Mom's in the Park

What a great Mom's in the Park we had. Go to www.bereanzoomzone.blogspot.com to see all the pics!

A Time For Family

Last night around midnight we got a call about one of our kids from church. Kyle is his name and he's 10 years old. Kyle has asthma and was having trouble breathing. He used his inhaler and that wasn't working so his mom, Kim, got the breathing machine and tried to use that. Pretty soon it was evident that that wasn't working and pretty soon Kim was on the phone dialing 911. By the time the paramedics got there Kyle was in full cardiac arrest. Kevin jetted out of the house and spent all night at the hospital with Kyle and his family. I'm not just talking his mom, dad and grandparents. I'm talking aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins, etc. When I went up to the hospital today as I walked into the lobby of the floor he was on there was a massive group of people. As I stood there waiting for Kevin it dawned on me that all these people were somehow related to Kyle. What an incredible sight to see all these people waiting to hear how Kyle was. This family, doesn't matter who it is within the family, will gather at the hospital at any time for any family member. I've seen this happen before with this family but with a totally different family member. What a blessing to see this. Not only did Kyle have his blood family but he had his church family as well.
Kyle you ask? He's responded to his dad by squeezing his hand and opening his eyes for his mom. Doctors were too do an MRI tonight to see if there was any brain damage but we are believing for the best.
Kevin came home and rested a couple hours this afternoon and headed back up to be there for the MRI. If you know Kev, he'll be there all night again just to make sure Kyle's okay. I'll keep you posted on how he's doing so please keep him in your prayers.

Some great music

I love to listen to Shawn Lewis. He's the leader singer for Hyperstatic Union http://www.hyperstaticunion.com/. I've known his wife Natasha since she was about 4 years old and she holds a special place in my heart. Together they are an awesome couple and I love to hear them sing together. Here's a video of him singing Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. The guitar playing is incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LygLHPMBLFM

Here's them singing together:

Swimming at the Pool

The boys and I were to go swimming today with Ann, our Pastor's wife, and her two grandchildren. She called me this morning and said she wasn't feeling well so I decided to take the kids myself. We went to Country Inn & Suites, www.countryinns.com, in Clive where for $5 we could swim. We were there for about three hours and ended up being the only ones there. The boys were in heaven! Not only was it NOT outside with the blistering heat they had the whole place to themselves!! Zayvn loved the fact that he could go in the hot tub! I'm so glad Ann told me about being able to do that. I may check around closer to home to see if any other hotels do that. What a great deal and fun time.

Neti Pot

I've been having trouble with my sinus's lately. Several people have told me to get a Neti Pot. You feel it with saline solution water and then lean forward and over and pour it through one side of your nostril and it flows out the other side. I know, sounds pretty gross, but so far it's been working well for me. The boys wanted to take a picture of me doing it so you could get the "True" experience.

Moms in the Park

We met at Grandview Park today. You can see a picture at bereanzoomzone.blogspot.com. There was only four of us mom's and I think the weather played a factor in not bringing more mom's out. It was 87 degrees by the time I got to the park. We called it a day when the temp started rising. This afternoon it's to get to 96 degrees but have a heat index of 110 degrees. So, it's awful hot out there. It's an absolute blessing to have a/c!! I am not discouraged by the attendance. I know the Lord brings those mom's there that need to be there!!

Iowa Cubs Game

Sam, Renn, Elijah & Isaiah before the game

Best Friends

Amaris and I

Kevin and Scott

Hanging out watching the game

Zephan

Eating peanuts another fan gave the kids

Showing off

Tonight was Little League night at the Iowa Cubs. The four of us, along with our good friends the Albers Family decided to go. Renn and Elijah had their jerseys and hats on and brought along their mitts in case they caught a ball. It was fun to watch them. All of us had a great time and it was even fun to watch Kevin looking for our seat as we could see him across one section looking up and down. He finally spotted us but boy, did we get a laugh out of that!! Oh, and the I Cubs won!

Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father's Day. As I was thinking about Father's Day my mind scanned the many pictures of those that have been like fathers to me:

My own dad Richard: Although it was sometimes rough growing up I can say my dad truly loves and care for his girls. Not only does he love his girls but the son's he inherited when his girls got married and the grandchildren that came along after. He's Captain Dick to some, grandpa, dad, uncle, dear and honey (which my mom calls him) and Richard. He loves fishing and taking people out on his charters. He's there to help us in any way he can (when we lived closer that was alot)

Dewdad: I lived with him and his wife and four children for about six months. His real name was Duane but I called him Dewdad and he called me TruDa.

Todd: I lived with him and his wife and two kids as well. He and his wife made me one of their own and I love their two little boys. They were a great family and Todd always had a sense of humor.

Rob: He was not only my boss but my youth pastor and a wonderful friend. Still is to this day. He is a great man of God who loves his family, children and granddaughter very much. He called me "The World's Greatest Secretary" and always made my day.

