One of the Benefits to Mountain Living

 Elk in the yard is a benefit to mountain living! The other morning we got a heard of about 40 elk in our front yard! We have had elk before but sometimes during the dark early morning hours. One morning we sat and watched as a buck walked up to the window and put his nose up to it as we were sitting in the dark watching! Sooo cool!! Anyway, these came in the morning but it was nice we could get some pictures of them. To bad Babe and G can't find them when they are hunting!! It was fun for the kids watching them too though.

 J enjoyed watching the elk out our dining room window.

A's Big Adventure . . . The End Of February!!

Just now getting around to blogging about this event. We found out last fall that "A" had a condition called pectus excavautum. My hubby has the same condition but never got it repaired and he so wishes he had. It is a surgery that is usually done when relatively young. It is when the middle of the chest sinks WAY in and as you grow older it seems to make life uncomfortable.

"A" had a battery of tests for her heart and respiratory. Reminds me when she went to the cardiologist the nurse was looking at her heart by sonogram and then talking to "A". The nurse found out about our family size and she asked "A" if she liked where she fell in the family. "A" answered "I like what I am." The nurse smiled and said "You just made my day." "A" then saw the doctor and the doctor seemed to very much enjoy "A's" way she approached life. Doc said "You have the most beautiful heart I have seen all day." That's a blessing!

It was suggested to us by a couple doctors to get it repaired. The end of February she went into surgery. She was such a brave heart as you can see by the pictures of she and I before she was wheeled into the operation room. They put a steel bar in her chest cavity and then popped the bar upward to expand her chest and then left the bar in. It will be in for a couple years now.

The nurses were happy seeing her happy smiles as she was being wheeled back to the operating room. When we got to the operating room the anastegiologist was SOOOO funny. He asked if "A" wanted dog breath as the scent to smell as she went to sleep! 

When they came to get me when she came out of surgery the nurse warned me she was in a lot of pain. I found out much later from a therapist that it is one of the most painful surgeries there are and worse in terms of pain than heart surgery. 

It was terrible watching her be in such extreme pain but I was so thankful I was there to help her through it. As I was thinking about being glad I was there she said "I am glad you are here." Days, maybe even a few weeks before surgery in our family devotions we read about Jesus calming the storm when they were in a big storm at see and we talked about how we need to "turn away from the storm and to Christ." I had the kids repeat after me that phrase a few times. I told Annalina she may need to remember that after surgery and sure enough she did need it and I reminded her. I encouraged her to also slow her breathing, etc. She did an AMAZING job with the help of her Saviour. One of her young hip and cool nurses that cared for her in her hospital room said "She is going through this with such grace. She doesn't act like a kid from this country. She doesn't act like an American kid. I don't know how else to say it." The reason she was able to do that was because it was by an all powerful God that gives her HIS GRACE and it is by that alone!!

For days she was on IV morphin which was no fun watching. That first night in the hospital was exhausting. Annalina would wake me up needing help. I would have to stand there for just a few moments to get my thoughts together. It is one thing helping little babies during a night but big heavy kids in a lot of pain is another thing. I have come through this year with a Huge respect for parents with severely disabled kids. It takes a lot of physical and emotional strength. And they have to keep going day in and day out year after year. I respect them. I only had to have a taste of some of what they go through. They have to be some of the strongest people on earth.

 I was really amazed watching Annalina's healing process. Each day brought significant improvement which was so encouraging. Prayers were truly being answered. The nurses had seen pectus excavatum patients before and they were surprised at how well she was coping. God is good all the time!!

My younger brother came to visit her, phone calls were made to us, someone plowed our driveway to make way for our return home, food was brought! We were blessed by care and love. "A" received BINS and BINS of gifts. There was an amazing outpouring of love to her personally. 

As "A" was laying in the hospital hours after the surgery in pain and at times very uncomfortable breathing she quietly mentioned a lady from church that had said she wanted to pray with "A" on the way to the hospital and it didn't happen. "A" wanted me to call her and have her pray with her but to tell her she couldn't talk but just listen. It was beautiful to watch this saint of the Lord pray for my daughter as she lay in pain. It was obvious "A" appreciated it!!

A funny side note . . . our family stayed at a nearby air force base during her procedure and Babe and I switched off staying to care for "A" after her first night and the other one of us stayed with the kiddos at the temporary lodging facility.  When Babe was at the TLF  the fire alarm went off and the fire department came and then they got nervous when they saw the girls were on oxygyn! It became more of an ordeal than necessary but they were being cautious. 

