Okay, so I realized I haven't posted since October. The holidays just took over my life even though we kept it simple but what an awesome season it has been, I won't say was until New Years or the Epiphany maybe. By then I will be ready to go on a diet and clean my house for spring. (I am not kidding I love that stuff and only seem capable of doing it when I make New Year's resolutions :) )
So I am typing on my brand spanking new laptop!!!! I really am. You wouldn't understand how I am in heaven unless you saw the old mismatched hodge podge school surplus castoff computers I have used for the last 3 years. My kids kept popping the keys off and my husband would grumble and fix it. Doodle would eat cheeze its while she surfed for you tube Elmo videos and spill her juice on the keyboard. The screen was frequently smeared with kid prints and other unidentifiable goo. You get the picture - oh and it had a giant old school monitor that didn't match the harddrive with the broken power button, which we had to remove the face of each and every time we wanted to turn it on or off. Phew.
But yay I have a brand new, all mine, mine, mine computer!!!! I am so excited. I will hopefully be able to blog more in 2011. We had our very first White Christmas ever, it was also my Dad's first; and he is 78 - sorry Dad. The kids have 3 weeks off this year so that will require some creative time filling on my part. I hope to get some pictures on here soon.
Lastly, Roy gave me a Dance Dance Revolution game for wii that I wanted and I spent most of today trying to learn how to play the darn thing. I am actually quite decent at dancing for what that's worth but man I feel a bit spastic on that mat. I am working on getting the feet first and then will add the arms. I figure it will take a year or two! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Finding God in Autumn
(ie- since birth) and I am proud of that, though I do concede that converts have the upper hand, generally, when it comes to knowledge of the faith. The rest of us got lazy. I am always searching for God. In my children's faces, in my thoughts, in nature, and in other people's words and actions. Sometimes I find it and sometimes I don't. Sometimes it seems like the harder I try and figure out what God wants from me the less I learn. He really is in the simple and the profound.
Today I am in the mountains at my parents place. It is absolutely B-E-A-U-tiful this afternoon, to quote a silly Jim Carrey character. I adore the Fall, especially up here. The kids had a Fall break so we decided to dash up here for a couple of days and I am so glad we did. I find it easy to find God in the Autumn in the mountains.
My parents blessedly allowed me to take a 20 minute walk this morning so I could get a break from the constant needs of five little people who don't sleep all that well away from home, last night being no exception. It was cool and crisp but not too chilly, the leaves are still early in their transformation but still glorious. It was the most quiet I have had in months. It was so pretty and calm that I didn't even notice the constant ringing in my ears (I have tinnitus - joy.)
As I walked up the mountain road which looked like a cover from a John Denver album, the acorns roll-crunching under my feet. I started thinking about God because its easy to do with out little people screaming for juice boxes, fruit snacks and shoes. It occurred to me that while I know logically He is there with us always whether we choose to see or acknowledge Him, I have a hard time feeling connected the way I want to. But not today, today He is right here in front of me on this road, and beside me and within me. Everyone should get the chance to feel this way. The sunlight was doing a speckled dance through the leaves that cascaded in windfalls gently to the Earth. I know this sounds very Hallmarkish and no I am not trying to win any writing awards I just want to give a true picture of what I experienced because it was so simple and profound at the same time and this is what I came up with -
God orchestrated all of this morning as he orchestrates all of nature, the universe even. Did he set up a particularly beautiful experience for me at just the moment I walked out the door? No, of course not. It's all majestic because He is the Author, the Illustrator, the Ultimate Creator or everything that has ever existed or ever will including me and the thought that brings me to my knees whenever I get too bogged down with poor little me thoughts is that in His infinite majestic act of All Creation there was minute, or a millisecond when his thoughts and attention created ME.
And He did the same for You. Pretty amazing when you think about it that way.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Finally!! Saturday in the park (actually just my house but still good.) HBOT verdict
Referencing catchy old seventies song there and if you are too young to get that then you may find yourself bored with my blog - so be it :) Stick around, you may find something humorous here, everyone welcome !
