One of the biggest mistakes of 2009!

And I did say "one" - I've made several this year. Some I've blogged about and some I've . . , well, . . . just kept to myself. Who likes to talk about what they did wrong!?!?! Especially when YOU can't fix it!


Well, let me tell you about this one! Oh what a doozy! Do you see it??! Above! Look at it! Don't you see it!?

Okay, maybe this will help . . .


You see don't you?! Really big isn't it?! I mean come on! How in the heck did I get confused! It was clearly typed out on the order form! CLEARLY!

Uh, the bad part . . . I didn't catch it! That's right people!! Bradyn and Austin's mom did!!! In Minnesota! I'm in Tennessee. Not quite the "Hey Kim, noticed a tiny mistake - do you mind coming over in a few and changing it up for me?"


I normally track every delivery that goes out my door. So, I knew the exact moment she received her paintings. I wasn't the bit least surprised the moment I saw I had an email from her. It was a wonderfully written email - had words that I love to hear "love the paintings" "they match perfect" "thank you so much" . . etc. And then I read the "but . . ." and it was this kinda moment . . .



{I even heard that music, too!}

Obviously I painted another one. I had to place the "and" in a different spot because the "y" got in the way if I were to have painted it like the original canvas.

The new one is merrily on his way home . . . to Minnesota. {Jess, you should get it later today!}

If anyone knows a "Brayden and Austin" that share a room that also happens to be decorated in navy, blues, reds and some browns . . . there is a perfect painting for them . . . in Minnesota!

And just so you know I have been working . . .


A little sneaky peeky! {I know how you guys love these!}

Thank you all so much for such kind words and all the prayers. It means so much. Each one was felt! You guys really are the best!

The time has come!

This girl has some . . . .

pigtails!

Asking for prayers . . .

I have no doubt that everyone that reads this blog knows how much I love my children. When I think back on life before my kids, I vividly remember the "something is missing" feeling. Not that I waited too long before starting my family - it really was perfect timing - all 3 unexpected pregnancies. I'm not going to lie - every pregnancy was unplanned - all big shockers - and every time I was filled with nothing but joy and excitement.

But let me tell you, Hudson gave me something special. And all mothers out there know exactly what I'm talking about with your first born. I was the perfect mother!!! Then, of course, I had a kid! haha! The big plans I had got squashed and something bigger and better came out of it! I always referred to my pregnancies as the longest wait for a blind date ever! And knowing that I wasn't going to be disappointed!


As most of you know, Hudson has a little issue with his kidneys since last November. I don't want it to sound like he "suffers" from it - because I don't think he feels severe pain. And I don't like to call it a syndrome - because that sounds permanent. The assumption is that it's a nephrotic syndrome called minimal change disease that we have been told he should outgrow between the ages of 5 and 8. It is purely an assumption due to his symptoms. They cannot say for sure unless they do a biopsy on his kidneys.


The nephrologists have made it clear that this is a somewhat common disease, {although I have NEVER heard of this mess until Hudson got it} and it's not overly serious. And that he should have only a couple of breakouts of the MCD during his childhood and quickly go into remission. Well, unfortunately for us, we have yet to get a break from the original breakout 11 months ago. The 2 times we thought we were in the clear, his urine tested positive for protein less than a week off of the steroids.

So, we go back on an incredibly high dose of the drugs {supposedly} for a short amount of time till we get a negative protein reading. And then we start the ween off process again. By the way - the ween off is about 5 to 6 months long. AND the short amount of time is not short for us - because usually as soon as we get a negative reading and move the dosage down 1 ml - we have a positive reading again. And the dose goes up AGAIN!


I personally have never taken steroids, but I've heard so many people tell me how crazy they made them {or their children} feel. Their doses don't even add up to what Hudson takes daily. I can only imagine the battles he faces internally.

Today was a big day - back to the children's hospital to talk about alternatives. Obviously, it's not working. I'm tired of giving my kid these drugs that do nothing but make him irritable and short tempered. And can leave horrible and lasting side effects. As much as I don't want my child to have a biopsy, I want to fix this issue. I want to know what kind of permanent damage has been done and I want answers. Is this really MCD or is there another something about to rear its ugly head? I was assured constantly that this treatment is the norm and it worked. Seems we don't ever really fall in that typical range.


During the appointment today, the doctor suggested the biopsy immediately. She also said he has been on the steroids way too long. {Ya' think? If she would have thought about it, I told her that the last 2 visits!}

We start the weening tomorrow.

