Things have been pretty serious around here, so here's some fun facts about my honey.
1. Who is your man? Jesse Duane, aka Jes.
2. How long have you been together? We met on a bus on a spring break mission trip in 2000. So I guess that's 7. We got married just over a year after we met, so married 6.
3. How long did you date? We dated for 7 months before we were engaged, 3 of which I was a summer missionary in Illinois. We got married 6 month later.
4. How old is your man? 30
5. Who eats more? Well, my grandfather likes to say he has a hollow leg because Jes can put away food like none other when he's really hungry. The older he gets, though, the less it is.
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did and I reciprocated right away. It was within the first week we met. Hey, when you know, you know...
7. Who is taller? Thank goodness, he is! I'm a lover of all things heels, so I married a tall man. He's 6'2" and I'm 5'9", so we've got a good few inch cushion there.
8. Who sings better? He would say I do, but I think it's really him.
9. Who is smarter? Well, that's not a fair question. Jes can tell you anything you would ever want to know about the workings of an airplane, car, physics, math problems and remembers random and vague facts about history and other obscure things he has learned. I, however, can fill you in on biological sciences, physical sciences, english, and pop culture, so it's pretty split.
10. Whose temper is worse? Oh, totally mine. Jes is so laid back and patient when I freak. Good thing...
11. Who does the laundry? Depends on what needs washing. I always do mine and Caleb's and any of Jes's clothes that he has not tinkered with an airplane in. He washes all those clothes that have or could possibly have chemicals in them. Jes's rule.
12. Who takes out the garbage? Most of the time Jes does.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do b/c I can't stand being closest to the door. It freaks me out even now.
14. Who pays the bills? I do, except when I was pregnant. I was so sick and out of it when I was first pregnant with Caleb that I didn't pay them for a month (except the house payment) and he took it over when we started getting notices that they were going to shut off our water and electricity! I took it back over after the kiddo was born.
15. Who is better with the computer? I a better and faster typer, but he's the troubleshooter in this family. Even my mom and dad ask him...
16. Who mows the lawn? We had a deal when we got married, Jes would mow and take care of the lawn and I wouldn't wear sweatpants around the house. So far, so good.
17. Who cooks dinner? When I'm working, which is 4 days a week, he's the cook for himself and Caleb. I do, however, have a dry erase board with the meals we have stuff for and where he can find the recipe, if applicable. Other times, I do it.
18. Who drives when you are together? If we take the truck, he always does, unless something is wrong. If we take the car, it depends.
19. Who pays when you go out? Depends on what Caleb is doing at the time and who has him.
20. Who is most stubborn? I think we are both equally stubborn. Sounds like fun times, huh?
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? He is. Maybe I'm the more stubborn one.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, they just live 30 miles down the road. His are in Oregon.
23. Who kissed who first? Well, it was a mutual thing but he initiated.
24. Who asked who out? I don't know that there was ever that actual moment when he asked me out. We were inseperable on that mission trip and after and spent every waking moment together when we weren't in class.
25. Who proposed? He did. He took me back to that same bus and in the same seat where we met, he proposed. So sweet.
26. Who is more sensitive? Depends on the topic. He is very sensitive to my needs and just takes over and takes care when I need him to and don't have to ask, most of the time. With other people who are not family, he's less intuitive.
27. Who has more friends? I do.
28. Who has more siblings? He does. He has 2 younger sisters.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Update on my Grandmother as of Thursday
Yesterday was a better day for my grandmother than Tuesday was. Honestly, on Tuesday, people would say that they hoped that she would get better and all I could do was think ok, fat chance. Yesterday gave us a little more hope.
They did manage to get the NG tube placed and we are now all watching to see if the nutrition that she is getting helps. If not, then this will be the deciding factor for us to make the hospice phone call. We are all hoping that her digestive system will be working well and will respond well to this new addition.
They did also decide to move her out of ICU and into a private room on the floor. My mom and grandfather were not too sure that this was a good move, but I figure that she just doesn't need that level of care anymore. I choose to view it as a positive step in the right direction. The other good thing about this is that it will allow us to accept help from my grandparents extensive list of friends. ICU is so very restrictive about who and when people can come in that all the people that they have known for years and people they go to church with are wanting to help and haven't been able to. Now we can give them something to do.