OK, so I actually have 5 occupied children at the moment and a husband who has gone hunting so I am in my pj's with coffee and a brain that is awake and actually got 7 STRAIGHT HOURS of SLEEP last night!!!!!!! I still can't believe it! I didn't even have to get up and you know . . .
Cool! Sorry about all the exclamation points but a woman with newly found sleep + coffee + free time is a happy women. I think there is a logarithmic correlation between caffeine and amount of exclamation points used in a post.
Back to the topic, I have a short video on the inside of the Hbot chamber to show you what it looks like and how it feels in case you are about to embark on your own similar journey or are just curious if you could stand it. We had to wait about a month to finish our set of 20 dives and did so just this past Thursday. Here it is.
That hissing sound you hear is the pressurized oxygen being pumped in to the inflatable chamber.
As I have said before, I have found I am claustrophobic, mildly so and found I could deal with it through taking Benedryl before each dive, saying the Rosary and generally begging God to get me through it. I had one final episode of panic on the second to last dive which took me by surprise but the Dr. distracted and comforted me with a few tales of other people who had similar experiences but, according to her, were much more annoying than me! (I think she was just being sweet :) )
My final verdict is a mixed one - sorry if you were hoping for a definitive, miraculous finale but that's life.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?
- Yes if I didn't know what I know now
-Yes if God came down and told me to
-Yes because I love my daughter SOOOO much
-Yes if there was some new development that required a different protocol which wasn't available to me such as update equipment, drugs to knock me out, etc.
-Yes if I was financially endowed (I would go for 20 more dives) not that I really want to so no don't offer to pay for it - I know you were thinking about it!
Yes because I can at least say to myself that I tried everything possible to help her and don't spend the rest of my life wondering - if I had only tried Hbot . . .
NO
- if I knew what I know now - that it was horribly uncomfortable, time consuming, expensive and only vaguely effective and in that who knows if her gains were made by the actual Hbot or by her natural development and maturation?
By gains I'd say I have seen an emotional expansion in her, real emotions, real tears that were not caused by physical pain but by feelings of guilt over hurting her baby brother when she accidentally opened the fridge door on him and knocked him to the floor or fear of something she dreaded. And of course that wonderful moment back in July when she said "I love you" to me out of no where for the first time in many years.
But that's the problem with nearly ALL autism "treatments." Most are not scientifically documented and sound due to parents' desperation for any and all possible help they can provide there child and who are therefore quite vulnerable to charlatans and quackery of all types. By the way, there is an extra hot spot in hell for people who practice this kind of demented money- making in my opinion!
I read something comforting recently about such parents (obviously I include myself in that category) : A book discussing autism therapies said that these parents, were not generally naive and unintelligent but educated and thorough in their research about the different treatments available. True. I actually do consider myself educated and well-researched, just don't ask me for help with anything to do with fixing a car, the stock-market or how to bring about world peace.
I am sorry this post is so long. I am just giddy with freedom this morning although it will soon end as I am currently allowing my kids to jump on a less than 100% safe trampoline (one side of the net is coming detached but hey, some people don't even use a net on theirs and I figure they must have really good insurance as I have recently discovered broken little-boy-arms cost TONS of money! Not as a result from the trampoline jumping of course :) It was those darn old monkey bars.
On a final note: I can't actually say I wouldn't recommend giving Hbot a try for your child - if you are wondering. I really can't. Why? Because of the mystery of autism, what causes it, why it is becoming an epidemic, why there is such a wide spectrum of the affected, and a continued and general belief in miracles. For those reasons I will not tell you NOT to try this therapy on your child. Who am I to be the final judge? That said, do not mortgage your future away to do this, NO WAY.
