FIDDLEFART!

So my silly fast typing fingers typed too soon last night. I mentioned in the close of the blog that we don't lead an exciting life. Well, we had excitement today, yes siree!

Jeremiah has been sick with a flu virus since Tuesday night....the whole nine yards....liquid poo, vomiting and fever. Jack took him to the doctor yesterday afternoon and the doctor said; "no more monkeys jumping on the bed!" Okay, not really, but can you tell I'm spending A LOT of time with little ones? Doctor said keep him full of liquid and avoid food for 24 hours to give his bowels a rest and a chance to heal.

The stubborn lil' guy wasn't very thirsty! Of course. Jack, being the good daddy that he is, made up jello last night. This morning, he fed him four ounces of it. At 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, Jack sat with Jeremiah to change his diaper. He hollered my name loudly and with urgency. We met in the bedroom with Jack saying "there's blood in his diaper!" I was prepared to see a bit of blood. When he peeled back the diaper, I was met with a horrific sight of red. It was full. I grabbed a baggie to place the diaper in it (just be glad I didn't have the presence of mind to take a picture to share with you....ha!) so we could show it to the ER staff.

We pulled G'ma Jeanne (thank you kindly for your willingness!) off the ladder in the middle of doing mandatory repairs in her poultry house so that we wouldn't have to take the baby with us. We rushed down to the ER (about a 35 minute drive). I told Jack before we left I'd drive...he was visually nervous and I just knew we'd end up in a ditch and all be arriving at the ER in the back of an ambulance. He took kindly to my hint and drove quickly but not like a maniac. That, plus God allowed at least one car in front of us the entire way down that drove a modest speed.

So, we get to the ER. The parking lot is 1/2 full. Groan. Thought we'd wait for a long time. Got inside and only one family there in the waiting room. After check in, we waited about ten minutes before being called back. Wow! No wonder people use the ER for routine medical attention...virtually no waiting! We only had to wait about another three minutes before the nurse and then the doctor showed. Which was a long three minutes. Remember, we weren't in the doctor's office. No, we walked in the pediatric trauma unit - equipped to handle just that, pediatric trauma. Crash cart. The big flood lights. The scrub sink that rivaled our bathtub (it wasn't exactly that big). The machine needed to start heartbeats. And a whole bunch more stuff that I didn't know what it was for. This setting, only seemed to intensify the unsettling feeling of not knowing if Jeremiah was ruptured somewhere internally.

The nurse gladly took the diaper to test it to see if it was indeed blood. See, we realized in talking out the events of the day that the jello Jeremiah ate this morning was cherry jello....RED jello. And his die-dde was full of RED. It only smelled like baby poop, no blood. But we really didn't want to chance it and decided to continue on the trek of spending the afternoon in the ER. The doctor asked us lots of questions and listened closely to what we answered. He then asked for us to wait a few minutes as he disappeared. The diaper was testing negative on the presence of blood. Sigh of relief was groaned by both Jack and myself...

The doctor returned to inform us he consulted some his literature. He too felt confident that the diagnosis given yesterday was correct...stomach flu. He also recognized that liquids travel quickly through the human body when the flu virus is present. Even still, he patiently listened to our litany of "what about..." What about salmonella? What about food poisoning? What about....what about....what about. You remember the game of Twenty Questions, yeppers peppers, we played it today with the ER doctor. Do they bill according the to the amount of time they spend with the patient? Yikes....The man was very patient. He is a dad of a young daughter at home and he expressed his understanding in our questioning.

Sam and Ben were at another house today helping with yard work. We had called Chuck and Jeanna to let them know we were headed to the ER. Jeanna told us not worry about the boys, they could stay. At that point, early in the process, I was worried they would admit Jeremiah for possible dehydration. Which left the boys at their house. Not a worry for the boys, they love adventure! On our way home, we ran by their house to bring the big boys home too. Jeremiah was so excited to see his fan club. With just a few minutes of sitting by Ben in the van, Jeremiah laughed. He hasn't felt well since Tuesday night and hasn't done much laughing. The sound of his laugh was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I think God is so fabulous to us. And I praise Him for these simple things that meant a whole lot today....

