I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this, but the van is back in our possession as of 6:00 pm last night. Hunter was so excited to see his van that he literally hugged it after they brought it out to us; obviously it wasn't a big, bear hug, but it was definitely a loving embrace - too bad I didn't have the camera for that one. The boy loves his van; however, apparently there are limits to his love because this morning he wanted to know where his jeep was.
The van has a new transmission - details are a bit sketchy, but the report I have from the dealership mentions large chunks of metal! I am glad I don't know the details; it sounds very scary to me. I'm just thankful things happened the way they did.
Now comes the re-adjustment period. I have to move forward with this whole issue and get comfortable driving it again. Needless to say, I have a new interest in staying home rather than running errands.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Miscellaneous Updates
The last five or six days have been quite blog worthy, which means we've been busy, which explains why I haven't posted all of this. (Sorry that this is such a long one!) At various points throughout the week, I remember saying to myself, "I should blog that!" Now, I don't really remember what I was going to blog, but here are a few updates to share:
1. The Van: Today was day 11 of this ordeal. Apparently they know what is wrong and are fixing it. I should have the van back Wednesday or Thursday which probably means Thursday or Friday - we'll see. I don't have a full understanding of what is being fixed, so I don't know how concerned I should be about all of this. I am sure the rest of the week will prove interesting though!
2. Hannah: Little Miss had an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor) on Thursday. She hasn't really had that many ear infections - only three - but two of the three were in the last two months. The last one took two rounds of antibiotics to cure and she's still not quite right. I keep telling the doctors that and they keep saying her ears shouldn't be bothering her. Finally we saw a doctor who listened to me and spent a little time examining Hannah. She said that Hannah had several fluid pockets on her ear drums but no sign of infection. Given Hannah's irritability, she thinks the fluid is causing Hannah constant discomfort, hence the ENT referral. The ENT looked at her ears, administered a hearing test of sorts, and said that she isn't deaf, but she doesn't hear well - good news, bad news?! I guess this explains why she says, "Huh?" all of the time. We just thought she learned a new word; can you say horrible mom??? Anyway, Hannah is scheduled to have tubes placed in her ears on March 12.
3. Pete(David): A few months ago our church began a nomination process for new deacons. Our pastor mentioned to Pete that his name had been submitted for consideration as a deacon. Pete was humbled and honored to hear this, but never really thought more about it since we are so migrant. Once the nominations closed and the interview process began, Pete found himself right in the middle of everything. The church voted, he went before an ordination board, and on Sunday he was ordained a deacon. We are so proud of him. For those of you who know him well, you should be very proud of him too - he didn't actually shed a tear during the service; he did come close a few times, but he made it all the way through. Way to go Petey/Davey - he'll kill me when he sees this, but I found it amusing nonetheless!!!
1. The Van: Today was day 11 of this ordeal. Apparently they know what is wrong and are fixing it. I should have the van back Wednesday or Thursday which probably means Thursday or Friday - we'll see. I don't have a full understanding of what is being fixed, so I don't know how concerned I should be about all of this. I am sure the rest of the week will prove interesting though!
2. Hannah: Little Miss had an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor) on Thursday. She hasn't really had that many ear infections - only three - but two of the three were in the last two months. The last one took two rounds of antibiotics to cure and she's still not quite right. I keep telling the doctors that and they keep saying her ears shouldn't be bothering her. Finally we saw a doctor who listened to me and spent a little time examining Hannah. She said that Hannah had several fluid pockets on her ear drums but no sign of infection. Given Hannah's irritability, she thinks the fluid is causing Hannah constant discomfort, hence the ENT referral. The ENT looked at her ears, administered a hearing test of sorts, and said that she isn't deaf, but she doesn't hear well - good news, bad news?! I guess this explains why she says, "Huh?" all of the time. We just thought she learned a new word; can you say horrible mom??? Anyway, Hannah is scheduled to have tubes placed in her ears on March 12.