Ray: My precious grandfather, now having a jolly good time in Heaven with Jesus. He prayed for me for years to come to know the loving Father they he knew. His prayers worked and for that I'm grateful. He loved me unconditionally, no matter what. He was a man after God's own heart. He loved his family very much and was never without a friend. People loved to hear him laugh and talk. I loved to give him a bad time, but he knew it was all in fun. I still miss him to this day. Knowing I'll have a reunion with him someday up in Heaven makes me happy.

David: My wonderful father in law who is now in Heaven. I miss him deeply but I was his Peaches. I can't wait until I see him!

Bob: My Iowa Pop. That's what I call him and he doesn't even mind!! I don't ever think I've seen him w/o a smile on his face. Maybe preplexed at times but never a frown. He loves my kids and Kevin and I as if we were his own. He be there for anyone in a heartbeat. He'll help you in a flash and w/o putting up a fuss. I love him for taking us on as his own family.

Kevin: No, he's not my dad but he is the father to my most precious possession, Renn and Zayvn. He's a great dad and loves his kids with all his heart. He tries to make sure he spends enough time with each boy. He's always striving to do his best with raising his boys. He loves Jesus with all his heart and makes every effort to instill that in our boys. I love him for that!!

Happy Father's Day to all my dad's!!

THESE DRATTED HEAD ACHES!!

Okay, I'm going to do a little bit of ranting right here. I'm so tired of these stupid headaches. Seems like I can't do anything that's going to bring pressure to my head. I had an episode on Wednesday and got that one contained and then while I was at work this morning I got another one. It was so bad that I drove to the church and then Kevin drove me to the Urgent Care. After talking with the doctor the sinus medication that I was on didn't clear up the sinus infection so she gave me a much stronger one and a more expensive one at that! She also gave me a shot so my head would quit throbbing. Kevin got me home and I went to lay down for a bit. I was feeling much better and ready to go help my friend Angela with FPNO. I was on the phone with my landlord and BOOM! just like that I get another one. So, that ended my going to help Angela. I was so mad as I threw myself on my bed and just cried. Wondering why am I getting these stupid, dumb things? I realized that until the pressure from my sinus' are gone even the slightest bit of laughing, bending down, excitement, anything that has to do with my head it's going to come just like that. Hopefully, these pills that I was given will take care of it. In the meantime Kevin says I'm going to have to take it easy. That may mean not going to the Iowa Cubs Game tomorrow night. Well, we'll just see about that. I told him if I have to I will load up on Tylenol to prevent my head from acting up again. My poor Zayvn asked Kevin if mommy was going to die! Okay, I'm feeling much better now that I got that out. I WILL NOT let the enemy get me down. I WILL fight!!

Awards Night

Last night the Royal Rangers and Mpact had their awards night. Here's some pictures my good friend Angela took since I left my camera in Kev's office. Only Zayvn was there since Renn was playing his tournament game (which they lost).

Updates of sort

It's been a bit crazy around here. Renn is in ball tournament this week and tonight was to be his first game. It poured down rain this afternoon and they called the game off. So, that means he'll play tomorrow night which just totally throws everything in a loop for us. Not only is it Wednesday it's awards night for the boys and girls at church. I've got a great helper that could present the awards to the girls but I was asked by one of the high school girls to be there since her mom won't be able to. I'll go to the game with Renn, stay until the very last minute and work on trying to figure out someone to pick him up. If he wins tomorrow night then he will play again on Thursday. If no win then he's done. This rain is supposed to be in Oregon, not here!!
I do a kid swap with my friend Brenda on Monday's and Tuesdays. Since I work Monday mornings and she works Tuesdays we decided it would be cheaper if we took each other's kids on the days we don't work. So far it's been going great and the kids are getting along. Zayvn went to a friends house today so there was one less child which made it sort of nice.
Zayvn got his first fat lip yesterday. Boys were playing ball and the ball got thrown to Zayvn and hit him right smack in the face. Looks a little better today but boy I'm sure it hurts.
Mom's in the Park was okay today. We actually went to McDonalds and I was a little disappointed but then I realized the Lord brought the two ladies that came with their kids for a reason. Jillisa was new and she brought her 18 month old son. It was nice to get to know her. I have one mom, Amber, that's been my faithful one from the start, minus last week when she was on vacation. I know the Lord brings those mom's to the park that need to be there and for that I'm grateful. I know it's not always going to be the same mom's that come and if it's just one mom that shows then I need to see the blessing in that.
Speaking of blessings Kev and I are surrounded by so many. Blessed to be in such a great church. God is doing such amazing things! The pastoral staff is coming together and is meshing well. God knew what He was doing by bringing us back here and for once I'm glad. Blessed to be loved by such wonderful friends who have become like family to us. Every day He shows us something new and I'm amazed. So often, we try to hard to make things happen the way we want. Yet, all we need to do is let God make it happen. We are thrilled to be a part of Berean.

