Work with me, Doc!

Yesterday, my 13 year old claimed "I feel like crap!" before going to school on Friday.  After his older brothers and sister, I don't quite trust such claims.  I sent him off to school.  Upon arriving home, he promptly dropped his bag at the door and climbed into my bed.  He was definitely warm to the touch.  GULP!!  He asked for McDonald's to which I promptly complied ~ it went uneaten for hours while he slept.  I gave him Ibuprofen every 6 hours and he still felt warm.  When we woke up, I decided it was probably best to see the Doc.  (He has a history of asthma and we are having a house full of company for his Dad's birthday tomorrow).  Being that he's 13, the doctors tend to trust him as an accurate historian.  NOT!  Let me explain....NURSE:  "Adam, do you have a headache, sore throat, cough?", ADAM:  "No!", MOM:  "Adam, she doesn't mean this second, she means, 'since your symptoms started'".  ADAM:  "Oh"........ I should also mention that he wanted to go to a friend's birthday party this evening.  The doctor examined him, no wheezing, no ear infection, no strep throat....his diagnosis?  A sinus infection.  Antibiotics were prescribed and I said to the doctor, "Sooooo, guess the birthday party is out of the question, right, Doc?!?!  *wink, wink*.  The doctors reply?  "Well, he isn't contagious, but he should probably get some rest".  Grrrr!!!

I pumped him with two doses of antibiotic before the party and let him go, largely because he acted FINE after his doctor visit and the doctor didn't have my back.......

I know, I definitely was too passive with my 13 year old......but he's a good student, straight A's in "Academically Gifted" classes and he's just starting to find his social life and if he wasn't contagious, I didn't want to disappoint him, but I was hoping the doctor would.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that INDEED he wasn't contagious and I'm going to sleep tonight hoping I'll do better tomorrow.

AMAZING!!!

Damsel in Distress

ROFLMAO!!!! Any mom with kids and a husband that just doesn't get it, this is for you....http://ping.fm/7Nwlz

The Service Call

Its 11pm on a Friday night and my daughter called me to tell me about her night at work.  It was 8:30p and Sears Outlet was getting ready to close for the day, when a very ornery "old man" came in and raised quite a ruckus.  He was very upset that his refrigerator was broken and couldn't get the Sears Service Department to cooperate to his satisfaction.  She explained to this man that she was sorry, there wasn't anything that she could do for him tonight and that the store was closing.  He asked her to come home with him.  As she told me this, all sorts of thoughts are running through my head......all the things that I've taught her and this isn't one of them.  Mind you, my daughter is the Sales Lead and under her leadership, the store has become the #1 store in the region, part of her success is based on her willingness to go above and beyond......this was WAY ABOVE and WAY BEYOND, in my opinion.  She went, ALONE, against everything I have in me.  She tried to do something with his refrigerator and couldn't.  He showed her his son, sleeping on the sofa.  His son, Marty Sheets, is 58 years old and has Down Syndrome.  Marty has participated in the Special Olympics since its first World Games.  There is a room in this man's house dedicated to his son's trophies and even a copy of a painting of Eunice Shriver with Marty in it.  Brittany shared the story of her brother, Robert, who also has Down Syndrome and also competes in the Special Olympics.  Brittany shared some very sweet moments with this man.  When it was all said and done, she called me to share her experience........Thank you, Brittany for making my bad day better ~ I love you!  (Just don't do that again!!!!)  xoxoxo

The painting of Eunice Shriver with Marty Sheets and other Special Olympians

Marty Sheets and his dad, David

Robert, with my husband, John

One Born Every Minute on Lifetime

I was so looking forward to the premiere of this television show on Lifetime.  As a mom of 5 older children, I'm a sap for these childbirth stories.....The show showcases several birth stories that take place at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  I was particularly struck by one couple who decided to go the "natural" route and they presented a lengthy birth plan to the nurses with all their DOs and DONTs.  At first I was quite impressed by their level of dedication to creating the perfect birth for their baby.  I, too, had a clear idea with the type of birth that I wanted for my last child.  I have to say that I turned on this couple rather quickly, especially the Daddy.  After having a lengthy labor with no progression, they continued to insist on proceeding "naturally", preferring to take a shower, rather than take the advice of their labor and delivery nurse to ease the discomfort and pain of labor and they also refused all fetal monitoring.  In fact, whenever the nurse suggested anything, the Daddy treated her as though she was "the enemy", or less than human.  It wasn't until their midwife told them that she suggested Pitocin and fetal monitoring that they relented.  Their beautiful baby girl was born only a short time later. I give that nurse ALOT of credit for maintaining a level of professionalism throughout her entire shift with this couple.  I really hope when that couple sees their birthing story played out on television, they realize just how harsh they were and they send a letter of apology and perhaps a beautiful bouquet of flowers to the nurses at Riverside Methodist Hospital.  (Perhaps they should also take this suggestion:  when and if you decide to have a second child, please consider a home birth OR a birthing center, rather than the hospital.)

Watch the episode here:
http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/one-born-every-minute/video/full-episodes/episode-1-to-medicate-or-not

To My Daughter and Daughters EVERYWHERE!!!!!

HOW TO LET PEOPLE KNOW YOU LOVE THEM by Amanda Gore