His biopsy is in a couple of weeks.

He will immediately start a new drug that transplant recipients use to help their body accept a new organ. We were told they have positive results with this drug. {Can someone explain to me WHY we weren't given this one 6 months ago?? Oh, wait - we needed the biopsy.}

For some reason it sounds so much more serious now?

And as much as I know it isn't in my hands, it is still my job to do all I can for my child.


I don't think I've ever just outright asked for prayers. But again, this isn't for me either. It's for my son, Hudson Wyatt Wheeler.

I'm {obviously} a find-a-way, make-a-way person. But I have a clear understanding of who is in control. Still though, I can't help but feel the anxiety of the unknown wash over me.

So, I'm asking - prayers, please.

I know some of you think I have died!

I haven't! But I might feel like it in the morning since this looks to be an all niter - I have sooo much to catch up on it is ridiculous. I'm going to cram alot into this post just so you feel like you haven't missed anything . . . okay? So, stick with me - I'll throw some art in the mix for those that don't really care about what is going on, but only want to see what is new in with business! {haha - which isn't much!} So here goes . . . .

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First off - I'm still going through all my emails - please don't give up on me. It really has been chaotic. And then something weird happened to my email account and I didn't get a bunch of mail until a week later! Luckily, I don't get a whole lot of spam - so basically all the mail is legit - but it looks horrible when I don't get back to people asap! And fortunately for you reading this, I thought the blog was needing more attention!

Because it has been something like 18 and a half weeks since my last post - o' yeah, a true slacker in the internet department!

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The boys had a birthday party! I think I made small mention about it in one of my last post. This year we went with a monster theme! And let me tell you . . . the older monster {by 2 minutes} is only slightly obsessed with the monsters now?! We really had a blast this year. I think because they really got what was going on - especially Carson!


This picture cracks me - kinda gross - but funny none the less! I bought these little guys at Target. I had seen them, but when I went back to get them several days later {I was waiting on payday?!} the jokers were gone! So, I ordered them online! They really don't fall in line with my Halloween decor, but they match wonderfully in the boys' room! And it's a good thing - Mr. Monster Obsessed can't stop looking at them!


Unfortunately, I made the cake{s} this year. My caterer friend, {Rachel normally does all my cakes,} is pregnant this year and I was trying to give her a small break . . . . only because I was planning on her making some of her own food for her baby shower! haha - just kidding! But no one ended up in the hospital till several days later . . . so you can't blame any of my cooking!


This picture was taken right after Carson and Lawson opened gifts - this wasn't near the kids we had at the party, but I like how I was semi-trapped by the kids in the corner {story of my life!} Notice I'm still carrying on a conversation AND using my hands during the conversation- sheer talent!


And since Carson has been talking about the "dragon castle" for weeks {after a brief look at one at another friend's party - in JULY,} the world was right when he saw he finally got his own! Seriously people, this boy has been "dreaming" of the dragon castle for the past week because he knew he was getting it for his birthday! It was one of the most precious things ever!

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I also gave Lawson a haircut in the back! This boy doesn't do so well when we get the do done. So, I've been trying to clean up the neck to make the chore easier for my hair doer. It only took me 3 days! And you all will be happy to know that tonight {while he was bathing} I finally got around the ears. It took so long, his water was cold! Oops! Definitely not the best haircut - but they didn't teach that in business school!

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**Home Love Alert**


This was my old faucet. Nothing is wrong with except it was just wrong. That sounded stupid, I know! But let me clarify - My sink sits at an angle. This faucet sits too low and too much water would run off of whatever I was rinsing onto the counter behind the sink. Well, my 5 foot self is just too dang short to reach behind it and wipe it up every freakin' time!!!!! I would have to literally walk around the bar to clean off the counter! It was getting ridiculous!

Okay - and the fact that it just isn't my style and doesn't quite fit in with my taste!!


My plumber didn't get started till 12 {midnight!} But very shortly after . . .


the new guy was installed! I'm not a fan of brushed nickle - but until we redo this kitchen entirely {if we ever do,} nickle is what it will have to be! This style works so much better!!! I get very little "mist" on the backside of the counter and I can easily reach it! Nothing like the puddles of water before.

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We also went to the pumpkin patch.


