tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16454405839642740082024-02-20T04:57:28.738-08:00Daily Blessings"Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances..."
I Thess. 5:16-18Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-4743267597743485802011-06-01T06:40:00.000-07:002011-06-01T06:40:59.734-07:00Pure JoyOne of my favorite verses is James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance". Followed by John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". I think so many times, we ask God why he could let bad things happen to us when we are following his will. Instead we should ask, "God, how can I serve you and glorify you through my darkest hours?". The roughest patches can be used to mold us into the child of God we are always supposed to be. I think of the Grand Canyon and of the many underground caverns, that are absolutely amazing. They didn't just appear. The were molded and fashioned by floods and river patterns. There was debris in the water that changed the landscape forever. Or of an oyster pearl, that started as a particle of sand and festered until it became an amazing pearl. That is who we are. Without the debris in our life, we can't become the children has called us to be. Jeremiah 29:11 says, " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". One of my absolute favorite songs is by Laura Story and is called "Blessings". I feel every word of that song to my core. I could have written that song because it is a testimonial of how I desire to live my life. Here is an excerpt, "We pray for wisdom.Your voice to hear. We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near. We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love. As if every promise from Your Word is not enough. And all the while, You hear each desperate plea, and long that we'd have faith to believe". That is what is so amazing to me. I was always taught to "hide God's word in my heart, so that I might not sin against Him". I want to live my life for Him. I want to glorify God through the rough spots, the nights I can't sleep for thinking of the things I need to get accomplished or how something I might have said could be taken wrong. We have all been there and I so encourage you to "take heart, because He has overcome the world!". It is not our job to conquer the world. He already has. We are called to be His tools. That's all. But we can also be the biggest stumbling block when we allow Satan a strong hold. I chose God. I chose to allow Him to use me, whenever and wherever He calls.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-4600789953857775072011-05-12T06:28:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:37:49.402-07:00Everything FallsI went to bed last night thanking God for his blessings and for His wisdom. I needed to hear from Him. I needed Him to speak to me. I needed to feel His presence and His peace. This morining was crazy. We did not wake up on a good note...at all. Kaylee was sick. Reese wanted to stay home too and Becca was upset because everyone else is upset. I look to the sky and kinda of say, "Really God. This is not what I asked from you as I cried myself to sleep." I get in the car and start driving and what do I see...Doodle one of our dogs running down Hailey. "Really God. I am in a hurry and I have a busy day". So I chase Doodle back towards home and hope she gets there (she did). Then as I listen to the radio, the following song comes on. It is called, 'Everything Falls' written by Stephen Fee.<br />
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You said you'd never leave or forsake me, when You said this life is gonna shake me.<br />
You said this world is gonna bring trouble, oh my soul. But this I know.<br />
When everything falls apart, Your arms hold me together.<br />
When everything falls apart, You're the only hope for this heart.<br />
When everything falls apart, and my strength is gone,<br />
I find You mighty and strong. You keep holding on. You keep holding on.<br />
When I see darkness all around me, when I see tragedy has found me, I still believe.<br />
Your faithful arms will never let me go. Still I know.<br />
When everything falls apart, Your arms hold me together.<br />
When everything falls apart, You're the only hope for this heart.<br />
When everything falls apart, and my strength is gone,<br />
I find You mighty and strong. You keep holding on. You keep holding on.<br />
Sorrow will last for the night, but hope is rising with the sun,<br />
it's rising with the sun. There will be storms in this life, but I know<br />
you have overcome, you have overcome.<br />
When everything falls apart, Your arms hold me together.<br />
<br />
When everything falls apart, You're the only hope for this heart.<br />
When everything falls apart, and my strength is gone,<br />
I find You mighty and strong. You keep holding on. You keep holding on.<br />
<br />
I know that when you are doing God's will, Satan finds you prime target for attack. James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance". So I will chose joy today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-7036743664326922312011-04-19T08:35:00.000-07:002011-04-19T08:35:51.509-07:00Cry to JesusI am listening to KLOVE on the radio right now and "Cry to Jesus" just came on. I have always loved that song. It talks about God wanting to have a realtionship with Him. Cry to Him in times of despair, dance with Him in times of rejoicing and fly to Him with all you are. Right now I am crying to Him. I am so greatly frustrated. I am back to where I first was right after my stroke. I cannot see at night. My eyes are not focusing well at all and the dizziness is back. It is frustrating because I feel it is a battle I fight on my own. No one sees my pain because it is only for me to see. Most people assume I am just fine because there don't appear to be any obvious outward deformities. When I can't see, I just keep walking. When I am dizzy,I just keep walking. I am exhausted of masking the issues. I am mentally, physically and emotionally broken. I am clinging to Him. I know He will heal me and that His right now is most certainly not my right now, but I am human and am experiencing frustration. <br />
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When I think about how much balance and vision, encompass life it is overwhelming. We all want balance in our lives. I feel like I am so out of whack. I spent 10 days fasting and focusing and God spoke to me in so many ways and I do not doubt Him and His plan for my life but sometimes I just wish that my right now was His right now, just saying. I don't think that makes me unfaithful. I think for a true relationship with Him we should be honest with Him. How much time do I spend trying to pretend to God and act like I am just fine when I am actually frustrated. It seems really silly to pretend. He already knows, and speaking it to Him is truly healing. So that is what I am doing. Asking God to make my right now, His right now but willing to wait if it is not.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-54644776366784370242011-04-05T09:57:00.000-07:002011-04-05T10:47:45.661-07:00JugglingThere are days when I don't know if I am coming or going. It is so hard to keep all the balls that I am juggling up in the air. I can easily become overwhelmed with all there is to do and all the things that are expected of me. Some of which I don't even know about until its too late. Oh, well, I am a mere mortal pastor's wife trying to do my best to follow His will for my life. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with what I think others expect of me and I am finally seeing that all that matters is what He is asking of me. So many times, I take control of the reins and that is when things are most out of control. I often have a hard time with, "Let Go and Let God". I just want to hold the corner just in case He is not looking when everything falls apart. <br />
