Santa

So, we never really encouraged the whole Santa Claus thing with Austen-not that we thought it was evil or anything, just never did it. People would ask Austen what Santa was going to bring him for Christmas, and Austen would reply, "Santa's not real...my mom and dad give me presents." Austen was the one that emphatically told Zach that Santa was not real, and Zach willingly went a long. At Holiday Specatcular, Zach is sitting backstage-imagine little Zach when Santa comes off the stage and gives him a high five... Zach's eyes got as big as saucers and he became speechless for a few seconds. He looks at me(still wide-eyed and still looking at Santa) and says, "He is real!"
Now when Austen says Santa isn't real, little Zach replies, "Yes he is! I saw him and I gave him a high five!!"

Why I Don't Like Doctors

So, Austen has been sick for the past 6 days with a fever and cough. Most everyone that I talked to said, "Oh, you should take him to the doctor. This stuff is really going around-he might have strep." I hesitated because whenever I take my kids to the doctor-it always comes back, "Uh, he seems fine to me. It's just gas." Or, "It's just a cough, he'll be fine in a few days." I never get any kind of medicine because its always viral. Knowing this, I waited for a few more days, despite everyone giving me their diagnosis and suggestions. But when Austen woke up for the 5th day with a fever I started thinking about what everyone had been saying. My problem is that it doesn't stop there, no, it multiplies. By the time I decided to take him in, Austen was (in my mind) dying of tuberculosis or malaria. I just knew that I was going to get a huge prescription for medicine or they'll would have to admit him to the hospital.
So, I'm sitting in the waiting room comparing everyone else's sickness with Austen's sickness, and I am positive that Austen is way sicker than they are...
The doctor sees Austen, checks his vitals, etc. The prognosis? A VIRUS! Seriously, this is why I don't like to go to the doctor. He could have had a 106 degree temp, puking, passing out, and a horrible a rash over his whole body, and it would be a virus. I was so mad, I felt like saying, "Can you give me a sample of some medicine? I don't care if it's Tylenol or birth control-I just don't want to walk out of this office empty handed!"
Long story short, by that night, Austen's fever had broke and he was feeling better by the next morning! I know I should be grateful it wasn't something serious, but it just bugs me because I never know when I need to take him to the doctor! If I don't take him, it's something serious. If I do, it's never anything big.
Hopefully, this will be the last of the sickness until next year because I can't ahndle the strees of making that crucial decision!

Austen James Manahan

This should have been my first post since my huge lapse from the blogging world, but...
on November 11th, my son Austen comes up to me after Sunday School. he looks at me and says, "Oh, mom, I asked Jesus into my heart today." I looked at him, tears in my eyes and tell him how proud I am of him. He smiles and then it happened...I began asking question after question. I couldn't stop myself, the questions were flying out of my mouth with no chance of him actually being able to answer them all. "Who was speaking in Sunday School?" "What did they say that made you think you needed Jesus to come into your heart?" "Who did you talk to?" "What did you say when you talked to your Sunday School teacher?" On and on I went, until Austen says, "Mom, stop asking me so many questions! I just asked Jesus into me heart! That's it!" I was just excited about his special news that I wanted to find out all that I could...

So, we went our to celebrate Austen's salvation experience, and since then he has told his teachers, his grandparents, and friends. I can't tell you how exciting it is to know your child is saved and going to Heaven! He has been a changed little boy, too. He talks to Mark and I about making good choices, and wants to pray every night before bed. It's really neat to watch him grow!

Holiday Spectacular!

Alas, it has been too long since my last post...but never fear, Becky (my faithful reader) here is something new!!!

Okay, so I have been incredibly busy these past few months. It has been my dream to get involved in the community theatre scene, and I finally got my chance to do so this past weekend with Holiday Spectacular. This is a Broadway type variety show that involves at least 200 hundred people from the community who sing, dance, and act. I was fortunate to get into the choir as a towns person. I have never had so much fun in my life!!! I met so many new people, all who were very talented! The best part of this experience is that little Zach (who I have determined is indeed my Broadway star and boy diva!) was able to have a role in the show. Yes, Zach debuted as a homeless child and a shepherd. I have posted some pictures of this "spectacular" event...did I mention there were camels and llamas in the show??!!