The only negative thing that came up was that she has developed a little bit of pneumonia in the left lower lobe of her lung. Again, with a woman who has extensive lung disease and has smoked most of her life, I was surprised that it didn't show up before now. She is now coughing, which is something that she was not doing in ICU, so that shows signs of responsiveness. She also has her eyes open as well. I was not at the hospital today, but I can only imagine that she is probably trying to talk too.
Please continue to pray for not only her health but also the health of our family. We are a small family and we are all trying to share the time at the hospital but it is very exhausting for all involved. Please also remember my grandfather through all of this. While he is relatively healthy, physically, he has a tendancy to be so negative about situations (large or small) that it directly affects his own health. We are trying everything to keep him eating and he has been staying with my parents, so we know that he is sleeping a bit too.
Also, I am praying that this whole situation will be a wake up call for some of the members of our family who have strayed from Him.
Thank you for all your prayers and I'll update as soon as I know anything different.
They did manage to get the NG tube placed and we are now all watching to see if the nutrition that she is getting helps. If not, then this will be the deciding factor for us to make the hospice phone call. We are all hoping that her digestive system will be working well and will respond well to this new addition.
They did also decide to move her out of ICU and into a private room on the floor. My mom and grandfather were not too sure that this was a good move, but I figure that she just doesn't need that level of care anymore. I choose to view it as a positive step in the right direction. The other good thing about this is that it will allow us to accept help from my grandparents extensive list of friends. ICU is so very restrictive about who and when people can come in that all the people that they have known for years and people they go to church with are wanting to help and haven't been able to. Now we can give them something to do.
The only negative thing that came up was that she has developed a little bit of pneumonia in the left lower lobe of her lung. Again, with a woman who has extensive lung disease and has smoked most of her life, I was surprised that it didn't show up before now. She is now coughing, which is something that she was not doing in ICU, so that shows signs of responsiveness. She also has her eyes open as well. I was not at the hospital today, but I can only imagine that she is probably trying to talk too.
Please continue to pray for not only her health but also the health of our family. We are a small family and we are all trying to share the time at the hospital but it is very exhausting for all involved. Please also remember my grandfather through all of this. While he is relatively healthy, physically, he has a tendancy to be so negative about situations (large or small) that it directly affects his own health. We are trying everything to keep him eating and he has been staying with my parents, so we know that he is sleeping a bit too.
Also, I am praying that this whole situation will be a wake up call for some of the members of our family who have strayed from Him.
Thank you for all your prayers and I'll update as soon as I know anything different.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Update as of Tuesday on my Grandmother
The past few days have really been just a wait and see time. We've been watching to see if changes occur in her condition and that really didn't happen until today.
They have known throughout all this that she is having trouble swallowing, as would be expected. Because of this, she cannot take any nutrition, fluids or medication by mouth and is getting everything by IV. They tried to place a nasogastric tube (tube through the nose to the stomach) today, but my grandmother is maybe 5 feet tall and was roughly 85-90 pounds (before this) dripping wet and the tube was just too big. I got really frustrated at that b/c any person can look at her and the tube and see it's not going to work. Needless to say, the NG placement did not go well as she fought and they could not get it down to her esophagus.
She has also had some respiratory changes today. Her breathing is a little more labored and they determined that she may have some type of mucus build up in her lungs after an x-ray. She has been a chronic smoker and has emphysema, so that's to be expected too. They suctioned her out and put her on a bipap machine that just helps her breathe, not breathe for her.
We had a consultation with the doctor Tuesday and they told us that if there was no significant improvement by early next week then we needed to start talking long term care or hospice, which ever is applicable at the time. We did have a moment today when our family was at odds b/c one person refused to follow what my grandmother expressed as her wishes, but after a consultation with her physician we are all on the same page again. Just pray for stamina at this point for my family and that if it is His will that this is a quick transition from here to glory for my Memoy. We love you all and I'll update when I know something. Please check back for further updates.
They have known throughout all this that she is having trouble swallowing, as would be expected. Because of this, she cannot take any nutrition, fluids or medication by mouth and is getting everything by IV. They tried to place a nasogastric tube (tube through the nose to the stomach) today, but my grandmother is maybe 5 feet tall and was roughly 85-90 pounds (before this) dripping wet and the tube was just too big. I got really frustrated at that b/c any person can look at her and the tube and see it's not going to work. Needless to say, the NG placement did not go well as she fought and they could not get it down to her esophagus.
