Our Last SD Autumn

It's November, and we only have a few months left until Dennis can (FINALLY--OMG I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN) get his military career wrapped up. Don't get me wrong, I am his #1 supporter, but we all know I've been itching for something...more...something .... different for my life. So, with my fingers crossed and my head bowed in prayer, this will be our last November in South Dakota! Dennis is still looking for work (this is really wearing on him) and unfortunately, any jobs available for him are too far away for him to consider while he is still obligated to the SDARNG. So while we love our families and friends, it's just something that we really need to do. Personally, I'm not complaining! We all know I'm ready for Florida, now we just need to get there! Lots of job opportunities in other places, but FL has become our preference. Many reasons, too many to get into on this blog.

While Daddy is (making me completely jealous by hanging out with lots of men in uniform) at guards, we decided to get out and enjoy the nice day! Here are a (million) few pictures I snapped of the girls today!

Sweet Niblets

As Hannah Montana would say, Sweet Niblets.

I talked to my RA doctor about Rianna's having the flu yesterday. She said that I need to contact my regular physician right away. So I talked to my doctor this morning and as soon as he found out that Rianna is sick, he wanted to start me on Tamilfu prophylactically. If I get a fever (for me, that's above 100) I should increase the dosage. Hopefully I can keep the virus at bay.

Rianna continues to not eat, barely drink and is in pain. Her pain comes and goes in spurts so she'll take Tylenol only when it already hurts bad enough for her to take it. She's on an antibiotic and the Tamiflu too, so she's sick of taking medicine. I can relate. I know she's losing weight because I can see her cheek bones and her hips stick out more than they used to. I'm just worried about dehydration. We might have to have someone look at her tomorrow. She really doesn't want an IV. She really doesn't want any needles anywhere near her. That's the only incentive we have to get her to drink and take her medicine.

For now, we're all exhausted and needing sleep. It's Tuesday, so I got to see my favorite show, Sons of Anarchy, so I'll sleep well.

Good Night!!

Rianna Update Part Duex

I spoke too soon. Friday night/Saturday morning, Rianna woke up at 0245. I took her temp and gave her some of her pain medicine (it has Tylenol in it). She was 103.3. I gave her another 20 minutes and rechecked her temp. She didn't go down...she went up to 104.4. OH GREAT. I know that the infamous Influenza A, subtype H1N1 has been going through the schools like crazy. We were lucky that Jordin got through her surgery and recovery without getting it. We knew it was a gamble and we really needed to proceed with her surgery. Frankly, after 4 months, 8 antibiotics, and most recently 3 straight weeks of antibiotics, we were done fighting strep throat. The antibiotics weren't working anymore and the constant sore throats were just taking it's toll. So, as I sit in the ER waiting to see the doctor, looking at my precious little baby (when they're sick, they remind us moms of the precious time before they learned how to talk back), the dread sinks in. WHAT did I do to my little girl?! I had to remind myself that she did need the surgery and there's nothing that can be done about it now. The doctor said there's no point in testing her because the tests are too-often inaccurate. He said she has it, even if the test were to show that she doesn't. They're not giving anti-viral meds to just anyone--only the "high risk" people. Well, THANKFULLY she had surgery less than 48 hours prior so she was considered "high risk". They changed her antibiotics in case of pneumonia. He said he didn't think she has it, but it is a possibility. And, she got Tamiflu :) YAY!! In under 24 hours, after only 2 doses, her fever is down to normal!! She still has a junky, productive cough; an upset tummy with occasional vomiting; and of course her throat still hurts. BUT, thankfully we have friends and family who have been praying for her all weekend and great medicine! Medicine works, but Jesus makes it work harder and more effectively! THANK YOU!!!!!!! Rianna is considered contageous until she can be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours. Well, since she's on medication for her tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for another week, I'm planning on her being home for the week. I'll have to talk to Dr. tomorrow and ask for sure. In the meantime, we're all just sitting and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Dennis can handle it, I know that and I'm not too worried about him. Jordin won't be considered "high risk" so she'll have to sit and suffer and that will be hard. But, me....oh, immunocomprimised me....When it hits, I'll probably be in the hospital. Let's hope that I don't end up in McKennan. Ideally, I'd like to be able to fight it at home. It's so weird to look at something like the flu and be scared of the fight ahead. I'm still not used to it. But after I had pneumonia, spent a week in the hospital and a month fighting it, I really don't want to go through that again. I'm not like most people; I will for-sure be getting Tamiflu. Even if they have to overnight it via Fed Ex!!! haha!! That stuff is GOLD to me!! Just seeing what it's done for Rianna...I've never been so impressed by a medication before. Course, I've never seen medication work under the power of so many prayers! Praise Jesus!!

