Heavy snow warning

Well in 2 minutes, we will be under a heavy snow warning through tomorrow evening at 7pm. The kids went to school today, after having 2 days off. I have to say, they did a great job being home. Tuesday I went in to work at noon until Doug picked me up just after 6 and then Wednesday I worked from 8-4 and had a meeting at lunch so I didn't get home then. when I talked to them on phone they were laughing and having a good time playing games. Apparently Ryan is really good at finding places to hide for hide and go seek, Brad was cracking up at the places Ryan could hide.

Blizzard conditions

Okay, so yesterday was 45 degrees and it rained, then the temp took a nose dive and within hours, we had ice, snow and blizzard conditions and right now it's 8 degrees with a wind chill of -12 . Brr there are over 300 school closings. Our electric flickered on and off a few times though out the night. Our Honeywell call from the school letting us know we had a snow day came at about 4am ( yes, I left my phone on to get the call!!!! ) It took Doug about an hour to get to work ( a trip that generally takes about 23 minutes) He just called to let me know he made it. Nancy said she can't get out of her driveway yet so until she can we can't go to work, I am ready and waiting though. I just saw on the news Grand Valley is closed today... wow! The kids are still sleeping. Ryan asked me yesterday when Spring will be here.

I'm a terrible mom

You'd think since it's 45 degrees outside at 7am there wouldn't be a snow day right? It's not snowing... I got up when the alarm clock went off, Doug left early so I had to set my clock, he wasn't there to wake me up or turn on the TV.... So I got up, got the kids up, was sending them out the door when Doug called and said "So schools closed today huh?" I had no idea, I never turned on the TV or checked my email like I usually do. So on a day when we could of ALL slept in ( I start work at noon) I had them up and about out the door. I feel like such a terrible mom, my poor kids!!!

Another January thaw....

I took these pictures on Thursday. Now, we begin to thaw... it's 45 degrees today. It was beautiful though! Thankfully I didn't have to go out in it, I was home for 3 days with a sick boy. Luckily we did have a snow day on Wednesday so he only missed 2 days...

Snow

Wow, Saugatuck is closed, Discovery El is closed, Hamilton is closed..... Fennville, the bus just came we have a good 6 inches of snow just in the driveway and it's still snowing and we have school today, I hope nobody gets hurt on thier way to school today, there are over 200 school closings and we didnt' even get a delay. Accross the news right now they said Allegan County has multilple slide offs and 2 school busses have gone into the ditch, but they've transferred kids to another bus and nobody was hurt. I'd say, not so far....

UGH!!!

Bummer, the Packers lost in overtime!!

Great Day

Wow, what a day!! We had the benefit!! There really weren't as many people there as I thought there would be, but the weather I'm sure played a huge role, We had a snow day on Friday and as the day went on the roads cleared up, but then later in the day it came back, snowing. blowing , just January Michigan nasty stuff... And it hasn't stopped yet, it is REALLY cold with wind chills below zero. But anyway, we had our Sloppy joes and chips, pickles and desserts, and we had a TON left!! Schmucks freezer is full of sloppy joes as are the rest of ours!! ( I'm not complaining, they are Cranes Sloppy joes!!) We had SO much help!! The boyscout troop 45 came to help thier brother scout and served drinks, cleared tables, helped carry plates for people, I was in the kitchen the whole time, but I heard they did a GREAT job.... They and the scout leaders all left just before 2, they had Klondike Derby practice until 4:30.. the rest of us stayed to clean up which went really well and really fast, and we got everything delivered back to where it needed to go ( mostley to Cranes, we used thier pots, warmers, spoons ect) and then since we only have 1 car yet, I rode to Dave and Denises, with Denise where the boys were and we counted the money, we wanted to see how we did. My "guesstamite" was if we sold all 300 "joes" we would make around $1500, but we didn't sell that many, maybe around 1/2 ( a lot of people came in put money in the box and didn't eat) So I was a little worried, but we started counting the money and we made a total of $1700 We were THRILLED!!! And donations are still coming in. Doug the kids and I had to go to Clemantines last night for Mimi's birthday dinner but had planned to meet up with the Johnsons at Schmucks afterwards so we could give them thier money. Denise even gift wrapped it. They guessed between $400-$600, needless to say, when we gave them thier total, Candi and Vicki (her mom) were in tears... and Ray, was speechless ( which is unusual for him ) They said it would really help with thier deductable and thier co-pays that have been adding up. So all in all, we really made a difference, and even though we didn't get as many people there as we'd hoped, it was the big hearts of the people that came in, Ryan stood right by the food window and thanked everyone for coming, needless to say, he was exhausted by the end, he wouldn't sit down.
Denise and I took the money and counted it, and then we all went to Schmucks after we got back from Clems, to present it to them, when we were leaving Ryan gave me the biggest hug, that was the best reward for all this, What a great family!!

