Doctor Mom

We wake at 6:25am Monday through Friday.  Warm chocolate milk for Ella and Lucy, cold milk for Jack.  Everyone snuggles in the bed as they watch the last 5 minutes of whatever is finishing on Disney Junior and then patiently waits on Doc McStuffins to come on for our last 20 minutes of snuggle time before we get ready for school.  This is our morning routine--has been for the last 7 years; same routine, different shows.

Maybe because it hits so close to home, but there's something about Doc and her innocent knowledge of fixing boo-boo's that appeals to me.  Maybe its because its how I felt after Lucy got sick.  Now, after 2.5 years, you can call me Dr. Mom, Mom, MD, Momcologist.  Pick your favorite.  I answer to them all.  I can change central line dressings, administer potent IV medicines, change feeding tubes, monitor for seizures and feel as if I know the complete list of pharmaceuticals in the hospital pharmacy.


While those things are, thankfully, in our past I still keep busy changing band aids, doling out ibuprofen and administering ice packs.  Through all of this, my all time favorite Doc McStuffins moments are when kisses and hugs are the only medicine that works.  That's when I know I have done my job as a mother.  Those are the only two medical skills I was born knowing to do.  And I do them very well, if I do say so myself.

No one could have ever prepared me for being a Mom.  It is by far, hands down the hardest job on Earth.  No one else is expected to carry as many job titles as we are while being expected to do them well.  If you knew what was going to be expected of you as a mother none of us would have ever had children.  Even if a few of us were brave enough to try it we sure wouldn't have had more than one!  But that's not how we were made.  We march through motherhood bravely wearing the suit of honor called "Mom" and rise to challenges on a daily basis that would break even the strongest man.

We are made different--us Moms.  We were set apart to love, care, nurture and protect our children.  And we do it with a fervor and determination that only a mom's love can provide.  So, how about you? Do you have any great stories?  What about you and your children?  Do you role play at home after you watch Doc McStuffins?

I'm excited about new episodes of Doc McStuffins (starting Sept. 6th on Disney Junior), mainly because I love it when Lucy looks at Jack and says "One time I had an ouchy like her doll and I had to go see a doctor just like Dr. McMuffins."  How cute is that?  One day I'm sure Jack will bore of hearing her stories and one day I'm sure she will pronounce Doc's name correctly.  But right now, you can find us snuggling every morning watching to see what medical peril awaits the next Doc McStuffins toy.

Tell me what you do to keep your kids healthy on the go with snacks and other activities for your chance to win a $100 VISA gift card.

Be sure to check out the Disney’s "Doc McStuffins" site to explore the new episodes that will show every Friday in September starting on 9/6 on Disney Junior. And watch great tips for keeping your kids healthy from Doc McStuffins herself here!

Rules:
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following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/30/2013 - 9/27/2013
This sweepstakes is not administered or endorsed by Disney.

Be sure to visit the Doc McStuffins Brand Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Copper's Mystic Dream

Welcome to the family, Copper!  Everyone, please say "hi" to Copper's Mystic Dream.  We are madly in love with him already.  He is a Sheltie, a Shetland Sheepdog.

I never in a million years thought I would have a house dog.  First of all, I've never wanted one. Second of all, I knew Erik would never, ever agree to it.  In his words, though, "after last summer I just realized that you only live once."  Having a puppy is something our girls have wanted for a long time.  Ella, Lucy and Jack are beyond thrilled.  If I'm completely honest, I'm pretty happy, too.

Thank you Erik!

An Engagement!

What a weekend.  We celebrated Ella's birthday a few days early, had my late birthday party celebration.....

and reveled in the excitement of my baby brother's engagement!  Welcome to the family, Candace.  I am so lucky to be gaining another "sister."

More weekend news to come tomorrow.

Team Lucy for LeBonheur

It's that time of year again.  Team Lucy (Go Lucy Go) has been created and we are getting ready to run.  I hope you will join us and help us remain the largest team 3 years running!

Saturday, October 12 at 9am

register online at www.pumpkinrun.org

Help us spread the word.  Facebook, Twitter, your personal blog, ..any social media account you may have.  Let's see if we can work together and raise $25,000 for LeBonheur Children's Hospital.  

(and don't forget, we always have the coolest tshirts in the race.  You do have to be local to get your shirt, though.  Sorry!)

Lake Weekend

I am thankful we made it to the lake this past weekend.  After finding out that Lucy has to stay dry for ten days post surgery we would have regretted greatly any decision to be away from the water.  Now, I'll be perfectly honest and say that we stayed in our long sleeves a lot of the time but we still had a blast.  We took a few friends and the children (all but Lucy who is still sensitive to temperature) swam while shivering with purple lips.  I got in once to ski and once to pull kids skiing behind the jet ski but that was all.  Since my sweet grandfather built my grandmother a potty on the pontoon, we no longer have to get in the water when, well you know.

We mainly played around the dock, swam, tubed and all the big kids skied.  Everyone got up for at least a few seconds and I was so proud of them all.  Ella skied as if she had been doing it for ages and was quite proud of her accomplishment.  Lucy cried because she couldn't try to ski and it broke my heart into a million pieces.

