New Blog Design - July 4th!!

So.. what do you think about my new Blog Design?? I love it. House of 3 Blog July 4th Digital Kit **Cuteness** that I crafted a few of the items into a Header and used their free background that's out there right now.

If you want the free background/header, visit their website (House of 3) and look under Blog Couture!

Preparing for our July 4th Freedom Celebration AND our John and I will celebrate our FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!

MA

It's HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Wow - it's hot out there. This is a picture taken of our Garden Thermometer Reading on Thursday, June 25, right at noon (even though the clock is not set right).



Can you believe it!! nearly 112 degrees!! Crazy isn't it. It's 10:30 am right now and it's 107 degrees in the garden.

I was telling someone how HOT it was here and they told me I was wrong. The official temperature was only 101 at Bush Intercontinental Airport. May be very true and I'm still not wrong. Why? The thermometer recording that temperature at the airport is in the SHADE. LOL... yes, in the SHADE. In FULL SUN, where my poor little ole vegetables are and where YOU go when you walk out into this heat to get into your EVEN HOTTER vehicle, is a whole lot HOTTER than the SHADE.

So - if you're a kid out of school, it's SO HOT and you're bored, what do you do?



You make up an excuse to play in the water - how about washing Mom's car? sounds like a good idea.



Maybe threaten to spray your Mama!! :-)

UPDATES to the Ongoing Family Health Escapades

John -

Had his knee surgery on Friday morning (while I was in Minneapolis, mind you). Praise God  - All went well. His best friend, Rene, came over and got him to the surgical hospital at 5:30 am and his surgery was at 7:00 am. He was on the way home by about 9:30 am. His meniscus tear is now fixed. However, found a little surprise during surgery. It would appear that John has been suffering from gout (hate when I'm right!) off and on for awhile and the doctor was able to see the crystals that have formed in the joints very clearly (and we have a picture).  

I thought that was probably the case when his ankles or hand would swell up unexplainably.  I had seen it in a former colleague who was a big football player guy as well and he developed it. But, John being a stubborn male, never really did anything to figure out what it was. It would just go away and all was better in his mind. Clearly not so much. The doctor told him to reduce the intake of several of his favorite items - meat and beer. We'll see how this goes.

Stephen

Stephen is doing fine right now and has no additional fainting episodes other than just feeling lightheaded at times and a general fatigue feeling.  He (and therefore we) are actually doing pretty ok with him not on meds.  AMAZING!!  I was truly scared about taking him off his ADHD meds for very long because he really has the Hyper part of the ADHD along with the Attention Deficit part.  It plays in to behavior problems and causes struggles in our family.  BUT.. I am so happy to report, that so far, it appears Stephen is managing pretty well from that perspective without it.  Maybe we'll learn something new in all this.  

As for the Heart issues - we have some good news.  Remember I said in moments like this, we start pulling strings with anyone possible as an advocate.  I'm pretty good at being persistent as is his dad.  We've had a few opinions from our doctors and doctor friends and was really uncertain as to the next steps, the travel that is set for July and a few other items.  So, Stephen's Dad, Rob, called his primary doctor who is a VIP type doctor (they agree to maintain a low patient base in exchange for an annual membership fee that is somewhat significant at $1300).  That annual fee means you ALWAYS have access to him whenever you are sick or in need to talk with him, no waiting.  Pretty nifty if you have the bucks.  

Their office called over to Tx Children's to the cardiology department and requested a cardiologist to reread the EKG, set an appointment and advise whether Stephen was cleared to travel.       Happened in one day on Friday.   To put this in perspective, our pediatrician's group, who is a part of Texas Children's, doesn't move this fast and so far, I haven't even heard from them yet with a number to call to even make the appointment.  

Bottomline for now - He's clear to travel and has an appointment with Tx Children's on August 6.  Not an urgent issue.  We are to keep him supervised and notify if anything were to change.  YAY!!      Good stuff. 

