Post One: Beginning of the Worst week of our Lives

Funny how when you wake up in the morning, you never know what the day will bring.

On Wednesay of last week, I attended another academic coaching meeting; this time a Science Coach meeting. Since the state of Texas is coming out with new academic Science standards next year, we were writing curriculum. My daughter Lauren had texted me earlier in the day that she had been throwing up all night, and had stayed home. She had a dr. appointment at 1 p.m. because she was feeling awful. She texted me that she hoped she could drive herself, as she felt horrible. Later, she texted me that the dr. had confirmed her fears; she had the flu – not just any flu – the H1N1 type. She asked if I could come and take care of her. I flippantly texted that her new hubby could do that. (I didn’t know he was out of town for his work.) When I realized how sick she felt, of course, I quit teasing, quickly threw some things in a bag, and drove 2 hours to College Station to take care of her. I envisioned getting lots of Gatorade in her, feeding her crackers, and helping to keep any fever in check; you know, regular mom stuff when one of your children gets a “bug.”

I could see when I arrived that this H1N1 flu was mean. She was quite lethargic, and her fever was going up. I don’t usually overreact when my children get sick; if there’s no blood, I figure “this too will pass.” However, when her fever went to 103, I called my sister-in-law and asked for help. As usual, she gave exact instructions, which I followed, and the fever broke in about an hour. I was afraid to sleep with Lauren, so I slept on her new sofa, with a listening ear. The following day, the fever was gone, but she was throwing up and in the bathroom. I actually thought, “She’ll feel better by tomorrow.” I even voiced my opinion that this flu was on its last leg! However, when she woke up on Friday morning, she had a fever again. She got up, went to the restroom, and I said, “Just sit there a minute, I’m going to the restroom.”…

You need to understand, there is a joke in that. I seem to miss important things in Lauren’s life while visiting the potty room! When her sweet husband asked her to marry him, yep…I was in the bathroom! When I came out, the room was a joyous thunder of congratulations…how did I miss it. I only made a quick trip to the bathroom???

Well, here we go again, as I was returning from the bathroom, I hear a huge noise. Oh my goodness, Lauren had passed out. How could I have left right then?? I ran to her, picked her up, and she said I slapped her.(I have no memory of that = ).
We called my sister-in law again, and the dr. The dr. (who I think was useless) said he’d write a prescription for phenagren and she’d be fine. My sister-in-law said to take her to the e.r….Thankfully, we listened to the latter. I was scared. We don’t go the E.R….I began praying as I somehow got her to the car.
I begged Lauren to “stay with me,” otherwise, I had no clue how to get to the hospital. She managed, but passed out as we arrived at the E.R. I ran in, stepped in front of people (like a good, desperate mom) and started ranting that my daughter kept passing out, and I needed a wheelchair. (I think I also used the term, H1N1 flu") Immediately, people began to take action, coming to the car, getting Lauren out, rushing her inside. By the time I parked the car, there were five people working on her, trying to find a blood pressure. They quickly moved her to a larger emergency room; and then, as they sat in the movies, “All hell broke loose.”
ACTUALLY, however, I would like to change that phrase to what happened for us, "All heaven took charge..."

NORMALCY!!

If someone said to me that living a normal life was as simple as water and electricity, I would have laughed. However, after 14 days without power, I was so happy for a normal day!! One with power!! Eating out gets old! Running a loud generator got even older. ...and the mosquitos are large and plentiful!
After power came, I found ( like everyone else in Kingwood) I had the need to cook in my kitchen, bake in my oven, and vacuum my house! Thus, a clean home, with home cooked food. I have to tell you that when the tree trucks (by the dozens) and the Center Point Energy trucks arrived in Kingwood, there were cheers and clapping as they went by. The men in the trucks were waving, like our saviors!! Thank you God, and the electric company.

This morning in church, they discussed a program called 28 minutes for 40 days. 28 minutes a day in reading the New Testament for 40 days, and you should be finished. Mark and I are going to try it.. I started this afternoon with Matthew and the "begats..." Keep posted.

I miss education!

I am enjoying my freedom, and being able to run around and do something..or do nothing! However, I will always miss education. I just see a young child, and want to talk with them. The conversation is usually, "What grade are you in, What is your favorite subject..." Of course, their parents have told them not to talk to strangers, so, that only workd so well. I think about volunteering at school. I know they would love it, but I also know that once I go through the doors, I will NOT leave.
I heard Jamie Curtis this morning talking about always thinking about the next thing she might be or do. I like that. I read once that some people always want to be or do one more thing. I know I am not finished with my career yet. And...I still am doing nothing about that. Consulting is great, and I thoroughly enjoy it. (However, speaking to the Houston GT Coop group of 600-700 may not be on a future list again!!) I am doing a Science workshop in December. I told Lauren she can come...I think that's nice, knowing Lauren is going to be an even better teacher than me! I do love researching for her!!
Lauren and Pip were just here. I just LOVE that!!! Problem seems to be when our kids come home, we're NEVER ready for them to leave. Lauren is SO excited about her ring. She has to constantly fill us in on why that's important, and such a big deal, since we're not aggies. So, that will be fun next week. I can't believe she is a senior!
Jess calls on her way home from work. I think after a long day, she might be too tired to talk, but that is our gift, that time on her way home. Roy's birthday is this weekend, so she is a bit giddy.
Speaking of giddy, I'm sure no one has noticed how g - i- d - d- y Lauren is that Justin will be closer to her now!!!! I know Justin was bummed that the house deal didn't work out. We just have to keep telling them that God's timing is always right, and just trust.
Well, I just received a book from ASCD online, so, I'm going to read!!!

Don't Blink

...I wrote this blog, and then apparently I blinked ...because it has disappeared!!!!!

excellence vs perfection

I have to be careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.

We say we'll talk the talk and walk the walk, but sometimes we forget to be a good Christian, talking and walking is in the daily living we do. May we strive for excellence for him, daily.

Excellence in Lauren's photography-above!

Happiness

Happiness is watching Mark "dance."

Midnight Hour

I love writing in the middle of the night. The house is quiet (except for Mark snoring-loudly), and there is something very restful about the way our heavenly Father takes care of our days.

I talked to my sister today. She is wonderful, but not very healthy right now. She will have a second surgery next week. Hard times have brought her closer in her walk, though. I talked to mom, too. She's starting to forget things. That's scary.

I've been reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." It is the time in my time, I suppose, but the author describes her mother's childhood. It has made me want to question my mom more about her life with her siblings, about her favorite childhood treat, the depression...and so many other things. I wish I had asked years ago. Why do we have to be older for our parents past to be so treasured?

Mark, girls, I love you!