We're now officially parents!

It started Saturday afternoon after lunch. I was getting Kyra ready for her nap and I said to David, "Wow, she feels really warm to me". She hadn't been acting sick, but David had come home from work the day before, feeling just rotten and running a slight fever. So I took her temperature, and it was 100.2. Although this isn't a very high fever, it still meant we pulled out the Tylenol, and started pushing the liquids.

Saturday progressed and she still spiked a fever without the medicine. So I kept the Tylenol & the fluids coming, and gave her a bath that night, hoping it would cool her down a little--plus she really likes her baths. Unfortunately the deluge of fluids meant she was up every couple of hours after going to bed, saying, "I'm wet". At least we knew that system was working...

Sunday morning came, and she was still really warm. By this time, she wanted nothing to do with just plain water, so we got creative and made applesauce popsicles, which turned out to be super easy--just take an empty ice tray, fill each spot with applesauce, put a popsicle stick in each one (you can use toothpicks through plastic wrap if your child is old enough to handle toothpicks), and then freeze. Instant yumminess!

By Sunday night, without medicine, her fever jumped to 103.2. That was it, I was calling the on-call doc. Her recommendation was to take her to the ER, since she wasn't really acting sick, but the fever was fairly high, which sounded to her like a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

We got in the car, and drove her to Providence St. Vincent's ER, crossing our fingers that they weren't slammed. When we arrived, they looked fairly busy, but apparently they don't mess around when it comes to kids. Within 20 minutes of our arrival, we were back in a room, and talking to a nurse.

Their plan was to get a sample so they could check for the UTI, and they asked if we could get her to go potty. Unfortunately, we're in the middle of potty training, and we've yet to master "going by request", especially on a big potty without our potty seat. So, the only other alternative was to catheterize her--NOT FUN for anyone!

She did very well, although she burst into tears as soon as they started, as did her mommy. There's just something about when your kids are scared, or in pain, that tears you open like nothing else.

Afterwards, we waited for what seemed like forever, although it was a pretty short time in ER waiting time, until the doctor came with the results. He said there was no preliminary evidence of a UTI, and she probably had the nasty flu virus that's been going around. Keep pushing the fluids and the Tylenol, and she should be better in a couple days. We then took her home, and all fell into our beds, exhausted.

This morning she woke up after sleeping through the night, and she was as cool as a cucumber--Yeah! Now I know mornings tend to be the cool time, and afternoons/evenings are when fevers can rise, but I was happy that she was cooler. We spent the morning watching Finding Nemo, and drinking more fluids. Then I leaned over to her, and felt her back--uh oh, it's only 10 am, and she's warm! Temp--102.2. Ok, more Tylenol.

Now we've eaten lunch, had some Jello---thanks to Grandma's run to the store for Children's Motrin, popsicles, and jello, and she's down for her nap. Did you know that you can alternate Motrin & Tylenol, since they are handled by two different organs, the kidneys & the liver? We learned that last night. In fact, the nurse said to start with the Motrin, as it gives more bang for your buck (i.e. lasts longer), and then if the fever still spikes, while on the Motrin, you can give the Tylenol, without having to wait. Cool, huh?

So now we just need to let time do its thing, while laying low. And pray that I don't get it!

Happy Monday friends!
k~

Praying for a Miracle & Walking for a Cure

Every year it seems we are bombarded by more & more offers to support this organization, or donate to that cause. And I have to admit, sometimes I just get numb to them all, even those of which are for things I do care about.

But then it seems we are thrown a curve ball, seemingly out of nowhere, and suddenly your whole outlook changes.

This week my dear sister, Heather, was diagnosed with breast cancer. And although the statistics, at one time, were 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed, it doesn't really hit home until someone you love, is given that life-changing diagnosis.

So it is with this news, that my family is asking for your support. My daughter, Kyra and I will be walking the 1-mile course in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, on Sunday, September 21, 2008, in honor of my sister, and Kyra's aunt. If you'd like to help sponsor us, click on the link below to go to the donation page.

We also understand in these times of tight pocketbooks, and rising costs that it might be too much of a stretch for some of you to support us financially.

