tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71633235332740401832024-02-19T16:49:56.906-05:00No Idle Bread"She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her."
Proverbs 31:26-28Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.comBlogger469125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-74057797126110174432022-07-25T08:13:00.000-04:002022-07-25T08:13:47.283-04:00God and Family Q & A<p style="text-align: center;">God and Family</p><p style="text-align: center;">♡ Question and Answer ♡</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hoUfGzxqYx5CEMgHa_vYUlISglNOcyRdIuTZbNlPglJtZ_jdyRnkRVsMxkN-y0FEH0hgqdZpIzfSMpsz7MLzCSSH0o6HOyMIG4TObZMRWZ-Z5PPdtisHFXbzkSOgV9qTdrOkRt5YeiFHJ0MDioJ9SOiqkKUjZm0XPw2qPGM6e02eGagw1EpMrsVb/s550/Screenshot%202022-07-24%205.42.31%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hoUfGzxqYx5CEMgHa_vYUlISglNOcyRdIuTZbNlPglJtZ_jdyRnkRVsMxkN-y0FEH0hgqdZpIzfSMpsz7MLzCSSH0o6HOyMIG4TObZMRWZ-Z5PPdtisHFXbzkSOgV9qTdrOkRt5YeiFHJ0MDioJ9SOiqkKUjZm0XPw2qPGM6e02eGagw1EpMrsVb/s16000/Screenshot%202022-07-24%205.42.31%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">❤<span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Shout out to my little girls, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">who decided to lay out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">a complete outfit for me to wear! They did alright!! 😉😊🥰</span></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><i>•Why do you talk about God so much?•</i></b></p><p>Like the old song says: "He changed my life complete, and now I sit at His feet...a wonderful change has come over me."🎶</p><p>He saved me, y'all and made me new!😭😭🙌🏽🔥</p><p>I am His!!</p><p>Do you know the mercy it is to utter those words? I will never keep quiet, always giving Him the praise and recognition for what He's done. How could/why would I keep such goodness to myself?</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>•Why do you honor/submit to your Husband?•</i></b></p><p>Of course God requires it of the Believing (Christian) wife. When I don't, I malign/blaspheme the very Word of God. In other words, I specifically bring shame upon the Gospel and God's design when I dishonor him. Plus...he's MY Husband, not some man on the street!! I am the one that said "yes" to his proposal.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>•Why do you have all those children?•</i></b></p><p>Uhm....because God GAVE them to my Husband and me. He is the Giver of life.</p><p>He blesses, we receive. I was taught that when someone gives you a gift, you ought to tell them "thank you"! God calls children good fruit, an inheritance and a reward, so...thank You, LORD!</p><p><i>Ladies, it is a joy and a blessing to be women of God, living your lives sold out to Him in every area.</i></p><p><i>And, that's that for today!!</i></p><p><i>#QandA #GodismyAll #Hesavedme #gratefulheart❤️ #Iamloved #marriage #covenantmarriage #marriedwoman #husbandandwife #wifelife #wifeandmama #marriageandfamily #motherhood #motherhoodforChrist #fruitfulvine #mamato8plus3 #oliveplants #wisewomanbuilds #homemaker #homekeeping #Titus2 #myassignment #faithwalk #blessedwoman #loveeveryday #love #noidlebread</i></p>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-31461524737235732702021-08-19T19:31:00.016-04:002021-08-19T19:43:28.189-04:00All About May<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY4BMIcanvE/YR7VXRLnOXI/AAAAAAAAaDk/PX8kf_OmtqMNSPmgyyxdmXHGBV4gyKDcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s843/grad%2Bday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="843" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY4BMIcanvE/YR7VXRLnOXI/AAAAAAAAaDk/PX8kf_OmtqMNSPmgyyxdmXHGBV4gyKDcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h488/grad%2Bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>The month of May was SO full, that it's taken me over 3 months to reflect on it all, while navigating a summer that has been 3 times as full. Here's why: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We had our first homeschool graduate!!!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">That's right! My oldest daughter, our firstborn child, graduated from high school through our family's homeschool, Chelmont Academy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8TeU9zR2kI/YQLBSNYPzpI/AAAAAAAAZ9M/1K8E3QYPOlM07VQJIVaEGKVnSd2c0I25wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1489/Senior%2BPicture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1489" height="594" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8TeU9zR2kI/YQLBSNYPzpI/AAAAAAAAZ9M/1K8E3QYPOlM07VQJIVaEGKVnSd2c0I25wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h594/Senior%2BPicture.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Pic</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">What a beautifully sweet day that was--just like my daughter, a beautiful person--inside and out--and just as sweet as ever. She opted for a small ceremony at home, just the 10 of us, with close family and friends attending via Zoom. We decorated our foyer with balloons and pretty things, setting the scene for our first graduation. Husband and I even donned our own graduation regalia, as instructor and principle. Here was some of the day in pics.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuGlAtYJjVk/YR63hmThUWI/AAAAAAAAaBw/AjEbTcpfmhof3ZPpvCnp6utodaGnnd-2QCPcBGAsYHg/s1080/IMG_20210507_090831_002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuGlAtYJjVk/YR63hmThUWI/AAAAAAAAaBw/AjEbTcpfmhof3ZPpvCnp6utodaGnnd-2QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20210507_090831_002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited little sisters trying out standing at the podium before the ceremony--and before mama shooed them away from it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtY1HbNZ5l-Qx-lMbd-17Ijj-zCeqrjZf16JU572Z5IamFiYNgRQm-orf4k5q6gYmz8NpbipYWqAWSg-_9cJ2hrEUTuehnIAr0KIshuea73UTQxbL33ynnnD0KKMtBS4dzzf_aFmryM0/s2048/20210507_091906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtY1HbNZ5l-Qx-lMbd-17Ijj-zCeqrjZf16JU572Z5IamFiYNgRQm-orf4k5q6gYmz8NpbipYWqAWSg-_9cJ2hrEUTuehnIAr0KIshuea73UTQxbL33ynnnD0KKMtBS4dzzf_aFmryM0/w640-h480/20210507_091906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's make-up prep</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OloocNKMs0A/YQLCv37AzUI/AAAAAAAAZ9Y/3r5pALRsFAAzmyRw8OA13rtTjVvpI3AdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_092142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OloocNKMs0A/YQLCv37AzUI/AAAAAAAAZ9Y/3r5pALRsFAAzmyRw8OA13rtTjVvpI3AdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/20210507_092142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EVx_Az33lY/YR63hr3K_fI/AAAAAAAAaBw/LVL4_JREIXAbyyba5y8l41stcHl62fA5ACPcBGAsYHg/s1080/IMG_20210507_114624_537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EVx_Az33lY/YR63hr3K_fI/AAAAAAAAaBw/LVL4_JREIXAbyyba5y8l41stcHl62fA5ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/IMG_20210507_114624_537.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting that hat just right!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bddRwT2-fAU/YQLFBtE6pbI/AAAAAAAAZ-Y/zmPjDjhAPkkQFLYsdGBal1kH_JfFxMv4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_101318.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bddRwT2-fAU/YQLFBtE6pbI/AAAAAAAAZ-Y/zmPjDjhAPkkQFLYsdGBal1kH_JfFxMv4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/20210507_101318.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A father's blessing upon his daughter . . . not a dry eye. <br />This was <i>such</i> a heartfelt moment.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD36R7MDe_2dyKMwvQ759u-yom8BFsa1Bl55l-aGVjUMchVReeu1G1FOPoqpJJLkCnRL0FHFaWT7PWk7AZyqwyxl0BIBmvo_fKal24BiSRBj7qBl8QmFtZg0X0JMSxkmQg4B_mAkX3q4/s2048/20210507_101652.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD36R7MDe_2dyKMwvQ759u-yom8BFsa1Bl55l-aGVjUMchVReeu1G1FOPoqpJJLkCnRL0FHFaWT7PWk7AZyqwyxl0BIBmvo_fKal24BiSRBj7qBl8QmFtZg0X0JMSxkmQg4B_mAkX3q4/w480-h640/20210507_101652.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diploma conferred</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8WHi1l8IwA/YQLFC_1jeJI/AAAAAAAAZ-c/cDeryJPoIHkhEh-Jtg1Gnkb8ZSlQxDIFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_114854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8WHi1l8IwA/YQLFC_1jeJI/AAAAAAAAZ-c/cDeryJPoIHkhEh-Jtg1Gnkb8ZSlQxDIFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/20210507_114854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diploma cover . . . we loved how it turned out!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqjeRJL9LnM/YQLFBq9Y-QI/AAAAAAAAZ-U/2ZFU-MqGkgE_NhEfhGqzqn-sKJivDNDdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_102130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqjeRJL9LnM/YQLFBq9Y-QI/AAAAAAAAZ-U/2ZFU-MqGkgE_NhEfhGqzqn-sKJivDNDdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/20210507_102130.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little sisters</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73VSxR4RSSM/YQLFBiHHZqI/AAAAAAAAZ-Q/v8WGaal3Sa84GGVv2WUIuC4-8FrcTbnFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_102120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73VSxR4RSSM/YQLFBiHHZqI/AAAAAAAAZ-Q/v8WGaal3Sa84GGVv2WUIuC4-8FrcTbnFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/20210507_102120.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little brothers</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh9AwIU9ncQ/YR7C3ebcldI/AAAAAAAAaDI/UewcXR552yQVllJ82Znw358m8sNWAjkxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210507_102010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh9AwIU9ncQ/YR7C3ebcldI/AAAAAAAAaDI/UewcXR552yQVllJ82Znw358m8sNWAjkxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/20210507_102010.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXyQSngkpqU/YR65Zpx73oI/AAAAAAAAaCM/2JB4UA1JJo8-ctielIHXxUqo0lv4JGo_ACPcBGAsYHg/s2803/20210819_160214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2803" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXyQSngkpqU/YR65Zpx73oI/AAAAAAAAaCM/2JB4UA1JJo8-ctielIHXxUqo0lv4JGo_ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h458/20210819_160214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I posted this picture because I realized my oldest son had dodged the camera, as is his custom. (LOL) <br />I found this pic though, as my daughter was opening a few gifts after the ceremony.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">Each family member had a part in the ceremony:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Baby girl--stay quiet and out of all the things😉</li><li>Siblings with small presentations of a few of my daughter's favorites: favorite animal facts, a quote from <i>Little Women </i>(favorite book), a bit of prose, and her favorite Bible verse (Romans 8: 38-39)</li><li>Mama's reflections as instructor</li><li>Daddy's reflections as principal and his charge to the graduate</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">And let me tell you, the charge and blessing Husband laid upon my sweet girl's life was so heartfelt and so precious and so profound--it made just about every one of us cry. </p><p style="text-align: left;">It has been such an honor and a privilege to raise my daughter in the context of God, family and home. I have learned so much over the years--being mama to her has meant 18 years of many, many firsts. When she was in my womb, I walked away from the career trajectory I thought I was on, becoming what this world calls a stay-at-home mother. It was one of the best moves ever! Really, that move was me answering the call of God to fully operate within the role He made for me as His daughter: wife, mama, homemaker and family educator. Obedience to Him has resulted in blessings upon my children. </p><p style="text-align: left;">What makes it all the more special is that she expressed this very same sentiment to me of her own accord. She told me how much it's meant to her to flourish at home and to learn and grow in a safe place. She thanked her father and me for being available to her, encouraging her along the way. I am so grateful that God has given me such a task in raising her. And, contrary to the culture of this world, I do not believe my mothering her is complete simply because she is 18 years old. Mothering may change, but it does not stop. I trust that the seeds I faithfully plant and cultivate as a mother today, God will use and increase, reaping a lasting harvest far beyond my own life. </p><p style="text-align: left;">*********************************************************************************</p><p style="text-align: left;">Well guys, that's not all! Guess what?!?!?!? (Run-on sentence to follow. . . )</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter also graduated with her Associate of Science degree </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">in Engineering, from a local community college, through a dual enrollment program, while she was in our homeschool high school!!!!</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-VQwJMgZIA/YR6-6kgvyTI/AAAAAAAAaCw/78CTImo9mtAtxxXM2yAMHYZzKZ3et4KOwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20210523_133415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-VQwJMgZIA/YR6-6kgvyTI/AAAAAAAAaCw/78CTImo9mtAtxxXM2yAMHYZzKZ3et4KOwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20210523_133415.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqE5_XhQdA4/YR7gkAUg2NI/AAAAAAAAaEc/XogP1kQ5JFMGdyKBywAvnGdCjcrcFHllwCPcBGAsYHg/s2444/20210819_185000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1851" data-original-width="2444" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqE5_XhQdA4/YR7gkAUg2NI/AAAAAAAAaEc/XogP1kQ5JFMGdyKBywAvnGdCjcrcFHllwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h484/20210819_185000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">Ladies, when I tell you, my baby girl put in work, I mean she put in W O R K!! We are so grateful for the duty, dedication, and diligence she exemplified during this process. It was a strong example for her younger siblings. She shared with her father and me that this process was a faith-builder for her, as she has learned first-hand to never place her trust in her own abilities, but to place her trust in God alone.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We are thankful for these additional tools the LORD has allowed her to place in her toolbox, so to speak: her high school diploma and an associate's degree. However, they join <i>many other tools </i>she has gained along the way, like integrity, learning to drive, devotion to God, patience, service, love of family, homemaking skills, stewardship, Biblical wisdom, true womanhood, and learning to balance the demands of home life, among others. