TN Veterans Cemetery - Memorial Day

Stopped here after Ryan's swim lesson yesterday.  

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Hunter Hunter

We've had a bit of excitement this week.  We were about to leave for church on Sunday morning when Hunter said that something hurt down near THAT area and also on his upper arm.  So we checked it out.  Looked a little odd.  Called Dr Brewner AKA Granpop and advised to do a warm soak and keep an eye on it.  Stayed home from church that AM and debated going to pediatrician's Sunday clinic.  Decided to chat with a fellow nurse at the doc's office and she thought they were mosquito bites.  I wasn't so sure nor was Sean, but decided to just take him in on Monday AM since some of the other children had apps there any way that day.

So Monday AM we go to MD and doc thinks it is folliculitis and starts him on abc because the places are starting to look infected.  Told to do warm compresses and pop anything that comes up.

Tuesday he wakes up with a temp of 102.6 and is in a lot of pain and can barely walk.  Continued the meds and compresses.  Tuesday night Sean and I decide we need to call the MD again in the AM and get him back in b/c it looks worse.

Wednesday take him to MD.  Told it is probably MRSA and that he needs to go to Children's ER.  WAH!!!  Sob.  Sob.  Boo hoo.  Sean takes him to the ER and he is given multiple pain meds and they  cut the one in the "area" and drain it and pack it.  The one on the arm they drained.  Sent him home with instructions to continue compresses, abx, Motrin, bandage changes three times a day, Neosporin, and lots of hand washing for everyone.  Sean said he was super brave and that it was really painful.

He gets home Wed night and vomits a lot because of the pain meds, but while not vomiting he's building the new lego Star Wars set he got for being so brave lol.

Yesterday was quite busy with my patient and a fussy newborn who is never fussy and 4 other kids, 3 of which have minor colds. And 2 exhausted parents.  But with the Lord's sweet help, we made it through the day!  Trying to find out what we are to learn from God through this trial.

So today.  Back to MD because we wanted it checked before long holiday weekend and because the arm seemed hard still, but nothing could be expressed.  MD confirmed MRSA from lab result.  The arm is fine.  Thinks it is stiff tissue.  Other area looks good and packing was removed.  To continue on with all other treatment as above.

He's doing well, poor lil man!  He has been on the couch since Wed night.  I know he is ready to play again.

Oh and the sweetest heartbreaking thing.  Andrew asked if we could touch Hunter and I said we should probably keep our distance for now and he started to cry and said "that means I can't hug Hunter".  So.  Sad.

We've had lots of texts and phone calls and we appreciate it.  Our friends brought him a balloon and a puzzle which made his day.  Ty ty ty!!!

The Lord is good.  His ways are higher than ours.  His mercy is everlasting.  

Lil Jess

Is a month old now!  But not really too little! She weighed 9 lb 13 oz at the MD today!  She has gained exactly one lb since birth.  

Sean and I had date day on Saturday with Miss Jessica.  We enjoyed a full day out with Starbucks, shopping, hiking, test driving a Transit, getting the car washed, and eating at Longhorn.  :)

Hunter also went to the MD today for some kind of something on his arm and somewhere else.  MD thought maybe folliculitis.  But not sure.  On antibiotics now.  And that has been our excitement.  

TTD

Last Thursday to Saturday we went ATL for the Teach Them Diligently Home School Conference.  It was amazing!  We left 2 hours late on Thursday due to all sorts of mishaps, but made it eventually, however, we did not get to attend any sessions that day.  Friday, Ryan got to do his robotics class, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and Saturday Sean got to attend a men's breakfast where Dr Greg Smalley spoke.  We also got to hear another message from him, as well as a handful of other sessions with various speakers.  We had prayed to only allow us to hear the things we really needed to hear and let me tell you that is exactly what happened.  I left there feeling pretty broken, but in a good way because it was all from things I really needed to hear from the Lord to allow me to make the necessary changes to get rid of these struggles in my life.  I am excited about that.  

Some time at the park before attending the conference on Saturday.  We also went to Cheesecake Factory for a Mother's Day lunch after the park.  3 words.  Godiva.  Chocolate.  Cheesecake.  

My Mother's Day gift!  A popcorn maker!  Such a unique I would've never guessed I would own one of these in a million years, but oh how I love movie theater popcorn kind of gift.  

Ryan at the robotics course.

A stop for lunch in Chattanooga also entailed rock climbing at Outdoor Chattanooga! Not planned, but a great moment.  The kids were entertained for free and got some energy out!

If you struggle with anger, do a study on John 15.  The only way to resolve your struggles is through salvation, through God, through living by the Holy spirit.  You cannot wake up every morning promising not to be angry anymore, that you will be better, you will smile, etc.  It will not work.  You cannot do it in your own power.  Otherwise, you would not need God. 

You cannot deposit good works into a blessings bank account.  Just because you home school or don't cuss or watch bad movies or attend church 4 times a week or read your Bible everyday or the million other things that are good works does not mean God will bless you because of it and that trials will not still come your way.  They will still happen.  It's not about what we do, it's all about Jesus.  His grace.  His mercy.  Of course, He wants us to follow His principles and be obedient to Him and to do good things and there are rewards for that, but it will not make us immune to hardships and trials and sadness.  The place we need to focus is on JESUS.  

A and J Part 2. ETC.

Things in the Brewner household are beginning to resemble a new normal.  Sean has been back to work, Grammy and Granpop have left, and I am in charge! Ha!  Things are going pretty well, me plus 6.  I've been feeling great, praise the Lord, and am thankful for the quick recovery.  Jessica is also doing very well, an easy peasy baby thus far and practically sleeps thru the night.  She is pretty laid back and such a doll!  She is nursing well and has passed her birth weight.  

Addison is doing well - even tho she manages to hit her head daily on something (just like Hunter used to!) and she is B-U-S-Y!  In. To. Everything.  Thank the Lord for a healthy little girl.  Keep repeatn' that!

Hailey has been a real love and a big mama's helper.  She loves loving on her new baby sister!

Andrew has been Andrew.  No news with him I don't think.

Hunter and Ryan have finished their last day of school today and on to summer break we go!!!!! Ryan finished 2nd grade and Hunter kindergarten!  We have a light summer schedule that we will begin on Monday, as well as I will try to start Jessica's schedule.  We'll see how she likes that!  As for now, we are off to Atlanta tomorrow for the Teach Them Diligently home school conference and are really looking forward to that!  Hoping we can fit everything and everybody into the Expedition!

Everyone seems to be better from the yucky cold that Ry, Hunter, Andrew, Hailey, and Addie had!  Thank you God.  Now Sean, Ryan, Hunter, and I have poison ivy.  Fun.  

And finally, last weekend marked our first big adventure out as a family of 8 up to Gatlinburg to take Ryan to Ripley's Mirror Maze and of course stop in to Starbucks for Frappy Hour.  It was a great, COLD and rainy, but great day.  

A and J

2 + 6 = love