Peace and God's love to you all always. I need to get out of my pj's :)
OK, so I actually have 5 occupied children at the moment and a husband who has gone hunting so I am in my pj's with coffee and a brain that is awake and actually got 7 STRAIGHT HOURS of SLEEP last night!!!!!!! I still can't believe it! I didn't even have to get up and you know . . .
Cool! Sorry about all the exclamation points but a woman with newly found sleep + coffee + free time is a happy women. I think there is a logarithmic correlation between caffeine and amount of exclamation points used in a post.
Back to the topic, I have a short video on the inside of the Hbot chamber to show you what it looks like and how it feels in case you are about to embark on your own similar journey or are just curious if you could stand it. We had to wait about a month to finish our set of 20 dives and did so just this past Thursday. Here it is.
That hissing sound you hear is the pressurized oxygen being pumped in to the inflatable chamber.
As I have said before, I have found I am claustrophobic, mildly so and found I could deal with it through taking Benedryl before each dive, saying the Rosary and generally begging God to get me through it. I had one final episode of panic on the second to last dive which took me by surprise but the Dr. distracted and comforted me with a few tales of other people who had similar experiences but, according to her, were much more annoying than me! (I think she was just being sweet :) )
My final verdict is a mixed one - sorry if you were hoping for a definitive, miraculous finale but that's life.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?
- Yes if I didn't know what I know now
-Yes if God came down and told me to
-Yes because I love my daughter SOOOO much
-Yes if there was some new development that required a different protocol which wasn't available to me such as update equipment, drugs to knock me out, etc.
-Yes if I was financially endowed (I would go for 20 more dives) not that I really want to so no don't offer to pay for it - I know you were thinking about it!
Yes because I can at least say to myself that I tried everything possible to help her and don't spend the rest of my life wondering - if I had only tried Hbot . . .
NO
- if I knew what I know now - that it was horribly uncomfortable, time consuming, expensive and only vaguely effective and in that who knows if her gains were made by the actual Hbot or by her natural development and maturation?
By gains I'd say I have seen an emotional expansion in her, real emotions, real tears that were not caused by physical pain but by feelings of guilt over hurting her baby brother when she accidentally opened the fridge door on him and knocked him to the floor or fear of something she dreaded. And of course that wonderful moment back in July when she said "I love you" to me out of no where for the first time in many years.
But that's the problem with nearly ALL autism "treatments." Most are not scientifically documented and sound due to parents' desperation for any and all possible help they can provide there child and who are therefore quite vulnerable to charlatans and quackery of all types. By the way, there is an extra hot spot in hell for people who practice this kind of demented money- making in my opinion!
I read something comforting recently about such parents (obviously I include myself in that category) : A book discussing autism therapies said that these parents, were not generally naive and unintelligent but educated and thorough in their research about the different treatments available. True. I actually do consider myself educated and well-researched, just don't ask me for help with anything to do with fixing a car, the stock-market or how to bring about world peace.
I am sorry this post is so long. I am just giddy with freedom this morning although it will soon end as I am currently allowing my kids to jump on a less than 100% safe trampoline (one side of the net is coming detached but hey, some people don't even use a net on theirs and I figure they must have really good insurance as I have recently discovered broken little-boy-arms cost TONS of money! Not as a result from the trampoline jumping of course :) It was those darn old monkey bars.
On a final note: I can't actually say I wouldn't recommend giving Hbot a try for your child - if you are wondering. I really can't. Why? Because of the mystery of autism, what causes it, why it is becoming an epidemic, why there is such a wide spectrum of the affected, and a continued and general belief in miracles. For those reasons I will not tell you NOT to try this therapy on your child. Who am I to be the final judge? That said, do not mortgage your future away to do this, NO WAY.
Peace and God's love to you all always. I need to get out of my pj's :)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Book Review : " Why God Matters "
Welcome to my humble blog - Five Kids a Dog and a Blog. If you are new here my writings are generally about my life with 5 kids, four of them being quadruplets, a daughter with autism and my Catholic faith. Well its a big jumble O' stuff really. I like to have fun and make fun of myself and other things but I will not be making fun of this book because I really liked it.