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I mention these other things as well because they are no less important--and are arguably more important--than earning degrees and the accolades of man and man-made institutions. We don't seek to educate our children according to the ways of this world. In other words, academic achievements must be kept within the proper context, which is: <i>How does this help me bring glory to God? How does this coincide with God's will for my life? </i> </p><p style="text-align: left;">We do not emphasize things like: This degree will make me rich or drive fancy cars or pay for dream vacations, etc. More specifically, we have not raised our daughter to acquire all the debt, chase after money, titles or a career, seek fame or to pursue self in exchange for shunning the duties of the home life that she may be called to one day. Being a wife, mother, and homemaker are not incompatible with an education when all things are brought under the lordship of Christ. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Proper context, proper prospective, right priorities, according to His Word. </p><p style="text-align: left;">***********************************************************************************</p><p style="text-align: left;">We are so thankful to God that He knows best and for how He's brought us thus far! </p><p style="text-align: left;">To A L L who have lovingly supported us down through the years--prayers before the Father, all the texts, sweet social media comments, sharing ideas, answering questions, phone calls, love, hugs, gifts, encouraging words, smiles, blog posts, more prayers--friends, family, and loved ones near and far: </p><p style="text-align: center;">T H A N K Y O U! ❤</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY4BMIcanvE/YR7VXRLnOXI/AAAAAAAAaDk/PX8kf_OmtqMNSPmgyyxdmXHGBV4gyKDcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s843/grad%2Bday.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="843" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY4BMIcanvE/YR7VXRLnOXI/AAAAAAAAaDk/PX8kf_OmtqMNSPmgyyxdmXHGBV4gyKDcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h488/grad%2Bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><i>How did your last homeschool year go? Did any of your children graduate? Do you intend to homeschool through high school?</i></div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-84808516267475005152021-06-06T20:33:00.018-04:002021-06-09T23:26:30.638-04:00Brain Surgery: Our Family's Journey<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz4LDUYuTMs/YLv6L5B32nI/AAAAAAAAZx0/YlFBzgkHGLA_i85UdkgqH3DlDe9b-HBzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1175/jonah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz4LDUYuTMs/YLv6L5B32nI/AAAAAAAAZx0/YlFBzgkHGLA_i85UdkgqH3DlDe9b-HBzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/jonah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, friends, this is not a brand-new journey by any means. Posting this may seem random to all of you, but it has been on my heart to share for a long, long time. I've mentioned bits and pieces, here and there over the years. I've tried writing this blog post--starting and stopping-- about a million times it seems. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Often, I could not find the words. Many times, I was afraid to say anything. Other times we were just making it day by day. But, I've finally reached a place where I can share these words openly: </span><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">About 4 years ago, our little boy had brain surgery.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His surgery is a part of the fabric of our family's dynamic; it is a part of our story. It is a testimony in my son's life that he doesn't fully realize that he has. It is a witness of the goodness of God, and it is a faith walk we are continuing to travel on. This post is a mama's account of the way things unfolded.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Be prepared for the longest blog post you've ever read.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It may be too detailed for some to read through--I get it. It may be disjointed at times, but I'm pressing on with it. I'm putting this experience into words because we went through this; my son went through this and it still effects us today. . . and because in the midst of uncertainty, trials, pain, and disappointment, God still gets the glory. God is sovereign and we are in His hands. Prayerfully, you will be inspired and reminded in some way to remain steadfast and hopeful as I attempt to represent the faithfulness of God.</span></div><div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Timeline of Events</span></i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></i><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Year 2016 </span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year was a good year, full of some sweet blessings. I share this because we were in a celebratory mood of sorts all year long and weren't quite prepared for what was ahead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This year got off to an amazing start with a MAJOR extended family reconciliation, which I am so thankful for. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In May, Husband and I welcomed our 7th child into the world--a sweet baby girl. (You can read about her birth story <a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2016/05/our-newest-arrow.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HERE</span></a>.)</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ43uaVzvQM/YFARPrUwedI/AAAAAAAAZaw/MZI6mT4qRYczgJk1sVrIYbNU-FncS8OfACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Quinn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ43uaVzvQM/YFARPrUwedI/AAAAAAAAZaw/MZI6mT4qRYczgJk1sVrIYbNU-FncS8OfACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Quinn.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And, just 5 weeks after she was born, we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary with a loving vow renewal and reception, surrounded by our family and friends. (You can read about that amazing day <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2016/07/15th-wedding-anniversary-celebration.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span>)</span></div><div><a aria-label="Photo - Square - Jun 27, 2016, 5:23:33 PM" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNZ6t9VLcx9rn21B0KWDQ4qp77RdDG-uJgXSix3" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"><div class="RY3tic" data-latest-bg="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dVqRwkJm9olaD7TDLWc5hXOchlgQ56RdiM80S3o-kC1wDZQjv2DkgyAwZuFFFkQKENMhYEuVgqXtC_-Ovr0B4k0Pwb3qSz0GUWqKYJQcRUW5YHgtNbCYKukyCnwV5SsFjnuwC401sywphhebBQV9CEgQ_arX6twUrvZ9JB9Bn4xt1FVgG-s8Pd5_UH15hXM36vFu_FbzXo8aGNyQsXREwRsqHtb-dlISq0Po3rqVF_kTo8xL7dx3zGeOr4RDWePYM7YT8hhPl0awoAwBRZW0ikxZoEl4bYN0S3uGBHoDqYRdNsymHbGlygxokePj_p5GhDaJDNU1KRU9qFH6qdk7w4PHrQdkBF-pn74EdeCmed2V2ZlfdTTHJmbrzaJJN27xcGQ4_T67e4vJV1S0Z1VF4VQfG9o_st5_7a-ErjGiS2kp037ujBbOnjkdzXMfH7MRe2n6DbDY8Jmow2YL7uOUEaH3G92__-iMkSZ8XuY1eaVnIcpifqTcJGt8NpxkHqUeJtzoOm-fmmlhOUgksOmGEDZ-qvLS7mMHVBV1ZcEharxj6X1xzjycmK7Mq5XVYTN9l6IlMQ41dIija44kBkbfQwGfe-WTV-VDX8ptx1mg20MoUXuvbWIXUAmxYixU1KMJEFnOC1iC9LXCQNaEt2S_2vwGbhaWHU7cm4cmJu5JacVrZuWkvR_EE-vwUnvA-kpG-38kS2EPJG6KrecdUf59IZqdiN8JNoJPG7jZNoq9P4mQ=s273-no?authuser=0" style="background-image: url("https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dVqRwkJm9olaD7TDLWc5hXOchlgQ56RdiM80S3o-kC1wDZQjv2DkgyAwZuFFFkQKENMhYEuVgqXtC_-Ovr0B4k0Pwb3qSz0GUWqKYJQcRUW5YHgtNbCYKukyCnwV5SsFjnuwC401sywphhebBQV9CEgQ_arX6twUrvZ9JB9Bn4xt1FVgG-s8Pd5_UH15hXM36vFu_FbzXo8aGNyQsXREwRsqHtb-dlISq0Po3rqVF_kTo8xL7dx3zGeOr4RDWePYM7YT8hhPl0awoAwBRZW0ikxZoEl4bYN0S3uGBHoDqYRdNsymHbGlygxokePj_p5GhDaJDNU1KRU9qFH6qdk7w4PHrQdkBF-pn74EdeCmed2V2ZlfdTTHJmbrzaJJN27xcGQ4_T67e4vJV1S0Z1VF4VQfG9o_st5_7a-ErjGiS2kp037ujBbOnjkdzXMfH7MRe2n6DbDY8Jmow2YL7uOUEaH3G92__-iMkSZ8XuY1eaVnIcpifqTcJGt8NpxkHqUeJtzoOm-fmmlhOUgksOmGEDZ-qvLS7mMHVBV1ZcEharxj6X1xzjycmK7Mq5XVYTN9l6IlMQ41dIija44kBkbfQwGfe-WTV-VDX8ptx1mg20MoUXuvbWIXUAmxYixU1KMJEFnOC1iC9LXCQNaEt2S_2vwGbhaWHU7cm4cmJu5JacVrZuWkvR_EE-vwUnvA-kpG-38kS2EPJG6KrecdUf59IZqdiN8JNoJPG7jZNoq9P4mQ=s273-no?authuser=0"); opacity: 1;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="eGiHwc"></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="KYCEmd"></div></div></a><img aria-label="Photo - Square - Jun 27, 2016, 5:23:33 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" height="640" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lBiypQVPsOELLS8GvlnXVvg8GmthlymqemtgDl6wZYlS8S-cYc8bybS0Q35tBB2iIxq0gYsWNLMsj6oiYjiyJ4Ya_4gUy6VodxLu55lG9tD4tgO2LjO3lEL5FGRCWgYxSzPtrshw2GTtSKJjq0GvvghrPWPphAON3B7ViLwmM0LcF3OskI8bZ7KRPMg6-hJAFC_MmTUlIClEtTChPQbh0WRCvlD6Jf8LG3S_-8pt07XcPizSAXdK8c_xV1_A6LwZb-brpJODbDwzzw2d0NzJShHmGCezJwS3pI1TAJxD3rvZ2M2vBVyzAAEOAWnikK9fvkyBFbmF5FGh4ghcn2eI4GhJC5KkAkrVZpkMjux2iJcw2xdBjFCQrEGVwhnFu20NIkpde55eI6IHE2fhgNFs5dFyeelOEqvBIZWqKITgwu7AVxM-4i5zZNXRhZpyRffd2p5atFcr3oEa1-JFqmbS72ZHhREEeykU1EJG5DFmVwETqBidIuL6Db68E9S1qmHeJbOM8Bz_T_ewW_kKqdzRdZF6Sr8VIk6Gj-BOJRl2EkCW0vQk1c5Imnn7bNtDC08Zf5gnO4F1F3buLoiMclsU7cxg1Cg8PDDAnNBjJM6v4bD5w1gZxjgY-Bg27sDOwZ8IoG2TetSmwOnofkaEJYxes87C7uoDqNJCAHJ5fGCdDq9Y3CR5dNWRgyTebasWb4LXcmgBBb6J0VQ45uGmI8ULy6Y=w640-h640?authuser=0" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall came, and we had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family in Indiana. One of THE best family trips ever!</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Nov 26, 2016, 7:56:42 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="15380121.84" height="557" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/r58cpJTvXUycXNmonULO0vsN6yCU3DJQUlTf5FILWV51SyEaHPyr5YnKJETqvL7ZIv1NsBQp3CHQ8U3tcJ2HmsswLQpPmygDNHlzXYzNkg4wJmcbrA0Kyvwnohpni-1Lhl0QBdTOOYq7nZSGMzCNhvha5ZuB1NXOgtVv_aR6D-U9TFLZIWdhi8HgCxLFA-WdQJVap61uzsr414Y_QcBlNEiRjGVQbGkvTJUbSnst6edFNzpuaYZFDPhgCpQEmW1s__54LZqkHzGx0ClPOaoxpcnqHqlw68hLaz5G3EbG66zhXpPshRZ826XWk4c2JczOLUrdwm64xdxtfRmqQYpRX0HAogMPiLx0JLQ0oLC0hCeyFaiGDQgYkUOXjk-ACFYtcYJWBfNecxVmZqcaNNK0e2paYqmfX19ui9qjjyQIWLQ1LKvXNWr-vpXEykusyOwdDdq7I3O1wwkXvK_MnbvvsJlZqY64K103nTKU65enYbC4N6vAw7jJf6N8UdsaFs-zMu_yzmtxHYJnyD5JHrcfI5LBrWImS-a4ZllOZC9aBfDfSijWQrJB6yYm6j6PRSWqpX7Vi-c5KER_36CtsaxGrC0BBsFZFGL2L1u6x2pzuJGnk6IdLt3SFsaxV71HBAFMmpqTnOk0Rx6wmtAQ-xxBQRzRjvgPaADDUl6CVq0aeAzAglllebFJjsVKzOWmf6OFSQ2Ey35ReIttyUORZR-uX-4=w640-h557?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Me and my younger brother<br />(and my baby girls #6 and #7)</span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was also during this year that the LORD began to move in our little boy's heart; he was 4 years old at the time. He asked very pointed questions about Heaven and Hell, love and forgiveness, right and wrong, and told us that when he turned 5, he thought he would be ready to get baptized. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We expressed to him what it meant to be baptized in the Faith and that it was a serious but precious decision, but one that could only come after a confession of faith in Jesus Christ. (We gave him the 4 year old version.) There were a series of conversations that seemed to pop up and so we had them and answered his questions as life rolled along. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">December 6th 2016</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My rainbow baby wasn't a little baby anymore; he turned 5 years old. There's something about my children's 5th birthdays that tug at this mama's heart. He was busy growing right on up, loving the idea of being in Kindergarten and getting to "do History" along with his siblings.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICvAwPlxMKq3gW_O8xxncF_v4aC-nJJlIAVLXRJYB0EPdWVh3bveyBin6JXtKEdGtY5Bug_2X8EgWsyudMz6meOsMtqpLIFPBc9KZI2Czpk6IVgS0iKHFwveN8u6t11oxd0b9wK5BtII/s1600/IMG_20161206_141031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICvAwPlxMKq3gW_O8xxncF_v4aC-nJJlIAVLXRJYB0EPdWVh3bveyBin6JXtKEdGtY5Bug_2X8EgWsyudMz6meOsMtqpLIFPBc9KZI2Czpk6IVgS0iKHFwveN8u6t11oxd0b9wK5BtII/s640/IMG_20161206_141031.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">December 25th 2016</span></i></div><span style="font-size: medium;">
We celebrated the<i> Birth of Jesus</i> and just enjoyed each other's company that day. Husband orchestrated our yearly scavenger hunt for the children, which always leads to a big box of tasty goodies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq_E3iA_5Yw/W4xEZzMkdQI/AAAAAAAATAQ/_yZccx-fJjAtkHOoKYfJmm-dvOe8kT2BwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20161225_063234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq_E3iA_5Yw/W4xEZzMkdQI/AAAAAAAATAQ/_yZccx-fJjAtkHOoKYfJmm-dvOe8kT2BwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20161225_063234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Reading the next clue</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltxh9lgj8k8/W4xEaaiMbaI/AAAAAAAATAc/my1Uz7oMUE8VlIsZFFWiTD_YgxWnrbHRwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20161225_065251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltxh9lgj8k8/W4xEaaiMbaI/AAAAAAAATAc/my1Uz7oMUE8VlIsZFFWiTD_YgxWnrbHRwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20161225_065251.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Hard to see, but they found the box of treats.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_jTw52n0Q/W4xFgYM5YHI/AAAAAAAATA0/GSH_4tOhJV4NHPaWvutNq3MXdTgDOnNKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20161225_065253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4h_jTw52n0Q/W4xFgYM5YHI/AAAAAAAATA0/GSH_4tOhJV4NHPaWvutNq3MXdTgDOnNKQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20161225_065253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sister and brother enjoying juice together</span></i></td></tr>
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>From mountain high to valley low.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tuesday, December 27th 2016</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We will never forget this day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Husband was on vacation and we had been enjoying a stretch of slow mornings. That morning, somewhere between 6 and 7 am, everyone was still in bed. I heard my son crying in his room and I asked him from my room, "J----, what's wrong?" No answer, but he was still crying. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coming closer, I asked from the hallway, "J----, what's wrong?" No answer; he just kept on crying. I got to his bedside, wondering if he was crying in his sleep, and I said again, "J----, why are you crying? What's wrong?" The crying continued, but at this point I realized it was a strange, sort of rhythmic crying, almost like a baby doll--the same cry over and over. I turned the light on, wondering, <i>is he stuck</i>, because he never stopped crying and he never turned toward my voice. </span></div>