Rachel

I think I mentioned that a week ago we had Rachel in the ER Clinic around the corner from us.  She was having some pain in her abdomen that looked and sounded like maybe gall stones, kidney stones, appendix??  something that was an 8/9 on the pain scale for her (and she's a pretty tough cookie on pain).    A week ago, nothing showed up on the ultrasounds/CT scans, etc.  So, home we go just hoping it goes away.  It did pretty much apparently until yesterday, of course, while I'm in Minneapolis and John's had surgery.  She had those pains again, but not as low.  If they ultrasound of her gall bladder had not been clear last week, I would swear that was what it was given all the history of all the females in our family having gall bladder problems.  With it clear, not sure what it could be.  The ER docs had said maybe an ulcer or something.    Gave her some meds and sent her to bed.  Waiting to see this morning how she is feeling.   Guess we'll be taking her to see Dr. C early next week as well.  

What is it with all these health issues???   

MA

My how things change in a day....

Besides the fact that it's scorching hot here in Houston right now (picture to come of just how hot), we received some news yesterday that has us all kind of sitting back on our heels a bit.

Last week, I retrieved Stephen from camp due to some fainting issues. The pediatrician decided he needed an EKG to check for any heart issues.

On Monday, we made our way down to Texas Children's Hospital for what was basically a 10 second (literally) test. I have to admit, I was a bit miffed (to put it mildly if you spoke to me that day). Had to basically take half a day off, park, wind your way through the buildings to get to the cardiology department, for a test that took all of 10 seconds. I just really couldn't grasp how you can tell much about my son's heart with a 10 second test.

Apparently... you can.

We received a phone call from the pediatrician yesterday with news we were not hoping for, quite frankly. The EKG indicates potential Right Ventricular Hypertrophy issues. Basically, it's possible he has an enlargement of the right ventricle of his heart. Why? no clue How? no clue What do we do about it? no clue. I hate that.

Next steps are to see a pediatric cardiologist for a full work up on the search for the root cause of this issue. This takes way too much time in my little humble opinion. Apparently, they don't consider him critical or urgent (which is good), so we go through the fairly lengthy referral process in Texas Children's which could take 4 - 8 weeks before we see a doctor to even start figuring it out. Hate that too.

So.. what do I do?? Mama Bear kicks into full gear and I start leaning on my friends (and friends of friends) who are docs and see if we can do anything to fast track this a bit. Stay tuned.

For now... until told otherwise, we have to discontinue all his ADHD meds which will really make his and our lives extra fun for awhile and no trips out of town which of course, comes right as we're starting to go on planned vacations.

Things happen.......

Prayers are requested for an outcome that is good and treatable!!

MA

Terrific Tuesday!!

First ... this is PRICELESS!!!



Rachel won't wash my car on a normal day out of the goodness of her heart. I can't even pay her to wash it on a normal day. BUT... throw in a Band Car Wash and I get a picture of her washing my car!! Coolness!!


Cute picture of her at the car wash!


So.. for the EXCITING news of the day!!

A week ago, the Austin Christian radio station, The River, made a generous offer of 30 Pine Cove Outback student camp spots for this summer. Stephen has so much fun at this camp and loves it a lot. We are fortunate to have the financial capacity to send him to a camp such as this with such a great ministry. My nieces and nephew would love to go a camp like this but my sister does not have the financial capacity to be able to send one kid to a camp like this much less three. So, I decided to write into the radio station and enter their names in hopes of winning a spot for them at the camp. I didn't tell anyone so as to not get their hopes up! BUT.... TODAY... I received a call from the radio station and all three of them got spots at camp!!! Praise God for this!! Everyone is very excited!! We're just working through the logistics, but very soon, the three of them - Holley, Scott and Macie, will be going off to Outback summer camp and having a wonderful time.

Here's a picture of the four of them - the oldest three will be going to camp!! Allie is still too young at age 5.



You all are going to have SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!

MA

Happy Father's Day!!!

Today is THE day... the day to wish for a Happy Day for all the Fathers out there.

Two very special Fathers I’d like to honor today:

My Father: Walter



My Dad is so special to me and to others. He’s a wonderfully God made man.

Random Thoughts about my Dad:

Loving, kind, gentle, barks on occasion, musically gifted, talented gardener, extremely social, enjoys wine, loves his family, loves his grandkids, passionate about Jesus, enjoys western movies and John Wayne, enjoys fishing, happy in retirement, strict on behavior requirements, has great stories to tell, enjoys reading, has (really) selective hearing and enjoys learning new things.


