Things that make me smile...

You know, I have been very much struggling with finding my place in life again. I don't know if all of you realize what I put into keeping my kids healthy every day. I don't have to do any of it any more from a medical stand point and I have felt lost. I've found myself feeling as though I'm almost depressed because I don't know what to do with my time. There is PLENTY to do as any wife and mother would experience, but life took such an abrupt change, I think I was almost in a state of shock. Well, the last few days, I have spent much time sitting on my living room floor thoroughly taking in the change in my children. I'm finding myself so much happier. I'm finding myself relaxed and so thankful. I watched my son do pretend play and ENGAGE his sister last night for the first time in play. That's a miracle. All those Autistic tendencies we were seeing are slowly leaving. I think it is finally sinking in this is real and the fear of it all not being true is going away. I'm so thankful for my family and I'm so glad to get to be a mommy who has free time to watch her babies enjoy life instead of worrying about the fluid intake, counting their calories, worrying about med schedules and energy crashes, worrying about monitoring pain... life is starting to feel more and more "normal" every day. We serve and awesome God! -Mindy

Early mornings...

One thing that has changed since the kids have started feeling better is our mornings. They used to sleep until 9 some times 10 even with us putting them to bed at 8. So, this morning, about 6:50 a.m. Abby comes walking out in the kitchen and just grins from ear to ear. I said "Well good morning honey!" She looks at me and said "I heard noises out here so I knew it was morning time and ok to get up!" I told her she was absolutely right and then proceeded that mommy was getting ready to head out to a show this morning. She looks at the window and then looks at me and said "Oh, so the reason we are up at night time is because you have a show. I see. Are we going to sleep later?" She cracked me up! I had to explain the whole thing of how it stays darker longer and it was kind of fun to watch her realize that it wasn't really night time... but the sun just wasn't ready to come out yet! Awww... the mind of a 3... almost 4 yr. old! :)

So tired!

I thought this picture discribed perfectly what I feel! I am so stinking tired right now. I got over my pneumonia but went right into my shows! Can we say exhaustion? I had one that ran long Friday night, which is totally ok! I enjoyed hearing every one chit chat and look over the product. Then, I had one here Saturday which was SO MUCH fun! It was just a handful of ladies from the church and I absolutely LOVED it!!! Too much fun! Every one was chuckling and having a great time! I think I wanted the company more than I cared about the show! :) Then tonight my sister and brother-n-law came over for dinner. That was VERY enjoyable as we haven't had a lot of time with them since they got married! Tomorrow... I get to go to a show in the morning for one of our Ladies groups in the church. I'm pretty excited about that! Then... I rest! :) Oh sweet rest!!!! Hope all have a great night! -Mindy

my little trooper...

Joey is being such a trooper with his breathing treatments! I'm so proud of him! He hates the nebulizer! But... he's taking it like a trooper with his little dinosaur mask!

My ballet dancer...

Well, I thought Iwould share with you a short clip of Abby in ballet class. For those of you not used to watching Abby from behind, she is too your left and in the black outfit with the pink shoulders. Hope you enjoy! -Mindy

Getting better...

So, even in sickness, we get to see yet another miracle. Joey was almost admitted yesterday by the nurse practitioner. He looked pretty rough. However, she opted to get the ped who knows Joey better. He came in to check and said he certainly was a sick little guy but he was willing to try him at home. So, we left... but the miracle is what the ped shared with the nurse practioner. he told her that in the past, when Joey is sick, he's very weak, floppy and lethargic. Joey was alert, he had strength still AND he was fighsty about being examed! This was an awesome praise! Joey's been running a temp as high as 103 and he's fighting it on his own. We are giving him breathing treatments to aid his asthma so he doesn't get pneumonia, but we aren't giving him any added medications. Isn't God awesome? Thank you all for standing with us and praying. when we were too weak to trust God, many of you held us up and trusted for us! I am eternally thankful for the church family God has given us and the friends we have near and far! We love all of you and could not have gotten here with out you! -Mindy

Yep, we are sick!

The word is in and the doctor has confirmed... the Pfohl family is sick! Joey was near admission... I'm on some serious meds to clear my lungs! We need to get over this yuck!