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I turned the lights on and realized he was having a seizure.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His right arm and right leg were moving, jerking in tandem, and he was crying. I called out to my Husband, "I think J---- is having a seizure, call 911!" We'd never experienced something like this before, so 911 was all I could think of. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I gathered him in my arms. Panicking, but trying not to panic, I sat on the floor with him and prayed. Husband came in with the 911 operator on the phone, and we did what she said: lay him on the floor, turn his head to one side, and wait. Just wait until the seizure passes. . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, we waited, and we talked to him and told him we were there. His crying began to stop, but the jerking continued for some time, then it slowed, then it finally stopped. About 10 minutes or so in all. My son was completely coherent, able to tell us what had happened to him.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By this point, the paramedics arrived; they checked his vitals, all except his temperature. They told me that he "felt warm" and that he must have just experienced a febrile seizure (one caused by a high fever, common in infants and young children). They said they could transport him to the hospital, or we could get in touch with our own pediatrician.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were still in shock at the whole ordeal, unsure about the seizure, and yet not convinced it was a febrile seizure. We allowed the paramedics to carry him out to the ambulance, thinking we should go to the hospital. My sweet boy was thrilled that he was getting the chance to see the inside of the ambulance (the beauty of childhood innocence!) and he asked a ton of questions about all of the equipment. </span></div>
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The paramedics told us again that he "felt warm" and probably just needed Tylenol. I knew this just wasn't right and asked them to take his temperature so we would know for sure what it was. He didn't feel warm to me (mama intuition), no one else was sick in the family, and none of us had ever suffered from seizures of any kind. They told me they weren't equipped with thermometers, so they couldn't take his temperature. <i>What??</i> I couldn't believe that! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After discussing different options, and Husband and I decided that we would follow up with our own pediatrician instead of the ambulance ride to the hospital. As we were on our way back into the house, one of the EMT's pointed up to the sky.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>A rainbow against a gray sky.</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">God's holy promise. A sign of His love. He was right there.</span></i></div>
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I called the urgent care line and got in touch with the pediatrician on-call for that day:<b> </b>it was our own pediatrician, whom we've known since our oldest was a year old. <i>God's grace</i><b>.</b> She called me directly and told me, "Don't bother going to urgent care. I've already scheduled you with a pediatric neurologist this afternoon. The urgent care doctors would send him to the neurologist anyway, so just go directly there instead." She also told me that the description of his seizure <b>did not</b> correspond with a febrile seizure at all. </span></div>
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About 4 pm, we walked into the neurologist's office, with our 4 littlest children (at that time) in tow. I snapped a picture of one of the decals on the wall in the waiting room. <i>God is there all the time.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZwdG_DxEVE/W4xQU7zCYJI/AAAAAAAATBU/E_nLnzREBBAr4KfSXYD-G8FZ9GApbmFTwCLcBGAs/s1600/leRj5g1483040233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="792" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZwdG_DxEVE/W4xQU7zCYJI/AAAAAAAATBU/E_nLnzREBBAr4KfSXYD-G8FZ9GApbmFTwCLcBGAs/s640/leRj5g1483040233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The neurologist determined from a thorough examination that our boy looked great. He responded well to about 2 hours worth of testing. He was even able to describe what his seizure was like, which amazed her because he had retained some level of consciousness during that experience. Her preliminary thoughts were that he'd had a type of seizure that may recur but that he would grow out of by age 10 or so. She ordered an EEG for the following morning to confirm this. She gave us the run-down on how to respond to seizures in the event that he had another. We went home a bit disheveled but grateful nonetheless.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A very long day.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday, December 28th 2016 </span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next morning, we took our son in to have the EEG and again, he was thrilled by all the machinery. A true 5 year old! He asked all the questions, and the technician answered them all and endearingly called my little boy "Champ" throughout the testing. After it was over, my son said to me, "Mama, he really liked me because he kept calling me 'Champ'!" <i>That's what you are, son, by God's grace, that is what you are. "Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37</i></span></div>
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The EEG results came back with very strong brain activity on the left side of his brain, which coincided with the right-sided body movements during the seizure. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>This did <u>not</u> fit the pattern of the type of seizure </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>the neurologist thought he had.</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That meant further testing was required, so she ordered an MRI to check the structure of his brain. She also suggested anti-seizure medication, but the potential side-effects of the medication were terrible and really concerned us. If you knew my son, you would know that he is SUPER bubbly and bright, SUPER active, yet SUPER sweet and we didn't want who he was to change. So, she recommended we hold off on the medication and if he had another seizure, we could revisit the decision at that time. She knew that we were a homeschooling family and felt comfortable with knowing that he was being watched round the clock by his own family. <i>Yay, homeschooling!!</i></span></div>
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The next 3 weeks were spent in a bit of limbo, sprinkled with fear, just waiting for the MRI appointment and wondering whether or not he would have another seizure. We limited his physical activity and anything else we thought might bring a seizure on, wondering what could possibly be going on with his brain. He was just five years old.</span></div>
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I prepped him for the first of <u>many</u> MRI's.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday, January 14th 2017</span></i></div>
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We rode into the city for the MRI. This medical center had Saturday hours if the MRI did not require sedation. They were supposed to provide our boy with special goggles so he could watch a movie, encouraging him to be as still as possible. He had an idea of what to expect based off of a few YouTube videos I found, so he was ready. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrived and found out the goggles were broken, but none of that bothered him. He laid there perfectly still and listened to nursery rhymes instead. The radiology tech couldn't believe how well he did.</span></div>
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After the MRI, no one would tell us anything. We tried to get some indication of what was going on--anything--but everyone was tight-lipped. In the sleet and the cold, we went on home, with a parking ticket for having parked in the wrong place, grateful to make it through the day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That night at bedtime, I was privy to one of the most beautiful things in the world: my little boy came into our room, asking his father to pray with him. He bowed his head to ask forgiveness of sin and to <i>receive the LORD Jesus as His Lord and Savior.</i> Right there on our bedroom floor, they knelt together and prayed. <i>Oh, the precious blood of Jesus!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sunday, January 15th 2017</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next morning, Husband walked with our son down the aisle at church, before the Body, to make his public confession of faith in Christ. <i>Praise God, praise God!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Monday, January 16th 2017</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The neurologist was supposed to call us with the result of the MRI. So we waited and waited with most of the day gone by. Nerve-wrecking, right?! Early evening, around 4:30 or so, Husband told me he was going to pick up pizza for dinner and that he'd be right back. Of course, while he was gone, the neurologist called! Let me tell you, I was not prepared for what rolled out of her mouth:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your son has a brain tumor and he's going to need surgery.</span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She proceeded to tell me the medical terminology for the type of tumor it was (a name so long, it goes by an acronym), how they normally treat it, where the surgery could take place and on and on. One sentence after another, one medical term after another, and I could barely keep pace with all the information she kept giving. It didn't even matter what medical knowledge I'd gained all those years in college--I could not comprehend one bit except <i>brain tumor</i> and <i>surgery</i>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At that point, it was a struggle to breathe and to not pass out. Husband walked through the door, saw my face and he knew right away: <i>this was heavy</i><i> news</i>. He got on the phone with me and really impressed upon the doctor that we needed her to slow down, because we were overwhelmed. We sorted out what she was saying together: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">A benign tumor, which had been slowly growing </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span>most likely since birth, </span></i><i><span>was now large enough </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span>to apply pressure on his brain, </span></i><i><span>causing the seizure. </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">It was the size of a plum.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Vo7F2zRB48/YEVUMtdNArI/AAAAAAAAZWU/c4vpXG3xIWQI4ePTd3KNYNee41ccRjOYwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="529" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Vo7F2zRB48/YEVUMtdNArI/AAAAAAAAZWU/c4vpXG3xIWQI4ePTd3KNYNee41ccRjOYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/image.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my daughters captured this pic of me a few days later. <br />This was pretty much my face for days: prayer and deep thought.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">The neurologist referred us to a pediatric neurosurgeon at the children's hospital. The neurosurgeon ordered an additional MRI which he wanted done before he saw our son. So, the rest of the week was spent back and forth on the phone, trying to coordinate these two appointments. Long story short, MRI availability wasn't until the end of February, which would put our appointment with the neurosurgeon at the beginning of March. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">That seemed too long to wait! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I mean, no one just <i>wants</i> brain surgery, but when it's needed, you want it done because you want things to be fixed and everything to be alright. We wanted our son to be alright. In the meantime, I called the children's hospital every day to see if there were cancellations. One day, I spoke with a lady who said she would "keep our son's name in front of her" as she scheduled patients and would call us if there was a cancellation. I thanked her for her kindness, but I honestly doubted that she would call.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sunday, January 22nd 2017</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our sweet boy was baptized after Sunday morning worship. You can read about that beautiful day <a href="http://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2017/01/joy-in-sorrow.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. After he was baptized, he grinned and said to me, "Mommy, I am a brother of the Lord!" <i>Yes, you are son!</i> God brought about a truly joyous occasion in the midst of all the fear. <i>Grace and mercy</i>. <i>Joy in sorrow.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UK38ojtThL8/YEVNJte1-gI/AAAAAAAAZWI/p_bV8fegwEQPd9V4hNeqgnbgAcK0XN3UACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="640" height="460" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UK38ojtThL8/YEVNJte1-gI/AAAAAAAAZWI/p_bV8fegwEQPd9V4hNeqgnbgAcK0XN3UACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h460/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_KCElRnY7s/YEVUiqcmZgI/AAAAAAAAZWc/7QcViCJaPsElWSWkk5cVsTgmJ-vkaPkPQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="496" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_KCElRnY7s/YEVUiqcmZgI/AAAAAAAAZWc/7QcViCJaPsElWSWkk5cVsTgmJ-vkaPkPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mama, siblings, and a few cousins gathered to witness his baptism.<br />Daddy was on the other side, waiting for him to get out of the water.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hqzff-h7HeA/YEVVxG_6wyI/AAAAAAAAZWk/dqgtW0KcRo4zrZsjtlpQA8MH8u4RYi_ogCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hqzff-h7HeA/YEVVxG_6wyI/AAAAAAAAZWk/dqgtW0KcRo4zrZsjtlpQA8MH8u4RYi_ogCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Baptism day, at bedtime--he was still smiling, which made me smile, too.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Thursday, January 26th 2017</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, guess what? That sweet woman in scheduling called me back with an opening for our son's MRI. That meant we didn't have to wait until the end of February. That also meant that some other parent had to cancel their child's scan in order for my son to be seen. That point wasn't lost on us, so we prayed for that child's health and healing. So, the Thursday after his baptism, my little boy had his 2nd MRI, this time with sedation, so that he would be completely still and the images would be as clear as possible. