Blast From The Past (or Future?)

Back last fall, while shopping for Malachi's birthday, I came across a neat Hot Wheels car at the store. The "Back To The Future - Time Machine"! I was surprised to see it, and pleased that it was only 97¢! What a cool toy... made me wish I had one when I was younger.

Of course, Malachi will play with his car, not really knowing what it is until he's much older. Those movies aren't the cleanest to watch. In fact, I grew up watching them when they came on tv. What a surprise when I bought them on DVD and found that the tv versions were re-dubbed.

Anyway, I can imagine the surprise Malachi will have when he's finally able to watch the movies and realizes what a cool toy he already has, and has been playing with for years. That's gonna be fun.

By the way... I wasn't stupid, I bought two. One for me of course! ;)

~Matt

Week Rundown (03/18/12-03/24/12

Sunday

Today was "Spring Alive" at church. We had a morning service and an afternoon service with dinner in-between. Since we didn't have evening services, we came home and took naps! Then we were lazy around the house.


Monday

Today started 'spring break' for Lydia and Mysia. Lydia is using the time to get some rest and catch up on some homework. She still has work, so Mysia is getting to spend her day at the Boy's & Girl's Club, which she enjoys.

I had quartet practice this evening. Lydia and the kids spent the evening at home.


Tuesday

First day of spring and we get rain!!! It was also a bit colder than it had been. I was glad I had mowed over the weekend. The kids spent most of the evening playing on the computer and Nook.


Wednesday

Tonight we went to church. Afterwards, we came home and ate some snacks before bed.


Thursday

We spent the evening at home, getting a few things done and letting the kids play.


Friday

The last day of "spring break". We spent the evening at home, rearranged a few rooms... including our bedroom. Not much fun! lol!


Saturday

Like always, today was slated to be busy. Lydia had quite a bit of homework to do. The kids spent the day with her. I attended the Men's Shoot-out, held by our church. I had a great time spending time with the guys, shooting guns and enjoying the nice sunny weather.

After my fun, I headed up to Branson to man the KWFC booth for the health expo being held at the Tri-Lakes Center. Attendance was a little low, but I got to visit with several folks and even had the chance to see the SIX and Dino perform!

Lydia let the kids play outside for a bit. For supper, she took them to McDonald's. They both loved the "mommy day"!


~Matt

Why I’m Not Supporting “HARDEE’S Restaurants”

I don’t know how many of you who read my blog watch much television. We do, but most of it is through Netflix. The programming on local tv stations isn’t the best, and we like being able to choose what to watch, whenever. One of the best things about services like Netflix... no commercials!!!

That was the issue this last Sunday. As a family, we were watching "the Amazing Race". We like it due to the fact that it's both entertaining and educational. Mysia and Malachi were glued to the tv. To our surprise, the highly offensive Hardee's commercial was aired.... Twice!

I was disappointed... it was shown in front of my 7 year-old daughter and 4 year-old son. Lydia scrambled for the remote. Too late. Why that it was allowed to air during what would be considered 'family programming'?

I decided to write both our local tv station and Hardee’s with my disappointment. I got an immediate email response form Hardee’s:

"CKE Restaurants, Inc., owner and franchisor of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, adopts a creative approach to our advertising. We do not aim to offend anyone with our efforts, but merely to offer entertaining content. We understand that not everyone may view our advertising the same way, so we respect all views and welcome all comments, which are forwarded to senior management. Thank you again for taking the time to contact us."

Wow... that didn’t make me very happy. The response from KOLR10’s Station Manger on Tuesday was a relief:

"This is a national commercial that is not placed by KOLR10 locally, and I’m sure many TV stations are getting complaints from families like yours who are objecting to the content. I am passing the comments along to our network so that they will know how families like yours are responding to it. Thanks for taking the time to let us know how you feel."

Needless to say, you will not find me getting food from Hardee’s. If they think that I support that form of advertising, they’ve got it wrong.

If you haven’t seen the commercial, here is the youtube link. Warning, I realize this may be very offensive to some of you, so watch at your own discretion... http://youtu.be/xdGsKzmCgB0

On another note, I was warned in the email reply from Hardee’s that it is “prohibited” for me to share their email response. But to be honest, I don’t care:

"This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer. Please note that any view or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of CKE Restaurants, Inc. ("CKE") and/or its subsidiaries. Finally, the recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. CKE accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail."

