Friday, March 21, 2008
Spring Break Adventures
Today, my mom and dad took the boys and Meagan and Lexie to Fossil Rim Wildlife Park. It was such a beautiful day and the kids had a great time!! I will let the pictures speak for themselves!!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
He did it!!
After what seemed like an eternity, Luke is finally done with his EGD. We were told to be there at 9:45 and after sitting in the room, gown on, doing nothing for 2 hours, Scott finally asked the nurse if she had any idea what our time frame was. She said we were next in line and, after about another hour, Luke went back (12:45).
The wait was too long for a lot of reasons. These included Luke not having had anything to eat or drink, but more importantly than that, it allowed his fears to multiply over and over. He went from being happy to crying to begging Scott and I to go back with him. He reminded me several times that his tummy didn't really hurt anymore so he really didn't need to do this!! It was so pitiful!!
Finally, the nurse brought his giggle juice which he was so excited about because he was so thirsty and he thought he was really going to get some great juice!! He drank it right down and so began the magic!! After a few minutes, he asked me to lay him down on the bed and he snuggled right in!! He smiled big as the nurse came and rolled him away!! After the morning we had had, only the medicine could have done that!!
After about 20 minutes, the doctor came out and said he was done. He showed us some pictures, mentioned one place that he thought could indicate Celiac Disease, or maybe not, and said someone would call us in 7-10 days! He way he put it, it sounded so simple: If he has the disease, you do the diet. If he doesn't, you don't! (as though the two were pretty much equal!!) Actually, they sound like night and day difference to me!!
Here are the pics to prove the fun we had!!
Before
After
On the way home
I have the "during" pictures if you'd like to see. It just seems kind of weird to put Luke's stomach and intestines on the world wide web for everyone to see!!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Good to go
Finally, we are almost to the big day! Luke is scheduled for his scope/biopsy tomorrow morning. We are supposed to be there at 9:45. When I asked her if there was a specific time Luke would be doing his thing, she just said that Luke had a few others ahead of him. Not really specific enough for me, but oh well!!
These are my thoughts at this point - I have debated back and forth at least 250 million times whether my gut feeling says Luke has this Celiac Disease or not. Every time I convince myself he doesn't have it, I am reminded of something that makes me think he definitely has it (and vice versa). My thinking now is that IF this is a condition where the symptoms can come and go, then he has it - because his symptoms have definitely gone this week. If it is something that should affect him at all times, then he doesn't have it. I know - I should probably be a doctor!!
My gut feeling is usually NOT right - I thought I was having a girl more than once - so I really don't trust that part of me! I guess that is why we are doing this test as it is the only way to know for sure. We will not know anything tomorrow so the waiting will continue!
These are my thoughts at this point - I have debated back and forth at least 250 million times whether my gut feeling says Luke has this Celiac Disease or not. Every time I convince myself he doesn't have it, I am reminded of something that makes me think he definitely has it (and vice versa). My thinking now is that IF this is a condition where the symptoms can come and go, then he has it - because his symptoms have definitely gone this week. If it is something that should affect him at all times, then he doesn't have it. I know - I should probably be a doctor!!
My gut feeling is usually NOT right - I thought I was having a girl more than once - so I really don't trust that part of me! I guess that is why we are doing this test as it is the only way to know for sure. We will not know anything tomorrow so the waiting will continue!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Horton is a hit!!
We took the boys to the movies tonight and had a great time! It is getting harder and harder to find movies that everyone from age 11 down to age 2 is happy with, but I think we found it in Horton Hears a Who!I found myself cracking up a lot (not everyone around me was, but I did a lot!) and really enjoyed the movie. Of course, it was predictable as all kids' movies are, but it definitely kept my attention. I would even see it again - and that's saying something!
I know not everyone shares the same taste in movies, so I'm kind of putting myself and my opinions out there, but I thought this movie was really cute!
Remember - A person is a person, no matter how small!!
Oddly enough, we got into a pretty deep discussion on faith with Alex after the movie. We decided that faith is lots of different things from believing your chair will hold you to believing that you hear a whole city in a speck of dust (movie) to believing that the God of the universe loves you enough to send his Son to die for you.
I see a lot of myself in Alex - right now he's questioning how God has always been in existence. How has He always been? He told me tonight he thinks about that questions every day! I totally remember struggling with that when I was a kid. For someone with a logical, black/white mind, it's hard to put that concept into a nice, neat package. I'm just glad to know he's thinking on those deep things in that little heart of his!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
If Jesus were on land
Happy Monday! It's Spring Break and I'm not sure I've ever looked forward to another Spring Break like I have this one!! We really don't have any amazing plans on the books but I am so ready for a break!!
We've had our good friends, Jacob, Joseph, and Faith over today. All has gone well, though it is interesting to hear the conversations when there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians!! It's happened more than once!!
Luke is doing well and I did talk to the nurse today. She said it can happen where the symptoms can come and go, but she did find it a little strange that he's been great since almost this time last week. He's eating like a cow so I guess that's a good sign!
Yesterday, on the way to church, Luke says to me, "Mom, did you know that some bad men put Jesus on a cross and put nails in his hands??"
