Walk in Worship

Milestones and giggles

2011-11-20T17:39:00.001-05:00

Eliana doing tummy time.

Eliana is growing and doing so much. In the last month or so she has started smiling a lot, and in the last week or so she has started giggling and talking. Lately, it sounds like she is actually trying to say some words. She has been turning her aquarium on and off for months. And now she is learning to lift her head good during tummy time and roll over. Today she rolled from her front to her back. She loves to play patty cake, and she loves kisses. She usually always smiles when I kiss her toes, ears, face, lips, and tummy. She has perfected her kicky kicks. And she loves it when we clap and tell her how good she is doing. That really encourages her. She really enjoys stuffed animals too, especially Birdie, Baby Birdie, and Jasmine's Webkin, Icy the Penguin.She is now around nine pounds. She loves her family, and is a real sweetie. She is such a joy.

Jasmine. Picture by Nana. :)

Jasmine is 13 and in the 8th grade. She is beautiful. I still call her my Sunshine. She is into many things including blogging, stop motion movie making, comic writing, doll collecting, drawing, etc. She is a good big sister. Her and Eliana love each other very much.

This has been an update on my girls. We are so blessed, and thank God for everything.

Putting it all out there: The past year, my pregnancy, our NICU experience, to the present.

2011-09-05T20:35:00.002-04:00

I don't really know why I am writing this. Maybe as a sort of therapy. Maybe to let people know how it really is. Maybe if I get it all down in print it will stay there. The bad, anyway.

Let me start off by saying that I am eternally grateful for Eliana. She is a gift from God to me and the whole world. God's hand has been on her since before her birth and I firmly believe he has something very special planned for her. She has already touched so many lives and she is still a little baby. Her first name, Eliana, means "My God has answered me." Her middle name, Elizabeth, means "gift of God". Indeed she is.

A little history

I was diagnosed with PCOS about a year after my older daughter, Jasmine, was born. Infertility is often associated with this. So, the chances of my becoming pregnant have been seemingly stacked against me. Not to mention the fact that I have an incompetent cervix. Through nutrition and exercise I have been able to pretty much overcome the PCOS, as became evident last year when I became pregnant with Eliana. Nothing can be done about my cervix, apart from having it stitched closed during pregnancy. (Or before, but that is a different surgery altogether and not done many places.)

My pregnancy with Eliana

The cerclage lasted exactly 24 weeks, when Eliana was born at 1:01 AM on March 1st. I had known that the cerclage was problematic for a week or two beforehand, but hadn't decided whether or not to get it redone. Thankfully I didn't, because it was discovered that I had an infection of the amniotic fluid and that could have killed us both had it gone on any longer or gotten any worse.

It is a good thing we don't know what we are going to have to go through or we may not have the strength to face it. That goes for Eliana, as well as our family.

I am so thankful for the technology that keeps preemies alive this day in age. I am so thankful for the hospital employees who care and do their best with a true heart, and even for the ones who do it without a true heart, as God has used all things that have happened to work for our good.

NICU Journey
Eliana's road in the NICU was bumpy to say the least. She started off doing well, thank God. No infection was detected at her birth, but she was put on antibiotics anyway. When she was about a week and a half old a hole was found in her intestine during an xray of her lungs (thank you God for it being found), and she had to have an operation to correct that. (She still needs a further reconnection operation.)

Her lungs were damaged by the conventional vent as a result of them being so fragile and she was put on a jet vent for a while (a long while it seemed). She was then put on a cpap for another long while. Finally she was able to come off of that and was put on oxygen until her body could keep its oxygen saturation up in the (mostly) 90s by itself. This in itself was a long and stressful journey, but the end result is that her lungs have healed to the point where she needs no breathing assistance at all. That is miraculous and I give God the glory for that!

During her stay she also had a valve leading to her heart manually closed. This particular valve closes shortly after birth and did not in her case.