~Matt 

Week Rundown (03/11/12-03/17/12)

Sunday

Since Malachi was sick, Lydia stayed home with him during the morning services. Mysia, Abigail, and I ran the church vans. Mysia got to hang out with Granny and Grandad for the afternoon. I arrived home and Malachi was doing good, so we decided to take him to church. Unfortunately, he did not get a nap. He started feeling bad right before services started, so we came home. Sure enough, he vomited several times this evening! Mysia wasn't feeling too well either.


Monday

I stayed home with both kids. We all rested... or tried to. They weren't too happy that I made them stay in their beds for most of the day. We did play a little and I let them enjoy some outside air before Lydia came home from work.

Since I was around kids with sickness, it was suggested that there would be no quartet practice. So after getting the kids ready for bed, I did some grocery shopping while Lydia worked on homework!


Tuesday

Mysia came home with a note from her school nurse reporting that she had a slight temperature. She complained of a sore throat and her glands on the side of her neck were bulging. Before bedtime, they had gotten much worse. In fact, it was so bad that she wouldn't turn her neck back and forth, up or down. We knew something was wrong.

We dropped Malachi off with my folks and rushed Mysia to the ER. After waiting for an hour or more in the waiting room, we got in and they admitted her into a room. They gave her an IV and ran a cat scan. We then waited on the test results.


Wednesday

It was past midnight when they told us that Mysia is being admitted into a hospital room. She has an abscess in the back of her throat that they want to keep an eye on. It's not very big, but they could get worse. Under worse scenario, the abscess could block her airway.

Around 5am, she was moved to a room and we were able to get some rest.. about two hours worth! The throat surgeon visited after 8am. The abscess was too small to drain, so he is recommending that they keep Mysia for at least a day. She'll be kept on IV antibiotic and steroids to get rid of the infection. He said her tonsils are very close together, and once the infection is gone, we'll be talking about getting them removed in two weeks.

I went into work for half a day, and then headed back to the hospital. Lydia had spent the entire time with Mysia. Mysia had many visitors throughout the day, including Malachi! She actually enjoyed some of it, but was tired when I showed up (so was Lydia). Mysia's main complaint was the IV in her arm. Lydia ended up spending the night at the hospital while I went home and crashed.


Thursday

Malachi had once again spent the night at my parent's house, but got dropped off at daycare by Aunt Abigail. I headed to the hospital to relieve Lydia so she could make it to class and then to work. By noon, the doctor released Mysia. Her and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up the prescription, which still wasn't ready to be picked up. After waiting 30 minutes, we headed home. We rested until time to get Malachi. The weather was so nice, we got to spend some time outside. I took the opportunity and actually mowed the front lawn!


Friday

Things were back to normal, and the weather was super nice! After we all got home, we enjoyed some time outside, and then spent family time together this evening. I went to the church and picked up the van for tomorrow.


Saturday

We got up early, ate breakfast, and picked up church kids for the church skating party! Both Mysia and Malachi did pretty good skating. Malachi was frustrated that he couldn't skate fast, and kept falling.

Mysia had her friend Katie over afterwards, and they spent the day together. The kids spent time outside in the nice weather, then inside watching some tv, playing the Wii, and then playing with toys. Malachi was bummed that he didn't have a 'friend', so I tried to spend some time with him.

I took the chance and mowed the back lawn, it was surprisingly long on some parts. I think I may need to sharpen the blade! Wow... and spring hasn't officially arrived!



~Matt

SoGo Madness 2012

The Madness has started!

This year I get help with KWFC's 3rd annual SoGo Madness tournament. They take the top 16 songs from the Ozarks' Top 20 of last year, put them in brackets, and let the listeners vote. It's a unique contest to see what song wins.

After some discussion and testing, this year, the voting is on KWFC's Facebook page. The polls are simple and easy to do. The voting is not limited to those who live here in the Ozarks. It's going to be neat to see who the winner will be.

 ~Matt

Update On Mysia

Thanks to all for their prayers! We are happy to report that Mysia is home from the hospital and feeling fine. She's on antibiotics, but all is well!

We are to set up a meeting with the surgeon in two weeks to talk about her tonsils. If there is to be surgery, and we are given some time, we hope that we can schedule later, during summer break. That way it it has a lesser chance of interfering with the school schedules, etc.

As always, we'll try to keep everyone updated.


~Matt

Mysia In Hospital

Just so you know what's going on...


