BB - 3 (1 mostly dead)
I had a doctor's appointment today to check out my sugar and triglyceride levels. I had great news. Back in October my triglycerides were 943 (WAY TOO HIGH!) and are now down to 143. My sugar level was 9.2 (AGAIN, WAY TOO HIGH!) and is now 6.2 - almost perfect! So, the combination of meds and weight loss have had a good effect. The doctor was pleased and encouraged me to "keep doing what you're doing". The only down fall to the whole visit was my blood pressure was slightly elevated. There was probably a reason for that, however.
Just prior to my visit, people from COMHAR came to inspect the house with the exterminator. I started to express my concern and grief and one of the men made the fatal mistake of saying, "I understand." WRONG!!!!! He in NO WAY could possibly understand what we have been through the last two months unless he has actually LIVED in my house. I offered to switch residences for a month, but he declined the offer - I wonder why?!?!? It seems they are listening a bit better, however. While I was at the doctor's Andy brought them into our house and showed them what he had found with the joists and how he filled it in. They have agreed to do the same thing on their side of the house, only they are going to take it a step further and do the upstairs as well. I have to mentally prepare my brain for this event. I am fearful that this will only drive MORE bed bugs into our home. But I have to realize that I would rather them be driven OUT of the walls to die then to stay there hibernating for up to 18 months (that's how long females can live without a meal!) PLEASE pray for me as I mentally prepare for the onslaught that may occur. We still haven't come to a conclusion as to how extermination is going to be paid for, but Andy and I have been told we should start contacting our state and city representatives. I had never thought of that and wish I had about a month ago. Andy and I have decisions to make as to whether we are going to take that route. We don't want to be fools and let this go on any longer than it has too, but we also want to settle this as calmly as possible. Please pray that we would make the proper decision. We want to follow God's plan, not our emotions. Thanks for your prayers - they are the reason I am still in Philadelphia. I would leave in a heartbeat if given the opportunity - but God has another plan for my life - one I never dreamed of, but I know He has a good plan. I just need to trust Him.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Poor Daniel
BB - 4 (2 dead)
Our poor boy is sick. He has been running a fever, though I couldn't tell you what it is because in all our chaos I can't find a thermometer. But I know it's up there. He has been sluggish all day and has hardly eaten anything. My poor baby. I so enjoy all the cuddles that come with his feeling lousy. He often comes to me and says "Hold you, mama". I love it. Motrin has been doing the trick, but as soon as it wears down, he is a poor sick little guy. Please pray that he would get better quickly. It's so sad when he is sick.
Matt had a better day today, but he has an incentive. Friday night is Men and Boys night at church. He had a blast there last year and REALLY wants to go this week. He knows the rule however. If school is not caught up, no activity. He worked pretty steadily today and will, hopefully, do the same tomorrow. He could be caught up by the end of school tomorrow. The next incentive is the staff retreat. I have had them scheduled as days off, but if he is not caught up he will take work with him. I'll have to figure out other incentives for the rest of the year.
I see the doctor tomorrow for my three month check up with the diabetes. Pray that the numbers are good and that things are in order. I feel terrible as I haven't been able to exercise for weeks. With the living room being torn up and constantly looking for bed bugs and doing things to keep them from invading things, time has been short. I REALLY need to get back to it. As of tonight I have lost a total of 21 pounds. My goal is to lose another 20 by May 8th, my 40th birthday! I can't do that unless I exercise. I'll have to dust the elliptical tomorrow and start using that! I can't wait until the weather gets better and I can take the kids out for a good brisk walk. I finally was able to get a jogging stroller for $10! Someone gave a pretty decent one to the church thrift shop and I snagged it! It is a true answer to prayer as Daniel can't walk around with this one like he does with umbrella strollers. Come spring Matt, Sarah, Daniel and I will be walking EVERYWHERE! I am so excited!