She also had many complications that could have been avoided, such as a PICC line infiltration that caused a clot and collection of fluid (and a very large mass)in her abdomen (fluid situation now mostly resolved), fractured bones that occurred during PICC line placements, oxygen saturation going down to the teens when she needed blood transfusions and the doctors not giving the order for her to have one (devastating to say the least-even to this day) ((Imagine sitting for hours (usually on Sat. nights-why I don't know) watching your child struggle to breathe, breathe periodically, get very lethargic, have LOW LOW LOW oxygen saturation and bradys, basically on the brink of death until someone DECIDES they will allow her to have a transfusion. There is so much more I have to say about this. If you want to know, just ask.)), and weeks of constant crying and pain due to food additive intolerance. There are also strange things that occurred like the time she was left covered up all night (probably under a heat lamp) and was presumed to have a fever and went through hell the next day for it- not being allowed to eat, spinal tap, etc. But as I have said before this all worked out for her good because the special attention she received led to the discovery of the PICC line infiltration.

A lot of good happened as well, as she is here with us today. It was quite a struggle to get her out, and she wasn't exactly released willingly. They wanted to have her surgery before she left (surgeon said no), were set on a g tube (she drank 2 full bottles today- 80ccs, about 20 extra per meal.). She doesn't always drink all of her bottle and we often use a feeding tube because she has had severe stomach pain that has many times left her not interested in eating. I refuse to push the matter with her. I offer her a bottle at the beginning of each meal. Sometimes she drinks all, sometime some. If she doesn't drink it all the remainder goes in her feeding tube.

It took us a long time to realize that we could have some control and say so in her hospital stay and we were labeled negatively for it by many people. However, know that you have a say in the care of yourself and your loved ones in a hospital setting. Doctors bring a lot of expertise, of course, but if you want things done differently or don't want something done, that is YOUR CHOICE. We have not had vaccinations done on Eliana and of course they all think that is horrible. Me, not so much. I have done a lot of research and with all her little body has gone through I will not have her injected with poison at this point.

We also had an episode a week or 2 ago where we decided to keep a watch on her left eye (retina slightly detached, even after 2 laser surgeries). The doctor obviously disagreed as she had social services come to our house due to her claim that we were neglecting our children. IMAGINE THAT! I am an extremely overprotective mother- this I know. Neglect, NO WAY. Things have turned out well with this as her retina hasn't detached any further and the doctor office social worker has tried to make amends with us. But people, ALL OF THIS HAS AN EMOTIONAL EFFECT ON US. Jasmine, in particular, was devastated by the visit (to say the least), and Billy and I looked at it as a slap in the face.

Why do I lay everything out there now? I say, why not. If you or someone you love go through something similar, maybe this will help you. I am not the same as I was before, and I suspect none of us will ever be. I feel that most things could have been handled better by a lot of people. A few people have been exceptional. Eliana's primary nurses were the BEST and we will be FOREVER GRATEFUL for all of the love and care that they gave. Not to mention understanding. There have been some really good doctors as well.

I personally think we are all suffering from some form of posttraumatic stress disorder, including Eliana. She is rehabilitating at home for sure. She is learning to love, trust, and not expect pain.

These days I myself don't have it in me to play games on any level. I tell people what I think. I do what I call 'keeping it real'. Sometimes I feel jaded by remembering needless sufferings and harshness. I remember the countless times it felt like my heart literally fell out of my body and poured onto the floor into a puddle. But then I look at my Baby Girl and know I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN.

In time, maybe I will soften back up around the edges. Who knows. Doesn't really matter I guess. Experiences play a part in who you are I guess. I can still see the beauty and humor in things. I still lean on God like crazy, and sometimes find shelter where ever else I can.

I am now caring for Eliana at home (YES). She requires a lot more thoughtful care than your average newborn but I LOVE DOING IT. She is my Baby Girl and I thank God for choosing me to be the one. I am so thankful for my Jasmine as well. I have an older child in heaven, due to my incompetent cervix. I think of her everyday as well and I love her. Eighteen years doesn't change that. No amount of time ever will, until I see her again.

A song Cissy posted on Facebook the other day reminded me of Eliana. She came from staying in the hospital for about 5 months, often having a different caretaker every 12 hours. She endured painful procedures and emotional neglect. (Not from primaries, and maybe even not on purpose from others, but she did.) As I said before, she has just in the last 2 weeks or so really started coming around to trust. I feel we have to earn her trust, and this song kind of reminds me of the situation:

We are planning to wait until she is almost a year old for her next (and hopefully final) surgery. That way she will hopefully not have to stay in the hospital long and there will be more time and distance between this NICU experience. As grateful as we are for it all, it is something I think we need to seriously get over.

