More oldies

I have decided to enlighten you all a bit more with pictures. Quinlynne was the apple of my dad's eye. During a time when he was so sick, she gave him reasons to smile- and kept him from going stir crazy when he was stuck at home. When she got a little older and he got a little stronger, she started going places with him- just the two of them. She sure did think she was big stuff when they got to that stage. Anyhow- here is a picture of Quinlynne Lucille with her Poppa after a bottle. She was about 8 months old there. Don't they have the same smile??

Two weeks after Quinlynne's 1st birthday, my parents took Quinlynne with them on a trip to Idaho. They were only supposed to be gone 2 weeks. 23 later, they came home. I was a little bitter. Anyhow, I was worried about them taking her with them because I just knew mom would end up having to do everything and all of the work. Mom said that dad took care of Quinlynne more than half the time. I don't know if Quinlynne will ever remember the time she spent on that road trip with her grandparents, but I know my parents will. Idaho is where my dad is from, and he still has some family and old high school friends there. He had an absolute great time and I don't know how he made it home b/c his head was so big from everyone telling him how much that baby looked like him. Mom said it was quite an enjoyable vacation for them, and they took lots of pictures. Here is one of my favorites.

Isn't that just adorable? That's my dad, ever the truck driver- with his new little name-sake to teach about the United States as they journey through it.

Bring it on

We FINALLY got a computer up and running in the Hoffman household. Thank goodness! So, after a new hard drive...and info from the old on transferred over (including pictures), I was looking at some of the pictures stored. (Don't worry- I DO have the majority of them burned onto a disc, so all would not be lost if something terrible happened to the computer.) I think I'll be posting some new pictures and some old pictures of Quinlynne on here- because this will be fun for her to look at one day....right? OK, this first set of pictures may show you what a sick little momma I am. Quinlynne was 9 1/2 months old in these. She was just learning how to climb up into her rocking chair.

She made it up there and was sitting straight.

Then- she face planted into the carpet. I don't know how I caught it on camera, but I did and it's pretty amusing.

Is it wrong of me to have laughed at this? Is it even more wrong to publish it for the world to see??

Thus Sayeth

OK, apparently in school, Quinlynne has been learning about good choices and bad choices and how when we make good choices it makes Jesus happy. When we make bad choices, Jesus is not happy. A few weeks ago I was watching CSI:NY and before I could get the channel changed, the bad guy on TV had executed like 6 teenagers. Quinlynne, of course, was watching. She turned and looked at me and said "Oh now, that was a real bad choice." Me: "You're right, that was a really bad choice. Let's see if Sesame Street is on."

Well, Sunday night/Monday morning I was awakened by Quinlynne at about 4 in the morning. Apparently her PullUp was not on right and she had wet the bed, and herself. So, I get up and go to her room and make her get naked and change clothes, without waking myself up too much. I give her a nightgown and she says "It's not too chilly for a jammie dress, Momma?" Cracked me up. So- I take her to my bed and just put her in there so I don't have to strip and remake her bed. First she wants to watch Strawberry Shortcake and her shows. I have to tell her that it's not time for TV, it's time for us to be sleeping. Then she wants her cup. Again, I tell her it's time for us to close our eyes and sleep. About 30 minutes later I wake up, and there is this pair of big brown eyes about 2 inches from my face. This is what the mouth connected to those eyes is saying "Momma- Jesus wants me to have my cup." I repeat her and say "JESUS wants you to have your cup?" She says "Yes. That'd be a real good choice." I was stuck between yelling and laughing. I just went back to sleep.

Fowl deal

OK, don't know if anyone knows this, but we have been without a stove for over a week now. When we were at the fair mom purchased a new Maytag gas stove and a Maytag Microwave ventahood. She got an amazing deal on them both. We have really needed a new stove for quite a while, as one of the burners has not worked since about six months after we moved into the house...in 1990! The kind of stove we had was one that was built into the cabinetry- not a stand alone. So, Uncle Charlie had to get that out by ripping out some wood. Then, he gets the stove out to realize that the "plumbing", if you will, is not configured for gas or electric. So, he's going to have to run a gas line for our new appliance. Then, he was going to have to cut out the back part of the counter top so the new stand alone stove can be pushed back against the wall. Another snag- apparently the lip/lining thing between the backsplash and the countertop is UNDER the counter top, so when you try to remove it- it rips up part of the countertop along with it. Mom said "I was planning on getting new countertops- but I hadn't planned on HAVING to do it right now." Also, the storage cabinet above the ventahood also has to be cut out, because the new microwave/ventahood combo will take up more space than the old one. Yes- my friends, it has been interesting. Long story short- we have not been able to cook in our kitchen in over a week. You don't realize how you take your stove for granted until you don't have one. Yes, we still have the crock pot and the microwave and the electric skillet- but every time I have gone to use it, Uncle Charlie has been in there working....so that means it's dirty and dusty and as Granny said "That's a one-man kitchen....and I'm just gonna let you be that one man." Last night I was finally able to get out the electric skillet and make some chicken, and nuke some mashed potatoes, and I made some oriental salad.....it was so great to have the smell of food in the house! I do hope to be able to cook my little heart out soon!

FYI

We have been without computer access at the Hoffman household for a few weeks now. So- I promise- as soon as we get the situation rectified- there will be better, more interesting posts. We have gone to the Pumpkin Patch, the Fair, and a few other fun things. Can wait to share them with you all!

Florence Nightengale?

Well, some of you may already know this. However, I'll go ahead and publish the news. After much trial, tribulation, frustration and heartbreak..... I will be starting Nursing School in January. I was accepted into the Spring 2009 Nursing School at Tulsa Community College. Two years of school and I will finally be able to work as Registered Nurse. (Assuming that I pass the State Boards, of course.)

