Some News...

Yeah, it's been quite here.  Sorry for not being more 'connected'.  Between 12 appointments every week (and that's only going to increase now :)), all-day sickness, fatigue and the challenging time of year that it is for one of our children, little time has been available to stay connected to the outside world.  And it is only going to get better (or worse) depending on if you are a glass half full or half empty kind of person.

We could use lots of prayer, to put it delicately, getting pregnant was not something we were seeking...  I will be not only seeing an OB, but a perinatologist as well because of my history of preterm labor, the abruption with Mr. T and the resulting 'emergency' C-section.  There will be weekly injections and 'when' I go on bedrest, not 'if'.  The goal is to bake baby until June, with April - June being a somewhat 'safe' window and more consistent with my history.  So life has gotten even more complicated, but we are finding joy.  This may not have been our plan, but I would much rather be in God's plan than my own, because that is where true happiness can be found.

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"Infusion #3- almost done!"

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Planning and Failing

I was reminded today that if you fail to plan, you're planning to fail.  Planning has a place, but do we ever stop God's blessing because it doesn't fit into our plan?

There's this family that I know that wanted to have another child, they planned the exact month that they wanted to conceive (and did), but when the baby miscarried instead of ever trying again, they stopped.  I know the pain of miscarriage, so when I heard this my heart broke.  A baby unless born at X time just didn't fit into their life.  Too scared or too busy?  If it didn't fit into their plan, they didn't want any.  How many times do I (we) cram God into a box?

I recently overheard some adoption conversation (from people who hadn't adopted).  Though I didn't listen intently I heard several 'reasons' why adoption just wasn't 'right' for them.  If I had had my game on, I could have walked over and said, "God doesn't command you to adopt, but to take care of the orphan and the widow.  So how are doing with that command?"  But I was distracted from a busy week, kids and emotional exhaustion.  Things had not gone according to my plan last week and I was still recovering.  (yes, I am human :-)) Letting God have your schedule is not always easy.  Did I miss a divine appointment or was simply being there with all our kids enough to show that adoption is sometimes not what we planned and is hard, but so worth it.

How much are we planning our lives and expecting God to 'bless' OUR plan and how much are we saying, "It's all yours.  Every breath.  All my time.  All that I have is yours.  Use it to further your kingdom."

So last week I fit in one overnight out of town appointment, gymnastics, our regular 6 weekly medical appointments, speech and OT evals, an ENT visit and one surgery.  Friday the 21st is when we received the phone call that we could see the doctor on Monday the 24th.  Thursday the 27th is when we found out about surgery on the 28th.  If I had held on too tightly to MY schedule, we would have missed seeing a wonderful geneticist (who's also a developmental pediatrician) that treated us with care and like we are people (a novel idea, I know).  We also would be looking at having to wait two weeks for ear tubes for Ms. E, who already had fluid on one ear and had a massive ear infection (still) in the other.

What is God trying to fit into your life?  He might not be calling you to adopt, but is He calling you to pray for an adoptive family?  Or maybe you could help a child right where they are by becoming a Compassion sponsor, is He calling you to give of your finances?  Maybe your time can be your gift and you could visit nursing homes or deliver meals?

God knows us, how much hair we have, each of our needs, what our favorite things are and He WANTS to bless us.  Sometimes those blessings happen when we let go of our plan and say, "Daddy, I am yours, use me."  He is best able to use us when we are weak, because He strengthens us and His strength is revealed to others.  He is best able to use us when we don't know the answer, because He is the answer and His wisdom and glory is then demonstrated.  He is able to use us when we put our plans aside, because He has an eternal plan that will draw people to Him.

So this week are you failing to plan, planning to fail or planning on God?


Zebras 'eating' her hospital bracelets

Happy Gotcha Day!

Whatcha Doing?

So it's September. 
Can you believe it's September?!!!
I haven't planned a menu since January... and we have survived!  Surprising, I know!
A year ago today our neighbor called to let us know that wildfires were near by while we were many states away.  We kept vacationing and our house survived.
But, we have done so much more than survive.  Our family has thrived!
I honestly can't believe all that we have come through in the last year.
Two replaced transmissions (on two totally different vehicles).  Not cheap, but God provided!
Two readoptions (and I acted as our lawyer!).  Amazing!
13 broken bones in just over a year (in the same child) and she still has a great go get 'em attitude!
Innumerable little 'God moments'.
Countless BIG 'God moments'.
Self realization.
Treachery from others (toward our family).
Extended family visiting for an extended period of time.
Opening our home to friends.
The death of a cat.
Overcoming not being the 'perfect' mom.
The loss of a dog.
Two majorly sprained ankles (me, same ankle).
So many tough moments that make you cry out to God (and He answers).
Relationships healed.
Hearts mended.





Fun from our weekend getaway

E's first day of school

I am truly blessed!

What have you done for God lately?  Until you put yourself out there, you won't be able to experience how much He gives back.

Great Thought for Today

A mind that is unfocused is vulnerable to "the world, the flesh, and the devil," all of which exert a downward pull on your thoughts. As your thinking processes deteriorate, you become increasingly confused and directionless. The best remedy is to refocus your mind and heart on Me, your constant Companion.

Sent from Jesus Calling - http://bit.ly/eF5kSq

Shelter in the Storm

Its hot and dusty, the trail has been long, but you almost at the end and to your destination.  Suddenly a band of renegades attack you and your left destitute.  Or....
Or maybe your day just has a few bumps.

Don't lose heart, though the devil prowls like a lion seeking those to devour 1 Peter 5:8, we have to be strong and courageous Deut. 31:6 because God IS with us.

Be strong and courageous today.

God loves you.  He really does, even when storms come.  His love is a shelter in the storm, a hope and refuge.

Redeemed!

Forgetting myself I drank coffee yesterday afternoon, I savored the brown liquid of life as it caressed down my throat... God knew the energy and strength I would need later....  I will say, it was not so savory being bright eyed at midnight when I wanted to sleep though.  However, two redeeming things came out of my more alert status-
#1 Mr. Incredible made a surprise appearance and was home for seven hours!  Only the children who crawl in our bed at night and I know this secret information and we aren't blabbing (except here of course!).  He is back on his business trip today, but with all the flying/meetings yesterday they missed 'the dinner' (which was the reason to be in D last night) so he and the pilot flew home for the night and flew out again this morning.  Yeah!  Got to see my honey!

The back story for two:  China is an atheistic, Communist country because of this we pray for not only the country, but our daughters and 'the heritage' that they have from there.  L spent almost 4.5 years in an orphanage.  She was the pet.  It would appear she got what she wanted and 'told' if she didn't.  Adopting L at 4.5 years, was not only a leap of faith financially and physically, but also spiritually.  I have led four out of six of our children to Christ by the time they were five (some younger), this is not a goal, it just has happened.  Adopting a child who was totally ignorant of God, what Jesus had done for her and lacking moral standards has been interesting.  I know you're thinking, 'Come on Jennifer.  She's five! How much can a five year old do wrong?'.  To this I say actions speak louder than words and what a man believes in his heart is what he does.  E is significantly developmentally delayed, so much so that L will 'take advantage' of E's slowness. Not acceptable.  There was an incident yesterday of lying and another of destroying E's property (just a little old Valentine, but not the point).  It all boiled down to she wanted it and she was going to by 'any means necessary' get what she wanted.  I was not going to let her win this.  I won it and in the process two happened.
 
