This is such a thoughtful and painful experience. First you have to think of someone to care for your kids - oh my goodness… this is so hard. Who will raise your kids the way you would, honor your beliefs, and yet is still young enough to have the energy to allow them to be involved in sports and scouts, and yet doesn't have young kids causing too much responsibility? Who would be willing to take on this awesome responsibility for four children (although Jessica is 18 she still has money set aside for college, etc).
Then, you have to think of so many things that just aren't thought of on a everyday basis. Who gets what - what is important enough to single out - how does it get divided. Will this be the same in 5 years from now, anyway - NO… Jessica is 18 - she's already technically considered an adult; whereas Devon, Marissa and Robert are still minors so we have to set up trusts for them.
I think the hardest part is making sure your wishes are express clearly so that there is no misinterpretation of your desires; but that is so hard to do because you write this document not knowing when it will be read - and hopefully not for a very long time - at which time it will probably have been replaced by a more current will.
My kids don't understand why we are writing a new will at all. They are concerned that we think we are going to die. We keep telling them this is just for "in case" something should happen, so that others will know how to take care of our family and property - but they think it has to be because we think we are going to die. I shouldn't say they all think that - they don't. Robert is the most concerned, and he's the youngest. It's just being prepared for that "what if"…
Feel free to give advise!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Robert actually had a broken leg
Well, almost three weeks after Robert's accident we find out that he actually had a broken femur. The fracture is in the growth plate which is why the ER xray team didn't see it.
Robert had a check up with his surgeon last week on 7/14. At that time his left knee was still swollen and bruised. She recommended us seeing the pediatric orthopedic, and scheduled the next available appointment - one week later.
Ironically, when we walked into the office we saw Dr. Armstrong there - he is in our ward doing a residency with Dr. Jacks. Robert was first seen by an assistant or intern. She did a complete exam and then reported to the doctor. Then another assistant came in with Dr. Jacks and Dr. Armstrong. They each did their own individual exam and conferred with each other. All three came to the same conclusion - that Robert sustained a small fracture in the growth plate of his femur. They all also agreed that Robert was very lucky to have been resting it due to the concussion, thus helping the leg to heal at the same time - he missed having a cast by just a few days. They would have casted him had they known earlier. Since he was already in the 3rd week, it was essentially too late. By the end of next week, he will be completely healed. WOW! That's mind-boggling. How did they miss the fracture in the first place - did they miss anything else? Actually, I doubt it. Robert is extremely active and feeling back to normal. He's antsy to get back to regular activity. The good news was that the activities that are good for his leg's healing process are the activities he's been doing - swimming and biking. She gave the "clear" to run for XC but the "hold" on soccer for three more weeks. That's okay - soccer doesn't start until after August 1 anyway.
I'm just so glad we found out so that Robert didn't do anything in this limbo time that would cause harm. Almost there ---
Robert had a check up with his surgeon last week on 7/14. At that time his left knee was still swollen and bruised. She recommended us seeing the pediatric orthopedic, and scheduled the next available appointment - one week later.
Ironically, when we walked into the office we saw Dr. Armstrong there - he is in our ward doing a residency with Dr. Jacks. Robert was first seen by an assistant or intern. She did a complete exam and then reported to the doctor. Then another assistant came in with Dr. Jacks and Dr. Armstrong. They each did their own individual exam and conferred with each other. All three came to the same conclusion - that Robert sustained a small fracture in the growth plate of his femur. They all also agreed that Robert was very lucky to have been resting it due to the concussion, thus helping the leg to heal at the same time - he missed having a cast by just a few days. They would have casted him had they known earlier. Since he was already in the 3rd week, it was essentially too late. By the end of next week, he will be completely healed. WOW! That's mind-boggling. How did they miss the fracture in the first place - did they miss anything else? Actually, I doubt it. Robert is extremely active and feeling back to normal. He's antsy to get back to regular activity. The good news was that the activities that are good for his leg's healing process are the activities he's been doing - swimming and biking. She gave the "clear" to run for XC but the "hold" on soccer for three more weeks. That's okay - soccer doesn't start until after August 1 anyway.