An incredibly easy corn maze! {Nothing like the one we got stuck in for 4 hours in the middle of the night at Rippavilla 5 years ago! Too bad I didn't have a blog then - that would have made one hysterical post! As a kid I watched Children of the Corn way too many times - not comforting when it's 1 am and you hear very unusual sounds in all directions! And your lost - in a field of CORN!!}


Em had way too much fun in the troughs full of corn!


So what was Hudson making this look for?? Let me tell you why . . . .


He's not a dummy - he wanted to know "what a watermelon had to do with a pumpkin patch!?" Who cares the fact that it weighed way more than he. And sitting on it was the last thing he wanted to do! haha!


Lawson was mesmerized with all the pumpkins - and he was stoked that he got his own! We do aim to please!


Carson wanted to walk so badly. He is really at the age to where he wants to be big. Towards the end of the big day, we let him walk a little. The choo-choo wagon is great for all the kids. And I feel very comfortable walking behind it so I can see all my little chickens. But sometimes we have to give in to the fact that they are growing up a smidge. And let them walk!


Here you can tell how much my daughter DOES NOT look like me!


And my attempt to get all my kids in one picture looking at the camera - who cares that no one was smiling! I love how Lawson has the serious look - he does in every single group shot we have ever done!

I know we didn't dress very "fallish" but I was just wanting pumpkins - pictures were an after-thought!

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And guess who started preschool on Monday!?

Lawson

And though it has only been 3 days - you are not going to believe the difference in this kid!!! It is amazing how they break into his little head! I was a little stressed before he started. For one, he goes to a different school than Hudson. Long story - but Hudson goes to the school we were zoned for last year. They built a new school that opened this year that we are now zoned for. I had the option of moving Hudson to the new school, but I chose to keep him where he was at due to his hate of transitions. AND I was hoping Carson would get in when Lawson did. AND they don't put siblings together. And since there is a morning and afternoon program, I could space it out with one at the old school and 2 at the new one. {Are you following me?} Welp, Carson is considered "typical" so he didn't make it. But Lawson one the other hand, did get in. BUT then I was told that only afternoons were available. I wanted him in the morning {because he still needs a nap} and the simple fact that Hudson was in the afternoon program 14 minutes away at the old school.

So, you just asked me how I was going to be in 2 places at one time? I don't know - I was just going to make it happen! Actually, I prayed to God that He would make a child in the morning session move to another city and give his slot to Lawson. And He did. Okay, so not all of that is entirely true - a child did move, but I didn't pray that. I did, however, know this is exactly where Laws was suppose to be and I really did ask Him to make it happen. And although I was a little stressed about it, I knew it was going to work.

Yeah, I know - WoW!

And let me add - these are not the schools we are really zoned for. We are only zoned for them for preschool - because the school we are zoned for doesn't offer the program we need!

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Last night I ended up in the ER - no pictures! Sorry! I had been in incredible amounts of pain, but it had finally began to subside. And when I say pain, I could barely walk. And I still stayed in tune with the daily doings. Which made it so much worse! Lonnie was so afraid it was my appendix - so he made me go to the hospital.

So, I took my happy hinny to the hospital, checked myself in and waited . . . . forever. I sat there long enough to convince myself I was pregnant! I did! I watched a fantastic documentary on the PBS channel and heard the name "Brooksley" and thought I was for sure having a girl and that would be her name! No lie. I really was thinking crazy. After they pushed around on my abdomen area, we really were concerned it was the appendix. So after some nasty "joo-joo" they did a CT scan.

The results - a ruptured cyst on my ovary! I've had a couple of these in the past - years ago! I never, not one time, thought that the pain I was experiencing was that?! They also saw something else to cause me to have an ultrasound for a little further investigating. Dang birth control pills! Yes, I'm off of them and that is what happened - I'm sure of it! I have another week of so before the ultrasound - I'll let you all know.

So, apparently my husband's vasectomy worked. I now have to push away my plans for baby Brooksley far back in the recess of my mind and forget about it!

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**Art Alert**


The background of this one is white. I just took this picture in the evening - so the lighting is not quite the best!


"Dane" is to match the Oscar bedding by Pottery Barn Kids. Great color combination in this bedding! But of course I would think that - it would match the boys' room perfectly!


The sides are a very pale blue!


The car cracks me up in this bedding! I just like it for some reason! ha!