#2 Every time we discipline we endeavor to lead it back to God.  The reason we don't ---- is because Jesus said ----.  Also, our prayer of the last two years of being able to show our (new) child Christ's love so that she would one day accept Him as her Savior.
 
Last night Lollipop asked Jesus to live in her heart!!!!!

There are some that believe that a child can't understand a commitment to Christ.  I disagree.  At five, I committed my life and though I have not always been moving forward in my relationship with Christ (age 13 and 17-19 leap to mind), I have always known that my life was not my own and the things that I might try to keep hidden He would bring to light, so it would be best if I lead a life that was as transparent as possible.

I am so thankful that God used this imperfect mommy to lead her daughter to Christ!  God is good!  He takes the fatherless and sets them in families so that they may know Him! (Ps 68:6) God redeems!

Back to School? Did we ever stop?

Well today marks our first day 'back', but since we have schooled year round this year and we have already started some of our new stuff and are still finishing up some old stuff, does today mean anything?  But, we took last week completely off because of the CRAZYness of it (and I knew it would be).  I am so thankful we have the liberty to homeschool and my children can learn at their own rate (which is sometimes an accelerated pace and sometimes not).

Today I am also thankful for air conditioning and electricity.  We lost power for some time last night...our sign that it was back on and we needed to close the windows?  Turn our bedroom light 'on'.  That way when power was restored we could race around and close all the windows!  (so thankful that Mr. Incredible did the racing and not me)

Please say a prayer for Mr. Incredible today (and us) he is on a business trip and flying all over in a small plane (seven stops in two states) for most of the day today and is away tonight.

Gotta run!!!!

What is Love?

I have been facing a dilemma lately. 

It seems to be everywhere I turn. 

Christians are to love others.  I have no problem loving.  But I do have a problem 'loving' in the way the world wants to be 'loved'.  The 'love' that is touted as 'real love' is an all accepting, non-problem solving kind, get all down in your mucky muck with kind of 'love'.  And honey, THAT ain't LOVE.

If I see a fellow Christian wallowing in sin, I am not supposed to join them in their sin to show them that what they are doing is wrong.  Neither am I supposed to yell at them, "YOU'RE SINNING!".  I am supposed to go to them humbly and say the Bible requires XYZ and you are not doing XYZ.  I want to help you do XYZ.  What can I do to help?  This is not judgement this is LOVE.  I am not loving them by supporting/letting them continue to do XYZ without being exposed to the Truth.  If they accept the Truth, WONDERFUL, but if they don't it's their problem God's their judge and I can continue to expose them to the Truth (in a friendly, non-hypocritical manner of course).

 "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.... He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.'" ~Acts 10:34,35&42

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~Matthew 7:1-2

God loved us enough to provide atonement for our sin.  God loved us enough to give us a way out of our pit.  God also gave us the standard by which we are to live and get this!  It's the BIBLE!  God's commands are more than to just 'love'.  They include have nothing more important in your life than Him, do not murder, steal, covet, commit adultery or lie! (all can be found in Exodus 20) Are you really being a friend if you don't tell others the truth?!

"If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love....My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." ~John 15: 10&12 

So to be in love you have to keep His commands, which means you first have to know them, so you have probably been reading your Bible and if you've been reading your Bible then that hopefully means you are wanting to know more of God and the Truth therein contained in the Word of God.  So if you know the truth, apply it to your life and see people outside of the truth, how exactly is it loving to let them keep on living in a lie?  If the Bible is your standard by all which will be judged, it's not judgement to encourage others to live a Christ pleasing life, it's LIFE SAVING. 

You cannot approach people with a holier than thou attitude with a plank sticking out of your own eye, but if you are in the Word, living a Christ pleasing life, yes you may still occasionally sin, but you are showing hate to others who are wallowing in sin and are blinded by the logs in their eyes.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."~ Matthew 7:3-5

Imagine finding your friend in a mud pit, they are happy to be rolling in the mud and are slinging it everywhere, but you know that they cannot experience the glory that God has for their life because they are too busy enjoying the mud.  You call to them, extend your hand, but in no way join them in the mud because you know just how much the mud will hurt you and those around you.


Or you are out about town and see your friend who's fly is down.  Is it really love to ignore the fact that their fly is down and risk offending them by telling them so?  The loving thing would be to discreetly say, "Hey, Check your zipper."

But Christians are attacking Christians and 'groups' are attacking Christians because of standing up for truth, for showing real LOVE.  The love that leaves others in their pit and won't even call attention to embarrassing situations is a cheap imitation of the love that Christ shows to us.  He gave His LIFE.  Can we not take the time to show others there is a better way than what they are choosing?  Are our egos so fragile that we can't handle a, 'No thanks, I'll stay in my mud pit!'?  What situation can you speak truth into?

God is the judge, but as a mom, wife and friend I am a fruit inspector.  If I let my children run around like the little hellions that their sin nature is, I am not doing myself, my husband or any friends a favor by imposing us on a situation.  The battle is tiring, but the end is worth it.  God does not desire our happiness, He wants holiness.  That is true for children and adults. 

"For God so loved THE WORLD, that He gave His one and only son.  That whosoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life." ~John 3:16 (emphasis mine)

We are also to live our lives in such a way that people see Christ in us.  No brow beating over issues, but genuinely showing love.  Calling attention to the unholy so that they can become more holy.
I've taken the liberty of modifying 'the woman at the well' passage found in John 4, to be more personal and as a note I am in no way slamming any state or city, just trying to make it personal.  Since we are to love the way Christ loves, let's look at how that might play out...

Now Jennifer learned that her 'Pharisee friends' had heard that she was gaining popularity and winning more to follow Christ — ² although in fact it was not Jennifer who brought them to Christ, but the Holy Spirit. ³ So she left Georgia and went back once more to Texas.
⁴ Now she had to go through Louisiana. ⁵ So she came to a town in Louisiana called Shreveport, near some places where people shopped. ⁶ The shopping was good, but Jennifer tired from her journey, sat down at a restaurant. It was about noon.
⁷ When an old acquaintance from Louisiana whom Jennifer kept up with on Facebook and texted occasionally too came to sit at her table, Jennifer said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (Jennifer's family was still shopping.)
⁹ The Louisianan woman said to her, “You are a Texan and I am a Louisianan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Texans do not associate with Louisianans.)
¹⁰ Jennifer answered her, "If you knew the gift of God that I know you would ask me for a drink and I would be happy to share with you a gift of living water"
¹¹ “Jennifer,” the woman said, “you forgot your purse. How can you share with me a gift of 'living water'? Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you saying I am not good enough?  Isn't it your pastor's job to talk to like that?”
¹³ Jennifer answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water God gives them will never thirst. Indeed, the water God gives them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
¹⁵ The woman said to her, “Jennifer, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to buy water.”
¹⁶ Jennifer told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” (identifying the sin, without passing judgement)
¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jennifer said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. ¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” (I knew the truth because of relationship and I exposed the truth)
¹⁹ “Jennifer,” the woman said, "I can see that you are a true friend"...Jennifer went on to say, "But a time is coming and is upon us when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." (leading it all back to God and the standard of His Word)
²⁵ The woman said, “I know about God, but do not know Him.  Can you tell me about Him?"  Jennifer replied, "I would be happy to."