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Lately I have been very intentional about studying His word and listening instead of talking. That is so hard sometimes. I have been intentional about seeing Him in His creation. Even though I still feel like I am juggling, I am no longer doing it while riding a unicycle. God has granted me peace and I will continue to be still and listen. I know it is not easy and I am not perfect and I will stumble but I hope others will know that I am flawed but by God's grace I am saved. For the first time in a long time, I am not struggling to breath. We serve a mighty God and He knows every more we make whether it is in His will or out. He can redirect our paths.<br />
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1 Peter 1:3- His divine power has us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that though them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.<br />
Glory to God!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-25309592223977589762011-03-29T17:46:00.000-07:002011-03-29T17:58:18.708-07:00Seeing God through My ChildrenMy children bring so much joy to my life. I asked a friend of mine, who now has a 1 yr old, if she could even imagine life without her little girl. It is amazing how much different you view the world when you are looking at it through the eyes of His children. When we just went to the exotic zoo, it was awesome to see Becca's surprise and joy at seeing the animals up close. She was awed at God's creation and so was I. But seeing her awe was way more impressive. Shouldn't we be the same in our spiritual walk? Shouldn't we be in awe of seeing people find Jesus and have the peace that we have through Christ. I know that there is not a day that goes by I have to return to His peace that passes all understanding. Today I was reading Matthew 18 and what a powerful message is in that one chapter! WOW! Jesus puts it all out there on how we are to treat one another. The most amazing thing in there that touched me today, was that we are to come to Him, like children. With the innocence of the child. They don't ever doubt Him. They don't over think it. Just like the song, "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves. THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. The Bible says it, so it is so. That is how we should be and we should be illuminating Him in all that we do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-71375983027817921422011-03-22T13:00:00.000-07:002011-03-22T13:19:23.956-07:00A Wow WeekFor starters, I have been off of my beloved diet Dr. Peppers for 2 weeks now. Longer than I have ever given them up and sugar has not been a problem either. It is funny, I always thought I was way more addicted than Phillip, but he is having a harder time than me.<br /><br />We started Spring Break with the girls all going to grandparents. Phillip and I had grand plans to demo out a bathroom and get stuff done. Well we had the bathroom and all the laundry done by noon on Sat so we took a little nap. Four hours later, Phillip woke me up and decided we should go to Abilene and have a date. It was so amazing. God met us there. He spoke through this man we were sitting with at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bonzai</span>. We were headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Carino's</span> and I asked if we could switch and I am so glad we did. You sit with random people and Phillip can talk to anyone. We start talking to this man and it was seriously some of the most reassuring things coming out of his mouth. He had no idea what was going on in our lives and the things he said were all God. Thank you Lord, for meeting us there.<br /><br />Sunday we had church and then headed to Abilene again for lunch and a movie, then home for another 2 hr nap and then over to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tique</span> and Stacy's to cook out. Monday we got the girls and had a good evening with them.<br /><br />Tuesday, I started the day with 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dr</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">appts</span>. One with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">opthamalogist</span> and then neurologist. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">optho</span> was able to see that my eyes were not responding as they should. They are weak and that is why they don't focus correctly or dilate correctly. Then I saw my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">neuro</span> and he said much of the same with the vision stuff and there is really no therapy to make it better. He said I could wear prisms over my eyes that might help but he didn't think that I would wear them. He said all of the things that I am going through is directly related to my brain damage. Not always being able to recognize people, not being able to recognize things if I am moving, not being able to handle loud noises, not being able to follow things quickly, forgetfulness (forgot to put Becca's diaper on the other day and daddy got a surprise), speech issues are all related to that. He said he is amazed at what I push through and do. I told him, no one ever said I should stop. So he said, "Okay, stop. Slow down. Get more sleep. 7 hr of sleep is not enough for you. You need 10". I said oops, I have been getting 5-6. He didn't sound as optimistic that things would improve much more either.<br /><br />Then we headed to Craig and Fallon's for a break from this insanity we find ourselves living in right now. I didn't answer my phone and tried to get Phillip not too. We get bad news everyday and it can really break you. I feel broken and I didn't want that. We had a wonderful time. We went to some water falls, we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gruin</span> and took some family photos and then to an exotic zoo and Longhorn Caverns. It was so nice. Seeing my children laughing. Seeing Becca get a handful of feed and run after the baby deer, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">squealing</span> trying to give them feed and then shaking in terror. Becca hugging a baby deer. Absolutely precious.<br /><br />It was so nice to see the beauty of God surrounding us. Praise the Lord for all He does for me!<br /><br />Now, if I could just get us unpacked.