October Pumpkins!!!

The boys carved their pumpkins at our friends & neighbors last weekend! The Damberg's had a big pumpkin carving Fall Party! It was fun despite the rainy weather. All the kids went on a tractor hay ride in the rain. They had a blast! They drank lots of hot cocoa and then enjoyed carving their pumpkins. We were very proud of Jett who carved his own, all by himself! And Oakley was just amazed at how much "guts" came out of his pumpkin!

THIS was a SAD year that we didn't get to go to Ft Collins to visit the Pumpkin Patch with the French Family,,, as we have for many years previously but this party was a fun, and CLOSE to home alternative! We plan to go to see the Frenchies in Colorado for Thanksgiving! We will have so much to be thankful for!

Wierd illnesses,,,

Life's started getting crazy at 5am this morning... Oakley came upstairs, sick, throwing up every 2o minutes all morning. Unfortunately I had been awake since 4am, but who needs sleep? Cory stayed home with the Oakley while I took Jett to school and went to work. I spent most of my morning getting organized,,, "sub worthy organized!"

.... BACK tracking,,,,
three days ago I thought I had a scratch on my left jaw/cheek. It hurt pretty bad especially when I washed my face or touched it... the funny thing was there was no noticeable marks on my face in that area! Yesterday it started itching and was funny looking red mark, so I figured it was just a zit. BUT,,, today it itched and so after I SCRATCHED it, it hurt!! So, before I headed out at noon to relieve Cory from his "tending to a sick child duty," I had the school nurse check it out. She was concerned it was shingles! So, reluctantly I went to the Dr. and after two Dr's checked me out,,, they determined I have the start of shingles. WHAT!??! Crazy. So, now I am just praying the very expensive antiviral WORKS!!!

Oh and by the way, Oakley is just fine! He kept food down all day after I left!

Muffins with Mom at the Boys' School

Last week was "Muffins With Mom" at Black Hills Christian Academy! It's always a quick morning to rush in, eat a muffin, try chat with several other mothers and then rush to work but it's so worth it!!! The boys think it is so special!
Next will be Donuts with Dad!
:)
THANKS Tina for taking our picture!

A weekend to remember!

AHH,,, I am behind!!!
Two weekends ago, Oct 9-11 Cory and I went to the Family Life Weekend to Remember! It was a great weekend full of funny, real life and realistic information for married couples. It was a kid free, romantic weekend! It was unique that there was no opportunity to blame or complain to your spouse... but instead we were able to focus on ourselves. Very needed!

Now,,, the challenge is to keep up what we learned to help our marriage to prosper and to get our money's worth!

Here's my "take home notes"
1. we have to merge into "oneness" as God created
2. I must show Cory respect not matter what
3. I must accept Cory as the gift from God that he is
4. I need to get my priorities straight,,, God first, Cory second, the boys next and then others
5. I need to speak life and love into all 3 of my boys and not tear them down with my words

These are all pretty big goals to uphold! Another hard part is the fact that, when Cory isn't upholding his part, all I can do is PRAY!!!

ICE, ICE, BABY!!!

AHHHH! my back feels so much better on ice... too bad it doesn't feel good without the ice. I guess I have to live on an ice pack. Actually, I think I am going to give in and start physical therapy this week! Honestly, I don't want to spend the money and don't know when I will have the time but I don't feel like I have any other choice. I need to do something to save my sanity! I know I'm not the first one to figure out that dealing with chronic pain can make you very grouchy and really make you lose yourself! Honesty, I've been thinking a lot about Donnie and his back pain he had to deal with for years!!! It is no wonder he transformed into someone different than I married and then he turned to putting other substances into his body to get through the pain. Thinking of this sad situation makes my back almost hurt more! Now, tell me that isn't a head a game? I feel like I have to overcome and mentally beat this stupid back pain (that maybe is all 'in my head' but I gotta kick it!)
Okay, I am going to go to bed,,, on the ice pack! When I wake up, no matter how much my back hurts I am going to tell myself it doesn't hurt and I feel great! Lots of positive self talk and a phone call to the PT clinic for me tomorrow!