3. Pete(David): A few months ago our church began a nomination process for new deacons. Our pastor mentioned to Pete that his name had been submitted for consideration as a deacon. Pete was humbled and honored to hear this, but never really thought more about it since we are so migrant. Once the nominations closed and the interview process began, Pete found himself right in the middle of everything. The church voted, he went before an ordination board, and on Sunday he was ordained a deacon. We are so proud of him. For those of you who know him well, you should be very proud of him too - he didn't actually shed a tear during the service; he did come close a few times, but he made it all the way through. Way to go Petey/Davey - he'll kill me when he sees this, but I found it amusing nonetheless!!!
4. My Brother: Ben had another ultrasound today trying to determine the cause of the swelling in his arm. This time doctors were able to locate the problem. He does, indeed, have a blood clot located under his right arm. Apparently the hospital did not look under the arm when he first had this checked at the beginning of the month. He started a blood thinner today and will meet with a vascular specialist later this week. The prognosis seems good at this point. Doctors are a bit concerned that he's so young to have this. Please keep him in your prayers.
5. My Friend Paula: Many of you were praying with me for her unborn twins, Gracie and Tyler. Paula was induced last week; Gracie came first and Tyler followed 8 hours later!!! Paula had to have emergency surgery to stop hemorrhaging, but she is doing well now. Both babies were born perfectly healthy at 37 weeks. They are all home recuperating now. Thank you for your prayers for them!
6. Hunter: We are on attempt number 121 (not really but it seems like it) to get him potty trained. He's not liking this at all. He's generally an easy-going little guy, but certain things set him off. The only other two things he's ever been this upset about were sleeping in his crib during the first few months and learning the alphabet song - no clue on this one! He did eventually start sleeping all night in his crib, he does know the alphabet song, so I have hope that he will one day be potty trained. For now, it's a bit of a crazy battle. We'll get there though.
Hunter in his big boy undies. If you look closely, you'll see Hannah in her big girl undies. She hasn't really caught on either, but she's trying - sometimes!
In case you are wondering what Hunter is doing - he's pretending to be a caribou. I know this because I asked what he was doing and that's the answer he gave me. Why a caribou? I have no idea!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
After the Pigtails
Showing off her crazy hair!
I am sure Hannah will probably kill me for this one day, but I had to share.
Amazing Love
Our church has been collecting donations to send to our troops for distribution to refugees in Afghanistan. Two weeks, 89 boxes, and 1400 pounds later, I participated in the largest shipping experience of my life. Who knew that you could get 89 boxes of varying sizes into a large pick-up truck and a Jeep Cherokee with two kids in car seats? We only spent three and a half hours at the post office - the kids were great and the postal employees were incredible!!
We live in an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Though things have greatly improved here, you can't go a day without seeing something still in ruins or someone who is still dealing with those effects. To think that people who have struggled so hard to put their own lives back together would be this willing to help people they have never met in a country where they have never been is simply AMAZING!
A sampling of the boxes
Large pick-up truck almost fully loaded
Jeep fully loaded
We live in an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Though things have greatly improved here, you can't go a day without seeing something still in ruins or someone who is still dealing with those effects. To think that people who have struggled so hard to put their own lives back together would be this willing to help people they have never met in a country where they have never been is simply AMAZING!
A sampling of the boxesLarge pick-up truck almost fully loaded
Jeep fully loaded
Can you see the frustration on Hannah's face?
Below are pictures that we received from our friend who is currently stationed in Afghanistan. (Note: He has the same job as Pete in the Navy. His story could very easily have been Pete's story.) As I look at these pictures, I am reminded of The Starfish Story, especially these last few lines:
..."But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"
I feel confident in saying that we ARE making a difference
to this family
and this child
and this child
and these children
and all of these people.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
One Green Clown
The other day Hunter came home from pre-school painted like a clown. By the time I saw him, he had rubbed most of his paint off - notice the sweatshirt - but I hear he had a grand time being a clown. I can only imagine!
After my clown and his sister took naps, we enjoyed some serious playtime in the backyard. Lucky for us, we have a plethora of lizards which both kids find endlessly entertaining. I pretty sure it's not a mutual feeling for the lizards, but we have a great time nonetheless!
