Good Morning...I think Benjamin has surpassed all previous records of staying out of the hospital, this time making it from July...until yesterday.  He's ok, but has had a rough week with fever and 'stomach bug' type symptoms. Thankfully no one else is sick but he just got dehydrated enough that our pediatrician felt he needed to be hospitalized yesterday.  I realized how bad he looked (and how worried they were) when they asked if I'd like them to call an ambulance to take him in.  I declined and we made a stop by home to pick up a few things.  Jamie cancelled her plans for the evening to come along and help (thank you again!) and spent the night here with Ben and I.  He's looking considerably better already and I'd like to get out of here before we get something we didn't come with!  We'll see how the day goes, but thanks for praying for him to recover and hopefully the rest of us to stay well for awhile here too.  Blessings to you all this Christmas season!

Hi Friends,

Our blog has been very quiet, usually an indication that things are quiet at the Julian home...relatively speaking. It's been a very low key week as 6 out of 7 of us caught a respiratory virus. Thankfully it hit hardest right after finishing the kids CYT shows, so the timing was just perfect. David was first and had some sore throat and cough last weekend, but thankfully was able to perform without a hitch and finished out CYT really strong. We're proud of him. I woke up not feeling well on Monday and Larry also began having symptoms. He's been unusually healthy, having not called in sick for over 6 months. It's been a real answer to prayer. Jamie, Anne and Benjamin developed varying degrees of symptoms as the week progressed but I hesitate to whine much...this is SO much better than the stomach flu, I'll take respiratory illnesses anytime. About the time I started feeling better, my voice began to disappear and I'm still alternating between croaking and squeaking, but feel fine. It bugs Krissy ("talk LOUD, Mom"). Probably bugs other people to listen to me too, but they are polite enough to not say so.

We enjoyed being with our friends, the Wrights, last night to celebrate David's friend Emily's 19th birthday. We were in their home last night and expect them here tonight after church.  We try and get together after Sat evening church often, have dinner and do our Face to Face (Bible Read Thru) together.  Their 3 kids are the same ages as our older 3 and they are all so close, it's great to share in reading the Word together.  It's been great to have more of the kids friends  joining them at church and they often invite them over too, afterwards.

We're expecting the Larry is scheduled to work Thanksgiving, but is first up y afor the night off if they are overstaffed. We don't have big plans...we'd like to go over to Mindy's in the evening if it works out, but for the most part, we'll enjoy hanging out together at home.  

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful in a fresh way for the joy there is in having a Savior and experiencing His grace to us. 

Love, Janelle

With our weather still feeling like early September, it's hard to believe that November is just around the corner. We are all fine here...5 kids in 4 schools (sounds easier than it is to keep track of who goes where, when) continues to keep me on my toes. I'm still so enjoying my twice daily drives to Damascus where Anne is enjoying her school year.Kristin is out of school today (the 3rd Friday in a row....what's that about????) but she's happy to be home and is really making some great progress. She's communicating better with some appropriate conversations. We're so happy to see her level of relationship skills. She reminded me over and over yesterday that it was Grandma's birthday. I've notice how she often expresses herself with "Sorry, Mom" when she knows she's done something she shouldn't have.  She very much loves being at home and will often opt for that over an outing. She continues to be especially attached to Jamie and I. She enjoyed helping me blow up balloons for David's 19th birthday on Wednesday.

Larry's mom is planning to come down the first weekend of November for the kid's fall shows, so she opted for the first time in many years, not to come for her birthday. Larry left here yesterday morning and after picking up his sister, headed north for Port Orchard where they celebrated her birthday with her.  He should be back this afternoon.  So glad they could do that!I opted to keep Benjamin home from school today too. He seems a little off, so prayers are appreciated. I didn't want to risk him sharing any illness with another child or the staff at school.

As you know, I left Doernbecher about 17 months ago after my boss (and wonderful friend) had her position eliminated. I felt that more would be expected from me and this was a time that I felt our family needed me more. The decision has given me a lot of peace and even though I usually only went up for part of one day a week, I'm not sure how I'd work that into our situation now. However we were concerned about my nursing license that needs renewal every 2 years. Finally, I got ahold of the State Board of Nursing and explained our situation with 2 special needs kids and Benjamin being 'medically involved'. They told me that caring for him totally qualifies for my requirement...in fact I can claim up to 16 hrs. per day for caring for him (and I only need to average 18 hrs/mo. to retain my RN license). That was such a relief. I didn't want to let it lapse, nor did I want to ever look at returning to school (refresher). But we just didn't see that it would work for me to go back to work right now. We are very thankful! It was funny....later the same week when our manager (for the programs thru the state that Benjamin and Krissy are a part of) was out, she asked if I'd be interested in working for them. She said I could basically pick up hrs while the kids are in school. It can be as small a caseload as I want...It's nursing delegation, meaning that I would visit other families with medically involved or medically fragile children and set up a care plan and assist in training their home care providers (catheters, vents, g-tubes, ostomy care, etc.) We'll see how that develops. I'm seeing/heeding the need to not say 'yes' to too many things. I was asked to speak to OHSU's medical students next week about having a child with chronic medical problems. I've done this 2 or 3 times before and I enjoy the opportunity...but it was Wednesday at 1pm....and it would take a lot of effort for me as our 2 little ones have early release on Wednesday. So I said, "call me again, but I think I better say no this time". That felt good :o)) Practice, Janelle, practice!

