August 9, 2005
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Catching up
I haven't gotten to write much the last couple of weeks. I am not even sure if I posted that Eric had a really bad virus and had to be hospitalized a couple of weeks ago. I had planned to go with my Red Hat group to dinner and a play, but the poor darling didn't get released from the hospital until about 9 Saturday evening. So, that didn't happen. When Ike isn't home, there isn't much of a choice. It isn't an easy thing to just ask someone to take care of 3 children for me to go play with the gang. Just wouldn't seem right. So, as long as MawMaw can, MawMaw will!
This past weekend we had the Jr. Brunets here. Cohen is so big! He turned 2 months Saturday and he weighs right at 14 pounds! Lauren is just about 10 and maybe a couple of ounces. She will be Petite, and he will be a big boy! We all went to church on Sunday. Wilbert was working, but Willie, Jackie, Cohen, Kendra, Isaac, Eric, Justin, Alaina, Lauren and I went. The babies slept through the whole praise and worship, and the sermon! And Alaina was really good.
I got my hair cut today. I really like the bob cut with my bangs I have been wearing for a few years now. My beautician says my hair is beautiful and that it is the perfect hair for this style. Well, like I said, "thanks, and I am grateful that it is, because it is VERY, VERY straight and won't do anything else so I don't have much of a choice!"
When I got home, I had a message on the machine from Elaine telling me about Gwen's surgery. Answered prayer! The doctor really thinks he removed all of the cancer with the tumor. And as the liver regenerates, he is very optimistic that she will be fine. I am so relieved. I know our sweet friend, and Red Hat Queen, wants to get back on track with her life. Thank you, Jesus.

What a week! I joined Weight Watchers on Thursday, July 21. I had babysat for Kendra to go to Children's, and she got back in plenty time for me to go to the 4:00 WW weigh in and meeting with Susan. I weighed in at 177. I was surprised, and not pleasantly, as I had previously gone to my doctor and weighed 172! My home scale said 175 on Thursday night so there is a 2 pound discrepancy. I have been really trying, but it has not been easy. Early on Friday morning, Eric was admitted to the hospital with a passing out episode, and a bad virus. They started admitting fluids and he was released Saturday night around 9:00. But, that meant that I had some of the children and had to take them to eat Friday. I ate a McDonald's salad, so that was good. Then Saturday, I went to the hospital thinking we would be home early, but had to find a place to take the children for supper. I took them to a Chinese Buffet and although I was very careful, still managed to put away about 35 points! Then, Sunday I went to my brother in law's surprise birthday party in New Orleans. Phyllis gives a wonderful party! Need I say more? So, I have been messing up the point system. Yesterday, I thought I had done so well, when I realized this morning I had not figured the chicken lunch I had! Oh well. I had Isaac and Alaina overnight, and then Eric last night. Tonight I have Justin. He was punished yesterday, so he will come tonight if he behaves today.
But, to backtrack, before I joined WW, Kendra and I had a hectic week. She had to take Lauren for a checkup, and then chemo for Justin on Thursday, and I forgot all else. But, we were busy. This past Monday I got to go and clean Sharon's house. I wish it was more often. She did a remodel in their living room and it is so beautiful!!
Until I write again, then God bless!

What a weekend!
I spoke to Mandy on Thursday afternoon. Being a Mom, I detected something different in her voice. I asked her what was wrong. She said she was not feeling very well. She said she had pain in her stomach. I told her if it didn't go away, to please go in to ER. I spoke to her later and she said the pain was descending in her abdomen. I was very happy to hear that her friend, Tim, was taking her to get checked out. Well, next I heard was about 5 in the morning, 3 her time. She had been admitted, and was being prepped for surgery. Appendicitis! They took her in at about 5:30, California time. She called me not long after I was up. She was out of surgery! She had it done Laproscopy and it went very well. She was amazed that the pain was gone! I wanted to be there with her so badly. Didn't seem feasible, as she is coming here in August, and she has such wonderful friends to care for her. I have been talking to her several times a day, and she sounded really good last night. Praise the Lord for good Christian friends to take care of her. You see, I figured, if I can't be with her, she needed at least 3 friends to make up for that! I mean, come on! A Mom's care is triple a friend's, right? But, she is good. And she has the whole week to rest.

Blessed Saturday
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: July 2nd at the Sr. Brunets
Topic: So Much Great Family!
What an awesome day! My sister, Anna Lou, and her husband, Al, were here for a visit. They live a couple hours north of us, across Lake Ponchartrain, north of New Orleans. They come to my brother's house in Larose, and my brother goes and get my Dad at the Nursing Home for the afternoon. Well, that was good enough, when Jackie called that she and Willie were coming down to get their boat to take it to her Mom's in Houma. this was the first time the baby had been to our house! He is going to be 4 weeks old Monday.
I went ahead to my brother's to visit a while with them. Their daughter was there, and also Anna Lou's son and his family. My brother's son, his wife and kids and mom in law came over. My other sister's (deceased) son and his family, her husband, one daughter and sons and one of our other brothers,
all there to visit! Then in came Willie and Jackie and baby Cohen! And Ike, Kendra and the 5 kids!! WOO HOO! Then we came home, and Poppa got up to go to work and got to visit for a little. Then Aunt Wendy came over to see both new babies. It was really a nice visit. While they were here, Jackie's friend came over to see the baby.
Really great to visit with so many family members at once.
Kendra and her family are getting ready to leave, and Wilbert is at work.

Summer is Here
I got up pretty late today. My stomach is giving me so much trouble. I need to find a gastroenterologist today to start testing. It isn't just the usual Diver stuff, it's my stomach so I need to get it checked.

Well, the new babies are born! On May 20th, LAUREN was born. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 19 1/2" long. She looked a whole like like Eric and at over 3 weeks now, she still does! She was jaundiced and had to go often for bili checks. Her level is down and safe now.

On June 6,  COHEN was born. He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 21 1/2" long. He looked right away like his Daddy, and still does. He does have blonder hair, though, like his Mommie had at birth, and it looks like it may be wavy like hers. He is so cute.

Mandy came for a visit on June 3rd, so she was able to "bond" with Lauren and be here for Cohen's birth. She got to spend some quality time with everyone. She went back Saturday, 11th.

Hubby is working night shift. He comes off Wednesday.

Isaac and Eric started Vacation Bible School this morning. They have been counting down to this for weeks. Next year, Justin gets to go, too. Then 2 years after, Alaina.