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-37194201296461042552011-03-08T12:43:00.000-08:002011-03-08T13:02:37.773-08:00LentLent begins tomorrow. I looked up Lent from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> and it is defined as a time of sacrifice to Jesus. The traditional <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">purpose</span> of Lent is the preparation of the believer-through prayer, penitence , <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">alms giving</span> and self-denial- for the annual commemoration of Holy Week of the Death and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Resurrection</span> of Jesus. Conventionally is is described as 40 days long. The 40 days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the dessert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.<br /><br />To truly experience Lent, one must truly give up something that is important to them. It would not be difficult for me to give up smoking or drinking because I don't ever do any of those things. The things that we are supposed to give up are things that can help us draw strength from Him and that will bring us closer to Him. Therefore, I am giving up my beloved sweets and diet sodas. I have tried many a time, but do it on my own terms and with my own strength which is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">greatly</span> lacking. So, I will have to spend even more time in the Word and more reliance on His strength because I really have very little. I will also be giving up video games. I know it sounds silly for a pastor's wife to need to give such <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">things</span> up and I don't spend much time playing Kaylee's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">DSi</span> but it has been a way for me to veg out and numb out and I could spend that time on much more useful things for Him. I ask for you to pray for me on this journey because I know it will not be easy. But I am equally as sure that it was not easy for our Heavenly Father to give up His Son to die on the cross for me. The sacrifice He gave is something that is so hard for me to even fathom. I am in awe of His love for me. A woman who is so undeserving. I will learn to grow closer to Him through this experience. I will rely on His strength and not my own. I encourage you to journey with me. The reward will far <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">out way</span> the price.<br /><br />I can do all things through Christ, who give me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Strength</span>!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-28938660617294535532011-03-04T11:26:00.000-08:002011-03-04T11:40:13.164-08:00All in a dayI was looking at my calendar yesterday and realized my March calendar looks more full than my December calendar did. I like business but not the "I can't catch my breath" business. But that is what we have. I have about 8 loads of laundry that need doing, dishes to be washed, a bathroom to gut and redo and 2 bedrooms that are waiting to be redone. Not to mention, that my family enjoys home-cooked meals and a somewhat clean house. Plus, now we have softball sign-ups.<br /><br />I have decided that God is purposefully keeping me busy so that I don't have to dwell on what is happening around me at times. Because there are far more things to give God glory for than to be unsettled about. But don't the unsettling things always yell louder than the rest. <br /><br />God paints a canvas of promises to us in His word. I have never been more close to Him. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you WILL have trouble. But take HEART! I have OVERCOME THE WORLD!" John 16:33 I see rainbows all over the place and they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">consistently</span> remind me of His promises. That He is with me all of the time. It is all in our perspective on how we chose to handle it. I feel really bad for those that have never turned to God when they are struggling. Honestly, I don't see how they function. With God on my side, who can be against me? I have learned to lean more on God, rather than family and friends and church. They are all human and even those with the best intentions can at times let you down. I sometimes put people on such a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pedestal</span> that they can't help but not live up to our standards. But those are our standards, not necessarily the standards or duties that God has for them. I know that I need to look at seeing people through the eyes that God seems them. Look at them with grace and mercy and love. If we would all do this, how awesome would our world be? So that is my goal for this year. To see people the way God see's His children.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-62413993259385817282011-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:002011-02-25T08:54:31.475-08:00Raging SeasI often look at my life and wonder how I got here. When did I get married and have 3 children? How did all this happen so fast? Have I truly been able to enjoy the blessings God has bestowed on me? Am I answering His call on my life the way He has asked or am I answering the call I want Him to ask me? God has not given me my life on a silver platter. Not even close. But even through our darkest hours, He has carried us through. Phillip and I have purposely saught God out. Telling Him, WE WILL FOLLOW! The bottom line is that if you are not in God's will, you will be miserable and when you are in His will, you have peace. It doesn't mean that it will be smooth sailing all the time, but He will carry us when the burden becomes too heavy to bear alone. It is so comforting to know that we are in the place God called us to be. Is it easy...not even close. Two things have blessed me lately and I have to share them. I hope they help you too.<br /><br />The first is a song, that I am singing in church on Sunday: Let the Waters Rise by Matt Mahar<br /><br />Don't know where to begin, it's like my world's caving in.<br />Tho I try but I can't control my fear.<br />Where do I go from here?<br />Sometimes its so hard to pray<br />When you feel so far away<br />But I am willing to go, where you want me to.<br />God I trust you.<br /><br />There's a raging sea. Right in front of me.<br />Wants to pull me in. Bring me to my knees.<br />So let the waters rise, if you want them to,<br />I will follow you. I will follow you.<br /><br />I will swim in the deep. You will be next to me.<br />You're in the eye of the storm, in the calm of the sea<br />You're never out of reach.<br />You were there with me then. You'll be faithful again.<br />I'm holding your hand.<br /><br />God your love is enough. You will pull me through.<br />I'm holding onto you.<br />God your love is enough. I will follow you. I will follow you.