting. The older two girls went to a friend's house after church, so Leah and Daddy enjoyed time out in the snow (what little of it there was =) ). She loved it!

~Wee