Me: Yes, I did know that. That's kind of sad, isn't it?
Luke: Yes - those were really mean guys!
Me: Do you know what would make Jesus want to do that?
Luke: Because he wanted to save us!
Me: Yeah - he really loves us a lot if He would die for us.
Luke: I wish Jesus was on land.
Me: What do you mean??
Luke: Well, if Jesus was on land, I could give him a big hug!!
We've had our good friends, Jacob, Joseph, and Faith over today. All has gone well, though it is interesting to hear the conversations when there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians!! It's happened more than once!!
Luke is doing well and I did talk to the nurse today. She said it can happen where the symptoms can come and go, but she did find it a little strange that he's been great since almost this time last week. He's eating like a cow so I guess that's a good sign!
Yesterday, on the way to church, Luke says to me, "Mom, did you know that some bad men put Jesus on a cross and put nails in his hands??"
Me: Yes, I did know that. That's kind of sad, isn't it?
Luke: Yes - those were really mean guys!
Me: Do you know what would make Jesus want to do that?
Luke: Because he wanted to save us!
Me: Yeah - he really loves us a lot if He would die for us.
Luke: I wish Jesus was on land.
Me: What do you mean??
Luke: Well, if Jesus was on land, I could give him a big hug!!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Update on Luke
We are enjoying a beautiful weekend as we wait not-very-patiently for Luke's biopsy on Thursday. Interestingly enough, Luke has been back to his old self since our appointment with Dr. O on Tuesday. He's eating like crazy, sleeping like a baby, and not complaining of stomach pain at all!! He thinks Dr. O has healed him!! I just wish we knew if this was his last week of eating normal food. What would we do differently?? Would it even matter?? If I knew it was my last week on the planet to eat anything with wheat, I would be going crazy eating everything in sight!! But that's just me!!
I'll keep you posted!!
I'll keep you posted!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday
Tuesday, March 11th
This day began at about 12:30 in the morning. Luke came into our room complaining about his stomach. It seemed that his day of having fun with wheat was coming back to haunt him! After an hour or so of fitfulness, he settled down and slept well. When he woke up, he was in pretty bad shape and wasn't able to go to school.
I really needed to see at least one student, so I took Landry to school and Luke stayed with my mom in her office. He went back to sleep and pretty much stayed that way until I picked him up.
Around lunch, Luke started to feel better. We chilled out at home while we waited for his doctor's appointment. Finally, the time came and we went.
To sum up what Dr. O had to say, Luke needs to have an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) as this is the only absolute way to diagnose Celiac Disease. His blood work says that this is probably what he has, but this scope must be done. In this test, Luke is put to sleep and they insert a tube through his mouth, down into his stomach. They will take little pieces of tissue from his esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. For the true detail people, the tube is 2.8 mm, so the pieces of tissues will be smaller than that. They will then slice that tiny piece of tissue into 50 slices and view it under the microscope!! Amazing!! About a week later, we will know if this is the dreaded disease!!
The test will be next Thursday, the 20th. Luke has to be on a regular diet until then and he has actually done very well today and since lunch yesterday. His appetite is minimal but his complaints are less.
Obviously, if he does have Celiac Disease, we are in for a big change in our eating habits. My mom has already done a lot of research and given me lots of good suggestions. While definitely life-changing, it could be much, much worse! This is not curable, but it is treatable.
On a lighter note -
My Grandma and Big Pa went to The Sunflower Shop and bought Luke a couple of things from the Gluten-Free aisle!! This totally cracks me up!! The box reminds me of those fake commercials from Saturday Night Live. "Perky-O's" are the gluten-free version of Cheerios. Maybe they make you perky, too!!
This day began at about 12:30 in the morning. Luke came into our room complaining about his stomach. It seemed that his day of having fun with wheat was coming back to haunt him! After an hour or so of fitfulness, he settled down and slept well. When he woke up, he was in pretty bad shape and wasn't able to go to school.
I really needed to see at least one student, so I took Landry to school and Luke stayed with my mom in her office. He went back to sleep and pretty much stayed that way until I picked him up.
Around lunch, Luke started to feel better. We chilled out at home while we waited for his doctor's appointment. Finally, the time came and we went.
To sum up what Dr. O had to say, Luke needs to have an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) as this is the only absolute way to diagnose Celiac Disease. His blood work says that this is probably what he has, but this scope must be done. In this test, Luke is put to sleep and they insert a tube through his mouth, down into his stomach. They will take little pieces of tissue from his esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. For the true detail people, the tube is 2.8 mm, so the pieces of tissues will be smaller than that. They will then slice that tiny piece of tissue into 50 slices and view it under the microscope!! Amazing!! About a week later, we will know if this is the dreaded disease!!
The test will be next Thursday, the 20th. Luke has to be on a regular diet until then and he has actually done very well today and since lunch yesterday. His appetite is minimal but his complaints are less.
Obviously, if he does have Celiac Disease, we are in for a big change in our eating habits. My mom has already done a lot of research and given me lots of good suggestions. While definitely life-changing, it could be much, much worse! This is not curable, but it is treatable.
