Monday, July 13, 2015

Monday! Monday!!! Damsel in Distress!

Thank the Lord Louis Dean was beginning to feel better because we had a damsel in distress today!
Actually it was Amber and she was really, really sick! You know, the kind of 'sick' that you simply can't function and take care of yourself let alone anyone else - much less FOUR little someones!
My knight in shining armor drove us over to Quadville in his galloping white steed - aka his Big White Truck!  Louis Dean was taking Amber to the doctor and  I was staying with the kids. Amber managed to hobble out carrying a small wastebasket (which came in handy!) and I helped her in the truck and off they went. I went inside to take care of the 'babies.'

The first thing we did was have a Tea Party! Of COURSE!!


They never tire of these and I will continue them as long as I possibly can!


This is their cat, Bandit. They are all really enjoying him!

After I cleared our tea things away we did some housework!
It's never too early to teach children to do chores.
All four of my children could run the house (if they needed to) by the time they were 12 years old.
Boys and girls. The first chore I gave mine was folding washcloths.

I think the first chore I taught the quads was Windexing - is that even a word? (NO!)


They love to clean!!!
Clean Away! Wipe Away!!!


My first video with the new camera!


They were creative in getting to the hard to reach places!


I had so much fun when I went outside to do the doors!
I would spray and they would wipe frantically and you could see them trying to figure out why it wasn't working! They would wipe and I would wipe the same place at the same time - it was FUN!

By the time the windows were done, the kids were playing chase through the house and I was fixing lunch!


These lids are little sweethearts to one another - most of the time!

Naps followed and by this time Louis Dean had called to tell me the doctor was sending her to the ER. All four quads asked me if I had brought Farmer Boy! No, I had not. Harrison said, "Well, did you bring Miss Piggle Wiggle???" They managed to find me a few books to read but they first gave me the book I had tucked in my purse for ME to read. Apparently they are used to me reading 'big books' with only a few illustrations and after looking through 'It Was on Fire When I Lay Down' - they thought this one fit the bill!

They pretty much went right to sleep and I stretched out on the floor between their two rooms and napped myself!

We played quietly upstairs for a little while before coming down and when we did - everyone was home! Mike had come home early and Louis Dean had just brought Amber back.


Our afternoon craft  was making Cheerios necklaces!!


Logan made hers completely by herself - except for tying the knots!!


It was a good activity for eye hand coordination and all four did well.


They thought it was so clever to make a necklace you could snack on!!


Look at that handsome Big Brother!!!!
He told Trystan today, "Trissy, you look so pretty!!!"


On Wednesday when they come here we're going to make colored necklaces using Fruit Loops!


Louis Dean held up pretty good today.
He was needing his medicine by the time we got home tonight!


We left right after dinner and clean up. LD had gone to the store later this afternoon and bought a roasted chicken, potatoes ( for the Pioneer Woman's SMASHED potatoes!) and some canned green beans along with a cantaloupe.
Easy enough meal and I had made Gingerbread Pudding with Lemon Snaps for dessert.

Here's the update Amber posted to Facebook a few minutes ago:

"An update for family & friends: Been sick for weeks and woke up in really bad shape today. Went to doctors office and strep test was negative but blood work showed bacteria. Then got sent to ER for IV treatments and they were testing for meningitis, but thankfully it turned out to just be a virus. Got treated for severe dehydration as well as migraine and received steroids which have already helped my throat feel better. Still waiting on a few more test results, including mono.
Must say how wonderful my dad, Louis Chapman, is. He took me to the doctor and ER and took great care of me and is one of the most patient people I've ever known! And I'm so grateful for my mom, Linda Chapman, who swooped in to take care of the kids. Mike is an amazing dad and has been taking on extra things with the kids at home to help me get a break, too.
It's hard enough to be sick for a long time but when a mom is completely down and out, it's super tough. I really hope I can finally make a full recovery! Thanks to all for your heartfelt messages and texts and for those who immediately offered to jump in and help. I am very blessed to have such a great support system!"

I forgot to take slippers over to Quadville and walked around barefoot on their hard surface floors until my feet were aching so bad I would think twice about walking from here to there!
It finally dawned on me to wear a pair of Amber's!!
Even so, I will take Tylenol PM to help with the pain!
The dryer is humming and there are fresh sheets on the bed.
I showered as soon as I got home. I don't want to be getting sick and my sister, Deanie, has taught me well!

