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| Tuesday, October 30, 2007 |
| Pumpkin Contest |
Last winter we had a snowman contest on the blog. Tonight we open the pumpkin carving contest. THE CANDIDATES:  PUMPKIN NUMBER ONE: (please do not deduct for mom's fuzzy camera ability)  PUMPKIN NUMBER TWO:  PUMPKIN NUMBER THREE:  The Crew with their masterpieces (in no particular order).  The contest was the idea of H. Please take time to cast your vote for the best carved pumpkin. Thank you for your support. |
posted by 6blessings @ 7:21 PM  |
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| Monday, October 29, 2007 |
| She's Back! |
As many of you know, H had hip surgery in August of 2005. In March 2005, H started having a lot of pain. She was a somewhat of a high level gymnast at the time (Level 7 out of 10), especially for her age. She made it through State competition, qualifying as an All-State gymnast, but shortly afterwards she could barely walk on some days because of her pain. She was ten years old.
Her recovery was over a year and a half long. About 6 months ago, she decided she wanted to give gymnastics another go. She started coming to the gym a couple of days per week. She missed a ton during the summer. Then this fall, she started coming about three days a week. She soon discovered that it was going to be a long road. They had to do a partial cut on her IT band to help release her hip a little. Because of this, she could hardly lift her leg for a while. The muscle had to learn a new job. When she would go to gym, she couldn't hold her right leg up while doing things like she was supposed to. It is still pretty weak, but it is getting stronger.
Last week, H, knowing competition season was starting this past weekend, decided to drop back a level from where she had been and try to learn the routines. (All three of my girls are now competing at the same level on the same team.) She went ahead and competed this last weekend. I honestly didn't know what to expect because she had been out of competition for two and a half years, had major surgery with a long hard recovery, and had just learned the routines last week.
I'm here to say, "She's back!" H did so well. She was always a competitor and was so excited to be back doing what she loved. She had about 15 girls in her age group. She ended up being the bar champion (she had never been the bar champion before), took 5th on vault, 3rd on beam, and 4th on floor. She ended up 2nd all-around! Wow! She was so happy and I was so proud of her! Many wouldn't have given it the shot she did. Many would have given up a long time ago instead of working through it. I was excited she won second, but I was even more proud of her for going for it and working hard at it through everything. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 10:16 AM |
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| Friday, October 26, 2007 |
| They're Out! |
I meant to take a picture, but had to leave pretty suddenly to deliver everything. The first family newsletter about our Asian Adventure is out, all SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE of them!! Yes, 791!!!
Over the past month, we have been in the process of getting the word out and beginning to raise support. You see, we will have no other income, except the support of family and friends and others devoted to the Cause. We finished the newsletter at the end of September, but had many hitches in actually getting it processed and sent out. We had to get more supplies because our group shepherd asked us to send it to several hundred fellow members. The great thing is that he also offered for us to use the non profit bulk mail they have and that the sending committee would pay for the mailing! Big help!
We priced sending the newsletter out for printing and it was over $400. Therefore, we decided to do it on our own with our $100 printer. It wore out. It was a good printer, but had been used for the entire adoption (dossiers, copies, travel plans, etc.), in addition to home schooling, gym paperwork, Hope stuff, and many other things. It had breathed its last breath at around 350 copies of the newsletter.
We bought a new $100 printer (actually we got a great deal for a little less). It didn't work. We returned it and got yet another one. Along with countless ink cartridges, lots of paper, almost 3000 mailing labels (mailing address, return address, and postage), and tons of envelopes, I took them to the post office yesterday and they're off!
I can't tell you the relief I felt when I drove away without them. Now it's just watch and wait time to see how He is going to provide! It's only about a month or two until we get to do it all again- newsletter #2! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 6:42 AM |
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| Wednesday, October 24, 2007 |
| Provision Again |
Last night we had our first official speaking engagement. We were able to share our hearts and our passion for the people we are going to go live with. It was a good first run. We were speaking to a group of 42 ladies from various places around our district. We had a great soup & salad meal beforehand and then we spoke.
