One of those random blog things

Katrina saw a hematologist last week at Children's Mercy. According to that doctor, she does not have Shwachman Diamond Syndrome from a hematological standpoint. The doctor says the test to see if she had mono takes a few days so she will let us know about that when she finds out. Apparently, mono can cause all the blood issues she has had since February. She did recommend that we see a GI. That is next on the list.

Madeline prefers to be called Madeline this year. And it is Made-LINE, not Made-Lyn. Do not make that mistake. You will be given the evil eye and cold shoulder. She missed out on the student council elections last week due to a stomach virus and was pretty disappointed about that. Poor kid. It's also pretty funny how when each sports season comes up it is her absolute favorite sport of all. Right now she is all about playing soccer in college, when over the summer, she was all about being the best catcher on KU's softball team when she grows up. I told her grades are really important to play sports in high school and college so she better start with good study habits now.

Oh, this is gross. Katrina vomitted in her sleep Saturday night. All over her cast. I mean ALL over it. Guh-ross! I cleaned it up with clorox wipes and then febrezed it but it didn't help much. I almost kept her home Monday, but sent her to school with a long sleeve shirt and a cast sprayed with Bath and Body works body splash. When I called the doctor, they recommended putting baby powder on it. When she got home from school, I kind of spritzed it with water and then laid the baby powder on thick and rubbed it in. Guess what? It worked!! File that away in your brain just in case you have a kid with a stinky cast in the future.

Charlie is preparing me for his parent/teacher conference on Friday. Apparently, it is not going to be a good one. I have seen his paperwork and he is struggling pretty bad. But apparently his behavior isn't so hot either. I love the guy, but he talks non-stop in school. He always has. He takes after me in that way. I know he is a smart kid. He just doesn't care. I don't know if he is bored or if he just doesn't care to pay attention. It's frustrating as all get out. I have been drilling him on spelling because that is where he struggles the most. He said he has improved there because he got a 90% on his last test where he has been averaging a 60% before. It's kind of weird that he has more homework than his 4th grade sister.

Charlie is also still in Boy Scouts. I had major reservations because we are not a particularly religious family and I have strong feelings about my children being exposed to close minded people. But, Josh attends every meeting with him and it's great for the both of them.

I'm stressed. But then I am always stressed. Financially, I need a job and I needed it last month. The kids have missed 7 days collectively so I would have been fired by now. I sometimes wish we had Mom and Dad closer so I would have at least some sort of back up for the kids, but no such luck.

Josh has put in for a job that pays 10% more but we won't know if he gets it for a while yet. I try to not stress him when he is home but he knows we have to do something. I feel like I am failing our family but I also know that I am still needed here at home. Josh knows it, too, which is why he scours job sites looking for something better. I hate that all of this seems to fall on his shoulders.

I know that some people think we are irresponsible for putting our kids wants, like sports and boy scouts, first. I don't want them to suffer with a childhood of no extracurricular activities. My parents allowed me that outlet and I want my children to have the same opportunities.

But other than that, things are actually pretty good. I love my husband and he loves me. Our kids are relatively healthy and most definitely happy. What more could a person truly want?