Happy 6th Birthday Greyson!

My youngest son is six years old today!

He was my biggest at birth weighing in at 8 pounds 7 ounces at one week early.

He is still my 'solid' child.

His nickname is 'lover' because he has always been very sweet and affectionate. He would rub my elbow from the very beginning and still sometimes cuddles up to me and rubs my elbow. So cute!

He is no nonsense when it comes to eating. He sits down and eats and when he is done, he gets up. Everyone else is there talking and messing, not Greyson. Don't mess with him and his food!

We love you Greyson! You're a great little man!

Hitting us all

Remember that I posted that Aislinn vomited on Friday and that Dr. Soto thought it was a virus on top of everything else?

Well, on the way home from church on Sunday, Greyson, out of the blue, says he is sick to his stomach. He vomited right after we got home.

Kerstyn woke Chris and I up in the middle of the night saying that she had vomited.

Chris woke up a few hours later feeling awful.

A few hours after that, it was me.

All that is left is Lauklan and Brennan. I hope they somehow escape it.

The good of it is that it comes and goes pretty fast.

The bad of it is that while it is here, it is very, very yucky!

Been a long time

Lets see if I can sum it up...

Aislinn was in the hospital again last Sunday through Tuesday. She left with pneumonia, but I really believe that it is NOT what we went in with. She was running a fever that I could not get to break and at 104, I was scared.

So, her nephrologist hospitalized her given that she was diagnosed with a UTI the night before at the Emergency room at Waterman, but the urine sample she gave at Arnold Palmer was negative. They did a renal ultrasound, chest x-ray, VCUG and pelvic area cat scan.

We didn't really get any answers except to find out that she has pneumonia. I really don't think that is why we went there, but nothing else could be found. Many people listened to her breathe from Thursday on and nobody said anything until Monday afternoon. We'll see. After 2 and a half days on 2 IV antibiotics, we went home with oral antibiotics.

On Friday, she started vomiting and I took her to her pediatrician. Dr. Soto, put her on another antibiotic and said that she thought it could be a virus on top of the other issues. MY GOSH!

While all of this was happening, at least initially, Chris was unavailable camping doing his Boy Scout Leadership Training. He was dismissed Sunday around 6 and arrived at the hospital around 7. I was sure glad to see him, as was Aislinn.

Prayers, I know without a doubt, are sustaining Aislinn and our family.

Chris was sustained today to be on the High Council. We are really excited for him and I know that he will be great. He feels really overwhelmed, but I know, yes know, that he will rise to the call and that our family will be blessed because of his service.

I am here. Kinda, well not kinda, really rattled. I am making it day to day and am thankful for that. Just when you think that your plate is as full as it can be, you get something else added. I'm not referring to Chris' new calling, just all the issues with the kids and Aislinn's health.

Prayer and the priesthood keep me going.

Hollywood Studios

We went to Hollywood Studios for a few hours today to celebrate Greyson's Birthday. He will be 6 on Wednesday, September 30.

He told me about a week ago that he knew what he wanted for his birthday and when I asked him what it was, he rambled on and on about some robot. I was really scared and thought, "I am really going to have a hard time finding that since I have NO idea what that is".

Well, when we walked out of some ride, he excitingly exclaimed, "Here it is Mommy, this is what I told you I wanted for my birthday!"

I said, "show Daddy", and was so delighted that he found what he wanted and that I didn't have to worry about finding it anymore.

We left in time so that I could get home and shower to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast at 8. I went over to Gail's and watched with her and Debbie. We had a really nice time together and, of course, the meeting was wonderful!

When I got home, it was right to bed for me!

Happy Birthday to my oldest brother Mark. Next year buddy, you're 50 and I'm thinking that is kinda old for you... :) Just kidding, love ya!

FAME

Chris and I went to see Fame tonight at the movies. He did not want to see it of course, since it is 'artsy' but he "took one for the team" as he would say, and took me.

I think I smiled all the way through.

I really enjoyed it and I remembered how much I loved watching it on TV when I was a kid.

I gonna live forever, FAME!

Day 3

Aislinn is improving and the results of the tests, which was horrible to go through, showed nothing.

So, since they say that she has pneumonia, they are discharging her with a diagnosis of that.

I'm not convinced.

I am glad to be home.

Day 2

Aislinn slept most of the time. Her fever spiked again last night and wouldn't come down again without being given Tylenol and Motrin on top of each other.

They did a chest x-ray in the afternoon.

Her appetite is diminished and she is not looking too hot.

However, the fever has not returned today, so the antibiotics must be working. But, you would surely hope that with 2 different kinds of IV antibiotics, something would be improving.