I'm just so glad we found out so that Robert didn't do anything in this limbo time that would cause harm. Almost there ---
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Kings Island
Okay, so we were supposed to go on this family outing on July 6th - everyone got the day off work, but that was just after Robert's accident and there wasn't any way he could go on roller coaster rides only 3 days after the accident…so we postponed the trip until 7/20!
We were so lucky - Jessica got the day off, but Devon didn't. Luckily a guy at Devon's work needed a different day off and had Wednesday off so Devon and he switched. It worked out perfect. We left the house at 7:45 am and drove up to Mason, OH where King's Island is located. It's approximately a 2 hour drive - which meant the kids got to watch most of one of the Harry Potter videos on the way up. hee hee!
We got there just as it opened and went straight for the water park to put our stuff down, only to find out it doesn't open until 11:00 am. YIKES! So we did a u-turn and headed for Diamondhead; the tallest roller coaster in the park. On the way there we road Flying Ace. Diamondhead is an amazing ride! Oh my goodness, what a thrill it was. The lines were short so we were able to take in a few more rides.
We learned something about Devon today. The boy is a roller coaster junky. I've never seen Devon move so fast. He was running from one roller coaster to the next. He loves the trill. He'll be on a ride saying, "faster, faster!"
Mark decided to take the towels to the water park while we went on the Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster int he world at 74,000 feet, and then met up with us. The Vortex was closed (BOO). We then did Firehawk. Have you ever ridden Firehawk? It's crazy. It's a roller coaster that you ride laying down and the ride takes you around as if you are flying. It's so incredibly fantastic!!! However, it also gave Jessica and I vertigo…uggh! Mark didn't even try it because it just looked like it would make him sick to his stomach. He, however did the Racer with Devon, Marissa and Robert while Jessica and I headed for the water park. Today's temperature was averaging 94 degrees with a heat index of 105. YIKES!!! Needless to say it was a HOT ONE!
We road Race for Your Life (log ride), Diamondback again, Adventure Express, Flight Deck, Drop Tower, Congo Falls and Invertigo. Drop Tower is the craziest ride I've ever ridden. I can't believe I agreed to do it. It doesn't say how far you drop but you go up higher than any of the other attractions in the park. You sit there in a small seat secured only by a harness and seat belt and DROP straight down for what seems like a mile. The scare is in the suspense that you feel as they take you all the way to the top and then let you sit there just long enough to realize how HIGH you are and then, you FALL, and FALL, and FALL, and continue FALLING!!! 
Diamondback has a really cool spot where the roller coaster goes over water and water sprays up! This is what Mark and Robert are looking at. They look identical.
It was great to have some special time with Jessica. I think everyone had a lot of fun together. Waiting in line was a great time to take photos, but the great thing is that we weren't in lines very long at all and we road so many rides. We had to do one more thing before leaving: Marissa had to win a "minyon" - the cute little characters from "Despicable Me". She player Robert in a game and won!!! Yeah, Marissa!
After a great day of adventure and fun, we left the park around 8:00 pm.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Mark Surprises Betsy
Okay, so our 20th anniversary is coming up and Mark secretly decided he wants to do something big for me, but with managing 4 children, plus taking Jessica out to college, he knew that couldn't "just surprise" me so he told me in advance.
WOW, it was still a surprise even though he told me early. Mark is going to take me on a cruise. I'm so excited! Both he and I have never been on a cruise and honestly I never thought we would because of Mark's motion sickness, but he's willing to give it a chance.
WOW, it was still a surprise even though he told me early. Mark is going to take me on a cruise. I'm so excited! Both he and I have never been on a cruise and honestly I never thought we would because of Mark's motion sickness, but he's willing to give it a chance.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Waterfall Wonder
Monday I took Jessica, Robert and Marissa to the Waterfall near our house. It was such a beautiful day and the pool was closed. Robert's been anxious to get out of the house and do something fun, so we road our bikes over to the waterfall area and hiked down. 