He protected His child, Jeremiah.

He listened to my anxious thoughts.

He kept G'ma Jeanne and G'pa Jack home today where they were available to help at the house.

He had Jack around today not out and about gathering supplies or what not. And He had me home too. Neither of us went alone. We not only had the assurance of our Father, but the presence of one another.

He guided the steering wheel of the van using Jack.

Okay and this will get some eye rolls from some of you, but I really do thank Him for a full tank of gas...we didn't have to stop and get gas on the way there or home.

He gave us cell phone reception where we were (not a big deal to YOU until YOU'RE on the phone experiencing disconnect and cut out!).

He shortened our day at the hospital to a mere two hours!

He gave Jeremiah a good temperament - he is 18 months after all, and I call him lil' tornado for good reason!

He gave the doctor wisdom in his advice.

He allowed Sam and Ben to be someplace where we weren't concerned about the duration of their stay.

He provided dinner - Jeanna put together a 9x13 Enchilada Casserole for me to take home and pop in the oven...arriving home at 6:45 p.m. without the need to prepare a meal was precious!

Oddly. No not oddly. Strangely, no not even strangely. Coincidental, no definitely not by coincidence. By sheer happenstance...nope, not even happenstance makes this cut. With a bit of luck - aaaaah, no. No luck when the Father is working. By His grace, He delivered a doctor with the name of Doctor Gracely. From the moment the doctor who looked to be in Dougie Howard's graduating class walked in the room and introduced himself as Doctor Gracely, I was acutely reminded and aware of His Grace. We, the recipients of His unmerited favor through His grace.

Thank you Father for your reminder and for using life to again teach me of Your faithfulness.

WELCOME NATHANIEL!

I'm tired of starting every blog with an apology of sorts for not posting for so long...so I won't even apologize for the time lapse this go round.

I discovered www.facebook.com, thank you Maddie, and when I do get on the computer with "time to burn" I end up burning it on facebook....therefore, the blog goes unposted. Not an excuse, just what it is.

I was recently reminded by a friend that she is awaiting an update on the blog. So here it goes...

NATHANIEL JACK HAMBLETT was born May 25, 2009 - three weeks early and much to my delight. Maddie and I were spending a girl day together and we weren't too far in to the day when I noticed contractions. We managed to hit Kohl's before heading the hospital. Only seven hours later before Nathaniel appeared.

He was 6lbs. 4ounces and 20" long. And super duper tired! He was a wiggle worm during labor - he typically slept during the day and woke up about 11pm when I would lay down for the night. In the end, he turned out to be a healthy boy. But we had a short time where the doctor was concerned that he was a Down's baby. That was a trying time of faith for me personally...not that I would love him any less. Just went through a roller coaster of emotions to process what the anticipated changes to life would be like with a special needs child. Almost two months now after he is born, and he isn't showing any delayed development nor does he display of any the physical traits typically associated with a Down Syndrome baby. I praise God...He knit Nathaniel in the secret place...so intimately aware of how this baby was woven together with love from his Father...no matter the needs of this baby, I am grateful to know and trust my God - regardless of what circumstances I face.

Okay so I'll quit rambling and post a pic or two...
The black and white photos is Nate/Nathaniel/Nathan/Lil' Jack at five weeks old, the color photos is at three weeks old.

We were very blessed to have grandma and Poppy home for several weeks. Their visit flew by...way too quickly. We all enjoyed one another and are counting down the days until their next visit! All that said, we are anxious to learn of the direction God will be taking them the next few months.

I wish our lives were like waaaay more exciting, but they're not! We've got good kids...we're excited about that!

Slap my Wrists...

Alrighty, so I've been lame. Haven't written for some time. Neglected to update the blog as to what life is like around here. Slap my wrists and accept my apology please - I'll attempt to use the now very worn out excuse, "I'm growing a baby, give me a break!"

Here's what life has been like:

Maddie is now 14. And she's thrilled.

She is counting down the days until she turns 15 and can acquire her driver's permit. She's got 360ish to go...but she's got gusto, I'll give her that.

