Quick Notes...

This reunion that must happen....it is definitely going to take a LOT of people pitching in to help!
I made contact with my home church. I thought the best place to have it would be there on the grounds. The person that wrote me said that probably can't happen....I don't understand why. He gave me his phone number, so I am going to call him next week and see how that works. Why couldn't we have it there? Hmmmm....

Gabe is feeling MUCH better :)

Comedy For A Cause was great fun last night! Taylor Mason was there...he is a RIOT. I'll have to see if he is on YouTube.

I had that headache forever it seemed but it finally went away later this morning. Thank the Lord!

OH....we had a rough morning. Sam was scheduled to be in Solo & Ensemble. He's been practicing for weeks with 4 other people in his choir. Well, we went to the school where the event was held and found that we had missed it completely! His group was scheduled for 9:25 a.m. and Sam was sure that his time was 10:45 a.m. It was HORRIBLE!!! We talked to his teacher....she felt so bad. You know, because of Sam's ADHD, he doesn't do well with times. I mean, it is his fault for getting the time wrong, but I should have double checked....I knew that this was a possibility but I wanted to be able to trust Sam to get the right time. What a drag :(
He feels terrible because he didn't get a medal with the rest of the group AND he had a duet with a girl for one song and she ended up singing alone. I felt so badly for him. Why didn't I just double check the time????

That's gonna take a while to get over....

Better go.

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

The Dream ~ MEGA Southland Youth Reunion ~ The Brewster Years

I haven't posted for awhile....I've been busy with poor Gabe. He is better now :) I took him to the Dr. and they did a blood test for mono (!) and it came back negative. They also did a urine test, which was fine too. The Dr. concluded that he got a virus on top of the strep. Go figure.

I took him to Disney on Ice last night. Or should I say, he took me? I've always wanted to go! We were up kind of high, in the 'cheap seats', but it was still fun! I'm glad we had the experience but I don't think I'll be going again until I have grandchildren to spoil :)

Something else that has kept me busy the past few days is this grand idea that I have....to create a MEGA youth reunion in 2010 for everyone that went to my home church. Everyone that had Brewster for a youth minister. Brewster McLeod has been on staff at Southland Christian Church since 1979 (he actually started as an intern in 1977 I believe). He ministered to hundreds of 'kids'! I am one of those kids.

SO, I posted a note and created a 'group' on Facebook. I titled it the same title as this post. Around 90 people have joined in just 2 days! It's very exciting!!! Next, I have to set a date....talk to someone from Southland to reserve the grounds and such....I have no idea what I am doing, but I know it must be done!!!

I'll keep you posted :)

I am working for a few hours then heading to church for Comedy for a Cause...which is always a fun-filled evening. Except that I have a headache....which I am praying goes away very soon!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

Sickness & Student Teaching

Gabe is sick :(

Remember, I took him to the Dr. last Saturday? The Dr. took one look at his throat and said it was sure to be strep. I started him on the medication...he was better the next day....then, this past Friday night, he climbed into bed early and went to sleep, all on his own! That's not Gabe. Then, yesterday, he got a fever. Last night, I had him sleep with me, just to make sure I could keep watch over him (yes, I am paranoid!). I don't like it when he is sick because it doesn't happen often....and he still has a tough time explaining what hurts. I don't understand how he could be taking an antibiotic and still run a fever. What's up with that?

I guess I will be calling the Dr. tomorrow.

I received confirmation for student teaching! Woohoo! I start March 2nd and will continue until June 5th (which is Alex's graduation day....not sure how that will work!). I'm kind of nervous...this is a whole new adventure!!! I truly have NO idea what I am doing!! I just hope Sara (my mentoring teacher) likes me!!! (I'm so needy, eh??)

Have a blessed evening!!

~Bethany :)

More Snow...

We are getting hit with more snow today. Although it is beautiful, I am sick of it. It took me an hour to get to work....twice as long as normal! At least I got here safely. We will see how it goes at midnight when I try to drive back home!!! UGH.

Mark's birthday went well :) Our friends, Rob and Lisa, came over for dinner. They were entertained by all of our children....at least I hope they considered that entertainment! The lasagna and key lime pie turned out rather nice too. I gave Mark one of those memory foam pillows....and a Bible Explorer CD-Rom....which came in the mail the next day. I think there are a lot of different translations of the Bible on it or something...I'm not sure! Mark said he had wanted it so I ordered it for him from CBD (Christian Book Distributers).

Rob and Lisa brought him a bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee...a new coffee cup, and a book. Funny, Mark didn't drink coffee before he met me! I've ruined him!