When I came back to the TLF to switch off with Babe I walked in and "Big C" ran up and hugged me. I said to him, " Did you miss me?" His reply was sweetly "No, but I like you a lot!" I started laughing that was so funny and so "Big C"!!! While I was away Babe told me that "J" would stand at the window and say "Mama, Mama!" When the day came to leave the hospital as I pulled out to leave to pick her up the van died and it was Super Bowl Sunday in DENVER!! Eventually, we got a very interesting ride back to our room which is another story!! Babe and "A" had to take a taxi to get a rental car but it all worked out!!

The hospital we were at in Denver was sub par but we made it and we are thankful for how the healing process has gone. She was restricted in what she could do for awhile but now is almost back to a completely normal life. She still has doctor's appt.'s checking up on her and making sure all is ok.

Baby B visits "A" in the hospital.

Baby C visits "A" in the hospital.

Finding things to do during her road to recovery.

Picture I saw in hospital and I loved it! Reminded me of my kiddos in Colorado! One kid short in the picture but still so neat!

Perspective

My dad texted me this picture when he was flying over Colorado to California. He labeled the text "Perspective".  Life has a way of getting so busy, crazy, and at times stressful. It is so easy for me to lose the right perspective. After I got this text I had a REALLY rough day. I decided to pile the kiddos into the van and go for a drive. I drove about 45 minutes down to the hospital where the twins were born and I drove around the hospital and thought about where we had been this year with the girls and where we are now. I prayed that God would give me perspective on my life. I wanted a more Christ focused perspective. No, there was no lightening bolt or over whelming sense of what I was looking for right then but my prayer was answered in HIS time. Through a message I heard on the radio or been told about, Scripture I have read, and Christian music. Little by little my Lord gently turns my attention to what is true and in doing so gives me the right perspective. I still have to pray that He will give me faith. Thankful for a loving Lord who knows my every thought and need.


I signed up for 40 days of emailed devotionals from a devotional by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Here was one of the days of challenges! Excellent!

40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Those who follow Jesus’ commandment entirely, who let Jesus’ yoke rest on them without resistance, will find the burden they must bear to be light. In the gentle pressure of this yoke they will receive the strength to walk the right path without becoming weary.…Where will the call to discipleship lead those who follow it? What decisions and painful separations will it entail? We must take this question to him who alone knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows where the path will lead. But we know that it will be a path full of mercy beyond measure. Discipleship is joy. Biblical Wisdom Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30 Questions to Ponder What is Jesus’ “commandment” that we are to follow? (SeeJohn 15:12) If this commandment is Jesus’ “yoke,” how might we be changed if we bear it without resistance? Why might following Jesus’ commandment lead to tough “decisions and painful separations”? Psalm Fragment Make me to know your ways, O Lord;    teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me,    for you are the God of my salvation;    for you I wait all day long. Psalm 25:4–5 Journal Reflections To be a disciple is not just to believe in Jesus, it is to follow Jesus. In your journal, reflect on the ways in which you are presently following Jesus. Do you experience your discipleship as “joy”? Is the “burden” of your discipleship “light”? Do you sense there are places Jesus might want to lead you where you would rather not go? If so, where are they and what is holding you back? Intercessions Pray specifically for family, friends, and colleagues that they might clearly hear the call to discipleship (which is the call to love and justice), and that they might experience following Jesus’ commandment as joy in the concrete realities of their lives. Prayer for Today Lord Jesus, only you know where my path will lead, but I trust that, even if I do not know either the way or the destination, you are with me and before me, and I follow you with joy. 40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Books, imprint of Augsburg Fortress.

J's 2nd Birthday! --April 11th

"J" is a full of life kiddo with a strong personality. He is confident and funny and loves his family beyond doubt. The Terrible 2's have definitely arrived but we've been through those a few times before. :-) Jedidiah seemed to really enjoy his Thomas the Train cake! 

Some Of The Many Cute Faces of J!

There is nothing dull or boring about J especially now that he is 2! His newest funny thing is that he says "Mama! Mama!" When I look at him he has his finger in his nose like he is picking it. He thinks this is most humorous to do to Mama!!! He loves to hear me say "Stop it" or "Yuck"!! These sentiments of "Mama" make the joke all the more fun!! Yep, he's a boy!                              

