Eeyore Is On My Couch

As I sit playing Spider Solitaire, I'm listening to my love reading Winnie the Pooh to Grant. It's so cute to see them sitting there together. Grant listening so closely to his daddy and Boomer reading in his best Eeyore voice. It makes me smile.

Grant has been on breathing treatments for a couple of weeks now, but had to start Prednisone Friday night after trick-or-treating fun. Poor thing. He said he didn't have any fun today at school because he couldn't participate in P.E. or recess. I had to write a note saying no physical activity until further notice because it just stirs up his coughing. It was so hard this weekend. Listening to him cough and cough and cough each night before he settled down and the medicine kicked in. We were up at 2am Saturday night/Sunday morning giving him back-to-back nebs. I kept telling him not to talk ... to save his air and it took me back to the hospital with Bill. It made me sad to think about Bill on his oxygen and a couple of the same meds as Grant. I always worry when Grant gets like this, but it was even harder after watching Bill.

Lord, please heal his lungs.

Thankfulness

We are so thankful to be in God's country
three beautiful boys
my helpmate
Asa's preschool
Grant's Christian teacher
nice weather
our land
our country
freedom of prayer
the ability to choose our next president
my husband's job
my faith
bible quiz memories from my childhood
memories of Camp Pettijohn
having two churches that feel like home
Christian friends
a giant of a man who stepped up to be my father
country life
the slower pace
hay rides from school to the park
trick-or-treating at stranger's houses
trick-or-treating with all the doors open driving with kids hanging from the car
a police force that drives by handing out pencils
being able to see the stars every night
complete silence
having to stop for turkey to clear the road (daily)
seeing deer out the window (daily)
our health
healthy kids
I praise God every day for being in our lives. His presence means everything to me.

Look Who's 18 Months Old

Yes, I know, his 18 month mark was 16 days ago, but I'm sure you understand that I'm just now getting there. This was his first appointment with his new doctor and we love her. I didn't know at the time we choose her that she worships with us. What a score! She was quick to ask if we were promoting him to the new Sunday school class because she is the teacher and doesn't have any kids. So cute! Anyway he is 34 inches tall which is 90th%, weighs 28 lbs 9 oz (75th%) and his head circumference is 97th%. Yes, he's tall like Boomer and has a big head like me. Oh well, not 1/2 bad, right? He's right on with everything and took his shots well. The most interesting thing was the questionnaire I had to fill out about his development and autism signs. Scary stuff. If it's not the vaccinations, then what is it? The preservatives in our foods? drugs in our water? What are we doing to our children?

6th Picture in my 6th Folder

This is from our trip to the fair last year. Boomer, Grant and Asa are in the 4th basket from the top. I am safely on the ground. Okay, Amy, there you go! btw ... this was when I saw Jennifer, Barry and their handyman friend from Heritage House at the fair.

Now I tag Wendy, Donna and Susan! Okay girls, please post the 6th picture in the 6th folder.

Our Papa

Willis Hunt Castner II

Willis "Bill" Hunt Castner II passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, in Arlington after a brief illness.

Service: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Moore Memorial Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Charles Bean, Jimmy Ragan, John Reed, David Maynard, Jeff Weatherford and Anthony Tobar.

Bill was born March 27, 1933. He was a retired captain in the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service. He also retired from Vought Aircraft after 30 years, was a teacher at Texas Wesleyan University with 19 years of service and an active Realtor/broker with 20 years of service. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and his master's degree from TCU.

Survivors: Wife of 31 years, Nita; three daughters; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Here's an Update from Mom & a little from me

"His white count is down a little, still giving him Procrit for his red blood cells, which are marginal/normal per nurse. Just spoke to the doctor, he is not any worse today, his x-ray maybe a hair better, IV drugs are insulin & tobermycin & sedation meds, test results are not back yet on Wed or Thurs Tests. He'll call me if there is any test results today or if he needs me. His B/P is better, they are giving him meds for that also."

We're fixin' to leave. That "fixin'" is special for my father because he always made fun of that southern word.

The boys and I watched Pollyanna this week. I am playing the glad game as much as possible. :)

Blood Counts

They have Bill on blood thinner to reduce clotting, but it was making his red blood cell count go down, so they had to take him off it. Of course, that's concerning due to the possibility of a pulmonary embolism or other clot forming. The good news is that his red blood count is going back up. Now we were told that his white blood cell count is going up which is a sign of infection. The Hematologist is concerned about MDS so they want to do a bone marrow biopsy. Mother is waiting for the Pulmonologist's opinion to give her consent. We are going up again this weekend. Please continue to pray for his healing, mother's strength and our safe travel.