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ceiling in the sedation room was decorated with stars and the anesthesiologists told him that he was the pilot, ready for take off. A cool way for him to drift off, but it tugged at my heart big time, as they escorted me away from his bedside with all the tears flowing. He came through like a champ and we held our breath for the following day: the appointment with the neurosurgeon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dL4WscLuQOM/YEVaVSE9cnI/AAAAAAAAZW8/imlG55G1TXozeZ_i2HKvbFZa6g7Wx3lIwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="661" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dL4WscLuQOM/YEVaVSE9cnI/AAAAAAAAZW8/imlG55G1TXozeZ_i2HKvbFZa6g7Wx3lIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Homeschooling was still going along--although heavily modified--but still pushing forward.<br />We'd been counting up to 100 days and celebrated reaching our goal.<br />The children celebrated with some fun snacks.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Friday, January 27th 2017</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the MRI was moved up, the neurosurgeon graciously agreed to see us first thing the following day. He came in full of warmth, personality, and with a confidence that literally filled the room, which was like a balm for our weariness. He did not have a "beat around the bush" demeanor, but was very direct and straight-forward, to the point with the greatest of care and concern. We greatly appreciated that in the midst of so much uncertainty. Not that our faith had shifted from God to man, but we knew God</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">caused this guy to be our son's neurosurgeon, and we recognized His hand in this very moment. <i>Glory to God!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, he had already reviewed the results of the MRI, he knew what he'd seen and what needed to be done. He showed us the images (the first time we'd seen them) and before he gave even one word of explanation, we could see for ourselves that something was terribly wrong. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">A brain isn't supposed to look like <u>that</u>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The surgeon pointed out all the particulars and answered a TON of questions from us. His advice was that the plum-sized tumor had to be removed because of the neurological impairments it could cause as time went on. It had grown large enough to cause a seizure and he said we wouldn't want to wait for additional problems. The potential problem with surgery, however, was that the tumor was located where my son's speech could be affected, and there was a risk that after surgery, our son could suffer difficulty in communicating and/or difficulty with understanding language. <i>Help, Lord Jesus!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the risks and benefits discussed, we prayerfully gave our consent to surgery and asked what time<span> </span>frame we should consider. The surgeon said "he didn't mean to be presumptuous" but informed us that he'd already placed our son on his surgery schedule for Tuesday, January 31st, first appointment of the day. <i> Just four days away!</i> We were pretty surprised but very grateful for how the LORD was ordering our steps throughout this process. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We cried, we rejoiced, we were scared, and we prayed. Our boy had to begin taking anti-seizure medication twice per day, in preparation for the surgery, which he would continue to take for another year or so. Anyway, we spent the next few days prepping our son for what was to happen to him, as well as informing our other children and coordinating their care. We were unsure of how long we needed help because we didn't know how long his hospital recovery would take. But, we pushed forward: prepped meals, wrote down daily routines, and got ourselves ready for surgery day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q53x9SMgErU/YEVWAacHyqI/AAAAAAAAZWo/QrGIga-sWToDZ4zvCpF-my3DRZgrcVUjwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q53x9SMgErU/YEVWAacHyqI/AAAAAAAAZWo/QrGIga-sWToDZ4zvCpF-my3DRZgrcVUjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sunday, January 29th 2017<br />Our regular "Sunday Cook-day" was beefed up a bit<br />so that we'd have several meals in queue.<br />My Husband's parents stopped by after church and<br />stood in the kitchen with us and prayed.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Tuesday, January 31st 2017</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brain surgery was first thing in the morning. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything was hard that day: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">getting myself up and dressed, forcing one foot in front of the other; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">waking my little boy up in pre-dawn darkness; no food or water for him, no brushing teeth; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">readying him for <i>brain surgery</i>, reminding him there was a bump on the inside that needed to come out; re-telling him the account of the deep sleep God bestowed upon Adam<i>; </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">leaving my other children, especially my baby at the time, who was 8 months old and totally still breastfeeding . . . everything was hard. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The day before, my mother-in-law described it as my Husband and I "leaving the 99 to take care of the 1 who needed us most." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So hard, but necessary. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I am thankful for my Husband's father who met us at 5 am that morning so we could head to the hospital before the traffic, and for his mother who came later on that evening. I am so grateful for my friend (a true sister to me) who came to take a shift in watching my children that week. That means she left her own children (homeschoolers) for the day to be with mine. I am grateful for my mother, who came in across the miles to be with us; and for my brother who flew across the country to be with my dad, so my mom could come here. The children would be covered for at least a week.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrived at the children's hospital about 30 minutes early. And we prayed over our son while sitting in the truck in the parking garage. <i>LORD, please keep him safe, guide the hands of the doctors and nurses, let the procedure be safe and efficient, let him recover with the full ability to speak and understand language, keep him alive, oh Great Physician. . .</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We went in just as nervous as could be, but trusting God every step of the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The neurosurgeon met us in the waiting room, calm and comfortable, reassuring and confident, super friendly toward us and our son, just as he had been a few days before. Again, his attitude was a balm to our tattered souls. I hope I am explaining his disposition accurately. We were rattled; he was not. We were jumpy; he was not. We were teary; he could smile. God used him to strengthen us when our knees were knocking. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He took out a purple marker and asked our son if he could put an X on the left side of his head. My son just found that to be the coolest thing ever, so he said yes! We all headed back to the prep area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N908-zXklkU/YEVa12P1e2I/AAAAAAAAZXE/eZ8DHG5YCRQIe75u8DJieTXkKD6bxYqlACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N908-zXklkU/YEVa12P1e2I/AAAAAAAAZXE/eZ8DHG5YCRQIe75u8DJieTXkKD6bxYqlACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Watching TV and a little coloring before surgery.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7JWm4n6A1q0/YEVa8adiq2I/AAAAAAAAZXI/UZb9d90dOusuAETBQAXL5kIefgrX6l44gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7JWm4n6A1q0/YEVa8adiq2I/AAAAAAAAZXI/UZb9d90dOusuAETBQAXL5kIefgrX6l44gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Surgery took several hours, and all we could do was pray, wait, and prop each other up. Because I was still breastfeeding, the hospital staff supplied a breast pump so I could pump while we were there. So, I did that--"<i>do the next thing"</i>--which was a blessed distraction. We watched the news on the waiting room TV without knowing what was being reported, just images on the screen going by. Waiting and waiting, checking the information board for his name, checking the hand-held buzzer continuously to see if we missed a notification from the nurse. Waiting and waiting, and prayers. . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, our pediatrician walked through the door to sit and wait with us for a while. <i>She was sent from the Father. </i> We've known her since our oldest child was 17 months old. She sat with us and talked us through questions and concerns. She brought us homemade goodies and stayed as long as she could, leaving me with her personal contact information for any support we needed and willing us to eat. What doctor do you know that will show up to sit and wait with you, and feed you, too? What a blessing she is to our family. <i>God is always there!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Later That Day</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By early afternoon, surgery was finally complete. <i>Praise God! </i>He made it through surgery! The neurosurgeon came out to discuss the particulars. Overall, the surgery itself was successful. Our son spent about 45 minutes in surgical recovery, then was taken to the pediatric intensive care (PICU), due to the nature of his surgery. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were finally able to get in the room with him. We stood by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up. We wondered if he would be able to talk to us and whether or not he would understand what we said to him. As he began to wake, Husband and I began to talk to him. He briefly opened his eyes, but seemed like he would prefer to rest, rather than talk to us. I rubbed his leg and just stared at him. I couldn't believe he'd just been through <i>brain surgery</i>. Someone had seen and touched the <i>inside</i> of my child's head.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Husband asked him rapid fire questions, back-to-back: how he was feeling, whether he was hot or cold, and if he needed more blankets, all the while covering him with extra blankets. Our son opened his eyes, looked at his father and said, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"</i><i>Daddy, I'm good."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll never forget those words. Immediately, tears of praise, thanksgiving, joy and release began to flow. We paused to give God the glory, right in that very moment! Our son could speak to us and understand us, both blessings from the Most High. <i>God is so good</i><i>!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He stayed in the PICU two days, with all the doctors and nurses coming and going constantly. He had to have another sedated MRI to see how his brain was responding to the surgery and to check on the healing process. They encouraged him to sit up for as long as he was comfortable, to watch movies, and to eat. His first meal request was a turkey sandwich with cheese. He ate every bit of it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YkG25ijpTM/YEVcQQBSd3I/AAAAAAAAZXc/d0iNLsFLEEIllLiZAv754jF2ib5cvmo_QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YkG25ijpTM/YEVcQQBSd3I/AAAAAAAAZXc/d0iNLsFLEEIllLiZAv754jF2ib5cvmo_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbiKQPQu6VE/YEVb-Q_z37I/AAAAAAAAZXU/n2hP2pSo1KML0XCq76gnBQCJytByM5jkgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbiKQPQu6VE/YEVb-Q_z37I/AAAAAAAAZXU/n2hP2pSo1KML0XCq76gnBQCJytByM5jkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Watching <u>The Incredibles--</u>this movie was his favorite while here and he watched it several times. <br />Once, while he was napping, another child asked to watch it, which was fine with us. <br />My son was not happy about that when he woke up. LOL </i><br /><i>You still have to learn the importance of sharing, even in the hospital, buddy!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">While in the PICU, I must mention that there were other children who needed care as well. There's a bond and a compassion from one family to another because we know what it's like to have a child who isn't well. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next to us was a baby girl who had some sort of digestive tract surgery. She cried and cried every time the docs and nurses came to tend to her, but she was quieted and calm when watching <i>The Little Mermaid</i> and we knew that movie was everything for her. And hummed along to <i>Kiss the Girl</i> every time we heard it. We prayed for her healing and for her mother's strength. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Across from us was a little boy, about 2 or 3 years old, who had been hit by a car and he cried out most of the time in pain. Both of his parents were there by his side, and his mama was pregnant. We prayed for them all: peace, healing, strength, rest and no pain. He was able to leave the PICU before we did. <i>The hand of the LORD.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My son progressed and he was moved to a regular room. There, he got the chance to get up, move around some, and play a little bit. A rehab therapist came to assess his abilities and to show us what we needed to do for his care at home, how to help him dress, shower and so forth. Based upon the assessments, his ability to eat, speak, and understand well, the doctors were ready to discharge him some time the following day. He was doing well. <i>Praise God!</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m5Zl4dfJcR0/YEVc-JPkKzI/AAAAAAAAZXk/tlihQrjPd30cuhnbJA_f0LxqM7VXg96lQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m5Zl4dfJcR0/YEVc-JPkKzI/AAAAAAAAZXk/tlihQrjPd30cuhnbJA_f0LxqM7VXg96lQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Playing a video game in his hospital room.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Feb 2, 2017, 11:30:21 AM" class="SzDcob" data-iml="10762125.165000005" height="360" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8NyoDel4MfKeKlfEFd6gtNCQ4GlOJMjntXcXFRvFlHOYirIqwBdNOCtYt5ZQR_r00opytr-A9Iwpy2Sv6gBQAuEuVWT_sZoLrJpiU2ypAzuUHCEzhOrWuBVhrIgAX4E-mz4DeXTXPaSQdrj72NP5RtdjNSMpgrMT5yNaeSyBTogvu1m9ls1ACLVLJwnSK_RI7gF8XDM6T_ZN43sYJIR42MfFJinZJRFLDmVsKNOz3HqzPQ0O6wTIcEmnZBaZSkWADPaZNaZtAItPs8cs_KCwdhlX2yopuPDu_pVa-QWa3sEsdpjQ2PcHTfv3t8oi7HufISmy2kn3UyJ5iqtllDiaPxTzl5X4pIr0OLJq0H0db0SRmVqwtC7bjv_xi5ORV36b0EBgsn3kivcUmpYn6eDUuikD-LMFces27h_oocLijWkwjbRTRl624ZFOBg9mDPhQ06G-u9j-zal1rsqVvFnXzdCJ_gZT_aW_Ws6rRIgnXYXGcvmtOt5VnUyFb3-wDhPmaHHVuD8RYnTIuYf6sFAScgRey2yk5Rkao-1pdeRH54_7sc2RumzbxnjP3IwpUo8jEhc19r_g96SNJTC5w1WpLvzyr2bt-V4hmWNP-JGx8z4NZeU2p2my43lh0EppkVw-6Jx3xzy_ulvlLRxHtFxDMyz7KkDmNFkjn7eWx5Fob9p21xqR_1GbdWNH7yhLGUalxZzu23eUy8VGD_VhcUsl1pk=w640-h360?authuser=0" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Feb 2, 2017, 11:20:53 AM" class="SzDcob" data-iml="10847510.280000016" height="360" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DltpwMcErNXUAu23yUfoMoTSZLd_IOxOAdefwBJmdBKOv5SjNNJuEa37j28ePWrTZLowSnqEq9wy5A8ctaT36LfiUOnFXsUCJYVlMueq3Lc1cisEUkNn2PsUNcF3aeD7HvCYQWYYMTpfa0jZnmv41ROh0rej9YVnJ0XmcIB5H-OP37QebL7eTedfdLgiVOO0LNH5iryqokvRWhKdyE7cJTN5mS-PzCskXd7riycF0_27Cicm6RAKWoHX-Ue2Sxdwdct7RJwmytaFMTjt6AKojNRO4ncQSuWT1-UJW_HCDzlsRneMoHcbr0Yul2e91pAC4XamQG3LrL-VVIrgCeG-tlOkXicqJB5nCwhypvhRdqbX5KQwoMyoAYnVVCaIUaGxgPQ7X3emgoVROvUdCNIepRvLShglQDKyu993z5ROazVGufLDfmGztohmceNvun9uM1O7DbYsBUPfCO-JHqgCV9ANnOnGdb2rXTRWBbdm9-oLFiDCA9VT9jTOABS_5y5a5QKitFUDIawKkE1D0_VtJDlx19mNMvmNjKDg6Yg42TFtXtDnFBTk3N-6taj7YwdBSlEkZtdHY7Hm9ct6N-QdmyLnhD7forsi77EJkO1UdIH1E1UfhjFiPsVfJzolqBLWHbi7Gir6fBWyWNLENCLFA7zjWzmoLDHjHcwJwtU4NgsW9tgZa0qB2fd7kmUcPZCgozib0wVJ6YPOuKpEAyj4Mxw=w640-h360?