Everyday Tomatoes

I love and I mean *LOVE* my boys' pediatrician!! I don't know where to begin. Last night Mark came down with croup and I grabbed the nebulizer and started the epi-treatment. He went right back to sleep and slept peacefully all night long. Could it be that easy? When I was prompted to come up with my Everyday Tomato guess where my thoughts went? Yep, you guessed it, Dr. Dershewitz!!!

• When they have been sick with croup -- he's there to treat it.
• When I have called at 11pm because a fever struck Matt -- he's there.
• When both boys had rotavirus in April and I was a basketcase -- his staff was there to help.
• When we go for wellness check ups -- he comes in with a smile and surprises.
• When we leave guess what is all over Matt -- STICKERS!
• When Mark's ear were not clearing -- he was quick with a referral to an ENT.

There is a sense of security when you have a pediatrician on top of things. One day I made a joke asking if I could take him home!!! The offer still stands...

Christian Women Online

Darlene, editor from Christian Women Online's blogroll, posted an encouraging word and added my blog as well. It never ceases to amaze me how God joins believers together even though our journeys differ. I am blessed to have blessed her. ENJOY!!!

Morning Interview

It's 7am and Steve is getting ready to leave for work. Lori wakes up to the bedroom door opening. It's Matt, who is feeling better by the way, and he crawls in bed.

MATT: Morning, Mom. Did you have a nice sleep?

LORI: Yes, I slept ALL NIGHT LONG, thank you. How about you?

MATT: I am stuffed up, but I slept all night long too.

Lori sighs with a "thank God" tone. Matt looks at Steve and Lori's wedding photo framed on our dresser.

MATT: Mom, when were you and Dad married?

LORI: 1995

MATT: Well, that photo should be in black and white!

LORI: (laughing) It's not that old.

MATT: When did you meet Dad?

LORI: 1990

MATT: I was born in 2000 and Mark was born in 2005.

LORI: That's right. You know you are very smart.

MATT: (with confidence) Yep, I know.

Wordless Wednesday

Works For Me: Snoozes

My thoughts are jumbled this morning as I try to think of a weekly tip that will make life easier. My older son started a cold yesterday which turned into a fever with that nasty barking cough -- yep, you got it, CROUP!! He's on top of his inhalers and hopefully we'll be over another illness hump soon enough. I hate it when my kids are sick, especially during the summer. Just praying my 1-year old is protected...

Ok, now back to WFMW: Daytime naps!!! (How timely, huh?) When I am lacking nighttime sleep from let's say *a sick child* it helps to forego the dishes in the sink for some much needed shut-eye. I find my attitude is better and I can think clearer -- especially when life gets so demanding!

"Mom, I need water!" My son is calling for me now. Nurse Lori to the rescue...

Friendly Neighbor or Nuisance?

Last week on Thursday we were greeted by a red tail hawk on our house’s chimney. Stan, our beloved next-door neighbor, met us outside as we watched this enormous bird make himself comfortable. For two hours I heard his squeals echo down our chimney into the living room. At first we thought, “How cool!” Then the noise wore out its welcome and we were longing for this bird to leave.

Since then we have found a family of three red tail hawks in a high tree near our subdivision. Other neighbors are sharing stories about these birds hunting down squirrels and leaving the carcass on their driveways/sidewalks. GROSS!! So what started out as a wild experience seeing a great bird in our typical subdivision has become a neighborhood nuisance. They travel from one chimney to the next while robins follow them like groupies looking for their next animal of prey. Will this ever end??? I do not need a carcass-surprise at our front door!!!