This is such a beautiful spot. It has some wonderful and yet it also holds some painful memories for us. Not far from this waterfall is where Marissa fell and broke her arm 2 years ago. That is upstream. We stayed away from that area.  |
| Marissa |
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| Robert |
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| Jessica |
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| splash war |
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| walking down stream |
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| Robert, Jessica and Marissa |
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| I Love this photo. Robert chipped the water and I took the photo just at the right time! |
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Some Days are Better than others
Some days are definitely better than others. I think I'd even go so far as to say some years are better than others, and I have a feeling I have seen the end of the seven years of feasting and I'm into the seven years of famine.
I'm not necessarily talking about finances - however our medical expenses are killing us. I'm talking about the seven wonderful years we've had raising our kids here in KY before I had four teenagers. I don't know if this is normal or if it's because we have a child with asperger's syndrome or if "just all good things must come to an end", but I am definitely feeling like my pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction.
I think what is needed in times like this is a good attitude, and a reminder that you love your children most of all, second you try to teach them, third you pray that they will make good choices for themselves. Forth you hope you don't do or say anything that you will regret!
I'm not necessarily talking about finances - however our medical expenses are killing us. I'm talking about the seven wonderful years we've had raising our kids here in KY before I had four teenagers. I don't know if this is normal or if it's because we have a child with asperger's syndrome or if "just all good things must come to an end", but I am definitely feeling like my pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction.
I think what is needed in times like this is a good attitude, and a reminder that you love your children most of all, second you try to teach them, third you pray that they will make good choices for themselves. Forth you hope you don't do or say anything that you will regret!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Community Bats game
What a great night to go to a Bats game. Betsy was able to get six free tickets from a Metro Councilman, and wha-la … the family goes to the Bats game.
Actually today was the day we were supposed to go to Kings Island as a family but we couldn't go with Robert's accident so close behind us. He wouldn't be able to tolerate the roller coaster or spinning rides (although he acts like nothing happened and can't understand why I am constantly asking him how he feels, or if he's okay).
The game went by fast 0-0, 0-0, then the other team the Columbus Clippers scored two runs. For several innings the Louisville Bats were down by two. The kids were having a great time with all the food options…that's why they love coming to the Bats games - funnel cake, snow cones, ice cream, pizza (yes).
Mark and I were enjoying the game with Robert when it all of the sudden was the last inning. The Bats had to score now or they would lose. One gets on base - another - then a pop fly - one out - then a K - another out - then someone hit a home run - three runs - We win instantly! What a great way to end the game for Louisville! I'm so glad we didn't leave early.
Actually today was the day we were supposed to go to Kings Island as a family but we couldn't go with Robert's accident so close behind us. He wouldn't be able to tolerate the roller coaster or spinning rides (although he acts like nothing happened and can't understand why I am constantly asking him how he feels, or if he's okay).
The game went by fast 0-0, 0-0, then the other team the Columbus Clippers scored two runs. For several innings the Louisville Bats were down by two. The kids were having a great time with all the food options…that's why they love coming to the Bats games - funnel cake, snow cones, ice cream, pizza (yes).
Mark and I were enjoying the game with Robert when it all of the sudden was the last inning. The Bats had to score now or they would lose. One gets on base - another - then a pop fly - one out - then a K - another out - then someone hit a home run - three runs - We win instantly! What a great way to end the game for Louisville! I'm so glad we didn't leave early.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Robert finally gets up
Today has been a tentative day, but ending very nicely.
Robert slept with us all night. He was doing fine until my alarm went off in the morning to take Devon to work. That noise immediately gave him a head ache. He took some Tylenol before I left him with Jessica (while I went with Devon to work). I felt so sorry for him. When I returned he was watching TV with Jessica and Marissa up in my room, but still had the head ache.
It was a very good day for Robert in that he stayed awake most of the day! On the other hand he didn't feel like getting out of bed the entire day either. He did however, go to the bathroom on his own - that was the first bit of walking he had done except for coming into the house last night.