By rewriting this, I really am not trying to say I am Jesus, perfect, or anything like that.  Those who know me, know that I am not. I do try to follow the example He set though.


For the record -
There are certain ways to handle sin and someone sinning, refer to Matthew 18:15-18  They may not accept what you say, but hopefully in the end God can be glorified.

Loving a person who believes in a certain something, does not mean that I will watch TV shows that promote that something, does not mean that I will expose my children to that something in order to "further their education", but does mean that I will stand for Truth and they can take it or leave it.  God calls us to live in the world, not of it and just because 'everyone is doing it' doesn't mean that it aligns with the Word of God.

Win Free Stuff and Help Orphans!

It's a win, win!  Go here to enter the contest!

Church Adoption Funds

An adoption fund is a tangible way for the church to not only support adoption, but also it's families.  Our church just finalized an adoption fund through Lifesong.  It has taken over a year and a half of coordinating with church staff and deacons, but it is finally in place!  Now to raise some funds!  Enjoy the information!

Jennifer 

"The blessings go way beyond any financial support because the family is just knowing that the church cares."

--Dave Blaske, His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund Director

Listen in as His Kids-Our Homes Adoption Fund share about their partnership with Lifesong for Orphans...

It has been exciting for us as a ministry to have a front-row view in what God is doing through our 210 active and intentional Church Fund Partners.  In the past six months alone, we have seen the generosity of these churches provide over $627,650 to 193 adoptive families in the form of grants and loans.

The refreshing joy of serving families, blessing orphans, and ultimately glorifying God is at the core of each church fund that we partner with.  We celebrate the work that God is doing through each of them as He places the lonely into families (Psalm 68:6). 

For more stories about how a church fund can bless adoptive families, we invite you to watch the Quine & Stewart family adoption videos.

To learn more about Lifesong Church Funds, please visit our website or contact Rich Metcalfe (309.747.4528, rich@lifesongfororphans.org)

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." Hebrews 10:24  

Today We Met Our Goal

So being the good mom that I am (lol), I have no pictures of today's feat, BUT we went out to a public playground! as a family!!! (minus Mr. Incredible) and Lolipop was with the general population (not in some stroller or swing)!!!!!

This may not seem like a large accomplishment to some, but for us... this was HUGE! actually bigger than HUGE.  It was a FIRST!

Before we left the house, I looked at the kids and gave them the rules #1 Obey the rules of the facility #2 Come when mom calls (because you never know when you might have to leave) #3 Behave like you know you are supposed to.  Then I looked directly at L and said, "I want you to try not to break anything."

So in her Wee Walker boot on her right leg and with a shoe on and ace bandage around her left leg, Lollipop played.  She played in the water, walked the perimeter of the concrete, used the restroom, and once with brother's assistance played on the play equipment.  She sat.  She stood.  She splashed.  She played.  She had fun.  (and there was even a daycare around, I was a little nervous about that)

AND tonight as I was tucking her into bed and we talked about our day with a GIGANTIC smile on her face she proclaimed, "I didn't break anything today!".  I still asked if anything hurt as is our somewhat nightly custom, but she stated that she didn't have any pain in her legs and she even gave me a high five with her left arm (she's favored that one since it came out of the cast in May and hasn't given high fives with it).

I am truly one blessed mama tonight.

It's Been A While!

The statement 'so much has happened' is so inadequate for all that has happened. 

I would love to go into details, but God is still working and I want to be sensitive to what HE is doing.

I will tell you a couple things.

1) We received an answer for a specific prayer and it was a good thing!  We have actually gotten answers for several prayers, but this one involved a government agency and was in direct contrast to what we were being told even just a month ago.

2) God is continuing to work on us.  Oh this hurts!  I am tired!  However, I ran across this verse.
Isaiah 7:9b 'If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' 
Where we live there have been many storms lately.  As I was headed into town yet again one day, I had the experience of having beautiful skies around me yet being headed into a very dark, foreboding storm.  In my brain I had this instant snapshot of what my little solitary minivan must look like headed into this huge storm.  I have thought back over that in these days since. 
In our life we are on a path, maybe it's broad or maybe it's narrow, I know I want to be on the narrow path!
-Matt. 7:13 (NIV) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

We might be traveling alone or only with a few.
-The Gospels are filled with times of Jesus withdrawing and teaching his disciples (the few) or spending time alone.

Sometimes God will have us head into a storm so that he can show his faithfulness.  All that comes into our life is first sifted through God's fingers, so whether 'good' or 'bad' it is all ultimately for our edification, purification and sanctification. (think Job)  The 'storms' that come into our life can either strengthen our faith and cause us to trust God more or they can make us turn tail and run.
-James 1

We need to be thankful and praise God for refining us.  Looking only to him as our salvation.  Focusing our thoughts on HIS provision, faithfulness, mercy and love.
-Job does a great job (ha!) of focusing on God even when 'his friends' are saying that the bad in his life is from some sin or his 'loving wife' says, just curse God.

I know that my focus needs to be on God.  So until these storms pass, things may continue to be a bit sparse here.

Courageous Parenting (from the Rainey's)