Earlier this month, Mysia was again diagnosed with strep throat. She was put on antibiotics, got better, and was taken off after the 10 days were over. On Sunday she complained a bit of a sore throat. We kept her home, made her rest, and she felt better. On Tuesday, she came home with a note that she had a slight temperature and throat was again sore.

We had her rest, but by bedtime, her glands were really swollen and she wouldn't move her neck. We took her to the ER, and they did gave her an IV and ran a cat scan. We then waited on the test results.

They then told us that Mysia is being admitted into a hospital room. She has an abscess in the back of her throat that they want to keep an eye on. It's not very big, but they could get worse. Under worse scenario, the abscess could block her airway.

Around 5am, she was moved to a room and we were able to get some rest. The throat surgeon visited after 8am. The abscess is too small to drain, so he is recommending that they keep Mysia for 2 days. She'll be kept on IV antibiotic and steroids to get rid of the infection. He said her tonsils are very close together, and once the infection is gone, we'll be talking about getting them removed in two weeks.

It's been a long night, and morning. The nurse said Mysia could be released as early as sometime tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Lydia and I plan to continue keeping people updated through our facebook and twitter accounts.

Thanks to all who have been praying!

~Matt

Growing Green Onions At Home

I love green onions. I remember getting them from my grandma's garden every summer. They're great to eat by themselves, or included in something as simple as potato soup. We use green onions quite a bit when cooking and preparing dinners and have had them on our grocery list almost every week.

Well, Lydia found (on Pinterest, go figure) that if you put them in a vase with water and they'll grow! I don't know why we didn't think of that earlier... duh! What a great idea. It's also pretty neat. The picture shows what they look like after only a few days after cutting them!


~Matt

Week Rundown (03/4/12-03/10/12)

Sunday

Today was good. We were able to take naps this afternoon. Those ladies who went to the retreat over the weekend, did a presentation during the evening services. Tonight, Lydia stayed up late working on homework.


Monday

I took my car into the shop... in needed several things fixed. Thankfully, it wasn't too expensive. I got to be on air in during the afternoon, that's what happens when you bring in sickness from the week before! Lydia visited the doctor today and found she'll be put on a heart monitor later on this week


Tuesday

I got another run behind the mic at work today, playing some of my favorite songs. This evening went well. I went and dismantled a bunk-bed that was given to us for Malachi from Lycia. I'm not sure when I'll put it up for him though!


Wednesday

This evening was 'fun night' at church for the children's services. The kids were well behaved, and paid close attention to the lesson!


Thursday

Lydia got a heart monitor today that she has to keep on until Saturday. It will keep track of her chest pains she's been having, and tell the doctors is they're serious, etc. It's already bugging her to be connected to wires.


Friday

Lydia worked a little later, so I picked up the kids and headed home. We got supper going, and watched some television.


Saturday

I knew that today was going to be busy. We attended a teacher's meeting at church, and then attended Silas' birthday party. Both kids were filled with sugar!

Abigail came home with us, and watched the kids during the evening while Lydia I headed out to Branson to see the SIX Show. Right after we left, Malachi vomited... !! Thankfully, Abigail was able to handle it well and had no real difficulties with the kids. The show was fantastic, and we arrived home before too late!

~Matt

We're in the Comics!?!?

I'm really starting to believe that, yes, someone is reading my blog or has a video camera hidden in our house! Baby Blues is one of my favorite Comic Strips... and each day is a picture of our family. I'm not kidding. Today's proves it.....

~Matt

Lil' Mr. Paasch

 

 

We were talking about 'titles', and I told Malachi that when he grows up, he'll be called 'Mr. Paasch'. He looked at me, folders his arms, narrowed his eyebrows, and replied, "Humph! I'm already called that!"

Come to find out, at daycare, he's referred to as Mr. Paasch when he is called on, or in trouble! No wonder he was so serious about it. Lol!

 

~Matt

Week Rundown (02/26/12-03/3/12)

Sunday

Today I woke up and took Malachi with me to church for the monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast. It's fun to be able to bring him along for breakfast and then take him on my van route!

 

For the afternoon, we went to Paulette's house for lunch with Lydia's siblings. We got to visit with Adria and even watched some home videos.

Monday

I took my car into the shop, and found out that I need to get some things fixed for it to run correctly. Obviously, one of the engine mounts have gone bad. That could explain the excessive shaking!

