Amundsen House of Chaos

Let's face it, when you have a kid who survived a stroke, life is always going to be a little chaotic.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

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Sunshine Award



I won The Sunshine Award from Rachel over at Second Time Around. Thank you so much Rachel. I work really hard to try to stay positive in the face of what some would call a tragedy. I figure Colby had a stroke and I can be miserable over it or Colby had a stroke and I can focus on how to make his life and our families life the best it can be.

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blogworld!!The rules for accepting this award are: Put the logo on your blog. Pass the award on to 10 bloggers. Link the nominees within your post. Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So here are the 10 people I think deserve a Sunshine Award in no particular order.

1) Rudy Family Rukus
2) Troop Petrie
3)Sometimes Life is Messy
4)Sarah's Blog of Fun
5) Putting the Fun in DysFUNctional
6) My World
7) My Little Life
8) The Crayon Wrangler
9)Decisionally Challenged
10) Single Infertile Female

Go check them out and tell them how positive they are!
I also won another award and I'm so sorry but I can't find where it is in my comments. If I do find it I'll get it posted also.






Saturday, February 27, 2010

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We are THAT family!

Today was a beautiful day! It was sunny and warmed up to the 50's. Got me hoping for spring but I know better than to think this will last. Anyway, I talked John out of his plan to hibernate in the basement today and head down to Hill Air Force Bases Aerospace museum.

Just in case you didn't know for 6 months out of the year Johns nickname is Badger. He hibernates in our basement until the snow melts and then you won't find him in the house before 10:00 at night. And for the record it was his idea to live where there was snow and I remind him of it every winter.

Got side tracked! Sorry. Colby loves planes. His room has 7 airplanes hanging from the ceiling. One of the few words he says consistently is airplane. He loves them. If I ask him if he's going to fly a plane someday he smiles super big and says yes.


We don't live far from the museum so since it's free I figured we'd give it a shot today. I haven't seen Colby smile this much on a family outing in a long time!




This is him catching sight of all the planes on the grounds. Some how I missed taking a shot of the outside and all the planes out there. We walked around and realized how big some of those things are. Johns been in a transport plane before so he knows how big they are but until your standing by a wheel that's taller than your head they just don't seem that huge!

After walking around and Colby and the girls getting a kick out of touching all the planes we went into the museum. Holy jackpot in the form of the gift store. Lets just say that thanks to us they aren't going out of business any time soon. John's a military history buff so of course he had to get a book, Colby needed a new plane to add to his collection, Riley needed a Rosie the Riveter water bottle, Jahnna needed a V is for Victory purse and I got a Rosie the Riveter nightshirt that says "We can do it". I'll just let you imagine the implication behind that saying on a nightshirt! And for the record I didn't pick it out. My husband did.

So after that excursion I reminded everyone that the whole point of the trip was not to pillage the gift shop, it was in fact to see the museum. Off we went to the indoor museum. Here's so more shots of our family.



Watching a short video on women in the army and the airforce.

















A cool helicopter


The family in front of a widow maker! This plane is one of my favorites.





John catching Colby smiling at a plane. I don't know why I am so confused. 

 








Jahnna had to take a picture and Riley was not going to be in it, if Jahnna was taking it. Sisterly love.


So are you wondering why I say we are THAT family?  Did any of you military wives catch it? Three of the five of us are wearing some form of Army attire to an air force museum. We are the obnoxious ones in every situation every time. More to come on that statement in a minute.



John and his goarmy.com shirt. At least his isn't as bad as the Army Nascar jacket I'm wearing. And Jahnnas shirt is technically a womans medium. I'm not sure how they figure any woman is going to fit in a shirt that a six-year-old could wear. Maybe the army needs to rethink its weight standards for joining the military? J/K.

After this fun-filled day where everyone was relatively happy except for Riley lagging behind the entire time, we went for lunch at Chili's. RIght in the middle of my delicious lunch Riley looks at me says "My tummy hurts and throws up all over the tile floor. She would have hit the middle of the table but John grabbed her head and directed it under the table. Thanks honey! I really did want to eat my ribs.

Then she threw up in the aisle as John was trying to run her to the bathroom. So much for her being over the flu and feeling better. She hadn't thrown up in almost 48 hours so I thought we were done with it. I never would have taken her out of the house if I thought she was going to do that. So this is yet another example of why we are THAT family!