Sleep deprived!!!!

Poor Joey! I have been up with him all night. He had a 102 temp through most of the night and tylenal FINALLY worked this morning. I thought I'd never get it to break. He's just miserable. I am almost convinced I now have Pneumonia and well, I think he does too! I think he gave it to me. Poor guy. he's well known for that at this time of the year. His asthma makes him more at risk for it. :( BUmmer! I want my pillow and blankie! Maybe when they are grown and caring for their own babies I'll get some sleep when I'm sick! :) THey are more than worth staying up to love on through the night!

Family fun night...

Unfortunately, the kids and I didn't get to go to church today. Joey was running a low grade temp and congested with a glucky cough, BUT mommy was miserably sick! However, it was good to be home and just rest for all three of us! Best to get over the germies we have before we get exposed to more germies! Anyways, tonight, we were all feeling a slight better so Miss Abby broke out some games! The first was this....

Mommy took the first victory and Abby beat daddy in round two! yeah Abby! Then we played this....

Joey actually played with us! Another testimony of God's miracle! He had the attention span to SIT there and play a whole game. Yes, we had to help him move, etc... but HE DID IT!!! Yeah! A month ago, there was no way he could have done this. He couldn't even sit still for a short story! Abby took the victory on both the family round and the round of just mommy and Abby playing! Over all, we had a great night tonight!

Better days....

Joey is feeling better from the med withdrawals but now has a yucky cold! :( Poor guy! I'm toast and going to bed! Night all!

Please pray

Please pray for Joey. Every other Tuesday we drop a part of his seizure med dose to begin the wean. He did fine Wednesday during they day, but last night, he was up screaming in the night. He was grabbing his head and just crying so hard. This drug is awful! Please pray for God's grace as he comes off of it. He has 6 months to go through this every other week. It only lasts for a couple of days with the worst of it, but it is awful to watch. Thanks. -Mindy

Thank God for friends...

Well, after e-mailing with a friend today, my rut is no longer as deep as it was the last few days. She so preciously reminded me that Satan trying to steal away the Joy of what God has done in our kids lives. Whether medical mistakes or a HUGE miracle... God has us in a sweet place right now! he's giving my babies strength every day and they are turning around for good every day! So, I stand to praise him today for what He has done. It still hurts my heart at the careless words and actions of some of the doctors we dealt with but I can praise God because he's placed us in an awesome place right now with awesome doctors! Thanks for praying for our family! -Mindy

Stuck in a rut...

Do you ever feel like you get stuck in a rut? I feel like I'm in one right now. I have had so many mixed emotions since the kids change in health that I often don't know what to do with them. Right now, I'm stuck on emotion that isn't good... anger. I'm angry about wha tthey've been through, angry for choices that were NOT good for my kids, angry my son is going through terrible with drawals coming OFF OF a seizure med that should have never been used for so long or at the high dosage... so many many emotions and thoughts. The important thing I need to remember is that I can't change the past. we walked through it, it's behind us and what matters is today. It's hard to dwell on today though. Oh so hard! I want to dwell on yesterday! I want to march into some offices and let it all fly and tell people what I think... but that isn't what God desires of me. "Vengance is mine says the Lord..." Hmphf.... Who wants to hear that right? So, I'm working on laying down my anger and praying that the people who may have done wrong will see the light of Jesus through our lives and our testimonies. I know that God is able to handle things... I know the beyond a shadow of a doubt... I just hurt for my babies and what they've walked through! I thank God every day for the touch on their lives and this new awesome team of doctors that we are working with!!! Night all! -Mindy

Day of rest...

Today, we have nothing on our agenda except for a day of rest and family! I am so glad. I need a day and I'm hoping maybe I'll get my voice back! Hope all have a great day! -Mindy

Great night!!!!

Big thanks to Carol and Sharon for hosting a show tonight! I'm so excited for them! They are going to have a $500 show which means they get $90 in free product, 2 half price items AND they get 25% off of any thing else they want to by PLUS 60% off 2 simple editions items!!! it pays to host let me tell ya!!!! Great job ladies!!!!!!