Baby Shower Wishlist :)

2011-07-08T23:48:00.001-04:00

{ Please note that we DON'T need diapers, bottles, bath products, or lotion. Thanks! :) }

Things we like...

Baby Bell Carrier

http://www.bellebabycarriers.com

Backpack diaper bag

http://www.chicobag.com/p-55-chicobag-daypack15-repete.aspx

AngelCare Movement and Sound Monitor http://www.amazon.com/AngelCare-Movement-Sound-Monitor-units/dp/B0033G3I3O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1303870125&sr=1-10

Boppy pillow

Bouncer and Swing Combo (also at Walmart) http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Precious-Planet-Space-Saver/dp/B0033RIE28/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1310182335&sr=8-7

baby bath tub

SwaddleMe or some other swaddle apparel http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9?url=search-alias%3Dbaby-products&field-keywords=swaddleme&sprefix=swaddleme

at least 2 wearable blankets

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halo+wearable+blanket&x=0&y=0

Update on Eliana. She's 2 weeks old today! :)

2011-03-15T18:03:00.002-04:00

Our baby girl, Eliana Elizabeth Chavis, was born on March 1, 2011. Today she is 2 weeks old. We went to see her earlier today and she has had a growth spurt! I can tell she is bigger... her little hands and feet, eyes... everything on her has grown. She is now 1lb. 7 ounces. She was 1 lb. 8 ounces when she was born, but like most babies, lost some weight after she was born. Hopefully she will surpass her birth weight soon! :)

We chose her name because we think it is beautiful, and the meanings are even more beautiful. Her name means

Eliana (God has answered) Elizabeth (God's promise) Chavis.

We couldn't love her more. She is so precious. She is doing very well now. Most preemies have ups and downs. Right now she is doing good and is very stable. I pray that she stays that way and gets stronger and healthier everyday.

When she was born her eyes were closed. They opened a few days after she was born. First the right side opened halfway, then the next day both of her eyes were opened. It was so wonderful to see her little eyes. They will always be one of my favorite things to look at. :) Her hands and feet are so precious, too. There is nothing about her that isn't cute! :)

What are you living for?

2011-02-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

God is still working on me. I am a difficult case I know. How many times I have been able to echo Paul's words when he said ¹⁵ " I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." I have known the right thing to do so many times and not done it. I have lived selfishly so many times when I should have been living only for Him.

And now here I find myself again, in an unknown valley. Everything is so clear to me here... what matters and what doesn't. What I should do, how I should live... Here I see that ultimately we don't have the control we think we have, and many things that we think are our right or that we think we enjoy really only control us and block God from our lives.

When everything is else is swept away, it's only you and God. That's it. What you did with Him. Did you accept Jesus or not? Did you live for Him or not? Thank God for His grace. And I thank Him that I can trust Him even here.

Only Good News Today

2011-02-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

~ From Jan. 27, 2011~

Well, today I almost cried for joy on account of all of the good news I received. First of all, we found out that the baby is a girl! Either way was fine with me, and it is just good to know. :) I will be 20 weeks on Sunday, as the ultrasound dated me at 19 weeks and 4 days today. It was so wonderful to see her on screen. She is so pretty. She was napping I think because she didn't move a whole whole lot, and she was curled up in a ball a lot of the time. So cute! We also learned that everything showed up to be structurally well with her, which is such a blessing.

After the ultrasound, one of the midwives checked me and said that my cervix is closed and the cerclage is holding very well. To me that is music to my ears! She said that the ultrasound showed my cervix measuring at 2.8. I thought it was very nice of her to tell me, as no one had told me any definite measurements yet, and honestly it is better than I thought it would be. :)

I also started on 17P shots today. The midwife said that these shots are progesterone that is structurally identical to the progesterone in our bodies. It is supposed to help prevent preterm labor. I had heard about them, but had not been offered them yet, so I pretty quickly agreed to them. I will be taking them weekly for the next 16 or 17 weeks.