My mom is doing well and planning a trip to Montana in a couple weeks to celebrate my Aunt Margaret's 90th birthday. Dianne, Mindy and her daughter Aubrey are going too. I hate to miss it, but that's the weekend both of the shows open that our older kids are in. There's no way I can be gone.

We're beginning to work on some home projects that have needed doing for some time. We've lived here nearly 15 years, so things do wear out. It's fun to choose colors, carpet, etc....but wow....there are way too many options. Having been in Africa this summer, I think it really hits me in a fresh way. I'm hoping for more simplicity, less clutter in our home. And do you think we could keep the toys out of the living room and have it just be a calm peaceful place to go and 'be still'? Nah, I don't think so either. But maybe someday....Take care and catch us up on your news if we've not heard from you for a while...love, Janelle 

Sutures out....whew!

It's such a beautiful day!  I'm scheming to see how I can arrange getting out of town with (just) Larry next weekend.  It's his birthday and it would be so nice to get down to the beach together while it's still so beautiful out.  

I wish I could tell you what a breeze yesterday was...Krissy was scheduled up at Doernbecher to have her stitches removed, a very minor thing as we (all except Krissy) know.  However because she was so traumatized getting her finger put back together, we realized it was going to be a huge challenge to get near her.  I tried to talk her into it on Thursday night and she actually made it thru one of them coming out...but was just so anxious and it just seemed like she was unable to overcome that.  So, the back up plan was in place and we got her up to the hospital around 1pm.  We hoped she would breathe the gas thru the mask and that would be enough...but she hated it (kept saying 'take out the chocolate', which she's never liked)  He put a fruit flavor in it, but that didn't work either.  So the next try was an injection, which didn't work out any better.  She jerked her arm away and the needle came back out before delivery of the drug.  So....next came trying to convince her to drink Versed.....but by this time she was so upset, she knew anything we wanted her to do wasn't going to be pleasant.  We even tried getting her just to hold still and let the nurse take them out, but again, she couldn't.  So we had to hold her down while they gave her the shot of Ketamine....apparently a rather big dose. It was amazing.  Maybe 30 seconds later, her eyes were closing and we lifted her from the chair to the bed.  She was REALLY out.  Long after the sutures were gone, she was still deeply asleep and they felt they should start an IV just to have access.  Never anticipated that this was going to be so involved.  When she started to make some noises, they quickly pulled the IV, so she still doesn't know she ever had it which is nice.  In fact she's not talking about yesterday at all, so I'm hoping she really doesn't remember.    Jamie and I sort of wish we couldn't remember too.   The staff kept telling me when Jamie was out of earshot that they couldn't believe how wonderful she was with Krissy.  She loves her sister so much and boy does Krissy love Jamie!  We finally got Krissy upright, but she was so punchy...I don't know that I've seen someone act that inebriated without any alcohol....it had us all laughing. Unfortuately the medicine did make her sick to her stomach for several hours, so that made the ride home alittle more, uh stressful in Friday rush hour traffic.   She woke up feeling like herself so, we can close the book (i certainly hope) on this injury.  I think she's quite afraid of the bike at school now, which is fine by me.  

The older kids are in their first weekend of rehearsals for the fall CYT shows.  I'm sure we'll get thru it, but the forcast is quite involved/busy with them going in different directions and us having parental responsibilities on both sides of the river.  Their shows open the same weekend (same night, in fact).  David's last one, so I'm happy he got to be in the one he wanted. 

Hope it's beautiful where you are....definitely September is my favorite month :o)

Love Janelle

It's a beautiful September afternoon and yes, surprisingly calm, even at the Julian house.  The 3 older kids have left for CYT class, Larry is sleeping so it's just the 3 of us left hanging out together.  I love these beautiful fall days.  I think I've decided September is my favorite time of the year.

Anne is attending Damascus Christian High this year and this morning I was reflecting on how much I enjoy that beautiful drive out to the country.  I put some great music on and really am enjoying it.  Maybe in February it won't have quite the same effect on me, but for now, I'm a happy taxi driver.