<br /><br />and Psalm 71<br /><br />Lord, I have gone to you for safety. Let me never be put to shame. You do what is right. Save me and help me. Pay attention to me and save me. Be my rock of safety that I can always go to. Give me the command to save me. You are my rock and my fort. My God, save me from the power of sinners. Save me from the hands of those who are mean and evil. You are the King and Lord. You have always been my hope. I have trusted in you ever since I was young. From the time I was born I have depended on you. You brought me out of my mother's body. I will praise you forever. To many people I am an example of how much you care. You are strong. You are my place of safety. My mouth is filled with praise for you. All day long I will talk about your glory. Don't push me away when I'm old. Don't desert me when my strength is gone. My enemies speak against me. Those who want to kill me get together and make evil plans. They say, "God has deserted him. Go after him and grab him. No one will save him." God, don't stay so far away from me. My God, come quickly and help me. May those who bring charges against me die in shame. May those who want to harm me be covered with shame and dishonor. But I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more. I will say that what you have done is right. All day long I will talk about how you have saved your people. It is more that I can understand. Lord, and King, I will come and announce your mighty acts. I will announce that you alone do what is right. God, ever since I was young you have taught me about what you have done. To this very day I tell about your wonderful acts. God don't leave me when I'm old and gray. Let me live to tell my children about your power. Let me tell all of them about your mighty acts. God, your saving acts reach to the skies. you have done great things. God, who is like you? You have sent many bitter troubles my way. But you will bring me back. You will honor me more and more. You will comfort me once again. My God, I will use the harp to praise you because you are always faithful. Holy One of Israel, I will use the lyre to sing praise to you. My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you. You have saved me. All day long my tongue will say that you have done what is right. Those who have wanted to harm me have been put to shame. They have not been honored.<br /><br />I know it is long, but oh so powerful. Phillip and I know that we have answered God's call on our lives. I don't know how anyone can be a pastor's wife and not be called. You are never doing the right thing and are always being beaten down by idle gossip. It is so hard to see what is going on around us. We chose not to give the devil a foothold and we will persevere. We will use our circumstances to give God the glory. People will always say things, but when Christians hurt each other, Satan has a field day. Why is it easier to be negative than to see God working? I will never understand that, but I chose to be a light amidst the darkness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-35516312927532873052011-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:002011-01-31T09:43:11.563-08:00RespiteDoes your life ever seem like it is barreling out of control? Mine was about to take off down <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Niagara</span> Falls. You name it and I had lost control of it. I don't consider myself a control freak but am trying to come to terms with the fact that I truly am. First step is admission, right? With having had the stroke and being a pastor's wife, I was seeing that I had no control. I had no control over what people were saying about us (because the things circulating were not true so how do I fix that) and since no one would talk to us about things that were going around it makes it hard to straighten things out. (No one still has, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">grrr</span>). It amazes me that people would rather spread gossip than get to the truth. I have my moments of weakness but have been really trying to be cognizant of it and ask for forgiveness and apologize when I vomit out information. I started using the word vomit for when I start talking about others because that is how I feel. I have been trying so hard to keep my thoughts pure but at times when it boils up, I vomit...all I know. I ask forgiveness from God and my friends. It is so hard, as the pastor's wife you have so much going on in and around your life and you can't tell anyone when things are upside down or it is weakness. Other people can just complain and it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ok</span>, but not us. Everything has to be rosy all the time.<br /><br />I digress. So, my good friend, Fallon, knew I was in desperate need of a respite. She called and said, "Hey, our church is having a women's retreat and you need to come." I said, "Alright, I am there!!". It was a great break. We had some hilarious adventures. Fallon wanted it to be a restful weekend and it truly was but here is some of what went on...<br /><br />I borrowed a friends GPS because we discovered that ours was broken. I have trouble with my vision, so I knew that I could not read directions and drive so I needed a GPS. I start out and am having a great time with God. I was rocking out to His word and His world around me. And then I had to potty. I get back in the car and the GPS says, "We have found a way that is 5 min faster". I think, anything that gets me there with less night time driving is better. So I take it. I start heading down this road and after 30 miles, I head down a smaller highway. Now I am hearing my husband in my ear saying, "Always take the main highways, GPS can get you in trouble". I was thinking that most time, the fastest routes are usually main highways because you can go faster. But I end up on FM 962...at 6:10pm and I am swerving around this road and there are deer everywhere...and I can't see anything but the yellow stripe and there are no other cars. It says I have 42 miles to go...no biggie, that is Abilene to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sweetwater</span>. I call Phillip and tell him that I am scared and to pray for me. Then it gets worse. I see a sign that says, "No 18-wheelers and bus turn around ahead". I have never seen a sign like that, but it doesn't sound good and it was not. I was making crazy 180 degree turns up and down a mountain and through river beds. This is nuts and I CAN'T SEE! So finally I just asked God to see for me. And I go there. <br /><br />Fallon had sent me a text earlier that said, "Go potty if you need to. We are having major plumping issues". I get there and they do not have water. We have to trek over to the church and go potty...and its cold. But hilarious. She then says, "Oh, and I am going to this class at 8:45 in the morning and I thought I would just let you sleep but the plumbers are going to be here at 9 and I am actually going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zumba</span> at the YMCA and they have showers so you are probably going to need to get up and go so you can shower". So, I just tell her I have always wanted to try but have been scared that I wouldn't be able to follow with my vision issues but I would give it a try. I did fair. I couldn't do it all but I was sweating. Shower was nice too.