Robert ate a good but small lunch consisting of chicken noodle soup and crescent rolls, water and more Tylenol in bed in my room. For dinner I had Robert come down stairs to eat at the kitchen table. It was a test to see how he would do with movement. He ate french toast and water. He did great. He was able to come down stairs by himself (one step at a time), eat, and then he went down one more flight of stairs to start the night's entertainment: Harry Potter: 7 part 1. Robert even went back upstairs to cook popcorn and brought popcorn down for himself and me. He seems to be doing really well considering the severity of his injury two days ago. This is very promising, but we are still going to take things very easy for the next few days.
All in all a great day of progress!
Robert slept with us all night. He was doing fine until my alarm went off in the morning to take Devon to work. That noise immediately gave him a head ache. He took some Tylenol before I left him with Jessica (while I went with Devon to work). I felt so sorry for him. When I returned he was watching TV with Jessica and Marissa up in my room, but still had the head ache.
It was a very good day for Robert in that he stayed awake most of the day! On the other hand he didn't feel like getting out of bed the entire day either. He did however, go to the bathroom on his own - that was the first bit of walking he had done except for coming into the house last night.
Robert ate a good but small lunch consisting of chicken noodle soup and crescent rolls, water and more Tylenol in bed in my room. For dinner I had Robert come down stairs to eat at the kitchen table. It was a test to see how he would do with movement. He ate french toast and water. He did great. He was able to come down stairs by himself (one step at a time), eat, and then he went down one more flight of stairs to start the night's entertainment: Harry Potter: 7 part 1. Robert even went back upstairs to cook popcorn and brought popcorn down for himself and me. He seems to be doing really well considering the severity of his injury two days ago. This is very promising, but we are still going to take things very easy for the next few days.
All in all a great day of progress!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Night and Day at Kosair's Children's Hospital
Robert arrived via ambulance to Kosair Children's Hospital downtown Louisville around 11:00 at night. He was asleep the entire time he rode in the ambulance (which was such a blessing because he had been throwing up just prior).
Robert has been in a state of lethargic sleep since he we first put him in the car to go to the ER. He wants to keep his eyes closed at all times. Once we were admitted to Kosair we weren't seen by a doctor until ten till midnight. Dr. Davis admitted Robert to the ICU as part of TCU care (trauma). It took almost another hour to get him hooked up to all the monitors, IV, and answer more (of the same) questions. From a practical point of view this makes no sense. We were at Kosair ER, transported to Kosair ER and then to Kosair ICU. Kosair should electronically transport information so that parents do not have to waste so much time repeating the same information over and over. All in all Robert threw up about 10 times Sunday night/Monday morning. Betsy finally laid to bed right next to Robert at 3:00 am.
It was a miserable night. Although I was exhausted from nauseous care and concern, fatigue and the late hour, the noises of the ICU were almost too much to ignore. The room situation is very strange. Patients do not have private rooms, just a curtain that is pulled between beds. I could hear every beep, buzzer, child's cry, door closing, siren, etc. I was glad to be there with Robert (and couldn't imagine it any other way) but it was a horrible night's sleep. I was up at 5:00 for more tests on Robert, and then again at 6:00 am with Robert throwing up again, and again. We both went back to sleep until 8:40. The doctor came around 10:00 am to check on Robert. He wants to keep him another night while I strongly want Robert to come home.
Robert continued to sleep most of the morning. I was able to get him some bread and rolls to eat (ever so slowly) to see if he could keep food down. I knew he needed food because he had fasted his breakfast meal which meant that even though we had just eaten enchiladas for dinner, there wasn't any reserve after throwing up the enchiladas. He needed something to settle and bread would be perfect with just a little water. It worked. At first he only wanted one little bit of bread. When the rolls came, he ate bite after bite until the whole roll was gone (they were good). He was also able to get some sips of water down. That made him tired and he went back to sleep until Mark and Marissa showed up around 2:00 p.m.