We ended up building a bonfire in the rain and roasting S'mores before we left on Sunday.  Who would have ever thought that the temperature in August would be maxed out at 70?  It's nuts!  I'm sure not complaining as its been the most beautiful few weeks I can ever remember this time of the year.

Thank you God for your wonderful blessings.  

Lucy's Surgery

I am happy to report that Lucy came through her surgery with flying colors.  She was a little sore this morning (and again tonight) but she went to school today and did great.  She will have to take it easy for the next 10 days while her incision heals, but she is going to be just fine.  I just want to thank you all for continuing to pray for our girl.  I know that many more stories of precious, sick children have come your way and it would be so easy to move on from our family.  We know this and we appreciate the prayers that are lifted on her behalf every single day.

I had a rough day yesterday at St. Jude and then at home.  The weight on anxiety was so heavy on my shoulders that I went to bed at 8:30pm with the worst neck ache I've ever had.  I felt nauseated and had cold sweats.  I think the longer I'm away from St. Jude the harder it is to go back each time.

We saw a family that had been at the Target house with us in the Fall of 2011.  We found out that 7 months after he was home from his treatment of Ewings Sarcoma, he was diagnosed with AML.  I couldn't even speak to his mother.  I had nothing of any encouragement to give her.  I felt so helpless, and could only imagine how she must have felt.  Cancer is evil.  EVIL.

I couldn't sleep last night thinking about them.  It would be Lucy.  It could be our family again.  While I don't let my mind and heart go there often I would be lying if I said it wasn't something that was always on the back of my mind.  Cancer and the effect of Lucy's treatment will haunt our family as long as we live.  Ella couldn't even stay at school yesterday she was so worked up about Lucy's surgery.  The worst part was that there was nothing I could say to Ella to make her feel better.  (I was 0 for 2 yesterday in the "words of wisdom" category."

Lucy will be having some renal studies done during her next week of visits, which is rapidly approaching.  Sept 3,4 & 5 will be our next "hurdle" to overcome.  We are praying for clear scans but we are also praying for fully functioning kidneys and clear tests.  We ask that you please join us.  Until then, we will continue on with life as normal.  Even though it seems impossible at times, with God's help we take it a day at a time.  

Waking up, just like going to sleep sometimes for me, is always the hardest part.  Lucy finds comfort in my arms and I continually find comfort in the arms of God.  

"The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms." 

Deuteronomy 33:27

Two Weeks Down

Today marks the end of the second week of school.  We have all come through with flying colors including me!  I substitute taught for Lucy's class today and loved it. With only 9 children in the class we were able to do some really

fun activities, including making and blowing square bubbles outside today. 

Last night we had a bit of excitement at our house. Alex Coleman, a news anchor for a Memphis station came and interviewed us for a LeBonheur fund raiser. It was such an honor to be asked to be a part of the event.  They news crew spent over 2 hours with us and I think they are going to out together a really nice story. Ill be sure to let you know when it airs. 

 

We are going to sneak off to the lake for the weekend. Lucy's surgery is Monday so we may be told to keep out of the water for a few weeks. We want to make sure we make the most of what's remaining of summer.

Have a great weekend!

Projects and a Poem

I've recently fallen in love with CeCe Caldwell's Chalk Paint.  It is by far the easiest "fancy" paint I've worked with yet.  I gave my best efforts with http://www.missmustardseedsmilkpaint.com/  but my controlling, Type A personality just wouldn't let me enjoy it as much.  Don't get me wrong, I love the chippy look of the milk paint but you have to be willing to let the paint do what it does.  With chalk paint, I control exactly how the project will turn out.

Here are three examples of recent projects I've tackled.  I wanted to start small, but I am officially ready to tackle my first piece of furniture!  The first was a magazine basket that we were given when we got married. It started black and it is now yellow.

Next I decided I would repaint a cheap shelf that I bought from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.  I never liked the color but I had to settle for it when my months of searching for the perfect shelf proved fruitless.  I don't know why I never thought of painting the thing!  The bright red looks really nice in the newly painted half bathroom.

Today I decided to tackle the ugly gold mirror that has been in the same half bath since we moved into our house.  The gold mirror and grey walls just looked horrible together.  I'm still up in the air about the finished product but it looks better than the gold for sure.  I may end of adding more red back to the mirror, but I'm going to think about it for a few days before I get my paint back out.

finished mirror before the tape was pulled

So, yes.  I have been enjoying my mornings while Jack has been at preschool.  Closets have been cleaned out, cabinets organized, curtains hung and lots of dinners have been made.  I just feel a little more energized when the children get home from school and it makes our time together so much sweeter. 

I wanted to leave you with the poem I told you about the other night when we were sprinkling confetti under our pillows.  

Lucy's teacher placed confetti in little ziplock bags and stapled them to the inside of the poem.

Back To School Magic Confetti

The night before school is exciting and fun.

There are always so many things to be done.

Your clothes are ready, your backpack is too.

Your classroom is full of fun things you will do.

There are so many questions that go through your mind,

All types of thoughts of every kind.