Our poor boy is sick. He has been running a fever, though I couldn't tell you what it is because in all our chaos I can't find a thermometer. But I know it's up there. He has been sluggish all day and has hardly eaten anything. My poor baby. I so enjoy all the cuddles that come with his feeling lousy. He often comes to me and says "Hold you, mama". I love it. Motrin has been doing the trick, but as soon as it wears down, he is a poor sick little guy. Please pray that he would get better quickly. It's so sad when he is sick.
Matt had a better day today, but he has an incentive. Friday night is Men and Boys night at church. He had a blast there last year and REALLY wants to go this week. He knows the rule however. If school is not caught up, no activity. He worked pretty steadily today and will, hopefully, do the same tomorrow. He could be caught up by the end of school tomorrow. The next incentive is the staff retreat. I have had them scheduled as days off, but if he is not caught up he will take work with him. I'll have to figure out other incentives for the rest of the year.
I see the doctor tomorrow for my three month check up with the diabetes. Pray that the numbers are good and that things are in order. I feel terrible as I haven't been able to exercise for weeks. With the living room being torn up and constantly looking for bed bugs and doing things to keep them from invading things, time has been short. I REALLY need to get back to it. As of tonight I have lost a total of 21 pounds. My goal is to lose another 20 by May 8th, my 40th birthday! I can't do that unless I exercise. I'll have to dust the elliptical tomorrow and start using that! I can't wait until the weather gets better and I can take the kids out for a good brisk walk. I finally was able to get a jogging stroller for $10! Someone gave a pretty decent one to the church thrift shop and I snagged it! It is a true answer to prayer as Daniel can't walk around with this one like he does with umbrella strollers. Come spring Matt, Sarah, Daniel and I will be walking EVERYWHERE! I am so excited!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Matthew
BB - 6
Our poor first born has been cursed. Matthew is an intense kid. Everything he does is intense. He has pretty much been that way since birth. He gets that from his father. He also has an incredible temper. He really ought to have fiery red hair. Everything sets him off. Unfortunately, he gets that from me. Today was an intense day of school. Matthew just has days where he doesn't get the fact that school is a necessity. The choices he makes are poor ones and we just can't seem to help him understand that he is making bad choices. He tends to blame others for his choices. "If my sister wasn't here, I would get my work done." "If you wouldn't keep telling me to get my work done, I'd be able to focus and get it done." It goes on and on.
Today, Andy and I sat down with him and really tried to help him gain some understanding. He is an arguer and really tries to argue his way out of things. He's pretty good at it too, but Andy is much better. I get lost in the circle of it all at times. Please pray for our poor boy. He struggles with a ton of things. His brain is much too old for his 11 years. He is currently struggling with his assurance of salvation. Andy went through the same thing. His parents spent countless hours talking him through it all. It looks as if we will be doing the same thing. He is so smart, but at times just can't understand the simplicity of things. He will get it. Please pray for him as he goes through this struggle.
I have pictures of our living room. 
It is going to look amazing when it is done. It will be awhile, but it will be worth the wait.
It is going to look amazing when it is done. It will be awhile, but it will be worth the wait.At the top you will notice BB - 6. For those of you that didn't read yesterday's post that is how I am going to tell you if we are still finding bed bugs. Today we found 6. That's a lot. Still praying they will be gone REALLY SOON! Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, January 5, 2009
First Day Back!
The last two months of school have been almost non-existent. My mind was so consumed with bed bugs that it was hard to focus on anything else. I had decided over the break that my focus needed to return to homeschooling properly. That meant full days of school, accomplishing everything on the list. So yesterday was spent planning, organizing, and finalizing plans for the week. It felt good to put my energy towards something other than bed bugs!
I woke up early and showered and got ready for our day. Problem was the kids were still sleeping when I was ready! Andy and I had to wake them up at 8:00 am. This put Sarah in a bad frame of mind for most of the morning. Matt, however, had a great morning and accomplished much of his morning work. Then they decided to flip roles for the afternoon. Sarah had a great afternoon and Matt didn't finish his work. Oh well! It felt good to me to do history and health and to spend time with each kid with their various subjects. It helped that Andy stayed home today to continue working on our living room. Daniel was his little helper today. I could hear Andy laughing at all the things Daniel was trying to "help" him with. We still did tours throughout the day and did find one on the steps, but we really tried to keep our focus on the kids and their schooling.