Smell-A-Blog

It really is too bad that we don't have smell-a-blog or scratch and sniff screens... the bread was in the oven and our whole house is YUMMY smelling!!! MMMmmmmm.....

Miss Abby is VERY proud of her bread. Can't wait to taste it!!!

Pfohl Family Columbus day...

Well, it has certainly been a busy day! I started it with some office time for pampered chef. Then we moved onto some lunch making while daddy worked out in the garage. Then off to the dishes and then to the yummy part!!! Miss Abby is making her first loaves of bread! We found an Amish white bread when we googled for bread recipes. We mixed it all up, kneaded it, let it rise, kneaded it again, put it in the pans and waiting for it to rise again... Then to the oven! I love home made bread! Mmmmm.... I tell you, I'm going to have one serious little Chef when she gets older! :) I have a show tonight. I have not had my voice return even though my cold is gone. So, please pray for me! Thanks! -Mindy

My evening at home...

Mmm... Can you smell it???? Steamy yummy chicken!!!!

You wouldn't believe it... but this was made in the MICROWAVE!!! yep, a whole chicken from start to finish... 30 minutes!!!!
So, Juicy and tender!!!! Who would have thought???
These are the cookies Abby and I made. Wreaths, butterflies and flowers. They were yummy... wrong season though... tasted a bit like Christmas!!! ha!
These are my little cakes! Yep, glass measuring cups... seems a bit wrong! I cooked a chicken in the Micro today and cakes in measuring cups in the oven! Is there something wrong with that picture???
This, is the finished product. Three little pumpkins lined up in a row! Yummy!!! We will eat them tomorrow after lunch! Any one hungry???

Thinking...

Well, We were talking tonight and realized that Joey has been home from the hospital 3 months. We have made it this long before, however, when we have made it this long, we were continously wondering when and waiting. We always had close call after close call waiting on Joey to need to be admitted. He has had ZERO close calls! He hasn't had to even hardly go to the doctor for anything except the allergy spurt we went through. Isn't God awesome? It is so amazing to me to walk this out and watch! God is just so faithful! -Mindy

Here's a yummy recipe...

Take crescent rolls, roll them out... don't break them into triangles but instead squeeze the perforation shut! Spread with melted butter, sprinkle sweet cinnamon sprinkles (pampered chef offers these in their spice line) and then roll up. Cut into 16 portions and bake! mmm... yummy!!!!

still icky!

Yep... I'm still icky... think I might call the doctor. :(

icky yucky!!!!

I can tell I'm back out in the real world! After two years of home bound... I have ZERO immune system and I am sick yet again!!! Going to bed with my blankie, pillow and tissues! Here's to hoping to feel better in the morning!!! -Mindy

Now is your chance!!!!

Ok, I'm offering to you a FREE show! Yep, you betcha!!!! For the month of December, I am purchasing the ingredients for your show! So, there is no cost to you UNLESS you desire to serve drinks or snacks. So, I will demonstrate a cute Christmas dessert that is completely unique and yummier than it looks! All free to you AND you get all of your Host rewards on top of your free show! So, if you are interested... e-mail me soon!!! pfohl4@hotmail.com or go to my personal website at www.pamperedchef.biz/mindypfohl Remember, pampered chef is a great way to give gifts at Christmas! We even have gift certificates for those who are just not sure what to order for some one!!! -Mindy

PLEASE PRAY!!!!

I am asking every one of you to PLEASE pray for our friend Amanda. She his mitochondrial disease. She is loosing her fight. Amanda is an amazing teenager. In this whole time of suffering, she consistently wants prayer for her other caring bridge friends. She is an inspiratation and a fighter! Every person struggling needs to look at Amanda for a role model! She never complains and even in the midst of this fight, she is so positive. It appears that Amanda is loosing her fight with mito. She is not metabolising her nutrients any more, having severe nurilogical issues and is just very very ill right now. PLEASE pray for her and her family. If you are interested in sharing some of the love you have shared with us, please go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/amanda1 and leave her a note in her guestbook. She is precious and literally a gift from God! In many of the times we were struggling with the kids health, she was a reminder of faith to me and now she needs us! Please pray and leave her a note as well! -Mindy

I'm so proud!!!!!

