I dropped my dinner on the floor today.

2-6-82.. err...2012

It's my birthday

So I turned the big 30 today. Whoopty Doo. I actually visualized this 'milestone' as being much more intimidating than it actually was/is. My day was filled with my husband, my children and just being a mom. It's who I am now, it's what I've been meant to do. I woke up this morning and got the oldest two kids off to school and started to pack up as I was going to be rotating with Nic staying with Cayleigh. In all honesty, and by the lack of change of clothes aside from PJs and lack of Conditioner - I in no way thought we were staying another night. Come to find out we were not only staying another night (or few) but they were going to transfer her to UCSF. So I stayed as late as I could with Julez as my sidekick and we (with Cayleigh in my lap) danced to The Gummy Bear Song, I like to Dance (Yo Gabba Gabba) and apparently Cay had worked up such a sweat that she coughed up a mess of nasty while I was holding her. You learn not to mind when the trach sprays you because it's better out than in I always say (If you've heard that line before, you know what my DVD Movie Collection consists of).

We had to leave and I made it back within 5 minutes of Jake getting out. I suprised him and Julez and he were able to get a book from the book fair at their school just like Daddy had promised him. He rode his bike home and I 'raced' him in the van, we got the mail and then went back to school because he'd left his backpack. *sigh* By then Tayla was 5 minutes to be released so I got her out and 'raced' her home too.

The kids and I went to Target together and really enjoyed our day. Got groceries and Julez muscled her way through not only unloading the cart contents onto the belt, but also putting all the bags back into the cart (inlcluding Milk and heavy Mott's juice packs), and THEN insisted on loading them into the van for me. That earned her a whopping 5 points. She was definitely pulling a "Find ways to show love and caring for another person" which is a house rule. They were all so good they pulled a Super Card and got things like "30 minutes DSI, 30 minutes TV and a Stay up 30 Minutes Late". THEN I told the kids to unload the groceries and help put them away, and that today would be Double Point Day because it's my Bday. THAT motivated them. It also motivated them that for every 3rd chore they did they'd get 3 points! If you're wondering what I mean about the Points and the Super Cards - it's all a part of the Dulik Rewards & Consequences system.

The kids need to do chores. Nic and I need sanity. So we decided to start a system where the child chooses a Chore Card (notecard pushpinned to a piece of felt on our wall) with the chore they want to do. They are to complete it without instruction or reminding and to our satisfaction and then, upon us approving the job done, they earn themselves a Point Card. It says 1 POINT with a yellow smiley face. I just printed them out on white cardstock and cut them. Used a hole punch and they each string their Point Cards onto their own rings (Binder Ring - Walmart for $2) everytime they earn one. Nic or I write their name and initial it so there is no trading, stealing, losing, etc.

A list of the family rules hangs above the felt board w/the chores on it. Next to that is the belt. They each must do one chore a day...regardless. They earn a Super Card (which they get to pick from a random deck we made) if they're going out of their way to be selfless and caring/loving. It's stuff like I mentioned earlier. As for the Points - well, they collect them all week long and then on Sunday, after church, the Family Store is open. They can 'shop' with their points. There is a key on the wall that shows a Smiley Face Sticker (in different colors) with their Point Value. Everything in our "Family Store" container is labeled with a corresponding smiley face sticker. For instance, the Pink Sticker means that item is 5 points. They can cash in or save. Goes up to 50

Tonight I was sitting on the floor while Jake played DSI (cashed in that Super Card) and started making Tayla's IPOD Valentines for her class. Theres alot of work involved and Juliette and Jake were eager to assist. Tayla even came up to help. It was just a great family project and night. Our house is clean, kids are in bed and I'm about to fall asleep just typing this - tomorrow I switch with Nic. They're keeping Cayleigh because she needs strong meds to knock out her yucky, but she has to go to UCSF or CHO because she's considered 'special needs' and the hospital she's at isn't equipped to use a ventilator if they ever needed to. (which, they wont)

So its a waiting game right now. UCSF had only 1 bed available in the PICU today (she has to be in PICU because of the amount of suctioning and care she needs) so we might do CHO - but only if we'd be in the PICU - I don't do the CHO Step Down Ped's floor. WILL. NOT. DO. IT.

My blessing are ABUDANT

#1 I am thankful for 30 years on the planet and for all Christ has taught me so far
#2 I am thankful for Jesus Christ
#3 I am thankful for His Word
#4 I am thankful for my Salvation
#5 I am thankful for my Husband
#5 I am thankful for my Children
#6 I am just plain grateful. God is GOOD