God blessed us with three beautiful boys. Joshua Douglas was born on 9/18/06, 15.75" long weighing 3 lbs 4 oz. He stayed in the N.I.C.U. four weeks before coming home & then had the lower section of his left lung removed. He's been doing well ever since! Caleb Luke was born on 7/8/08, 20.5" long weighing 7 lbs 12 oz. Ryan Josiah was born on 6/7/11, 20.25" long weighing 7 lbs 14 oz. Praise God for our miracle babies!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A Date with Dadda
Friday, August 29, 2008
A Sad Day
Last night, I told Shawn the decision about preschool was too big for me. As head of the household, I wanted him to make the decision and I would honor what he wanted either way. I weighed in the pros and cons, and he decided to take the counsel of our parents and others and wait a year to send Joshua. So, I'm going to try and get out and about more with the Bean and teach him here, and we'll aim for preschool next year. I feel good about Shawn's decision, and I trust him to lead our family and make wise choices.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What Jesus has done for me!
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
- Jesus saved me from my sins. I now know that I have hope when I die to live eternally in heaven with Him.
- Jesus blessed me from my very birth with a wonderful family. I've also been blessed with friends throughout my life, which I no longer take for granted.
- When I was in high school, I had a few selfish goals. I wanted a 4-door silver stick-shift car under $2,000 and He provided that very vehicle. I wanted to go to the homecoming dance and prom with a date, and I did. I also wanted to wear a football jersey to school (since that was the "cool" thing to do) and I got to not only once but twice from two different guys.
- I also wanted to attend college but wasn't sure how I'd be able to pay for it. I not only got my bachelor's degree, I got my master's as well.
- I wanted a husband to share my life with, and God gave me a man that exceeds my wildest dreams.
- I wanted a house - a single house with 4 BRs, 2.5 baths, in a good school district, with at least a quarter acre of ground, with at least a one-car garage and hopefully a fireplace and a nice layout. Our house has all that and more, with a fantastic location and nice neighbors and is great for raising kids. We've also been provided with the funds to make it a nice home.
- Once I got pregnant, all I wanted was for Joshua to be healthy. And, God once again provided and not only healed Joshua but also gave us another beautiful, healthy son.
- He's blessed me with fantastic job opportunities. I've always held higher up positions for any company I've worked for, even though I was younger than most holding that job. He's provided for us financially when I've truly wondered how we would make it when I wasn't working full time. Over and over again, He's blessed us at just the right moment with just the right gift. I've been able to work some from home and teach part-time in the evenings at the university, and we've been blessed by little gifts that come and meet our exact need at the exact right time.
- Growing up, I always wanted to be on the Price is Right and see the Seinfeld Reality Tour. Again, goofy selfish things, but I've done both.
- More than that, God has blessed me with the ability to play the piano and worship Him (I've really not had any formal training and always tell folks that the Holy Spirit taught me how to play). He's given me intelligence to feel comfortable in most settings. He's inspired me through teachings and quiet moments.
- And, He died on the cross for me, that I might have not only eternal life but life abundant here on earth. He provided a manual of insight to guide and direct me during my days here. There are SO many times I fall short of his glory (on a daily basis!) but amazingly, He always shows me love and always forgives me. And, He's provided me with others who seem to do the same.
I could go on and on about what God has done in my life... He is my provider, my healer, my savior, my friend, my father and so much more. He's the giver of good gifts to His children. I'm thrilled to be part of His family, and I hope everyone can realize the greatness of His love and mercy and salvation. May my life bring Him glory and honor! Take the time today to tell someone what God has done for you!
Brotherly Love
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Making Choices
The sermon was good, but we sat in a room outside the sanctuary since you can't take kiddos in and I wasn't comfortable leaving Caleb quite yet. The room was pretty full of other parents with their kiddos, too. The church also has a MOPS group (mothers of pre-schoolers), which meets the same time we'd be sending Joshua to pre-school. So, I began wondering if this was a sign that maybe pre-school wasn't for this year. I haven't had a complete peace about it either way. I keep going back and forth. I do think he needs time playing with other children, but what if he gets bullied or gets too sick and I have a baby to also care for? What if I can't protect him or he hates it? What if he's not ready? What if I'm not ready?
So, I'm still praying about whether to send him to pre-school or join a mom's group where I can meet other people and he still has time to play with other kiddos. I have to decide by tomorrow, and I haven't really felt strongly either way. Please pray for wisdom, if you think of it! I love this little guy so much and want to do what's best for him (and Caleb!).
When we were playing in the office this morning, Joshua picked up his sticker from his church experience. I was amazed at what it said and took a close-up picture of it...
Jesus, please help me make the right choice!
Potty Book
Barf-a-rama...on the Mama!
He was gulping like a champ, and I remember groggily thinking to myself "He must have been really hungry. Did he eat well at his feeding before this? I don't think so..." When he was finished on the first side, I sat him up to burp him. No burp. He doesn't always burp in between, so I wasn't that concerned. I simply switched sides and let him continue to eat.
He again gulped hungrily and I thought, "He should sleep well the rest of the night now." Less than 10 minutes later, he started to squirm. I thought he had gas (this is often the case), but this time he erupted like a volcano...while he was still latched on eating! I was covered in vomit in less than a second. In my tired state and disbelief, without thinking of my poor husband who had to work the next day, I let out a shriek....a very LOUD shriek. Shawn woke up with a startle and threw on the light. Our bed looked like someone had dumped a half gallon of milk all over it.
Poor Caleb...poor Mama. Poor Dada who graciously started changing the bed while I got cleaned up. I think Caleb must have had a burp in there before he started eating from when he was crying as I changed him. The air came out after he had eaten and eaten. The sad thing was, he still acted hungry. I let him eat another 10 minutes (even though I was nauscious from the evening's - or early morning's - events) and laid him back in his pack 'n play. He wasn't too thrilled and woke up off and on throughout the night. Ugh!
Caleb is also starting to lose his hair on top, just like Joshua did. Here's a picture for his memory book!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Airplane!
Then we saw another plane take off within a few minutes. You can see it far back on the runway - we were so close to it! And they only take seconds to come in or go out. As we were packing up then, we saw another one land. Hooray! It was a great experience. A cheap delicious lunch, free entertainment and sweet company - you can't ask for more than that!
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it), Caleb missed the entire thing and simply napped in the sun. When he's older, I'm sure he'll enjoy watching them too. After our eventful day, Joshua is now napping in his room, and I'm contemplating napping myself. I could clean, I could do school work, but a nap with my boys sounds the best. We'll see...
Observant
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Celebrating Success!!!
Six-week Check-up
Caleb is a delightful baby. He's very easygoing and loves to cuddle. And his grin melts my heart. Tomorrow I'm getting the boys' pictures taken together at JC Penny's. I can't wait to see how they turn out!
Today was my six-week check-up. Everything looks great! My blood pressure was 110/64, which is low. Hooray! My weight was also less than before I got pregnant with Caleb. Double hooray! Now all my restrictions have been lifted.The nurse (an older lady) asked me what the baby's name was and I said "Caleb." She said "Joshua & Caleb...that's definitely better than Cain & Abel." Haaaa!!! Caleb has blessed our family so much. I'm thrilled to have such an adorable baby that looks up at me with his big blue eyes. Joshua loves his little brother, too, I can tell already. And Daddy said tonight as we were bathing him together (this little purdue-chicken is slippery when wet!) about what an easy baby he's been. Thank God for our bundle of joy!