On a lighter note -
My Grandma and Big Pa went to The Sunflower Shop and bought Luke a couple of things from the Gluten-Free aisle!! This totally cracks me up!! The box reminds me of those fake commercials from Saturday Night Live. "Perky-O's" are the gluten-free version of Cheerios. Maybe they make you perky, too!!
One of my favorite parts of the box says "For extra crunch, look for Perky's gluten-and nut-free 'Nutty' cereals." Oddly enough, their "nutty" cereals are nut-free!! Their nutty varieties include Nutty Flax and Nutty Rice!! Yummy!! The maker of these cereals is Enjoy Life Foods. Little oxymoronic, don't you think??
Just for the record, Luke had a small bowl of these and LOVED them!!
So, at this point in the game, we are waiting until next Thursday. Then we will see where this crazy journey will take us!!
Anyone else find it ironic that just ten days ago I was posting about the MercyMe song that asks Jesus to bring me anything that brings Him glory?? Yeah, me too!!
My sweet Luke
Disclaimer about this post -
If we have talked at all in the last week, most of this will be information you already know. The purpose of this post is to begin documenting the journey we might find ourselves taking. Ten years from now, if Luke says, "how did this all start?" I can point him here.
Saturday, March 1st
The journey begins (maybe) - Luke is feeling sickly most of the day and finally throws up. He feels reasonably better the next day or two, with the occasional complaint of stomach pain.
Tuesday, March 4th -Wednesday, March 5th
Luke functions normally but complains pretty regularly about his stomach hurting. At night, he is awakened several times crying about his stomach.
Thursday, March 6th
I call the doctor and ask whether or not Luke's seemingly constant stomach pain should be checked out. They agree it should and Scott takes him in. He has blood drawn and is instructed to produce a urine sample and a stool sample. They tell us the lab work should be back by the following Tuesday!
Friday, March 7th
Luke is pretty much just lying around at this point - not much energy, lots of complaining about his belly. Friday night was possibly one of the worst nights of our lives in the sleeping department. I know we weren't, but it seemed like we were up all night long. I remember begging him to go to sleep with me as I saw the sun beginning to come up!! In addition to the pain, he would literally kick and thrash around the bed, sometimes ending up at the foot of the bed. It was almost like he was having a night terror - totally out of his head!!
Saturday, March 8th
I called the doctor back to see if there was anything I could give him for his pain, since the Motrin didn't seem to be helping much. Because of an amazing God, Luke's doctor was working that Saturday and I didn't have to retrace the whole situation with a new nurse. She pulled his initial lab work report and said that I needed to come back in to the office because his labs were suspicious and that they were suggesting that he might have diabetes!! Wow!! That seemed a little crazy to be telling me over the phone, but I promised her I would bring him in!
When we got there, Dr. C explained why he thought diabetes might be an issue, but also said that his lab work wasn't a fasting lab, so the results might be different if Luke had fasted before the blood was taken. He did another quick check in the office and his blood sugar came back within normal ranges.
The other part of his lab work that wasn't good was his Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies and his Gliadin Antibodies. The first was a 77 on a normal scale of 0-8. The second one was a 43 on a scale of 0-17. This was highly suggestive of Celiac Disease. Dr. C promised to call the GI doctor first thing on Monday and let me know how quickly we could get in to see him. In the meantime, we should take anything containing wheat out of Luke's diet until we saw the GI doctor.
As an aside, Luke decided that our time in the doctor's office would be a good time to go ahead and leave that stool sample!! I could do a whole different post on that, but I might lose at least 1 of my 4 loyal readers!! (I'm talking to you Deneise!!) Suffice it to say that was an experience like no other!!
So, we set out to find something for lunch that was gluten free and after much thought and deliberation, we ended up at Taco Bueno where I got Luke a small side order of chicken! Yummy! We did no gluten for the rest of the day and Sunday. Sunday proved to be a great day for Luke - little to no pain.
Monday, March 10th
Dr. C calls this morning after he spoke with Dr. O. Dr. O feels like there is a 90% chance that Luke does have Celiac Disease but, of course, wants to see him! He miraculously squeezes us in on Tuesday afternoon. Dr. C also tells me to put Luke back on wheat products. Even though it might make his pain return, he should eat even more wheat than normal! Excellent!! Luke feels great pretty much all day Monday and enjoys eating pretty much whatever he wants!!
I think this is getting too long!! I will finish later with the appointment with Dr. O and where we are currently in the waiting game!
If we have talked at all in the last week, most of this will be information you already know. The purpose of this post is to begin documenting the journey we might find ourselves taking. Ten years from now, if Luke says, "how did this all start?" I can point him here.
Saturday, March 1st
The journey begins (maybe) - Luke is feeling sickly most of the day and finally throws up. He feels reasonably better the next day or two, with the occasional complaint of stomach pain.
Tuesday, March 4th -Wednesday, March 5th
Luke functions normally but complains pretty regularly about his stomach hurting. At night, he is awakened several times crying about his stomach.
Thursday, March 6th
I call the doctor and ask whether or not Luke's seemingly constant stomach pain should be checked out. They agree it should and Scott takes him in. He has blood drawn and is instructed to produce a urine sample and a stool sample. They tell us the lab work should be back by the following Tuesday!