Heading Home

It's Sunday afternoon and I've just gotten back from the hospital. I spoke to his Pulmonologist and he is optimistic. Bill's blood gasses are improving, they have lowered his O2 level and he is breathing over the vent. The x-rays aren't showing any improvement, but he said that's not unusual. He said it took him 4 weeks of medicine to get here and expects it to take at least twice as long to get better. He is not out of the woods yet. Please keep sending the prayers up so he can get off this vent soon! Also, continued prayers for mom to stay strong. Thanks to all of you it is very appreciated.

Bill Update

Well mom got a call from the hospital yesterday afternoon from the doctors saying Bill was fighting them so much they were afraid he was going to have a heart attack or stroke. He was even refusing to take his medicine by hiding them under his tongue! So, they put him asleep and on a ventilator. We got here about 6pm yesterday evening, took the kids to dinner and then went up to the hospital. Of course there was nothing to see, no one to visit, just the body of a man who was finally relaxing. Please pray for my mother's peace with this decision and for his body to heal enough for him to be able to get off the vent in the next couple of days.

Going Up Again

Well, we're heading back up to stay with my mom and visit my father in ICU for the weekend. He is pitching some serious fits still ... not a good patient. He has been in ICU a week today and his x-rays still show no improvement. He is still responding to the medicine and weening off of the bi-pap machine down to just the nose cannula and small oxygen mask, but is getting so weak. He doesn't like their bi-pap machine and keeps trying to take it off! But it's what he needs so he's going to have to adjust to it. Unfortunately. I'm looking forward to seeing him for myself so I can see how he's doing without having to hear about it from someone else. Mom is really excited to see the boys and I'm thankful that Boomer is coming with us so I don't have to do the driving or handle all of this alone. I'll update you in a couple of days. Please pray for his lungs to clear, him to be cooperative and for God to speak to his heart.

Glad To Be Home

Well, I'm back home now and thankful that my father is getting the help he needs. His doctors, respiratory therapists and nurses are wonderful. He is still in the ICU with all the same medicine. They are giving him an x-ray each day and haven't noticed any change in his lungs. But the medicine does seem to be working. By Saturday evening he was feeling good enough to start making demands for his cell phone and work files! We told him he was in the ICU and that he couldn't have them. Well, that didn't set well. He has to be the worst patient I've ever seen ... Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men for sure! I was going to head out this morning, but mom wanted me to go to the hospital with her once more. I left Arlington about 10:30am. I was so thankful to have KLTY playing on the radio; I really needed some prayers. All I could think of was stopping at some church for worship, but I didn't have the proper clothes since I flew out the door Thursday and didn't know how long I was staying. Thank you for your continued prayers. He has a very long road ahead of him.

Prayer Request

After being in the hospital for pneumonia last month and having some tachycardia, my father was given a drug which should not have been administered to someone his age. He has been in Arlington Memorial since Monday morning unable to breathe. He has been diagnosed with amiodarone pulmonary toxicity and was taken from ER, to his own room to ICU by Thursday morning. Mother went to see him Thursday morning in his room to find him all packed up and not there! She did finally find him in ICU where they could monitor his breathing better. As soon as Boomer was able to get home from work, I left to come up here. It was so scary to see him unable to get high enough oxygen levels. Unable to remove his mask to eat, drink or take medicine. He is having daily x-rays and it is not showing any improvement, but he is responding to the medicine. He's being given antibiotics, 4 albuterol nebulizer treatments daily, steroids and 100% oxygen. I praise God that today he is able to go from the bi-pap machine to a bag of oxygen and has been able to eat a little easier. He removes the mask to take a bite, then puts it back on while he chews and swallows the food. Please continue to pray for his lungs to clear of this harmful medicine (that they say will take about 45 days to totally heal). God has been good to us and he is improving. Thank you for your continued prayers.

More Cute Pics

* Mama loves her baby *

I love this picture of the two of them laying together watching TV. Zane loves his big brother so much.

Oh, Precious Saturday

What a day. What a great and glorious day. We started the day with Aunt Cindy's feather pancakes, yum! Met Grant's soccer team at the park at 11am to get his uniform and take individual and team pictures.

They had so much fun playing at the park. Zane was so cute sliding down the slide. Asa was playing silly pirate ship. I think that was from Veggie Tales?!?

Then they had their first game at 12noon and they won! He had so much fun. We sat under a tree and there was a real nice breeze blowing.

There are two boys from his class on his team and they run circles around each other. :) The local C of C preacher is his coach and he's so good with the kids.