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Toys and games down the hall in the play room.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Thursday, February 2nd 2017</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next morning, time to go home!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were physically and emotionally exhausted, but so grateful to God for His wonder-working power!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While we were at the hospital, praying for my son's healing, we weren't sure how long his stay would last, which meant we didn't know how much care our other children would need. So to know that my son was getting to go home <i>while</i> we had enough care secured for our other children was a great blessing to us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before the official discharge order was processed, my in-laws left and my sweet friend had come to be with my children. I am forever grateful for her motherly touch that soothed my anxious baby and got her to eat better and to get some peaceful sleep. I'm grateful for her beautiful presence in my home because all my children agreed that "when Mrs. K came, everything was better!" They had experienced their own set of stresses and anxieties, my poor children, and we fleshed those out in the coming days. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By the time we arrived home, my mother had made it from out of town to help out as well. When she walked through the door, my children told us they were so excited to have their Abuela with them and were so glad to know we were on our way home. God provided the exact amount of cartg6e we needed for my other children, keeping them safe while we were away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rwi642a6tCU/YEVd30yLjxI/AAAAAAAAZXs/yoZw-p-d58Y7Yw2F1ffy-KQOqY6sTMuJgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="715" height="591" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rwi642a6tCU/YEVd30yLjxI/AAAAAAAAZXs/yoZw-p-d58Y7Yw2F1ffy-KQOqY6sTMuJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h591/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">My mother and my baby girl. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">She patted my baby right on to sleep with all that grandmotherly love.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This mama needed her own mama to do that for her. I am so grateful.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was so glad to be home with <i>all</i> of my children. We just needed our family at home and together again. I knew my baby girl hadn't been eating or sleeping well and by the time we got home, she had a low-grade fever. I was so relieved to get back to nursing her and ditch the breast pump, and give her a good dose of mothering. For weeks to come, she would not let me out of her sight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Feb 5, 2017, 4:49:01 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="39283.26999995625" height="640" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ajRVWGzCjCxhkHd3rYyy1zlSQWyjpfYPkKjPyi11JFdh8ZHqROpQTMRCJh_tSbKp2EMJfq4mUO7ZB4h7mQUT9ToOqM9Pf9_QaaLzzuRJbIKUQlU4LTxrsuxamYKCvjn1HKqvACWRHcr0Z6bNUTlf_tk306s35jgXb5gWEkWCdXeXqLAJ5d8rFLMNaiBn8wTCaInxop2577jV1yyCvFYrBsR6fqEFDF-da1toV-2NqTIWnOf8tRc-hiDE4eShyIqJnC-slueLVXuXsKIs68t1T2LKvdHaADeRO-KCJvu_cQP3BZubLPNliXrOCcZNLfckAneOdarl5BhzN2onsLHJtLStx6jFgJoNs7-wOCM2_iOhyOEugcALPZbf0l7O5xiFmi6Vbj6l7hP3tDBmU3UKdjKP_HWFJMKRTq3LwaKErr3-STLvHx5sJ1PzP4S8ve1mwfZFRyUkvLiG6xla6e57BdB9vr6hGjAf1aA1B1Gef5DphcXUmDTLje2hcwUjTMm1w2dQeFARpMEelx6PgQEmJSJZwyt7IsiWwxvp2Z-8Z5hjK1qlNrEIiyuouYKWiV_KGPzpGhgAQ07zvbP_ScXrmuoCfBAWkvVaN9rTEVu9GKAJAP9Uq-vxjuLJyeY4rd9GpK6l4N4Cj1kRvb2U02pJYs4Ho8yB-DwQxL8f50oop92T7dgEQm4vPqfUBropF7lZxP3-x45r8YIbBzXVkGG4RMs=w525-h640?authuser=0" style="text-align: left; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="525" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That night, we called a family room sleep-over. My mother went on upstairs to bed; she said that we needed some time to be together as a family and she urged us to get some rest. But, she wanted us to know that she was ready if we needed her for anything. I must also mention that my mother is a Registered Nurse, so not only was her love a comfort to us, but so was her medical knowledge, too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Inz0d7Lvlok/YEVeZPmnBRI/AAAAAAAAZX0/j4ihpYOLuucmlwjC3Cwz5hnm4lXm1SKQgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="661" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Inz0d7Lvlok/YEVeZPmnBRI/AAAAAAAAZX0/j4ihpYOLuucmlwjC3Cwz5hnm4lXm1SKQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I tried to capture all 9 of us in the pic in some way.<br />Fresh from the hospital, my little boy slept on the couch, with his Daddy right by his side.<br />I was on the opposite couch with the baby.<br />The rest of the kids were piled up </i><i>on the floor between us</i><i>.</i><i><br />Popcorn, a movie, some sleep and all the love.</i><br /><br /><br /><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Feb 8, 2000, 6:26:02 PM" class="SzDcob" data-iml="48286.57499997644" height="526" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z0cJ-grLUd06J8svmylVNRKOcKvA1rfCCSn1keyvVvPdJS34S1oHRhJ8BM2rzazzpamdNsCgU8BUCJbu6VHNU6t4Idqvv5LQUoDfW2EGCRSWy5tLpz5vitWZaiXHUlPILuT536zzHPlXNDHtC8Q_gN7lR4wTGZfkW96Bhp5QnCKfpLEu0STbgJh0tcfh00QSStwjoZ2D1cUT5Yn4GxyUny5mmQyWS5QIYPbsiCxIgsioCrmJWuj4_gQ2xTJ5eFxHZ4pGo72vcPc1T7GjaLkBv7iPv7IiAYa_qVHHFaQbJi533UPAJh-HeOVtnpjBmtYrkm1KjEuSV5di4-5QuxdMDXOZdmfcoX9k2C17k3wQJrJToj4mTjdWFX8QVtbpdDLv_WrXFEO6EPdZnuvveuI_olM2eFIjMAtu0o-dHEle3-Sk7ahAy4vlv6nfebxFfKhB02DBcMEyi3EkHB626o02npoiBQPJCL0hg0N0XSXU3O9aKYPJ-2Zpn7O8awbAUrcnXwtIJxUcjFX4TpGCDV5DA3gNxbWRDc9kcUVkNEeec6BEV74Tyyb_k3PZpu66qjIg2qQW-6NJJbfMHA1OKPA3VjDCmFDZ-1ZRwiR5Of30ZgTzdrgb5CU1bLI1oMO3zWMkqqpVk38g4Zt1qhcO7CP1y-elMVmBONe7o6xEfMCkzhmLHRsh_qK9nsxBICeG-820EoI9og68OehfFflnP6LX9jE=w640-h526?authuser=0" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Our son, a few days after coming home.<br /></i><br /><br />* * * * * * * * * * * * *<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">A few pics of the journey. . . </span></i></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Feb 21, 2017, 3:42:14 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="31880177.28999999" height="420" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NHO0-upXdlsT0mFW9cjoQzcjtF9pL0YyoHXY5PxkG8YmvL2imIDunEehKcXiTTC85wWB_e4e7PgmRo2mhxbp2Jv4E3P2VM4aCdfjjXXS9sU7ArNYivjIhC-32Oj4QemIJWcfG6mgNtGaQHxYb6W9vfm8LHtt3WPDObnZb0HRdgNnfUWRzK_VLA6QYcSehBrTJ3axY-OPjvgyKT8DmszkM9gQByGlkuZZTuoScaioZmc1bvGeU4K9pZH-jZSRZAQqzPz3754YO_A7f0pr5VLr1NqSnp_2BILlsI_9-To4YvBEBDv3e9xYh0EHt7kEHAnT5dL65BXFVJFuUrxkisGysVzvGQ24kz0FkbqdeRVbqjlwsiKPV6TWkY5moyolYcz4LQuD78uAoAMECrekjCY5HjjreqIfMPFxzZOjL8QxZbZkNRcC9BiQpgfeD7GmfKMRlibFKu0zCU6JexjBea-94wYZxpgwrCzCPOFw9wnj0jq9vC8jd6o-v7SflEDwdGuefoEw18b989iR54HbDhkwcN_tVVcsuanq_9mAPTKDf-ROoevxOpVm9ZujcrgKj8BzUQ1MLyBWkuIBBJ9QLUfnkSfegCQ6t0nXFeBoEJT_J1FFy4inOIknaAeMbMyrzgidxG8LBBylrl2ka89eaoEu3czYunEOJ4OnfCGSO8cM29wr1gMlMWkLuJkaz6BnsEDZbMVOQrm86ZyvLLYPGuDqjzY=w640-h420?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>While he healed and baby girl got through a touch of separation anxiety,<br />this was the sleep set-up for quite a while.</i><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Feb 8, 2000, 6:26:55 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="true" data-iml="46339.99499998754" height="480" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v9X22bd38IzJK1ycPdgAjwQl8FFjx-nMpNK8lhGxlwHsxLllc3gccorDI4qYcMgysH-VYSZANFZDbHJWNVs5bWK1buhfF4YmU1I8-I48e0sswn4h-wu-hEXfY8CFmh5EUbB4YUU1WA4dPUH9GfaYD5WFWAnjNWYMXqqMlAISeGBZCbinCBSlF6chfRmELrdId_-JhBXUgFHC-CTt_0H_YOQhWiCwLKo9sqfq0CibVPco90R9iS6IUkmTYNlpGYX0a6wXgWZj4qR7EKIw5JIm95DP_i_EBuOlM8WT1sGmmKEczi3PvhZb9hFUUmVdCqEv58dzo_elBXhLOlHTh6_6qz-MN0WxMteqozK-jRZJnO2-StZoA_t59iBLhXish6a0TG6DhT8ylZceJnBlbozsY9TPQiVP9Lm6u0BwHMF0EM1N896f2ACQM6EuBg1EjImHWgT4nv5Un0mZ50xUA8QUIzTkPxB0zG7lgAi6CMBbMVaIKoeAojxbTZi_Ezh3acrt-9uqBnoZs36Xg6X9uqYjdpCcLU6tYqb6zL1FkgMrhzgrw2gVb-XBkPeJsaUX5Xppw5o74fyU9UqK_S6lhzI9uI6dtrzzyXrV13d1Dup72b7mV0OsQpdANlmFnI32cjfZHUOZW4CeGtRdya37iTRf0SA0t7JkUqPh0R1TvPaJrl90wDIPrrytmQxMGWw4iS-Zpe8B5ZXQdPiyc6Vw1NACFGA=w640-h480?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Incision site about a week or so after surgery.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Apr 22, 2017, 10:39:51 AM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="33221373.229999997" height="360" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qntjDb0ybcf8kKAERuhrfWmqiM_iDBXtpOfbG1m61aQhcTR-uozpPM2YUs5BXSp8BZFcPfYfU6IxRO9ngM03uSHYtILf9E8j0LdCE5LAK2O-CqGhKrCuYsGibr62QzNLzDCFjslw01AqqKBNpvY3rAHxEZW1SEY_K8yaY6JjAPATk80gJ_Tek02p8GLm02bYzJQh2y6GgUmYfThAXhXAVvZ9BZ30VOVnOEnCstOUft4crg5avc2njQL0at2J57pvMDJaJJn_h656Oc_MH58xp23r-l4lu4jnVj0zG-zCS_9IY2O5vqwl7IP7qEuf0fzfBZyTUsM4hr1kdfUaAzf9uyoNDhtWI1Atb54agbbNRmSwfPoDbDz5ExEH2oX_yW8vCgmGW6QD8lrO1Knk-Hm1IWZSfowZbR5xOs_wY0im3bb9WhcZSxYOd6RrlDdw48D9CwcUHzjF49PReV_N_D7QDlbshNxo0-LUdSji-Wi6ft67PhQXTB5WqC6lll4EwR0rw4ksOULJ3zmJw4AF1M6PNGifPGVxHfyHfcIt9eISj5G6cPdkaFiF2T2Ccw1TAa2QEvMU6I4Enl6KYj_-2zZr_3zTAHGB-1rBO4EXfEfNU36l2qnPFCwkCbNnYMCbZHEpIqM-5GWMh3dG2M0MYLP3ymHat_LMUBHAfB-mIak3yANEFsZWSfgy9G4k4UNiPIHEckxKrxCLEPYYV2I0QZsc7Rg=w640-h360?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Sutures are out and he has a permanent scar on the left side, <br />which he calls "his number 1".</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--taidTVeNlA/YEVijNJaJfI/AAAAAAAAZYE/KBX6OFxwRF0tzS2JTimhZspANV4GSONNACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--taidTVeNlA/YEVijNJaJfI/AAAAAAAAZYE/KBX6OFxwRF0tzS2JTimhZspANV4GSONNACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">It healed very well, and some say it is difficult to see if his hair has grown some.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mama and Daddy will forever know exactly where it is,</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">especially Daddy since he does the boys' haircuts.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Jun 15, 2017, 6:46:41 AM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="32744816.380000003" height="360" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QkdLcVNBtKfPi3npr6ED99ngYbRQTb1XUJvse5NowOgGl8hGev8o7e6Ly9die5_C7AsDOfcjD33OUbO8s1zxLqurC6Lqn69yUyOwOtaTTC5Bbz_H00IqV0cXemhRUb51oqs8QWZVTggJCesmUGa4ARHr9xVt4lxL56TsBL494OfWWwasEWxsuL2pxnjV_QH3V3I7JY8nxuOWJVJxSP_kOMITUxjQPCbs19g5IRDWh8d3ahG_tZ4MQCBM_NcsUK63fJqzGX9VB8E5JksNxHKI2scnpENU2R9Gr7r60VNcMzOP904-JoEOHWUj_vRWLo4tcIQoPt-alyPWeXvF0JRHlkTjmFRz2_uDWvijKzdDjxPsh8jeJm4sfwPrzFgGSDKLhZ8vbnOJGV503FWPrHoLBuEDDp1Q7Gb_z27w28vq4tFiOx5oSp_R_G_HsrYt7zSVp3bkBxGIUWpCEDKd-f2q7Q59RQ1b0BTcmnQy1ZfpAEgEmUuNTYNzKdzwyYOk5r-By7GaX-UtOYzCIyEG7ClR_4shj0rPZPGfI7MrGDPhDi5W00ArnACKt5jEio1_HDIY0qVoQMaVoucBFbVv-cV_5z5Noml3hGAAIvVkWEL3SABsP1nItkK-hquhSikqkD_RISZl8Q58CJTROOj34ueqceCIOf04OkkpZdT-Umkn47s1emO6WKt_WGN0EWnZXD-5DJytEEIIgltD-s5B68iWtM0=w640-h360?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Waiting on the train to head into the city for one of his appointments.<br />He always asked if this particular little sister<br />could go with him to each of his appointments.<br />She just made it easier for him to handle things. <br />She's gone to every single one,<br />until COVID restrictions came about.</i><br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - May 11, 2017, 10:40:43 AM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="2646443.1549999863" height="383" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/afCHTS4Ai4Km6F7b9jkItv8ZVgWHbATmOiDOcRbqXkO68ggidF0YXu6I-H3GDa7L2rxT91JA5HCiGLsyz7ok9WNzD0sbN3EhtrFKjUKYXc7yiMhPs_9WOPda5ksSaCA8K6y8r8V5OBtIBIZdgh9d9MdX_aYLuriI5zgGeiZuTKbFxxQ31F-wHqKtVEyskH_7MBhCmEud0-sQjNBC25NrBQzSvJCcYNesdy0RdgsWONFl-E8DcNmkEAhy53g9UsXp0e6x6ywQgbnU637SpEF-m-BTBT_IG26cJiYXF26vdRWYuq_aoiah5AP1Op8FOjzPgyiWn2YOW8llNDzsadYVU-pyT5dN7iR1xh3-KJemrJogIVFa2SAaWu_kTzGk6U48AG6HwVsb15QBVcjm_HVnBn4XRTyY23kzEI6O4yWCTuvIbUsMACHH5qJSW8FDEHMwoP_9NA1JVyPYyHbzXAur-FHhTSSWAUDycX1wd6nYTt8o5l-urEkBk0t1ojkN4ZBs0kjXX2wDsoVpsZGcF2UraWAABZ81MMECn5d8uyd2w4Rv01yZf7dJZzUeJAzzaNBu19JLFie6NY8ImAywuuT52fG2aVm2jth5EoIV02zjiCgeaWb-WupGf7XbwaNJQXBUJRSVT0fphbD4luCk5LtdwK7YgzopnmYCQ-HrwaHKJK26huMb6olPVD9yJ53wtsoAUyvPgu__fhdPTuTWD0v0KR0n=w640-h383?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">He got a hold of Mama's phone during one of his appointments,<br />clicking pictures while the neurosurgeon was talking to us.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K0Qw5I-GXEw/YEVjaM6JfeI/AAAAAAAAZYU/Lq1rXSxEAmgtJgzn-gD1j2I6GGnYvcDvACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K0Qw5I-GXEw/YEVjaM6JfeI/AAAAAAAAZYU/Lq1rXSxEAmgtJgzn-gD1j2I6GGnYvcDvACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The interactive screen in the lobby.<br /></span></i><br /><br /><img aria-label="Photo - Square - Mar 29, 2018, 2:50:49 PM" class="SzDcob" data-iml="8844194.750000024" height="629" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5qjMROGIOoY11CT9f5sxS1ejuogcmqmHhzCIzQ0BLBC0cQwCy0jACKJTENZq-R-0Q_QR7jzU79S4CJfIDb4ANQ2JVw5UcS1iljhCW8d-6dcfhubXvZ_v0J2h-MS1vJSz6Zh8IutJS7pdpHfwxa2BF6lAIUvwWbJqDXBi4MfFc_mu5xhBT2Foc7BI6xidoW2H2lEdjb-6pjDF4OXw00VfHz-CWWyA3tifAO7sC_UhjNMo47zxO_PpV5GHZjpswlTnusRoobreYP4Z96GU9csk9ElQ9CPXqFO1h2HCc9306h7VSS9o54OPdHkEWqbcOU9gHZf8dyGbG25F_RfMsooTzs1pECvCEogYn_qCzsa72GUTTLhd2aJgnXKF-QWgHOyW1GpoZtgyVnVWLIPIjcwUqKbFEVpHfmLmZ3s0RwMr8EzANnVce6kG062zOh6PTfwwZmEWVt93bdQbAfOFnuXCtFv53Ik_nswHqiv_U0KaN2GjH0Hey-Bmpfs2EitgL5dCzgKXSNWi3MK8SUSSiMEzhq7bay6E-wTuoD-lmS8c75k2NstjThHZWWlUKK58Me1yUMlenSNuKbwFl0UVH6IuygwzxfHdKuDwOHn132oYahXbxGGOy2IH0mdHRMbL3Ndj5iBKEk_3XsZ0smm07aNb2m4abgocWE_Toc9sbuemS_wsPhnDnBeFI2Vl__X5_Lm4nmbru_FZfIu3rS86XFcG63M=s661-no?authuser=0" style="transform: matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0);" width="629" /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Sedation means no breakfast for him on an MRI day.<br />After the MRI, he has to be seen by one of the specialists. <br /></i><i>While we wait for the doctor, he get's to snack on</i><i> his favorite:</i><i><br />A turkey sandwich.