OK, so we had our monthly team meeting for pampered chef tonight. I went not expecting to get anything, but I did!!! I got my pin of congratulations of authenticity for being a consultant! You had to do 6 shows and I pulled it off in my first thirty days! Then, I got a ribbon for doing a $400 + show, a Ribbon for doing $1,000 + month AND a ribbon for being the top in sales for our team!!! Yeah!!!! I was so proud! So, I thought I'd share with you my prizes!!! Yeah for me!!! I did it!!!! -Mindy

New gadget!

Check out my new gadget to the right! If you follow my blog, click there to let me know! I'd love to know who all of my followers are!!! -Mindy

Aa says Apple!!!!

Miss Abby is struggling to focus on school but I think it is in the air today... MOMMY IS TOO!!! We have muddled through and accomplished it! Yeah for us!!! I have gotten a lot done today, although I feel like I have piddled my time away. Do we ever accomplish what we think we should in a day???

Fall Is here!!!

We have never done anything with pumpkins except just let them set around and look pretty. We are not big into halloween because of what it means. However, this year, we decided to have some fun. We aren't doing a jack-o-lantern for any reason except just to make us all giggle at the silly face! So, here it is... our family creation of the "Happy Pumpkin".

Joey taking a good look inside. I tried and tried to put his hand in but he'd have nothing of it! He kept saying "Blah! Yuck!" LOL!
Miss Abby tried her hand at fishing for some seeds!
Joey helped right draw the face on the pumpkin so we could carve it...
Daddy muscled the carving! We all tried and no go! We are wimpy!!!
Here is our Pfohl family Happy pumpkin! Isn't he cute???

Boiled cricket any one???

It could only happen to me!!! So, today, we are having family over. I am making a HUGE roaster of chili for us this evening... I'm stirring it... got a clean spoon... took a sip to make sure it is seasoned just right... and there it is... surfacing to the top.... a boiled cricket!!! UG!!!!!!!!! I almost gagged as I had JUST taken a hardy bite! Called my sweet husband in to see what I had found and he said "i'm going to the store, what do you need?" So... we started AGAIN from scratch! What a day!!!!???!!!???

Yummy!!!

Well, we hit the Farmland Chili cook off today! It was a lot of fun to be up there and see all the different takes on Chili. Who knows, maybe I'll enter myself next year! :) THere were lots of unique chilis along with your traditional chili. All the same, it tasted pretty good! The kids enjoyed being there all but the bees! Oh they were awful today! I did fine until I stopped to talk and had one attacking my face! Then I was a swinging!!! I think I might just make up some of my own chili for supper tonight! mmm.... yummy!!!!

Yippee!!!

It's Friday!!! Another week under the belt. You know, it really has been a good week! Very busy but good! Today, the kids and I went shopping with some friends for groceries and such! Saw some other friends while out and about which is always fun! Tonight, we have just enjoyed each other... nothing major on the schedule and nothing that we really can say we did... we just had a good evening! So, yeah for Fridays!!! Tomorrow is the chili cook off up town! Jeff has his mouth watering already!!! Have a good night all1 -mindy

The pink ribbon...

Right now is your time you can help! For the month of October, Pampered Chef is supporting Breast Cancer awareness and fundraising! You can go to my personal website www.pamperedchef.biz/mindypfohl and purchase breast cancer awareness products. Pink pearing knives, pink cups, pink measuring cups, etc etc... there is MUCH to choose from! For each product you purchase, $1 goes towards the fundraiser through the American Cancer Society. So, not only can you get GREAT pampered chef products at a cheeper price, you can also support a great cause!

Time for blankies!!!!

well, the time has come! Fall breeze set in and well, we needed our blankies today! I can't believe it! We had to turn the heat on in the kids rooms to take the chill off tonight! Whew! Joey had therapy today. He had PT and ST. Pt was rough but towards the end of ST, she had him interacting very well! Hopefully that will continue! He just isn't liking it so much because he's having to work harder! Poor guy! Anyways... check out my new web site through pampered Chef! I am very excited! I'm "official" now! www.pamperedchef.biz/mindypfohl