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Well, I have approximately 2 months to finish up all my current orders! Unfortunately, I found several that were put somewhere other than my clipboard once they come off the printer. These were from a long.long.long.time ago. As embarrassing as this is, I'm going to have to email each of these people and ask if they are still interested in these orders. I have no idea how this over site happened. But it did. I'm fairly organized - but obviously not enough! I really have to get better at it! Ugh! I feel horrible!

But, I'm currently jammin' away to some Christmas tunes to help me finish up the last 70 something orders! I really want to be done with all current orders by Christmas. Two months - I can do this! I can!

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Hello - are you still here?! Unbelievable!

Now seriously - 499 followers!!!! First off - I can't believe that many people follow me. Second - the one more is going to drive me batty for the 500 mark!

Just saying!

I think that sums it all up! Now I have to get some coffee! It's going to be a long night!

My inbox is so FULL all of a sudden . . .

Have you emailed me in the past week??? Well, I think I just got it?!? I just checked my email and I have a TON and they have dates that date back through the week? Let me go through them all and I'll get back to you by tonight.

I thought it was odd that I wasn't receiving much mail - but now I see why.

I have a confession to make . . .

I've just been in a funk lately! You know what I mean? Just feeling plain funky! {If funky can be plain?!} That is why you haven't seen me this week. I hate blogging when I feel this way because it's like I try to bring you down with me. And I really don't want to do that . . really, I don't! So, I stayed away hoping the funk would go away.

Why the funk {?,} you ask?? I don't know - mainly personal stuff going on in my head. Which could be really scary! haha! But I've really had a battle lately about my Christian walk and I'm just not satisfied. I don't like where I'm at or where I'm headed . . . so I've been working on a lot of change the past several days. I've made some decisions that should better not just me, but my family. My husband is ready for the changes and agreed we both need it - so here we go! Big changes ahead for the Wheelers!

I've shown my house tons of home love this week! We moved tons of furniture around. And we added some new stuff! And guess what I finally got?? My last etching framed! Ahhh. . . and I love them so! I couldn't wait to hang them up. So as soon as I got home, I made Lonnie hang them all! And then lucky for me, my upholstery guy showed up the next day with a big treat . . .

Remember this chair???

It was the one I bought at my grandparents' estate auction last summer. Well, check it out now!


Uhmm, yeah . . . it took me over a year to make up my mind on fabric! And yes, I'm in love!

And you all have to remember this post - just scroll through it and look at the pictures especially of the chairs {I'm not asking you to read it again!} Oh, the madness - those horrible chairs! Well, look at them today!


Why, yes - those are those incredibly, expensive pillow {I only pull them out for pictures - even guests don't get to see them in person!} I have to tell you that I love these green chairs so much, but it makes me want color on my walls NOW! I think that is the next big project. And I think I'm going to have someone else decide what color for me - if not, it will probably be about 4 years before I make up my mind!

I was having an issue with lighting in this room. Lamps in particular. None of my lamps "matched?" Does that make sense? I wanted all different lamps, but I wanted them to "work" together! Well, truth be told - mine looked like they were fighting a war against each other! They just look all kinds of ugly in my living room! But I changed that with a couple new ones this week!


This shade matches the blue in the antique rocker. But it looks awesome with this oil, too! I really wanted to move this piece of art upstairs and have only etchings downstairs. And I actually just painted black and distressed an antique mirror for this spot. But I just can't seem to move this painting to my bedroom yet! I love it so much and really like to look at it. I just plan on waiting a week or 2 before I move it!

Speaking of move . . . a friend of mine bought a great table {from the same going-out-of-business-store that I got my fantastic hutch!} I've been trying to talk her out of that joker since I first saw it in her house! I had no idea where I would use it - BUT this girl wanted. it. bad!!

I finally called her and told her I was willing to put our friendship on the line. I would will, deal or steal the joker - take her pick!?! I offered up one of my antique dressers - she could choose which ever one she wanted . . . well, it worked! She said she was thinking she wanted a piece that had drawers {not the doors} so she was willing to give in and trade! My persuasion skills are getting better and better!


We moved my red shelf that was in my studio/office to the boys' room {which actually belonged to them originally!} Which, can I say - that once we got that huge thing in their room it was absolutely PERFECT?! This whole time, I thought it was going to be way too big. So, it never was moved in there! But with birthdays in a few days and Christmas in a few months - we needed something to house more toys! Now, obviously, I haven't gotten this shelf anywhere like I want it. BUT I really like it. And I needed the doors! One day I might actually do something with this room!