After that we came back home to regroup before heading to Austin for some shopping. We got Asa some cowboy boots for church, all three their Halloween costumes, jeans for the two oldest boys and a major Sam's run. It was $40.00 for a box of diapers! We just tell ourselves that it's just one more year and we're done. At least we don't have to buy formula anymore. Yikes!

We finally found Taco Bueno. There are only two in the city of Austin and I've tried a couple of times to find the one by our shopping area unsuccessfully. There are Taco Bells everywhere around here. We used to go to Taco Bueno every Sunday after church. Everyone had the best time. You should have seen Zane ... covered in beans. Yes, I know, baby Bean covered in beans.

Desperately Seeking ...

I'm hoping one of my readers knows a web designer with a scrapbooker's eye, someone really creative. Please pass this along to your friends and help me find someone with creative skills. Many thanks for all your help.

Fire, Water and Fun

My parents came for a visit this holiday weekend. It was so nice to see them again. They boy's were beside themselves with excitement. The guy's worked outside much of the weekend while mother, Zane and I stayed in to catch up. Sunday morning on the way to church we saw some neighbors with a burn pile so we drove by city hall to read the public notice board. Sure enough, the county burn ban was lifted ... "burn with caution". Boomer was so excited to have his first fire. He mowed a nice circle between the two water faucets and hooked up the two hoses. Got out the lawn chairs and gave Papa and Grant instruction for watering the surrounding area while he brought in the brush. It burned all day Monday. I was concerned about the boys going to sleep on a school night with their grandparents here, but they were so worn out from being outside all day they fell right to sleep. Well Grant did anyway, Asa always takes a few warnings. :) Bonfires and marshmallows at our house this winter!

Oh, and one of the best things is that we got a date night. It was so nice Sunday evening Mom and Bill stayed here with the boys while Boomer and I went back to church for 5th Sunday Singing. I had more fun singing than I can say. We were all in the Family Life Center seating in concentric circles. It was so nice. We sang more songs than I can count right now. We then went out to dinner and tried out the local seafood place. And what date would be complete without a visit to your local Wal-Mart. haha

Asa's First Day of Pre-K

After much searching I finally found a preschool for Asa. This is a church school that is all day and available 5 days a week. We just signed him up for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but it is 8:30 - 3:30 all day. He is in hog heaven. He loves his new teacher and playmates. He his able to play and be busy. They do offer nap time which he may sleep by Thursday, we'll see. They are teaching the K-4 A Beka curriculum and I'm so excited about that. He will be learning to read!!!!!

Grant's First Day of First Grade!

He was so excited. He had his school t-shirt, his tennis shoes that light up (and happened to be school colors ... I've always been happy with color coordinating things) and a new backpack with a super hero on it. He couldn't have been happier.

He really likes his new teacher and is most excited that there are more boys than girls in his class and that he gets three recess times.

More Cute Pics

Baby Gobble Gobble

When we were leaving the rodeo on Saturday, we saw this mama and her babies walking on the side of our street. Yeah! I had my camera with me! They were so tiny.

Muttin Bustin

This was a new term to us, because you see this was our first rodeo. The county had their big fair and rodeo mid August and we went Thursday night for all the junior rodeo events. We had so much fun. The boys signed up for Muttin Bustin. Zane and I stayed in the stands and Boomer took them over to the shoots. Grant was all for it - he's the dare devil. Asa, on the other hand, was sitting on the sheep until the man came around to tell him to lay his belly down and "bear hug" him. Well, that was that he was off that sheep and Boomer said they just watched Grant ride. (If you want to call it that.) Now our camera is not quick enough to work for such an event. I had no idea it would go so quick! It was a riot. Anyway, both boys got ribbons and I think they had a really good time. I know I did.

Zane was sitting with all the pretty ladies. It made me laugh that they were all holding their cell phones. It made me laugh to think that everyone they knew (except maybe mama) was probably there at the rodeo! Zane was happy as long as he had his water bottle. I have no idea what that was about. Kids this age tie on the some strange things! But, hey man, whatever works, right?!?
Saturday we went back to a special show for the kids all about milk and cattle. It was really interesting and I was surprised that they wanted to stand there any watch the entire presentation. Zane and Daddy stayed at home for nap time.
We went into the junior stock show so the boys could see the teenagers showing their cows. I'm probably saying some things wrong, so you country folk, be easy on me. Grant is already planning what animal he wants to have for his 4H club. We learned he could get into that when he's 9.

Come and Play

Boomer's working on the swingset in the back of the land.