Yesterday, I took 3 of our brood to catch a bus from church to a winter retreat. Our church was kind enough to give us scholarships so they could attend. So, Alex, Sam and Alyssa should be enjoying a day full of tubing, rock wall climbing and worship. The camp where they went looked beautiful from what I saw online. I hope Alyssa is making some friends...she struggles in that department...the social department. I hope she grows out of it. Anyway, we will get a report sometime tomorrow evening!

I went in for my infusion this past Thursday. I can't really tell if it did anything or not. It may take a few time before I see a major difference. It took 3 hours!

More news later...gotta work!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

Gloom...

I don't know why....

I feel very gloomy. The past few days, I'm just not myself.

I guess it could be the weather. It's February....cold, rainy, snowy....the opposite of what I would prefer! Maybe I am frustrated with my RA. My body doesn't feel that great. I am getting my first infusion tomorrow morning and have mixed feelings....I mean, I am happy that this is an option. I am concerned about side-effects.

Tomorrow is Mark's birthday and I am planning to make lasagna and key lime pie :) That is, if the infusion doesn't do anything weird to me! I really don't believe it will....but still.

Maybe I am feeling sorry for myself!! I shouldn't. God has blessed me more than I deserve.

I am almost done with work. I am going to Target to print off some photos from a disk. I told Jordan we would scrapbook sometime this weekend.....maybe that will boost my spirits!

Blessings!!

~Bethany :)

President's Day

Well, today is apparently 'President's Day'.

My kids are off of school today and tomorrow....my stepkids are off ALL week. The stepkids have a dental appointment today....so Mark took them there and their mom is supposed to meet him. Mark has class tonight, so we really can't keep the kids since he will not be home. We will probably get them back by Wednesday or so....

Seems we are always trying to arrange schedules--I suppose that is normal for any family!

Mark's birthday is Thursday. He will be 37. I am a year and 5 months older than him, so for a few months now, I will appear to only be one year older :) I can't believe I will be 39 this year!
UGH. Anyway, I am not sure what to do for Mark's big day.... I ordered him something online, but I have a bad feeling it won't arrive in time. Either way, all of us will be together and cake will be made....ice cream will be served! Possibly lasagna :) (Mark's favorite)

I found another new friend on Facebook! Her name is Kelly and we were friends in 8th-10th grade. We had some fun times together! She lives in Texas now. We are attempting to catch up, but there is so much time to cover! I'm sure we are both much different than we were last time we chatted....time truly changes us. We will see!

I'm feeling ill-ish today......I am SO ready to have treatments again. I mean, I am scared of the side-effects, but it doesn't really matter anymore. I talked to the Rheumatologist this morning and I am set for an infusion this Thursday morning (Mark's birthday!). We'll have to pray that my body receives it well!!!

Since Mark has class tonight, I am going to try to spend some time with the boys. Maybe eat out...go shopping? I checked the movie listing and there isn't anything they all would like.

My friend at work gave me a Kohl's card with $45 on it! That is SO helpful since Alex is going on a 3 day trip in a few weeks....he is involved with Youth In Government and will be mentored by a Senator! He really needed some new pants and a button-down. God just keeps blessing me!!!

I better go! Almost time to leave work!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I hope everyone was able to eat CHOCOLATE today :)

Mark gave me a really beautiful, fragrant, purple flower (a Hyacinth?). He also gave me some chocolate...special, fancy mint M & M's and Starbucks truffles of some sort....very yummy! And a sweet card of course...he always knows just what to say! I am very blessed to have such a wonderful husband...I know that sounds corny, but it is the complete TRUTH! I just gave him lots of candy :)

There wasn't much time to prepare for Valentine's Day this year. Sheesh. What a week.

THEN...to make matters worse, Gabe got sick! Mark had to pick him up from school yesterday because he had thrown up :( I took him into the Dr.'s this morning....strep throat again!! This is the 3rd time this school year. I think some parents are allowing their wee ones to go to Kindergarden sick.

So, yesterday, Mark's ex wasn't feeling so well either. It sounded like she was coming down with a stomach flu...which is not good...since the kids could all get hit with it. We decided NOT to pick up the kids last night due to their mom's mystery sickness and Gabe's. This morning, we checked on the ex and she was still feeling bad, but the kids seemed fine....although we still had the issue with Gabe. When we found out it was strep, we still thought it best to not pick up the kids....since he will be contagious until he's on medication for 24 hours.

Here I am...working a few hours, while Mark and my boys are home. It's so weird because, on Saturdays, the house is always bustling with all our 7 kids! And today, it was so very quiet.

Maybe we will get them tomorrow...

Spring cannot come fast enough!!

Again, Happy Valentine's Day--I pray you feel loved today!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

HOPE Does Not Disappoint!

Romans 5
Peace and Joy

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I am at work today....