Robert played cards with the three of us for about 45 minutes when he needed more rest. He ate another roll and then fell back asleep. We let him sleep until the nurse came to move Robert to a normal room - no more ICU! Yippee!! Robert was moved to room 725 where he had his own room and bathroom. He still hasn't moved out of bed but it is good to have more privacy and peace and quiet. Now that Robert is awake we played more card games and waited for his dinner, doctor and hopefully discharge papers.
Robert had a nice surprise. Bishop Hill came to visit Robert in the hospital. Robert was looking very good when he came. He was alert and even smiling from time to time. We had a good chat with him before the doctor came. She examined Robert and said he could go if she got approval. When the Bishop left, Robert's dinner came - he ate some chicken and a few bites of mashed potatoes. Then the doctor came back to let us know he could go home. YEAH!!! After packing up and waiting on papers we left the hospital at 8:00 p.m.
It was almost 24 hours exactly that we had spent in the hospital. Robert felt a bit sick on the drive home but he was very happy to be home!
Robert has been in a state of lethargic sleep since he we first put him in the car to go to the ER. He wants to keep his eyes closed at all times. Once we were admitted to Kosair we weren't seen by a doctor until ten till midnight. Dr. Davis admitted Robert to the ICU as part of TCU care (trauma). It took almost another hour to get him hooked up to all the monitors, IV, and answer more (of the same) questions. From a practical point of view this makes no sense. We were at Kosair ER, transported to Kosair ER and then to Kosair ICU. Kosair should electronically transport information so that parents do not have to waste so much time repeating the same information over and over. All in all Robert threw up about 10 times Sunday night/Monday morning. Betsy finally laid to bed right next to Robert at 3:00 am.
It was a miserable night. Although I was exhausted from nauseous care and concern, fatigue and the late hour, the noises of the ICU were almost too much to ignore. The room situation is very strange. Patients do not have private rooms, just a curtain that is pulled between beds. I could hear every beep, buzzer, child's cry, door closing, siren, etc. I was glad to be there with Robert (and couldn't imagine it any other way) but it was a horrible night's sleep. I was up at 5:00 for more tests on Robert, and then again at 6:00 am with Robert throwing up again, and again. We both went back to sleep until 8:40. The doctor came around 10:00 am to check on Robert. He wants to keep him another night while I strongly want Robert to come home.
Robert continued to sleep most of the morning. I was able to get him some bread and rolls to eat (ever so slowly) to see if he could keep food down. I knew he needed food because he had fasted his breakfast meal which meant that even though we had just eaten enchiladas for dinner, there wasn't any reserve after throwing up the enchiladas. He needed something to settle and bread would be perfect with just a little water. It worked. At first he only wanted one little bit of bread. When the rolls came, he ate bite after bite until the whole roll was gone (they were good). He was also able to get some sips of water down. That made him tired and he went back to sleep until Mark and Marissa showed up around 2:00 p.m.
Robert played cards with the three of us for about 45 minutes when he needed more rest. He ate another roll and then fell back asleep. We let him sleep until the nurse came to move Robert to a normal room - no more ICU! Yippee!! Robert was moved to room 725 where he had his own room and bathroom. He still hasn't moved out of bed but it is good to have more privacy and peace and quiet. Now that Robert is awake we played more card games and waited for his dinner, doctor and hopefully discharge papers.
Robert had a nice surprise. Bishop Hill came to visit Robert in the hospital. Robert was looking very good when he came. He was alert and even smiling from time to time. We had a good chat with him before the doctor came. She examined Robert and said he could go if she got approval. When the Bishop left, Robert's dinner came - he ate some chicken and a few bites of mashed potatoes. Then the doctor came back to let us know he could go home. YEAH!!! After packing up and waiting on papers we left the hospital at 8:00 p.m.
It was almost 24 hours exactly that we had spent in the hospital. Robert felt a bit sick on the drive home but he was very happy to be home!
It started out as just another family walk ...