</i></span><br /><br /><img aria-label="Photo - Square - May 4, 2017, 1:31:43 PM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="1339083.0750000314" height="640" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f3dhP_gzUI-5_Bi4HsmWD_QPl9WbjnZVR8FgZPWmjJJRWriLWZVpW395jzqjGfppiGMhgH-rINr1YWhI374it3GJPUJRcpjr3s-FPS3gGu0mfcI3wNGUMOpCzILiSm7Dgq9toO2GNp9h_Vj5T9M7UEuO2NPCX-ofJ02GU6KycizHAOPlUn-NsXqFU9xeZRtJr_6S9dqoHemJB4cCpldi6xUOF3xmzzlpHqifTSzI3UD1tada36MPWuzLAd74ftV9QEpBaSLTuT8zRV5QuYb5wdAElnBIsJF7AgPxKz5LKr2aj-anI-6mk0uOoJpcQTiQABBsOi2-n8VDvyyb8iBbQBI-MqEtVa3ioWkTsXbk2vnLAm_Ky4Sn-pgxCA4pwUBUCBkMOjDLHusfOAve2bTx4K3FfrjjUlyYnN2hJurfDtnts9Kj1-LkB4DMt6viDor4zXFj0VqZsUrgn-stYCdFwkIbmpU0777Q__Y9G1sXuQXO5exLVT3UrZtJBFmQcy3AWSX12qs93lVBq-hqvQZEW6koCpu_BVyLZMwegP6aoFl5uQQubVn2Nw5a8LHDmpi_dL8T-vKusm9XrnHrEnxeh7JzOnNWu2Y8iqqzG2TdFf5XTUKsJO4JxteGlNEeXQHXNpbPpkmKEt2tS46lovoX45jvYfkRdaL_yDDfEzlsTEnRd32c7nLup1K6CWmUrhdHtN2Zc2a2gf6V2Ks7H5ddR8c=w640-h640?authuser=0" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /><br /><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tired of being poked and prodded.<br />Wishing he could go home.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Square - Sep 27, 2018, 3:00:21 PM" class="SzDcob eGKoR PiYGCc" data-atf="true" data-iml="2248.649999994086" height="640" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HLarAmatng4Dvst-_YfrRFpB2lph4me-7GpkUW9ZVN0d5cMspIsogxKas70TTRDtKdP39skVpLYRYXkGFH4jiwIwfUbUvNoPJHTpMsQDt5_xGuQ5Kbb4oGNRWYdnX9aNmsU5s7Yt-bVZZokUVdZn5S5ooc7x5RjnWy_8OsuoFcFP9pncFv8HPGO7ZlaXnbPL4GIo81VIR-MyteEkrZOktjvQrAReEouD-OtIaasUObSop5mrCq7VvG_JmmQtpwwOVC39344JtwjdS1r2lRiMj0X6n_u8-hBIsfuIxuiGC7HfIze352gJaXZvPBSbSfq2AByFOK-re8pHQwk0FvNSb8JlVsik6W9ciV8ZI3sIepB2PQ2ADUV-MsHCdCLCvY7NuFpCcYTvP-apHtNf3ezJSRNn4LCr7CRQvwHrubNeZTgvl4oK2vjHjFG4IhERRIoIzrxA7zDHETtam7tsVlYjKByCqMiGO6Y66kb6e8REC6vkJnFlKW6FV8TGUmDVNQNdIVg6lWZXotfC59UB0WYGYYgmaG-zfQY3gKV4plf47XQ_qz6PcPlw2044A6GBA7sz6_UoQe6qHfc9mJncfjlNj_WflT8ZybunS5-EyNRlaZ_zSjaCuzyljq1cpPgLg6cfbg72MNLDvVnzZLkuv-UpKXgW9aBFqeO1GI050MXATr0_P14F1_UMDH5O9g7fy4biA3qLS2bi5vxXCt7RQskIJFLk=w640-h640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-height: 1080px; max-width: 1080px;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">A typical MRI day. . .waiting for him to wake up after sedation.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EVnwZtcRLPM/YEVkVwdugcI/AAAAAAAAZYc/qxtRoeMWuRckXWEiecBioMVAASDRY6rfQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EVnwZtcRLPM/YEVkVwdugcI/AAAAAAAAZYc/qxtRoeMWuRckXWEiecBioMVAASDRY6rfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Some days, we got silly faces!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">* * * * * * * <i>Update</i> * * * * * *</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My handsome boy turned 9 years old in December of 2020. He is thriving and doing well, growing up strong, brave, and tender-hearted. He enjoys lots of laughter, playing sports and games with his siblings, and he is growing in the LORD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4sLGjIU1k/YL0WABNvpjI/AAAAAAAAZyE/uqpDz4RrFqswjiM1XRm6A1VAm3DrHA9WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201206_160934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4sLGjIU1k/YL0WABNvpjI/AAAAAAAAZyE/uqpDz4RrFqswjiM1XRm6A1VAm3DrHA9WgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201206_160934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKz-gEdJZOc/YL0WAOWIcJI/AAAAAAAAZyA/Ria18WEsGlYYiMx21esyN3qNCP9u6OTggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/IMG_20201206_170849_378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKz-gEdJZOc/YL0WAOWIcJI/AAAAAAAAZyA/Ria18WEsGlYYiMx21esyN3qNCP9u6OTggCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_20201206_170849_378.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">His 9th Birthday</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the course of 4 years, my son has had so many MRIs, too many to count, with several doctor's appointments to accompany each MRI--he has a team of 5 to 7 doctors assigned to his case. He's gone from an MRI every 2-3 months, to one every 6 months, and now to once per year. The MRI's used to be with sedation every. single. time. But now, he's at a point where no sedation is required. </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Praise God, there is progress.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The reason behind the frequency of MRI's was two-fold: 1) to check for proper signs of healing after the surgery--the healing process for the brain is a long one, unlike some other parts of the body; and 2) because there was always an area of concern. The area of his brain where the tumor was removed went through a colorful process of healing. It was not always straightforward and was often not what we expected, but overall the surgery site has healed completely. <i>Praise the Lord!</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the other hand, this area of concern has revealed what I had hoped to never hear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The doctors have determined </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">that there is either residual or recurrent tumor </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">in the same place in his brain.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They are recommending surgery . . . again . . . eventually . . .at some point . . . down the road. The MRI's over the years have shown very, very slow growth, so there's no rush, but growth nonetheless. Not what this mama wants to hear. <i> Help, Lord Jesus!! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The doctors are hoping that the growing will stop, "just turn itself off" is the phrase they used. Some tumors of this nature have the capacity to become dormant. However, should that not be the case, surgery is recommended before any neurological complications arise. It's a tightrope walk of faith, trying to decide when to do what, and what is best for him overall. . . while he's still at home and under our covering . . ..rather than possibly carry a problem forward into adulthood. <i>Heal, Lord Jesus!! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though we don't have all of the answers, we put our faith in the One who is Faithful and True.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Aug 26, 2020, 10:49:03 AM" class="SzDcob" data-atf="false" data-iml="4977424.939999968" height="551" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UkW-4EG05Nj0vheg3Ir9pZLUBreyELTpPsM3ukb5cuUzsAmyyroB3PgGDFZtH8cdV8g2yT8gVqc90yozohjzRBBHmaBTyBSAoXJhekll16Nho4pYUUPb4nfCdqukFQekHHmcjtU5Qi6D2nIGE0R87TSPSvhGYydQsNVGEm9i0pM1QK-edr2hU17PMsuPTlJGmv0mtuIH8QKYc6pPoOukunFXNccJKlCvgToXatM94qZLBu2IXU7lLo_6dQMebZb9ZMpOTcZXNRiOpmOuul7dMUQRaN-wOjgvvme78d4b9uOHp4n4rHBxLs9BnyioBG9Pe-4hRyWrXrt3_kmW7JWUtcA7xre9Q5neQ7JA6y_UtWiU04UiFRuo6Qwy0fHNW1Roszetx2STa5DRQtA7hwGGA-6SpJliTRR1LJ8h1bVPgdASyGIoWRTnDrLGQUQIBwOMHk5yr_BjR-OgrmMxADG2yvnTOH40pwsAa8lDEBbaZbsRfQ0OOgOODyp_ZU65AhqxG8jvSy8PPamb38ecTERgHYvXjFwqcJgLQg2cFCDBVpXHcnav_wddcojh3OiT8QRpGVWc5I97yvfVmSMCCgGmfIc6I2kqFcbllEcFLBmxeVSXKUgcCtBXMy5Kj1dVHc_S9WEI9MU9QQQ5cc1LQlu0JG3-YkUQxm5FRBfPipybBLgvm6EtwuIUbDURfqeb8CYvkLagWy2DoFuoS3S4MqLLXYrz=w640-h551?authuser=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">First day of 4th grade<br />Homeschool Year 2020-2021</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">So, that is my son's story, our family's story--a story of faith in God and God's faithfulness to us. </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">If you feel so inclined by the Holy Spirit, please pray for my son, for his health and his healing. </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you.</span></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz4LDUYuTMs/YLv6L5B32nI/AAAAAAAAZx0/YlFBzgkHGLA_i85UdkgqH3DlDe9b-HBzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1175/jonah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1175" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz4LDUYuTMs/YLv6L5B32nI/AAAAAAAAZx0/YlFBzgkHGLA_i85UdkgqH3DlDe9b-HBzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/jonah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>
</div></div></div></div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-29617911854711316002021-03-10T00:40:00.003-05:002021-06-11T12:16:57.432-04:00Secret Things<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEPXFm2sSuw/YEhZVZIzUYI/AAAAAAAAZZE/-37LL-lJda8wFrCf9GOg0JBtuPas5rjyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/purple%2Bflower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1920" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEPXFm2sSuw/YEhZVZIzUYI/AAAAAAAAZZE/-37LL-lJda8wFrCf9GOg0JBtuPas5rjyACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/purple%2Bflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Even now I can hear the Spirit cry:</i></p><p><i>Secrets the LORD imparts,</i></p><p><i>Keep them close to your heart.</i></p><p><i>Don't ever let them die.</i></p><p><i>Make them the apple of your eye.</i></p><p>These lyrics are from a song called <i>Long Time Coming</i> by The Winans. This was a group my mom listened to very frequently when I was growing up.</p><p>::::::</p><p>I've been listening to another version of this song by Fred Hammond all week long. And I kept coming back to those lyrics in particular. . .over and over.</p><p>I thought, what is it LORD that You are turning my attention to? And He said, the secret things. . .</p><p>Then I remembered this Scripture:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>but those things which are revealed belong to us </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>and to our children forever, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>that we may do all the words of this law." </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>-Deuteronomy 29:29</i></p><p>::::::</p><p>Whenever the Most High reveals His precious secrets to us (His Word, His Law, His Son, His Spirit, His will, His love, etc.) we should pay attention and treasure these things in our hearts. </p><p>THEN . . .</p><p>We can't let it die! </p><p>We MUST pass them on to our children, </p><p>So that we raise up a generation before Him,</p><p>So they can pass it on to their children,</p><p>And to their children after them--</p><p>A string of descendants, </p><p>blessed of the LORD, </p><p>following the ways of the LORD </p><p>and not conforming to this world.</p><p>:::</p><p>When God reveals those secret things, they belong to us,</p><p>Which means we are responsible to treasure them, observe them, ponder them, impart them, teach them and MODEL them . . . .starting at home--with your own children.</p><p>Even when you're tired,</p><p>Even when they've gotten on your nerves,</p><p>Even when you're not sure they're listening,</p><p>On good days, and bad ones,</p><p>In rejoicing and weeping,</p><p>In the daily-daily's,</p><p>::::</p><p>Keep instilling the secret things. </p><p>Obey the Word. </p><p>Do what God says.</p><p>::::::</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_0jhFZ6uM/YEhZkXpzXiI/AAAAAAAAZZI/1KUh5KfhzOEZe_myzCEz2Vnu8T9EQR4wACLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/purple%2Bflower.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1920" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_0jhFZ6uM/YEhZkXpzXiI/AAAAAAAAZZI/1KUh5KfhzOEZe_myzCEz2Vnu8T9EQR4wACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/purple%2Bflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">#Scripture #HolyWord #truth #life #bread #deepthings #secretthings #sacredthings #holythings #raisinggenerations #holiness #setapartlife #keeppressing #dailywalk #faithwalk #onedayatatime #encourageothers #loveGod #obeyGod #wifelife #marriedwoman #motherhood #mamato8 #faithandfamily #love #noidlebread</div><p></p><p><br /></p>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-88312226879659771542021-01-17T15:57:00.004-05:002021-01-17T16:05:05.960-05:00The Lord's Table at Home<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfpClRmLSew/YASkJZ-YeXI/AAAAAAAAZHY/9zicGPOy_dQ7E_2nEJKIM-XJFu8BKzKDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/communion%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfpClRmLSew/YASkJZ-YeXI/AAAAAAAAZHY/9zicGPOy_dQ7E_2nEJKIM-XJFu8BKzKDACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/communion%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, </p><p style="text-align: center;">you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes."</p><p style="text-align: center;">-1 Corinthians 11:26</p><p style="text-align: center;">...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Nothing fancy required</p><p style="text-align: center;">Homemade unleavened bread</p><p style="text-align: center;">Grape juice in medicine cups</p><p style="text-align: center;">Presented in a foil pie pan</p><p style="text-align: center;">Prayed over and blessed</p><p style="text-align: center;">That God would use the ordinary things, and set them apart for His service</p><p style="text-align: center;">That the physical would boldly represent Spiritual truth:</p><p style="text-align: center;">His body broken for me</p><p style="text-align: center;">His blood shed for me</p><p style="text-align: center;">Jesus died</p><p style="text-align: center;">Jesus rose on the 3rd day</p><p style="text-align: center;">He ascended into Heaven</p><p style="text-align: center;">He is coming again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Do not forsake the Lord's table with other believers, even at home. What a blessing and a witness it is to your household.</p>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-5140086958918014452021-01-14T11:35:00.016-05:002021-01-16T13:22:13.501-05:00Long Winter Break<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r3BhMFp_eU/YABq0Jx2LYI/AAAAAAAAZGY/yMuiI_AwXyUfg9IucuVp8IrEffAuwAmcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/winter%2Bbreak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r3BhMFp_eU/YABq0Jx2LYI/AAAAAAAAZGY/yMuiI_AwXyUfg9IucuVp8IrEffAuwAmcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/winter%2Bbreak.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sunrise in the woods out back</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here we are in a new calendar year, year 2021, with our whole lives in His hands. Amidst all the junk and chaos found in this world that presses in on us trying to invade our serenity, I am glad my anchor holds fast and secure in Jesus. Ladies, let us remember truth as we head into this new year.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">My hope is built on nothing less</span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I dare not trust the sweetest frame,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All other ground is sinking sand,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All other ground is sinking sand.</i></div></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">When darkness veils His lovely face,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I rest on His unchanging grace;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">In every high and stormy gale,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">My anchor holds within the veil.