She has also had some respiratory changes today. Her breathing is a little more labored and they determined that she may have some type of mucus build up in her lungs after an x-ray. She has been a chronic smoker and has emphysema, so that's to be expected too. They suctioned her out and put her on a bipap machine that just helps her breathe, not breathe for her.
We had a consultation with the doctor Tuesday and they told us that if there was no significant improvement by early next week then we needed to start talking long term care or hospice, which ever is applicable at the time. We did have a moment today when our family was at odds b/c one person refused to follow what my grandmother expressed as her wishes, but after a consultation with her physician we are all on the same page again. Just pray for stamina at this point for my family and that if it is His will that this is a quick transition from here to glory for my Memoy. We love you all and I'll update when I know something. Please check back for further updates.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
My Memoy
Hello all. I am writing to ask you to pray for my grandmother (Wanda), my Memoy. She had a hemorrahgic stroke this morning around 8:00am. After an ambulance ride and all day wait in the ER, she was finally moved to the ICU at Baylor Dallas this evening. The problem with this type of stroke is that they cannot do any type of surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain and we just have to wait. She is paralyzed on her left side and had a bleed about 3 fingers wide (quite large) on the right. She is recognizing everyone and is trying to talk and move, but is obviously not able to do so as she did before this event. She seemed to improve during the mid day but has deteriorated throughout the evening. We have been prepared for the worst, but have also been informed that if she makes it 7 days then it is a huge hurdle she has overcome. After that, we are counting for 30 days to be up and then her risk of another event drops dramatically. Just pray that God's will in this will be shown and that she will know no pain. My Memoy is a very feisty lady and has never stopped moving and doing for others for as long as I have known her. She is a believer, so I know that Jesus is holding her right now, but it's still difficult to see someone who means so much go through so much. Thank you for all your prayers and help with Caleb (Kim). Just know that we love you and I will update as I know things.
Shannon
Shannon
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Caffeine Induced Blogging... Beware!
There are few things in my life that I am obsessive about. Those few things are, but not limited to, my honey, my son, and Starbuck, aka "the evil empire" as Jes refers to it. So, the fact that I pulled into McDonald's this morning for coffee was way against character. I have to say though, the roughly $1.83 iced vanilla coffee that I purchased was quite good! I'm usually not one for product endorsement, but while temps in the great state of Tejas are still high, this is a great way to get a caffeine fix. I will, however, still cross the street to the evil empire to get my roughly $4.50 cinnamon dolce latte when the temps dip!
This week, the pollen blew in. Fall has to be my favorite, visually, season but as for the other things that go with it, I dislike it greatly. There has been lots of nose blowing, coughing, Benadryl and Mucinex taking, and whining around the Mathis homestead. Not a fun time, but someone did tell me last night that the arrival of the swarms of crickets (anyone else grossed out by that?) signals that fall and cooler temps are just around the corner!!!
In school Caleb was weighed and measured last week. Who knew that they did that in Mother's Day Out, but we did learn that he is 38 inches tall and 37 pounds. My left bicep is showing the 37 pounds as he still is attached to my hip and loves to be carried. We may have to break that soon...
Jes started his new job on Monday and while he was a little nervous (as was I for him) he did very well and loves it! The only drawback is the traffic, but the trade off is worth it to him, and us!
I have no pictures to post today, but we are going on a date (!!!!!!!!!) tomorrow night with our Sunday School class. Our church does this every year where they provide 3 hours of free (!!!!!) child care and we all go out as a group. Since we are in a class with parents of preschoolers, we all consider this date night. I think it calls for a new top for me and shirt for Jes! I'm not normally one to shop, but we don't go out much and my pre-shoppers remorse is sleeping for now... Anyway, I will post pictures of that and anything else we do this weekend asap!
This week, the pollen blew in. Fall has to be my favorite, visually, season but as for the other things that go with it, I dislike it greatly. There has been lots of nose blowing, coughing, Benadryl and Mucinex taking, and whining around the Mathis homestead. Not a fun time, but someone did tell me last night that the arrival of the swarms of crickets (anyone else grossed out by that?) signals that fall and cooler temps are just around the corner!!!