Friday, March 7th
Luke is pretty much just lying around at this point - not much energy, lots of complaining about his belly. Friday night was possibly one of the worst nights of our lives in the sleeping department. I know we weren't, but it seemed like we were up all night long. I remember begging him to go to sleep with me as I saw the sun beginning to come up!! In addition to the pain, he would literally kick and thrash around the bed, sometimes ending up at the foot of the bed. It was almost like he was having a night terror - totally out of his head!!
Saturday, March 8th
I called the doctor back to see if there was anything I could give him for his pain, since the Motrin didn't seem to be helping much. Because of an amazing God, Luke's doctor was working that Saturday and I didn't have to retrace the whole situation with a new nurse. She pulled his initial lab work report and said that I needed to come back in to the office because his labs were suspicious and that they were suggesting that he might have diabetes!! Wow!! That seemed a little crazy to be telling me over the phone, but I promised her I would bring him in!
When we got there, Dr. C explained why he thought diabetes might be an issue, but also said that his lab work wasn't a fasting lab, so the results might be different if Luke had fasted before the blood was taken. He did another quick check in the office and his blood sugar came back within normal ranges.
The other part of his lab work that wasn't good was his Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies and his Gliadin Antibodies. The first was a 77 on a normal scale of 0-8. The second one was a 43 on a scale of 0-17. This was highly suggestive of Celiac Disease. Dr. C promised to call the GI doctor first thing on Monday and let me know how quickly we could get in to see him. In the meantime, we should take anything containing wheat out of Luke's diet until we saw the GI doctor.
As an aside, Luke decided that our time in the doctor's office would be a good time to go ahead and leave that stool sample!! I could do a whole different post on that, but I might lose at least 1 of my 4 loyal readers!! (I'm talking to you Deneise!!) Suffice it to say that was an experience like no other!!
So, we set out to find something for lunch that was gluten free and after much thought and deliberation, we ended up at Taco Bueno where I got Luke a small side order of chicken! Yummy! We did no gluten for the rest of the day and Sunday. Sunday proved to be a great day for Luke - little to no pain.
Monday, March 10th
Dr. C calls this morning after he spoke with Dr. O. Dr. O feels like there is a 90% chance that Luke does have Celiac Disease but, of course, wants to see him! He miraculously squeezes us in on Tuesday afternoon. Dr. C also tells me to put Luke back on wheat products. Even though it might make his pain return, he should eat even more wheat than normal! Excellent!! Luke feels great pretty much all day Monday and enjoys eating pretty much whatever he wants!!
I think this is getting too long!! I will finish later with the appointment with Dr. O and where we are currently in the waiting game!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
You know it's going to be a bad day when ...
. . . you can't get out of the driveway without backing into your husband's car!!
Yes - that's what happened to me at approximately 7:25 this morning!!
I knew then that it might be an interesting day!!
Just for the record, there wasn't too much damage. That's my story - Scott's might be a little different. When a black Suburban collides with a smaller white car, there's going to be some damage!! Of course, I didn't mean to do it!! Why would I mean to do it?? I just totally forgot that I have to carefully maneuver around his car when I leave first.
It's a great way to start your day!!
I get the boys to school and go to the high school. There, I speak with several people, go up and down stairs, talk to students, etc etc. I am discussing one of my students with a teacher and suddenly realize that my right arm looks like it has a HUGE muscle where my bicep should be. I quickly finish the conversation and go to my "office," all the while thinking - what the heck is in my arm?? I close the door, reach my hand into my shirt, and pull out a sock!! Excellent!! Everyone needs an extra sock in their shirt making their arm look totally deformed!! Why I didn't notice this before I chatted with several people, I'm not sure!!
So, before 8:15 this morning, I had had an accident and found a missing sock in my shirt!!
Of course, it all ended well because it started snowing and that makes almost everyone happy!! The boys were thrilled and I snapped some pics of them playing in the serious snowstorm we got!! They're keeping their fingers crossed for no school tomorrow!!
I think I captured Landry's thoughts on the whole idea of snow and cold!!
Yes - that's what happened to me at approximately 7:25 this morning!!
I knew then that it might be an interesting day!!
Just for the record, there wasn't too much damage. That's my story - Scott's might be a little different. When a black Suburban collides with a smaller white car, there's going to be some damage!! Of course, I didn't mean to do it!! Why would I mean to do it?? I just totally forgot that I have to carefully maneuver around his car when I leave first.
It's a great way to start your day!!
I get the boys to school and go to the high school. There, I speak with several people, go up and down stairs, talk to students, etc etc. I am discussing one of my students with a teacher and suddenly realize that my right arm looks like it has a HUGE muscle where my bicep should be. I quickly finish the conversation and go to my "office," all the while thinking - what the heck is in my arm?? I close the door, reach my hand into my shirt, and pull out a sock!! Excellent!! Everyone needs an extra sock in their shirt making their arm look totally deformed!! Why I didn't notice this before I chatted with several people, I'm not sure!!
So, before 8:15 this morning, I had had an accident and found a missing sock in my shirt!!
Of course, it all ended well because it started snowing and that makes almost everyone happy!! The boys were thrilled and I snapped some pics of them playing in the serious snowstorm we got!! They're keeping their fingers crossed for no school tomorrow!!