Shortly after I first posted this he put his head on my shoulder and said for the first time "Mama, I love you." LOVE it when they learn to talk and tell you how they feel. It has it's downsides too. I asked him the other day if he was poopy. He replied, "No, Nana poo poo." and pointed at his sister! Ahh, how early it all starts!! :-)

The Lost Sheep -- By GL

The Lost Sheep

By GL (My oldest kiddo)

A lost sheep lay

Longing for his bed of hay

When Lo, in the night

He heard the Shepherd's voice keen and bright

He ran with all his strength

And when at length

He saw His master

He baa'd happily and ran faster

But when he lay in his master's arms

He thought of all the charms

The world has too offer

And realized they were like arms

Trying too bring him in 

To the depths of sin.

Isaiah 53:18

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; 

and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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I was really happy to read this poem of G's. No, it is not a Longfellow poem but what I appreciate about it is that he was thinking spiritually. He picked a perfect verse to go with his poetic thoughts. 

As parents it is not perfection we want (it may seem that way at times!) but a heart that is turned and tender toward Christ. May G keep his heart and mind stayed on Christ for that takes constant vigilance.

Of course Grandparents are cheerleaders and so here's what Grandma J had to say about the poem:

"That is so good! I love it. Surely he ought to get some school credit for it. Add the Word [our last name] to the name. Tell G he's poet and don't know but his feet are "Longfellows!'"

Stories For My Mommy Memory

I like to take the kids with me when I go to do things concerning taking care of the twins. It is good for the kids to learn how to meet and interact with different people and watch the jobs they do. They may want to do a similar job in the future!

I decided to take C who is 4 years old with me this day. C is a soft spoken kiddo who can be VERY shy with people he doesn't know. We really work on his social skills and I give him my expectations before we get wherever we are going. He knows he is to look directly at the person, speak loud enough that they can hear, greet and say good bye. I don't expect his personality to change but I do expect good manners. Sometimes he does well and other times not so well but recently it is exciting to see the good happening more and more and actually see him start a conversation with an adult.

Weeks back I took C with me to Baby B's physical therapy appt. Physical therapy is no fun. Brita has a condition where one side of her neck is very tight and it gets worked on to relax. It is painful. Anyway, Brita cried almost the whole 45 minute session. No fun! The therapist was holding her and said that she wasn't really in pain just mad. WRONG!!!!!!! I have learned though sometimes medical people say this. I've heard it before. I don't know if they do it trying fool us as moms and make us feel better or what. But moms know their kids and when they are in pain. Plus, Baby B doesn't get mad only very sad. I decided not to say anything about the erroneous comment. All of a sudden a very soft voice spoke but hard to hear everything it said. It was big brother C. C speaks very slowly, quietly, and methodically. The therapist said "What did you say?" He spoke up but again spoke very slowly "It is hard to imagine a newborn being mad." Oh, boy! Out of the mouths of babes. She tried at naught to explain herself. She had just been put in place by a sweet caring 4 year old AND SHE KNEW IT. When we were getting ready to leave the therapist said to C "You are quite the big brother." She was impressed with the level of care he gave his sister and that was obvious. He was talking to Baby B during therapy saying "Don't cry Mommy and brother Carson are here."

I told a friend of mine this story and she said "Carson is right!" I agreed. What a kid.

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My big kids were gone for a number of weeks at my parents house and then my hubby and one of the kids went to go pick them up so it was the 3 youngest at home. It was a very snowy day. The schools in the area cancelled for the day. It seemed like a time to stay inside and be warm and I had even said that probably wouldn't have any showings for our house that is on the market. Sure enough a call came someone wanted to see the house in one hour. I asked for an hour and 15 minutes and good thing I did because I left with about 6 minutes left. Needed to not only pick up the house but shovel the sidewalk and some of the driveway.

Anyway, I couldn't find my keys for the van. I knew I needed to get it running to warm up for the twins especially. I was going around saying "Keys!, Keys!" All of a sudden my one year old J came running and had gotten the ring of baby multi-colored plastic keys! SOOOOO sweet and SOOOOO cute! He also was trying to help me get the house ready by moving the boxes of diapers from Costco. He was trying to help Mommy!! We had a very interesting ride in the 15 passenger van with some big fishtailing on the highway! Saw one man stuck, etc.