Zane wearing his new sun hat. Boomer says he's going to kill me some day for that hat. I think he's young enough for me to get away with it. :)

Enjoying our Summer

The boys missed each other so much. Here they are all coloring together. Zane is really into it and loves his big brother so much.
Zane has to talk on the phone each morning to his Grandma. He whines for me to give him the phone, then walks off to his room. He climbed up in the rocker by himself to have his conversation!

Three Little Chicks All In a Row

Boomer left the seminar about 30 minutes early to go to the airport. Granny and Pa were nice enough to fly Zane back that evening. It was his first plane ride and he did awesome! It worked out great that Boomer was able to list himself for a flight so he could get through security and meet them at the gate. They were able to catch a turn around flight and go right back home. It was perfect!

I finished the seminar and got the boys from class. They ran around the church with a little friend they had made. It was so nice to see them enjoying themselves. We didn't have to wait too long and Boomer was back at the church with Zane. It was so great to see him I almost lost it. All my little boys back with me!

Our Family Vacation (minus one)

Well, now we have the two older boys back with us, but I've left my baby up north. :(

Now we can do things that we couldn't do with a little one! Boomer took some time off work and we started our family time. Yeah!! Sunday morning we got up and drove about an hour to MacArthur Park CoC for Marriage Matters seminar. We stayed in San Antonio day school shopping and attending the seminar. They had great childcare for the boys, they had a blast.

Monday we packed a picnic lunch and drove out to Hamilton Pool, which is a spring fed pool and grotto. There is a 1/4 mile hike down to the most beautiful swimming hole I've ever seen.

Monday night we drove back to San Antonio for the seminar and the boys are making friends in their classes. They fell asleep for the ride home and we are in love with the Hill Country.

Tuesday we went to the movies to see Space Chimps. It was so cute and funny. We all laughed and enjoyed the show. They even had dollar dogs. By this time, Grant is asking why we keep letting them drink Cokes. What a sweet boy! We came back home and went swimming at the local pool. We have fish for children.

That evening we were driving back to San Antonio for Marriage Matters and the boys are excited ... we are too. :)

By this time, I'm really missing Zane. I talked to him on the phone and started to tear up. What a goober!

Wednesday morning, Boomer continues work on the playset for the boys. Grant and Asa love playing outside with their daddy. We left for San Antonio early to eat dinner out before the seminar started for the last night.

I learned so much from this seminar.

I learned:

... the devil doesn't create anything, he only messes up good stuff

... marriage's need maintenance check-ups just like cars

... Jerry and Lynn Jones are a gift from God, using their God-given talents to help people

... reciprocal love is not healthy or Godly

... anger is unmet expectations

... if it's not immoral, illegal, unethical or hurtful, I have to change my expectation

... an emeshed family is not healthy

We have been blessed to attend this seminar.

Zane's Vacation at Granny and Pa's

Yeah, Zane and I finally get to see Grant and Asa!!!!!!! It was so beautiful to see the three of them hugging eachother when we walked through the door at Boomer's folks house. Zane had missed them so much here at home. He would point upstairs for them every morning when he woke up. I let them play together for a while, but I was anxious to get the drive behind me so we left after about an hour. Zane stayed with Granny and Pa while I took Grant and Asa back home with me.

Here are some pictures of Zane with his cousins while he was on his little vacation with grandparents.

This is Zane and Bo. There's about 9 month's difference in their age. What a cutie! Bo, is Susan's grandbaby!

Zane and cousin Jennifer with their UT shirts. That would be great if they both went to Texas!
Our son, the climber, on top of Granny's coffee table!

Zane's Visit with Grandma, Papa and Aunt Lou

By this time Grant and Asa has been gone for two weeks and I'm really missing them. I mean, I'm thankful that they got to spend time with both sets of grandparents, but it's time to come home. So, Zane and I drove up to my folks to spend a couple of nights there. That gave them some time to spend with him and me a chance to use my massage gift certificate from Boomer!

Here Zane is playing with Aunt Lou. I love pictures of them together.

We may have to invest in a piano. Zane just helped himself, pushing back the lid, crawling up on the stool and started to play. He was too cute.

So Far Behind

I'm so far behind on my blogs. I'm sorry, but I'm going to try to catch up today ..... so hold on tight!

The wheel on the truck go around and...flat!

by Boomer

Here's the story of how we got a flat on our land. This year for the boys birthday, we decided they needed a swing set. So, we asked the family members to contribute as a group to their "big" birthday present--and yes several family members (and you know who you are), also thought those "poor" boys, they need a swing set. So, after gathering up the monies to buy it, we finally decided to find "the place" on the land to actually put it together.