After we finished, they gave us a heart filled with Hershey kisses. They told us there were a few gift cards in it as a thank you for speaking. This was totally unexpected and we didn't open it up until we got home. We were shocked! Inside were two $50 gift cards and one $35 gift card to Wal-Mart and a $50 gift card to Braum's (a localized dairy store).
Here's the deal. Our cupboards are bare. Everyone has been complaining about the lack of food around here. It's not that we lack food necessarily, it's just that nothing goes together. We have hamburger helper kits, but no hamburger. We have several cans of stuff, just nothing that pairs up. As far as the kids' snack pile, it's almost non-existent. All of the "good" stuff is gone. I just kept giving them my famous "some people have no food, be glad you have something" speech that they love to hear.
It's just been one of those months when other things were needed- like warm clothes for kids who had hardly any. The bwins have outgrown nearly everything, which is a huge praise! H also needed some stuff. We were also bombarded with birthdays/birthday parties this month.
Anyway, long story short. No one knew our shortage, except God. We were content to finish out the month with what we had and make it through. We considered it a good trial run for next year. However, God, in His wonderful way, sent us blessings we didn't expect. Provision, yet again. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 5:43 AM |
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| Tuesday, October 16, 2007 |
| "J-isms" |
J is our 7 year old son. He is a totally awesome kiddo. He has really been the easiest child out of all 6 of them. As a baby, he was very content and happy most of the time. As he has grown, his personality has truly emerged as one who is very laid back in most areas, a very easy-going type of kid. One of the joys of his personality is his humor. He has made us laugh since he was very little. Because of his personality, he can say absolutely hilarious things with a very straight face. We call them "J-isms". Several of these came out on vacation and I wrote them down.
1. In Branson, there is a Titanic Museum. The structure literally resembles the ship. You can see it here. D and H had talked about going. I had told them that I would watch the others if they wanted to go see it. They decided not to do that. On one of our last days there, we were stopped at a red light right by the museum. I looked over and saw a huge line waiting to get in to the museum. I pointed it out to D and he said, "Yeah, it looks like it would have been hard to get in to anyway." J, in his casual manner said, "Why? Is the water too high already?"
2. J rode his first roller coaster on the trip. We started with a mild one and then he tried the one called the Powder Keg. It goes 0 to 53 in 2.8 seconds, catapulting you up a high slope immediately upon take-off. Then it sends you through several loops and curves at high speed. Everyone else on the coaster was screaming, laughing, raising their hands, etc. J remained very silent and still, his hands simply holding onto the rail in front of him. When the ride came to a close, I asked him what he thought. He turned and with no expression whatsoever, he said, "It almost took my face off," and turned around very nonchalantly and waited until the ride came to a complete stop.
3. We were all riding the swings, the ones that lift you up in the air and then spin you around in a circle. They have those super long chains, therefore, they twist a little while going around. E is the exact opposite of J. She is completely dramatic about everything. She was getting a little scared when her swing would twist. With some panic in her voice, she kept saying, "I don't like these. I want down. When are they going to put us down? I'm scared." J, just as calm as can be, looked at her and said, " C'mon E. Just close your eyes and think of your happy place." That made her relax and laugh.
4. Back at the place where we stayed, we were just hanging out and D ruffed up J's white-blond hair. Remembering back to when we took a red-headed baby(H) to China twelve years ago, and knowing that J's white hair would also stick out, D said, "J, you know the Chinese are going to want to touch your hair all of the time." J simply responded, "Why? Are the Chinese bald?" Well, I hope those brought a smile to your face. We feel so blessed that God gave us little J to keep us smiling and laughing. He is certainly a blessing! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 4:56 AM |
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| Friday, October 12, 2007 |
| Law Office, May I Help You? |
As most of you know, D had shoulder surgery last week. He's recovering well, but absolutely despises his sling. The doc has allowed him to take it off some around the house and let his arm just hang as long as he doesn't try to move it around any. He is becoming more independent with many of the "daily" tasks. However, it is a major problem that it is his right arm when it comes to work.
After getting the kids off to school everyday, D, the bwins, and I have been loading up and going to his work. It really has been quite interesting. I've cleaned his office, taken notes with clients, made phone calls, answered phone calls, typed many different kinds of legal documents, assisted in court, filled out court documents, etc. The bwins have been so good. We tote along their schoolwork and I double-time teaching and typing. They have played in another room of the office area while clients were in and have been absolutely wonderful. They have loved packing their lunch boxes to go to daddy's office.
