WOW! It's bright out here!!!

I have officially crawled out of my little hole!! I've got Caleb in bed, the laundry and ironing done, so I will give you an update from the past few weeks.

A couple weeks ago, was my yearly echocardiogram. An echo is basically an ultrasound of the heart. They can watch the function, measure it for size and get the Ejection fraction. The EF # basically tells them how much blood is pumped through the heart with each beat. I'm always hopeful AND nervous. Although I have a cardiologist who is not concerned with numbers, but rather how I feel, I still always hope for a "closer to normal" EF. (Normal range is 55% to 70%.) Well, at my latest echo, it was 20%. I was slightly disappointed, but I guess I can always be thankful for the fact that I'm still here and that it has not gotten any worse! The frustration in all of this, is the fact that I can't DO anything to improve the condition of my heart. Eating right(low sodium), getting adequate rest and exercise only help me to feel better, but they will not actually change anything. Medicine is helping, but they have to be careful to raise my dosage slowly, or else my BP drops too low. We are always working to increase the dosage, but have to go really slowly. I am thankful that, most of the time I feel fine. I'm still learning how to pace myself better so that I don't get overtired. I am able to get done most of what I need to throughout the day. The Dr. is not so much concerned with the EF as much as how I feel. He continues to be amazed at what all I am able to do. I have come a long way in 2 years, and for that I am VERY grateful!

If you would like more information on PPCM, you can find it here.

I continue to be busy with all the usual stuff.....household chores and teaching the kids. However, we manage to squeeze in some fun outings as well.

Visiting the Museum Center, we were privileged to meet this "Ohio Black Snake". Actually, Lauren was the only one even willing to touch it. YUCK! The funny thing was, we had just learned about vertebrae, invertebrate, herbivore, carnivores,etc,etc, that morning in Science. So when the Museum employee began asking various questions, Lauren knew all the answers. Although I was definitely proud of her for retaining all I had just taught her, I was hoping we had cast a positive light on homeschooling for a change. :)

Caleb loved the magnifying glasses they had in the Nature's Trading Post. I'm not sure if any other parents are aware of this, but kids can find rocks, leaves, cobwebs, shells, you name it and then trade them in for anything else from nature at the Nature's Trading Post in the Museum. It was the first time we had gone in there, but the kids are very thrilled and looking VERY hard for neat things to take in and trade.

We got lucky and had the Children's Museum nearly to ourselves. Sometimes, when it's busy, this ball pit area can get a little dangerous :)

Caleb's favorite....playing in the ball area.

Meet veterinarian, Dr. Michael.

Lauren enjoyed running the grill with some other very sweet girls that were there.

The weekend of the sale, my parents came for a visit. my Mom loves to help with the sale....Dad was on babysitting duty! Plus, he was left with a list of odd jobs that I needed to have done...pictures hung, shelves fixed, you name it! Thanks DAD! In addition, I even made him cook breakfast! Seriously! He worked his "pancake magic". Caleb had asked for Speed Racer #6....that's exactly what he got. i still don't know how he does that! But the kids love it and think he's the greatest at making pancakes!

Lauren wanted a house, of course!

We have been visiting the zoo. When we renewed our pass, we upgraded to the free train and carousel rides. Sometimes we go and just ride the train several times. For a certain 2 year old, life just doesn't get much better!

Caleb is still scared of the carousel....suits me fine....I get dizzy as well!

We were invited to come and celebrate Elliot's 2nd birthday. We had good food and lots of fun.

Lisa made him a CUTE cake...a truck cake...with little donuts for wheels.



He sure was happy with the Tonka trucks he got!

Last week, I had to bid a sad goodbye to a wonderful friend...Jenn Eckert. We got together one last time at the zoo and then said goodbye one last time at church Wed. night. We were having trouble with the camera, so the picture didn't turn out too great but I think Kalle looked cute enough for all of us! LOL! However, I am happy that she and Paul and their family are taking a church....that's their calling. I just wish it weren't quite so far away!

Here are some pictures from about a month ago that I never got posted. I thought I remembered taking some of Chris and the kids too, but apparently not. Sorry!

Lauren "had" to take some time out from pictures to chat with Caroline. I love this picture....I love that sweet "little girl" innocence.

Well, that's most of the news from Lake Wobegon, so I better run....the boys I babysit are here. Have a great weekend! (I know it's still only Thursday, but hey....it's ALMOST here! )