Here is a link to the newest donation button for Colby's fundraising account. This ebook is for fondue recipes.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

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5QF and Friday Follow 2/26/10

Before we get started I have to say a HUGE Happy Birthday to my sister Megan! I know I won't get to see her today (even though she only lives 20 minutes away instead of 3 states away now) because I don't want her daughter to get what the sickie ickies have! So Happy Birthday I'll see you soon and I love you!


My Little Life

Head on over to Mama M's when your done reading this and check out her site. She rocks!
Special thanks to: Lily, Thorney her London, Maryanne, Renee, and moi! Do you wanna be linked in a future 5QF?

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?

I have NEVER sang karaoke and I never will. Something to do with I don't speak well in front of people so I'm sure as heck not going to sing well in front of them. I'm not even horrible enough to make it be funny. It would just be pathetic. I'd probably end up crying of embarrassment or something.

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?
I don't drink coffee so can I say Diet Pepsi? Its that whole Word of Wisdom which if your interested in finding out more on you can go to www.lds.org and search away to your hearts content.

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?
I used to want to change my name when I was little. I wanted to change it to Eryn. Yup same name different spelling. I think Erin just fits me. Don't know why but it's my name and I'm sticking with it.

4. Were you ever bullied?
Sort of. I had one girl tell she was going to beat me up if I didn't stop talking about her friend. Thing is I never said anything about her. So I don't know where she got the idea I was trash talking. Oh well high schools over with. Thank goodness. There's probably a reason I haven't been to a single reunion and don't plan on going back to one.

5. How often do you eat fast food?
I used to eat fast good a lot! Then I got really determined and went on the HCG diet. I lost 50 pounds over 6 months. Now I hardly ever eat it. Except for today when I'll probably have it twice! I have to take Colby to get his feeding tube replaced. It takes 3 people in the special procedures lab at the children's hospital. It's really, really fast but the drive is two hours down and two hours back and I thought I remembered seeing something about stupid snow in the forecast. Man I wish spring would get here soon. 


So now that I've spilled my guts we're off to try to find more new and cool blogs to follow on the Friday Follow Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each blog. Follow a few or follow them all.

The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

As hostesses, we realize the time required to participate in Friday Follow. Due to the overwhelming number of entries each week, we understand everyone may not be able to follow every blog including ourselves. To keep it fun, follow what you can at your own pace. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued participation!"



MckLinky Blog Hop





Here is a link to the newest donation button for Colby's fundraising account. This ebook is for fondue recipes.
Add to Cart

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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I won!!!!

I can't believe I just won! I won on facebooks Gillette Venus contest. It includes a years worth of P&G supplies. This is what is in it.

A prize pack of P&G products consisting of the following: Five 12.6 oz.
Nature Fusion Shampoo bottles, five 12.6 oz Nature Fusion Conditioner
bottles, four Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof deodorants (1.6 oz), a
Venus Embrace razor and Venus Embrace 4ct cartridges, four Satin Care
Floral Passions 7oz cans, four CoverGirl Original Lash Blast Mascaras,
six Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Rollers, and four Olay Body Butter
Ribbons Wash (18 oz.)

I'm totally excited and when it gets here (6-8 weeks) I'll post a picture of it all. Did I mention I'm excited? I never win anything. Well except for today. I hope this is the start of a new trend!





Here is a link to the newest donation button for Colby's fundraising account. This ebook is for fondue recipes.
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Two of the Three Sickie Ickies.

I love when my kids share! I love when they are nice to each other. I like to congratulate myself on occasion for teaching them good manners. I forgot to tell them that they really don't have to share the flu. But since they are so generous with each other they did. Here's the slumber party in Colby's room after his nurse left this morning. Riley came in a promptly fell asleep for another hour. Colby slept another hour and a half and Jahnna, well I still haven't seen Jahnna yet this morning. I think she's watching Barbie movies downstairs because I can hear the TV. That means she's doing well enough to get out of bed. Maybe we're on the upswing. I hope so.










Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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I made a drink of honey!

I made a drink of honey is what was being yelled at me from the kitchen on Monday. I feared the worst and wasnt' disappointed. An entire jar of honey was gone but Riley was very proud of herself for "cooking" me a drink while I folded laundry.








And yes, I still have pumpkins from Halloween in my kitchen. I don't know why. They just never left.







Monday, February 22, 2010

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Not Me Monday 2/22/10


Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Here we go! Yesterday I did not accidently open my google email account and realize that I had over 800 messages in my inbox. Most of them from Friday Follow and people responding to my emails. So it looks like I never read my comments and follow ups! I did not think that I had forwarded that account to my msn account that I check like every 5 minutes. And I certainly did not think that I was on top of things only to find out how badly I am not! So I am going through them all this week and I hope if you felt I had neglected you, that you will know that I'm trying to catch back up!

