Sick Again

Well, Nathan is better but Audrey how has the fever. Obviously she didn't have Nathan's ear infection, we assume he had a virus along with it. Nathan's fever went from Monday to Friday. I assume Audrey's will last at least that length of time. Problem is she keeps throwing up, her fever is higher. She does a good job eating and drinking though. Poor girl. I have been an emotional wreck over this. I just feel so helpless and I bring on bad dreams that no mother should be having. Hopeful for a very quick recovery.

Nathan J

Captain Rex and His Kill!

I have been wanting to post about Nathan for some time now. I have this great picture of him but I cannot post it now because of my computer issues. But maybe someday I will come back and add it. I don't know if I will ever have Nathan fully figured out.

When he is into something, he is really INTO it. His first major love - animals. Now he is a big guy and Star Wars is all the rage. Put Star Wars together with Legos and watch out, you will never get your ear back! He has all of these grand ideas about things he wants to have, things he plans to build, occasions he will have. I love his ambition but I am a realist and often point out that some of his plans are outrageous. For example, he thinks he can build a speeder this summer so he can drive out to Idaho to visit friends that recently moved. He thinks he can build a clone army. He currently thinks he is going to be the commander of the clone army next year. When I point out that these things will probably not happen he becomes upset with me. He responds, "mom, I just like to think big.". Who knows maybe he will be the next George Lucas and introduce us all to "his world.".

Nathan is also very sweet and sensitive. Last week he pushed Audrey off the counter (not the sweet or sensitive part) and was later worried that he would not make it to heaven. We then had a long conversation about repentance.

This week he has not been feeling well. It started with a sore throat and then nausea and then a raging fever. In fact, he has had a fever since Monday which is taken down by Tyleol and Motrin but it always seems to creep back up. On Monday he asked what temperature cancer starts. My heart sunk - he must constantly worry about Audrey's cancer coming back and thought he must be susceptible - he always knew our reaction of fear whenever Audrey would spike a fever. As it turns out he has an ear infection.

I love his complexity. I applaud that he is a deep thinker. I envy his creativity. I am so grateful he is mine.

Why I haven't been posting

I know it seems I have nothing to say. The problem is that could not be further from the truth! I have so much to say! The problem is that Lazarus has finally died, I I do not expect that he will be brought back again. Nathan finished school last Friday and since then we have put together a church picnic, have started summer school and well...I guess that about says it all. BUSY! I have been doing a lot of fun things with my friend Christi, sometimes with the kids and sometimes without. I recently signed up for my own library card (long story why I am just now getting one.). The kids checked out a couple of books and I chose one as well. I didn't even know what to look for so I picked Water For Elephants because I had heard of it and it is becoming (or maybe already is) a movie. The novel was written by a woman though she is writing from a man's perspective. The book could have been good if she was not so graphic and disgusting. Perhaps I live in a bubble where men are nice, kind and non-vulgar. At first I thought I could read it by skipping "scenes" then scenes became chapters and I started to wonder if I was getting anything uplifting or otherwise entertaining from the book. So, I stopped. It saddens me that once again I am let down by another #1 New York Times best seller. Don't people read anything decent anymore? I called a friend and she gave me a list of books that I will be looking into for the remainder of my summer reading!

Happy Birthday Baby

Our last little baby celebrated her first birthday last Saturday. Audrey has declared that Elysse is no longer a baby and now classifies her as a "tot." Elysse spent the day doing what she does most days - including playing dinosaurs with Nathan. They make dinosaur noises to each other. Elysse really gets into it.

Here is Elysse growling like a dinosaur, tongue out and all.

The cake. Decorated sort of like her bedroom. For whatever reason I do most everything for her with purple polka dots. Don't judge the cake. It isn't the pretties thing you have ever seen but it sure did taste good!

Here are the long awaited cake pictures...

Sorry to disappoint everyone. Yes, she was a bit messy...but not bad. She even used her fork for part of the time. I love this picture after taking a big drink of milk she looks so satisfied.

Onto the gift...Aunt Sandy bought her a water table. It was an idea I came up with because Elysse loves taking baths and loves playing in TJ's water dish. This way she won't get into trouble...

Of course she was willing to share and Nathan and Audrey took over.

Daddy even joined in the fun. Nathan started throwing cups of water at Ryan's shirt, it was a good time had by all!