Fire

Sorry this is so delayed but I have been unbelievable busy.

On Sunday 1/17/10 at around 10pm a fire broke out in Jake's room.

I had just got done checking on the boys and having the usual let's get out of bedtime arguments we normally do. I made my self a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a snack and went back down to my computer at the bottom of the basement stairs. I maybe got 3 bites out of my sandwich when I here the loud footsteps upstairs. I thought for sure I'd have to go have some more "arguments" upstairs.

I turn around and both boys look terrified at me flailing their arms around screaming fire. I jump up run upstairs and ask where. The scream in Jake's rooms. I ran to Jake's room thinking it was something small. As I get to his door there is a fire as tall as his entertainment center at the far North East corner of the room.

I quickly ran to the kitchen and noticed our kitchen extinguisher is not on the wall. I then remember the big red one down in the laundry. I told the boys to go outside as I ran to get that one. Jake, Jackson and Cash (our lab) were right outside the back door. I went into the hallway and noticed the door was shut and shuttering trying to open. I pulled the pin out of the extinguisher and stepped back behind the wall as I pushed open the door. All I saw was smoke and I could feel the heat and a small glow where the fire had been. The smoke and heat were too much for me and I dropped the extinguisher. The door continued to shutter As I ran to the phone in the kitchen and ran outside to call 911.

At that moment I realized my shih-tzu, Jingle, was still in the house. I ran through my thoughts trying to remember when I last saw him. I was sure he was in the kitchen. I hoped he was not stuck in Jake's room. I opened the door to the back of the house and saw pitch black smoke a foot from the floor. I knew I couldn't go in after him. I called for his name but nothing. I saw one of our cats run to the basement at this point. As I was hollering for Jingle, Cash took off in the house keeping his head low in search of Jingle. I hollered at him to come back. He quickly returned. We remained outside as we waited for the fireman. The boys were in a panic and screaming and crying fire. My lab was running in circles around the house with his tail between his legs. I then realized we were all half dressed in our jammies and no shoes. I told the boys and Cash to get in the van. I then realized my purse was in the kitchen. I had no way to get to it and I knew I wasn't going to risk it to go get it. I had no way to reach John. About this time the Police showed up and escorted us off the premises. I kept telling them my dog was in there. I was so worried for Jingle.

We stayed at our neighbors house and I tried every way possible to try and get a hold of John. My cell phone was in my purse, which was obviously not gonna help me at that point. At that point they wanted me to get Cash out of the Van in case the fire got worse. It took Cash a lot of convincing he was safe with "Mommy". Once out of the van Cash was his cheery self and wanted to greet all the firemen. I was so in a daze I didn't even realize that our friend Gary, who also works as maintenance in our building, was photographer for the fire department. He appeared out of no where and asked if he needed to go get John. I was never happier to see him.

They put out the fire and made sure nothing would catch back up. They also cleared out the smoke. At this time I could see John. He looked so terrified. I was just so happy to see him. Shortly there after I could see the fireman were carrying Jingle's kennel. I was 2 houses away so I couldn't see exactly what they were doing but they had him by the ambulance. John met the fireman as he carried the kennel over. Jingle was in there and okay but so terrified he wouldn't come out for John. He eventually got him out, but my white shih-tzu was all grey and black. Eventually Jingle ended up with me and he was so scared he was shaking.

A lot after that was blur. I remember looking at the aftermath and thinking about what the Fire Marshal had said, "it is really minor damages". My house was all black. Jake's room looked like a black hole. John and I grabbed what we could for clothes and toiletries. We got to Grandma Nichols and I remember looking at all of us and we looked like we'd come from the streets. We had suet all over our faces. I had to shower, I stunk and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep like that. Jackson didn't want me out of his sight. He just wanted em to hold him. I ended up with Jake in the shower with me and Jackson laying on a pile of smelly smoked blankets as I shower. Once I was done I had to hold him immediately. We eventually fell asleep around 2am and we didn't sleep well.

The weeks to follow we had a lot of friends help where they could with donations for Jake, Muscle to move furniture, laundry anything they could do they did.

The house is now about 60% done. We have insulation up in Jake's room. then drywall, new ceiling fans (that would make 5 of them) and all new lights (3 of those), then paint and trim and then I get my floors sanded, treated and sealed. It will all look A LOT better then it did before. Unfortunately all my hard work from over a year ago with painting will now be all white, darn insurance won't cover it. O well I get to have fun painting again. Jake has almost all his furniture replaced thanks to donations. ALL of his clothes have been replaced again thanks to donations.

This fire has shined a new light on me. GOD has a bigger plan then what you see in front of you, trust in him and he will light that path for you. I am TRULY blessed with good friends and family. I am soooo happy Jake was awake that night and everyone got out safe. My life crumbled in 2weeks but I was brought back on my feet withing days. I am stronger now then I was before and know that God has his arms wrapped tightly around me and my family.