I think I captured Landry's thoughts on the whole idea of snow and cold!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A bloggy makeover
Well, this is the new home for the four great boys happenings!
My good friend, Emily, hooked me up with the people who designed her blog and I think they did a great job! The idea of blog design - it's a whole new world!! So, I hope everyone likes this space because it's here for a very long time!! I can totally see the boys being about 25 and saying - Mom, when are you going to change those pictures?? They're so old!!
Now, if I could get a personal makeover, I'd be good to go!! I could be nominated for What Not to Wear!! How cool would that be?? Or maybe in a few years, 10 Years Younger!!
Something to keep in mind!!
My good friend, Emily, hooked me up with the people who designed her blog and I think they did a great job! The idea of blog design - it's a whole new world!! So, I hope everyone likes this space because it's here for a very long time!! I can totally see the boys being about 25 and saying - Mom, when are you going to change those pictures?? They're so old!!
Now, if I could get a personal makeover, I'd be good to go!! I could be nominated for What Not to Wear!! How cool would that be?? Or maybe in a few years, 10 Years Younger!!
Something to keep in mind!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Guess who called??
When we got home from school today, there were a couple of messages on the answering machine.
Imagine my surprise in hearing, "This is Barack Obama and today is election day in Texas!!"
I'm thinking - Wow, that is really great of him to call us! I'm sure he's very busy today!!
I went in to check my email and the phone range. Parker answered it in another part of the house and a few minutes later came in very excited!
He said - Do you know who that was on the phone??
I said - No
He said - It was Michelle Obama!
Me - Who's that??
Park - You know - that Obama guy's wife!!
Me - What did she want?
Park - To tell me to vote for Obama!
Me - So, did you tell her you would?
Park - I couldn't talk to her - it was like a computer!!
When I told him to go listen to the answering machine, he was totally pumped!! He could NOT believe that Barack Obama would call our house!! So now, he is very interested in Barack Obama. Just a couple of days ago, he couldn't seem to remember his name and was calling him "Ooompa." He was trying to convince me NOT to vote for Ooompa and that I should vote for Hillary instead. When I questioned him as to why I should vote for her, he replied, "She has a great hair-do!"
So, apparently, good hair-dos and personal phone calls go a long way with the 8 year old set. Just imagine if 8 year olds could vote! What kind of shape would our country be in then??
And just so you know, Parker went ahead and got online after visiting with the Obamas and voted so that his new friend could win!!
Who knew you could vote online??
:)
Imagine my surprise in hearing, "This is Barack Obama and today is election day in Texas!!"
I'm thinking - Wow, that is really great of him to call us! I'm sure he's very busy today!!
I went in to check my email and the phone range. Parker answered it in another part of the house and a few minutes later came in very excited!
He said - Do you know who that was on the phone??
I said - No
He said - It was Michelle Obama!
Me - Who's that??
Park - You know - that Obama guy's wife!!
Me - What did she want?
Park - To tell me to vote for Obama!
Me - So, did you tell her you would?
Park - I couldn't talk to her - it was like a computer!!
When I told him to go listen to the answering machine, he was totally pumped!! He could NOT believe that Barack Obama would call our house!! So now, he is very interested in Barack Obama. Just a couple of days ago, he couldn't seem to remember his name and was calling him "Ooompa." He was trying to convince me NOT to vote for Ooompa and that I should vote for Hillary instead. When I questioned him as to why I should vote for her, he replied, "She has a great hair-do!"
So, apparently, good hair-dos and personal phone calls go a long way with the 8 year old set. Just imagine if 8 year olds could vote! What kind of shape would our country be in then??
And just so you know, Parker went ahead and got online after visiting with the Obamas and voted so that his new friend could win!!
Who knew you could vote online??
:)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Glory
Life stinks at times, and sometimes for long periods of time.
This is part of a song that I am loving currently. It's by Mercy Me and it so adequately sums up how our attitude should be about the stinky times of life. While it never seems natural to me to say, "I love trials and hard times - they really bring out the best in me," it is so awesome to see how God can lead you during these times.
And to ever get to the point where you can say "Bring me anything that brings You glory" is just a huge testament to a loving God that totally holds your life in His hand. Because when God does do something in your life that is so totally and completely GOD - and absolutely, positively nothing else - all you want to do is shout it from the mountaintops. God is truly amazing!!
Bring The Rain
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
The last little bit of Psalm 118 (The Message) says:
You're my God, and I thank you.
O my God, I lift high your praise.
Thank God- he's so good.
His love never quits!!
This is part of a song that I am loving currently. It's by Mercy Me and it so adequately sums up how our attitude should be about the stinky times of life. While it never seems natural to me to say, "I love trials and hard times - they really bring out the best in me," it is so awesome to see how God can lead you during these times.
And to ever get to the point where you can say "Bring me anything that brings You glory" is just a huge testament to a loving God that totally holds your life in His hand. Because when God does do something in your life that is so totally and completely GOD - and absolutely, positively nothing else - all you want to do is shout it from the mountaintops. God is truly amazing!!