My favorite memories of my relationship with my Dad

I don’t really recall too much of my childhood in specific memories. Not sure why that is. I remember bits and pieces only. It was a happy childhood, I just don’t have the type of memory that recalls specific interactions I suppose. I do remember though that my “real close” relationship with my Dad didn’t start (from my opinion as I’m sure he’ll say gee, right when you were born MA!) until right around when I graduated from high school. Up to that point, in my mind, my Dad was definitely my parent. I knew he loved me and my sisters. When I was growing up, he said and did parental things more from a behavior/grade modification standpoint. I wasn’t a bad kid, well, at least not too much. There was that junior high time frame which I think my head spun around like the exorcist. But, once out of that awful time frame, I think I did ok in high school. Made good grades, didn’t give my parents too hard a time. They may have thought so, but I was their first, so what did they know. (ha ha) I do know there were plenty of folks who did things A LOT worse than me. I turned out pretty good so they should be proud! :-) However, I do know there were plenty of times that extreme amounts of patience were needed when handling three (3) teenage girls. I’m appreciative of that patience and mercy at times.

But, I digress. Back to when my “real relationship” began with my Dad, outside just the basic parental survival stuff. It seems to me that I crossed some magic line when I graduated from high school. At that point, it seems to me that my Dad decided (in some ways) that perhaps he had done all he could do in raising me up right, and now, our relationship could relax a bit and he could take a step back and let me find my way. He was (and still is) there for me always - good and bad. But something changed at this point that was neat - He would talk more to me about himself, his thoughts, what he did for a living, as well as guide me in conversations about my goals in life, boyfriend breakups and even marriage (and divorce) when it came about. I guess we went from parent rules to parent/friend relationship as I became an adult when I turned 18 and it has progressed wonderfully from there. I really love that relationship a lot. My Dad is fantastic and I appreciate him so much. Love you Dad!

Have a Happy Day Dad!!


My Husband: John



My husband... he’s a great man and a wonderful Father.

Random Thoughts about my Husband:

Cowboy loving, positive outlook, loving, teddy bear, kind, even keel, nature loving, enjoys western movies and John Wayne, traditional views on behavior, barks on occasion, happy, loves football, demands respect, loves his children and family, loves teaching, enjoys dancing and live music

My favorite memories so far

I enjoy watching and listening to my husband interact with his children and mine. He’s very patient when needed, but also very demanding of them when needed. This has helped shape his girls, Laila and Ariane, into lovely young ladies and has made a difference with Stephen and Rachel. I’m not always as patient as he is and sometimes not as rational (i’m sure you’re shocked! ha ha). He brings us back into equilibrium at times. I suppose that’s why he feels so strongly drawn to teaching and teaching in areas where, in many ways, you are also providing some “parental type” support and guidance along with the teaching. He’s good at it and wants to give back to society in that manner. From a parental standpoint, my favorite memories are knowing that I will get his support with the kids and knowing he will require them to be respectful to me and others. He is helping me shape them and for that I’m very appreciative and grateful! Love you honey!

Have a Happy Day John!!

Love to all -

Mary-Austin

Friday, June 19th

I bet you thought we fell off the earth!!?? Well... we didn't. But it has been an eventful week.

As you know.. we took Stephen back to camp on Sunday. John and Rachel did "stuff" on Monday and Tuesday which included her Physical Therapy and follow up Doctor Appointment.

Her shoulder is progressing very well with flexibility and her doctor is pleased. They started "torturing" her at PT this week as they start moving her shoulder a different way. She's a little sore!

John headed out to the Ranch on Tuesday for a couple of days away out at the ranch living it up rustic style. He loves it. It's too hot, from my perspective, to even think about going out there right now. Not for me, that's for sure. He called yesterday and I actually think it got too hot for them too. They ended up going to Bandera for the day/evening and will be heading home early this morning.

While all this is going on, I'm working my tooshie off this week. Lots of business meetings and tasks I have to accomplish.

Then.. Stephen throws a kink into the week. Not by his own choosing, poor thing.