On that note I really want to be trying to focus on other things on this blog. I have decided that at the beginning of each post I will put this: BB - 2. That will let everyone know if we are still finding bedbugs (BB) and how many. Today we have found 2, so far. One was found early this morning when Andy was going to bed (around 4:30 am), and the other this afternoon after lunch. I also called COMHAR today to find out what they were going to do after January 14th when our warranty with the exterminator runs out. I thought I handled myself pretty well in expressing just how horrific this whole situation has been. Dan, the guy that seems to have the most compassion for us, is planning on talking with the higher ups about the situation. They truly believe their house is bug free. I truly believe it is NOT! I believe they are going to fix the house up, move people in there, and then we are going to see all the bugs return. I have asked them to come out and inspect it with the exterminator. I would love to go in there and help, but am also afraid that I may drag more into our house. We'll see what happens. It's all in God's hands.
One of my New Years goals has been to read to the kids before bedtime. It is something I had really gotten away from, even before bed bugs! So far we have read every evening. We are currently reading "Inkheart" by Corneila Funke. 
It is a great book! We are really enjoying it. I chose it because it is coming out in the movie theaters the end of this month. I am usually a stickler about reading the book first and then seeing the movie. We then discuss the difference between the two. It makes for fun conversations. I was really glad we read "Bridge to Terebithia" before we went to see it as I was totally not expecting the ending it had. We are all excited to see "Inkheart" the movie. It should be amazing!
It is a great book! We are really enjoying it. I chose it because it is coming out in the movie theaters the end of this month. I am usually a stickler about reading the book first and then seeing the movie. We then discuss the difference between the two. It makes for fun conversations. I was really glad we read "Bridge to Terebithia" before we went to see it as I was totally not expecting the ending it had. We are all excited to see "Inkheart" the movie. It should be amazing!Sunday, January 4, 2009
"I've Lost My Dream"
The other night Andy found Daniel wondering our hall upstairs. When Andy asked what was wrong he simply stated, "I've lost my dream." He always has something very interesting to say. I love his perspective of things. He then came into our bed and snuggled down, holding my hand to sleep. He is my sweetest child. He is a hugger and a hand holder. I'm so glad God gave him to us!
Since that night those words have rung in my ears. I've lost my dream these past two months. My dream of homeschooling well this year. My dream of getting my house in order and organized well enough to have people from ministry come over. My dream of enjoying my family by playing games and reading. My dream of enjoying the holidays with Daniel really remembering this year and being a true little person. Real dreams as I have not been sleeping well. So many others I could list. So many of my dreams, lost. But maybe that is the problem. They were my dreams. Obviously, God had a different dream for me this year. I am just finding it incredibly difficult to accept His dream. I don't know what point and purpose there is to this exercise. Earlier today I went over to the Hinson's and spoke with Frank's mom who is up visiting for the week. She was so funny! She was telling me how this is a test of patience and I have earned that star. She is amazed I am still here. Frankly, so am I. So many days I have wanted to just leave. So many hours I have to physically force myself to stay here. If anyone were to offer me a house - I would be gone! But no one has offered us a house and though every ounce of me wants to leave, my husband does not feel that same urge. So, I stay. I need to learn to accept the dream of my heavenly Father, and put my dreams aside. Please pray with me that I would live His dreams for my life and lose my own to Him.
Since that night those words have rung in my ears. I've lost my dream these past two months. My dream of homeschooling well this year. My dream of getting my house in order and organized well enough to have people from ministry come over. My dream of enjoying my family by playing games and reading. My dream of enjoying the holidays with Daniel really remembering this year and being a true little person. Real dreams as I have not been sleeping well. So many others I could list. So many of my dreams, lost. But maybe that is the problem. They were my dreams. Obviously, God had a different dream for me this year. I am just finding it incredibly difficult to accept His dream. I don't know what point and purpose there is to this exercise. Earlier today I went over to the Hinson's and spoke with Frank's mom who is up visiting for the week. She was so funny! She was telling me how this is a test of patience and I have earned that star. She is amazed I am still here. Frankly, so am I. So many days I have wanted to just leave. So many hours I have to physically force myself to stay here. If anyone were to offer me a house - I would be gone! But no one has offered us a house and though every ounce of me wants to leave, my husband does not feel that same urge. So, I stay. I need to learn to accept the dream of my heavenly Father, and put my dreams aside. Please pray with me that I would live His dreams for my life and lose my own to Him.