Bring The Rain
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
The last little bit of Psalm 118 (The Message) says:
You're my God, and I thank you.
O my God, I lift high your praise.
Thank God- he's so good.
His love never quits!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday Musings
Monday is an interesting day!
Here's what Landry woke up looking like:
He said - Mom, loot at my turly hair! Its doing this and this and that!!
I couldn't agree more!!
As I was talking to Sherry on the phone (work related, of course) Luke and Landry came in looking like this:
Good supervision really is important!!
Finally, this is what I love about not doing very much laundry over the weekend:
Happy Monday!! Enjoy the weather!!
Here's what Landry woke up looking like:
He said - Mom, loot at my turly hair! Its doing this and this and that!!
I couldn't agree more!!
As I was talking to Sherry on the phone (work related, of course) Luke and Landry came in looking like this:
Good supervision really is important!!
Finally, this is what I love about not doing very much laundry over the weekend:
Happy Monday!! Enjoy the weather!!Sunday, February 24, 2008
It was a good one!
Another birthday has come and gone and it's hard to believe I'm as old as I am!!
I really don't feel that old! It's a good thing I have friends who are older than me!! :)
I had the awesome privilege of hangin' with some of my good friends on Friday night at Sherry's. Good friends + Pappasitos food = win/win!! A little Wii competition made for an even more exciting night!! I must mention that Shellee wins the trophy for best all-around dance moves on Dancing with the Stars!! While the judges described me as "luscious" and "having intoxicating passion," Shellee wins hands down!! If you know me, you know there is nothing in my dancing abilities that can be described with either of those words/phrases. Shellee, on the other hand, has the gift of dance!! You go, girl!! It reminds me of a time a while back when I snapped this picture of Shell busting out!!
Saturday was filled with basketball fun - three fun games, to be exact!! Then, Scott and I went to Uncle Julio's that night for a little birthday date. That place is crazy packed on a Saturday night with lots of young, cute people. Great food, though.
Today, we went to my mom's for lunch and hung out for the afternoon. Ryan, Shannon and the girls came and that means instant fun for the boys!! It was such a beautiful day - the kids had fun playing golf and playing at the park. I managed to work in a nap somehow, so I should be up for a while!!
Birthdays are a great time to be reminded of all the important people in your life. I am so blessed to have such a great group of girls to walk this journey with me. They all add so much to my life in their own special ways and I am so thankful for them. And my family is like no other!! They have always been such a huge support and help to me. The unconditional love that they demonstrate is amazing!! I don't tell them often enough how much I love them and appreciate them. I would not be the person I am today if not for my great family!!
So, I guess I'm another year older!! Here's hoping for a great year!!
I really don't feel that old! It's a good thing I have friends who are older than me!! :)
I had the awesome privilege of hangin' with some of my good friends on Friday night at Sherry's. Good friends + Pappasitos food = win/win!! A little Wii competition made for an even more exciting night!! I must mention that Shellee wins the trophy for best all-around dance moves on Dancing with the Stars!! While the judges described me as "luscious" and "having intoxicating passion," Shellee wins hands down!! If you know me, you know there is nothing in my dancing abilities that can be described with either of those words/phrases. Shellee, on the other hand, has the gift of dance!! You go, girl!! It reminds me of a time a while back when I snapped this picture of Shell busting out!!
Saturday was filled with basketball fun - three fun games, to be exact!! Then, Scott and I went to Uncle Julio's that night for a little birthday date. That place is crazy packed on a Saturday night with lots of young, cute people. Great food, though.
Today, we went to my mom's for lunch and hung out for the afternoon. Ryan, Shannon and the girls came and that means instant fun for the boys!! It was such a beautiful day - the kids had fun playing golf and playing at the park. I managed to work in a nap somehow, so I should be up for a while!!
Birthdays are a great time to be reminded of all the important people in your life. I am so blessed to have such a great group of girls to walk this journey with me. They all add so much to my life in their own special ways and I am so thankful for them. And my family is like no other!! They have always been such a huge support and help to me. The unconditional love that they demonstrate is amazing!! I don't tell them often enough how much I love them and appreciate them. I would not be the person I am today if not for my great family!!
So, I guess I'm another year older!! Here's hoping for a great year!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Guess what showed up on my doorstep . . .
. . . this morning??!!?
A sweet baby!!
A sweet baby!!
Baby Brody is coming over pretty regularly now and we are having SO much fun with him - when he's awake, that is!! It is very cool to have a baby in the house again! We've managed to change his diaper and his clothes about 3 times each day for various and sundry reasons. Look at him here - doesn't he look so happy??!!? We are very happy when he's here!
On to other exciting news, someone is very excited about the upcoming baseball season. This little boy has taken to sleeping with his glove, helmet, and bat. He does NOT like me taking pictures of him while he's sleeping so don't mention this to him!! He was not happy when he saw the pics of the sleeping pirate a couple of weeks ago! Anyway, he got to do try-outs last night and was totally pumped about it. He did great and can't wait for baseball season to start.