Other than all of that, she basically said not a lot of lifting or overdoing it. I hope and pray things continue to go well. I am very optimistic right now. Please please pray that the pregnancy will continue to go well! Thanks everyone, and God bless. :)

Thorn in the Flesh, Stones in the Field

2011-02-11T20:01:00.002-05:00

~ From Jan. 7, 2011 ~

I just had to share today's devotional from Corrie Ten Boom in Each New Day. I felt like it was just for me today, something I really needed to hear right now. I hope that it speaks to you as well.

It has been said that the removal of small stones which frequently encumber the fields does not always increase the crop. In many soils they are an advantage, attracting the moisture and radiating the heat. In an experiment the results of removing the stones were so unfavorable to the crop that they were brought back again. We often cry to God, as Paul did, for the removal of some thorn in the flesh. Later experience teaches us that it was better for it to remain.

For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

~ 1 Corinthians 12:10

Your strength, my weakness- here they always meet.

When I lay down my burden at Your feet:

The things that seem to crush will in the end

Be seen as rungs on which I did ascend! Thank you, Lord.

I am very much a believer in divine healing. Our God who made us, and all of creation, is much more than able to alter it all in any way, at any time. But these thorns, even if they are with us for only a short while (because, as I said before, God does deliver) do teach us something. For me, I know that my weaknesses show me what I really am, and who He really is. They have kept me close to Him, and taught me to value and treasure many people and things to an extent that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. What have you learned from your thorn(s)?

God bless!

New Year Resolutions, What I Wish

2011-02-11T19:57:00.000-05:00

~ From Dec. 30, 2010~

To make resolutions or not... I don't plan to make a list of things to accomplish in the coming year. Like everyone else I have hopes and dreams. I know these are best translated into prayers, and the final outcome left in the hands of the Father.

What I hope to do this year is be more purposeful of what I do and how I spend my time and energy. Most of all I want to make a point of appreciating and treasuring each moment. I want to to truly appreciate each person God has blessed my life with, and be a blessing to them. I want to be less selfish and more willing to be a vessel for God's love and purpose... to master working toward the future while living very much in the present.... to see people as God sees them... and not beat myself up too bad on all of the occasions when I will surely fail at each of these... to keep on loving and accepting myself so that I can love and accept others.... these are some of the things I wish for the coming year...

My Post Op Appointment

2011-02-11T19:55:00.003-05:00

~ This is from Dec. 15, 2010~

Well, I went to my post op appointment today. Doctor says I'm doing good, and that I have a super good cerclage. That sounds promising. He says he considers my pregnancy to be a normal one now, and that he will clip the stitches at 36 weeks. From my calculations that should be around May 20, 2011.

I don't think he does ultrasounds to check cervical length. He says he's been doing cerclages for 35 years and that he does them double and really tight. Personally, I don't consider my pregnancy normal, but I guess it's a little reassuring that he does.

Also, I seem to have lost a pound in the last week. Interesting. Anyway, that's pretty much the jest of it! :)

My Cerclage Story

2011-02-11T19:54:00.002-05:00

~This is being imported from my other blog. It is dated Dec. 12, 2010~

Yes, I'm Pregnant
Quite a few people already know that I am pregnant, but I'm pretty sure some don't. So, just to clarify, yes I am expecting a baby. I am now in the beginning of my 2nd trimester. The doctor office and I have a few days discrepancy concerning how far along I am, but I am confident with the next ultrasound my version will prevail. :)

Most people wait until the first trimester is over to make an announcement, so my waiting to tell is really not so odd. But, the main reason I didn't want too many people to know is because years ago I was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. I have a child in Heaven, who was born at about 17 weeks. My daughter, Jasmine, was born full term (Thanks to God). I received a cerclage when I was pregnant with her at around 18 weeks. I didn't have much cervix left when I got the cerclage, and I was on bed rest most of the pregnancy. She is truly a miracle to me.

