Quick Lil' update

Just a quick update, I meant to update last week some but I have had a cold for a week and haven't felt like being on the computer. Now Derek has a sore throat and I have had to suction Emma's trach some today,so I am hoping she isn't getting a cold too. We usually suction her trach once every 2 or 3 days now, she just doesn't make a bunch of gunk but I have done it several times today. Her overall apperance is good though, and her oxygen a levels and heart rate are fine, no fever. I am hoping its just "one of those things". Lets pray it is. She usually does ok with colds now but you never know, she could still have it turn into something worse. I will keep you updated, I am sure its nothing.

We had a nice Thankgsiving here at home. Emma liked watching the parade. I put cool whip on her nose. It was funny. She liked the Kermit ballon the best on the parade. Ella was all about Dora.

I went black friday shopping, yes I am insane, and got a few things for the kids Christmas. They will be so excited. We haven't decided when we are setting up our Christmas tree, but I am thinking maybe next weekend.

Emma's uncle Adam will be heading home from Iraq in the next few days, so everyone keep him in your prayers that he will have a safe trip home. He will be able to spend an early Christmas with all the family here, before he has to head back.

Not much else going on to share right now, thought I better put a short something up before you think I forgot about you all.

My baby girl is a trike rider!

Emma went to thearpy today and rode on the trike again. This time she did awesome. I was so proud. Nanny and Poppy came to see her and think she blew them away! If you kind of tickle her legs she will push the pedals. We took some pictures and the therapy place took some too. Nanny's camera took some video for us, but we didn't get as much of her actual riding becasue the camera is acting funny and has a defective part in it so Nanny has to send it off tomorrow. She is only wearing her tights because we took her jeans off for her to try her braces on. Oh well,she isn't shy. I see London I see France I see Emma's underpants. The pics and video speak volumes compared to how much I could brag, enjoy them!

Just some thoughts on God and church

I remember the excitement and love I felt when I had the lead in the church Christmas play when I was about 8. I remember the passion I felt the day I was baptized, all the things I learned in church growing up. It was like a fire in my heart and was like the most amazing kind of high. A good kind of high.

But nothing compares to the feeling you get when you bring your children closer to God. Taking them to church has given me the most warm feeling in my heart. I have teared up every Sunday, when the lights are dimmed at church for service, and I look over and see Emma all wide eyed and ready to learn. I always hold her hand so she knows I am still there with her, because the music gets loud and they turn the stage lights on and the house lights down.

Yesterday I sat holding her hand, rubbing my fingers over her chubby little fist and it was 10000 times the feelings I have ever felt. It felt like God was sitting right beside me and Emma. When Derek and Ella come running out of Sunday school to tell me what they learned or show me their art, I feel so very proud

I am a sinner, I have done some bad things in my life, but know that God has forgiven me and loves me. I often doubt I even deserve a place in Heaven. I try so hard to do what God wants me to do, and be a good person. But to know I am bringing my children closer to Heaven by bringing them to God, to help teach them to be good moral loving people, that is just a feeling that is almost too hard to describe. Our pastor Justin has said that God doesn't want it to be just about "ME ME ME" but wants us to bring people to God. Just like God told Simon in Luke 5:10 ""Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." Oh the feelings Simon must have had when he helped teach and bring people to the Lord.

Anyway just some Mommy thoughts, kind of rambling I guess. Emma is getting her hip braces tomorrow. They came Friday and had to make some changes to them. They will help hold her legs together when she is in bed. They are beautiful. They have purple fleecy straps with butterflies on them! The guy who made them, Gary, did a great job guessing at what Emma would like. Butterflies are her favorite, and so is purple. Will try to get a pic of her wearing them soon, if I can ever find that stupid memory stick to my computer! Maybe Nanny will come take some for us, if she ever figures out her camera settings. :-)

Emma's new cousin makes it first apperance, ultrasound video!

Just wanted to share this with those of you praying for Emma's Aunt Amanda and her new little baby growing in her tummy. She is 7 and a half weeks pregnant now and everything so far looks ok. She is throwing up a lot, so prayers for that please. I sure do not miss that part of pregnancy, I threw up so much with Emma and Ella I seriously thought I might die. 3-10 times a day my entire pregnancy from the day I found out to the day I gave birth. So I feel my sister in laws pain. Here is her 7.5 week ultrasound, a quick snippet of it anyway, pause our music over on the right and turn your sound up so you can hear my new neice or nephew's litle heartbeat! Its a beautiful sound.

7 1/2 weeks ultra sound

Happy Veterans Day

Just wanted to give a shout out to all our Vets to let them know we will be thinking of you tomorrow, and to send our thanks. We have many vets in our family and we salute them today.

Emma's Daddy joined the Navy right before I married him. He was gone a lot, not as much as he could have been, but a lot. Having him gone made me realize how hard it is on the family they leave behind. So I am also honoring the familes , for all they sacraficed. Bless you all.

Special prayers to Emma's Uncle Jay who is Army National Guard and is doing his part to prepare new soldiers to go to boot camp, and Emma's Uncle Adam who is Army and serving in Iraq, Veteran's day couldn't go by without a special thought of you.

Is she your daughter?

Is that your daughter? You would think such a simple question would get a get a simple answer. My mouth usually says "yes" and my heart thinks something else. Its not just Emma, its my other daughter and son too.

My heart says "No, they are not mine, they are God's children and I am only lucky enough to be borrowing them for a while." How easy it is to forget in the every day hussle and bussle of doctors appointments, school days, chores and the such that they are not mine. They are truly God's children. And I say a prayer of thanks everyday that they are with me, and that they are healthy.


Ever since my little friend Daniel died, I have thought more and more each day about how short life truly is. My father died when I was 6. I have a few memories of him but not as many as I wish I had. I try each day to do something special with my kids to build some memories for them "just in case" and I take each of those memories into my own heart, just in case God decides unexpectdly to take one of them home. Every moment is precious. Each day is a blessing from above that must be treasured.

Remember these things next time you are rushing to get them out the door for school, or complaining that the drive time to soccer practice is too long. These are the times they will remember, these are the times you will remember.

Here is a poem that was read when my nephew Gabriel died in June 2004. Its beautiful and speaks the things I feel much better than the few words in this blog.

-----
God's Loan
by Krista Burell

"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," He said,
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.

"It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call him back,
Take care of him for me?

"He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have these precious memories
As solace for your grief.

"I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

"I've looked this world over,
In my search for teachers true.
In the crowds that throng life's land,
I have selected you.

"Now will you give him all your love
Not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take him back again?"

It seems to me I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joys a child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.

"And should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

Halloween Pics

What a busy Halloween! We went to the Fall Fest at our church. Nanny and Poppy came too so they could help with the kids since Daddy had to work. Derek and Ella loved playing all the games. Emma played the lucky duck game and one 3 lollipops but other than that it was too crowded and too hard for her to try to play games. She just people watched and slept.

Emma went as a snow princess we even put lights and snowflakes on her chair, Derek went as IronMan and Ella was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Ella won 3rd place in the contest for her age group for best costume. She got a ribbon it was neat.

Not much else going on around here today, just resting today we are all tired. Tomorrow we will be going to church again, Emma is already looking forward to seeing her new friends. The pastor saw her last night and said "Is that my girl Emma?" and really checked her costume out and was nice to her. I think she likes him. She likes his voice, I know that because she liked listening to him last weekend preaching about how to pray.