Finally, the three youngest boys and I stayed home from church tonight. Everyone just needed a good night's sleep and a relaxing night. After baths, we made some smoothies that Parker has been begging me to try for weeks. He got the recipe at school and we finally got around to getting the stuff. They had frozen peaches, vanilla yogurt, and orange juice. Peach definitely wouldn't have been my first choice, but they were really pretty good. They seemed healthy too. We finished that off with some carrots and ranch! I keep telling the kids that if they will wash their hands, eat healthy, get lots of rest, and not drink after ANYONE, maybe they won't get the flu or some other dreaded sickness. We'll see how that plan works for us!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Meme
I'm not sure what I've been doing lately, but blogging hasn't been making the cut.
I've actually been in deep thought since my friend, Marla, tagged me last week to do this meme. I have all this stuff I've been dying to tell you about me so this is the opportunity I've been waiting for!! Totally kidding!! I've been having a little trouble coming up with 6 things that people don't already know about me. Anyway . . .
So, here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
Here are my non-important things/habits/quirks -
1. One of my favorite breakfasts to this day (I ate this a lot when I was a kid) are toasted blueberry pop-tarts covered with butter and a Diet Coke!! I know - yummy and nutritious!! If I could read the paper without interuption while eating this delicacy, it would be a great start to my day!!
2. I took piano lessons for years as a child and into college. I gave it up in my adult years and it has probably been one of my bigger regrets. Someday, I will get a piano and make beautiful music again!! haha!
3. I have an amazing job that has been a true gift from God. Teaching homebound kids proves to be a challenge in many areas but is so perfect for someone like me. It gives me the flexibility I need and still allows me to work. I'm going to tell you about one of my all-time favorite students in a few weeks!! Stay tuned!!
4. When I was a kid, I wanted to have 5 kids and be the kind of doctor that delivered food at the hospital! I almost made the first goal but I don't really see me getting close to the second!! How many years of med school would it take to do that job??
5. The kindergarteners that I taught my first year of teaching in Houston are seniors this year! Wow - do I feel old!! That was the year that I seriously comtemplated giving up the teaching profession and becoming a bus driver!! Believe me - I thought about it often!!
6. I've found it much easier to post about the kids!! There are a lot of I's and me's in this post and it's weird!!
So, that is more than you ever wanted to know about me!! But now, the fun part!! I get to read about other people!! So, I'm going to tag these lucky people:
Sherry, Emily, Shellee, Deneise, Jenny, and Leigh
I've actually been in deep thought since my friend, Marla, tagged me last week to do this meme. I have all this stuff I've been dying to tell you about me so this is the opportunity I've been waiting for!! Totally kidding!! I've been having a little trouble coming up with 6 things that people don't already know about me. Anyway . . .
So, here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
Here are my non-important things/habits/quirks -
1. One of my favorite breakfasts to this day (I ate this a lot when I was a kid) are toasted blueberry pop-tarts covered with butter and a Diet Coke!! I know - yummy and nutritious!! If I could read the paper without interuption while eating this delicacy, it would be a great start to my day!!
2. I took piano lessons for years as a child and into college. I gave it up in my adult years and it has probably been one of my bigger regrets. Someday, I will get a piano and make beautiful music again!! haha!
3. I have an amazing job that has been a true gift from God. Teaching homebound kids proves to be a challenge in many areas but is so perfect for someone like me. It gives me the flexibility I need and still allows me to work. I'm going to tell you about one of my all-time favorite students in a few weeks!! Stay tuned!!
4. When I was a kid, I wanted to have 5 kids and be the kind of doctor that delivered food at the hospital! I almost made the first goal but I don't really see me getting close to the second!! How many years of med school would it take to do that job??
5. The kindergarteners that I taught my first year of teaching in Houston are seniors this year! Wow - do I feel old!! That was the year that I seriously comtemplated giving up the teaching profession and becoming a bus driver!! Believe me - I thought about it often!!
6. I've found it much easier to post about the kids!! There are a lot of I's and me's in this post and it's weird!!
So, that is more than you ever wanted to know about me!! But now, the fun part!! I get to read about other people!! So, I'm going to tag these lucky people:
Sherry, Emily, Shellee, Deneise, Jenny, and Leigh
Monday, February 11, 2008
So that's where they've been all this time . . .
Today I went into a part of the house that I rarely visit - the upstairs TV room.
I kind of equate this room with the far back seat of the Suburban - it's just not good for me to go there very often!! I am not a neat freak by any standard, but these two places put me over the edge with just the trash and general messiness that is always found there.
The upstairs room is for the boys - all 5 of them. It's where they watch all their precious sporting events, movies, etc. I am usually trying to get something done while I watch so it's usually not worth it to have to drag something upstairs to do (i.e. ironing).
Anyway, today I went up there for something. I really can't even remember why. But as I'm gathering up the pop-tart wrappers, fruit bar wrappers, Star Crunch/Oatmeal Creme Pie wrappers (mumbling under my breath things that were not very kind), I glanced over toward the corner behind the foosball table. There was this unbelievably huge pile of socks. I stand there staring at it in disbelief. I was trying to figure out why someone would have brought the missing sock basket up there and emptied it. I go over to get a closer look and realize that most of these socks have partners - they are not missing socks at all!! Someone, in a crazy attempt to straighten things up a bit, must have thrown all the socks in the room into one corner and there they have stayed. Just for fun I counted them and they numbered 24!! 24 socks in one corner - amazing!!