June 18 Courageous Parenting (Part One) Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage. PSALM 27:14 One of my favorite conversation starters when I'm eating with other men or with a group of couples is "What is the single most courageous thing that you have ever done in your lifetime?" When most people think of courage, they think of heroic deeds—like those done on battlefields distant in time and geography. But I think we need massive doses of courage if we are going to raise families according to the Scriptures. Courage is demanded of parents who desire to do the following: Establish godly standards and boundaries for how their sons and daughters are to relate to the opposite sex Impart God's perspective of sexual identity for men and women in contrast to a culture that is promoting perverted distortions of what God created "Intrude" into the lives of their children when they sense something isn't right Avoid conforming to the values of other Christian parents in terms of curfews, acceptable dress, movies, language, Internet use, etc. Parental courage is needed if we want to raise a generation of young people who know how to withstand sexual temptation. It takes a battlefield mentality if we are going to give our children the kinds of standards they need to maintain sexual purity. It takes courage to look your sons in the eye when they're 13, 18 or 24 and ask them if they've been looking at pornography on the Internet. But your sons need you to ask them. And, Dad, you need to be able to ask them with your own conscience clean. It takes courage to talk to your sons straight about keeping their hands off the girls. And it takes courage to meet with a young man who wants to take one of your daughters out for the evening—asking him to keep his hands and lips off your daughter! The easiest thing to do is nothing. But that's how battles are lost. DISCUSS What is the most courageous thing you've ever done? PRAY Ask God for the courage you need to stand strong in the battle for the souls of your children.   June 19 Courageous Parenting (Part Two) Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. DEUTERONOMY 31:6 It takes courage to raise children today according to biblical standards, especially when the culture doesn't exactly support us in our striving to courageously protect our sons and daughters. So what's a parent to do? First, resolve that you will not be a parent who does the easiest thing: nothing. Loving children today will mean that you will make some mistakes. Perhaps you will go too far in setting some standards; but if your child has a secure, loving relationship with you, then I would rather you challenge your children to a high standard rather than one that is too low. Second, pray. Someone has said, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Parents need to pray that they will be courageous. Barbara and I did—continually. We needed God's wisdom and strength. Third, meet as a couple and establish courageous boundaries for your family. Set some clear rules about the following: •Movies •Use of the Internet and the phone •Dating (i.e., if so, when, how and whom to date?) •Relating to the opposite sex (i.e., how far do you want your child to go with the opposite sex prior to marriage?) •Curfews • Dress Remember the question I mentioned yesterday? Whatever courageous acts you have accomplished in your lifetime, it could be that the most courageous is determining that you will remain involved in the lives of your children. Being a parent calls for repeated, heroic action. Doing your duty. In the struggle against evil, our generation needs men and women who can stare at critical choices and not blink. It's this private brand of courage that should set a Christian family apart—the fortitude that turns a mom and dad into spiritual warriors on behalf of their family. DISCUSS What biblical standards would require the most courage to uphold in your family right now? PRAY Ask God for the courage to take specific steps to uphold these standards

Me Without You

Yes, we survived (all of us, except for the snake) and we have been enjoying time as a family, working outside (yard, garden, chickens), and praying concerning the many opportunities to demonstrate faith lately. It's been interesting. One of those things that I hope I learn this lesson and not have to repeat it kind of interesting. LOL!
Anyway, this song played on the radio the other day, and I was in awe of it's message. I felt like crumbling, but this song reminded me of where my hope is and where my strength comes from. Without God's strength, I could not do what I am doing. Hope you enjoy it too!

Survival of the Fittest (or Two More Days!)

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Breathe.  Just Breathe.

So ready for daddy to be home.  Only two more days, only two more days.

I usually am productive and get lots done while he is gone.  Not so much this time.  I have gotten 2 inches of EOB's for this year sorted and filed and worked on finding homes for the stacks of stuff in our room.  Still not done with that one.  My closet is not only for my clothes, but all my scrapbooking supplies, childhood memorabilia, presents, extra whatever that doesn't have storage in the house and also is our tornado shelter and NO my closet isn't THAT big.... (and I am not taking a picture), but here are some others of our week(s). :)

Bed booty, at least he didn't eat the cookies or the Larabar! Snuck into my room and retrieved the pantry key to accomplish this during the middle of the night.  ....Maybe that's the reason I am having trouble sleeping???

The wolf spider? that has taken up residence in our pantry

It really feels like survival of the fittest around here.  ....and I am not so fit since running out of time to squeeze in Zumba.  Maybe if I wrote down all that I did these past 10 days, I would feel a little more accomplished.

Okay here goes...

Pay bills
Schedule Dr. M- hearing aid coil
Write letter for doctor
Make sure doctor sends letter
fax 90 day info
refax 'missing' info
pain survey with L
Cancel DEXA
Cancel SR
Call Dr. B and set up follow up appt.
Go to follow up appt. with dr. B
New letter for doctor- they apparently can't cut and paste!
Make sure doctor sends letter- still waiting after a week...
Follow up email about post adoption follow up
Contact adoption agency about no report yet
File paperwork
Call insurance about claims
Deal with Medicaid x 5 (at least)
Dr. E- Exogen?
Call nurse about L's genetic test (4 calls)

Pick up E x1
Drop off E x9, dad has done this x7
cancel home warranty service call

M's script/pu and drop/ pu
Follow up with scheduling MRI x3 and still not scheduled
E's test results?
Science at A's
grocery shop
M's OT/ST x 4 (three so far)
M to Carrie x 1
follow up on tractor
L to ortho
Z to training
more follow up with NE 
milk run
chicken feed
drop off donation x 2


and then there was all the non-planned activities, like the washer flooding the laundry room or 4000+ tiny metal ball pick up (yeah, my first estimate was a little low); or the things you take for granted like feeding the kids (yeah, they like to eat...).

Dinner one day last week.  I was plumb wore out from paperwork.  LOVE Udi's GF hot dog buns!!!!

Small Metal Balls.  This is one of the sweeps of the entryway.  Can you believe this gets vacuumed everyday??? 

Here's a nickel to show you some relative size proportion, also found the nickel while cleaning.

What SMB do to a tub.  Found this in my bathroom after 9pm.  Did I mention he requires CLOSE supervision?

How Bon Ami helped. :) Happy momma!

And then there is all the extra time spent with the kids (rocking or talking or both) because they are upset that daddy is gone and maybe aren't even understanding their own feelings, but are acting out (way, way out).

I've been busy, but unfortunately it isn't with things that pertain to the house being clean or my room being better organized.  (I know in my head that life is not about these things.  However, when you can't find the info you need or trip hazards abound, it's easy to forget.)

You win some.  You lose some.  The battle of the paperwork is one I am losing.  Yes, it's survival of the fittest around here.  Hopefully I can survive two more days, only two more days, only two more days.
At least I've out lived the snake!

The rat snake that I didn't run over a couple of weeks ago, tried to eat one of our teenage chickens.  My dad intervened and Jeans is still alive, but the snake isn't.

J-daddy skinning the snake to make a belt...(eewww!)... I am in the safety of my parent's RV. :)

P.S. Yes, my parents are around and they help, like taking E to school so that I don't have to load everyone up to take her, since Mr. Incredible is gone.  But they are more like back up or special project people.  There when you need them and busy with their own stuff if you don't, ie. if there is an emergency (L falls and needs xrays) or if a snake needs to be killed or you need to learn how to skin a snake or occasionally watch the kids so we can go on a date; they also fill the voids, ie. not everyone wants to go on a therapy trip, and they make coffee for me. : P  But as with other things in my life, this too is a balancing act.

Happy Gotcha Day, Lollipop!

view full image

"Happy Gotcha Day!"

 

You are a joy.  A delight.  

We are so excited to be your mom and dad and watch you grow.  

You are LOVED.