Yesterday I looked out back and Benjamin was enjoying a maple leaf he had found.  In fact he was enjoying chewing on it.  I don't get it...he will not eat food, but yard debris?? Bring it on~ Apparently they aren't poisonous...I meant to look it up and forgot :o(

Krissy is now scheduled with the Pediatric Sedation Services at Doernbecher on Friday to have her stitches out.  Our local pediatrician's office didn't think it would be safe to try doing this in the clinic since she was so traumatized having them put in.  Seems so silly for a suture removal, but I agree...I think she would be too afraid to cooperate.   I may still try and talk her into it come Thursday night, but for now, we're scheduled.  They plan to give her a "Ketamine Dart"....an injection (not an IV) to sedate her.  Reminds me of what they do to capture wild animals.  Hmmmm, now that I mention it.....maybe it is the same thing?  I'll let you know how that all goes.

Our 3 kids auditioned for 2 different shows (Anne here in Portland, David and Jamie in Vancouver) so a busy fall awaits us...and that's just what we know about. This is David's last show as he will 'age out'...turns 19 in October.  

David and Jamie started fall term at Mt Hood CC yesterday.  David is in chemistry this term as well as continuing his studies in Criminal Justice (this time Juvenille Justice).  He's also taking a writing class.  Jamie is continuing her pre-nursing classes as well as working in another Spanish class and ballet with some friends.  

Larry developed an abscess tooth over the weekend and was noticably swollen up by Sunday evening.  He was able to see an emergency dentist yesterday and is now on antibiotics.  Hopefully he'll begin to feel better.  It really made him feel awful and was quite painful.  He continues to maintain his record of attendance at work...he's not called in sick for many months now...a real record for him and an answer to prayer.  We have good friends who faithfully pray for his health.

I'm staying busy.  I keep my eyes open for a very part time nurse position, but am really not sure that I can work it into our busy lives.  I love being at home with the family, being available for whoever needs me and baking cookies inbetween school runs.  God continues to provide for all of our needs.  

Hope you're well too and enjoying this beautiful fall weather.

Janelle

First day of school :o), 2nd day of school :o(((

Happy September....I think~After Krissy not ever feeling well on our trip to Disneyland, we were so happy to return home on Thursday evening. She must have stated in a loud, emotional voice about 30 times on the flight home "WE'RE GOIN' DOWN!". Hopefully no fearful flyers sitting nearby....I wasn't about to look around. We kept her home from school Friday and she just hung out at home on the weekend.Which made yesterday, her first day of school. It didn't actually start out very well....she was agitated from the get-go, then plopped down on the wet front grass and said she wasn't going. We did manage to talk her into getting onto the bus with her assistant, and the report from school was that she did pretty well.So...I was alittle perplexed when I saw the school phone number in my cell phone caller ID about 10 am this morning, when it rang. The teacher said Krissy had cut her finger quite badly on a bike at school, so I said I'd come down and have a look. Jamie came with me. Krissy was very shook up. They had paper towels wrapped around her finger to control the bleeding. I didn't even look at it. From the sounds of it, we needed to get to the doctor, so we went to the Emergency Room at Mt Hood. A very long story short, she had a nerve block, an xray, oral sedation, then an IV for IV sedation and finally we got her finger put back together...like 3 hrs of drama later. Poor little thing. Anyway, that girl can fight when she believes in something, let me tell you. At one point, both she and Jamie were crying.Nana and I are leaving shortly to take Krissy to Red Robin. This was a promised trip before today happened....Red is there, 6-8 pm, so hopefully he's ready for us. As always, keep us in your prayers. Larry is very thankful these 2 weeks happened after I returned from Uganda.

Janelle

Greetings from Disneyland...We flew down early Monday morning and we realized something was wrong with Krissy almost immediately when she announced that she wasn't going to Disneyland and wanted to go home.  WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT????  We've convinced her to go over briefly each day, but she's not been well since arriving and is happiest curled up in bed in our hotel room, playing with a toy or listening to music.  David's girlfriend Emily arrived with her Grandma this morning (her grandma's graduation present) and they will be here for 6 days.  When we realized we both had trips planned about the same time, we decided it would be fun to spend one day together.  Jamie stayed in the room with Krissy this morning while the 4 of us went on Indianna Jones and Splash Mountain (twice...no waiting!!!)... then they headed over with a picnic lunch and met us.  After seeing these 3 characters (it was great, standing in one line for all 3!) and having a PBJ sandwich,  Krissy wanted her hand stamped and 'go back to the hotel'.  So she and I are having a quiet afternoon, and I'm hoping we can convince her to go over to the "World of Color" tonight at California Adventure.

Appreciate prayers that she'll soon be feeling better.  You know she's not well when she's turning down Disneyland!