A World without walls
everyday life while homeschooling overseas
New Year's. That day that marks the beginning of a new year. It's time for everyone to write down a whole list of well-meaning goals that you just know isn't going to happen.... But at least you try for a week or two. Anyway, this really isn't about my personal goals (which, I admit, I do have). We had one of the most eventful New Year's Eve days that I think we've ever had! We started off the day with Devin making smoothies at Claire's request. After Claire had her smoothie, she told me her throat and face felt scratchy--like it does when she has nuts. Unfortunately, I told her she was just imagining things and she should drink some water and eat an apple, and she'd be fine. Then, the kids sat down to watch a movie and Claire told me she was feeling really sick and itchy. Again, being the good mom that I am, I told her just to lie still and she'll feel better. Well, she didn't. Within an hour, she had a SERIOUS reaction (we still don't know to what) and looked like she had eaten an almond (luckily it wasn't as serious as when she eats cashews, but still...), so I gave her a dose of Benadryl. It didn't do anything. I gave her another one and called Devin at the embassy. I left Josh in charge of the kids (my housekeeper was on the way, but I couldn't wait--besides, he's 10 and is pretty responsible) and zoomed off to the embassy with a very puffy Claire. I dropped her off to Devin so he could take her to the Health Unit while I tried to find somewhere to park. By the time I got in, Claire was worse (she had HUGE raised hives covering her whole body--especially her face and neck!!!) and the nurses had called motorpool for a ride and the emergency room to tell us we were coming. The nurse came with us with a huge bag full of emergency things (like oxygen and stuff) and we took off in the big armored SUV for the hospital. When we got to the hospital, even the doctors/nurses there made the 'oh my goodness' face for a split second before they put on their 'it's all ok and you'll be fine' face that they're supposed to always have on! Wow. They checked her over, gave her some shots, and within minutes of the shots the swelling went down and she looked almost totally normal (other than being pretty pale and puffy around the eyes still--from crying, of course)! She got a prescription for a week's worth of allergy meds. We had a fun time trying to find them, too. Most pharmacies said they didn't have it and it was hard to find. Silly. But, she's ok now, and you'd never know we were sitting in the emergency room all morning!! I don't like allergic reactions. Especially when I don't know what it was that caused it! No one had any nuts. We think MAYBE she had a reaction to the orange peel that Devin put into the smoothie--and the only reason we think this is because orange/grapefruit peel gives me an allergic reaction when I touch it. The oils make my face/mouth/tongue go totally numb. That's all we can think of. Total mystery. The doctors didn't know, either. Scary. Now, though, I know that when Claire says she's starting to feel scratchy, I do something about it. Yikes. After Claire's exciting trip to the hospital, we headed back to the embassy. One of Devin's co-workers owns a bird, and that bird laid eggs and they actually hatched! So, the guy had a whole bunch of birds and asked if we wanted some! Yes! So, we picked up the birds to take home with us. Everyone loves the little critters--that still have no name yet... I wanted to call them Alfred and Hitchcock: The Birds...but my kids didn't get it, so they're still nameless. 7 kids reading in bed: Bliss! After we picked up the birds, Claire and I went to the mall for some grocery shopping and to try to find the meds. It's always funny to go grocery shopping with Claire. She likes to stand in the candy aisle, holding her wallet, and trying to decide how much candy she can get with whatever allowance she has left. Ha! We finally got home and I was so beat... The kids and I were supposed to have gone to the Children's Museum since it was Monday (cleaning day), but the morning rush to the hospital sort of shot that. I started to make our New Year's Eve dinner, when Devin came home early! Hooray! They closed the embassy early, which was very nice of them. So, Devin took the kids to the Children's Museum while I made dinner! I made all the traditional things for New Year's Eve: Ham, black eyed peas, green beans, rolls, ice cream... We had some friends over for dinner and enjoyed some great times eating, playing, and watching movies! :) Then, three of my friend's boys (she has 4--and her husband is in Iraq right now) stayed the night with us! So, we had all 7 kids sleeping in one room! Woohoo!! Good times. The kids were all asleep by about 11pm, and we were too tired to try to stay up, so we all brought in the New Year by sleeping. Ha! So, happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2013 brings lots of fun and excitement and experiences that you'll never forget (in a good way)!
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I had the funniest dream. I dreamed that we were on vacation at a National Park with LOTS of friends and family there. I was in charge of giving tours on boats through this lake. The boat was a toy boat that fit about 4 matchbox cars. I pulled the matchbox cars in the boat over to a floating sewing machine where I would push a button and a small geyser would erupt behind it. Andrew and one of his cousins were inside of the matchbox cars and really liked the geysers. A dear friend whom I love dearly was crying over by the shore because one of her relatives had told her that she needed to climb to the top of the mountain next time, and she was sad because she thought that that meant they thought she was fat and lazy. I rolled my eyes and walked away. Then I was woken up by Peter poking me in the nose. LOVE jet lag dreams.
Summer camp for the kids today was swimming! I had absolutely NO problem sending the kids to camp today! Peter was so very excited! So, I got to work out at the gym and have a long chat with the CLO about household help and all kinds of other things going on, and then I checked my email for the first time on Mars. I had 125 emails, and only TWO of them were from people I knew! (Thanks, mom!) Stupid spam junk. I get all excited thinking that people are writing to me and wondering how I am…but it’s not. They just want me to buy more fabric and order some more books. Oh well. Today’s school time: the start of our popcorn experiment! More to come on that one! |
Who Am I?
As a Stay At Home Mom of 4 wonderful children, I have the amazing opportunity not only to home school them, but to do so in many different places! I am married to the most amazingly wonderful (and handsome) man in the whole world! Together, we seek out, every day, that Joy in the Journey that makes life exciting! Archives
November 2020
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Emily's books
by Dan Brown
I like that the plot twists and turns a lot...and it makes you think. However, I don't appreciate Dan Brown's endings in his books. I find the endings incongruent with the rest of his stories--why make it a romance for the last chapter...
by Shannon Hale
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for fairy tales/fantasy. This was so well written! I can't wait to read all the rest of her books!
by Shannon Hale
I'm reading this one again. I liked it the first time I read it. I'm still liking it for the second time around. I like all of Shannon Hales' books.
**Still lots of fun the second time around! I do like this book for a comfortable...
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