A Stirring

Lately (as in the last week or so) I've been reading a book entitled 'Radical'.  I started reading this the day before Mr. Incredible left on his business trip.  In one of our Skype conversations Mr. Incredible shared things that God has started revealing to him... and so we started reading Radical "together" (at least as together as a couple with a half a world between them, a 12 hour time difference and six kids in the background can be).  LOL!  We don't know where God is leading us, but it would seem that He is leading us down a path of less of us and more of Him.

We are only two chapters in, but one word in the last page of our reading tonight hit me.  So I looked up that country and adoptions.  Me being me.  I can't help it.  Please understand that I am NOT saying that God is leading us in this direction.  Just doing some reconnaissance, if you will.  That country has come up several times over the last few years.  So I figured I would look... (again)... since I had heard of the requirements/programs changing.  :)  There appears to be a handful or so of adoption agencies working with that country, but as I scrolled down the 'results', I was sickened to also see a site promoting quality ab*rtion care in a nearby town. (on the first page!)

It reminded me of this.



Yes!  The best choice is life!  My mom chose life!  Life is goooood!  As a mom I agree.  As an adoptive mom, I can totally agree.  Adoption is a blessing!

...But how are we the church supporting those women who do choose life, but are not able/do not want to keep the baby?  I know that this will step on some toes and in advance, I am sorry.  But, people (the church) also need to recognize that an expectant mom that might have considered an ab*rtion and instead choose life and adoption, may not have the education, race or health history that you necessarily want in a birthmother.  Those precious babies also need to be placed in a loving, adoptive, Christian home that will love them no matter their IQ, skin color, deformity or ability.  This is a domestic and international need.  It's not always easy.  Personal experience talking here. 

However, if you have had the privilege of conceiving and giving birth did you know what you were going to get before you got it?  (Not talking boy or girl here.)  You took a risk.  Has it paid out?  Are you willing to take another risk? 

Or.  Birthmom (or dad) may have even tried to keep the baby and so now they are maybe a few days, months or years down the road.  A child protection entity may or may not be involved.  Baby (or teenager) and birthparents are not going to be reunited.  What are we going to do about that? 

These are real issues, domestic and international issues, that are affecting real people and have real consequences.  As a pro-life thinker, I have to consider the ramifications of what I am thinking about.  If I don't want women to choose an abortion, then how am I going to be part of the solution?  Or is the adoption of three special needs kids all that God expects from me?  (and taking care of our three birthsons too)  Is there something else?  What else?

There will always be more children who need a home and as Mr. Incredible has pointed out to me, "We can't adopt 143 million children."  (and I am quoting him)  But what does HE want from us?  The issue of choosing life is not one exclusive to our continent.  There is a stirring.  More people from more countries are adopting.  Domestic adoptions in foreign countries are increasing.  I have seen it with my own eyes the number of families in recent years who have turned their hearts toward adoption, BUT the need is so great!  Overwhelmingly great!  There is a stirring.  What does HE want from each of us?  There is a stirring.  What does HE want from me?

Lord, soften my heart so that I can hear your call.  Thank you for helping me trust you so I can follow you obediently.  May I decrease so that you may increase.


"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts." Proverbs 21:2 KJV

Sunday Fun

Apparently this is not a problem only at our house... One of Mr. Incredible's pictures from Hong Kong.  He suggested it as a sign for our boys' bathroom.

And yes, I know it's Sunday morning and we aren't at church.  While I was showering this morning (so we could go to church), a child, I am sure you can figure out who, even if you aren't a long standing reader, decided to empty his ankle weights (sealed, as in not supposed to 'open' ankle weights).  He is now playing 1000+ tiny metal ball pick up.  All over the house.  They don't hurt like Lego's, but are bigger than sand and terribly annoying.  And the vacuum cleaner doesn't pick them up.  It's a broom job.  Yep, it's happened before.  It's gonna be a looooonnnngg day.  And then there's the dusting he has to do to pay for the bottle of body wash he used to 'refresh' his bubbles in his bubble bath last night. -head shaking- and I won't begin with all the 'other' stuff.  Let's just say, someone is missing daddy. (and it's not just me!)

But since this same child was 'dismissed' from children's service last week for his inability to sit still, did I even really want to try to attempt church today?  Some things we may never know...

Borrowed From A Friend

by Brandee Brown on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 5:09pm · I wrote this back in 2004, but still find it very relevant and inspiring today! I'm not gonna edit or change a thing...even names...so you're seeing it like it was originally (back in the Xanga days! haha)

PeaceMAKER or Peace keeper? 

The difference between a "Peace-Keeper" and the "Peace-Maker".

I, thank you Jesus, that I fall into the category of the latter....a full fledged Peace-Maker. Always have been, always will be. It is part of the personality that my Lord gave me to use in strength and service to Him.

Ask me where I found all of this and I can point you to numerous Teachers of the Word (look up Kay Arthur, Charles Stanley, or the late Adrian Rogers) whose doctrine is sound, personal friends, & mature Christians who have lived long enough to know the need and biblical call of the Peacemaker. And the inerrant, infallible, transcendent Word of God.

Jesus is the great peacemaker. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God," Jesus said in Matthew 5 when he addressed his disciples during "The Sermon on the Mount." Too many people think the Bible said Peace-Keepers. One of the greatest problems in the Christian Church is that we have men and women who want to be peacekeepers rather than the peaceMAKER that they were commissioned to be. The Bible is peace primer. 88 times in the NT the word "peace" is used. Every Epistle begins and ends with a prayer for peace. Christ's last will and testament to the disciples was,"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27. It is not enough to be peace-lovers, or even peace-keepers---we must be peace-makers.

Every privileged nation, race or class naturally prefers peace-loving and peacekeeping to peacemaking. When faced with a grievance, the peacekeeper tries to keep things as they are. The peacemaker, on the other hand, tries to change things to arbitrate the hostility. That's our job as Believers!

Peacemakers are architects who build bridges with wood from a Roman cross.

The peace the world gives is peace by escape. This kind of peace secures a temporary tranquility by refusing to face reality. It pretends there is justice where there is injustice, love where there is lust, virtue where there is vice, and immortality where there is certain death. The peace Jesus gives is peace by conquest. It enables us to face dreadful circumstances without hearts that are troubled and afraid. We are content and confident because we have surrendered to Jesus Christ, the final winner who overcomes the world.

A peacekeeper:
Always guides conversations away from the subjects that might cause strife. Peacekeepers are compromisers. They avoid confrontation at all costs. They are the inventors of the "No Talk Rule." They are experts at changing the subject, and misdirecting the conversation. The peace attained by a peacekeeper is a pretend peace, it is a momentary peace. This peace is outward, external and incapable of changing anyone's heart or mind. The result of the "No Talk Rule" actually allows wickedness to continue. It keeps dysfunctional families in abusive cycles. The cure for all of this is that peace makers will step forward and say "There is a problem here, and we need to solve it now!" A peacekeeper, much like the rebellious Israelites in Jeremiah 6:14, who ignored Jeremiah's warnings hoping it would "just go away"....they cry Peace, Peace, when there is no peace.