She is singing with the youth praise band at church and enjoying that involvement very much. They do a good job for a group of young people who haven't spent time playing live with others or in front of others. They would covet your prayers as they remember their goal of worshipping the One who gave them their talents to begin with...good group of young folks, have I mentioned that already?

She's also gotten involved with the drama group at church. Can't imagine since the girl experiences virtually no drama in her life. Yep, that's a joke, after all she is still junior high. But soon to be a freshman....unless I can figure out a way to hold her back a grade! At Christmas time, we gave her the option to decide if she wants to attend public school for her high school years. No brainer according to her, her social life at home stinks and she's dying for interaction outside of relatives! Although I think her separation from her family will be a bit tougher than she anticipates. One thing we Hamblett's do well is stick together. She's a bright, young cookie and anxious to begin living "her" life. This momma ain't ready for it....

Sam.

Yes, his name alone is worthy of punctuation. Sometimes with an !

Since he's taller than I am, I have learned when I discipline the young man, I have him sit in a chair while I pace and lecture or whatever I do when I discipline....seems effective when I am calm and unruffled by any 12 year old boy behavior that may eeeek from his being. To be expected I suppose. The actual effectiveness is probably more evident by his later snickering. Where did he get his sarcasm? Grandma, for sure! : )

He's a good kid. Every Sunday morning he helps to greet the people as they enter church, and he LOVES it. He also has a self-started and self-maintained ministry of seeing to the ladies' classes at church to ensure they have their coffee and cookies. They have grown fond of his attentiveness each week...

Grades have been good. He recently finished his basketball season and enjoyed every stinking minute of it. And believe me, he was stinky after practice and games! Now that basketball if finished, he too has gotten involved with drama.

Here you see the brothers getting along famously well...Sam smirking on the left and Ben being bossy about something I'm sure on the right.

Moving on to Ben...

He too just finished basketball. It is sure something to cheer the name of your kid when he's the one to lay up the last two points on the score board. Ben's reaction is to grin from ear to ear and shoot a punch straight up in the air. Sam's sly reaction is to ignore the mom in the stand hollering his name! How different they are...

Ben's grades are good too....good effort this past quarter. Anxious to see what the last quarter of his fifth grade year holds. Amazing how quickly these three have grown up. Although there are days that I wonder why the time isn't flying by quicker.

Ben too is involved in the drama ministry. He's good at it and he enjoys it. He has kept his sense of humor intact no matter what is going on (unless it is Math....).

Jeremiah is flying through his infancy. He now toddles for a good six or seven steps. He had his first big boy hair cut. The curls were getting gnarly....now they are captured in a trusted time-capsule called Zip lock! He also crawls on the couch. He knows when he's getting scolded and has the innocent act down....future in the drama ministry. Probably. He gives snuggles and even is giving kisses - open mouth and slobbery. Although he is very particular about doling out his lovin. Unless it is toward Pooh Bear. He truly loves his Pooh Bear. So much so he'll bite his nose when he gets super frustrated. He winks using both eyes and his whole entire face scrunches up with it....man oh man this kid is a keeper along with the others! His vocabulary has expanded to included the infamous "uh-oh", "up", "thank you", "bite", "daddy", "sissy" and his very favorite......point and grunt. With sissy and Bubby Sam and Bubby Ben around, he is rarely forced to walk anywhere, and never is he forced to talk. But don't think the boy is silent. He is very verbal. Usually with a big grin. Trying to get others to agree that Jeremiah having a bit of independence before baby is born is an uphill battle that frankly, I'm losing. If he wasn't so stinking cute....

Baby #5 - well, can a child be diagnosed with ADHD before birth? If so, I think we have a qualifier...this baby is all over the place, all the time! Can you picture a hamster on a hamster wheel? That's what this baby is doing, hamster wheeling. Oh, I hope he doesn't ask for a dirt bike and become a thrill seeker....or I hope she doesn't ask for a rag top mustang and become a thrill seeker....We didn't officially find out the gender of this baby, although the ultrasound lends itself to have us non-radiology-educated-folks obsessing and guessing over the gender of the baby. But we're thinking if the thingy sticking up between the legs is any indication, we better be settled with the name Nathaniel! Since we think we have this baby's gender pegged, we're also quite prepared for God's sense of humor to deliver us a girl.