<br /><br />Later we went to the retreat and were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">definitely</span> blessed. I went a different route home and was much refreshed. God always finds a way to keep me laughing.<br /><br />On the way home, I spent a lot of time with God, talking and listening. I sang to Him and it feels so good to thank Him and truly worship Him. Over the past month or so, God has been blessing me and Phillip with these mini rainbows. I have never in my life seen them before until Dec.3 which is when things first started to get really rocky. I was driving and I saw this rainbow in the clouds. It had not been raining and it was just a rectangle of rainbow in the sky. I tried to take a pic because I had never seen anything like it in my life. I told Phillip about it and he said he saw it too and we were 20 miles apart. On our way home we had been talking abut being faithful to God's call and we saw 3 shooting stars. We thanked God for His wonder and for seeing us. <br /><br />When we traveled to Dallas on Monday, we saw it again and we knew the next day was going to be tough. On Sunday I saw it again as I was praising God and telling Him that I would follow His will for my life. Not necessarily in distance but in obedience and I would not become complacent the way I have seen those ahead of me do. And the rainbow appeared in this HUGE cloud. I sang out to him for about 15 minutes and the cloud followed me and then it was all just gone. Not even in the horizon. It was amazing. Thank you God. You are always faithful and never step from my side.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-2842547601618782882011-01-15T15:22:00.000-08:002011-03-29T17:39:18.008-07:00Really SeeingI thought it was an appropriate title since my main side effect from my stroke is my vision. I can't really "see" anything in grayscale. It takes me more than just a few minutes to adjust to actaully see those images. Where most people don't even realize their eyes need to adjust. I can't walk and look for something. I have to stop and look and let myself adjust and that is all the time and not just grayscale. Makes for driving fun. I am going out of town next week. Should be fun. The last 6 monthes of our lives have been some of the most trying times in our lives. In all actuality our time her in Sweetwater so far has been very trying spiritually and emotionally. Becca had some problems in utero and then after and then my stroke and church has been difficult in a whole new sense of trying to serve more and inspire others to serve to. It is quite different from any other church we have been in in that people are truly wanting to serve. I have always been a firm believer in the seeing God work on this earth and also of seeing the cunning powers of the devil. I know that when you are right with God and following Him and people are seeing God's face more that this is troubling to Satin and He knows what buttons to push. So, now I am taking it as a compliment that so much has happened in the last 2 years because it is reassuring that we are doing God's work here. We are seeing His presence in the lives that we are working with. I have always been frustrasted with people who think that once you become a Christian you will always be happy and no bad will ever come to you. Jesus told us it would happen, " He said, "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world". So we are taking heart in the knowledge that no matter how bad things are right now that God IS in control of our lives right now and we choose to follow Him in all that He asks of us. There is a song out called "Let the Waters Rise" and it has completely moved me. I will mess up the lyrics but here is some of it....There's a raging sea, right in front of me. You were with me then, you'll be with me again. You're in the eye of the storm and the calm of the sea and I will follow you. AMAZING and WonderfullyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-53061681186135636592010-12-29T21:53:00.000-08:002010-12-29T22:06:21.701-08:00Random Pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqPqq1JT83snzmPq2fP7sp8saaN-DffWG86e_ZhSiwT-_k8F90c8-IDjweTwmtVRUp4CT1LoT5Z8dE3L2tsK5iaRTpolkwDYeHl039pQXsynkVl1zH4sDslMVg0OgN8Sk9kAzQvo2tLMN/s1600/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+421.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556351977853449922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqPqq1JT83snzmPq2fP7sp8saaN-DffWG86e_ZhSiwT-_k8F90c8-IDjweTwmtVRUp4CT1LoT5Z8dE3L2tsK5iaRTpolkwDYeHl039pQXsynkVl1zH4sDslMVg0OgN8Sk9kAzQvo2tLMN/s320/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+421.JPG" /></a> Becca is loving her cake!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4yLa-whziikrc12Yd2L5FUMfW6fx9kLpuMzIcme-cDu3aC_t-1JVGEByxxFM_Pb9b2ITy8PtsB_x_3qP_48ci8ryZI41To-5GjAocAKJdsFdV4QIyaTkzb0uW1of8g1ct1NfzEHRCjSO/s1600/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+395.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556351978907260562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4yLa-whziikrc12Yd2L5FUMfW6fx9kLpuMzIcme-cDu3aC_t-1JVGEByxxFM_Pb9b2ITy8PtsB_x_3qP_48ci8ryZI41To-5GjAocAKJdsFdV4QIyaTkzb0uW1of8g1ct1NfzEHRCjSO/s320/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+395.JPG" /></a><br /> Becca Loving on Griff. Griff afraid for his life<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1aglu3O5hXuJ_KecUiahBkZ8EC8DJj-U30q60R4fCH1W3PIhAhOsA0C4LYTaDbb3FBXte244vCiJuyTbqotkV-hi46xl7IPudsLLB1rSOcBCEvigU8u6Zg6lflO0IFf9oFeIPHw04pXO/s1600/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+389.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556351975697072354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1aglu3O5hXuJ_KecUiahBkZ8EC8DJj-U30q60R4fCH1W3PIhAhOsA0C4LYTaDbb3FBXte244vCiJuyTbqotkV-hi46xl7IPudsLLB1rSOcBCEvigU8u6Zg6lflO0IFf9oFeIPHw04pXO/s320/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+389.JPG" /></a> Becca scrounging for food.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBCNBoh-ykiLbjz7t5MWc8gY0s5cj3akYfW4AQqJiXrlpQ-1GS4Jve4mAlykuVtGVA_bZc8UznfANAIWSUhAznRaJtOS_zRYWe2lpivs3H3kspERQIAexDZ1qtqtyCPgT9WegoVUFzzZa/s1600/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+270.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556351969771859074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBCNBoh-ykiLbjz7t5MWc8gY0s5cj3akYfW4AQqJiXrlpQ-1GS4Jve4mAlykuVtGVA_bZc8UznfANAIWSUhAznRaJtOS_zRYWe2lpivs3H3kspERQIAexDZ1qtqtyCPgT9WegoVUFzzZa/s320/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+270.JPG" /></a> My beauties in the bluebonnet field.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcboUPffK_F2kN18Frcm8NOmsgB8XY0qXFi5L_QsL9euzMyRBKpaC6wPXcUNl-0cDTu3GhBe3RwHD4MgtBvOLNTrqenTQPhh1bErhWs2-RgbHrEJa37YMMfGVuRetrOWEBPVuy1E1m-_wF/s1600/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556351963677037426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcboUPffK_F2kN18Frcm8NOmsgB8XY0qXFi5L_QsL9euzMyRBKpaC6wPXcUNl-0cDTu3GhBe3RwHD4MgtBvOLNTrqenTQPhh1bErhWs2-RgbHrEJa37YMMfGVuRetrOWEBPVuy1E1m-_wF/s320/Kaylee-Becca+Bday+222.JPG" /></a><br /> Easter 2010!