Too pooped to pop!

Well, I thought this picture was fitting today! That's about how I feel. Mommy Pfohl has collapsed! We have all been sick this week and then in the midst of our busy schedule... I think I ran out of gas! We were supposed to clean the house today. We got a good bit done, but not as much as we could have. I think we are all just worn out. The kids are still fussy, Jeff's allergies have been flairing like crazy and well... I'm still germy. So, between it all... umm.... I still need a miracle in my house! =) Oh well, another day another try! We were very excited however! Tonight, Jeff was working with bubby on his hand control (has a majorly difficult time with this) for the first time ever, he was able to put a cup inside of a cup and a toy inside that cup! Go Joey!!!!!! We'd clap and cheer and he'd bounce on his little butt and wave his hands! Oh it was just priceless!

Desperately in need....

Well, Saturday has come to a close. I look around and I find myself feeling desperately in need of a good house cleaning... Abby and Joey have been a tornado themselves this week, then you add our all new busy schedule on top and I think WHEW! I don't know how some of you super mom's do it. I just wish some days I could wiggle my nose and wham... IT'S ALL CLEAN! Hmm... hasn't worked yet. Bummer! Anyways... tomorrow brings church in the morning and well... we usually have a get together with Jeff's side on Sundays... but they have stomach flu this week... GUESS WHAT HONEY! =) We will be cleaning like crazy. In all seriousness though... please pray for this house to sell. We want to move closer to the church so badly. We were moving as close as possible, but with our new rehab schedule... we'll be moving in the middle. The sooner we can do that the better. It will help us in MANY MANY ways.

Celebrations...

You know, days like today I sometimes struggle. I took Joey in for his weight check today and in 10 days, he has nearly lost 2 lbs. again. My heart sank. I found myself wanting to fall into self loathing pitty... Then I thought about it. You know... I look at this picture of Joey... what is he doing? HE IS CRAWLING! I had to stop and be thankful for today because my son has more strength than what he should. He is crawling. He is pulling up. He is sometimes cruising. He is eating mainly by mouth. All of these things are often things mito kids can not do. Times get rough and I grow weary of all that we walk through... but when I stop to think of what it could and probably should be, I am so thankful! Joey's first birthday is less than a month away. We are planning all kinds of fun. I'm sure the fun will be enjoyed more by sister than Joey... but all the same... I can't wait to celebrate! We are getting ready to look into throwing a card shower for Joey. With this card shower though, we'd like to do something different. We are going to be inviting every one who knows Joey to make donations to the United Mitochondrial disease foundation in Joey's honor. They have not found a cure yet for Mito, and this foundation is very reputable and works diligently to not only support mito families, but also to find cures and treatments to improve these kids lives. So, I throw that little thought out there to you! We will be letting every one know soon our plan with this... I will be very excited to see what happens with this.

You think you had a bad day????

Do you ever feel as though some one is literally chewing your rear off? Well, poor Abby... she can't get a break! Yep, you are seeing it right... she was in the midst of watching her new care bear video and her brother snuck up behind her and BIT HER IN THE BUTT! Oh, it was a moment that was too good not to share! I'm sorry! Assumedly, he was feeling better tonight! =) They had every single toy out... my clean living room was destroyed! Ha! Joey did have a rough day today. He has had diarrhea to beat all again. Dr. Hainline is trying some medication to see if he is possibly lactose intolerant. I'm praying this works. Much longer and we'll have to go back in for some fluids again. =( I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it all soon! Both kids have had colds. Joey almost sounded today like he had Pneumonia. Yuck! He has an appointment in the morning so hopefully they can give him some meds to help with that. Until next time!

Is it only Wednesday?

I feel like dropping! In one sense, it feels as though this week has flown, but in the other... ISN'T IT OVER YET???? Oh man!!!! We have had two appointments with one kid or the other EVERY DAY THIS WEEK! Most of them, I've gone alone but today.. I had my mother-n-law with me to travel to Riley. We had a nuero appt. today at Riley. They were excited to see Joey. Joey seems to be a hit every where we go... I couldn't imagine why! He's just the cutest little fellow! (Ok, sorry, mommy get s a bit out of hand at times!) Anyways, They said that Joey's tone was still low, but nothing he was too worried about at this point. They are going to do a hearing test to ensure that Joey's ears are functioning properly (He does have selective hearing! I say his name, he doesn't always respond, but if you turn "Jacks big Music show" on, buddy, he's right there at the t.v.!) Such a booger! Anyways, they are concerned because they feel Joey is still in the "cooing" stage when he should be babbling and forming words. hearing can sometimes cause that, but it could just be muscle tone as well. So, they are referring for some more speech therapy. They said also that they are going to wait on the biopsy to come back, but if it doesn't give them a diagnosis, they will begin with spinal taps next. He could have a form of mito that doesn't allow glucose to go to the brain, however... most kids with this issue have never had lactate levels as high as Joey has had so they are thinking not... but something worth ruling on. Over all, not a bad day... but this mommy is tuckered out! things just seem to be getting more and more busy right now! i don't feel well myself this week... so that could be some of it... anyways, time for these bones to fall into bed! Night to all!