And I finally got the boys' birthday invites out! Of course no one will get them till Tuesday and the party is Saturday! Less than one week's notice - shocker! I'm soo bad with invitations {birthday cards, graduation cards, Christmas cards, etc!}

Brrr . . .

It is so cold here! Only 57 degrees and I'm ready to put on a winter coat and watch snow fall! Actually it is drizzly here - which does remind me of a Tennessee Christmas! I really hope I see a white Christmas {at least 1 time in my life!}

And why am I talking about Christmas?? Random!

First we have to get through Halloween! Which we have been getting ready for here at the Wheeler's this weekend. Friday night we made a Haunted Gingerbread House . . . and it was scary! I'm really about my kids using there own creativity and go wild with it, but this about put me over the edge! I'm glad I only bought 1 kit! And let me tell you . . . one.hot.mess!


The worms were an after thought . . . we just started sticking candy on it . . . whatever we had!


I actually had some coconut flakes?! Does look like grass - right?


Carson was too concerned with the green icing!


Lawson kept eating all the candy! After he ate all that was in front of him, he started pulling it off the house! Em, on the other hand, was stoked when she got on the table and started mixing up all the icing.


She kept dumping it on the house!


And the whole time Hudson was upstairs reading?! Didn't want any part of it - although he picked it out?! I have a feeling it was just too messy.

On Saturday night, we made cupcakes. Halloween cupcakes. And the kids loved them!


Hudson has this "no hands" policy when he eats anything messy. Part of that sensory issue.


Em had that "one bite" policy as she tried desperately to cram the whole thing in her mouth! Man, we got a long way to go on these manners - this girl is never going to bring home a suitable husband!


I think this was Carson's 4th cupcake! That he ate with a spoon! ?? I don't know, don't ask! But he ate a really good supper and would actually eat the whole cupcake {not just the icing - some of the others had that small issue.} So we kept giving them to him?! We're such great parents! hehe!


Lawson ate his cupcake, oh wait, did I say "cupcake" . . . I meant icing with a spoon. And when he licked that cupcake slick, the boy found the icing bowl {unbeknownst to us} and ate the majority of the left overs!

I'm shocked that we didn't have upset tummies last night! Apparently we have conditioned them well.

Off to dig out all the Halloween decor! And we have accumulated quite a bit since having children. Carson keeps saying {in his lingo,} "Haa-ween skaws me," (Halloween scares me. Just in case you didn' t speak "carson") with an incredibly hysterical facial expression. Because he is dead.serious. The boy would not wear a skeleton shirt yesterday {I guess Lawson gets that one!}

I hope you all have had a great weekend!

WoW! Did you see how many people wanted to win?

That Nester gets more and more comments every time. Did you see that small words got 1437? That is crazy! Thank you all so much! To get comments like that for a give-away is fantastic . . . I feel so loved! tee hee

I completed another painting! Go me! I still need to pick up some speed if truth be known to hit my end of the year deadline. Speaking of which I made another HUGE mistake that I will definitely be addressing in the next post . . . . I'm trying to figure out a way to word my emails to some folks without sounding like a total idiot! Once those emails are out - I'll blog about it. Promise! I probably will do a "mistake" post and list the great ones of 2009!


On with this new painting {I'm sure more people are interested in that than my flops!} Here are the fabrics. I really like the look of green and black together. I have to say that I've seen a ton of nurseries - really I have - and black is rarely used. BUT I love the touch of black.

This room also has black furniture - which I also adore! The bottom half of the wall is Antique Moss by Pittsburgh Paints and the top half is white. So, with only 3 colors in the room . . . I used all 3!


I'm quite positive the green in the stripe will match the bottom half of the wall perfectly. My intentions were to go a shade or so lighter . . . . but I accidentally matched it. Really that wasn't my intention {because I thought I wouldn't be able to match it!} BUT I did - so let's party!!


You know there is always one letter I love in a name after I paint it - I'm sure you all figured it is the "d" . . . . I'm lovin' how it cruises past the border!

And speaking of green . . . check out what was in my garage as I was wrapping up Em's big furniture redo . . . .


In my garage I said! Thank goodness my husband wasn't home . . . his girly scream would have woke up the napping kids! This joker was fast! I tried to pick him up to throw him out, but I couldn't catch him! But luckily for my husband, he did go back out the way he came in.

And do you want to see a sneaky peeky of the furniture? Oh, I know you do!


It's almost 7 am - I've got to start this day!