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-59298202078065409342010-12-29T21:42:00.000-08:002010-12-29T21:53:19.974-08:00More Stroke InfoI went and saw my neurologist last week. He now says that the vision and vertigo issues could last up to 5 years. Some days are 'normal' other days are not. Tonight while putting laundry from the washer to the dryer, I almost fell over and then proceeded to break out in a cold sweat and get dizzy and nauseated. NO fun. I never know when it will get triggered. I know laundry is hard for me but it is so frustrating. At the same time, complaining will not make it any better so I just keep on, keeping on.<br />The doctor said that I actually did have a clot in my interior cerebellar artery and that it could have been catastrophic. Thankfully it was not and I chose to live each day to its fullest. Lately it has been really tough with what the world is dishing out but we are making do.<br />He said that he is very concerned about my heart. We are waiting on the 30 day cardiac monitor results to come in. He was disappointed my cardiologist was out of town until next week but what do you do. Everyone deserves a break. He said he doesn't mean to scare me, but he is very concerned but very please with my progress and my positive attitude.<br />It is crazy the things that bother me. I was trying to watch a picture video and I never could see the images. The styaed abstract because they wouldn't give me time to focus. I hadn't realized how much time I was taking to focus. <br />All in all...God is Good. SO good. He has blessed me with an amazing husband. There are few men that measure up to him. He is a man after God's heart and an amazing husband who treats me as a treasure and a fantastic daddy that has three little girls that think he is a super hero. God has blessed me. He will continue to bless me and I am so thankful to be called a child of the king.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-2558417356174905292010-12-12T20:09:00.000-08:002010-12-12T20:23:26.442-08:00No RegretsI have worked many years in health care. As a home health nurse, I would sit and visit with many of my patients. It was so sad to hear so many of them talk about their regrets in life. Many of those that had lost their spouse would say, "I should have told her that she was beautiful more and that I truly loved them" or that they should have said yes to this or that. It was so hard and the men seemed to feel more quilt. <br /><br />Last night, I told Phillip that no matter what happens to me, I have no regrets and that I could not be a happier wife and mother. He has treated me like the princess my dad would have wanted for his daughter. I feel cherished and loved unconditionally. <br /><br />It is so hard for me to be 'taken care of' by him. He looks out for me in ways that I am not even looking for. When we went to San Antonio we went to the River Walk. He wouldn't let me walk by the river and he held onto me the whole time. The only reason I even knew was because I was walking by the river for a second and he said," You don't need to walk there". I was like, "oh". Yesterday while walking up stadium steps, I got dizzy because you look up and down and that really makes me sick, so he grabs my arm like they do the little old ladies. He is my protector and I am thankful but feel so bad that he has to do that at such a young age. I just don't like it one bit, but not liking my situation, doesn't change anything so I might as well accept it.<br /><br />I am continually reminded that I need to look to God. He is in control. He knows my frustrations and fears. He knows that I want to make sure Phillip knows how to put up a pony-tail and braid just in case I am not there to do it. I want them all prepared. I know that I my children don't necessarily need me, but I want to be there to raise them. I know God would take care of my family and there is peace in that but I talk to Him a lot about my desire to raise my children and grow old with my husband. Of course He knows and it is amazing what a friend He has become.<br /><br />God is good...All the time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-80241593717235768122010-12-11T15:55:00.000-08:002010-12-11T16:10:27.866-08:00I DON'T Want to Eat BrusselI don't want to eat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">brussel</span> sprouts nor do I want to be a 33 year old stroke patient. At the same time, I will eat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">mybrussel</span> sprouts, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ie</span>: stroke. I have decided to come back to the world of blogging because there is so much on my heart and I know that there may be someone else out there that needs to hear what God is laying on my heart. So I have decided to answer his call and write. I am not a writer by far so don't pass too much judgement. I am simply a mom and preacher's wife who is doing her best to give God the glory for all that happens in my life...the good, the bad, and the ugly.<br /><br />Eight years ago today, I was being prepped for my first of three c-sections where I was going to meet my Kaylee. When she was born, the doctor said, "It's a little lady". Our life has never been the same. I thank God that He gave us Kaylee, Reese and Becca. You see, I never wanted girls because girls are mean to each other but I also always prayed that God would complete our family. He started a little earlier than we expected but of course, He knew best.<br /><br />It has been 11 weeks today since I had my stoke. Things to be thankful for from the get-go. We had been trying to sell our car for 6 months and that day we sold it. So those payments get to go to medical bills, YEAH! Not really but a blessing. I am actually thankful they did not find out that I had a stroke day 1. I would not have liked to have been in the hospital and that would have cost a lot more. I am thankful for diligent doctors. They all are perplexed on the whys but I don't have to know the whys. I have to know that I can glorify God in that he saved me that night.<br /><br />My initial fear has been replaced by frustration. I am frustrated that I am doing the same therapy as the 70 year old men and they do some of it better. I am frustrated that I cannot remember where I put things. I am frustrated that my vision is still causing me problems. I am frustrated that I am frustrated. <br /><br />However, I have decided that being frustrated is not going to change the circumstances. I will continue to smile and Praise the Lord for everyday I get to be with my husband and girls. I am thankful that God allows me to minister to others. I am thankful for all the beauty He puts around us. I am thankful for little girl giggles and hugs. I am thankful for the Sonic drinks my husband brings me. I am thankful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-5838876493340935462010-11-02T10:52:00.000-07:002010-11-02T11:09:56.761-07:00No newsSo far every test that has been done has come back normal except my cholesterol is slightly elevated but carotids are clear of plaque so who knows. I do know that I had 23 tubes of blood taken yesterday and have had twice that take in the past week. I feel about the same. Always exhausted. Blurred and dizzy. Handing out Halloween candy was frustrating. I missed the bag about as much as I got it in there. Argh! I do have a neurology appt on the 12th. Not much longer. Yesterday, my obgyn called because he had heard what had happened and he prayed with me over the phone. I am blessed with great doctors who truly care and I am so thankful God has blessed them with the gift a medicine and healing.