Amazing times

Life has been so out of control it seems but God reminds me every day He is still there right beside me.

~E will be having her surgery on March 17th if you could keep her in your prayers over the next few weeks as surgery nears and then for recovery. I worry about how her mom, Brian and I will be able to cope with the kids and their questions. How can we as parents to these kids help them adjust and cope and deal with their emotions. My oldest asked if he could go with her when she goes to surgery. This isn't even his sister and he cares for her that much.

But you know what yesterday we celebrated ALL four girls fourth birthday with some great friends. The girls had a BLAST at Build A Bear and eating cupcakes with their friends. The presents were so perfect for them.

Church and Adventurers fills so much spiritual blessing in my life for me and the kids. I really feel that God put me right here right now for all the right reasons. Our church is now working on 40 days of scripture memorization, learning a new verse a day. BUT it's not like just memorizing one verse and moving on, we are going over the verses daily sometimes two or three at a time, til we learn them. I love love this.

God is faithful every day to remind me He made me and knows me inside and out. As I am studying in school I especially am reminded of our creator.

Happy Birthday

Today you two are turning four years old.

~A You are our Rae of Sunshine, so full of Spunk and Tenacity nothing gets by you. You observe and take everything in then give your whole heart into all you do. You are a leader of the girls.

~B You are our Graceful one so full of life and charm. Granny would have been proud of you and loved you to pieces. You look like her and have some of her mannerisms. Your smiles light up a room.

We loved you both from the moment we knew there were two. Every movement every wiggle has been treasured. Girls who have the best gift in the world a twin sister to share and conquer the world.

Happy Birthday our precious baby girls but guess what you two aren't babies anymore; you are growing into little independent girls. We love you both.
                              

God provides

Life is what happens when we make plans isn't that how the saying goes.

This week, school was hard for me but I persevered and ended the week with my case study in medical terminology.

I also got notice that the funding for school has been temporarily suspended. Funding for currently approved program (i.e. current semester is okay but further semesters are a no go). After a brief moment of depression, I realized it's really and has always been in God's hands. Maybe this is God's way of shutting the door at this time. If I am meant to continue school, funding will be reinstated

Today I was blessed with a wonderful sermon. Then we had a seminar on memorizing scripture. I am looking forward to working on memorizing more this year.

God is good and working on me.

Daily verse

Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
Psalm 5:8 NLT

So glad it's Friday

This has been a really long week and I don't see it getting much better BUT I am so thankful it's Friday and tonight is Sabbath.

Monday started out with a Medical Terminology test. Normal family/kid activities at home.

Tuesday was a LONG LONG day. My dear friend has a daughter with cerebral palsy. She need help taking her to the doctor and for X-rays. That was a trying time. ~J didn't like the X-rays or the fact that I was the one helping and not mom. After the initial X-rays, life was better or ~J. We "danced" around the room and had a laughing time of it. Unfortunately the doctor says ~J needs surgery on her legs. A very emotional time.

Now for the Really Really Hard part. Nique had to take Bugalicious into the neurologist. We knew it was to access her and go over the MRI results. But what wasn't expected was how bad the MRI seemed. Bug doesn't just have Chiari Malformation type I she also has syringomyelia (cyst in the spine). She will be requiring surgery. When we don't know yet. We meet with the neurosurgeon towards the end of the month. I know I say we when Bug isn't really my daughter. They live in my home. I take care of Bug and Peanut while Nique is working. I love those two girls as much as if they were my own. The neurologist thinks she still has Epilepsy. Wow was this appointment a lot to take in all at once. My mind is spinning worrying about all the changes for Bug and the rest of the family. Recovery time, limitations on her life for now, knowing trusting God to answer our prayers that He has and will continue to watch over her and us.

Wednesday was a blur just stressing about life I guess you could say.

Thursday we went over to our friends house to watch her kids while she went to a doctor's appointment. That was kinda fun watching the kids play. Then we had our monthly mom's night out twin club meeting. Our speaker was on "health eating with picky eaters." Lots of great information.

Today is cleaning, school work, and Sabbath preparation. I am so thankful that tonight is Sabbath. Tomorrow we have adventurers to look forward to with all the kids.

Have a blessed day

WHO DAT! ~ NOBODY

This was an amazing Sunday for Saints fans. 43-44 years in the making.

We planned a small Superbowl party. When you have 10 people in the house is anything ever really small?  We even had a couple of friends over.

Anyway, we made chicken and turkey sausage gumbo, chicken jambalaya, ordered a King Cake from NOLA.  Tried to get Randazzo but they weren't shipping in time so we went with Gambinos Which was really cool because it came with Black and Gold Sugar:). The kids had black Fleur-de-leis drawn on their faces or arms. Adults were wearing Who Dat shirts or Saints shirts.

3 years ago, I rooted for the "hometown boy" today there was none of that. My loyalties were strictly with my team. 

What a game! The stats were stacked against them but the Saints proved that stats are just numbers. They played with heart and WON!!! Many of the players are players that no other team wanted. In 2005 Brees left San Diego with a shoulder injury. Shockey was injured and couldn't play in the 2007 Superbowl with the Giants. Hargrove battled addiction and came back. Like New Orleans itself, these players are fighters and have given their ALL.

Ya know my favorite pic of the whole night was this one...sharing the moment with his wife and child.

THANK YOU BOYS and NEW ORLEANS for rebuilding and Finishing Strong

I do feel for Payton Manning, I could see the frustration in him.  He's an awesome quarterback. BUT Superbowl XLIV belonged to NEW ORLEANS SAINTS and the whole city and metro area of New Orleans.

Allergies

~A had her follow-up today. Of course after 3 weeks of being cough free she started coughing yesterday. Dr says to remain on pulmocort once a day for duration of winter. If cough comes back up dose to twice a day for 5-7 days. I detest steroids but at least these are lesser quantities than oral.

We did RAST testing to check the IgE levels and Sesame and Latex (as ~R is allergic to those) as well as her levels on the positives on the foods she is allergic to. Anneliese was a champ for the testing only crying at the actual sight of the blood.

School

About a 1/3 of the way done with my classes.

I just took exam 3 in the Anatomy and Physiology class. it was on organic chemistry. Fun stuff, I tell you. But you know what it does, reaffirms my belief in God. I don't understand how scientist can say anything that with such intricacies just HAPPENED. We have more than 1000 enzymes in our bodies and each one has a specific substrate. How can that just happen and not be by design?

This weekend I am studying for Exam 4 in Medical Terminology ~ The respiratory system.

The kids are learning too. I am so thankful for my family.

Happy Groundhogs day

He saw his shadow

This day has long been one of fun for me.

When I was 13 or 14, my grandparents were visiting from Vermont for the winter. We went to the zoo on February 2nd.

As we passed by the groundhogs, I said "I wonder if he saw his shadow today"

Gram says, "Back home Groundhogs day is in February."

"It is February, Gram," I reply.

Because of the much warmer temperature Gram was a little out of sorts. Because we were living in New Orleans it was probably 60 instead of 35 and snow covered.

Every year from then on, it was a running joke, I would have to call and remind her that it was Groundhog's Day. A few years ago I even made her a stuffed groundhog. Last year when she passed away my great aunt asked my dad which of us was the one that always called and even sent the groundhog. So I know it meant a lot to her over the 25 years we had the running joke. February 2nd became "our day". This year she is gone and I am trying hard not to be sad but I miss her more today than any other day over the past year.