A peacemaker:
Sees a problem and immediately goes to work to correct, reconcile and restore. They implement long lasting solutions. When peacemakers do this, they are often accused of being unloving, judgmental, trouble makers, legalistic, or intolerant. When a peacemaker points out improper behavior they are all too often vilified and the guilty party is given a pass. John the Baptist was a peacemaker and he lost his head for calling sin, SIN. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but he called the Pharisees a den of vipers, and they crucified Him. Most of the 12 Apostles were martyred because they pricked men's consciences. (OUCH!)
Peacemakers do not keep their mouths shut when they see improper behavior. Nor, do they merely go discuss it among others. They go straight to the source, and boy, does it ever hurt at times. Lots of people FEAR the Peacemaker, and rightfully so....but the Peacemaker is doing what Jesus SAID to do in order to be called Sons of God. Peacemakers are confrontational, but they are confrontational in a loving way. (even if they don't have a sugar-drippy-sweet soprano voice!) Truth without love is HARSH, but love without truth is COMPROMISE.
Being a peacemaker is a hard but necessary process b/c we are dealing with the hearts of men and women. People do not , in the flesh, want to die to their own desires and they don't appreciate being confronted. {{i pray and beg God every single day that I might die to my own desires, agendas, intentions, and ignorance...may His will be done...B.B.}}
Peacemakers are pure in their motives. Isaiah said "woe is me" before he said "woe unto you" They are willing to move into conflict even when their flesh does not want to, because they love God and His word above all else. Peacemakers exhort and rebuke will all long-suffering in season and out of season (2Tim4:2-5. They are not appeasers. They will stand (when others may be compromising)...in order that there may be lasting change. They are willing to expose heresy and lack of faith. Caleb and Joshua were peacemakers!

I learned, in the past month,of the great truth spoken in John 15:18-20, where Jesus spoke about who if the world hated and persecuted Him, the world would also hate and persecute His followers. When we (i) am not being persecuted, then perhaps we (i) are not following His teachings. Peacemakers lead others to have peace with God. Peacemakers are willing to do the tough things. People who teach truth and apply it to the hearer's lives are true peacemakers.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus speaks about those who are unwilling to shine His light of Truth: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. {it is only good for paving streets} Salt is good. It prevents spoilage by preventing decay by bacteria, fungi, etc. Ultraviolet light also kills bacteria. Salt and light are confrontational with their environment because both prevent decay.

In Ezekial 3:18-19 God said, in-effect, Peacekeepers will be held accountable for the sins of the wicked because they did not warn the wicked; while the peacemakers will not be held accountable because they have done what God told them to do and warned the wicked.

 The question is do we love people enough to tell them the truth?
Jesus did, and His only crime was in telling the world the Truth.

I love you friends. Truly love you. Even when my blunt, sometimes harsh, Drill Sergeant personality doesn't show it. {{not to mention Assertive...haha, thanks Christian}} (hey~at least you never ever have to worry about me being fake!) Please bare with me and love me with all of my personality flaws and gifts.

God has shown me soooo much favor in the last 2 months!! Will you join me in praising Him for His faithfulness, mercy, justice, and goodness?

Need Advice!!!

I just found another empty shampoo bottle.  This one lasted less than a month (and considering the kids don't bathe everyday)...

If anyone knows a way to either do single servings of shampoo or teach a child to only use a quarter size (or less) for only your hair, I am all ears! 

We have dealt with this for years.  Unless we sit in the bathroom with him, he cannot stay on task and ends up using the shampoo as a bubble maker or some other nefarious use, not the intended use, making the bathroom into a lake or some other 'creative' mess.  We would love for him to be independent at bath time and the results of our attempts is high shampoo usage...  The other small caveat is that other boys use this bathroom and don't require adult supervision.  We already have to lock up the food and other areas of the house are off limits because of his lack of self control and impulse control.  I really don't want to lock up the shampoo too!!! 

HELP!!!!!!

And So It Begins, AGAIN!

Same exact letter in quadruplicate! Oh, oh! I know where we can cut the budget!!!!

...Stop sending letters in quadruplicate telling me that you are holding onto my tax return, because you need 2.5 months (at least) to review information that you lost the first time we submitted it (which would actually be the second if you count our tax return) AND you have the audacity to tell me that only one in 40,000 returns get 'reviewed', but the same thing happened to us last year! (I really just have to laugh and shake my head!)

Wonder if we'll get our return before November this time????

Gendo ...after

Well...
I don't even know where to begin.

Getting to the doctor's office was an experience in and of itself.  I ended up calling the police non-emergency line because of a 'reckless' driver... you should never be in such a hurry as to intentionally endanger yourself or others with your driving, especially if one of the others is myself or one of mine.  (just so you know :))  By the time I arrived at the doc's office (to find that they had moved) my migraine had started.  Fortunately, the doctors where still in the same building, same floor, just in a new unmarked office.  :)  Little Mama was seeing the Geneticist for a follow up.  We have already had blood drawn twice to rule out chromosomal somethings or metabolic somethings (though in Nov. she was 'borderline' for several metabolic disorders according to the nurse).  note: when I say somethings it is not because I don't know what they were testing for, but because they were testing for several things.  Some things I'd never even heard of before but could explain all the 'symptoms' we see, but we were negative or normal for everything, with one exception and that one wasn't even off the charts 'abnormal'...  So now we have to do a $1992 test for PKU DNA.  I don't know why heel pricks wouldn't suffice, maybe because she is almost five???  And insurance may or may not cover the cost... (head shaking)  But we need to rule out/find out what IS going on.  She also needs a sedated MRI.  (I DO NOT want a repeat experience of our sedated ABR)  Fingers are crossed and prayers are sent already that we can find a facility where it will be a positive experience.  The one 'diagnosis' that would explain her small head size, developmental delays, hearing loss and vision loss is not what is going on.  The geneticist is 'very concerned', but then why could we not do this testing before??...  I guess we needed six months in between to verify and have a baseline???  The geneticist wrote 4 or 5 diagnosis as justification for the PKU DNA test (so insurance might cover it), but it was the letters of just one that overwhelmed me.  My heart is still overwhelmed today. 

By the time that Z-man saw his endocrinologist I was shot.  I hadn't printed out any of the information backing up why we were giving him an herbal supplement to reduce his estrogen instead of the anti-cancer drug that the doctor had prescribed.  Yet, the doc didn't provide any of the 'short studies' showing the benefits of the cancer drug for treating a non-cancer patient.  Let alone that the long-term effects in adults have been studied (and aren't good), but the long term effects in children haven't and won't be... Did I fail to mention that if a drug has a side effect, our family will get it!?!  But his response was if we weren't going to follow his protocol, why should we see him?  Well why had we been coming for the last 2+ years (with him not prescribing anything!)?  I thought it was so we could be followed by a doctor who could be an asset!  I left feeling like a failure as a mom, a failure as an advocate and EXTREMELY hungry.