After my clown and his sister took naps, we enjoyed some serious playtime in the backyard. Lucky for us, we have a plethora of lizards which both kids find endlessly entertaining. I pretty sure it's not a mutual feeling for the lizards, but we have a great time nonetheless!
One green clown!
Finding Hunter
Which way did that lizard go?
Yummy strawberries!
Day 6
Today is day 6 of our vehicle ordeal, and we literally have no news. I call everyday (even though the dealership promises to call when there is news) for a status report and I get the same line (see last post for exact phrasing).
Pete finally made some progress with a Chrysler rep, so the rental has been extended five days (silent Hooray!). The rep basically told Pete that unless they can prove that the problem is the result of negligence on our part we should be guaranteed a rental until the work is finished. The news did offer a ray of hope in this otherwise bleak situation. At least I know I have transportation for the next five days. Hopefully, we'll know more answers at the end of the five day period.
I can honestly say I'm not in a big hurry to get the van back. I find myself struggling with some trust issues regarding its safety and reliability at this point in time. My prayer is that they are able to fully understand the problem and repair it so that my family will be safe. In the meantime, we have a great rental, a Jeep Cherokee. As Hunter said, "That's mine? It's so nice!"
Pete finally made some progress with a Chrysler rep, so the rental has been extended five days (silent Hooray!). The rep basically told Pete that unless they can prove that the problem is the result of negligence on our part we should be guaranteed a rental until the work is finished. The news did offer a ray of hope in this otherwise bleak situation. At least I know I have transportation for the next five days. Hopefully, we'll know more answers at the end of the five day period.
I can honestly say I'm not in a big hurry to get the van back. I find myself struggling with some trust issues regarding its safety and reliability at this point in time. My prayer is that they are able to fully understand the problem and repair it so that my family will be safe. In the meantime, we have a great rental, a Jeep Cherokee. As Hunter said, "That's mine? It's so nice!"
Monday, February 18, 2008
Van Update (or lack thereof)
The van has officially been in the shop for four days as of 5:00 today. There really isn't much to tell yet. I called the shop late Friday afternoon for a status report and was told the transmission guy was looking at it; however, it would be Monday before he knew anything for sure since transmission people don't work on Saturdays and the shop is closed on Sunday. I called at noon today and got the same story: "He's looking at it; we don't know anything just yet."
I called a Chrysler rep. late this afternoon to try to get an extension on the rental since it expires tomorrow at 5:30 (kind of like Cinderella and her carriage except my deadline is considerably earlier than midnight and being without a vehicle limits me and the kids a lot more than it did Cinderella and the mice). The Chrysler rep. called the dealership for a status report because he needs that in order to extend my rental. He got the same story: "He's looking at it; we don't know anything just yet." There's a definite pattern developing here!
I'm a planner and this certainly makes planning difficult, especially when you throw Pete's work schedule in the mix. With any luck tomorrow will bring news - hopefully good news. I could use a little of that right now, but I won't hold my breath. I am pretty sure there is a lesson, if not multiple lessons, for me to be learning here; I just haven't figured out what it/they is/are. Of course, one could have something to do with patience. That's a lesson I keep thinking I've learned and keep learning that I haven't.
'til tomorrow!
I called a Chrysler rep. late this afternoon to try to get an extension on the rental since it expires tomorrow at 5:30 (kind of like Cinderella and her carriage except my deadline is considerably earlier than midnight and being without a vehicle limits me and the kids a lot more than it did Cinderella and the mice). The Chrysler rep. called the dealership for a status report because he needs that in order to extend my rental. He got the same story: "He's looking at it; we don't know anything just yet." There's a definite pattern developing here!
I'm a planner and this certainly makes planning difficult, especially when you throw Pete's work schedule in the mix. With any luck tomorrow will bring news - hopefully good news. I could use a little of that right now, but I won't hold my breath. I am pretty sure there is a lesson, if not multiple lessons, for me to be learning here; I just haven't figured out what it/they is/are. Of course, one could have something to do with patience. That's a lesson I keep thinking I've learned and keep learning that I haven't.
'til tomorrow!
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