Truthfully, it has been a tiring week. After working all day with him, we'd drive straight to the school to pick up the other kiddos, home for about 10 minutes to change attire, then off to the gym to work for 4 more hours. Afterwards, it's errands, homework, dinner, and getting the kids to bed. This weekend we're going to have to get the house back in order. However, as exhausting as it's been, it has been good to see what he does every day. I could never be a lawyer. My emotions would get too tied to the client. D is good at what he does. I've enjoyed having some time with him on the drives back and forth (about 45 min. one way).
Today, he has given me the day off. He's going to go it on his own. I think he'll be okay driving and doing most things, but I don't know how in the world he'll get all of his paperwork done. I'm sure I'll have to go over a few times per week until he is able to use his arm more.
For me, however, today is "do everything else" day. I have a list a mile long of things I need to get done for gym, competition season starts in two weeks. Leos are coming in, warm-ups are at the embroiderer's, bags are being made and labeled, and fees and entries are needing to be submitted. This is the busiest time of year for me with the gym. HOPE Ministry is also gearing up for another adoption/foster care symposium on Nov. 11. Therefore, I also have many obligations for that. In addition to those things, we're working on getting our first newsletter done and information sent out for our overseas adventure. It should have been sent out about 2 weeks ago, but our pastor requested 800 more copies, our printer broke, our new one doesn't work, and we haven't had time to fold and stuff over 1000 envelopes. BTW, did I mention that several of the kids have outgrown everything they own and need clothes now that the weather is finally getting cool? One more thing on the list... shopping, and doing it frugally!
You know, I am a very blessed person. I have a wonderful husband who has a good job that he's good at doing. I have 6 wonderful kids that make me smile every day. I have an awesome Lord that has chosen us to serve Him. I am so thankful that God caused me to realize all my blessings in the midst of all of the chaos. I wish each and every one of you a blessed weekend! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 4:54 AM |
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| Tuesday, October 09, 2007 |
| Crazy Hair Day |
 Just wanted to give everyone a smile today! Today was Crazy Hair Day at school. H went for the Pippi look. Have a terrifically Pippi day! Update: H went to school and said she had the best "crazy hair". However, hardly anyone called her Pippi. They all said that she looked like "that girl on the Wendy's sign". We giggled and asked her if she informed her friends that "the girl on the Wendy's sign" is actually WENDY! :-) |
| posted by 6blessings @ 5:49 AM |
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| Monday, October 08, 2007 |
| Prayers Appreciated |
In my last post, I mentioned my mother had to be put into the hospital for a blood clot. Apparently, the ER doc that admitted her wasn't very competent. She knew it was probably a clot, so she did admit her, thank goodness. However, she didn't start any of the treatment she should have needed to have and even lied to another doc about a test she should have done, but didn't. Thank goodness a different doc saw her last night.
Anyway, my sweet momma has a one large clot that runs from below her right knee into her groin area on that side. It is not several individual small clots, it is one large one. They have had to elevate her leg above her head, have put her on some more medicine(she was already on Plavix- an anticoagulant- when the clot formed), and are putting hot packs on her leg regularly. They will not allow her up even to use the restroom. The doctor said it will probably take 6 months to dissolve this one. They are going to regulate her meds and then release her sometime later this week. She'll have to be closely monitored because as it dissolves there is a possibility of it breaking off, moving up the bloodstream and lodging in the lungs. This, of course, would be extremely life threatening.
She also told me they are going to run some blood work and test her for lupus. She has had some clotting issues before, but never of this magnitude. Truthfully, I've read all of the stuff online about lupus and can't figure out the connection. She doesn't seem to fall into the categories for it. Can anyone help me on this one?
Yes, I am extremely concerned for my mother. However, I am praising God because I feel it is a miracle she is still here with us. My mom and dad took an Alaskan cruise the first week of September to celebrate their 40th anniversary. My dad said she was having leg pain way back then and was having trouble walking. Apparently this clot has been building for a long, long time. I praise God that we got her to the hospital in time. I truly believe it's a miracle that she's still with us and I thank God for His grace and mercy. I pray for my dear mother's complete healing and know that whatever the outcome, God reigns supreme.