Come April 15, I'll hit 32 weeks....with our actual due date being June 10. We'll all know soon enough if we have a Nathaniel Hamblett or a Lottie Hamblett. Either way, we're good.

Jack and Mandy....sleepless in Washburn. Yep, Jeremiah still wakes several times a night. Making sleep hard to come by. Although we get tired, we enjoy the perils and treasures that parenthood has given to us. A blessing each of these growing babies has been!

NO STINKIN' WAY....

WAY!

Our little guy is turning big guy one year at time! We celebrated his first birthday. As you can see, he warmed up to the idea of ripping paper to discover; color, texture and noise. The later gaining his attention the quickest. He especially loved the monkey that talks to him in "whooooo-hooooo" sounds, of which we of course, hear him imitate. He also makes a very fun chuckle noise that Jeremiah is fond of.....the batteries may end up under the couch? Maybe.

The big green fluff you see the bottom side up of here, is a BULLFROG from Aunt Sadie. I have no idea where she got him, but how fitting that Jeremiah would have a BULLFROG! (Our name choice was not influenced by 'Three Dog Night' although we are very familiar with the song. In fact, I pulled it up on the Internet so Maddie could hear it. The greatest hits album came up and so I just had to listen to all the cuts, as I once owned and wore out the cassette tape. As I'm croaking out the lyrics, she pulls her head back from me and tilts it to one side and said, 'You really liked this music mom?' To which I had to admit that at one time, yes I did like it. And was a bit irritated now that I knew all of the songs at whatever point Amazon had picked to do the soundbite for each song. Why oh why can't Scripture, which I want to dwell inside stick as easy? How did I get on all that???)
Every birthday boy needs his cake picture right? He did very well. You see, he typically doesn't
eat much unless he has one to input the food into his mouth. He quickly and eagerly will open up his mouth, much like a little bird. It will generally have a demanding noise of "aaaaaah" coming out of it. Directly followed by a hand providing food to him. Who teaches who??? But in the case of his first taste of cake and icing, he learned to feed himself with joy. He grew fond of his '1' candle and liked to place it in his mouth as well. Although none of us really understood WHY he'd opt for wax over the good stuff of cake and icing....



Isn't it wonderful to have your cake and eat it too? He only got a few bites in him. Don't want to spoil his pallet from the usual green beans, carrots and the like!!

Happy Birthday sweet baby boy.

Anything Is Possible

I DID IT! I made fried chicken and didn't poison anyone!!! My past efforts of fried chicken always end up with chicken in the trash and frozen pizza on the table instead. I asked a trusted friend and fabulous cook "HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU DO IT?" She said "it's easy" and explained it to me. I followed her directions and wa-la we had a tasty meal in front of us.

To ease your worries mom, I used a thermometer also! No one had tummy troubles...I'm glad to know how to fry chicken. I tend to crave it - pregnancy aside!

I'm now four months along and feeling well. Sam has started in with calling me "prego." Maddie is just dying to know if it is a boy or a girl. And Ben is just hopeful he can still squeeze out of changing diapers. Jeremiah likes to crawl on me and bang on my belly. Dad and I try to tell him he can't hit his brother or sister.

We're gearing up for a Christmas and adding some new traditions. We will eat chili on Christmas Eve, something that was started when I was little girl - we shared Christmas with another family every year on Christmas Eve and shared chili. Many fond memories surround those evenings. It is a tradition continued on today, even though the other family is many miles away now. And we will of course read the Christmas story from Scripture together. Christmas morning we will have a marathon of board games together and a yummy breakfast casserole - love those things! I will then begin the ham and the yummies that accompany Christmas dinner. And we will sit tight and wait for Grandma and Poppy to phone from Nicaragua.

The anticipation of the Christmas season builds with each day. A great reminder of how we should be living every day; with great anticipation of Jesus coming again! Until then, we enjoy one another, and remain faithful to what we know.

Merry CHRISTmas to you! Happy HOLY-days to each!