<br /><br />I think about my little girls often. I look at them differently now. I worry about Kaylee. She seems to be a little bit of a loner. She is precious. She is so nurturing. She loves to help others and is always thinking of everyone else. I know she is going to be a wonderful person. I hope that she stays true to her convictions in life. She writes music and stories and they are so sweet. She is an excellent big sister. I know her and Reese argue some but it is normal. She has been letting Reese sleep with her for a week and I promise that isn't easy. She loves little Becca to death and is her ultimate protector.<br /><br />Reese is amazing in her own right. Yesterday she went with me to the lab and sat with wonder as the blood came out my arm. She helped the lady label them and was so caring. The other day she overheard me telling someone that I can't sleep without Phillip beside me and she said, "Mommy, Daddy is there to take care of you." She is a voice of reason. She is also hilarious. She always keeps us laughing. She is growing up so much. It is hard for me to picture her as a little girl. I just want to keep her small. I often tell her how special she is and that God knew that she would make a great big sister and little sister and that is why she is our middle child. She is a blessing no doubt.<br /><br />And then there is sweet Becca. She gives the best hugs and kisses. She has become quite the little independent thing lately. She wants to do everything the big girls are doing. She hears them and runs to them. She gets her wii remote and 'plays' right along with them. She is doing some sign language and she knows what she wants and what she doesn't want. <br /><br />And last but certainly not least, is my wonderful husband, who has chauffered me all around town for the past month. He has taken care of me and the girls as well as worked overtime at the church because that is what a pastor does. He is the most caring man of God. He seeks to serve the Lord in what ever way God calls him. He is so precious. He has led our family to serve God and keeps that at the forefront of our life. He is teaching my children to serve others and I am so thankful for that. It is sad that there are those out there that damage that but I know that is Satan attacking and we are beginning to almost be thankful for the tough times.<br /><br />I wake up every morning and thank God for letting me wake up and ask how I can serve Him today. God has given me the gift of life and I will not let him down. I am still human and I know I will mess up but I am so thankful for His grace and His forgiveness. We should treat each day as it could be our last. I will glorify God through this storm in my life. I am really working on releasing my fear and learning to live again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-38716013837083153032010-10-28T11:03:00.000-07:002010-10-28T11:12:20.935-07:00New Normal..or Not So NormalOn September 19, I woke up at 4 am and went to the bathroom and got back in bed and my world started spinning uncontrollably. I have never been so sick. I was profusely sweating, vomiting and couldn't walk. Phillip took me to the hospital and was diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis. My symptoms were not getting better and I started having trouble seeing at times. So after about 10 days, I finally told my doctor and he sent me for an MRI. He and I were thinking multiple sclerosis. It was the longest week. We finally got the results and it appears that I never had vestibular neuronitis but had a cerebellar stroke. It is healing but I am petrified. I can't leave my husband and little ladies. I know that God saved me for a reason. He protected me from an absolutely catastrophic event. I trust that He is with me and I am trying to put away the fear. I am human and it creeps into my thoughts all the time. Everytime that my head tingles or the headache starts pounding I worry. Everytime I leave my girls and husband, I wonder if its the last time I see them. I am doing lots of tests right now and hopefully will have answers soon. I will get an appt with a neurologist soon and hopefuly will find out why but 30% of young people with strokes never know the why. Until then I know God is taking care of us. I continue to battle dizziness and trouble with vision and speaking and typing at times and my fine motor skills are really bad and I feel 10 weeks pregnant but I am not. I will continue to heal but ask for your prayers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-16892204619325832062010-03-01T09:22:00.000-08:002010-03-01T09:30:28.712-08:00WOW...MarchI honestly cannot remember the saying about March, but it is cold, raining and snowinf right now. That has been our weather pattern for much of this year so far. I always love to truly experience the seasons. I hope that this will lead to some amazing West Texas thunderstorms to come. I love storms...controlled storms...and not 'storms' in my personal life. So maybe I don't really like storms.<br /><br />We are doing great. Becca is sitting up and trying to scooch herself along. She adores her big sisters and I pray that the special relationship that they have now continues. Reese is still the same as always. She wants to be big so bad. Kaylee is doing awesome at school. She is getting ready to baptised. She is taking it very seriously and trying to figure out her relationship with Christ. She has a heart as big as Texas. Really all my children do which I am so blessed by that. We must be doing something right. LOL! <br /><br />Life has been steadily moving along and we are thouroughly enjoying seeing how God is working in our lives...at home, work, school and Sweetwater.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-41126485193375071822009-12-25T10:32:00.001-08:002009-12-25T10:41:03.883-08:00Merry ChristmasWe have had a wonderful day so far. Happy Birthday Jesus! Santa brought the girls both American Girl dolls and Becca the Fisher-Price table. They were given way too much stuff but oh, well. We are truly feeling God's blessings this year. It is neat having a white Christmas. Sweetwater got about 6 in of snow. The snow wasn't very sticky at first but after waiting a while, a snowman was built by daddy and Kaylee. Reese went out once but decided that she did not like being cold. It was fun.<br /><br />Here are a few things the girls have been saying lately: on the way to Sterling, we played different made up games. At each town we changed games and the girls traded on making up games. In between Bronte and Robert Lee it was Kaylee's turn. She wanted to play the quite game. Reese said,"I do not want to play the quiet game...I want to play the loud game". And she was.