Thanks for any prayers.
Update: I just got a call from my dad. My mom's blood clot is non-existent. Praise God!!! They think that instead it is a Baker's cyst. We don't know much about that, but what we do know is that it is a much more manageable diagnosis, not life-threatening! Thank you Lord! |
| posted by 6blessings @ 4:57 AM |
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| Sunday, October 07, 2007 |
| Speaking Up |
This weekend I had to speak at a women's retreat at my mother's church. I spoke at 3 different session breakouts. I have spoken to groups before, but they've always been groups I was involved in and knew the people. This weekend I was a little nervous.
They asked me to speak about 6 months ago, required a seminar synopsis in June and a general outline that was to be printed in all of the books by the end of August. They were very prepared, but it was a little difficult to estimate what exactly would come out when I started talking.
The sessions were 50 minutes long and when I practiced for D this past week, I was at an hour and 10 min. Whoops! I cut a lot of it and still had to rush through some of it when it came right down to it.
My title was "Crossroads: Faith vs. Security". The general premise was that, as Christians, many times we don't want to step out on faith and take the risk for Christ, we would rather stay in the warm cozy shell of presumed safety. I used many examples of risk-takers from the Bible and from today's times too. I was able to share about our adoption story.
I really had a good time with my mother at the retreat and it was good to get out of my comfort zone a little and have to speak in front of a crowd. Maybe I'll share more of my topic content later if anyone is interested. It is certainly a passion I have.
My mother's birthday is this Wednesday, maybe the last birthday where I will be able to hand her a gift face-to-face. I was able to give her a new Bible, a NIV Study Bible. I was so excited.
Last week when my parents were down for the camp-out, I noticed that my mother's knee was swollen. This weekend it was still swollen, but it was also swollen into her leg area. Last night, by the time I drove home, my dad had called and said they were admitting her to the hospital with a blood clot. My mother got on the phone a little later and said that she had suspected it all along, but didn't want to miss the retreat with me. Mother, Mother! Please pray for her healing and that it will break up with no complications.
As for my dear hubby, he's healing, but is very impatient with being in the sling. I had to go to work with him last Thursday to play "catch-up" and I have a feeling I'll be taking him to work quite a bit over this next month while he has to keep his right arm immobile. He gets his staples out tomorrow and hopefully E gets her boot off tomorrow. They have the same orthopedic doctor. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 5:53 AM |
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| Tuesday, October 02, 2007 |
| Catching Up |
Whew! We've had busy weekend/beginning of the week. My parents came down last Thursday and brought their RV. Our children's pastor at our church owns a ranch that he uses for children's retreats, events, etc. This last weekend was Ranch Camp. We left on Friday afternoon and came back Saturday afternoon. In addition to worship services in the barn, there were fun activities like a wiener roast/s'mores, trip through the Bible hayride, fireworks show, screamin' eagle zip line, frisbee golf, BB golf, gold panning, petting zoo, several inflatables, horseback rides, and a trip to a laser zone fun center with laser tag, bowling, and mini golf. Needless to say, the whole family kept busy. It was a lot of family fun! The kids got the added excitement of sleeping in MeMa and PaPa's big trailer.
Sunday was busy with church, Hope Ministry meeting, and small group. Then yesterday morning we had to be up bright and early for D's surgery. We were at the surgical center by 5:45 a.m. and he was hooked up and headed to surgery at around 6:30 a.m. It was a rough first day, but overall it went well. We were so grateful to God that they didn't have to cut on him and were able to take care of everything through the scope. He has 4 small incisions. They found out that his labrum in his shoulder socket was torn back and frayed out, in addition to a little bursitis. They cleaned everything up and put 3 "anchors" in to tack it back down in place. He is in a straight-arm sling and isn't allowed to move his arm/shoulder for a month. After that, he will start physical therapy.
He had a rough time with the anesthesia and as of when we went to bed last night, the nerve block was still in affect. I have a feeling he'll be in more pain today, but hopefully everything will be fixed and in a few months he'll feel a lot better. Thanks for everyone's prayers. |
| posted by 6blessings @ 4:54 AM |
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