Today I am hosting my very first book review! I love to read so when the offer came in my inbox I was intrigued. When I saw the title it was a neat moment of hmm is this a coincidence? I think not. I had seen a blurb about this book somewhere recently and was thinking I would like to read it anyway. Funny how that works out. As I am newly trying to be extra frugal, getting to read a free copy was a nice little perk.
The book? Oh I guess I should mention the title! "Why God Matters - How to recognize him in daily life," is written by a father/daughter team- Deacon Steve Lubert and his daughter Karina Fabian. I can only imagine that co-authoring a book on faith would have to bring a family closer even if it was hard work. It is published by Tribute Books and is set up in fourteen chapters. Each chapter has an essay on a particular faith issue followed by a short "Life Lesson." The chapters are alternately penned by the deacon and his daughter.
I am immediately drawn to the familiar voice in the essays, that of a friend almost and I like the Life Lessons for their digestibility. I know that is a strange choice of words for a book but it fits.
The writing style is quiet, simple and straight forward. It does not lack depth but pulls you into the next chapter by not overwhelming you. A chapter a night would be a good pace if you could hold yourself back, letting the lessons sink in and really finding how they apply to you.
The book quotes scripture as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, however this book appeals to a wide audience , its Christian at the core and as Christians we all believe in and love the same eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit, no matter how we celebrate.
There are chapters on a variety of topics and the personal stories were my favorite as they added to the flavor of authenticity. I just love this book because it doesn't make the reader feel stupid or bad about themselves! Everyone has to walk their own faith walk. No one can do it for you. We all may hear the same words in the Bible, at mass or service but our life experiences are different as are the gifts bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit. We truly are individuals created by God for a divine purpose. I'ts up to us to spend our life working with God's grace to fulfill our task set before us. I think this book will be an excellent tool for anyone who is struggling with that questions Why does God matter?
It is an encouraging book, warm and real and positive. I do recommend "Why God Matters"
OK, now back to my less mature usual blog rantings - by the end of the weekend and maybe sooner I will post my final installment on my daughter's and my experiences in the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber. Also, does anyone out there care if I try to monetize my blog with ads? I could use a little income and though this is a hobby I might as well try it see what happens. If it's too annoying I will remove it. Hey, have a great night and I will be back soon.
Today I am hosting my very first book review! I love to read so when the offer came in my inbox I was intrigued. When I saw the title it was a neat moment of hmm is this a coincidence? I think not. I had seen a blurb about this book somewhere recently and was thinking I would like to read it anyway. Funny how that works out. As I am newly trying to be extra frugal, getting to read a free copy was a nice little perk.
The book? Oh I guess I should mention the title! "Why God Matters - How to recognize him in daily life," is written by a father/daughter team- Deacon Steve Lubert and his daughter Karina Fabian. I can only imagine that co-authoring a book on faith would have to bring a family closer even if it was hard work. It is published by Tribute Books and is set up in fourteen chapters. Each chapter has an essay on a particular faith issue followed by a short "Life Lesson." The chapters are alternately penned by the deacon and his daughter.
I am immediately drawn to the familiar voice in the essays, that of a friend almost and I like the Life Lessons for their digestibility. I know that is a strange choice of words for a book but it fits.
The writing style is quiet, simple and straight forward. It does not lack depth but pulls you into the next chapter by not overwhelming you. A chapter a night would be a good pace if you could hold yourself back, letting the lessons sink in and really finding how they apply to you.
The book quotes scripture as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, however this book appeals to a wide audience , its Christian at the core and as Christians we all believe in and love the same eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit, no matter how we celebrate.
