February 28, 2011

Today was the start of a new week and the end of February and Jeans Month. We are still in the process of getting some of the donations. Some of the businesses have went through today so I suspect they will be calling ready for us to come and pick them up. We are so excited at how well Jeans Month has went over! Tracy and I were hoping to to $500 to $1,000. We have don surpassed that by so much!! I will blog the total amount once we get the rest of the donations. This afternoon after school I took the girls first to Bass-Mollett to pick up their donations. While we were there they gave us a tour of the facility. The girls thought it was really cool how they print and assemble all of the items. Bass-Mollett also gave the girls binder books with their pictures on the outside and also a wooden box with domino's in them. Thank you Sandy Mullen and all the employees of Bass-Mollett. After we finished at Bass-Mollett we went to the Bond County Health Department. They too participated in Jeans Month. Again we are overwhelmed with the all the generosity! God Bless you all!!!

February 26-27, 2011

Saturday-The girls and I started off our busy day by picking up my mom this morning and heading to Fairview Heights Schuck's to pick up their donations. My mom also had given us the donation from the Highland VFW Ladies Auxilary. We are overwhelmed by the response we've gotten for Jean's Month! Thank you so much!! This evening we went to the Make-A-Wish Chicken and Beer Dance in Collinsville. We are so proud of our girls always willing and ready to give back.

Sunday-Started off with the morning by going to church. We were supposed to go to a baby shower but decided against it because that would mean three trips to Alhambra: church, shower, and AWANAs. Ended the evening by taking the girls to AWANAs. Trystan is trying so hard to get this third book finished by the end of the year. So hoping she's able to do it. We may run out of time before she's able to do it. We'll just have to wait and see. :) WOW! It has been an extrememly busy weekend!

February 22-25, 2011

Tuesday-So we've been told that the Influenza A virus has hit GES hard! Many kids are out and others are "dropping like flies" throughout the days. I wonder how many have to be out before they close the school for deep cleaning? We are a bit nervous that Trystan could come down with it and have trouble fighting it off. All we can do is have the girls continue to practice good hand washing and continual hand sanitizing and pray that God will protect us from these viruses.


Wednesday-Trystan seems to be doing a little better with reading. She doesn't enjoy reading but will do it because she has to. The girls received a donation in the mail from a salon in St. Louis. Not sure if they heard about it from one of our facebook friends or if they saw us on Fox 2? Either way AWESOME!!


Thursday-Another donation came in from a church out of Ballwin, Missouri. They dedicated a Sunday service as jeans day at their church. Everyone paid $1 to wear their jeans to church. What a fabulous idea! Again not sure how they heard about Jeans Month, either way FANTASTIC!!!


Friday-I picked up the girls a little early from school today because DeMoulin's wanted to give them a tour of the plant and give them their donations. The plant tour was so cool! I think I enjoyed it just as much as they did. :) We then made our way to Bradford National Bank's Main Branch and then to Edwardsville to St. Mary's School to get their donations. We are just really overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and support. We have well surpassed our goal. Thank you everyone so much!

February 21, 2011

Today was a big day! Trystan wasn't happy at all about missing school to have to go down to the hospital. Most kids would jump at the chance to have a "day off". But not Trystan! I think because she had to miss so much school when she was sick. We dropped Alyssa off this morning at school and headed to St. Louis. We arrived at a little before 9:30 a.m. and went straight to radiology for her CT scan that was scheduled at 9:45 a.m. We were called back just about on time! However, we had to go up to the 7th floor for her CT because the one in radiology was giving them fits. Thank goodness they have an extra one so we were still able to have it done and didn't have to reschedule! Trystan is just such a pro when it comes to having to lay still. She did AWESOME! After she finished with her CT scan we went down to the 2nd floor to have her bloodwork done. Once we were called back, the lady drawing Trystan's blood either is just a crabby woman or was having a bad day and she got the brunt of it! We all left there not very happy with the way we were treated! The next stop was the 9th Floor to see Dr. Wilson. Our appointment wasn't until 11:30 a.m. and when we arrived it was only 10:30 a.m. We were sure hoping it wasn't busy and that there may be a slight chance we could get in early. Luck would have it that we were called back early. Trystan had her vitals done: blood pressure, pulse/ox, weight, and height. We then went back to the examining room to wait for Dr. Wilson. He came in right after us to let us know that the CT scan was in fact clear! The bloodwork wasn't back yet and they would call us later with those results. He also told us that since Trystan is one year out and clear that she is now extened to every four months! We are now scheduled to go back toward the end of June.