After work, I picked up the kids and met Lydia at home. We then headed to Hong Kong Inn to celebrate my Uncle Dallas' birthday. Afterwards, we headed over to Grandma Talyor's to enjoy some ice cream and cupcakes! Yum.

Lydia and the kids visited with my parents as Greg, Sam, Abigail and I practiced. We're still learning some new songs, and spent our time focusing on a certain song we're planning on singing this Sunday..


Tuesday

I woke up with a horrible cough and chest congestion. My voice was horse. I spent the day drinking nasty cough syrup and sucking on cough drops.

This evening was fairly uneventful. We caught up on house chores.


Wednesday

Mysia was complaining of a sore through, so Lydia took her to the clinic. Sure enough, she has strep again. I took off work around lunch-time and stayed home with her. We rested for most of the evening, and didn't attend church services. Lydia and Malachi went though.


Thursday

I stayed home with Mysia since she had to be on medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Were both to rest, but she was feeling fine. She was active all day with questions, comments and inquiries.

We had discipleship tonight, and the kids played on the computers.


Friday

After work, Lydia headed to Branson to participate in our church's ladies retreat. It gives the ladies a chance to get away, fellowship, and shop (of course). She made it down there safely, and enjoyed the evening.

Since Lydia was gone, I got to take care of the kids! Mysia and Malachi played games, watched some tv, and snacked!!! After they went to bed, I played a computer game while watching a dumb movie... it was so dumb, I fell asleep on the couch!


Saturday

I had a restless night sleeping. But that's what happens when Lydia isn't home. When morning arrived, the kids and I got up at a good time and prepared to go help out with the KWFC Talent Contest. However, before we got out the door, my boss let me know that I wasn't needed in the morning since they had enough help. That was a relief... I really wasn't looking forward to corralling my kids all morning! ;)

I ended up taking them out and getting donuts for breakfast. They thought it was cool! Back at home, we played, they gave a puppet show (well... several), and played more. We had a good lunch and then took naps. We woke up, watched some tv and headed to the evening part of the talent contest. My mom and sister relieved me of the kids before the contest started. Mysia and Malachi then spent the evening at Granny's!

Lydia had a good morning. After the end of the retreat, she went shopping at several of the stores in Branson.

Lydia made it safely back to town and  met me at the Talent Contest. We enjoyed the variety of contestants that had made it into the final round. There is some great talent in our area, and it was fun cheering them on. Afterwards, we picked up the kids, headed home, and got ready for bed!

~Matt

Time with Mysia

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I had chest congestion. A pretty bad case, I guess... especially since I've been coughing a lot. Well, yesterday Mysia and I spent the day at home (she had strep, and even though on medication, couldn't attend school).

The main idea was to rest... and rest... and rest...

Not an easy thing to do with a 7 year old 'chatterbox'. As I told Lydia later, I feel for her school teacher if there is more than one 'Mysia' in her class! This girl is full of ideas, questions, and inquiries. Oh my.

Well, since we were to rest, and I was the responsible parent, I made sure the tv was off and no interruptions. I told her to grab her pillow, a few stuffed animals, and we both rested on the couch in the living room.

Now, our "L" shaped couch is pretty large with recliners at each end, and can comfortable sit 5-6 adults. Her and I were able to lay down with our heads toward the middle. I was quickly asleep, with my arms under my pillow, the sun beaming through the window.

I woke up when I felt something on my hand... a grasp. Mysia had reached up her hand and was holding mine with hers. It was a comfort to her. Awww! How sweet!

Boy, at times like that, it makes being a parent is one of the awesomest things in the world! Hey, being a responsible adult and a parent is not all fun and games. In fact, there are many times I'd like to give up parenting!!! But there are those ultra-redeeming moments... and this was one of them!

~Matt

Meet My Friend: "Ace"

Some of my readers (family and church friends) have already met my friend Ace. I'm sorry to say he's not my friend on Facebook. But he does live in my house! He's been a 'friend' of mine for over 8 years. Growing up, I practiced some ventriloquism. I'm not a professional, but do have a enjoy making puppets and characters 'come alive'.

I occasionally bring him along to children's church services on Wednesdays. As you can see in the picture, Ace wasn't able to attend services last night. We were both sick. You see... a chest congestion will really do wonders with your voice.

Ace is part of our family, so don't be surprised if you see him, or his sister Hannah, appearing more on some of these blog posts! Hey... this is a 'family update'! lol

~Matt