I have to admit, I am not feeling all that well. I woke up at 3 a.m.(or was it 4?) with some significant pain in my wrist. I am SO scared that pain will hit me again! So, Mark got me some medicine. I was able to sleep until 7:30 or so. I've been working for almost 2 1/2 hours....it isn't unbearable, but I am struggling.

I was reading the selection above this morning. I've read it many times. It never gets old! I love where it says that hope does not disappoint us....God has poured His love into us!

There is a much bigger picture than what we see here on this ol' Earth!

Whatever you are struggling with...physically, emotionally...let us HOPE. We won't be disappointed! We are LOVED!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

Notes From The Hospital Bed

Hello!

Yes, I am still here!

Before I explain the reason in greater detail, I would like to mention that I finally set up the link to serious.life magazine on my link bar to the right. Check it out! The little girl on this month's cover is fighting Leukemia...she is 4 and is just the sweetest thing. We are praying for her to get through a frightful round of chemo...she is suffering, but hanging on.

And here I am...in the hospital for something not so serious (or it would seem). Yes, it could be serious....but the worse result would be to lost my wrist joint. And I doubt that will happen since I am getting injected with two very strong antibiotics.

Let me go back to the beginning of this adventure! At approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, I woke up from a sound sleep to an excruciating pain. I've never felt this type of pain before. It was in my right wrist. Now, for a few years now, my RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) has been aggressive in attacking my wrists, so I do have pain and swelling...but nothing like this! After trying to fend it off with steroids and a pain pill, it was obvious that it wasn't going to go away. Somehow, Mark got me into the car (apparently, I passed out twice on the way!), we left Alex in charge of the kids (all 7 were home!) and were on our way. I cannot explain this pain. I would rather have given birth to 10 babies in one day that endure that again---I mean it!

The ER Dr. took a biopsy of my swollen wrist (again, excruciating!) and sent it off to the lab. In the meantime, I was admitted and given pain meds and antibiotics. By 7 p.m. that evening, I was feeling MUCH better. Not perfect, but good! I didn't need pain medicine. I thought..."Oh, I bet I will only have to stay here one night". Didn't happen! See, my white blood cell count was 23000 (or 23) when I arrived to the ER. The next morning, it was at 19. Now, it is around 16.3. A 'normal' count is anywhere from 4-10. I am not in the normal range, so they are making me stay.

The biopsy is still negative....so there doesn't appear to be an infection. So, why is my white blood cell count still high? Is that 'normal' for me? Because of the RA? Because I haven't had my injections in almost a month? These are all questions that we do not know the answer.

Basically, I am doing okay. I am just waiting! I will miss 3 days of work. I miss being home. I miss the kids. I have too much to do to be here! BUT, I do not want pain like that again. How can I prevent this?

What will likely happen is that I will have to start taking an infusion-type drug instead of the injections. These infusions take about a 1/2 hour and I think I have to start off going to the hospital every two weeks. There are worse side-effects with these types of drugs, so I will have to be careful.

I was never sick until this hit! Oh well. Poor little Abby....think of all the children that fight life threatening diseases every day....how can I complain??

I'll keep ya posted.

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

*P.S. My roomie is gone. I'll have to tell you about her on another post!

Scenes From Our World...

It's official. I can't sleep here at the hospital. My neighbor had an...well, let's say an accident. And the nurses turned on ALL the bright lights. I started to cough when I finally got comfy again...I tried the earplugs. I tried the ipod. I just can't sleep. This IV thingy is stinging.



Anyhoo...I decided that I would try to post this again.

1. (above) Mark and the kids (minus Alex) at one of my favorite parks down the road. I cannot WAIT until the weather is like this again!!



2. There is an actual 'Sled Hill' a few miles from our home. It's a park that made a hill just for sledding...can you imagine?? There is even a 'warming house' at the bottom. Here are 5 of the crew making their way back to the top.






3. Christmas at Uncle Bob's (minus dad). Included are my cousin Matt, his wife DiAnn and their sweet new baby Amelia!




4. I had to include this picture of Buttercup...our house cat. She is a good kitty :)

5. Dad and I this past December at a Christmas party. I brought Gabe and Jordan to the American Legion (where Dad is the Commander) and they talked to Santa and got a present...pretty good deal!

6. Oops...half of the group isn't looking at the camera! Oh well :) Here we are in Kentucky, visiting Mark's dad and his wife (minus Alex and Sam...and me-I am taking the picture!)

Last Spring....Gabe was a 'star' in his class performance.

*NOTE--I am listening to the iPod right this very moment and a Toby Mac song is playing...not exactly sleepy music!! lol

Here I am in Holland...no, not the one far away! Mark and I were able to take a short trip to celebrate our 1st Anniversary last year. Behind me is a lighthouse and Lake Michigan.