I'll try to keep you all posted on the rest! We love you!! Keep praying for us!

Rianna Update

Rianna is doing great! She slept well last night. She didn't wake me up until 6am! She is pale and has dark circles under her eyes, but she is doing quite well. Grandma Mary and Grandpa Jim came to visit at the hospital yesterday and Grandma Chris sent lots of love via text (Rianna's favorite form of communication) so she thought that was great! We're going to bed early tonight so that we can get up early, get bundled up, and go to the Hobo Day Parade...We will get pictures of the girls! They're going to ride on a float and will probably wave like little divas if they see someone they know!

My Munchkins Wreak Havoc!!

As I'm wasting an evening, downloading these videos of the girls, Dennis is wrestling with them. If you ask, he'll tell you that he got in a brawl with couple of big, strong men. Truth is, he was getting his butt kicked by two very cute little girls. The last and final act in the fight was when Rianna stepped on his head, smashing his face back into the couch, behind the cushins, and banging up his nose and slicing thru his forehead. He didn't need stitches, or a doctor to repair his (almost broken) nose. He just is very lucky that I keep all the proper medical supplies in the house, including Steri Strips.

Yes, I laughed too!

Jordin went to school today!! YAY!! Her voice is still really cute, but I dont' think the sound quality on my camera is all that great. Oh well, her facial expressions are sure to make you giggle :)

Sertoma Butterfly House

Butterflies!!!

Jordin & Daddy seem to have mis-placed my camera.

ahem.

I am under strict orders by Val to get another blog up. Jordin's recovering; still not sleeping through the night. It's been very hard with her. It reminds me of when she was a baby and we never got any sleep. We're hoping that Rianna handles it a lot better. She goes in on Thursday. It takes a lot to bog Rianna down. Jordin's definitely getting better quality of sleep though. She just gets a sore throat when she sleeps.

I'm so tired. Did I mention that?

This year, for Jordin's birthday in July, we went to the Sertoma Butterfly House in Sioux Falls. Here are some of my favorite pictures. I stole Dennis's camera and didn't let him take any pictures. That'll teach him :)

Do you see where the butterfly is? Look really hard. They're flying everywhere and it's so cool! Very hard to get pictures of them in flight.

This little floozy. Must have been mating season, she had TWO trying to do the deed with her. And yes, I took pictures!!

You can't touch them. Kayly got as close as she could without actually touching this one.

In the Butterfly House, you're in THEIR house. Watch your step!

They will land wherever they please. Dennis had them all over him. From his head to his toes!! Can you see all three on him?

This one really bothered him!! He wanted to brush it off, but you can't touch them!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Kayly of all time :) HOW COOL!

Thursday

What a morning! Beautiful sunrise! BUT....not so good that Jordin and I were viewing it from her hospital room.

Before the sunrise, we were headed out the door. She's trying to make sure she doesn' t blink.

Waiting to go downstairs to the Operating Room. She liked that the speaker could be put wherever she wanted it. I was happy they didn't make her put on a hospital gown.

Just woke up from surgery, not very happy!!

My poor, poor baby. She slept all day, only waking occasionally to vomit. She couldn't keep down anything. Even when she didn't try anything, she was still sick. She went down to surgery at 730am; we checked out at 530pm. It was a very very long day!

Here she just woke up and was starting to feel well enough to sit up and NOT vomit. Her big sister was so distraught over her having surgery, she came right after school and crawled into bed with her. Rianna is so precious, she was trying to be gentle and not upset Jordin, but she couldn't help herself. She just had to be there to give her luvins.

In 2 weeks, we'll wash, rinse and repeat. Rianna is up next!