I stopped at Starbucks and got coffee.  I stopped at Granary and got some Kind bars.  The kids and I could go on a little longer.  My heart was breaking, but I held it together and didn't cry in front of the kids.  At some point I might be able to let go and cry.

Somewhere as I was entering the 'open' road I turned on the radio.  EVERY song I listened to on the way home (on two different stations!) reached out and reminded me that HE IS WITH ME.  This was the first one.

I felt like breaking.  God knew.  He sent a song to remind me that He doesn't give me more than I can take. He doesn't say if you follow Him life will be easy, but that He will be with you.


I came home to more... kid chaos, what I will refer to as 'other' and the general buzz of life around our house.


It is truly non-stop.  When it takes days for us to figure out when/how to take a few hours away for a date before Mr. Incredible leaves for China...  But it is the life HE has given me and I will rejoice in it.  I will stand and fight for what I need to, advocate as best as I can, LOVE HIM in all things and rest in HIS mercy.

He has given us each child in our family for a special reason.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He knows what is going on inside of each child, inside of me, with each of us.  I will continue to seek assistance from earthly physicians, but HE is the Great Healer and holds each of us in HIS HANDS.  He could speak the word and we could be healed, but then my trust might be in me and not on Him, which is where it exactly needs to be.

Going to the Gendo

"Lift high His Royal Banner, it must not suffer lost.
From victory unto victory His army we shall be.
Till every foe is vanquished and Christ is LORD indeed."

This song (or part) has been going through my head this morning.  We are similarly marching off to war (going to the doctor to find out what is going on with some children).  Though it is not a war with violence, it is a battle of finding out what is going on.  When you don't have any health history or family history and the first few years are sketchy...  Then again, we know the complete health history of one and still are not sure why this is going on.  So... ROAD TRIP!  (and hopefully we get some answers this go around)

Or maybe I should be singing,
(to the tune of Going to the Chapel)

Going to the Gendo
And we are gonna get tested
Going to the Gendo
And we are gonna get tested
Gee I love driving
And they're gonna draw blood
Going to the Gendo today!

I could use prayer for alertness, allergies, and clear headed thinking (especially when trying to talk to the doctor).

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you, honey, for making our family possible so that I can be a mom.

The Remains

Farm life is different.

On Monday we had our first 'slaughter'. The white rooster is no longer with us in his former glory. But the chicken yard is a much happier place now, both for the chickens and the people who tend them.

I will miss the white rooster, and his antics. We was quite the crower and I must confess I enjoyed seeing him try to find out who was crowing back (it was me). LOL! I guess I have a pretty convincing crow! He would run all over the yard or stand at the fence trying to find the source. Good times.

He made for a good couple of dinners and this is the way it is when you live on a farm (or so I keep being told).

Bye, bye Rooster McGooster, you are not quite the bird you used to be. Thank you for the laughs and thank you for being our dinner.

Back Home

We made it home Saturday and made it to church on Sunday and celebrated a belated birthday for Mr. Z.

This week is off to a roaring start already, not really even anytime to post, BUT I wanted to say 'thank you' to all the people who stopped and asked us about Lollipop at church yesterday.  In a world filled with doctor appointments, broken bones and constant interruptions, it is sometimes easy to lose sight that others care.  Thank you so much for affirming to me through your hugs and encouraging words that there is life outside of our immediate situations.

This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Today

13 years ago today our eldest was born.

7 years ago today we finally brought Mr.T home from the hospital.

...and today, after waiting her whole life, Lollipop got her first Pamidronate infusion.

It's amazing how life changes.

Wearing our Yellow!

Update

It does not appear from a quick view at the x-rays this afternoon that there are any new fractures from her slip off the rocking chair on Monday.

However our main goal in seeing the doc this pm turned out to be getting the cast off- mission accomplished! She had a nice bath tonight (we are learning to get those when we can) and we were able to get arm CLEAN!

We still won't know what we are doing next until we get through tomorrow. Please pray for clarity of mind for me. I had a headache most of the day today and really struggled to focus after the doctor said something that I wasn't prepared to hear. Stress is ever constant and we are all tired. Please pray for those at home as well. Some are not handling mommy and daddy being gone very well.

We have our yellow for wishboneday.com and our questions for the docs written out. Bring on the teams of specialists (and maybe some Starbucks! :)).

Be Blessed and be a Blessing!

We are HERE!

As we were landing last night a thunderstorm that was led by a LOT of lightening started rolling through town.

We found our accommodations and fell into bed somewhere around 1 am.

This morning started out a bit rough. Maybe due to lack of sleep. Maybe due to stress levels and an unfamiliar environment.

We ate lunch at Cheeseburgers in Paradise and made plans to go to the zoo after the x-rays and DEXA. On the way to the hospital I had an overwhelming urge to cry. This is still so overwhelming.

Even though we arrived before our scheduled time to radiology, we spent more than two hours there... BUT! Dr. E showed up in the x-ray room!!! WoW, THAT has never happened before! We are now sitting waiting to see the doctor, apparently we are seeing him today and tomorrow!?!

The zoo is pretty much out of the question for today now and part of me wonders if we have another fracture. Or maybe they are just removing her cast?... We will wait and see. Literally! :)

Protocol

Days into the airfare saga I found out that I didn't follow protocol...  So what's new!?!  Since my days in Kindergarten, I have had a special knack for somehow stepping on someone's toes, saying something that offends or otherwise popping off a smart remark.  Guess I still got it!  I have tried and tried and tried to do better and prayed and begged and pleaded to God to be able to 'do it right'.  However, I have a very direct manner that sometimes helps and sometimes...  ...well it just doesn't help.  Fortunately (or not), I have been able to speak to over 30 Medicaid staffers, 2 doctors offices, 1 caseworker, 1 State Representative's office staffer and 1 Medicaid 'Official' (like the kind in Austin that has a real desk and a last name).  It really doesn't matter if we get the airfare covered at this point, though the official is rooting for us :).  I now know the protocol and know where to find the request form.  I am signed up as a transportation provider (don't ask me to fly the plane though :)).  I have copious notes and ticket numbers.  Lots of first names and a whole lot of people that I otherwise would not have met now know that there's this mom in Texas who has a daughter from China with OI that she WILL fight for.  And I will pray for them, each of them, even if I didn't understand their name, because they are people, people who need God, people who need a savior, people just like you and me.

I am so glad that I have tried.  I now know just how hard the system is.  I am so thankful for private insurance.  I am also blessed to have Mr. Incredible who provides so faithfully.  But more than that I am so abundantly blessed to have a God who knows my every need and every need that Lollipop has and provides for each of those needs.  I am so happy to be HIS and be able to pour out my frustrations (and they are many :)) to my loving Father.