Bittersweet

The past few days have been an emotional roller coaster for me. I lost a little one I dearly wanted. Then I was told that I could get Cancer from this. If this pregnancy were a Molar pregnancy it could give me "treatable" cancer. Treatable is a good word to put before a word like Cancer. But still, it's CANCER. That would be a tough journey to fore go if I had too. I have prayed every night for God to give me the strength, courage and hope needed for all of this.

I got a call from my OB's Nurse today. She informed me that the pregnancy was not a Molar Pregnancy. This is bittersweet news. I have been so worried about all these health issues that could be caused by a Molar Pregnancy. This means that chance of Cancer has dropped significantly. It was good to get one chip off the shoulder.

We have overcome one hurtle in many to come from this. Please continue to pray for us as we go through this Journey. I will try to post as often as I can. I go back to work On Wednesday so my life will get back into routine soon. I hope this routine will help with our healing process.

So Blessed

A lot has happened in just a few weeks. I am feeling much better now. Enough to share my story with you all.


On my first ultrasound on 12/24/09 my OB noticed that I had what he called a vanishing twin. The 2nd fetus was only measuring 6weeks. I was supposed to be @12weeks. The doctor sent me to radiology in 2weeks on 1/7/10(making me supposedly about 13 or so weeks). I knew then that it just didn't seem right. I did the math over and over in my head. And could not come up with me being only 6weeks for the other little one. Those 2weeks were an awful wait.


That ultrasound was the most nerve wracking ultrasound I have ever done. The ultrasound tech would not show me the screen but she took a TON of pictures. She then had to go get the radiologists opinion. I did glance over at the ultrasound screen to see CHECK FOR VIABILITY AND DUE DATE. That took forever. She then later came in and said I needed to go see my OB right away for the results. I just knew something wasn't right, but I didn't want to freak out, I was trying to be optimistic. Once in the OB office, in the same building as radiology, it took forever again to get the OB in to talk to me. I was already fighting back tears. He sat and explained everything. Here is a summary of what I caught. I was bawling towards the end so I wasn't exactly paying attention then.

The fetus is not developing the way it should. No heartbeat anymore. According to the radiologist there are clusters of cysts on the placenta that look harmful to my body. The OB called it a Mole. But he said normally they don't have a fetus in there. He said, If I don't remove it it can cause a lot of harm to me (maybe even cancer) and I will lose the baby eventually around 12-18weeks. So the next day I went in for a D&C. Here are a few helpful links that explain what exactly was going on. http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/complications/molar-pregnancy.aspx and this second link will show why we needed to do a D&C right away. http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/complications/choriocarcinoma.aspx

January 8th 2010 will always be a day I don't want to forget but never want to relive again. I have been so blessed to have family and friends to help me through this journey. I appreciate everyone of them. John and I both thank you during this hard time. In the mean time we will need more prayers our way that I have NOT gotten any form of cancer from this experience. Thank You once again. LOVE YOU ALL

Snow Storm

Had a lovely winter storm go through beginning of this week. It was SOOOOOOO pretty outside. Definitely not something fun to drive around in. But I had to do it. While others were enjoying their Snow Day at work. I had to be at work. WHY? Because some people feel they need to have 24hour technical support for their Internet and have NO sympathy for the people that fought to get there to help them with their Internet troubles.


The boys and I did enjoy some snow time while we could, before it got too bad. The snow was so light and fluffy so we couldn't even make a snow ball. Jackson was so wore out he passed out on the chair in some awkward upside down position. Right when we got inside. Unfortunately I had to wake him because it was only 5:00pm.



Shortly after these pictures it slowly got worse. When awoke the next morning my van was burried in a snow drift. I am lucky and was able to take John's 4x4 Truck in to work. She handled those snow drifts like a pro. I had no issues at all getting into work. Makes this Mama want to get her own 4x4 vehicle. SHHHH don't tell John that.

BUMP?

For those who don't pry into my life enough probably don't know I'm expecting #3 now. Yeah that's what we call "it".

ME and my Doctor have a difference of opinion when it comes to my Due date for this new little one. He seems to think I'm due July 11th and I feel I am due July 17th....we shall see Christmas Eve. I will have an ultrasound done at 8:30am on Christmas eve to check the lil guy out and get a good due date. Of course I had an earlier doctor's appointment but had to re-schedule because he felt it was a good time to go out of town. O well I guess I can wait another week. All though I have enough going on that day. On a good note I get to take in a DVD+RW to record the whole thing of the lil bean. I keep having these horrible dreams I am having TWINS. I think that's why I can't wait to see.....more for reassurance that it's not Twins. It may be too early to find out the sex depending on what the Due date ends up being. Soonest you can find out is 15 or 16 weeks. We are excited for whatever it may be but would be COMPLETELY happy with another boy. I am of course already showing. Already have had a few comments on the pooch. Part of me loves the pregnancy shape I am taking and the other feels it's too early. I am only 7weeks at most 8weeks. How will I look at 39weeks?! Only time will tell.

For all my fans (yeah right) I will try to BLOG more now that I have this new life growing inside of me.