This time around I received a cerclage at around 12 1/2 weeks. I do think that my cervix was weaker to begin with this time around, maybe due to previous pregnancies and maybe hormones- maybe because I'm older now- who knows. The doctor did give me 2 cerclages, and he told me after he put them in that I had a really good cerclage. So, I am hopeful that all will go well. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday for my post operative appointment. I have a lot of questions for him. I want them to monitor the cerclage closely, but I have a feeling they don't really do that. So, that concerns me. I will also find what type of physical restrictions I have at this time. I am sure I won't be doing a whole lot during the second trimester, regardless.

The Cerclage Story
Well, getting a cerclage is not that bad in and of itself. It is basically a procedure where the cervix is tied shut until around 36 weeks. From my understanding it is considered minor surgery. What was pretty devastating to me last week was the spinal anesthesia. I actually had it done twice because the first one didn't completely numb me right away. The needles in my back were extremely painful, and I was more numb than I had ever been in my life after the surgery. It took me 5 hours to be able to walk again, and I didn't get all feeling back until that evening. Afterward, the anesthesiologist said that she thought it just took the meds a little longer to work on me, but they gave me a double whammy. So, I spent at least an hour in recovery waiting for the numbness to recede closer to my waist before they would let me go back to my 'room'. My blood pressure reading went way down while I was in recovery too, and I honestly thought I was going to die for a while there. I did a lot of praying during that time, and I thought of Jasmine. I really do think that she is my strongest tie to this earth.

So............
Prayers are greatly appreciated. I believe in the power of prayer. I know it makes a huge difference. I have been over and over this whole situation in my mind so many times and I think I have a sense of peace with it all.

I really do think that the cerclage will hold. I think everything will be O.K. I trust God no matter what. I know that I am only a human, and I can not foretell the future no matter how hard I try. Nor can I take responsibility for things beyond my control. I am not a patient person, and I loathe uncertainty. So, the conclusion I have come to is this- I will be alright regardless of what happens. I will do everything humanly possible to keep this baby safe, but that is all I can do. God makes the ultimate decisions, not me.

God allowed me to embark on my current journey of motherhood 12 years ago, and it thus far been the best gift in my life, second only to the gift of salvation. I have been allowed to see life as I had never seen it before. And that is truly enough for me.

Anything else from this point on is a bonus................

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

2010-10-30T14:12:00.000-04:00

Outlive Your Life is a thought provoking and heart moving book that spurs us on to live out the Great Commission. Max Lucado is a very visual author. He rarely tells you that this or that happens, rather he shows you with word pictures. That is one reason his writing flows so well.

This book was brought about by three questions that were presented to the author:
Q 1. Had you been a German Christian during World War II, would you have taken a stand against Hitler?
Q 2.. Had you lived in the South during the civil rights conflict, would you have taken a stand against slavery?
Q 3. When your grandchildren discover you lived in a day in which 1.75 billion people were poor and 1 billion were hungry, how will they judge your response?

Mr. Lucado urges us to get out of our clam shells that we hide inside to deny the hurt around us. He encourages us to do as the Bible says and help everyone we can as if they were actually Jesus.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it. You can purchase it from Alibris here if you'd like.

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Book Review of The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

2010-10-15T16:06:00.001-04:00

This book is by far one of the best books I have ever read. It contains truly spectacular pictures of God's creation, in full color glossy pages. These pictures were taken by the Hubble telescope.

Accompanying the pictures are Bible verses and quotes. These pictures are really amazing. Some that come to mind are:

Detailed photos of Pluto.
Stars being born.
The remnant of the brightest star in our galaxy that was visible over 1000 years ago.
Luminous gasses in outer space.

This book is so relaxing and reassuring to read. Just realizing the awesomeness of God and that we are truly in His hands is such a wonderful feeling. This book will also humble you. I think everyone should read this book. It is an experience you don't won't to miss.

He has made the earth by His power.
He has established the world by His wisdom.
And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.

Jeremiah 10:12

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Photos of Jupiter

2010-10-05T14:21:00.000-04:00

We took these photos last month when Jupiter was beside the moon. It will be in this location again in about ten years or so. Billy, Jasmine, and I went out to look at it pretty late. We had almost forgotten about it. At first, we though Jupiter was a star. Then we took the following photos. When we looked at them we noticed that Jupiter was right beside the moon, only visible on the picture! We couldn't see it with our eyes only, or with the binoculars. So, I'm glad we decide to take pictures! The moon was soooo bright that night. These pictures don't show how bright it was really. So, here they are... pictures of God's handiwork!