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">-Solid Rock</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, we have just returned to our regular routine this past week after having enjoyed a long winter break. Husband took a little bit of leave from work around mid-December, my older girls finished out their finals, and we all took a deep sigh, welcoming in a time of rest. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We thoroughly enjoyed a very relaxed and simple schedule. We slept in a little longer and eased into our mornings. We lit the fire place most evenings (love!), we baked, we played all the board games we could, we watched a little TV, read books, and continued crafting. I would have to say that my favorite parts were sunrise chats with Husband--beautiful, colorful sunrises and sweet conversation. <i>Praise the LORD.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwIJ4PXehO4/X_9uuN1HEbI/AAAAAAAAZEc/7SS2V2g76e4TofmF4fFS6MmwfRu-WeJSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201223_153851.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwIJ4PXehO4/X_9uuN1HEbI/AAAAAAAAZEc/7SS2V2g76e4TofmF4fFS6MmwfRu-WeJSACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_153851.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97Dvz_epmAo/X_9uuNkzrnI/AAAAAAAAZEg/iDY9SVIJTqwj3i-kKNHiPZRLM8Tyi4AlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_151853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Saltine toffee candy in the making</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97Dvz_epmAo/X_9uuNkzrnI/AAAAAAAAZEg/iDY9SVIJTqwj3i-kKNHiPZRLM8Tyi4AlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201223_151853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjbejP6PXbg/X_9uuPRTOYI/AAAAAAAAZEY/N0RXz4PnFh0lLDfadH1TUybdz_GxoCTBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201223_153743.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjbejP6PXbg/X_9uuPRTOYI/AAAAAAAAZEY/N0RXz4PnFh0lLDfadH1TUybdz_GxoCTBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_153743.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">One of our read-aloud books is <i>The Chronicles of Narnia: </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i></span><span style="text-align: left;"> by C.S. Lewis. My older children remembered that we also had the movie on DVD, realizing that our younger children had not seen it before. Let's just say it became an instant favorite--I can't tell you how many times they watched it! What I liked most were the discussions that have taken place since about the parallels and symbolism to our Christian faith. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKdenIhg2Vg/YAD1vX2AZmI/AAAAAAAAZG4/jbyX0b9TCBo8frQTm_f30XrURMG1wZVNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20210104_134103.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKdenIhg2Vg/YAD1vX2AZmI/AAAAAAAAZG4/jbyX0b9TCBo8frQTm_f30XrURMG1wZVNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20210104_134103.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic snowman door</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>We remembered the Birth of Jesus, and had a good ol' time loving one another.</span><span> We had our annual Christmas-time treasure hunt. This is where Husband creates a story about our children who have been enlisted on a mission to save the precious treasure (a box full of snacks) from some goofy threat (like super sticky marshmallows). We hide various clues all throughout the house and all the children, young and old, work together to find each one. So much fun!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have been prayerful about our actions and in celebrating Christmas. Why? We hope to honor Christ, and Him alone, in <i>everything</i> we do. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me be clear: <i>there is nothing wrong with remembering, celebrating, and thanking God for the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who is the Christ. </i> Glory be to God, Jesus came!!! And, I will never, ever look down upon someone who truly honors Christ in his heart and expresses joy over His birth. Never. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet, I can't shake the fact that most of the practices and traditions surrounding Christmas (held near and dear by most Christians--myself included) have so many ungodly origins, and that root of evil continues to rear its ugly head. Even the very date that was chosen to commemorate His Birth was not Bible-based, but was rooted in the pagan, political sways of that era. Friends, as the LORD continues this blessed process of sanctification in my heart, as a Believer, I am compelled to pause, pray, consider, research, <u>know the truth for myself,</u> and not blindly follow after traditions. I hope to share more on these thoughts another time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z_Ig6Z_-y0/X_9uwWW6wAI/AAAAAAAAZFA/HXyd7zF1O3EUxQfn60lehUXzZJsbK7FPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20210106_141632.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Big brother helping little sisters put a game board together</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNoQ8qgDTq0/X_9uwHl5NiI/AAAAAAAAZE8/Rk4n3VT9p30dGP-buIHkoxeicW7AR_vBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20210106_141558.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNoQ8qgDTq0/X_9uwHl5NiI/AAAAAAAAZE8/Rk4n3VT9p30dGP-buIHkoxeicW7AR_vBACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20210106_141558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Big sister helping little brothers build a train</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNoQ8qgDTq0/X_9uwHl5NiI/AAAAAAAAZE8/Rk4n3VT9p30dGP-buIHkoxeicW7AR_vBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20210106_141558.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, with the sweet blessing of having taken a break behind us, we are in full swing now and all the things are happening. My oldest girls are busy as one is completing a virtual driver's ed course, while the other signed up for a condensed January term at the community college. The Master bath toilet needed to be reset (something about a flange and a screw). My baby girl had nurse maid's elbow, caused by my baby girl just older than her, which I had the pleasure of resetting myself! For those that may not know, I have a degree in Sports Medicine & Allied Heath. This should not have made me weak in the knees, but it did!!!! Little baby girl and big brawny football player are two different worlds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_6UDx5rXE0/X_9uu0-riYI/AAAAAAAAZEo/rVFbFkQbyqMWxDq5Bd8UPTDcY8DA94FGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210104_121110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alphabet flashcards</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_6UDx5rXE0/X_9uu0-riYI/AAAAAAAAZEo/rVFbFkQbyqMWxDq5Bd8UPTDcY8DA94FGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20210104_121110.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2GYF11IxF0/X_9uu3jZMXI/AAAAAAAAZEk/2r8_YfOJakIfC2pH9T_xtameMciojIuogCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20210104_120427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Map work </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zygyf5RrblA/X_9uwB1VuGI/AAAAAAAAZE4/eFDrAi8a14w-Dj3DzDvf83HsH83A6O-wgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20210106_141522.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Condensed, online class</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zygyf5RrblA/X_9uwB1VuGI/AAAAAAAAZE4/eFDrAi8a14w-Dj3DzDvf83HsH83A6O-wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20210106_141522.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZVOnLqgRcY/X_9uvUzNZMI/AAAAAAAAZEw/EVdsgLKGbVk3s-G4LRHcXpytzB7mapJUwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210106_104436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Handwriting practice, with the best colorful bunch of grapes ever<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8iJvEJ0Nds/X_9uxA8hBFI/AAAAAAAAZFE/ZzsKCixanvAhEjM4qFksrGQ98g_1MnoVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Qgez1609959151.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8iJvEJ0Nds/X_9uxA8hBFI/AAAAAAAAZFE/ZzsKCixanvAhEjM4qFksrGQ98g_1MnoVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Qgez1609959151.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Little ones waiting for their turns for one-on-one time</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8iJvEJ0Nds/X_9uxA8hBFI/AAAAAAAAZFE/ZzsKCixanvAhEjM4qFksrGQ98g_1MnoVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Qgez1609959151.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And lastly, my great-uncle Andrew passed away last week. If you know about the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpg956BG_M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">rocking chair story from my Instagram</span>,</a> he is brother to my great-uncle Marvin and to my Granny. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsE2jIjdoMQ/X_9uvMp99TI/AAAAAAAAZEs/a0K9Jy2f7_gd2TWrB6bJRwLcKwfqHVzTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IMG_20210104_224456_187.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsE2jIjdoMQ/X_9uvMp99TI/AAAAAAAAZEs/a0K9Jy2f7_gd2TWrB6bJRwLcKwfqHVzTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_20210104_224456_187.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Uncle Andrew was the last of the siblings to pass, 6 in all: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Willie James- </i>big booming personality, with a voice to match, first in the family to graduate from college </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Annie Laura- </i>my beloved Granny who forever left the stamp of Christ on my soul, a giant in the Faith</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Andrew Frank</i>- meticulous photographer (he took my wedding pictures) and family storyteller</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Emma Jane- </i>child care provider with a heart for children, Auntie to all</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mac Henry</i>- licensed barber and owner of his own barber shop</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Jesse Marvin</i>- pastor and avid fisherman--for food and for souls</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So many memories, so many stories, so much love for family. These were my grandmother (my dad's mother) and her siblings, yet I grew up around all of them all the time--the precious blessing of extended family who care to be near. They were a close-knit group of siblings, all living in the same city, most just minutes from one another. They openly showed their love for family (and for me, specifically) and their love for the LORD, all the time. I have been reflecting on their lives and I am so grateful to have known and to have been loved by each one of them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">So teach us to number our days,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">That we may gain a heart of wisdom.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Psalm 90:12</span></i></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-7779307989136099882020-12-22T23:35:00.003-05:002020-12-23T17:55:23.606-05:00Tough Days, Calm Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ts4fLT7eS8/X-LIELtKW6I/AAAAAAAAZCo/IBju4inoMvUkobJeGz-4NzGYZE_i14cpACLcBGAsYHQ/s420/orange%2Bmug%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="420" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ts4fLT7eS8/X-LIELtKW6I/AAAAAAAAZCo/IBju4inoMvUkobJeGz-4NzGYZE_i14cpACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/orange%2Bmug%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Last week was really a trying week. My son had another MRI, and things are what they are. More on that another time, but we continue to place our trust in God for his health and healing. These types of appointments can easily leave us exhausted and a little weary. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BKjq5ikSvk/X-KgT2lODkI/AAAAAAAAZA0/Iw1cYekQ8LISWTD8OzMW9BkGmKVOs8UXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201217_094256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BKjq5ikSvk/X-KgT2lODkI/AAAAAAAAZA0/Iw1cYekQ8LISWTD8OzMW9BkGmKVOs8UXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201217_094256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>But the LORD has been faithful to restore joy. All week long, this song has been on my heart, in the middle of my prayers and tears, even when waking at night, and then again in the morning, just ringing in my ears. And, it isn't a soft, sweet hymn or a subtle song of praise. Rather, it is an attention-getting, up-beat, joyfully noisy, you-can't-still-be-sitting-down, you-gotta-hum-along, hands-in-the-air kind of song. </p><p>In other words, <b>I WILL</b> open my mouth and declare His praises, no matter what. God is so faithful.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lyrics from You Bless Me Over and Over by Fred Hammond:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"LORD, you're the apple of my eye, let me tell You why.</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You always come through, that's why I put my trust in You.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You woke me this morning, new mercies I see.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Your love and Your favor still covering me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jesus, I'll never forget what You've done for me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How can I forget how you set me free? You set me free.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>LORD, I'm so grateful.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You've always supplied my every need.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'll always remember where my blessings come from,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where my blessings come from..."</i></div></i></div><p style="text-align: left;">I'm grateful for the way God speaks to me through song. While the lyrics soothed my soul, our homeschool/home life took an artsy turn, which was nice and calming. </p><p>We "painted" using chalk pastels: mugs of coffee/hot chocolate, along with snowmen (and a snow mama!