Friday, January 2, 2009
My Constant Prayer
Throughout these last two months I have awoken, spent the day, and gone to bed with the same prayer on my lips: Father, You are mighty and strong and able to do abundantly above all we ask or think. Please, Father, remove these bed bugs from our home. Help us to return our focus to You, our family, and to ministry." This event has been such an incredible roller coaster of emotions. One minute I can be feeling a bit of relief and even not think about the dreadful things. But more often than not, my mind is ALWAYS on THEM. I believe it is beginning to affect me physically. I am constantly anxious, to the point where I can't even bear to go upstairs for fear I will spot a bed bug. When Andy isn't here I have to literally force myself to go and look for them for the sake of my children. Every time I do find one I have to remind myself to breath so as to not completely lose it. Today we have found two very live ones. One was in my daughter's room which we hadn't seen any in in weeks. The other above the door to my boys room. At this point we have no idea how they are getting into our house as we believe we have sealed the walls between the infected house and ours. I am praying that they aren't hatching in our house and these are the result of that.
A big concern at this point is that we are to be attending our yearly staff meetings in a couple of weeks. It is an event we look forward to each year. The kids get to play with the other staff kids for three days! We get to socialize with the rest of the staff and have fun (something that doesn't happen as often as I would like even though we only live a few blocks from each other. But this trip requires us to be gone for two nights and three days. I am struggling with whether or not we can really be going. We can't really be leaving our house for two nights with all these bugs running around. It will be life giving them a license to infest. I believe one of the reasons we haven't be "infested" like normal bed bug hosts is that we have really kept on top of them. If we continue seeing them for the next two weeks I can't go. It wouldn't be any fun as I would constantly be thinking about these dreadful creatures. Please pray that we stop seeing them this week. We have gone as long as four days without seeing them. It would have to be at least a week of not seeing them for me to be even remotely comfortable with leaving the house for that many days. Please pray. We are due to leave January 18th and come home on the 20th. Please pray that the bugs would be gone by January 9th, if not sooner. If we see them after that date it is going to be a struggle for me to go. Is that a lack in faith that God can protect my house from bed bugs? I don't know. I have found out through this whole situation that I don't know much. I have been through a lot of different struggles, but I don't think any of them have rocked my faith in God as much as these tiny little bugs. I know there are many out there praying for us, and I am very thankful to you all. Please continue to pray that this trial will come to a swift end.
A big concern at this point is that we are to be attending our yearly staff meetings in a couple of weeks. It is an event we look forward to each year. The kids get to play with the other staff kids for three days! We get to socialize with the rest of the staff and have fun (something that doesn't happen as often as I would like even though we only live a few blocks from each other. But this trip requires us to be gone for two nights and three days. I am struggling with whether or not we can really be going. We can't really be leaving our house for two nights with all these bugs running around. It will be life giving them a license to infest. I believe one of the reasons we haven't be "infested" like normal bed bug hosts is that we have really kept on top of them. If we continue seeing them for the next two weeks I can't go. It wouldn't be any fun as I would constantly be thinking about these dreadful creatures. Please pray that we stop seeing them this week. We have gone as long as four days without seeing them. It would have to be at least a week of not seeing them for me to be even remotely comfortable with leaving the house for that many days. Please pray. We are due to leave January 18th and come home on the 20th. Please pray that the bugs would be gone by January 9th, if not sooner. If we see them after that date it is going to be a struggle for me to go. Is that a lack in faith that God can protect my house from bed bugs? I don't know. I have found out through this whole situation that I don't know much. I have been through a lot of different struggles, but I don't think any of them have rocked my faith in God as much as these tiny little bugs. I know there are many out there praying for us, and I am very thankful to you all. Please continue to pray that this trial will come to a swift end.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year! 2009!
