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 :)