Powette Weekend

This weekend was Mpact Powette Weekend. There was 23 of us from Berean that went. What a great time we had and it only poured down rain Friday afternoon. Here's some pictures and you can read/see more on the Zoom Zone Blog at bereanzoomzone.blogspot.com. I also have all the pictures on my facebook as well.

Mom's in the Park

We had our 2nd get together this morning. What a great time we had!! I took pics and you can view them at bereanzoomzone.blogspot.com. I'm excited because there were more moms today and new faces I had not seen! God is great and doing a great thing!

Headache

So, after much discussion with Kevin and a good friend of mine I made an appt to see my doctor yesterday. I sort of had a feeling what my doctor was going to tell me to do and that was to have a Cat Scan. I didn't want to do this because those are very expensive and we really don't have the best insurance at this point in time. But, in order to keep everyone happy I decided to have one done. My doctor said because they came on so fast and with no warning and because they were a 10 plus on the how bad they hurt scale I should have it checked out. I headed down to Mercy Capital and Kevin met me down there. I had the scan done and then they told me to wait there until it came through. After about 45 minutes the tech guy came and said nothing too major going on in there except I have a very bad sinus disease going on. So, with all that taken care of the doctor that got the reading of the scan prescribed some antibiotics for me to try and clear up all the sinus junk going on. Hopefully the antibiotice will take care of the problem. I thank the Lord also for nothing major happening in my head. I do have to admith though as I was laying in that scan I just kept thinking over and over "How much is this going to cost"??? I know that Jesus is my Jehovah Jireh, my provider, so I need to leave it in His care and not worry about it. Sometimes that's easier said than done.

Pow Wow Pic

Here's a few pictures from Pow Wow this weekend that Kevin and Renn went to.

Oh, my aching head!

Kevin and Renn are at Pow Wow this weekend in Boone, IA. Kevin is speaking and Renn joined the other boys within our church. So it's just been Zayvn and I. Last night we went to Taco Bell to have dinner. I haven't been to Taco Bell in about six months so the food was so good. After that we went to Family Video and got a video for each of us. Onward towards home where Zayvn put his video in to watch. I put Zayvn to bed a little late and it paid off since he didn't wake until 10am this morning!! I was very surprised. About noon we headed out to do some errands and to go to our last graduation party of this year at the church. While we were there I needed to go to the bathroom. I had just finished and walked out of the stall and all of a sudden my head started throbbing really bad. Bad to the point where I couldn't stand up or keep my eyes open. Zayvn came in at that point and I asked him to go get Mary who is a nurse. She found some medication for me and helped me to Kevin's office where I laid in his dark office for about two hours. Bless Mary's heart she took Zayvn for me and kept him occupied. It's been over 10 years since my head has hurt like that. Mary's guessing as well as I that it was a migraine. If it was it's not something I EVER want to experience again. It was awful!! Anyway, I'm all better now but I'm going to take some more meds just to be on the safe side. Kevin's not home until tomorrow afternoon and I've got a big day at church tomorrow with Kev being gone. Zayvn was a trooper through the whole thing!!

Hilarious

This link was sent to me by my mom in law! Enjoy

http://www.snotr.com/video/2630

Through DM

Tony and Sigrid were heading throught Des Moines last night on their way to Nevada. I met them at Bosselmans Truck Stop in Altoona where we had a bite to eat. The boys and Kevin didn't get to see them as it was late at night. Always so good to see the two of them.

Mom's in the Park

I got this idea from our old church back in Oregon. Last summer they had Mom's in the Park where mom's can come and bring their kids, visit with each other and have lunch. We meet at different parks each week. I put together a schedule and today was our very first one. However, we didn't meet in the park. It was raining this morning so I had to have a backup plan and decided to meet in the playplace at McDonald's. There were five of us there with a total of 14 kids. What a great first showing, even without being in the park!! I wasn't so sure how it would end up but the Lord is great for helping me to make a backup plan. Here's a picture from today. If you want to see more you can go to the zoom zone blog at bereanzoomzone.blogspot.com. Can't wait for next week!!

Happy Birthday my sweet niece!!

I just can't believe my niece Sarah turns 11 today. She was born while Kevin and I lived here the first time and seems like it wasn't that long ago that I flew back to Oregon to see my brand new niece. Time sure does fly by. Sarah has been after my sister for the last couple of years to have a food fight birthday party. My sister, up until this year, just couldn't do it. This birthday though she thought Why Not? What could it possibly hurt? So she made spaghetti noodles and some other food and let the kids go at it with a food fight. The kids had garbage bags, swim goggles, stocking caps or hats and anything else they could cover themselves up with. Looking at the pictures my sister sent it sure looks like the kids had a great time!! Well, Sarah, glad you had your food fight birthday party!! We love and miss you!!