WOW! Another year has flown by. Where did it go? I love this time of year as I try to figure out where my life is at and what I have yet to do. This is a big year as I turn 40!!! I can remember as a kid thinking it would be FOREVER before I got to that age....now it's here!
This Schultz family decided to spend the day with their little bed bug friends. We have found about 15 since the extermination yesterday. Two on the boys bunk beds. We gave the kids a choice and they decided to stay in. They didn't even get out of their pj's. They decided the best day we could have is if we stayed in all day. With the exception of Andy running out and going to the bank and post office and my running to the library and grocery store, we were home. Tonight we ate pizza, watched two movies: Horton Hears a Who and Journey to the Center of the Earth (3-D version, which they LOVED!), popped popcorn and started reading "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke, aloud. It was a great night. We put Matt and Sarah to bed around 10:30 pm and they crashed. I recorded the ball falling for them so they could see it later today. They have never made it to midnight! They try, but never make it!
So what do I hope to accomplish this year? I haven't thought through everything but a few are:
1. Read aloud to my children at least four nights a week. (I have gotten away from that!)
2. Continue my weight loss. My goal is a total of 60 pounds by the end of the year. Only 38 pounds to go!
3. Continue to organize the house. Because of our bed bug situation, this has been a continuous project. Hopefully we can get rid of these pests and finish the project.
4. Matt, Sarah, and I are going to read the Bible in One Year. It's something Matt has wanted to do, so I decided we are going to do it together.
5. Devote more time to prayer. I truly believe that this is the ONLY way I am surviving this ordeal. God is giving me the strength I need each day to face these dreadful creatures and keep sane.
Those are just a few. My list will become more extensive later today as Matt, Sarah and I sit down to write down what we would like to accomplish and look at last years and how we did! I think it's fun to see Matt and Sarah and their reactions to what they thought they could do and what they actually did.
I hope you all will have a very blessed 2009. May you see God's hand in your lives and live to serve Him all your days. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting and loving us through your prayers. We definitely wouldn't be here without them!
This Schultz family decided to spend the day with their little bed bug friends. We have found about 15 since the extermination yesterday. Two on the boys bunk beds. We gave the kids a choice and they decided to stay in. They didn't even get out of their pj's. They decided the best day we could have is if we stayed in all day. With the exception of Andy running out and going to the bank and post office and my running to the library and grocery store, we were home. Tonight we ate pizza, watched two movies: Horton Hears a Who and Journey to the Center of the Earth (3-D version, which they LOVED!), popped popcorn and started reading "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke, aloud. It was a great night. We put Matt and Sarah to bed around 10:30 pm and they crashed. I recorded the ball falling for them so they could see it later today. They have never made it to midnight! They try, but never make it!
So what do I hope to accomplish this year? I haven't thought through everything but a few are:
1. Read aloud to my children at least four nights a week. (I have gotten away from that!)
2. Continue my weight loss. My goal is a total of 60 pounds by the end of the year. Only 38 pounds to go!
3. Continue to organize the house. Because of our bed bug situation, this has been a continuous project. Hopefully we can get rid of these pests and finish the project.
4. Matt, Sarah, and I are going to read the Bible in One Year. It's something Matt has wanted to do, so I decided we are going to do it together.
5. Devote more time to prayer. I truly believe that this is the ONLY way I am surviving this ordeal. God is giving me the strength I need each day to face these dreadful creatures and keep sane.
Those are just a few. My list will become more extensive later today as Matt, Sarah and I sit down to write down what we would like to accomplish and look at last years and how we did! I think it's fun to see Matt and Sarah and their reactions to what they thought they could do and what they actually did.
I hope you all will have a very blessed 2009. May you see God's hand in your lives and live to serve Him all your days. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting and loving us through your prayers. We definitely wouldn't be here without them!
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