There are chapters on a variety of topics and the personal stories were my favorite as they added to the flavor of authenticity. I just love this book because it doesn't make the reader feel stupid or bad about themselves! Everyone has to walk their own faith walk. No one can do it for you. We all may hear the same words in the Bible, at mass or service but our life experiences are different as are the gifts bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit. We truly are individuals created by God for a divine purpose. I'ts up to us to spend our life working with God's grace to fulfill our task set before us. I think this book will be an excellent tool for anyone who is struggling with that questions Why does God matter?
It is an encouraging book, warm and real and positive. I do recommend "Why God Matters"
OK, now back to my less mature usual blog rantings - by the end of the weekend and maybe sooner I will post my final installment on my daughter's and my experiences in the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber. Also, does anyone out there care if I try to monetize my blog with ads? I could use a little income and though this is a hobby I might as well try it see what happens. If it's too annoying I will remove it. Hey, have a great night and I will be back soon.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Hey! I'm back!
Well I guess I took a hiatus for the end of summer/back to school season. I really miss writing here. I don't want to be one of those bloggers who has nothing to say but continues to post anyway :)
Update on Pauli : We are about to finish our last three dives in the Hyperbaric Chamber and I will give my more definitive opinion on the whole experience at that time. And answer some questions like - would I do it again? Did it really help? So if you're interested look for that at the end of next week.
I am really trying to get my act in gear right now. I have big plans to get my house cleaned and organized before Christmas (quit yawning) and I need to get on a better schedule at the gym.
I have to say, as to the rest of my kids, SECOND GRADE IS AWESOME SO FAR! I really feel that they have teachers more suited to their personalities. Teachers with patience, kindness and an appreciation for their differences and strengths. This year we split the quads up a bit more.
This is always a big questions with multiples, DO you split them up or keep them together? Thank goodness a law was passed a few years ago to give the parents the right to choose since they know best how their kids function. Thankfully, differentiation is becoming a common mindset among educators and lest you scratch your brain at that reference I will explain: In the past ALL multiples were treated like they came out of the same box. "We must split all multiples apart into separate class rooms no matter what their parents say or there will be a crack in the space-time continuum!" Now, we decide because guess what? I know that little Johnny and Jeffy get on each others nerves but little Sissy needs Johnny to help her make friends and shield her from some cruelness directed at her due to her smallness and shy personality, etc. (by the way, not my kids real names!)
Anyway, I have Doodle in her same class which is perfect for her with awesome Ms. Andrews for the third year! Her two sisters wanted to stay together and so they are while their brother wanted to try out things on his own and need to be in the FOCUS class anyway so that worked out well.
Me and the little man are to be found most days at the gym, park and or grocery store. I have joined the crazy coupon world order now and thanks to a couple of websites such as Southern Savers we are now saving quite a bit and I have stockpiled my pantry and freezer. I had no clue how much I was really spending and now I have no excuse! Look into it. If I can do the system with my crazy life then anyone can. One day I will conquer freezer cooking.
Update on book writing: I have written, yes written two children's stories and am waiting patiently on my dear busy brother to illustrate them before I send them off to prospective agents. If anyone knows anyone in the business who can offer advice please send them my way. I have a couple other ideas I am working on that have to do with my Pauli and my family in general. Have a great day!!
Update on Pauli : We are about to finish our last three dives in the Hyperbaric Chamber and I will give my more definitive opinion on the whole experience at that time. And answer some questions like - would I do it again? Did it really help? So if you're interested look for that at the end of next week.
I am really trying to get my act in gear right now. I have big plans to get my house cleaned and organized before Christmas (quit yawning) and I need to get on a better schedule at the gym.
I have to say, as to the rest of my kids, SECOND GRADE IS AWESOME SO FAR! I really feel that they have teachers more suited to their personalities. Teachers with patience, kindness and an appreciation for their differences and strengths. This year we split the quads up a bit more.