During the "big break" (when Grant and Asa went to their grand parents) Sonja, Zane and myself decided one night to go drive around the land and find "the spot". So instead of hitching up the four wheeler (thanks Uncle Bill & Aunt Susan) to the trailer (thanks again Uncle Bill & Aunt Susan) and lugging the family around, I thought--well we now have a truck (we bought from my cousin Mickey' s estate), we can ride around in style with the air conditioning blowing on us to keep us nice and cool--the max air setting is a little cantankerous, so we just had to go with the 'normal' setting. Well, it did it's job of keeping us cool and we had a really good time just driving around the three of us. Zane was walking and crawling all around the cab during our drive in back 40--he had so much fun! When we came to "the spot", I decide to drive a little closer so Sonja could get a better view of it--after all, the sun was sitting...then all of the sudden, out of the blue we hear this BIG \'hiss'/ from the front of the truck and it just collapses to one side.

Well, as it turned out, when I turned the wheel to drive a little closer, (so that my sweet wife Sonja, wouldn't have to get out and walk in the heat), the sidewall hit a stump...which must have had a sharp point on it, and it sliced it's way thru the sidewall as we moved forward. As you can tell, it sounds like it was all her fault, but of course it wasn't...it was mine...yes, I know I was wrong for once...so go ahead and mark it on your calendar. So instead of making my wife and young child walk from the back 40 to the cabin, I drove the truck up to the goat barn, yes Papa the one with "ant hills" and parked it there--for a couple of days, until I could change the tire in day light. And by looking at the picutre you can tell, I was NOT able to change it in full day light, as I did it one night after I got home from work. It got dark so fast, that I had to use the camping lantern to light the "subject" just to finish THE changing.

So..that's the story of the flat on the land...not that we own flat land...

Summer Vacation Continues

After spending a week with my parents. The boys went to Boomer's folks to spend the week. This is Boomer's old farm. and some dominoes his father made.

If you look close, you can see Jerry Lewis and Lewis Hipp (my grandfather). I think Asa is actually wrinkling the same side of his face as Dadaddy did?!?

Trip to Chuck E. Cheese.

Granny wanted the boys to experience recycling cans. They had fun and got "two big monies".

Then Granny and Pa took them and cousin Jennifer to Possum Kingdom Lake to play. Here they're playing at the beach down from Boomer's cousins place.

Tommy's dock at the Cliffs, Grant caught his first fish!

Floating ... cooling off at the dock. I think it's pretty deep there.

To Grandmother's House We Go

The two oldest boys spent a week at my mom's house. They are so tan ... you can really see the indian blood that runs in both our families. They played outside with the neighbor kids in the water and went to play putt-putt for the first time. They had so much fun. It was super weird being here with just the baby. I got to watch Good Morning America again!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Dolly

We are getting a real good rain now thanks to Dolly. Thankfully it has been a bit cooler here the last couple of days, but we'll be right back to 100 degrees in a few days I'm sure.

Blog Surfing

My new favorite thing ... my new favorite phrase. I found my all time favorite babysitter yesterday while blog surfing. She and her family had moved to Oklahoma. She seems to be doing well. There are many very interesting writers out there ... try it sometime!

Count Your Many Blessings Name Them 1 by 1

We just got news that Boomer's job is safe. At least for now. He received an email on the way home Friday night that Indymac Bank, his employer, was taken over by the FDIC. It reminded me of the Morris Air reservation agents who found out Southwest had purchased their company on a Christmas Eve news story. But the FDIC met with his boss on Saturday morning and they are happy with the way the foreclosure department is being run. Yeah!!! Is there any real job security anymore? Does that word exist?

Flowers Everywhere

I just got back from Wildseed Farms. I thought of so many of you. They have such neat things that reminded me of you. It's so nice to have people in your life that make you smile and times in your day when I can think of you. Love to each of you and have a blessed day! Come soon so we can go shopping there!

Big Times

Isn't this cool? Do you love it? I found antlers and bones and a head with antlers on it while we were out exploring in the high grass. Don't you think this is cool? I love this place. This is the best place and most fun since we have 10 acres so we can do anything. We can run, play, kick balls, play in the rock pile, rocks, we can kill cactus and we can explore the best. I love all of you as big as the whole wide world. You are the best.
Your friend, Grant. I love you. Bye-bye now.

Spange Dangle

Watching the fire works with Daddy on the side of the Highway. We were laughing because it was so quiet. And there was no exhaust smell!

Thank you Uncle Bill for letting us borrow your 4-wheeler!

Mr. Ranch Style Beans

We had a great 4th of July weekend. We stayed home, played, worked, cooked out hamburgers and tried out the local church.