Received a call from the camp nurse on Weds morning and had to go retrieve him in Colombus, TX and bring him home. He had a couple of unexplained fainting episodes, a little cold and was very, very tired. Took him to the pediatrician Weds evening when we got back to have him checked out. Given how hot it has been here in Texas right now, one might have thought the heat played into it, but the fainting episodes took place within a short time of waking in the morning before the heat and after a good night's rest. One time prior to eating, one time after eating. So, the doctor didn't feel it was related to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even sugar related. He had an episode a few weeks ago one morning at home that in hindsight, may have been a fainting episode. My kids sleepwalk and it looked somewhat like he was sleepwalking, so that's what I thought it was. It's fairly common for adolescents to faint during times of growth, so maybe he's just growing? That would be a good sign. The other possibility is not so good. It's possible it could be heart related, so the doctor is treating him with caution at the moment until we know if it is or is not heart related. He will have an EKG on Monday at Tx Children's. In the meantime, he's feeling better but still tired. He has a few restrictions right now until we can rule out a heart issue. He can't go swimming, no climbing or jumping, can't go out in the heat and no airplanes for right now. Unfortunately, that means he won't be able to attend the Rice Baseball Camp next week that he loves! Better to be safe right now though.

The end of the week is almost here!

MA

Weekend Favorites....

This was a busy weekend with lots of stories to tell. Will have to get to a few later cause it's late!

* Los Ramirez Friday night Mexican Food & Margaritas - which was SOOO necessary after a very C.R.A.Z.Y. and stressful Friday afternoon at work.

Saturday
* Up at 7am on Saturday - packed/water garden/pick tomatoes, basil, peppers, feed dogs
* 8:30 am - leave for Colombus to pick up Stephen from Outback Camp
*10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Colombus, TX - Outback Camp closing ceremonies & pack up. Find out he burst his eardrum AGAIN this year. Keeps happening. Another topic to remember to talk to the doctor about at the next check up!
*12:00 - Continue on West I-10 to Boerne, TX with a (not so quick) stop at Bucee's in Luling (CRAZY BUSY)
* 3:00 - Finally getting to Boerne to enjoy time with the Family!! (and wash the camp clothes for Week 2!) Visiting, margaritas, picture taking, eating a wonderful dinner & fantastic desert - Menu: pico de gallo made with our fresh tomatoes & peppers from the garden, BBQ chicken, pork and sausage with baked potatoes cooked by Chef John, Fabulous Heath Bar Pie made by Mom & Allie!

Sunday
* 9:30 - Breakfast - fabulous sausage/egg casserole
* 12:00 - Leave to take Stephen back to Outback for his second week there - he's so happy there!!!
* 3:30 - Deliver Stephen back to Outback!!
* 6:00 - Visit the Dallas Pro Shop because we just HAVE to.... at Katy Mills Mall.....
* 8:00 - HOME ... finally!!!

Pretty much planned a good part of our vacation along I-10 both days!! Mobile Broadband rocks!!

Took lots of pictures - something like 160 or so. Yes, it just happens so quickly.

Favorites below!!

Stephen's Great Certificate - His counselor said the following about Stephen
*Stephen has an aspiring nature, seeking what is great. He is a persistent individual who keeps to the course he starts on. Stephen is a self-starter, applying his efforts to a situation without instruction."


Stephen, his counselor (in green) and his cabinmates -


My Nieces & Nephew aka The Fab Four


Sassy Allie - this is the perfect face


Happy Holley


Serious Scott


Sweet Macie



My Beautiful Mom - love you Mom!


My Handsome Dad - love you Dad!


Love to both sisters - just didn't have pics of them (that they'd want me to use!). It was a fun weekend!

More to come later!!!

MA

We're still here....

We're still here.. but we've just been hanging out at home this week. Well... perhaps I should clarify. Rachel and John have been hanging out at home doing not a whole heck of a lot. Me?? Well, I get up while everyone else is still sleeping and GO. TO. WORK. You must know that's just really not fair nor does it make me happy to leave everyone else here and GO. TO. WORK!! Make that LONG commute (well, it's a little shorter in the summer usually, maybe 45 minutes instead of 1 hour or so) to downtown Houston and WORK all day long, make my LONG commute all the way back home to find them still doing NOTHING.