So whether we have Medicaid's blessing or not we will get on a plane tomorrow and go.  Before we leave there are so many things that need to be done.  Pack, make lists of appts., more calls.  The protocol of leaving.  And attend a training tomorrow.  Never ending.  Maybe I might get it right?!?  But odds are there will be some phone call with last minute instructions or a forgotten toothbrush...  I am so thankful that God loves me despite my shortcomings.  He has a plan.  He will see us through.  Though our future looks uncertain, HE reigns.

Odds and Ends

Quick Update: Still fighting the battle over airfare coverage, State Reps office now involved.  After 4 days, I called in the big guns.

As I was heading down the road (of course going to a doc appt.) a wonderful song played on the radio today.  I needed a reminder.  This is why I (we) do what we do.  I could sit complacently and let others do.  But God has called all of us to be ministers to those in need.  And if an orphaned kid isn't someone in need, then who is?!






Lastly, there is a great homeschool giveaway happening here.  Be sure to enter.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Run Around

Spending copious amounts of time on the phone is NOT something I have time for, kids for or patience for.  Yet that is where I have been for the last three days.  Still no resolution. 
It all started as an inquiry to see if Medicaid would reimburse for the airfare to NE (or part of it).  It may have been about getting some money the first day, but by the second day and 20 phone calls later it was more about how ludicrous 'the system' is and follow through.  A matter of principle.  And today... on sheer will power I have pursued getting 'help' and it still isn't over.  I have spent over 7 hours on the phone in three days.  I have spoken with 20+ people representing Medicaid, 2 doctors offices and our insurance company. 
Tomorrow we may have resolution... and then again maybe not. 
Lord, help our country if O-care is not repealed.  I now know why some people give up.  Little did they know that they hung up on the wrong girl two too many times. 

My war paint.  I am mommy hear me RAWR!

Nebraska Bound

Life around here happens fast.  For the last week life has been happening super, SUPER fast.

Since before we brought Lollipop home, we have talked to doctors about her condition.  However, there have also been road blocks.  ie, the 'specialist' we contacted with her Chinese file and had accepted into their program within weeks of getting home declaring, 'she doesn't have OI bones, so we will treat the fractures but give no medication.'  She was in an arm and leg cast when we had our first face to face with him and her leg and broken in a secondary place while IN the CAST.

Now granted depending on the type of OI you have (or your child has), there is a certain type that when a fracture is healing a SUPER callous forms and is very distinctive.  But at this same time we had our pediatrician, an endocrinologist and a geneticist (and his whole team of evaluators) saying "she HAS OI!"

So we went to clinic #2.  A wonderful first experience and then she broke her femur.  Long, long story.  But when a nurse tells me my child just needs to 'suck it up' after my child being on hydrocodone for almost two weeks because of the EXTREME pain she is in and they couldn't 'fit her in' and I KNOW she has walked around on a broken fibula at least TWICE.... a mom might get upset (I justified, it had been Christmas and New Year's after all).  But now after two more fractures (or should I say one, hmm, ...but where there should be bone and  there isn't... So what exactly IS that?!) and the average for a return call is 4 DAYS!!!!  I am fed up!

With an OI diagnosis it is common to start a medication to strengthen bones.  We have never been able to do that.  BUT, we have prayed all along that if the protocol clinic #2 proposed is not what we should do that God would block the way.  The medication they proposed has some NASTY, common side effects.  But THEY haven't seen them in children..., but they won't tell me how many OI patients they treat!  (sorry, I digressed) Well with fractures and indecisive doctors, the way has been blocked.

Last week, after feeling like I'd hit my head against an invisible wall for MONTHS.  I decided to reach out.  I applied to join the OI parents yahoo group.  I have researched, I have studied, and spoke to various medical professionals but I needed more.  It took a whole day for my membership to be accepted, BUT as soon as it was I was inquiring.  What doctors in Texas are best?  Is there a best in Texas?  My child has had... They are proposing... I need recommendations!  I prayed.  It took a whole day to get responses.  Meanwhile I was looking at past posts and what doctor they used.  Thursday, I got a recommendation for a clinic (nowhere near Texas) and a doctor confirming that the medication clinic #2 was proposing was NOT the best and didn't deal with the OI issue.  Yes!!!  Answers!!!

Thursday of last week after the responses and our usual busy Thursday schedule, I waffled over contacting Clinic #3 and then just before 5pm I did.  Then we went for a PT evaluation that lasted 3+ hours (sorry! W), but she confirmed that doctors needed to be looking at her Chinese x-rays (something clinic 1 and 2) have not done.  We have this VALUABLE piece of medical history that doctors are ignoring!!!  Thursday night I had a fitful sleep.  Every time I awoke, I cried out to God to help us help Lollipop.  It went something like this.  Wake up, roll over, 'God help!' (in my head) and go back to sleep.  Friday morning I called clinic 3 again, got voicemail, tried another number and talked to a human (but a hospital staffer who just wanted ALOT of information (not about why I was calling)) and I was about to be connected to a human at the clinic and then got HUNG UP on.  Tried the second number again and after speaking to another hospital rep, got the voicemail AGAIN.  I am persistent.  So I prayed and called the direct clinic number one last time.  The NURSE (?!) who answered is the same one who ended up with my voicemail from the evening before and she was just getting ready to call me!!!!!!!

I was on the phone with Nurse J for minutes and minutes (somewhere around 45!).  My main goal in talking to her was to find out who they could recommend in Texas.  But the questions she answered, the questions she asked, the information she had, the concern she showed... so when she said, 'Can you get here by May 3rd?' I responded with let me call my husband and I will call you at 11.  It was 10:30am, I had to leave to get M&M to OT/ST.  And I knew it would be a small miracle if Mr. Incredible wasn't in a meeting and able to actually take my call.  A miracle happened.  I started the call with, 'First I need you to get by yourself and sit down'.  We talked and decided that THIS is what we needed to pursue for Lollipop.

But miracles sometimes have a price.  Our price will be most likely missing our oldest's 13th birthday.  My parent's are here, but we either won't be here or will not be here until late at night.  God is in control though.  I spoke with Z-man about what was happening and offered options (like take the whole family).  His response was, "Mom, sometimes love has to sacrifice and my 13th birthday is a small sacrifice for getting [Lollipop] the help she needs.  I know you have been trying to get her help and she NEEDS this.  I have seen it first hand."  WOW!  I couldn't believe what I heard. 

Friday was spent running into/out of town.  OT, ST, Spring Festival... I left for a women's retreat with our church Friday evening and spent Friday and Saturday with a wonderful bunch of women.  Sunday was my dad's birthday.  Yesterday began the next 'phase' of trying to get us up to Clinic #3.  Airfare.  We are exploring different options and will hopefully be able to know our flights by this evening.  We need to be at Clinic 3 by noon on the 2nd and will probably not be able to return home until the 4th, maybe later.  It all depends on what the doctor deems necessary.  OH!  They WANTED to SEE her CHINESE X-RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The fed ex package will arrive there this afternoon.

Please join us in prayer that God will use this doctor to speak healing to Lollipop's bones.