I just like this picture! This was taken right after Christmas, 2007. Mark, Gabe and Alex (and myself) are standing on the frozen lake across the road from our home.

Someone (aka me) had this brilliant idea to have all the kids get hermit crabs. So, last January, we did just that. And now, I feed them! Sure, they were exciting for a few weeks....anyone want a hermit crab? Or two?? We only have 4 left!!

I suppose that is all for now! I don't know how I will sleep. The snoring has begun again. The nurses are talking in the hall. You know, this is an expensive place to be...you would think it would be a little more comfortable! Maybe I am missing something....

God Bless You All!

~Bethany :)

The Drama!!

Okay...so I worked for a whole hour posting something and I had to scrap the whole deal! What a drag!

Then, I am at the hospital (long story...I'll tell ya about it asap) and my IV started to leak. So, the nurse had to transfer it from my arm to my hand (that was a bit painful). Now I am watching it to make sure that it doesn't 'back up' if you know what I mean. Last time I had one of those, the vein in my hand grew to a scary size...it was not good. It's been 5 minutes and nothing bad has happened so far!

I should probably try to sleep....my neighbor here is a snore-er. And she sleeps with the TV on. Mark brought me the iPod to listen to. And I have ear plugs. But what if my hand explodes after I fall asleep?? The drama....

I will post what I had planned tomorrow!

Good night/Good morning!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

This Is Sad!!

I got this picture in an email yesterday....

It said, "Summer's almost here in Michigan ...we can now see the deer moving around.

Yep, won't be long!".

That is just plain depressing!!!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

I Wish...My Blog Was More Pretty!

I have been playing around with the different templates on here...I just can't seem to find one I like! I mean, they are pretty nice and all...and free even. But they aren't exactly 'pretty'.

I guess I should look at how my other blogger friends decorate their pages.

Guess what? This blog was on a list of blogs in a magazine! Here is the link -

http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com/

I haven't read this month's whole issue yet, but I plan to. There is a lot of good info in there! I need to post a fastlink on my sidebar but that will have to wait until I am at home. I am not permitted do such things on my work computer :)

So, who is sick of winter?? Me!!! Anyone else?? I don't know....but it seems that every year becomes more cold. What happened to all the talk of 'global warming'? I don't get it.

I remember when I was young and I would make fun of people that talked about the weather all the time. Now, I'm that kind of people! Ha :)

We still need a 12 passenger van...or a small bus. We have $1000--that's it. We've been praying earnestly for quite some time. I SO pray that we can find a passenger van that all 9 of us can ride in. Course, I would be thankful for any dependable vehicle, but taking 2 cars everywhere can get tiresome.

Apparently, all is good to go concerning my student teaching placement! I had NO idea that my application was officially accepted. Then, on Monday, one of my counselors called and said that I was scheduled for my 1st seminar class on March 10th (I think). For her to be able to schedule my classes means that the application has been approved, thus causing the financial aid to be processed....everything should be ready! I still don't know how we are going to physically do this student teaching thing for 3 months! We will see :)

Most of us in the family are fighting a cold. It's been irritating but no one has had anything too serious.

Have a great day!
Blessings!

~Bethany :)

My Scarf!

Well, I decided to start knitting a few weeks ago and I finally completed my 1st scarf!!

Hopefully, I will stick with it enough to get beyond scarf-making :)

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings!

~Bethany :)

Random Pics

Hello!

I thought I would post a few pictures....

These are from 2006 and also our wedding in 2007. We are soon to be celebrating our 2nd year Anniversary! Well, not until April 7th, but it will soon be upon us!

The first picture here is from our wedding day. As you can see, everyone looks cheerful (although tired)...all except for Josh, who wasn't real happy that his parents were not getting back together. So, he didn't smile. He looked quite pitiful actually. I felt bad...but you know, each of us is different. I remember wanting to have my parents back together...even if they didn't like eachother, it's really a feeling we sometimes cannot control. He's fine now :) I don't think there has been another family picture taken that he looks this miserable...thank the Lord!

The girls and I got ready in the church nursery....Gabe and Jordan had a blast playing while we waited :)

Mark and I standing on a beach in Port Huron (Lake Huron is behind up)...we spent the last night of our honeymoon there.



I love this picture of Mark and the girls!!

The day we got engaged :)

It was October 2nd...which is my brother's birthday. He had died earlier that year and Mark wasn't sure if it was appropriate to pop the question on his b-day. I was okay with it...he would have been happy for us! Plus, I will never forget that date :)

This is the view from the spot that Mark asked me to marry him. It was a beautiful evening and we were the only people in the park at the time (that we knew of!). This was also the spot were we had our first kiss :) It's a special bench!

More random pictures another time! Gotta hit the hay!

Blessings!!

~Bethany :)