Going well

Well, the benefit is coming together really well!! Cranes is actually going to make the Sloppy joes for me, I had all the burger donated, buns, chips, pickles, plates, napkins, cups, silverware and lots of people are making desserts!! I have a feeling, we're going to run out of food before 2pm. I also got 5 fleece blankets donated to raffle off. I don't think I've ever felt so good about something. I actually feel like I've done something to make a difference. This family moved into our community about 3 years ago, there boys are the sames ages/grades as ours. We've always known them, but just basically saw each other at school/sports things, but in the last year or so with Scouts/School/Sports we started doing stuff with them and the Johnson's. We all have so much fun as do the kids. I think the last time I did something I was really excited about for a friend would be a surprise birthday party... when the birthday girl fell to the floor, did you really not know about it??!! ;-) I'll stop blabbering now!!
On a different note it is COLD here!! But we actually saw sunshine all day!! I had forgotten how happy it makes me feel!! More snow is on the way.
Doug's transmission has passed away in his car, that's not so good, so we are juggling one car right now. I think I have to walk to a hair appt. tomorrow, but I get the car on Friday, I decided if I had to choose one day, I pick Friday. He's got a lead on a new tranny, but we'll see if it pans out cheap enough.
The dryer needs parts, I keep having to go to the laundry mat to dry any really big or heavy load.
The oven seems to need a new heating element ( I hope that's it) it's not getting hot enough, but we do have a spare oven downstairs.
That's about all that's going on here ;-)

Bad news

Well, Ryan S. went for his Dr.'s appt. yesterday, he didn't get very good news, they go for a 3rd opinion yet this week, so far, it looks like he's going to lose his eye. I guess he's taking it better than his parents. I'm still praying for a miracle!!

The plans for the lunch on Saturday are going well, we've had tons of offers for help and donations. I hope we raise lots of money to help the Schmucks!!

Home today!!!!

Here is Ryan post surgery. Today is the day he came home!!! His little brother Nathan will be SO happy, he really missed his mom. They have lots of Dr. appts. next week.
As the busses pass thier house, they are all going to honk and as people drive by, they are all honking too. His Aunt and thier Neighbor decorated the house with 30 balloons before he got home. As of right now, he's on the couch, with his pillows and he fleece "fire" blanket I made him. We will visit tomorrow. When the Schwan man comes tonight, I will buy some chocolate ice cream for him to take with us tomorrow. We'll keep praying for the vision in his right eye to re-establish!!

Accident update

Ryan had his reconstruction surgery today. It took around 8 hours. A long time for a kid to be in surgery, Here is what his mom wrote on thier care page...

It is 5:30p and Ryan is now out of surgery. He is doing well, he has not woken up yet and it will be a couple of hours. The Plastic Surgen said that everything went very well, and there should be no further surgeries on his part. We will be doing another CT on his head Wednsday to make sure that all the bone are in place. Now our big prayer is to concentrate on the right eye. Please keep praying for vision to re establish in the right eye. If the vision does not return shortly then we will be concerdering removing the eye and putting in a prostisis. Until he heals his face will be swollen, but the Ryan humor will still be there. Thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming. Ray, Candi, Ryan, and Nathan

We will keep praying that the vision will return!! I am getting the benefit together, I've had so many people offer to help, I think we will do it on a Saturday and do a lunch.. sloppy joes, chips, ect. It may be on the 19th of January and be held at the fire station... More details as they come together.

On a freaky note, what's up with 63 degrees and a tornado watch and thunderstorm warnings today??

Saturday

We spent a good 3 hours at the Hospital on Saturday. I made him a fleece blanket with a fireman theme, he really liked it, his grandmas was so impressed with it, she told me when her birthday was. About 15-20 minutes after we got there the Johnson's got there. We knew they were on thier way up. Matthew Bradley and Ryan S. wandered around the hallways of the hospital for awhile to check the place out. Ryan B, Nathan and Sarah went to the Play area for awhile, or they sat in Ryan S.'s room and played Mario on game cube. Ryan S was reading jokes to me out of a joke book before the Johnson's got there, so that was great!! We all sat around and talked and joked around and discussed the accident. I think it did everyone good to just be together for awhile, it's what we all normally do on a Saturday, although, usually at someones house and usually at night ;-) After we left the hospital we went to McDonalds with the Johnsons, they are still pretty down but hopefully doing a little better than before, Denise says it bothers Dave to see Ryan, knowing he could lose his eye. ( Pray that it recovers!!) Then last night the Johnson's came over and played cards with us and we laughed and had a good time, and then Ray and Nathan Schmuck stopped by on thier way home for a little bit and he thought the game looked like fun and it is perfect for 6 players, so we can't wait until Ryan is home and doing better so we can all get together and play.
Ryan has his reconstuctive surgery tomorrow, he's pretty nervous about it.
The Johnsons gave them a gas card to help with those expenses, the Hotel in town ( Dave's mom) gave them a $100 gift certificate to help with food costs ( they have great pizza) the Fire Dept is giving them $500 this next week and I am still working on some sort of benefit to help raise money to help them out too. Ryan will be in the hospital until at LEAST next weekend.