It's the Holiday Season.

My FAVORITE time of year. I love when Fall hits because it the prelude of the holidays to come. It starts with Halloween which is MORE fun when you have the little ones who get excited about running door to door. Then it goes into Thanksgiving where you can eat till you pass out. Then for the Finale! CHRISTMAS!

I think my love for Christmas comes from my Grandma. She ALWAYS loved Christmas and made sure everyone got something they really wanted. I can always remember not being able to reach the Christmas Tree because she packed the room with presents. There was almost always no room to sit too. She always had the sweet smile and a twinkle in her eye watching us open our gifts. I miss those Christmas' with Grandma very much.

Now she has passed on that love to me. I can't get enough of Christmas. I start listening to Christmas music as soon as I can. in fact I'm listening to it now. I enjoy making the sugar cookies and having my boys help me make them. I always find crafts we can do together. I take the boys out with a bag of popcorn and cruise the streets as we look at Christmas lights around town. The Christmas parade is COLD but so worth watching. Not because it is the BEST but because it only brings that Christmas spirit closer. I think my decorations for Christmas out way all other seasons by a landslide. I have to stop the urge to put up the Tree too early. Good thing john is here to tame me a bit.

And for your fun I have a few fun links for you to enjoy.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
http://www.recipezaar.com/Ornament-and-Handprint-Clay-155960
http://www.christmascarnivals.com/crafts/christmas-arts-crafts-ideas.html
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/glittery-window-clings-674868/
Simple Cinnamon Ornaments

Here is a great recipe for homemade ornaments! They do require some time in the oven, but otherwise it's a pretty simple process and the result is worth the time.

6 T. applesauce
10 T. cinnamon

Mix ingredients to form a ball- if sticky or wet add more cinnamon- sprinkle cutting board with cinnamon- roll dough to 1/2"- use cookie cutters to make shapes- poke hole in top for hanging. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hrs. then turn oven off and continue to bake for 2-3 hrs. more. Use as ornaments or gift toppers.
Bernadette

SANTA'S LETTER
http://www.freelettersfromsantaclaus.com/ecard_1.asp

GIFTS ON A BUDGET:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/money/63giftsunder10dollars.htm

REMEMBER to take in EVERY moment this Holiday Season. Love you Family and enjoy the time with them.

Boom Boom....aint't it great to be...CRAAAZY

Loved that song when I was kid. Remember singing it in elementary school music class, LOL.

Anywho the blog is about our big Boom Boom celebration. Independence day, 4th of July....whatever you wanna call it. Our celebration started with me getting up to the alarm at 8am. This was my day off and here I am getting up to the ALARM! GRRR...it was worth it. I woke up to a very wet outside and kind of chilly too. Chilly as in 60 degree weather in July while in Iowa...that's chilly for us this time of year.

I quickly turned on the news to catch a glimpse of the weather. Apparently it was perfect timing. Got to watch the whole forecast. From the weather it said it would tapper off so I figured we'd make a go of it. Newton wouldn't cancel the parade for a little rain. So I got dressed and dragged the boys out of bed. They wouldn't budge. Finally I mentioned the parade and I have NEVER , and I mean never, seen Jake shoot up so fast. He looks over at me and goes " we go to the Parade today ?!". I got the boys ready and in the van without a problem, while John slept. he had to work the night before so he probably had just gotten to bed a few hours ago.

Now I am not sure what I was thinking when I got the bright idea to take the dog, my dog Jingle. But I plopped in the van with us. We managed to meet up with family, my sister-in-law and her family. The parade was cold but the kids enjoyed every minute of it and got a good loot on candy too. Mommy also got a few freebies to enjoy too.

After the parade is was back to the house to spend some quality time with John. We didn't do much but hang out in the house because I frankly thought it to be chilly outside. Once John was ready to leave for work and after I changed the boys and I into pants and a sweatshirt we headed off to the BBQ/ Bonfire that Jaime was at. The boys were on their best behavior. (proud mother right now) We got to enjoy some fireworks and a bonfire in the country with no bother. We ended the forth in bed my 11:30pm, yes the boys were still up.

The next morning it was another day of fun. I tried my hardest to sleep in, no alarm this time. But NOOOO I was up at 8am without the alarm. We headed over to John's Mom's (Tammy) House for some BBQ and family fun. All 4 kids enjoyed them selves fully. They were covered in dirt to prove it. After the BBQ we headed home to re coop and then headed over to Jaime's to enjoy some time there. We played ladder golf and badminton. Now for those who don't know I played Badminton as a sport in high school, granted it's been almost 10 years I still got it...he he. We enjoyed some time together then ended the night with sparklers and city fireworks at the park.

I enjoyed my VERY busy weekend with the family. It seems that my holidays are just more enjoyable when you spend them with family. I know one day those boys are gonna gripe at me because they "have to" go, but I will make them, LOL. Sorry if this was a long boring who cares blog for ya but I figured some people might enjoy it.