We were so happy with the results it was time to have a celebration lunch. We gave Trystan the choice of places to go to eat. She chose Long John Silver's because she loves their popcorn shrimp! It was so early when we got back that she wanted to go to school. I dropped her off a little after 1 p.m. She was so happy to be back at school!

Thank you all for your continued prayers! Keep them coming!! God is sooo good and continues to show His face to us!

February 19-20, 2011

Saturday-We started off our morning by running into town and picking up donations from Midland States Bank. The girls and I then went to Highland and picked up donations from Tri-Ford. They also had donations from Ford Square in Mt. Vernon. Thank you for your donations in supporting Alyssa and Trystan in giving back to St. Louis Children's Hospital Cancer Floor. Our next stop was Staunton. Pickerill's Pickin n Grinnin was hosting a fundraiser at their restaurant for Jeans Month. Thank you again to all of the companies and their employees that continue to give generously! Once we were finished in Staunton, we ran to Edwardsville to Michael's to pick up a birthday present for Alyssa's friend. This evening, Alyssa went to a birthday party sleepover. Trystan, Tracy and myself stayed home and had a movie and a pizza night.

Sunday-One year ago today we had Trystan's Post Chemo Party! It seems so hard to believe that it has been a year already!

On our way to church this morning we picked up Alyssa from her friend's house. After church we came home had lunch and did some of Trystan's reading. This evening I took the girls to AWANAs. Trystan was so excited to find out that she was old enough to go to church camp this summer! She couldn't stop talking about it all evening. We are a little aprehensive in sending her because of her health and physical issues. We will pray and talk about it. God will tell us what we should do.

February 14-18, 2011

Monday-Happy Valentine's Day! Trystan had her Valentine's Day party at school today, while Alyssa had her last week. This was her first Valentine's Day school party since kindergarten that she was able to attend! She was so excited! Please pray for our niece Cadence she left our house after school sick.


Tuesday-The girls have been officially exposed to both strep and influenza a. :( Please pray that our girls as well as the rest of the family will be spared. Especially Trystan with her upcoming scans.


Wednesday-Called the doctor's office this morning and explained our situation with Cade being sick and being in close contact with our entire family. They thought it best to put our entire family on tamiflu. So we started it this evening after dinner. Please also remember Tracy's sister in your prayers as she has been diagnosed with cancer today. She will be enduring a CT scan tomorrow morning so that the doctors will know what they need to do to help her. Please also pray for her husband, Brad and three sons as well as wisdom for the doctors.


Thursday-Nothing much to report today. Girls went to school and Alyssa had dance this evening.

Friday-Just before school let out, Alyssa and Trystan were presented a check from GES for Jeans Month. Thank you to all of the faculty and staff that participated by wearing their jeans and giving such generous donations! This evening, Alyssa had a make-up class for her Thursday night class because of all of the snow days that forced them to not have class.

February 12-13, 2011

Saturday-Slept in this morning. Once we were up Tracy took me out for breakfast! After breakfast we did some running around in town, came home and I started on the neglected laundry while Tracy worked on trying to break up the slick, ice covered drive way. Doris brought the girls home about 1 p.m. Trystan woke up at grandma's with yet another cold! I think this one I am guilty of giving to her. :( She sounds just like I did a week ago. Gave her some medicine and she took a long nap. Praying that it clears up before her scans on the 21st. Not sure if they will go thru with the scans if she's sick.