In school Caleb was weighed and measured last week. Who knew that they did that in Mother's Day Out, but we did learn that he is 38 inches tall and 37 pounds. My left bicep is showing the 37 pounds as he still is attached to my hip and loves to be carried. We may have to break that soon...
Jes started his new job on Monday and while he was a little nervous (as was I for him) he did very well and loves it! The only drawback is the traffic, but the trade off is worth it to him, and us!
I have no pictures to post today, but we are going on a date (!!!!!!!!!) tomorrow night with our Sunday School class. Our church does this every year where they provide 3 hours of free (!!!!!) child care and we all go out as a group. Since we are in a class with parents of preschoolers, we all consider this date night. I think it calls for a new top for me and shirt for Jes! I'm not normally one to shop, but we don't go out much and my pre-shoppers remorse is sleeping for now... Anyway, I will post pictures of that and anything else we do this weekend asap!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Last Week
I know I won't win any Mother of the Year awards for this, but I am finally posting the 3 whole pictures I took of Caleb on his first day of school. He started on Tuesday at Mother's Day Out at our church and has a great group of teachers, Aimee, Melissa and Debbie. I know Aimee personally and Debbie is in our Sunday School class, so we know two of them on the "inside". I'll have to make a point to get to know Melissa at some point, but seriously the dropping off and picking up process is so hectic that I make it half way out of the building before I even realize that I'm 2 kids lighter/heavier, which ever is applicable!
These two pictures are Caleb's first day last year and this year. It's so amazing how much he has changed since this time last year. If you notice in the first picture, he is leaning heavily on that end table. This was because he could hardly walk! He had just taken his first steps a few weeks before and now look at him! It makes me sad and excited that he's growing up. Thankfully, he hasn't lost those kissable chubby cheeks, and hopefully he won't for sometime to come!
Here's Caleb and his new Diego backpack. He picked this out a couple of months ago and we have saved it especially for school. It also makes my job a little easier as I can keep it loaded with the needed change(s) of clothes, diapers/pull-ups, and a snack for the ride home. I couldn't get him to hold his Backyardigans lunch box and the backpack, but he is just a walking advertisement for Noggin TV.
Here are Caleb and Logan before getting loaded up with their stuff to go to their first day of school. I didn't get as much as a goodbye from Caleb this day, as he was just too excited and took off into the classroom. It is really hard to resist all the pretty puzzles and cars and such when you are this (or any) age!
Friday was a very busy day for us as well. Logan's mommy has been in the hospital trying to recuperate from surgery and he and his 3 sisters and 1 brother (all 2 years old) needed someone to watch them. They were desperate, so they called me! Caleb and I hung out with Logan, Maddie, Sammie, Candice, and Hudson all day and made a mess of their very organized toy closet (sorry Liz!). All the kiddos were very good and patient with me and we had a great time.
These two pictures are Caleb's first day last year and this year. It's so amazing how much he has changed since this time last year. If you notice in the first picture, he is leaning heavily on that end table. This was because he could hardly walk! He had just taken his first steps a few weeks before and now look at him! It makes me sad and excited that he's growing up. Thankfully, he hasn't lost those kissable chubby cheeks, and hopefully he won't for sometime to come!
Here's Caleb and his new Diego backpack. He picked this out a couple of months ago and we have saved it especially for school. It also makes my job a little easier as I can keep it loaded with the needed change(s) of clothes, diapers/pull-ups, and a snack for the ride home. I couldn't get him to hold his Backyardigans lunch box and the backpack, but he is just a walking advertisement for Noggin TV.
Here are Caleb and Logan before getting loaded up with their stuff to go to their first day of school. I didn't get as much as a goodbye from Caleb this day, as he was just too excited and took off into the classroom. It is really hard to resist all the pretty puzzles and cars and such when you are this (or any) age!
Friday was a very busy day for us as well. Logan's mommy has been in the hospital trying to recuperate from surgery and he and his 3 sisters and 1 brother (all 2 years old) needed someone to watch them. They were desperate, so they called me! Caleb and I hung out with Logan, Maddie, Sammie, Candice, and Hudson all day and made a mess of their very organized toy closet (sorry Liz!). All the kiddos were very good and patient with me and we had a great time.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Caleb Dancing
Here is an often requested video of Caleb dancing to his favorite Veggie Tales. I think this video is about a month old. Enjoy!