Along with the acceptance package there was a letter to the family, friends and loved ones of the nursing student- telling them what they should expect and how they can help. I'll be making hundreds of copies of that to give to people! tee hee

So, I know that the next two years will be torture and Hell- but I'm expecting it and it's such a small price to pay for what I really want to do. Hopefully- I'll do well!

New Doctor

So, I got a letter a few weeks ago saying that Dr. Smith was no longer with South Tulsa Maternity & Pediatrics, so Quin's records had been transferred to another practice. I was a little confused because Dr. Smith was not her PCP. Anyhow, after Quinlynne's visit to the ER with her bladder infection it was time for a follow up with her PCP. Long story short, I had to look all over for a new PCP, and it turns out I was able to get in with a doctor in the practice where the original letter said her records had been sent. Her new PCP is a very nice man. When I took Quinlynne in for her follow up, I was so impressed with how caring, questioning and what a good listener he is. Mom took Quinlynne to the doctor today (she has green snot and again about her bowel issues) and Mom was quite impressed with him, too. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my first impression of this new doctor was a correct first impression!

Prayers of Comfort needed

Many of you may have heard me talk about my friend, Brenda. Brenda is pregnant with she and her husband Matt's 3rd baby....another boy! Brenda is scheduled for her c-section a month from today on October 8. She has been experiencing a few difficulties with this pregnancy- so she's been in my prayers an extra amount. Brenda and the boys are scheduled to come to Broken Arrow for a few months while Matt finishes film school in Los Angeles. After Matt finishes this schooling, the whole fam is moving to Hollywood...Santa Clarita I think. I have been having a feeling that Brenda needs me- and I had just talked to her about coming out to help her pack up the house, help with the last minute things for the baby, etc. She is busy making her sister's wedding announcements- so she said she was concentrating on that first- then she would work on the house.

Mom came home from church yesterday with terrible news. Matt was on his way home from LA (he has been going out there every other weekend to work on some film stuff and the guys he's working with have been coming to AZ on the other weekends) and he was killed in a car accident. Apparently there was a tractor-trailer that had just overturned in the highway, so there were no markers or lights. An SUV had also run into the trailer, then Matt did. My poor, poor friend. Brenda's mom was able to fly out Sunday evening, and Brenda's brother and sister in-law do live nearby. They were able to be there with her yesterday. I don't want to call her, as I know how terribly, terribly busy it is when someone in your household dies. I need to be there for her. I do love my friend so much. I know this is awfully cliche-ish, but she is closer than a sister to me.

She and I were just talking on Saturday about different people's situations and how reading about them on their blogs, or other places, really puts your problems into perspective. She was saying how at least her "trials and tribulations" were not leaving any scars. (In reference to the Nielsons in Mesa, AZ...have you read about them?) So, if you could please keep my friend and her family in your prayers- at least for comfort- I know without a doubt that our Father will hear them and His arm around her to comfort her.

yummy dinner

OK- I know this is so strange, because I am taking pictures of my food. However, I made a very pretty dinner this week. I grilled chicken, then put sauteed mushrooms and onions. I then placed fresh spinach leaves, the sauteed vegetables and melted meunster cheese on top of the chicken.

I also fried some okra. Now normally, my fried okra has chunks here and there- but this turned out quite pretty as well. The okra was nice and tender and fresh....yummy! We also had some toasted sour dough bread. All in all- I obviously thought it was picture-worthy. I think myGranny would have even been proud of the okra!

Another UTI

My poor, poor baby.... This past Saturday Quinlynne was crankier than is her norm. I mean, she would just start crying for no reason and was yelling at both Grandi and myself. I was beginning to think I may need to trade her in. I knew she felt a little warm and clammy at times as well. Well, Sunday morning Grandi came in the living room to tell me that Quinlynne had another UTI. Quinlynne had a low fever, and every time she had to urinate she would cry. I'm not talking about whining a bit- but full on crying and holding her potty. She had urinary frequency and sometimes could not control it.

With it being a holiday weekend, I knew we could not wait to get in to see her doctor with the kind of urethral pain she was having. I had to go to church and direct the music. I really haven't been at church for the past 2 months. Mom had not arranged for a substitute for her Primary class. So- it was decided that Grandi would take Quinlynne to the ER to start the waiting process and I would meet them there after the firs 2 hours of church.

Grandi took Quinlynne to St. Francis South. Ends up, the nurse that took care of her was my old school nurse- and mom had taught her daughter! Apparently Quinlynne had quite the time giving a urine specimen. Grandi was afraid they were going to straight cath her- but they were able to get a specimen. (Come to find out- Quinlynne would not go potty in the potty hat for a reason. She told Grandi later that she didn't want to put the "hat" on her head after she'd gone pee pee in it.) Quinlynne in fact, has a UTI.

Quinlynne had been a very good girl. She had played on her laptop, read some books, My Little Pony and Barbie had several conversations. She even took her stethascope so she could listen to the hearts of the doctor and nurse. As we were leaving she told the doctor "Thank you. Thank you for the medicine that make me feel better." Isn't that sweet?

Anyhow- I asked the PA that was there in the ER if she thought it was odd that this was Quinlynne's SECOND UTI that we knew about. She did think it was "noteworthy", and encouraged me to mention this to her PCP. Quinlynne has a new PCP that she will be seeing Friday. I hope the doctor will take me seriously and address my concerns with Quinlynne's bowels and her urinary issues. I hope she doesn't have some sort of urinary reflux! What will they do with that??