It was after dinner on a beautiful Sunday and we started out on our usual Sunday family walk. This time the kids grabbed a frisbee to play with while we walk the neighborhood. The Emonz were out enjoying the comfortable weather as well. Devon and Robert were ahead (and getting along so nicely - which is such a nice sight to see) while Mark and I were back with the girls. Mark would throw the frisbee to one of the boys and they would throw it back. Every once in a while I would intercept the frisbee and toss it to the boys. My arm isn't nearly as strong as any of theirs.
Well, this is were this is going to get difficult for me to recap... Mark mad a perfect throw to Robert but the wind caught it vesting it slightly to the left. Robert has his eye on the frisbee and adjusts his footing while running to be in position to catch the frisbee and doesn't see that he runs right into the fire hydrant, which doesn't budge and flips him head first into the concrete sidewalk. Robert lands head first followed by his left knee. He ran full force without any knowledge - I yelled out for Robert to watch out as soon as I saw the hydrant there but it was too late. Everything from this point on was all in super fast motion ... Robert didn't move ... All five of us ran to him as fast as we could. Betsy was the first there. "Robert, where do you hurt?" he doesn't answer, but grabs his knee. Mark asks, "Robert did you hit your head?" Betsy examines what she can see, and then rolls him over to see if he hit anywhere else. OH MY Goodness, a HUGE goose egg jets out of the left side of his head. This can't be happening. He was the one that was hurt last year with a severe head injury. Oh my goodness!
Immediately the whole family moves into action -"Jessica run and get my keys, says Mark. Mark scooped Robert's limp body into his arms and carries him back to the house. We load him in the car his head resting on Betsy's lap while Mark drives to Kosair's Children Hospital's emergency room. They admit him immediately, is seen by the doctor who orders x-rays of his knee & pelvis, c-spine and a cat scan.
Robert is really confused and doesn't understand what happened or where he is! This is very concerning to Mark and I. He knows his name, school, grade, friends, family, birthday and everything prior to the accident, but he doesn't understand what happened to him - and in all honesty, understandably because he didn't see what hit him, or what happened to him after he hit the hydrant.
Robert threw up while getting x-rays and then again around 10:30. Around that same time Trevor Olsen came to assist Mark in giving Robert a blessing. The Kosair at Brownsboro transported him via ambulance to Kosair's downtown after confirming there were NO internal injuries and NO broken bones! All test so far are very favorable in Robert's recovery. This news was a huge blessing and miracle. An accident like that was cause of much concern - it was very comforting to find out there wasn't anything beyond the concussion.
Betsy went with Robert in the ambulance to Kosair downtown while Mark went back to the house to be with the other kids. They were all very worried about Robert.
Well, this is were this is going to get difficult for me to recap... Mark mad a perfect throw to Robert but the wind caught it vesting it slightly to the left. Robert has his eye on the frisbee and adjusts his footing while running to be in position to catch the frisbee and doesn't see that he runs right into the fire hydrant, which doesn't budge and flips him head first into the concrete sidewalk. Robert lands head first followed by his left knee. He ran full force without any knowledge - I yelled out for Robert to watch out as soon as I saw the hydrant there but it was too late. Everything from this point on was all in super fast motion ... Robert didn't move ... All five of us ran to him as fast as we could. Betsy was the first there. "Robert, where do you hurt?" he doesn't answer, but grabs his knee. Mark asks, "Robert did you hit your head?" Betsy examines what she can see, and then rolls him over to see if he hit anywhere else. OH MY Goodness, a HUGE goose egg jets out of the left side of his head. This can't be happening. He was the one that was hurt last year with a severe head injury. Oh my goodness!
Immediately the whole family moves into action -"Jessica run and get my keys, says Mark. Mark scooped Robert's limp body into his arms and carries him back to the house. We load him in the car his head resting on Betsy's lap while Mark drives to Kosair's Children Hospital's emergency room. They admit him immediately, is seen by the doctor who orders x-rays of his knee & pelvis, c-spine and a cat scan.