So for you, you have a much bigger task :-) PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Heather sees the surgeon this coming Monday to discuss the plan of action, and we are just praying for clarity, and calmness.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, and again, above all, we are coveting your prayers.

God Bless, k~

It's been 13 years...

13 years ago today at this very time (1:30 PM), I was nervously adjusting my veil for the last time, guests were being serenaded by a wonderful brass quintet, I was making sure I didn't have to go to the bathroom--there's a very funny story to go along with that which I will NOT tell here, and I was trying not to pass out from my 40 lb dress in the 95 degree heat.

Yes, 13 years ago today, July 15th 1995, David & I got married. The weather was very similar to today, sunny & hot, and the church's A/C was just not keeping up. That aside, we had a beautiful wedding held at the church I grew up in, and a great reception in their gym that we converted into a big garden, complete with fountain and gazebo!

Whenever I look at the pictures from that day, or watch the video, I see many things: excitement, nervousness, joy, laughter, a little weariness--our photographer took forever taking the pictures. But they also bring a little sadness, because in these past 13 years, several loved ones have passed away--my very special Grandma Cable, David's great aunt Dorothy, and some relationships & friendships that have not survived the passing of time.

On a good note, though, we've been blessed beyond what we could have ever expected: The birth of our beautiful daughter, Kyra; David has a good solid job; we live in a great house in a wonderful neighborhood, and best of all, we're still together :-)

David, thanks for being an awesome husband, daddy to Kyra, and most of all, my best friend! Here's to many, many more! k~

People say the funniest things and a Fence update

Overheard while riding the Max train:

"We sat there waiting in our car for a half hour, and we said to each other, 'This gas station has the worst service ever!' Then we remembered we were in Washington. Did we ever feel silly!"

Overheard while walking past a Fireworks stand:

Customer: "Oh cool! Little yellow ducks."
Vendor: "No, they don't explode."
Customer: "Too bad, I'm a Beavers' fan. I would have bought a whole case of them."
Vendor: "You're the 3rd person who's asked me that in the last 10 minutes."

As for the fence, he's still working on it, although our portion is done. We've yet to hear anything from our neighbors...Maybe they're waiting until the whole project is complete and the bill is presented? Will let you know.

Also will be posting some pictures from our recent day trip to the beach, our 4th of July, as well as some other random pictures soon. Stay tuned and stay cool!
k~

Keeping Cool

Swimsuit: $7.99 at Costco
Sprinkler: $1.25 at 2nd Edition Resale shop
Pool: FREE from next-door neighbor
Cool Fun with our daughter: Priceless
(make sure to click on the picture to see the absolute joy on her face!)

Loving the warm weather (At last!)
k~

Won't you be my neighbor? Now where's the fence?

Living in the 'burbs means the chance that you will have neighbors is very high. But if you're lucky enough to live in an older neighborhood, most of the time there is at least a little breathing room between you and your fellow inhabitants. And a good fence.

Last winter during a particularly bad windstorm, a panel of the fence that runs between us and the house behind us, succumbed to its rotten feet, and had it not been for a conveniently-placed tree, would have landed flat on its back. Instead, it stayed propped up against said tree until as recently as this last Monday. This is when HE showed up.

Now about a month or so ago, I noticed the neighbor behind us, in her yard talking to a gentleman, and pointing at the fence. So, I thought I'd walk out and see if they were discussing the fixing of the fence. It seemed only right to at least gather some info, as it was our fence too. I should also mention, we've lived in our current house for six years this August, and up until this moment, we've never met the neighbors who live behind us. I know, we should be more pro-active and get to know our neighbors, but they're busy, we're busy, etc., etc., etc.

Anyway, so the neighbor lady and I introduce ourselves, and she says this is a contractor who's in the process of getting her an estimate for the fence. At this point, they haven't decided whether they're going to fix just the broken panel, or replace the whole fence. I say, "Well, as it's our fence too, when you decide, please let us know, and we can at least contribute for our part of the fence." So we left it at that.

Fast forward to this Monday. I look out the back window, and I see the same man, who has now begun work on the fence. The broken panel has been removed, as well as another part of our shared fence. He's there all day, working away, but by evening, the new panels have not gone back up. And by the way, we were home all day, and no communication from our neighbors about what's going on.