September Beach Trip

2010-10-05T14:09:00.002-04:00

This year we stayed on the beach at Atlantic Beach. It was so fun and relaxing. We stayed three nights. The ocean was a little rough, which was not good for swimming, but the seashells that were washed up were really nice. The quality of the shells were really good- lots of ones not broken. Sitting in the sand on the beach we noticed lots of live ones digging into the sand.

Dad and Billy fished. They enjoyed that I think. Mom took these nice pictures. Jasmine arranged her stuff in her room as soon as we got there. I love the way she makes a space her own. I read the Trumpet of the Swan during our vacation.

We also went to the aquarium, which is always fun. And, we did some letter boxing, which is pretty adventurous.

So, you see, we had a wonderful time, and I can't wait to do it again! :)

9th Year Anniversary

2010-09-10T00:19:00.001-04:00

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams" Dr. Seuss

My heart to you is given: Oh, do give yours to me; We'll lock them up together, And throw away the key. ~ F. Saunders

Hubby and I were married on September 9, 2001. If I come across some wedding pictures I'll post them. Here are some photos our daughter, Jasmine, took of us today:

And, here is what we had for lunch.

Here's praying for at least 50 more years together.... :)

Book Review of Let's Do Lunch by Roger Wilson

2010-08-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

Let's Do Lunch was an interesting read. It was written in a conversational tone which I feel does a good job of keeping the reader's interest. Mr. Wilson certainly knows that his program works, being that he used to be over 400 pounds and he is not obese at all now.

I agree with much of what his book says, for instance that all sugar cravings can and should be curbed with fruit and stevia. I also agree that potatoes are fattening. I don't agree with eating fruit for dinner. Maybe one day I'll give that part a try, but not now. I also believe that there is a place for nuts and seeds in the diet, especially if you are using them instead of meat.

I think that there are good points you can take from this book even though I don't agree with it all. I do recommend it, but being a vegetarian I don't endorse all of the recipes it contains. I do plan to try the vegan recipes in the book, though, as some of them look quite good! You can purchase the book here for a good price.

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God bless! :)

The Language of Love and Respect Book Review

2010-08-03T21:05:00.000-04:00

I am reading The Language of Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs for the second time, this time with my husband.

To be honest, I almost did not choose this book to review. When I first saw it my initial response was that I had read lots of books on marriage and that this one wasn't likely to be different. But, it turns out I was very wrong.

This book, that I do highly recommend, makes perfect sense, and the author gets his conclusions about men and women straight from the Bible. The basis of Dr. Eggerich's book is that women crave mostly love, while men crave mostly respect. These different needs color how men and women see the world. He tells of how men see in blue and women see in pink. He teaches men and women how to decode one anther and live as peaceably as possible, recognizing each others differences as not wrong but as strengths that the other can draw upon at times.

Dr. Eggerich teaches readers about the various cycles that married couples find themselves on, how those cycles are fed, and how to spend most of the time on the right ones. He is very candid about how couples can naturally fall into bad communication, and how to safegaurd against it. I especially liked how he honestly shared teachable moments from his relationship with his wife to help the reader along and reassure that even he and his wife still have their moments of miscommunication.

All in all, I think that The Language of Love and Respect is a very useful book. I recommend all adults to read it. It will really open your eyes to a lot of things and cause you to be more understanding and compassionate, and hopefully more Christ-like.

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My Crafty Girl

2010-08-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

Jasmine is very talented in lots of creative ventures. She draws, sews, makes crafts, and writes stories. Here are some lovely teddy bears she made for her cousins and herself to go along with a teddy bear tea party that my Mom hosted at my house for them.

She also makes doll clothes. Here is a before and after of a dress she made for one of her dolls from a shirt. The top photo is before, and the bottom is after.

Also, we had fun making some homemade play dough about a week ago. This play dough totally non toxic and it glitters because of the salt that we used to make it.