I may read a few minutes and Louis Dean usually reads for an hour or so. Then if he still can't sleep he will go in the guest room and keep reading! His book of choice lately has been a Willie Nelson autobiography. He thinks the subject matter may not be conducive to slumber so tonight he is turning to Mark Twain!


Summer bought these vintage books for him a few Christmases ago.
I think he will be going to sleep with a smile on his face!!

My last good bit of news - my car is fixed!!
Our neighbor across the street who just so happens to be a distant cousin of mine, is a mechanic.
He came over about 9:00 tonight and fixed it!!! Something about it being a throttle something or other that had to do with a sensor.

Tomorrow is Tuesday and I have WHEELS again!!!


19 comments:

Jutta said...

The saving angels aka Chapman grandparents! Wonderful news that LD was feeling so well that he could be back to what he is namely help the loveones. It must have felt so good, Linda, although your worry about Amber.
Your good news made the sun come out this morning and gave me a warm good feeling! I do remember that you promised to Amber you will always help her and definitely you stand behind those words. Priceless!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Well Linda, this was a HUGE day. Prayers for Amber bless her. Prayers for LD too and you and all the littles and Mike.

Estelle's said...

I came here first to read an update on your beautiful daughter! Y'all are such troopers..the blessing of family and leaving close means everything! Very good news! Hope everyone continues with TLC...hugs Linda!

Lynne said...

Wow! What a day! You are the dearest, sweetest family. Hugs and prayers to all of you, Linda.
( I must put Fruit Loops on my shopping list!)
~Lynne
w/L

Susie said...

Linda, You and LD are lifesavers. You have always been so helpful with Amber and the children. She knows how blessed she is. She's a great girl. You should leave some shoes at Ambers that you can wear in the house. I can not go barefoot very long either...kills me. To think I went barefoot all summer long, growing up....could walk on hot pavement and tarred gravel alleys..had feet like leather , all of us kids did then. LOL. I am praying that all of you get well 100 percent and are able to stay that way. Love you, Susie
p.s. those children are adorable.

Amber said...

I am so grateful for you and LD!!! And look at what an Awesome day the kids still had, despite me being so sick! That's really awesome

Arlene G said...

What would we do without caring parents? So glad that Amber is feeling better and how great that your car is fixed. I know that was a big drain on you Linda. I hope you sprayed some Windex on you and LD to keep the germs away.( You will get that if you like the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding! where Windex cures everything!).

must love junk said...

So sweet of you to step in and help Amber! (Hope she's feeling better!)
Those quads are so adorable! :)
Susan

Stacey said...

So glad Amber is getting better. I love seeing you teaching the kids to clean. They really love to do what they see their loved ones doing. :)

Changes in the wind said...

"A family that pulls together, stays together" Great example to us all.

Linda said...

I can not stand to not have wheels, even if I don't have plans to leave the house. I'm so glad that LD is better and that Amber is better also. She is so blessed to have such wonderful family to take care of her and the quads.

Linda said...

Linda, great photos, and so nice Amber had you to help. I hope she is feeling better.

Vee said...

Oh my heavens! Amber has been sick for weeks? Praise God that you both were able to help in a time of trouble. Praying for all to come to complete health and restoration. I see the quads loved the special sewing equipment. I imagine that Fruit Loop necklaces may be a challege to make as they taste so good! Hoping that today is calm and easy.

MadSnapper said...

well you certainly had A Day... so glad Amber is better and hope the test find what is wrong so she can get back to good help... she is blessed to have the 3 of you to take care of her and the quads.

Cheapchick said...

Wow, so glad Amber is ok and the LD was well enough to drive her to the Dr when you took care of the littles. I hope she feels better soon.

Nonnie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter being so sick and hoping she makes a good recovery soon. Those kids are the cutest. We still have tea parties at our house, too and I never get tired of it. I'm going to have to try some of the house cleaning adventures with the kids.
Also glad Louis Dean is better. A Willie Nelson biography? That should be some interesting reading. :-)

Kelly said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Amber has been so sick!!!! So relieved to know that she is starting to get better now though. I know how difficult it is to be sick and take care of a family at the same time. It's rough! You and LD are godsends to her.

Penny said...

Sorry to hear Amber had such a tough time, so glad she got diagnosis and treatment. Please take care of yourself Linda, you have been run ragged these past few weeks, and don't want to be the next one falling sick! X

Carla said...

Dang poor Amber. Love the cheerio necklace project.
I sure hope everyone gets to feeling better soon.
Glad you were able to be there for her