Friday, September 07, 2007
Meet the Teacher
Last night was Meet the Teacher night at Caleb's Mother's Day Out. This year, Caleb's friend Logan Dixon will be attending the same school, but he is a year older than Caleb so they will be down the hall from each other. I wasn't able to attend Meet the Teacher as I had to work. Caleb went last year with Jes too, so maybe we're just making traditions!
Caleb loves his nap mat and I have had to store it on top of my closet for the past 3 months so he wouldn't constantly lay on it. I had taken it out of the closet to wash turned around to check on something and this is what I found when I turned back around. He's so excited!
Here's Caleb and Logan after Meet the Teacher. From what I heard, the two of them were having the best time in the back seat of the truck! Logan's mommy just had surgery so we get the pleasure of taking and bringing him home (the just live across the street from us!). No doubt who will be having more fun on those trips! Definately the passengers!
Here are the boys again being silly!
They start school on Tuesday. I'll be sure to take pictures and post them!
Caleb loves his nap mat and I have had to store it on top of my closet for the past 3 months so he wouldn't constantly lay on it. I had taken it out of the closet to wash turned around to check on something and this is what I found when I turned back around. He's so excited!
Here's Caleb and Logan after Meet the Teacher. From what I heard, the two of them were having the best time in the back seat of the truck! Logan's mommy just had surgery so we get the pleasure of taking and bringing him home (the just live across the street from us!). No doubt who will be having more fun on those trips! Definately the passengers!
Here are the boys again being silly!
They start school on Tuesday. I'll be sure to take pictures and post them!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Request of You *****UPDATED*****
I just talked to Jes and they offered him a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The salary is the same as what he is getting now, the insurance is better and is actually going to cost us less with a lower deductible too! He is going to call and formally accept the position first thing in the morning. He told them that he wanted to talk over everything with his wife before took it. So sweet, huh? Thank you so much for praying during this scary time for us! We love all of you!
Shannon (Jes and Caleb too)
___________________________
Jes and I really need you to pray for him tomorrow. Some of you know, most do not, that the place that he is working at is not doing well. They have been having major problems since being bought out by a larger group around 6-9 months ago. This problems aren't just minor issues. We're talking about not paying their vendors, bouncing paychecks, etc. Therefore, Jes has had his very stellar resume out for some time now looking around and seeing if he gets any bites. Well, he got a bite, a big one. He has an interview with a company at Love Field tomorrow at 2pm. Not only would this job cut about 40 miles per day off his commute but the insurance would kick in the first of the next month (October). He knows a few people down there who have vouched for him and this job would be doing the same thing he is doing now, so it's a lateral move, not a step down like most are. As of today, he feels like layoffs and closing of his current employer is emminent, which scares us to death, so this job is a God send.
Anyway, just pray for his clarity of mind and that he makes a great impression and that they hire him on the spot at the same salary he is at now. (Hey, aren't we supposed to ask for what we want???) If you could also just pray that my nerves would be calm. Since this has all started, my stomach has just been one big knot of nerves and acid. One of us has to be calm and levelheaded during all this... :)
Shannon (Jes and Caleb too)
___________________________
Jes and I really need you to pray for him tomorrow. Some of you know, most do not, that the place that he is working at is not doing well. They have been having major problems since being bought out by a larger group around 6-9 months ago. This problems aren't just minor issues. We're talking about not paying their vendors, bouncing paychecks, etc. Therefore, Jes has had his very stellar resume out for some time now looking around and seeing if he gets any bites. Well, he got a bite, a big one. He has an interview with a company at Love Field tomorrow at 2pm. Not only would this job cut about 40 miles per day off his commute but the insurance would kick in the first of the next month (October). He knows a few people down there who have vouched for him and this job would be doing the same thing he is doing now, so it's a lateral move, not a step down like most are. As of today, he feels like layoffs and closing of his current employer is emminent, which scares us to death, so this job is a God send.
Anyway, just pray for his clarity of mind and that he makes a great impression and that they hire him on the spot at the same salary he is at now. (Hey, aren't we supposed to ask for what we want???) If you could also just pray that my nerves would be calm. Since this has all started, my stomach has just been one big knot of nerves and acid. One of us has to be calm and levelheaded during all this... :)
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