Catching up...

After a rat race of a day today... May I mention... every time I needed to go in some where... IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN! Now that, that isn't nice at all! Anyways... I walked into the house for the final time today... looked all around and picked up the phone to call my sister... why? To plead with her to come watch the kids so Jeff and I could clean! Do you ever just get sick of your house? Man, I can't keep up. We no more got home from Riley, we went right into all kinds of appointments than we went back to Riley for an all day stay in the ER... So... today... it was catch up day! We busted out laundry, we washed dishes... WE EVEN DUSTED! Aunt Christi was sweet and entertained my needy munchkins so that we could get the job done! Thanks aunt Christi! You are the best!

Pfantastic day...

Well, today has been eventful. Joey awoke with breathing problems today which led us to a trip to Riley. THANKFULLY one that we didn't have to stay for. They gave him some fluids and off we went to home! =) Mom and dad are ministering in the area, so we did get to eat a fast lunch with them before going to the church... and I mean fast! No extended visiting today! Papaw has spoken! =) We did enjoy seeing them even though it was brief and well, all my children... yes, JEFF I'm counting you... had a good time trying on the nice little chef hat that came with Joey's highchair! OH dear! It is wonderful to have family who cares and is there for support! Please pray for mom and dad this week as they are ministering at a church in Lapel, Indiana. Lots of little guys are going to hear about Jesus! =)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Well, it is Father's day. Unfortunately, I'm at home with a sick daughter. Poor girl! she just can't kick it! I did want to take this time to say a special father's day I love you to my dad and my husband! Dad, thanks for always being there for me. You have taught me so much about standing beside your family no matter what. There have been days I haven't deserved your trust or your faithfulness, but you have always given it anyways. You'll never even understand what that means to me. Jeff- thanks to you for being a wonderful husband and father. your gentleness is so wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a better person to walk with me through this time in our lives. I am so thankful for not only the way you love me, but the way you love our children. We have two wonderful children that are so confident in their daddy's love! So, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Excitement every where!

Whew... it has posed to be a busy weekend for EVERY ONE. We have been celebrating cousin's birthday, visiting with family, doing Angel Food distribution (OK, well, Jeff & Christi... I showed up when the hard work was over!), visiting with family again... it's just been busy. All the while though, it was good. Good to see family together, kids playing, Abby splashing... ha! =) You know, it is important to have family and to love them and be close. I tell you, family has been a huge roll in keeping us going. Some times it is to sit and listen when we cry, other times, much like this weekend... it is to help us chuckle and talk about the good 'ol days. I just want to take this moment to say thanks to every family member. We have so MUCH to be thankful for as a whole this year... SO, thanks to every one of you for who you are!

Yummy!!! Cookies!!!

Well, I have been experimenting in the kitchen tonight. I have found a recipe to make cookies with only one carbohydrate in it. Yep... it is true... and good things like that... well, they don't come in large packages... but my kids loved them! They were low carb butter cookies... yep, the main ingredient was butter! Ha! Joey liked them so much he was trying to pick the crumbs out of the carpet. Even though they are low carb, well, he can't pig out! So, anyways, it was fun to make together and fun to eat. Nice little treat here and there.

I tell you, today has been a challenging day. I have met many today that it has been a struggle to be friendly too. Do you ever have those days? I have had some one attack me for the decision of home schooling, turn around and get attacked for the ways I feed my children, even though they are eating as medically necessary... hmmm.... then, my daughter throws a fit in public to beat all.... ahhh... makes you want to go to bed and hope that when you wake up... those things are all but a nightmare. Oh well... I managed to keep smiling and I managed to very gracefully ask that they please back off. =) Now, I'm collecting myself and I have very much enjoyed a night with my family... well, minus Jeff. He had a meeting at the church, however, we did greatly enjoy supper together!

Kids are both doing great today! Thanks to all!

The Riley stay...

Well, every one, we are back in town! Yep... that is right... we have been at Riley and are thankful after 8 days to be back in town. It was long week. However, it had a VERY positive turn out for all of us. Abby got to go to the zoo one day with "jecca", her name for Jessica, one of the Riley nurses that we have found ourselves lovingly attatched too! =) Then Joey got to sample foods of his choice this week. We are still very low carb, but he gets as much as he wants and even an occasional treat of a "no no" food. =) Yeah for Joey! So, I thought I'd share some pictures of his first meal with you, Abby riding a horse and yep... the two of them playing with one of the excosaucers at Riley. As we left friday, I felt like we were saying our goodbyes at a family reunion. Lord willing this is the last for awhile and we will actually be home for a longer period! Thanks to all of you!