<br /><br />Kaylee told us the other day that she was sad that she didn't have a cute name like Becca and that she had dark brown hair. We explained that her name was special to us and that God had given her special to us and at the time that He had chosen. He knew she would be the perfect Biggest Sister.<br /><br />Becca has been cute in that she opens her own presents and that she loves getting gifts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-32590203871977346142009-11-16T07:54:00.000-08:002009-11-16T11:29:50.791-08:00Fun in the Fall<p><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" width="320" height="266" contentid="FAILED"></object></p><p>We have had such a crazy fall so far and are fastly approaching my favorite time or year. I am so ready for the bundling days of winter and the exciting preparation of celebrating our Savior's birth. We had a fall festival and my sweet husband dressed as me and I dressed as a preacher. He wore a blonde wig and my scrubs. He was so cute. My girls each dressed as a Star Wars character: Kaylee: Queen Amidala, Reese: Darth Vader (of course) And Becca Padame. Phillip has turned 33 and I will be celebrating 32 this week. I remember when my mom was 35 and I thought she was so old. I just had a baby!! I don't feel old. In my heart I am still 23 and just married. We have such a happy family and I am so blessed. I hope you enjoy the pictures. I hope they all download.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-55796142740389806222009-10-26T08:06:00.000-07:002009-10-26T08:10:21.306-07:00Bottles and BoobsBecca has got to be our most stubborn child ever and maybe in the history of children in general. I love her to death and she LOVES her mommy. She will only eat for me whether from a bottle or the breast. It is insane. I had always been told that a nursing mommy would never be able to get her baby to take a bottle. Wrong. Phillip can't, the baby-sitter can't. It is absolutely insane. How long can a baby go without eating if I simply don't come around? I know that it is longer than 8 hrs because that is how long she went on Fri and Sat until I fed her. I will take all advice and try anything. I can't give up nursing though. I just can't. It is too good for the baby. So, I am sending out an SOS!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-63077326919576377452009-10-20T08:24:00.000-07:002009-10-20T08:42:21.743-07:00SettledI do have a new baby-sitter that is coming to my home. She is 20 years old and is taking some college courses on-line. She is really sweet. We are trying to get Becca's reflux under control so that she feels better and I think we will be doing good. I also have another prayer request that can't be posted that has nothing to do with church but it is complicated so if you want that info shoot me an email at mthomas@sweetwater.esc14.net. <br /><br />God is Good <>< All the TimeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-32266050561479960982009-10-12T10:00:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:08:34.987-07:00Please prayPlease pray that we find a new sitter for my kids. We have had two. Both of them say that my kids are great but that their kids don't handle sahring their mommies and I totally understand that. I hate that I cannot stay home and take care of my kids but I can't. I want someone that will come in and love my children. So I am asking for my friends to pray.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-1806317708756159102009-10-07T11:22:00.000-07:002009-10-07T11:32:19.693-07:00Busy, Busy, BusyI haven't quite figured it all out yet but I will try to get some pics up soon. We have discontinued our internet service at home, so I have to get a new system for updating my blog. <br /><br />We are doing fairly well. Becca has started her second baby-sitter. Her name is Christi and I really like her. She keeps Reese also 2 days a week. I continue to pray that they will bond well. I do realize a baby is very hard to keep especially when they are so little but she is doing better every day. She is doing much better with her reflux and is only waking up once during the night. WooHoo!! She has started cooing and smiling and I love that.<br /><br />I am knee deep in flu mess. We have had a lot of sickness in our schools and it is so hard to know what the right decision is for our schools. Half of the kids we have out have either the confirmed flu or influenza-like illness and have not been to see a doctor because they are so full. Everyone has an idea of how to handle it and it is driving me nuts. Oh, well. I love the rest of my job though.<br /><br />Kaylee is doing great in school. I still wish she had a best friend in school but she doesn't yet. It doesn't bother her as much as it does me. She is quite happy. She loves learning and is learning to read pretty good. She loves to be outside. Loves animals and is on Team Level 1 in gymnastics and I have been so impressed on her progress.<br /><br />Reese is also doing well. She is hilarious as always. She is going to be Darth Vader for Halloween. She is talking up a storm and impersonates people all the time. She also is trying to learn to read and she probably will be by the end of the year. She has also started gymnastics and is so cute to watch.<br /><br />Phillip is Phillip. Church is going well. We will be starting our building soon. We feel so blessed to have this church. We really love Sweetwater and can't see ever leaving. I am so proud of him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1645440583964274008.post-24490910303828621342009-09-06T18:54:00.000-07:002009-09-06T19:02:36.112-07:00Houston, we have a problem...Our computer is down. I want to post pics but only do it from our home computer so it will come.<br /><br />Becca update:<br /><br />We had our second sonogram on Thursday and after four phone calls to the pediatrician I still do not know the exact results. His nurse tried to tell me that the report was not in but I know that it was completed by 1000 on Friday. Needless to say I am not happy. Especially with a 3 day weekend. I will be asking the doc on Tue when he got my message. Becca at times gets this look on her face of pure panic and screams out and is stiff as a board. This doesn't present to me as colic. Maybe it is but Kaylee had it and this is not how she acted. I did see something quite large on her right ovary that was not there last time. I know the sonographers were surprised by it and there was a left shift in the uterus so it is putting pressure on her little body. It makes me so mad that I can tell two nurses(Excuse me, med techs) that my baby is hurting and never get a return call from the doctor. It has taken everything that I have not to call the on-call physician. I will update as I can.<br /><br />In other news, we placed my grandma on hospice (dad's mom)two weeks ago. SHe fell nad broke her hip on Mon and has now had surgery and spent the rest of the week in ICU and now is back in a private room. They felt like the surgery could be fatal but she did survive. I know that she doesn't have long for this life and I am comforted that she is ready to go. I will miss her but she is so ready.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0