Ok.. well.. I guess that's what summer is all about. I only wish I had a SUMMER like the kids ... and John.

Feel sorry for me yet?? Ok, I know. It's just the way it is.

Stephen is at camp... still having fun I'm sure. I've looked for pictures online and have only found a couple of him playing flag football. I just know he's having a great time though.. he loves the OUTBACK camp....

Have a great Thursday!!

MA

Remembering 2nd Grade was Fabulous & Prayer Request

On Saturday, Rachel and I went to a retirement party for Rachel’s 2nd Grade teacher - Mrs. Fern Hanslik. Mrs. Hanslik is the kind of teacher you ALWAYS remember. She is so special! There are only a couple of teachers throughout your education (if you’re lucky) that have such an impression on your child and you, as a parent. She was so encouraging to the children... made them use their brains and think about what they can give back to the world all while learning what they needed to learn in 2nd grade and more! Rachel enjoyed going to school each and every day in 2nd grade.

The party was really nice and very well attended. Many parents/children came to say hi and give Mrs. Hanslik a hug. It’s only been about 7 years since Rachel has been in her class, but in childhood years, it’s a lifetime. Seeing these kids who were 8 years old in Mrs. Hanslik’s class and are now 15+ years old, was amazing!! Of course they’ve grown and matured - I just keep forgetting it has happened until you see it in person!!

Here’s a picture of Rachel and Mrs. Hanslik in 2002 and one of her and Mrs. Hanslik yesterday!! My how she’s changed.



Here are a couple of other pictures I liked the most.

The rest are HERE in the gallery.


Mrs. Hanslik and Rachel chatting...

They are so beautiful and handsome.... (??, Molly, Turner & Jay)

Rachel and Lea

Callie and Molly - Callie said something funny and I caught Molly making a face!

Hunter, (not sure), Brian, Jacob and Sean

Funny thing... If you came to the party, Mrs. Hanslik gave you homework!!

The homework assignment is for you to send her an email every year, letting her know what you are doing and how you have/are/or plan on changing the world.

She is a neat, neat lady.

**************PRAYER REQUEST PLEASE *******************************
As many of you know, Stephen will be attending a new school in the fall - Lutheran South Academy. The Pastor of the school, Todd Stocker, and his wife, Kellie Stocker, the admissions counselor there, have 3 children at LSA. Their oldest child, MaKenzie (age 18), was killed in a terrible car accident last week here in the Clear Lake area.

While we are not close to the family, my heart hurts for them in their loss. I can only imagine the devastating pain and sorrow to be felt with the loss of a child. And I mean.. only imagine... because I have not and God willing, hopefully will not, experience the loss of a child. Kellie & Todd have a strong faith which has to be the only way to get through this type of situation. Kellie wrote in the obituary (HERE) “We can’t understand it, but we know God ordained all of her days. We know he was in the car with her. She belonged to Jesus and she absolutely knew that,” Stocker said. “I just miss her. I was her mom, and she was my daughter, and she was just precious.”

Please keep this family in your prayers for some time to come.

Summer Camp is Swell.....

Today was the big day.... the first day of camp for Stephen at OUTBACK ... Pine Cove Christian’s camp for 3 - 9th graders in Colombus, TX. (For more info about Pinecove camps click HERE, they are really, really fun with a great message about God and Jesus).

Stephen has been looking forward to these next two weeks since last summer when he asked us to please, please, pretty please pre-register him for two weeks this summer! It’s THAT much fun!!

What do they do, you ask???

Archery/BB Guns....Swimming....Blog.....Hydroplane....Zip Line.....Climbing Wall...Lake Shalom... Orienteering... Low Ropes... Creation Station.... RC Cars... Horses.... Hockey... Dancing...Pickleball ... Baseball... Basketball... Flag Football...

Worship/Message time.... Good food......

Have fun at THEME NIGHTS - like Jumpin Jivin Jersey Night; Bubble Bash Blowout, Operation Infiltration and more....

I want to go to CAMP!!! He is going to have so... so... much fun.

As usual... I took pictures of course. I’m not overly happy with my pictures and after my photography class (which ended today) I think my problem is I need to slow down a bit, but sometimes taking candid’s don’t let you slow down the action. I just need to get better at putting all the pieces together very quickly I suppose to capture everything the way I’d like. I like some of them...

