Nip-n-Tuck

Our little guy went under the knife today. Had his circumcision revised by a wonderful Pediatric Urologist. (The OB who performed the original one in Indiana didn't do a very good job. Don't get me started on that.)

We got there bright and early. Nathan was a bit agitated as he still nurses in the morning and of course wasn't allowed to this morning before surgery. The kind nurse offered him a wagon ride--which he declined and offered to Bear, his stuffed teddy, instead. The same went for the nifty red gripper booties. And Bear and I both got to go with him into the operating room. I think I was just as nervous as Nathan, walking into the sterile surgery room...bright lights, big long table with the surgeon & anesthesiologist waiting in scrubs at the end. (In fact, it reminded me of the book Curious George Goes to the Hospital, that we read earlier this week.) But they let me hold him even as I laid him on the table, until he was asleep under the anesthesia.

Wade and I placed him in God's hands, and breathed a sigh of relief a half hour later when the Doc came to report all had gone well. With a humble smile, the Doctor admitted "I was pretty proud of the work I did in there. It turned out perfect." I'm sure Nathan will be thrilled with my detailed documentation of this adventure someday.

We were home by noon and even managed a trip to DQ, too. (The nurses gave us free coupons because we had to wait extra long this morning.) And Nathan's already back to his old self...making tractor noises, demanding his own way, and arguing over everything I ask him to do. :) Thanks to everyone who prayed for our little cub. I'm so relieved to have this over with.



Nathan took this picture of Mommy!

He's Out Of The Closet

Yup. It finally happened. After over a year with 5 of us crammed into our 2 bedroom town home and Nathan sleeping in the closet, our basement is done and Nathan is in his own room!!! Wade has spent the last 10 months framing, insulating, wiring, plumbing, sheet rocking, taping and mudding, installing an egress window, painting, and nailing up trim. All of his hard work has paid off. We now have a beautiful room for the girls downstairs, as well as a TV/toy room, too. And can I just say I am in love with brand new carpeting.

Maybe I'll post some pictures when we finish decorating and putting everything in its place...and when Wade decides where he wants to put his flat screen TV!

In the Olden Days

Periodically, Abby will ask Wade and me what it was like when we were little, "back in the olden days." Recently Wade told her that we didn't have mini vans when we were little. Wide eyed, Abby replied incredulously, "you mean you used horses?"

Yeah, those olden days...they were a tryin' times...no color television, VCR's or microwaves either, I told her. How did we survive?

Recipe for Almond Joy Bars

By request, here's the recipe for the Almond Joy Bars. It's Wade's mom's recipe. (Thanks, Mary!)

2 C. (1 pkg) crushed graham crackers
1/4 C. powdered sugar
1/2. C. melted butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 C. flaked coconut
1 C. chocolate chips (or 1 large Hershey bar)


DIRECTIONS:
1)Mix graham crackers, powdered sugar & butter.
Pat into 9x13 pan
Bake 10 min. @ 350 degrees

2)Mix condensed milk & coconut & spread onto the crust
Bake 12 min. @ 350 degrees

3)Melt chocolate chips and spread on top
(Keep scraper spatulas away from toddlers...if they're named Nathan)

4)Cool and enjoy!

* It didn't dawn on me until now that there aren't actually any almonds in the Almond Joy Bars! If you wanted, you could probably add in or replace some of the coconut with some whole or slivered almonds. But the bars are great as is!

Poison Control Call #8 ???

Poison Control Call #8 ?!!! OK, almost, but not quite.

So, remember I've said I'm not a baker? Well, tonite I made Almond Joy bars as a special treat for Wade. I was feeling quite a sense of satisfaction as I finished the last step--spreading the melted chocolate chips on top. I invited the kids to come in the kitchen to lick the various chocolate covered cooking utensils. Emily got the wooden spoon, Abby got the bowl, and Nathan got the rubber scraper spatula. A few contented taste buds and chocolate covered faces later, I noticed Nathan's scraper spatula on the floor. WITH A BITE OUT OF IT!
Two bites to be precise. It took all of 2 seconds for me to piece together what had happened. I panicked, but calmly asked Nathan if he ate the spatula. "No," he answered and shook his head vehemently. "He's lying!" Emily shouted.

Upon further questioning, Nathan, showed me two pieces of chewed up scraper spatula strewn on the carpet. Still covered with chocolate, too. Well, at least he was honest.

Funny, I'd just been thinking recently that I've had nothing of interest to blog about. Guess I'd better be careful what I wish for. Good thing it wasn't my good Pampered Chef scraper...

1st Ever Family Getaway

Yup. That's right. To Wade's and my knowledge, we have never taken a family vacation--even for a weekend--with just our family of 5. This past weekend marked our first. One night and 2 days at Wilderness Fellowship. We "camped" Little House on the Prairie style in a log cabin with no electricity (lanterns for light) and an outhouse for a bathroom. The kids loved sleeping in the loft--just like Mary and Laura. Abby admitted to being concerned that there would be no TV but was pleasantly surprised by how much fun she had. In her words, "I was afraid this was going to be the worstest day of my life, but it's not!" (By that, you'd never guess that we usually limit TV to an hour a day or less anyway.)

We all commented on how fun it was to spend this time together. We took a long hike through the mud, stomped in the puddles, played tether ball, read books, had family devotions, played card games, and had cookies and milk around the campfire. Emily also wanted me to mention that she started spelling words all on her own this weekend! We had brought small chalkboards just like the ones the kids on Little House used to do their homework on. Emily really went to town and was so proud to show us her work. (She was gearing up for Kindergarten round-up on Monday.) Way to go Em!

It was just nice to slow down and not have an agenda. Wade and I even got a nap or two. Probably the sweetest moment to me was when Wade was napping up in the loft by himself. As I was heading down the ladder, I witnessed little Nathan kneel down right beside Wade. He folded his hands, bowed his head and prayed, "Jeezus, tank You fo my Daddy." That is the first time I've ever heard Nathan pray without being prompted. Talk about melting my heart.

Thank You, Lord. We needed this weekend.