When I asked Riley why she had a bruise on her forehead, she did not smile really big and say "Cause I hit myself with a hammer!" Laugh and run away. Whose child thinks like that? Not mine!

Colby did not fall asleep yesterday afternoon to the sound of gunshots on the Xbox at 4:30 in the afternoon and sleep until 9:30 wake up for 45 minutes and then sleep through the night. Of course it was on a night that his nurse was here! He would never dream of doing that when I have to get up with him! Maybe his sleep center is starting to heal itself after all. That would be nice!

Jahnna was not super thrilled that she learned to swallow pills this week. She also was not super excited to start taking two pills of her ADHD medicine. That kid is not so incredibly aware of her body and her mind that she would know instinctively that it would help her. This week she has not been on her best behavior in I don't know how long and the fights between her and Riley have not been cut by half if not seventy-five percent! I am not in heaven over the peace that has been in our home since starting Focalen. And I do not feel vindicated in my quest to get her medication for her ADHD.

And last, I did not skip taking a shower at the gym after water aerobics this morning because there were at least 10 women in their 70's waiting for the showers. So my hair did not freeze when I walked outside and it was only 25 degrees. And I am not sitting her typing this totally itching all over from the chlorine. I am not waiting for Colby to get home on the bus to take a shower because I do not want to miss the bus. They don't like it when your not here to get your kid home from school.

Well I think that's enough confessing for the week. Tune in next Monday for more things I did not do!






Saturday, February 20, 2010

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Random Weekend Thoughts

I finally don't have a headache! I'm so happy. About a month ago I started having these horrible, horrible headaches. Nothing touched them. I went to an internal medicine doctor for some stuff with my thyroid, he said it was just tension. He told me to get a massage from my husband 3 times a day, go to the chiropractor and if I had a flex spending plan he'd write me a prescription for a hot tub!

Ummm sure. I'll make sure I get right on all three of those things. He wanted John to come home from work at lunch just to give me a massage. Like that's gonna happen. And what is a hot tub supposed to do for me? I can see the chiropractor helping but a hot tub? Don't get me wrong, I'd love a hot tub but it's really not in the game plan any time soon. He also told me I needed to reduce the stress in my life! I almost laughed at him.

Did he just miss the part where I told him my son has quadraparesis, dystonia and dysphagia? Not to mention a 6 year old with ADHD and a 2 year old who told me this morning she is on crack! (Side note.... It's kind of a running joke in our family to ask if your on crack. So no we don't really give her crack. That would be bad!) Anyway moving on with my story, yesterday I had this horrible headache and took a deep breath through my nose and the room started spinning. I thought that was kind of strange and told John what it did. He told me to call the doctor because I probably had a sinus infection. I've never had a sinus infection. Ever! I haven't even had a cold this year. So where did that come from? So I went. The dr saw me 15 minutes after I called. Have I mentioned I love living in a small community?

I told him what was going on and he said "Hmmm sounds like a sinus infection. Let's take a look" So he did. I hate that! That's just not right to have someone look up your nose with a flashlight! So I have this crazy sinus infection that he said looked pretty bad. I've now had 3 doses of Augmentin and I feel great! No headache. And amazingly enough I can breathe. I've been congested since we moved here. I was congested when I lived here to go to college. I expect to be congested in this valley. Today is the first time in almost three years I haven't been congested! I am so excited!

After getting home from the doctor for me, Colby started acting like he was congested again. He started throwing up and getting really spastic. Of course he waited for a weekend for his sinus infection to come back in full force! So we went to the doctor again. Now he's on Zithromax cause Amoxicillin and Augmentin didn't touch it. Poor kid. So the real question is..... Why can I tell when my kids have sinus infections but I can't tell when I have one?

Now I know, so I've learned something new, yet again on my self-taught course to becoming a medical professional!

I also wanted to say thank you to the three lovely ladies who I'll be introducing here soon who passed on blogger awards to me this week. Due to my insane headaches I have not gotten around to posting them. I am working on it and hopefully by Tuesday I'll have gotten that accomplished.

And one final thought. Everyone knows that medical care is expensive. That's a given. We are fortunate to have awesome coverage through the military. What we don't have is coverage for equipment the government doesn't think applies to Colby. Some of that stuff is crazy expensive. I'm talking $450 for an outfit to help him be more aware of his arms and legs so he can have more control over them. Plus we'd love to get him more Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments. 40 of those treatments cost $10,000.