Uh-Oh....12 not 13

Happy Birthday, Sam! This guy was very proud of himself. He told his aunt he was turning 13....so she got him a "Happy Birthday to a 13 year old card" - but the kicker was he really only turned 12. Uh-Oh.

We all laughed and smug Sam still thinks he's a hoot. Isn't he?

And this little guy has learned the words 'Uh-Oh' and uses them ALL THE STINKIN' TIME!

For example, church ran long Sunday night - and it was awesome, no complaints for the length. Jack left the sanctuary before service dismissed to get our vocal young man out of the nursery and give those precious but crazy nursery volunteers a much needed break. Jack opted to bring Jeremiah back to our seats in the balcony. He wasn't but only 15 seconds into the warm seat that Jeremiah began competing of sorts with the speaker. He's grand finale was 'Uh-Oh' as he lunged his binky forward....while we held our breath hoping it wouldn't topple over the rail to the unsuspecting parishioners below. Thankful it didn't topple, Jack ushered Jeremiah and his "uh-ohs" out of the auditorium. After service, we gathered the binky and then laughed about what happened with those sitting clear across the balcony that observed what happened. Uh-Oh.

But even when he wakes up in the morning, the first sound of out his mouth isn't "mama" or "dada" noooooooo, it would be, yes you guessed it; "uh-oh." I have to admit is such a delight to hear that rather than screaming loudly at the top of his lungs.

We all agree once he really gets the hang of the meaning of 'Uh-Oh" that we're in biiiig trouble!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Let me first start this blog by saying that my kids are not starting wild and crazy rumors....they are simply stating the wild and crazy truth. We are expecting another baby! We were all a little shell shocked at the news, probably myself and Jack more than any one else. And I've got to try and do justice to this story:

The night we shared the new news with the kids were at the dinner table and had just finished eating. Jack looked at me and said "should we tell them?" Well, how can you say that in front of three inquisitive kids and not expect to be bugged about the news in question? I think he was simply excited and wanted to share. So, he proceeds to tell the kids that we're having another.

SIMULTANEOUSLY THESE EVENTS OCCURRED:

Maddie cackling at the top of her lungs and telling the ceiling "we're not Catholic we don't have to do this!"

Sam with his hand on his forehead and leaning dramatically across the table "nooooooooooooo"

Ben asking "what? who is having a baby? who is?"

Jeremiah in his walker around the table babbling at the top of lungs "bla, blah, blu, bla, blah..."

I looked at Jack with tears down my face and he says in a very caring manner "what, did I say something?"

My reply? "You said I was pregnant!"

And that, my friends and family, is a moving snapshot of our family!


We've had a bit of time to adjust to the news and remember that God truly was not shell shocked, merely pleased....after all, we're full filling His command of being fruitful and multiplying! And we've had the privilege of remembering too, that His timing is not our own. I promise you having a baby was not penciled in my June 2009 calendar! But now it is written there ink! Perhaps I should go over in Sharpie. I just love Sharpies....they are permanent, unchanging, to the point, exact and colorful. Many of these words I could use to describe my God too. As belly begins to expand, my heart too expands with even more appreciation and love for my Father.

Great Legs....

Jeremiah is up to his famous belly crawl again. He managed to get a Ten Commandments magnet from the fridge, rub it across the kitchen floor under his palm, while grinning and grumbling at it. He finally got himself in quite a pickle. Stuck under the kitchen table! Poor little guy. Are you sympathetic yet? Well, good, because he'll need your sympathies....

Not only was he stuck, but he had to figure out how to get out. You see, he normally issues a "fake-help-me-cry" and without delay, one, two, three, four, sometimes five sets of bigger, able-bodied hands show up to help. But today was different. Jeremiah and mama were home alone. And mama doesn't jump so quickly. (Not to be fooled, I jump, just a half-step behind the others. Ya know, I don't want to hog the baby....)

So at the sound of his yelp, I grab the camera! I wanted to share the moment with YOU! I wish I could record and put his sound to it. He makes an "ooh-ooh" sound. Hence, in part, the nick-name Chunky-Monkey. He was telling his magnet all of his pent up frustrations. And I had to squelch laughing at loud. He was sooooo cute! And he did figure out how to crawl out. Instead of backing out, he pushed on ahead.

