http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize recent pleonast.com entries by user karenbaize en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=597282 Hey everyone! I know it's been a long time (again), but I'll try to catch you up on what all's been going on, sometime. If you're in the Birmingham area, you're invited to come over on Thursday evening for a Discovery Toys party! Their toys are so fun and educational, so I don't mind getting some of them for the kids (and even some for myself, but don't tell anybody). I got one of their games last year, and Joshua and I really enjoy playing it. Okay, so I'm usually the one that says, "Come on, let's play your math game" but he has fun too, especially when he beats me. But anyway, you're welcome to come and play with toys with me Thursday night at 7:00. We'll have lots of fun! In other news, I went back to the doctor the end of Oct. X-rays were clear, and everything is still looking great! I'll go back again in 3 months. I've got a ton of pictures that I want to share, but I don't know when I'll have the time to get them ready. The next couple of weeks are really g... 2008-11-08 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=584258 I am starting a Reach For the Stars with my homeschool group next week, and thought some of you might want to participate too. Here's more information: This is a pledge-based reading incentive program. It is designed to get children in the habit of reading (or being read to) daily. Any books can be read and count toward the daily minutes. 15 minutes a day for 3 weeks will be a little over 300 minutes. So that's our goal! (I know someone has made it a goal for her kids to read 600 minutes. That's 30 minutes a day for 3 weeks. So you're welcome to set your goal higher!) You and your child would request pledges from family members and close friends--the people who care most about your child's education. At the end of the 3 weeks, each child will receive a percentage of his pledges back in Usborne Books. The kids will receive 75% and we have decided to donate 25% to Sacred Selections. This is an organization that helps Christian families with adoptions. We are starting next w... 2008-10-06 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=574039 I know it's been a while. We've been on vacation, and it's hard to get back into our routine. We went camping with Jody's parents in KY, then came down and spent a few days with my parents. We left John David there, it's his week to spend with them. Sounds like he's having lots of fun! I'll get pictures posted soon, and fill in lots of fun details. Also, please pray for Sandlyn Fultz. You can find out more here. She is the sweetest child that needs our prayers right now. 2008-09-11 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=549413 John David is doing fine. I've taken him once a week to get his blood checked. Each time it is a little lower than the time before, but it's still within the normal range. So I'm hoping it is just leveling off and will stay where it needs to be. I'll take him back next Monday, and once every week until he sees the hematologist again in August. I went back for an x-ray and check-up today. Everything looks great! I'll go back in 3 months and if everything is still good we'll schedule surgery to take the port out. Won't need that anymore!!! Jody goes back to his neurologist in August. He's doing fine too, just a routine check-up. Hope you all are doing well!!! 2008-07-11 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=542605 I took John David in this morning, as his platelet level was up to 291!!! Normal range is 140-440. The doctor told me that the IVIG they gave him should work for 4-6 weeks. So she wants me to take him once a week to get his blood checked at the pediatrician's office. I'll take him back to see her in 6 weeks. It was a long morning, and we missed VBS today, but we're so thankful that he's doing so well! Thanks for all your sweet comments and prayers! 2008-06-23 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=542235 When I said in my last post that I was looking forward to every minute of our summer, I didn't mean this! Thanks to Jon and Jennifer for letting you all know what's been going on. Here's the quick story and update. Monday and Tuesday John David starting getting bruises, especially on his legs. I set up for my book fair Tuesday evening, and when I got home Jody showed me a huge bruise on his back. He also had little spot bruises on the backs of both knees. I didn't like the way they looked, but didn't even think about it when I got up the next morning. I left early to go to the bookfair, and Jody got him up and changed. It got worse during the day, so he took him to the pediatrician. They did bloodwork and immediately sent him to Children's Hospital. Jody stopped by the library first, told me what was going on, and we all left for the ER. It was around 5:00 when we got there. His platelet level was at 1 (normal is at least 140). It was determined that he had ITP and was giv... 2008-06-22 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=529993 I know it's been a long time since I posted. And there are so many white names and dots. I'm trying to get caught up on everyone :) We've stayed busier than normal lately. Trying to decide what to use for homeschooling next year, getting ready for a bookfair next month, trying to have people over more often. Seems like something is always going on anymore. But it's a fun kind of busy. Today we went to the library and registered for summer reading. It's hard to believe it's already that time again. But the kids really enjoy all the programs. Joshua is reading so much better now. We got them new Bibles not long ago, and he started reading the book of ...... Joshua! I love to see him reading, and Rebekah is starting to catch on too! Well, I only had a minute, but thought I'd at least pop in and say hi! And I've started making some of my posts private, so let me know if you want to be added to my friends list! 2008-05-19 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=515889 Thought it was time for a new post. Not a whole lot new going on, but thought I'd share a few pictures. This is what I see when I look out my kitchen window. Makes it a little more fun to do dishes now :) I like the white the best, but Rebekah likes the pink. I can't believe she chose something different. She's going through a stage right now where she wants to be just like Mommy. What do you want for breakfast? What Mommy's having. Where do you want to sit? With Mommy. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. I know this won't last forever, so I guess I should enjoy it now! Anyway, enjoy the pictures and your weekend. Don't forget to thank God for all the beauty around us! 2008-04-11 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=513367 I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and everything is great! My bloodwork came back good, and I'll have a CT scan in July and another PET scan in October. We've been keeping busy. I'm almost done with taxes (nothing like waiting until the last minute), just have to look over it all and get it sent in. We're keeping busy with school and having fun with it. And it's really feeling like spring time! I'm glad, even though we're covered in pollen :) Hope you all are doing well, and I'll write more soon! 2008-04-05 http://www.pleonast.com/user/karenbaize?l=5&entryID=507782 We've had a lot going on lately, but we've done some fun things with the kids! Jody was off work yesterday, so we read Green Eggs and Ham. Guess what we had for breakfast! And just like in the book, once they tried it, they liked it! I think the part I liked the best was reading with Joshua. I read Sam's part, and then Joshua answered back with the other part. I love hearing him read! We spent the morning today with some friends. The kids had fun playing, then dyeing and hunting for eggs. I haven't dyed eggs since I was a kid, but it was fun for them. We stopped at the grocery store after we left, and just got home a little bit ago. I thought I would check in on you all, but now I need to get dinner started and get things ready for services tomorrow. Have a great evening! 2008-03-22