The next morning, I'm inside doing some housework, and happen to look outside. This man is now in our yard. He sees me, and motions for me to come outside. I do, and he says, "Did they tell you I was going to be in your yard?" I said, "No, but I figured you would have to be, as you're working on the fence, and it's obviously not done yet." He said, "Well, when I'm done you'll have a very nice looking fence, because in addition to replacing the panels, I'm also pressure- and oil-treating the old panels so they'll look like new." And then he went on to say that most people don't take care of their fences and should, because treating them is only $2000, whereas a new fence can be $5000. I mumbled something, and then retreated to the house, cringing and seeing the dollar signs multiplying, because I knew he was both treating and repairing the fence.

Today, day 4, and we've still heard nothing from our neighbors, and this man continues to work. Now I realize he's already done some of the work, but I'm really nervous because I haven't seen any quote, and have no idea what our portion may be.

So I'm asking you readers for some advice on what we should do. My mom says, "Don't go borrowing trouble and worry. Just wait and see what happens. I mean, you never even saw a quote, so you could always say, 'We didn't agree to that amount.'

However, I don't want to start WW3 with these neighbors--we still have to live here, after all. And he did do the work, so I want to do the right thing there.

The reality is, we don't have a couple thousand dollars just lying around that we haven't known what to do with. And yes, we could have gone out and gotten our own estimates, but I think if it had been up to us, we probably would have tried to fix it ourselves---Laura VG, Clint does owe David some reciprocal fence/post-hole digging time :-)

Suggestions? Help please!

Back from the Desert (literally!)

Lest you think I'd fallen off the planet as it's been over a month since my last post, rest assured: We're fine :-) It's just that up until this last week, we've had the same old, same old, with nothing really exciting to report.

But now I can write about our recent family getaway to Sunriver! We decided this year to not take a big trip for several reasons: Kyra's 2 1/2, $$$, we went to Hawaii last year, Kyra's 2 1/2, $$$$, do I need to go on? Instead we chose to vacation locally, within driving distance --although this was before gasoline hit over $4 a gallon--EEK!

After looking on Craigslist, we found a nice 2 bed/2 bath house for rent in Sunriver for only $99 a night--a real bargain :-) I admit, I was a little worried, as we'd never rented a house in Sunriver before, but thought if it was absolutely horrible, we could always stay with my sister who lives in Redmond.

Also being early June, we weren't sure exactly what to expect weather-wise, but we crossed our fingers and hoped for warm sun--the house came with pool passes after all :-)

On our drive over, we took Santiam Pass, and encountered SNOW at the top of the pass, which was funny at the time, but was actually a preview of the weather to come :-( As one TV weather forecaster said while we were there, "We're having unseasonably cold weather this time of year. Tonight's low will be below freezing." Below freezing!?!? But being that we are Oregonians, you learn early on that you can't let the weather dictate your mood or what you do. You just adjust your wardrobe accordingly. And that's what we did, including a little unplanned stop at the REI in Bend, as David had forgotten a warm coat...

All in all, I'd have to say this was one of the most fun family vacations we've taken, and now I'll leave you with some pictures of our trip:

Day 1:
See-sawing with Daddy at
Fort Rock Park

Day 2:
The Old Mill District in Bend
to buy a coat

Day 3:
Feeding the fish
Fall River Fish Hatchery

Day 3:
Hanging out with Daddy
Deschutes River

Day 3:
Look Mommy, a pine cone!
Can I keep it?

Day 3:
Down by the Deschutes River
with Mommy

Day 3:
Yes, that's snow on the ground in June

Day 3:
Cascade Lakes Hwy.
Guess we're turning around...

Day 4:
Cousin Tatum's Birthday party

Day 4:
Snuggling with Grandma A
after a long day

Day 5:
Enjoying the Sun (finally!)
Lava Cast Forest

Day 5:
Benham Falls Bridge

Day 5:
The Princess

So there you have it. I promise to not go so long between posts next time, even if I have to write about ho hum things :-)

Happy Monday friends~
k~