Dr. Rich, Aislinn's urologist, came in with Dr. Rodriguez and talked with Chris and I. They decided that they would do a VCUG and a pelvic area cat scan to see if there was anything they could find. However, they told us that the urine that the collected on Sunday night, was negative. So, we are not sure what is going on.

Day 1

Admitted Aislinn to the hospital.

I could not get her fever to come down from 104 before church so I called Dr. Montane and told her what was going on.

She said that she needed to be admitted and that she would call me back when she had her a room.

She did, and I left.

Gail and Mary said that they would take care of the other children and I am extremely grateful.

They did a renal ultrasound and got the IV in. Not pleasant. But, we survived it.

Chris arrived around 7 and we were all really glad.

ER

Aislinn seemed okay this morning so I took all the kids over to the Bishop's house, as planned, so that they could go to a birthday party and I could go to the work thing that I had to do.

However, after I got home, I noticed that she was not herself and around 5, her fever would not come down after Motrin and was still hanging around 103.6.

I was scared, so I took her to Waterman's ER and was there for 6 hours.

They gave her Tylenol on top of Motrin, and her fever came down to around 100 a few hours later.

They couldn't find anything wrong with her and after I told them her history of renal trouble, they suggested a urine test to be sure.

They said she did have a UTI with plus 2 leukocytes. I was bummed to say the least.

We got home around 11:30. Chris was pretty frustrated with being away and not here to help me with the situation, but I encouraged him to stay and try to not lose the time he had already put into the training.

Nordy's

Chris is off on his first weekend of Boy Scout Leadership Training so I got a babysitter and went by myself to shop.

I drove to Nordstrom's and had a blast shopping!

I missed Chris like crazy, but he does not like to shop at all, so I took advantage of the time that I had.

I came home with an outfit and knowledge of where Nordstrom is so that I can return there soon. :)

Pure craziness!

I guess you won't be surprised to hear that things have been VERY busy here at the Shipley house! I haven't even had time to really write on my blog which makes me sad.

The good out of that is that things are going along in a pretty usual manner. Which means that everyone is 'doing their thing'.

Let's see...

Chris is...working, working, working.

Melody is ...working, exercising, taxi driving, homework helping, etc.

Brennan is... (going to do me in!) no, going to school, keeping his room neat as he says, but I say messy. He is starting to get excited about the National Jamboree for Boy Scouts next summer, he thinks it is really cool that the President and the Secret Service will be there.

Kerstyn is... trying to get over a cold and doing well in school. She signed up for chorus and Orff group again and is going to do the art club too.

Lauklan is... entertaining! He really likes going to school and is doing pretty well. He seems to be quite athletic and would really like to play basketball but I just don't know how I can get him to all of that.

Greyson is... adjusting to 'big boy school'. I had a conference with Mrs. Platt yesterday, and she says he is doing fine. He needs to work on his letters and sounds, but it will come. He did, however, already ruin his tennis shoes. Boys! I had to run to the store yesterday to buy him another pair. Crazy!

Aislinn is... well, Aislinn! Gotta love her, I'll tell ya! She is doing pretty well, she is so much like me. She knows all the kids in her school, all the cars that their parents drive, etc. A little teacher. I'm afraid that she is getting Kerstyn's cold though. I sure hope not.

As you see, all is... normal. At least normal for us.

I feel blessed to know that my family can be forever. If I didn't know that, and yes, I mean 'know', I don't know if I could, or would, make it through some of our days. This parenting gig is NOT for weaklings. I just pray daily, and sometimes many times a day, that I can do it and that I will raise up good children.

Because, just like I tell the kids all the time, we're Shipleys!

Michelle and CJ

Michelle and CJ came over for a visit today.

It was so nice!

CJ and Greyson played really nicely together which was really cute. They are only three and one half months apart in age.

Michelle and I just picked up where we left off.

Perfect!

I of course have some pictures to post once we get my computer figured out. :(

Date night!

Chris and I had our date night Friday night. We decided to head to Orlando and ate at Cheesecake Factory. (I love that place!)

We went down there primarily because I found out today that my watch, the Gucci that Chris bought me in December of 1995 when I finished my Bachelor's Degree was broken. I thought that it just needed a new battery when it quit working on August 23. It took me that long to take it somewhere that would take the back off and replace the battery. Now, that is crazy!

Anyway, the watch guy told me that it didn't need a new battery, that it was broken. :( I almost bought a new Gucci when I was in NYC this summer but I didn't because my watch worked, and all that other stuff you tell yourself to talk yourself out of a big purchase.

Well, now that it is BROKEN, I guess I need a new one, right? :)

We went to look at watches. I showed Chris the watch that I picked out in NYC but for some reason, he was indifferent. As was I. It just didn't catch me the way it did up there. So, I kept looking.