Summer garden and flowers 2010

2010-08-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

Our garden is growing nicely. We are growing tomatoes, okra, melons, corn, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, and probably a few more things that we will rediscover once they are ripe! :) We also have a few flower gardens which include quite a few sunflowers. One of the sunflowers has six flowers on one stem! The one beside it has two or three. Here are some of the plants we have growing....

The truth

2010-07-03T05:50:00.001-04:00

Romans 8

¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
¹³For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
¹⁸For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
²⁰For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
²²For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
²³And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
²⁴For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
²⁵But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
²⁷And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
³¹What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
³²He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
³³Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
³⁴Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
³⁶As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God, help me.

2010-05-02T00:35:00.002-04:00

¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 7: 15-25 , translation- The Message from Biblegateway.com

Visiting the Grandbaby

2010-04-21T18:00:00.003-04:00

About a week ago we went to visit Freedom and her daughter, Jaylin. Billy calls Jaylin the Grandbaby, hence the title. :o) We had a nice time. We drove about two hours to Danville, Va. We gave them their Easter baskets, gave Jaylin presents for her 1st birthday- which was Feb. 16th, and took them out to eat at a neat Mexican restaurant that had cool statues of Mexicans in sombreros and a nice outdoor eating area. Here are some pics from our visit. I have a new camera and will figure out how to get the date off before I take more pics. The date is currently about 2 years off! lol

Jalyin opening her Easter basket:

Playing with one of her birthday toys:

Zoom, zoom! :

Eating something yummy:

I love this pic! :o) :

Look Mom, I found your lip balm! :

Fun day!

Easter

2010-04-21T16:48:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful Easter this year. On Easter and Christmas we are able to celebrate the perfect gifts we have received from our perfect and loving Savior.

My family and my brother's family went to my parent's house for an Easter egg hunt and an Easter celebration. Here are two pictures from that day. The first picture is of the girls (my daughter Jasmine- the oldest, & my brother's daughters- Trinity (oldest sister) and Shauna) opening Resurrection Eggs. The second pic is of them in their Easter hats that they made. They love doing crafts. :o)

Jasmine has been using the same Easter basket all of her life. Here is her basket full of this year's goodies:

Though we didn't color eggs at home this year, Jasmine did color eggs at my mom and dad's house:

Here are Jasmine, Shauna, Trinity, Ava and Brandy following the annual Easter egg hunt at Grandma Jenny's house. (My mom's mother.)

Billy and I, and my mom and dad got a very nice surprise this year. Jasmine made us Easter baskets! I don't have a picture of my mom opening hers, but here is a pic of me and Billy, and my dad- with our goodies from Jazz! :o)

So, as you can see, we did indeed have a blessed Easter! :o) Hope you did as well!

Our Leprechaun adventure & The real meaning of Saint Patrick's day

2010-03-29T22:51:00.001-04:00

The night before Saint Patrick's day Jasmine created a Leprechaun trap. This is a tradition Nana started with Jasmine years ago. Last year there was no leprechaun trap, which Jasmine was sad about, so she made a trap this year. It is basically a piece of tupperware held up by a stick(marker). It has a sign on it that says Leprechaun, Keep Out. This would be hard for any respectable leprechaun to do however, since it was baited with small gold coins (holes punched from yellow paper with hole punchers), blueish green 'glitter' (dyed salt), and small erasers. There was also a small pencil with a loop attached, which is supposed to catch on the leprechaun's leg if he steps into the loop. Here is a pic of the trap. It's not too clear, but you get the picture.

Here is the situation we observed the next morning. The leprechaun had left $5 in the trap, then apparently tripped on the loop, falling and dropping all of his booty. He also left footprints:

On a more serious note, Saint Patrick's day is a very nice day to reflect on not only history, but how to share the love of our Lord and Savior. Here are two articles that may help:

Rascal and Xavier get tutored!

2010-03-29T22:31:00.000-04:00

Jasmine's Grandma Phyllis told us about a funny Far Side comic about a dog on the way to get neutered. He mistakenly thinks he is going to get tutored, and is bragging about it. Here is the comic:

Rascal and Xavier had to wear undies for a few days after they were tutored, so they wouldn't tamper with their incisions . They did not do well with the e-collars, so underwear it was. Here are pics of them frolicing about. Xavier is the handsome blonde one and Rascal is the handsome black one.