The table leg and chairs you see in the picture I remember from my grandparents. And before that, my mom remembers them being in her grandparents house. I won't tell you how many years ago that was, because my mom reads this blog, but the point I am making, the furniture has been in my family for a few years.

I remember getting so busted for placing chewed up gum under the table. Gross. I no longer have that urge. I do remember mom chewing on me pretty good for the action too. I learned that day to discard gum either in the palm of mother's outstreached hand, or a corner of the paper napkin - paper being the operative word there, another story, another day. I also recollect clearly trying fiercely to convince her it was Sadie. She never did bite, but it was my story and I was sticking to it. (did you catch all those painfully fun puns?)

When my great grandparents got married, they did not have much "stuff." The pharmacists that my Grandpa-Mann worked for said he had a buffet, table and chairs in the third floor attic. If he could get it down, he could have it. Well, the man got it down, they wanted a table and chairs. The set has remained in my family since. It is a pleasure to have the items now. And to see my children living life around family pieces is comforting. Having these concrete things somehow is comforting even though I'd trade them in a flash for the real people those memories are tied too. Thankfully, Chunky-Monkey is a great snuggler and shares his hugs freely! More memories tied to Great Legs!

(enlarge the picture to see how awesome it is to have an eleven year old son to help sweep the floor! I see a re-do coming Sam's way!)

Reward Day at School

Some schools reward their students with field trips, outings, popcorn parties

and a movie, candies, free homework pass, or other great motivators. But not Hamblett Hill! We choose not to use these tools as motivators. Only because I've something better....hee, hee, hee. Thank you Grandma and Poppy for these wonderful gifts. They are being used to "swing" the kids to higher levels of education. I check to make sure the kiddos don't fall asleep, with this wonderful fall weather, at 3:30 in the afternoon, a nap in this nice breeze would be totally awesome! And should you think that school is like this often, DON'T! Ask the kids, they'll tell you about every wood grain on the kitchen table, or each dust mark on the van parked outside the kitchen table window....daydreaming happens at home just as in public school! In fact, Maddie had to cut her time outside short so she could prepare her meal. She has to do a meal from the ground up; choosing the food, preparing the grocery list while sticking to a meal budget, ensuring she makes a balanced meal, do all the cooking for the meal (unless she needs help or doesn't understand something) and then the serving. Makes me tired just typing it all out! She can't repeat recipes, as she only has to do this once a month. Tonight was her first go at it....and lasagna done Maddie style is well worth the visit to this house! She gets an A+ on this one! And then, to add insult to injury, she has dishes as her chore this week. But this sweet gal did it all with a smile! She is awesome. I'm not sure I'll ever understand why God blessed me with these precious ones. I see His character displayed in them all the time. Maybe that is why.

It currently is evening time, we popped in The Wizard of Oz, and I am the only to remain the in the living room watching it. That monkey scene is too much for everyone else.....aye, aye, aye, where is Poppy when you need him? Boys are cleaning up their room. Shock! They want friends over to spend the night (and yes, they asked about sleeping the hammock chairs. Who knows what pictures may show up here tomorrow night!). Somehow, they've enrolled the help of their Cinderella sister.

Sweet dreams.

It's Barbie's fault...

Today, she was telling me about feeding boiled and mushed carrots to her baby some months ago. So, tonight, as I was chopping carrots to put in the chicken noodle soup (isn't it a good evening for soup?), I thought to myself, "why not?" As you can clearly see without explanation, carrots were a fun one to try on the baby.

It would be convenient to blame Jeremiah's big boy bath on Barbie too, but that one goes to big sister Maddie who has been itching to see him "swim!" He L O V E D the big tub without the limitations of that blue baby tub. He got around real quick on his tummy in the water. (mom, he wasn't left alone for one second!) He gets so excited when he sees the bathtub, verbally expressing glee and also lunging for the tub. Gotta hold on tight or he'll throw himself in the tub, dry or wet! And he wasn't covered head to food in mashed carrots, neither was my floor or the high chair tray. In reality, he did very well with the new food and made a grab for the container with the mashed carrots because it wasn't coming fast enough to suit him!