I ended up buying a TAGHeuer and I LOVE it! I was glad that Chris was with me so he could buy it for me because I would NEVER of spent that much money on myself.

But, I'm happy. Very, very happy!

Thanks honey!

Crazy Day!

I dropped all of the kids off this morning except Aislinn. She and I headed to Lake Mary to Dr. Ingalls office for her 6 month cleaning. She loves going there. Well, all of the kids love going there so that is nice.

After driving back, I dropped Aislinn off late at school so I could at least get in an hour or so at the office.

I picked Aislinn back up at 12:30. Then Brennan at 2 and the other 3 at 2:20. We drove like crazy to Tavares to Dr. Soto's office for the older 4 to get their flu shots. Aislinn got hers the other week with her well visit so the others were up!

Following the flu shots, that you would have thought were going to kill Kerstyn, Lauklan and Greyson! But, wow, they survived! Anyway, we then drove as quickly as possible to Lake Mary for all of the others to get their 6 month cleanings.

Then, back to Mount Dora for a personal training appointment followed by a quick cardio workout.

Lauklan to the Valentich's for scouts.

Home to pick up Brennan's friend Thomas to take Brennan, Thomas and Kerstyn to their activities at church. Thank goodness Sister Smith said she would bring Kerstyn home and Bishop Saunders said he would get Brennan and Thomas home.

I got back just in time to pick Lauklan up and we headed home. WHEW!!!!

I am TIRED! (but I survived) :)

Typical Aislinn

We got a call early this morning from Grandma. I have to admit that I was a little scared initially because she doesn't usually call the house and certainly not in the morning.

But, the news was good.

She just wanted to say that she had a great time with us over the past weekend.

All of the kids played and played and did pretty well behaving, for the most part. Aislinn really drew a bunch of pictures and used about a roll of scotch tape to make some project for Grandma.

Well, the reason for the call was that Grandma was unloading the dishwasher this morning and one of the forks had scotch tape wrapped all around it. Undoubtedly one of Aislinn's 'projects'. Grandma said she laughed out loud.

Cute Aislinn, cute.

What it is about, again.

We got up this morning and headed to church with Grandma. Nice and early. Her ward starts at 9 and we aren't used to starting until 1, but we made it and early. Not 10 minutes early like President Carter suggests, but about 5 minutes early, so not too bad.

It was so nice, our Sabbath Day. We spent the day with family and were surrounded by what it is all about. I love that. I got to spend part of last Sunday with some of my family and then today with some of Chris'. Perfect!

Going to Grandma's!

We headed out this morning, well, more like early afternoon to Grandma's to spend the weekend.

Kerstyn had a sleepover last night and really wanted to go, so I went to the gym this morning and climbed stairs for 50 minutes then I headed over to pick her up. After we got home, I started getting things ready. Well, that takes a while, but I got it done and we finally headed out.

Not too long after we got there, we loaded back up and headed to get our Zaxby's fix. Tasty!

We just relaxed and visited the rest of the afternoon and evening. I left Chris with the kids around 7 and headed shopping. I got back to the house around 9:30 with some pajamas (since I forgot mine) and a new outfit. Not bad. :)

Just one question?

Do you think that there is a carpet cleaning company that can possibly remove all of the "present" remnants complimentary of Shelby?

Just wondering...

Wow!

Is that okay?

When Mom, Dad, Reed and Sherri came over on Sunday, Daddy, aka Papa told the kids that he and Yoo-Ma would come back in a few weeks and spend the night. They haven't spent the night with us since Aislinn was born so it is definitely time for it.

Every day, yes, I really mean EVERY DAY, one or more of the kids ask me if they are really going to come. One day, when I confirmed Lauklan's question he followed it up with this question. "Is that okay with you Mom?"

I thought that was really cute. :)

Hurry up Yoo-Ma and Papa, they are waiting. (And even trying to wait patiently.)

Enrichment Meeting

I went tonight to Enrichment meeting. They only have them once a quarter now instead of monthly so I really try to make sure I don't miss it.

I never used to care if I went or didn't until I received the calling in Tallahassee of Enrichment Leader, or something like that. We would plan and plan and then it wasn't well attended and that was always quite frustrating. So, here I went, off to my meeting.

I must be honest though and say that I wasn't very excited. The meeting was on canning foods. If you know me very well, you are really surprised right now that you even read that on my blog. Do I even know what that is? I don't do that kind of stuff, you know.

But I went.

And I sat by dear friends. (Even though 3 people moved away from me once they sat down until poor Sister Saunders sat down for the long haul). I wonder if I smelled? I did go straight there from the gym, but I changed...

I'm glad I went, and now I am even more thankful for my shelving systems.

Because...?

I don't can!