Robert is really confused and doesn't understand what happened or where he is! This is very concerning to Mark and I. He knows his name, school, grade, friends, family, birthday and everything prior to the accident, but he doesn't understand what happened to him - and in all honesty, understandably because he didn't see what hit him, or what happened to him after he hit the hydrant.
Robert threw up while getting x-rays and then again around 10:30. Around that same time Trevor Olsen came to assist Mark in giving Robert a blessing. The Kosair at Brownsboro transported him via ambulance to Kosair's downtown after confirming there were NO internal injuries and NO broken bones! All test so far are very favorable in Robert's recovery. This news was a huge blessing and miracle. An accident like that was cause of much concern - it was very comforting to find out there wasn't anything beyond the concussion. 
Betsy went with Robert in the ambulance to Kosair downtown while Mark went back to the house to be with the other kids. They were all very worried about Robert.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Poor 99 Corolla Blows a head gasket
Jessica loves her car - it's really not her car, but it is the car we let her drive to seminary, school, practice, games and work so that we don't have to drive her.
About a month ago Mark added oil to the car (he has to do this every so often since it's an older car - 1999).
Today we took her car into the Pennzoil shop for a oil change, as usual. When the tech opened the hood he said, do you know there isn't an oil cap on your engine.
"WHAT!!!" Betsy exclaimed! "This is very bad news!, oh my gosh!" We both (Mark and I) hopped out of the car to see with our own eyes. The cap was gone, oil marks were splattered all over the engine area. What a mess, plus the question remained, "What damage has been done to the engine?"
Luckily there is a Track Auto down the street so Mark quickly ran down the street and purchased an engine cap. We had the oil change completed and then took the car to Ken Towery to be evaluated. It took them all day to call us back, only to tell us that the head gasket is blown and the engine needs replacing! Oh my goodness!
This was not part of the plan. This car was supposed to make it two more years! Jessica would leave it for Devon and Devon would drive it until he left for college. WOW! What a blow. Now we have to evaluate our options and determine the best thing to do.
Options include:
1) don't replace the car until Devon earns his license, but that leaves Jessica without a car for 6 weeks before she goes to college.
2) trade the car in now, but that's a large expense that we hadn't budgeted for until 2013.
3) continue to let Jessica drive it until it completely won't drive any more and then trade it in for a car
4) continue to let Jessica drive it until it completely dies and then purchase a car from the mission office.
Cars are so expensive, plus college payments are due! When it rains it pours - however - I am not complaining. I am so grateful it was Mark and I that found out, and that the car didn't cease up on Jessica while she was driving. We are so grateful the car made it through her senior year. It's been a great little car for us - Jessica will be so disappointed not to have her car! Daddy will be so disappointed that it didn't last two more years.
Betsy's Week of Freedom
This has been a very unusual week for me. Essentially, all the kids are gone (at least for the majority of the day).
Jessica is in Michigan visiting with her friend and future roommate, Jenny Orr.
Devon is working full time
Marissa is at Young Women's Camp
Robert is at Bellarmine Full day (9:00-8:00) soccer camp.
That leaves me with an enormous amount of time to do whatever I want without listening to children argue, complain or whine! "Oh, the freedom and liberation!" After the first day it also is "oh, the quiet, peaceful, productive day," but by day four it is "maybe it's too quiet?, I miss Marissa and Jessica so much!"
I've been doing all the scout merit badge allocations, scrapbooking, blogging, and going to the pool on beautiful sunny (to be continued)
Jessica is in Michigan visiting with her friend and future roommate, Jenny Orr.
Devon is working full time
Marissa is at Young Women's Camp
Robert is at Bellarmine Full day (9:00-8:00) soccer camp.
That leaves me with an enormous amount of time to do whatever I want without listening to children argue, complain or whine! "Oh, the freedom and liberation!" After the first day it also is "oh, the quiet, peaceful, productive day," but by day four it is "maybe it's too quiet?, I miss Marissa and Jessica so much!"
I've been doing all the scout merit badge allocations, scrapbooking, blogging, and going to the pool on beautiful sunny (to be continued)
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