More

This is Ryan Schmuck.

I guess the plastic surgeon decided to do the surgery to repair the bones around the eye socket, cheek and sinus area Monday on Ryan.They also changed the days to when they decide if the eye will regain vision or if they need to remove it from 5 days to 14 days. I made him a fleece blanket yesterday with a fireman type design on it, he will love it. ( His dad is a fireman too) We are going up this afternoon to see him. It's pretty cool because at Spectrum Health you can set up a carepage and put updates, info and pictures on it, so family and friends can keep up to date on his progress.

Bradley is at Basketball this morning, Doug had to go tell the coach in charge that Ryan Schmuck will not be playing this year.

I emailed a Middle school teacher asking her about some way to raise money to help the Schmucks or how to go about it. No matter how good thier insurance is, there are still the expenses of driving between here and there, eating there and missing work. I also think the fire dept should do some sort of benefit dinner or somthing. Also the boy scouts should do somthing!!

update

I talked to Ray Schmuck this morning. Ryan saw a tiny bit of light when they checked him last night. They will keep testing it over the next few days, they are thinking his next surgery will be on Wednesday to repair his eye socket and possibly to put in a glass eye if they don't think his is going to make it. Ryan is upbeat and up walking around and making silly comments like normal. The Dr. asked Ryan if he was having any problems with his head while feeling around it and Ryan said, "ya, I have dandruff" so that is typical Ryan. I still need to find a way to raise $$ for them or get them gas cards ect.
The Johnsons on the other hand are still not doing well. They are having a really hard time and feel responsible, there are stories going around town already and they worry about what kids are going to say about Matthew when they go back to school Monday.
Keep the prayers coming for everyone.

Need Prayers

I know with the help of many of you that read my blog, the extra prayers will make a difference. We have a group of friends we do things with, the Johnson's ; Dave, Denise , Matthew (11), Sarah (8) and the Schmucks ; Ray, Candy; Ryan (11), Nathan (8) , all the kids are involved in Scouts (Sarah is a girl scout though) and all are in the same grades, except Sarah whom is in 3rd, but close enough. Anyway, on to why the extra prayers are needed.... Last night Ryan S. stayed the night with Matthew, they were outside sledding behind a snowmobile. Matthew was driving , Ryan was riding, Ryan fell off the sled, Matthew turned around to come back to get him and Ryan hid in a snowbank, and Matthew no knowing where he was ran him over with the snowmobile.. the Helmet shattered. ( Thank goodness there was a helmet, Dave and Denise will not let anyone play without a helmet when it comes to that sort of stuff. ) Long story... a little shorter, Ryan is in Spectrum health Pediatric ICU He came out of a surgery this morning at around 6am, his eye socket shattered. They are going to do light testing over the next couple days, if he can't see any light through it, they will have to remove the eye. They are also concerned with Brain swelling due the the head trauma, as of about an hour ago, he's awake, knows where he is and knows what happened... Now on to the other family. They feel horrible, they feel it's their fault. Matthew told his parents he will never get on a snowmobile again and wants to kill himself because it's all his fault. Denise told me this awhile ago. I said he needed to see a counselor right away. So I got their ins. info and found a great place recommend by another friend of mine who's son is also a friend, so I called them, gave them the story found out they accept their ins. so I called Denise back and gave her the #, so I'm hoping she's called, I think the whole family needs to go.. they are devastated. The Schmucks have told them it was an accident and accidents happen, but Johnson's still feel responsible. I feel so bad for all of them!!! I wish there was something I could do.. I wonder if there is a way to put on some sort of benefit to help with the expenses.. I don't even know how to go about that. Hmmmm
Anyway, please send lots of extra prayers this way. Thank you!!

Happy New Year

This is what we woke up to this morning. It started last night before we left and has yet to stop. Brad had to clear the driveway a second time and we have more than double the snow than in these pictures.( Bradley loves to clear the driveway) It's very pretty, but there have been a lot of accidents. Just the way the snow has stuck to all the branches on all the trees is beautiful.

We had a great time last night, We dropped the kids off at Mimi & Papa's and then off to our party. I said I was a "heavy" drinker because I put Ice cubes in my water... makes it heavy... Doug didn't celebrate the new year like he did his birthday. We got home about 1:00 am and Doug sat out in the living room to watch TV for a bit and I crawled under my electric blanket and watched TV for a bit. We both woke up around 8am both feeling great!! ( pays to not celebrate too hard) and showered and went to pick up the kids. Ryan was still sleeping , they stayed up till midnight to watch the ball drop. Since we got there just as Mimi got breakfast done, we ate. Ryan was REALLY happy to wake up and have us there. I think we all had fun. I played a new game called Apples to Apples, it was really fun. I've heard I'm pretty competitive.. I won ;-) that's a game that can take hours, fun for a crowd.
Happy New Year!!