ALL the pictures are in the Flickr Gallery HERE, but my favorites are below:


The Camp is on Papa Bear Ln - if you think real hard about that, it’s a pretty cool name for a Christian camp....


We got there today at 2:30 ... the gate doesn’t open until 3:30.... we weren’t the first in line at the gate as you can see. Apparently, according to Stephen, you really have to get there early to get the good bunks and get the swim test over quickly before the line gets too long!! So... we got there early.


PineCove is so great!! They sent out the counselors on horses to say “hi” to the kids out waiting to get inside. Their horses are so sweet and calm.


Once the gates open, cars stream in and are met by singing, chanting and jumping counselors all greeting you!! Then, they meet you at your car and help you get the trunks out and will take care of them for you directing you to take just the light stuff and your swimming stuff up to your cabin and get checked in.
(Rachel thought this guy was a cutie)


Doesn’t he just look so happy? He’s been bouncing all day ready to go ....


Rest assured, since we were here so early, he was the first kid into his cabin - Wollogong 3!! He got the bunk he wanted.


Off to the Swim Test ....


Post Swim Test Fun on the Big Slide.....


On our way out I spotted the Camp Store. Just take a look at the menu! I know where Stephen’s camp money will be going....


Just another happy camper picture!!

We’ll see you Saturday Stephen!! Have a bunch of FUN!! I’m so glad you love going to Camp!

Love, Mom

Scrapbooking & Girl Time

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with a bunch of great gals at a neat little bed and breakfast retreat outside of Rosenberg, TX in Wallis. Marybeth, Dallas, Laurie, Beth, and Susan. We were all there for one thing - scrapbooking. Well, pretty much for scrapbooking although since we’re girls, the chatting, drinking, eating parts are all part of the package! Boys don’t get that....

There are pictures HERE.
A couple of my favorites are here. I didn’t actually take very many pictures this weekend. Just a few.





I have to say I really didn’t know most of these ladies very well. Of course, Susan and I are BFFs going on way too many years to even mention these days. It was really fun to interact and get to know them over this past weekend! Everyone is so fun to hang out with and I really enjoyed hearing their thoughts, struggles and opinions.

We have common bonds in several of us with sons in the Boy Scouts, kids in Friendswood schools, and all of us raising families in this day and age with all the technology and societal struggles that comes along with it now. Not that there weren’t struggles when we were growing up... our lives just have different twists now with the internet, facebook, cell phones, texting, etc. Although, we all decided one very convenient behavior modification that works like a charm is “cell phone confiscation!” Works wonders!!

But I digress... back to scrapbooking.... after all... that’s why we were there, right? Right.

Scapbooking is really universal although most think the term “scrapbooking” means you have to find your creative side, requiring lots of tools and is for people with a lot of time! Most of us scrapbook in one way or another. It may not be with colorful papers, scissors, little squares and ribbons all the time. It a process of capturing memories. That’s it! Simply taking pictures and collecting memorabilia is scrapbooking! Putting the pictures in an album.... box... paper bag. It’s all still scrapbooking - capturing memories that are important to us and to those around us. The albums and layouts we produce just provide an easy place to be able to look through the past (without having to dig through the boxes... ).

Some of us have an addiction.... to the tools... the papers.. the ribbons... the stamps... the cute little stuff.... OK... here we go....

Hi, my name is Mary Austin and I’m a scrapbook stuff addict.... and a photo addict.... and a memories addict....

If you were one of these ladies and SAW the amount of stuff I took with me for this weekend, you would agree with that statement wholeheartedly!! However... it was so cute and so fun and I used most of it. And I think the Cricut got a workout!!

Ok - maybe only a little bit of an addict... but seriously, I just really want to capture the memories and it lets my creative side have fun too.

In the end, it’s just about capturing memories. I feel as if I have accomplished something if I’ve captured that person, event, emotions, or snippet of life in some way that is meaningful to me and my family.

We loved it so much that I’m hoping we’ll get together on Fridays or Saturdays at my house.. in my scrapbook room... and keep the momentum going. I needed that inspiration as I really hadn’t been very creative in awhile.... a long while....

It feels good.

MA