In our ongoing effort to raise funds for things like this, I've made a button over on the right side of my blog under his video. It's for an ebook of fun kids recipes. It's basically a donation button. You can change the price of the ebook to what ever you want if you'd like to help out Colby. I'm going to try to remember to change the ebook every month so it will change. And not that I've made any money off the ads on this blog but any proceeds from ads on it will go into his fundraising account. None of it is for me or for things for the family. It all goes to him. So if you ever feel like helping out my beautiful boy we'd sure love you forever! Isn't he cute? I think so!








Friday, February 19, 2010

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5QF and Friday Follow 2/19/10

My Little Life

1. Have you ever hit an animal with your vehicle?

Oh man. You had to ask that question! Yes. I hit some poor little white dog type thing about ten years ago and I still feel bad about it. John teases me and told me when I hit it that it wasn't a dog it was a wombat. So now when ever I'm driving and he sees a dog on the side of the road he yells "Watch out for the Wombat!" Dang now I'm going to feel guilty for the rest of the day.

2. When you see a string on your clothes do you pull it off or cut if off?
Pull then if I can't get it off I cut it or burn it. Cause fire is fun! I don't recommend burning your pants off though. That wouldn't be quite as fun.

3. Did you have your own room or share a room when you were young?
Both. I shared until I was about 13. Then when my parents built a house I had a huge bedroom all to myself. I loved it but I never learned to keep it clean. Sorry mom.

4. Would you rather wear the same thing for the rest of your life or eat the same thing for the rest of your life?

Neither. I guess if I had to choose one though it would be to eat the same thing. I can't stand wearing the same clothes over and over. Unless I could wash them every night. Then I guess I'd rather wear them.

5. What was your favorite TV show as a child?
I remember that to stay up and watch the muppets was a big treat. So that was pretty cool. Other than that I don't really remember.

Thanks Mama M for 5 Question Friday. You can go take a look at everyone else's answers here



MckLinky Blog Hop



Now it's time for Friday Follow. I've met some great people over the last two weeks through this blog hop. So come check out some of these other awesome blogs and join in the fun!



MckLinky Blog Hop










Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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Wordless Wednesday 2/17/10

Head on over to 5 minutes for Mom to see other Wordless Wednesday Posts.


For today's picture we're going back a month to cousin Allie's birthday party. Colby was actually pretty excited about the glasses even if I couldn't catch his smile on camera. He was to busy looking at the balloon and the goody bag that had bubbles in it. That kid loves bubbles. I can't wait till it warms up and we can get his bubble machine and switch back out so he can do it himself. I was very impressed with Colby on this day. I think he sat in his wheelchair for almost two hours. It's a record or something!







Monday, February 15, 2010

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Not Me Monday 2/15/10

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not get all neurotic this week and compltely reorganize my pantry. I frequently take the time to keep things in order and never have to empty the entire thing just to figure out what kind of food I even have in there.


This would not be the half way through unloading the pantry picture.
The view on the counter. Still not even close to being done emptying the pantry.

View from the stool I was standing on. Riley did not LOVE helping me make this huge mess and then refuse to help me put anything away. Mess making is not more fun than cleaning up to a two year old. She also did not keep sneaking candy and treats into her brothers room thinking I didn't know what she was doing.
And this is not what was on the floor when I finally got done emptying the pantry.
I am not totally proud of myself and my children because 4 days later and my pantry still looks like this!



Yup! You guessed it I am totally not neurotic about things like this. I am always completely sane and rational.


I also would not take funny pictures of Colby on the way back from a doctors appointment. I would not think he was totally hysterical because he was making such funny faces for almost an hour. He was so good on the way back it was amazing. He had this very perplexed look on his face. Normally he loves his 1950's superman video but that day it looks like it was very confusing for him.

This was not on my porch just hanging out the other day. I walked past the front door and thought it was a dog. It was not a very small deer that was seriously just chilling on my porch for about ten minutes. I am not crazy and ran to get the camera to take a picture of it, only to have Jahnna scare it away right as I snapped the picture.

And finally I am not such a bad mom that I never do my girls hair. Their hair is always done to perfection. I would not be so proud of myself curling their hair for church yesterday that I had to take pictures of them as proof that I did it. I also did not get flowers from my wonderful husband on Sunday. Did you even know Fed-Ex delivers on Sunday? I didn't. Thank you baby for my valentine!





That about sums it up for the last week. I am not going to go do something else crazy this week. It will be a completely sane and unblog worthy week as usual.