This is always a big questions with multiples, DO you split them up or keep them together? Thank goodness a law was passed a few years ago to give the parents the right to choose since they know best how their kids function. Thankfully, differentiation is becoming a common mindset among educators and lest you scratch your brain at that reference I will explain: In the past ALL multiples were treated like they came out of the same box. "We must split all multiples apart into separate class rooms no matter what their parents say or there will be a crack in the space-time continuum!" Now, we decide because guess what? I know that little Johnny and Jeffy get on each others nerves but little Sissy needs Johnny to help her make friends and shield her from some cruelness directed at her due to her smallness and shy personality, etc. (by the way, not my kids real names!)
Anyway, I have Doodle in her same class which is perfect for her with awesome Ms. Andrews for the third year! Her two sisters wanted to stay together and so they are while their brother wanted to try out things on his own and need to be in the FOCUS class anyway so that worked out well.
Me and the little man are to be found most days at the gym, park and or grocery store. I have joined the crazy coupon world order now and thanks to a couple of websites such as Southern Savers we are now saving quite a bit and I have stockpiled my pantry and freezer. I had no clue how much I was really spending and now I have no excuse! Look into it. If I can do the system with my crazy life then anyone can. One day I will conquer freezer cooking.
Update on book writing: I have written, yes written two children's stories and am waiting patiently on my dear busy brother to illustrate them before I send them off to prospective agents. If anyone knows anyone in the business who can offer advice please send them my way. I have a couple other ideas I am working on that have to do with my Pauli and my family in general. Have a great day!!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Our summer in a nutshell
We had a great summer, even though we missed our annual beach vacation but we still had a lot of fun close to home.
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| Doodle eats a treat |
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| Daddy has birthday # ?? |
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| What are you lookin' at? |
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| Mouse has her modeling debut at Princess Camp |
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| Is he cute wearing dessert or what? |
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| Pretty cousin Amber and Budgie |
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| Probably my favorite picture from the whole summer. Country kids camp was a blast. |
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| Cousins at Fourth of July Parade |
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Dog Days are upon us
There is not much you can do with five kids when its hot:
You can't ban them to outside play like I remember my mom doing.
They eat up all the Popsicles you buy in one day.
The dog tears up any type of outdoor plasticky or blow up pool type thing you put out there and when you venture out she breathes her hot sticky breath on you then leaves a coating of saliva and dog hair adhering to your legs.
When we go to the play land at McD's inevitably Doodle will steal other people's fries and lick their kids ice cream cones and now that she isn't a cute little toddler, people don't think its so funny anymore although I am expecting you to laugh while reading this so - go ahead :)
Oh and as a Bonus she likes to set off the alarm by trying to open the door that says EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY.
The local library is smaller than my house with old VHS tapes and an old unsympathetic librarian to match. What are my tax dollars going for??
Can you tell I am grumpy? I think I know what set it off too. This morning I went to Mass and during the Sign of Peace or Kiss of Peace where everyone shakes hands and wishes, well, peace to everyone around them, a little dried up lady refused to shake my hand. Refused. Now this has happened to me before and I believe the general excuse is not germaphobia but some archaic adherence to Pre -Vatican II tradition. I understand tradition but if it makes someone feel awkward and serves absolutely no purpose in its adherence. WTH?? NO offense to seniors but it usually is the seniors who refuse to participate. Yes I know, I need to get over it. And I will. Promise. I'm just sayin', if I was someone else I think I would shake hands with me. I seem like a nice enough person??
OK so updates on Doodle: She is doing some more talking and slightly more eye contact, she asks for the HBOT at random times by pulling on my arm and taking me to the door saying "Want to boat please!" That's kinda cute.
It gets so hot in that boat that I am dreading the next dive. I have two coming up this week and maybe three the next. We still have four weeks till school starts. I am not sure my house or brain or body will survive the heat, the extra sugar and carbs (think ice cream and pizza) or the overload of laundry, dirty dishes and bored children. I still like summer but maybe just until the Fourth of July. Well I will check in next week. Until then - PEACE BE WITH YOU!!
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