But sometimes we all get the jitters down deep

Ans that makes it hard to fall fast asleep.

So I've made you some magic confetti, it really is cool.

It will help you be rested and ready for school.

Just place the confetti next to your bed.

On the night before school starts where you lay down your head.

The confetti will help you sleep through the night

And you will wake up in the morning fresh and bright.

I'll place the confetti near my bed, too

And remember, I just can't wait for school so I can see you!

Tonight

Tonight we waited out the storms.  No soccer practice...Daddy was away for a meeting until late.

Forts,

 reading (which makes me scream Praise Jesus!)

and talks of Jesus were on the agenda.  Life was really, really good tonight.

today at school, Lucy drew picture of what she thought heaven would look like.  This is her sitting in the lap of Jesus in his big chair.  Makes me wonder if this is a place she has sat before.  

**Time is running out for your chance to win something BIG for your school!**

Still Here

The Krulls are still here. My computer is officially on the brink. A new one has been ordered so hopefully ill be up and running ASAP!  Until then, please keep Lucy in your prayers as we prepare for surgery next week. Her scans are September 4th and its never too early to bathe those in prayer. 

What a Mess!

 

As a stay at home mom I honestly feel as if my entire day revolves around dishes, spills, laundry, spills and more spills.  Did I mention spills?  OK, so its not really that bad but I think you all can relate.  Let's face it.  Children are messy.  My three keep my on my toes at all times.  

 

 

Can you imagine what its like in a classroom?  24 children in a class can make quite a mess.  I have said before that being a teacher is a true calling from God.  It takes a special person to care for someone else's child 8 hours a day and then come home to their own family and do it all again.  My respect and admiration for teachers is more than I can express.  Most of my very best friends are teachers and they are wonderful ladies.  

The Bounty and Puffs Teacher Survey was conducted with Wakefield Research this summer and showed some surprising opinions by K-6 teachers.  Here are a few highlights:

 

• 85% of K-6 teachers say it takes less than an hour or less for their students to make a mess in the classroom
• On average, K-6 teachers go through 37 boxes of tissues each school year and 24 rolls of paper towels.
• 56% of K-6 teachers feel back to school season is the most dangerous time of the year for their own immune system.

 

 

I don't know about you, but this has made me think about how hard it must be for teachers to make sure that everyone stays clean and germ free on a daily basis.  For our family, we count on Puffs and Bounty to keep our runny noses at bay and sticky messes cleaned up on a daily basis.  With Lucy's immune system still compromised it is of the utmost importance that we stay well stocked on these basics.  Throw in a messy 2 year old and matters can get out of hand quickly!  

Headed to school this year I sent Ella and Lucy both with Puffs and Bounty.  Hopefully their teachers appreciated it.  I know it's a small thing but I know your child's teacher would appreciate a nice supply of Puffs or Bounty towels!

 

Do you want  to help out your child's teacher? What teacher couldn't use a little extra help!

Enter their school into the Back to School Sweepstakes for a chance to win a year-supply of Bounty and Puffs for the entire school! How awesome would that be!

The first 100,000 entrants who submit an eligible entry will each receive a coupon valid for $2.50 off the purchase of one Puffs AND one Bounty product.

Visit Bounty or Puffs to find out more.

;

What Just Happened?

OK seriously.  I've been through a lot in the past few years.  I, unfortunately, grew fairly accustomed to unexpected turns of events and late nights at St. Jude.  Today, I can tell you I was not prepared.  Our quick appointment today lasted over 4 hours and resulted in blood work, lots of antibiotic and a surgery planned. Needless to say my head is still spinning.  What in the heck just happened?

Lucy has some urology issues that we are going to be dealing with AND is scheduled for surgery Monday week to remove a piece of residue left from her central line.  Apparently her body has finally decided to start rejecting this foreign matter that is lodged in her chest and is mounting up a nice response in the form of an infection trying to get it out.  So...lots of antibiotics for us and surgery.  It will be outpatient and should be no big deal, but dang!  School just started and we are already pounding the pavement to Memphis and back.

As I left St. Jude today I was keenly aware of how insignificant this issue is and what burdens so many others are carrying.  So, I have whined all I'm going to whine and now its time to move on with an immensely grateful heart for all God has done for Lucy and the miracles in her life.  

For example. she made it to first grade with flying colors!  All three kiddos were super pumped about the first day of school and can't wait for this year to get underway.  I'm excited, too.  I have big dreams and expectations for this year for all three children.  My prayer is that they will all succeed in their own ways, in the ways that God has planned.  I know full well that my children are going to do wonderful things in their lives.


**On a totally random note, our family has decided it's time to get a puppy.  It will be an indoor/outdoor dog.  We are concerned about some allergy issues, but mainly want a great family dog.  One that can grow old with us and one that will take to be "loved."  We looked into some of the designer breeds (mini golden/labradoodles, cadoodles) and unfortunately those are a little cost prohibitive.  We are thinking more along the lines of a Collie now.  Any opinions?  Suggestions?

This little girl was not happy with me last week.  Apparently, EVERYONE has a puppy except her.  Look at that "mean" look I was getting!**