So, the mystery of why everyone always needs socks might possibly be solved. Now I should be able to sleep at night!!
I kind of equate this room with the far back seat of the Suburban - it's just not good for me to go there very often!! I am not a neat freak by any standard, but these two places put me over the edge with just the trash and general messiness that is always found there.
The upstairs room is for the boys - all 5 of them. It's where they watch all their precious sporting events, movies, etc. I am usually trying to get something done while I watch so it's usually not worth it to have to drag something upstairs to do (i.e. ironing).
Anyway, today I went up there for something. I really can't even remember why. But as I'm gathering up the pop-tart wrappers, fruit bar wrappers, Star Crunch/Oatmeal Creme Pie wrappers (mumbling under my breath things that were not very kind), I glanced over toward the corner behind the foosball table. There was this unbelievably huge pile of socks. I stand there staring at it in disbelief. I was trying to figure out why someone would have brought the missing sock basket up there and emptied it. I go over to get a closer look and realize that most of these socks have partners - they are not missing socks at all!! Someone, in a crazy attempt to straighten things up a bit, must have thrown all the socks in the room into one corner and there they have stayed. Just for fun I counted them and they numbered 24!! 24 socks in one corner - amazing!!
So, the mystery of why everyone always needs socks might possibly be solved. Now I should be able to sleep at night!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Obtuse??
Tonight on the way home from church, the boys and I were talking about my love of Diet Coke.
I made a semi-kinda-sorta-maybe-possibly commitment around the beginning of the year to maybe think about easing up on drinking so much of it. I did really well for a few days. I'm still doing well at home. I do not buy it and keep it at home so I don't drink it at home. That is where I am most successful. Outside of home = not so successful!
Anyway, after the boys reminded me as they often do, that Miss Estes does a lot better than I do when it comes to this commitment, Parker says, "And anyway, you're not losing any weight drinking Diet Coke."
To which I reply - I don't drink Diet Coke to lose weight - I just like it!
Parker - Well, maybe you should drink it to lose weight. You know, you used to be like this (demonstration of hands close together) and now you're kind of like this (demonstration of hands lots further apart!!)
Me - What does THAT mean?
Parker - Well, you're kind of . . . . OBTUSE!
And as much as I wanted to go into all the reasons that I might find myself "obtuse" - one of them being HIM - I decided to show that I am a master of self control and let it go.
Where do kids learn these words anyway??
I made a semi-kinda-sorta-maybe-possibly commitment around the beginning of the year to maybe think about easing up on drinking so much of it. I did really well for a few days. I'm still doing well at home. I do not buy it and keep it at home so I don't drink it at home. That is where I am most successful. Outside of home = not so successful!
Anyway, after the boys reminded me as they often do, that Miss Estes does a lot better than I do when it comes to this commitment, Parker says, "And anyway, you're not losing any weight drinking Diet Coke."
To which I reply - I don't drink Diet Coke to lose weight - I just like it!
Parker - Well, maybe you should drink it to lose weight. You know, you used to be like this (demonstration of hands close together) and now you're kind of like this (demonstration of hands lots further apart!!)
Me - What does THAT mean?
Parker - Well, you're kind of . . . . OBTUSE!
And as much as I wanted to go into all the reasons that I might find myself "obtuse" - one of them being HIM - I decided to show that I am a master of self control and let it go.
Where do kids learn these words anyway??
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
CF Husband
Anyone who has jumped into the blogosphere of late has probably been surprised by the fact that they read about people whom they never knew existed and will most likely never meet. I find it odd and fascinating, at the same time, to read stories of tragedy and triumph, birth and death, and lots of just plain weirdness!!
Scott's sister, Melodie, sent me a link about a blog back around the first of the year. Like many others, I have found myself checking in on this family regularly. It is about a young couple who have just had their first baby, born very prematurely, and their day-to-day account of their struggles and victories. The difference in this blog and all the others is that Melodie's roommate, Deb, works with patients who require physical therapy at Duke University Medical Center, and the young mom was a former patient of hers. Tricia has Cistic Fibrosis which is a life threatening condition.
So, while I don't know them, and most likely never will, it is really neat to see how God has worked in their lives through this event and will continue to do so. When you have some time, or want to be inspired, go check it out. This link will take you to where he is retracing their steps (catching new readers up to speed). The blog address is cfhusband.blogspot.com.
Scott's sister, Melodie, sent me a link about a blog back around the first of the year. Like many others, I have found myself checking in on this family regularly. It is about a young couple who have just had their first baby, born very prematurely, and their day-to-day account of their struggles and victories. The difference in this blog and all the others is that Melodie's roommate, Deb, works with patients who require physical therapy at Duke University Medical Center, and the young mom was a former patient of hers. Tricia has Cistic Fibrosis which is a life threatening condition.
So, while I don't know them, and most likely never will, it is really neat to see how God has worked in their lives through this event and will continue to do so. When you have some time, or want to be inspired, go check it out. This link will take you to where he is retracing their steps (catching new readers up to speed). The blog address is cfhusband.blogspot.com.
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