Sunday-Before we went to church this morning Trystan did her math homework. We came home afterward for lunch. In the afternoon Trystan finished her homework and then we left to run some errands before heading to AWANAs. The theme tonight was Hershey Kiss Night(for Valentine's Day). Came home and Trystan was still fighting her cold. She has about one week to get over this before her scans or we may need to reschedule.

February 7-11, 2011

Monday-This morning Tracy and I were still bothered by the fact that Trystan was complaining about her foot on and off over the weekend. So, I called Dr. McDonald's office and spoke with the head nurse. After answering a lot of questions, it was decided to have Trystan come in and have an x-ray done of her right foot and then see the doctor. Praying that it's nothing.

Tuesday-Trystan has told us that she's a little nervous to go see the doctor tomorrow. But, she's also said that her foot has felt pretty good. Tracy and I have decided to keep the appointment to help put our minds at ease.

Wednesday-This morning I took the girls to school. I went and picked up Trystan from school about 2:15 p.m. Alyssa stayed and my mom picked her up for us. We arrived at the doctor's office a little before 3:30 p.m. Went in for the x-rays and then over to the doctor's office. He reviewed her x-rays and said that he didn't see anything to be concerned about and came to the conclusion that it is tendonitis. We are so thankful that it was nothing! I took Trystan to McDonald's to eat supper then met up with my mom at Poplar Junction to get Alyssa. The girls had a blast watching my mom and the rest of her team bowling. They got a little upset with me when I said it was time to go.

Thursday-Trystan's foot seems to be doing well since she's been wearing the new shoes we bought her Saturday. Praying that this continues!

Friday-The girls were pretty tired today! It's been quite a while since they've had to go a full five days to school. This afternoon Grandma Watson called and invited the girls to come and spend the night at her house with her and Cade. They were so excited to do so! I fed them dinner and then we took them over to Doris's house. Once we left there, Tracy and I went to Staunton to eat at Pickerill's Pickin n Grinnin. It was really good! They are planning a fundraiser for next week Saturday to help support the girls' cause to give back to St. Louis Children's Hospital.

February 5-6, 2011

Saturday-Woke up this morning to snow! A lot more than we thought we were going to get!! This morning the girls got up and played together right away. We all four then went into ALCO in town to try to find Trystan a new pair of shoes. Thankfully they had some that she liked and that were comfortable on her feet. After lunch the girls got dressed in their warm clothes and went outside to play in the snow. Together they built a little snowman. Late this afternoon my sister called and she and Kortnie invited us to go out to dinner and then all go bowling together. Trystan still isn't able to hold the ball on her own. The extra weight puts a strain on her leg and could possibly break it. So therefore, I walk the ball up to the lane and she and I throw it down the alley. Even though she needs my help, she still had a great time! Alyssa had a wonderful time as well. It is so fun to be able to go into places and do things that at one time were impossible for us to do. Thank you God for continuing to show us the "little" things that we used to take for granted. Throughout the day Tracy and I kept asking Trystan if her foot/heel was hurting her. She kept telling us that it didn't hurt her. Praying that she is telling us the truth knowing that if she tells us that it does hurt she'll have to go to the hospital.


Sunday-This morning Tracy, Doris, the girls, and myself went to Crown Point Church in Pittsburg (right outside of Vandalia). Tracy was asked to give his testimony of the past two years. When he was asked to come forward, they dismissed the younger kids and we told Trystan that she could stay up with us in the sanctuary, but she wanted to go with the rest of the kids. Alyssa stayed upstairs with us. Tracy did a great job! After the church service ended we went into Vandalia for lunch with Doris and then returned home. We were home for a little while and then I took the girls to AWANAs. This evening the cold that I came down with on Friday really kicked in and I wasn't feeling well at all! Hope I can kick it quick and that the rest of the family doesn't get it!!

February 1-4, 2010

Tuesday-School was cancelled today because of the storm that continues accross the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. It's still continuing to sleet outside and the meteorologists are saying that there is a big snow storm that's coming. Also, checks continue to come in one by one in the mailbox. The girls are excited at the number of responses we are getting to help them give back to St. Louis Children's Hospital. We are getting donations from both companies and individuals! This evening just after supper the lights began to flicker on and off. So I hurried the girls upstairs for their bath and showers. Just after they finished their bath/showers the power went off. It was off for about an hour and then came back on. We were so excited! I blew out all the candles, only for the power to go back off again after 10 to 15 minutes and it stay off for the rest of the evening. Thankfully, I had inflated the air mattress in preparation of a power outage. We moved it into the family room where the fireplace is that way the girls had something to sleep on. Trystan was excited because she said that it was like camping. Because of the fire and being able to sleep in the same bed as her sissy! Tracy slept in the recliner and I slept on the couch. Throughout the night Tracy had to continue adding wood to the fire to keep it going so we could stay warm.



Wednesday-This morning we woke up and there still was no power. First thing Tracy and I did was emptied out the refrigerators and put all of the food in totes and placed them on the back porch to keep the items cold and from spoiling. The house continues to get colder and colder. We hunkered down in the family room the entire day. We had picnic meals, played games, and helped Trystan with her Valentine boxes and cards all in front of the fireplace. The family room stayed around 60 degrees. The rest of the house was between 54-56 degrees. COLD!!! Thankfully at about 6:30 p.m., as we were getting ready to eat supper, the power came back on. Hip hip horray!! Just shy of 24 hours. The furnace kicked on and the house heated right up. We all got our hot shower/baths and turned on our electric blankets. All four of us were happy to be able to sleep in our own beds and with heat!



Thursday-We all slept good last night in our own beds and stayed warm with heat! We are so thankful that the electricity was restored last night at dinnertime. Still no school today due to icy roads and dangerously cold temperatures! Even though there wasn't any school today, Alyssa did have dance tonight.



Friday-Back to school today. While I was dropping the girls off at school Trystan told me that her right heel was hurting her. I was concerned and asked her if she needed me to bring her a different or more comfortable pair back to her at school. She reassured me that she was fine and that I worry too much. Greenville only had school until 12:30 p.m. They were already scheduled for an early dismissal. Since they got out of school early, we swung by the First National Bank here in Greenville to pick up their donations for Jeans Month. They were all very kind and even posed for a picture with the girls! We came home for about an hour and then headed to Washington University where Tracy works because they too had a donation for the girls. Both Alyssa and Trystan were very excited knowing that businesses are participating in their fundraiser! Tracy and I are concerned about this pain that Trystan has complained off and on about today in her foot. We have decided to wait and see how she is tomorrow. If the pain is still bothering her we will discuss further if we need to contact the doctor.

January 31, 2010

The girls went to school today only for them to call off school at 1:30 p.m. due to a winter storm tht was beginning. Throughout the day we had freezing rain that eventually turned into a lot of sleet! Dance was also called off this evening due to the weather. I think we may be stuck at home for a few days.

January 29-30, 2011

Saturday-Stayed home for the bulk of the day except this evening when we ran to Wal-Mart in Vandalia to pick up a few items.

Sunday-We all went to church this morning. It was our last day to teach Children's Church. Came straight home from church, ate lunch, and I headed to my mom and dad's while the girls stayed home with daddy. I rode along with my parents to my Great Great Aunt Bea's wake in St. Louis. They picked up my Grandma Huck on the way. While I was gone, Tracy and the girls went out to Jeff and Katie's for wood. While they were there the girls played with Josie and Russel. They had a lot of fun! I came by the house after the wake and picked up the girls and we went to AWANAs. The theme night for AWANAs tonight was fleese/flannel pajama night. Before coming home from AWANAs, the girls and I stopped by IGA for some groceries in case we have to go without power during the upcoming storm. If it happens.