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl81k1famZWXFW1wWOmJa0LSxsqTvwDGRWdTZUXYljJalwHM7RtLsPGnIUh0jnFIzs1970_VccM_xxLKUTC7ObP47Oq0RvPIZzTrS7DpjP5DYORQnaBEO8yAQLuNLZ8kgjv5IhUXsUWs/s1600/IMG_20201219_122122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl81k1famZWXFW1wWOmJa0LSxsqTvwDGRWdTZUXYljJalwHM7RtLsPGnIUh0jnFIzs1970_VccM_xxLKUTC7ObP47Oq0RvPIZzTrS7DpjP5DYORQnaBEO8yAQLuNLZ8kgjv5IhUXsUWs/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_122122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tQUc3skPKU/X-KhU1yXXMI/AAAAAAAAZBU/M6OCaTGeMsgTCX_qVnYsOIfzTYuMJh3aQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_122138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tQUc3skPKU/X-KhU1yXXMI/AAAAAAAAZBU/M6OCaTGeMsgTCX_qVnYsOIfzTYuMJh3aQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_122138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvSmbQBjuzI/X-KhU0VSRnI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Jf0PCcnnuzAcFknv-Xh_nWlOb_cTlkFeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_122222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvSmbQBjuzI/X-KhU0VSRnI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Jf0PCcnnuzAcFknv-Xh_nWlOb_cTlkFeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_122222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6n1mb8Eo80/X-KhU47A7zI/AAAAAAAAZBc/oaYTNGdN1vUVijZ2CgjQBI7dlxZemwAXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_122231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6n1mb8Eo80/X-KhU47A7zI/AAAAAAAAZBc/oaYTNGdN1vUVijZ2CgjQBI7dlxZemwAXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_122231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We've been sewing and crocheting:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RfjKeh3OOM/X-KhwnBCVWI/AAAAAAAAZB0/lgC1I98KDP8immjdci6DxhbQ29Ebn3zngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_115748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RfjKeh3OOM/X-KhwnBCVWI/AAAAAAAAZB0/lgC1I98KDP8immjdci6DxhbQ29Ebn3zngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_115748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIadp9V2PUA/X-KhwmDcFFI/AAAAAAAAZBw/GMFyr68RWkAA9Ra59G8j4WN-gZC8nuSvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_115821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIadp9V2PUA/X-KhwmDcFFI/AAAAAAAAZBw/GMFyr68RWkAA9Ra59G8j4WN-gZC8nuSvACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_115821.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZunPJ5857No/X-KhxGPm72I/AAAAAAAAZB8/6QWApAs5xDwzVR43alELC0QtYtXfNy2KACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201220_195443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZunPJ5857No/X-KhxGPm72I/AAAAAAAAZB8/6QWApAs5xDwzVR43alELC0QtYtXfNy2KACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20201220_195443.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSmHYzCBX0o/X-PKgir32aI/AAAAAAAAZC8/-YW276vFbeAHpF9CfSW5NKmdBBCa66xXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201219_115959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSmHYzCBX0o/X-PKgir32aI/AAAAAAAAZC8/-YW276vFbeAHpF9CfSW5NKmdBBCa66xXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201219_115959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgtPXGp0TS8/X-KhxYMFdnI/AAAAAAAAZCA/dbyrKtNfhE4VfPswb4WHcMq1foDNv1U0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201222_162425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgtPXGp0TS8/X-KhxYMFdnI/AAAAAAAAZCA/dbyrKtNfhE4VfPswb4WHcMq1foDNv1U0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_20201222_162425.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Today is my "kitchen day", so we will bake unleavened bread (for Sunday's Communion), cookies, maybe a coffee cake, and we'll make our favorite saltine toffee.</p><p>We've had our first little snow of the season and we've been lighting fires, keeping things cozy. Husband has taken some vacation time from work and we have joined him and are enjoying a break from homeschooling. Thank God for this time of slowing down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqtVE8Q8fY0/X-KiQLo76SI/AAAAAAAAZCM/Bhsuf0zx_CI7_bpW9dd1x8B5_M8Uowa7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201217_094757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqtVE8Q8fY0/X-KiQLo76SI/AAAAAAAAZCM/Bhsuf0zx_CI7_bpW9dd1x8B5_M8Uowa7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201217_094757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLHjjmKZO5I/X-Kigl6dQNI/AAAAAAAAZCY/rtWza1kuVuAfad0Aces89g-nEfppFtZ3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20201201_181326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLHjjmKZO5I/X-Kigl6dQNI/AAAAAAAAZCY/rtWza1kuVuAfad0Aces89g-nEfppFtZ3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201201_181326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I will bless the LORD at all times;</i><i> </i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His praise shall continually be in my mouth." </i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Psalm 34:1</i></div></i></div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-87699501805415737852020-12-08T17:29:00.002-05:002020-12-11T15:40:12.930-05:00Back to the Blog: Intro and Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FP9BpiBF00M/X8_50PeFgVI/AAAAAAAAY94/AoqSldWd_AsCPf281RHLp9ZwxqN5UO6vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1290/back%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bblog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1290" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FP9BpiBF00M/X8_50PeFgVI/AAAAAAAAY94/AoqSldWd_AsCPf281RHLp9ZwxqN5UO6vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h422/back%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are new to my blog or have just lost track since I've not posted here regularly . . . .</div><div>W E L C O M E and H E L L O!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i>Introduction</i></div><div>My name is Stacie and I've had this blog for about 10 or 11 years now. I love the LORD because, by His loving grace and tender mercy, He saved my soul--forever grateful. I am a wife of 19 years to my college sweetheart, who is known on the blog as <i>Husband</i> (actually, I call him that in real life, too, so it works!). I am mama to nine precious souls--raising 8 earthside, <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2011/08/mothers-confession-of-sorrow-and-joy.html?m=0">with 1 who is in Heaven with the Father</a></span>. We are in our 9th year of homeschooling and, Lord-willing, will have our 1st graduate this coming spring!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIXSH-e7wpUNJ5FjD9koMs8i-lDsZCNyivipM0mC08Ozmd_Ysj9vhxxkfxE7m1KHhlVZz8x8-niy5dSarDoi0ZxJgU672WMNmLBsKPk1o6q8jl9M_WhnnrKpwIn8q1FH1srmxFUp4_U/s1600/IMG_20200623_164555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIXSH-e7wpUNJ5FjD9koMs8i-lDsZCNyivipM0mC08Ozmd_Ysj9vhxxkfxE7m1KHhlVZz8x8-niy5dSarDoi0ZxJgU672WMNmLBsKPk1o6q8jl9M_WhnnrKpwIn8q1FH1srmxFUp4_U/w640-h480/IMG_20200623_164555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzX1tSfPHzc/X8-uikwj24I/AAAAAAAAY9c/G9xhljE9r_Ii27Jnkdgabu6sNamX7R4LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200826_105911%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzX1tSfPHzc/X8-uikwj24I/AAAAAAAAY9c/G9xhljE9r_Ii27Jnkdgabu6sNamX7R4LQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20200826_105911%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Although I've posted regularly on Instagram and a bit on Facebook, the return to this blogging space has been tugging at my heart for quite some time. When I'm here, it's calm and slow and intentional, quite different from the "loud" pace of social media. Perhaps it's because it's just me, my thoughts and the cursor. No one else's pictures and words to scroll through; nothing competing for my attention at that moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to return more regularly to some of the simple posts of yester-year: my homeschool days/weeks, what we're learning, homemaking to share, my thoughts on marriage and motherhood, what I'm reading, updates on my children and, of course my unapologetic faith in Jesus Christ. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I intended for this blog to not only be an expressive outlet for myself, (I love to write!) but also a record of sorts for my children--particularly my daughters (that includes my daughters-to-be: my sons' wives one day!). I want to encourage them along the path of Biblical womanhood with pieces of my real life, even as I seek God along this same path. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk0-OJScBHs/X8-yQbpQXXI/AAAAAAAAY9o/22DcseIauD40nvKm56qhKDFxIEm9sgEYACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200826_110138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk0-OJScBHs/X8-yQbpQXXI/AAAAAAAAY9o/22DcseIauD40nvKm56qhKDFxIEm9sgEYACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200826_110138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Update</i></div><div>Starting about 4 years ago, a series of major events unfolded in my family life. Friends, let me tell you, it caused a shaking in our family and a time given over to much prayer. I will document those moments from the past in the coming weeks. Many of those moments were painful and downright scary, but through it all, God has shown Himself to be faithful. So, I will share, because it may encourage someone else; because God works things out for the good; and because it is part of my family's story. </div><div> </div><div>At this point, I will not promise a certain number of posts per week for the blog, nor will I boast certain themes for certain days. Instead I will post around the rhythms of my home life--my people come first, following the lead of the Holy Spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>May God be glorified!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkH-FwrnwAPYtauvqrt3P9b_d9Tf-yWlAdm4kka_f2TKa01Kp_x4hnvafje4pKT8H81KCPj4RcTiKScHdUiqM9a6YWhj_keIfnZKcuYk0CvvwYCN8SYQRx5JdCsmTRcYofpGWGFOEYH4/s1600/IMG_20200826_110206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkH-FwrnwAPYtauvqrt3P9b_d9Tf-yWlAdm4kka_f2TKa01Kp_x4hnvafje4pKT8H81KCPj4RcTiKScHdUiqM9a6YWhj_keIfnZKcuYk0CvvwYCN8SYQRx5JdCsmTRcYofpGWGFOEYH4/w640-h480/IMG_20200826_110206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>O LORD, You are my God.</i></div></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I will exalt You,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I will praise Your name,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For You have done wonderful things;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Isaiah 25:1</i></div><br /></div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-87768247507507961622020-08-02T22:49:00.002-04:002020-12-07T17:32:05.005-05:00Precious Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0ZIRW--5E4/X86slKnontI/AAAAAAAAY8s/Zl7vA1vmeZ8zybXplZ8JwQ0cRbdnMomiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/116519334_3215156298575462_3194920503516096366_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0ZIRW--5E4/X86slKnontI/AAAAAAAAY8s/Zl7vA1vmeZ8zybXplZ8JwQ0cRbdnMomiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/116519334_3215156298575462_3194920503516096366_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This bella baby is 11 months old and it hurts, y'all. It just went WAY too fast! </div><div>She's getting a well deserved, much needed nap in after a couple weeks of teething and eczema irritation. (Which means mama is tired, too!)</div><div><br /></div><div>These days are so precious and I don't take them for granted. As they say, the days are long, but the years are short. Well, I am so grateful for every single, one of those long, incredibly full days, because they are full and rich with the gifts the Father gave #Husband and me, straight from His own hands. Babies don't keep! As I type this and gaze upon my baby girl, I hear my 17 year old's voice, chatting away in the other room. SEVENTEEN--can't believe it!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I am thankful for my children's lives, because in living, they've taught me so much. It is amazing to see how the LORD's wisdom for my life is wrapped up in theirs. #perspectivechange There's so much I would have missed had I'd taken on the backwards view of children this world keeps on pushing. I know for sure, God's ways are higher and His way sare ALWAYS better than anything this world has to offer.</div><div> </div><div>Everyday isn't easy and I'm 100% sure that I'm not perfect. But, there's nothing like resting in God's will. </div><div>.</div><div>#number8 #babycakes #11monthsold #mybaby #naptime #familylife #marriedwoman #largefamilymama #motherhood #Godsgrace #grateful #loveeveryday #love #noidlebread</div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-50990899761446373372020-06-23T22:48:00.000-04:002020-06-23T22:49:06.064-04:00It's Our Anniversary--NINETEEN Years!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!💗</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AwtM7ZyCzg/XvK89QJzpYI/AAAAAAAAYUQ/xn6CYXYfe2YDgTbqCz8WX6rUjnUWXKYRACK4BGAsYHg/w625-h469/IMG_20200623_164555.jpg" width="625" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>NiNeTeEn years of waking up by his side, calling him my beloved Husband!!! I count it a blessing to be joined to him under the holy covenant of marriage. I praise God for our commitment to one another, but most of all our commitment to Christ and that is what sees us through. Not feelings, not emotions, not attitudes, but striving for Christ-likeness. God is the glue.💗 </div><div><br /></div><div>Some days are utterly blissful, and some days have been downright heart-wrenching. But what remains is Love, true Love . . .the Love the Father commands that we must extend one to another, the Love that gives and gives again, Love that has seen us at our worst, but says I want you still, Love that says: you need to hear this truth (like it or not) so that you can heal and grow.💗 </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's the everyday Love that serves dinner, pumps gas, pays bills, prays over our souls, budgets the income, grocery shops, makes tea, reads the Word, laughs at inside jokes, keeps quiet some days, shouts out loud on others, holds hands, fries potatoes, does the laundry, picks up a slurpee and a bag of chips, rubs the aching places, touches feet when we sleep, and prays again and again.💗 </div><div><br /></div><div>Real love. I would never trade him or ask for another.💗</div><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_Twxikyc4/XvK891mpRWI/AAAAAAAAYUU/QmGCl8rXlcs4UUNis76_GP3rjBUoL4fVACK4BGAsYHg/w625-h469/IMG_20200622_185726.jpg" width="625" /></div><div>.</div><div>#covenant #marriage #anniversary #19years #Husband #husbandandwife #marriedlife #wifelife #legacybuilding #familyfoundation #nolongertwo #unitedasone #praiseGod #blessings #grateful #loveeveryday #love #noidlebread </div><div><br /></div><div>(Sidenote: #Husband rocking' his latest Father's Day tee from the kids...really our 4yr old #number7 picked it out because Baby Shark is still her jam! Lol)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, for a little anniversary fun. Husband and I decided to have an impromptu love song battle!</div><div>Check out our vlog to leave your vote for your favorite songs!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JONPgwvgJ0g" width="320" youtube-src-id="JONPgwvgJ0g"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-25079766158955361592020-02-24T12:25:00.000-05:002020-02-24T12:36:08.915-05:00On Being Defined as Wife and Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So many women wrestle with worry about being defined as a wife to a husband or as "just" a mom. . . worried about whether or not others know of the many talents and skills that they posses outside of being the Mrs. and Mama. I remember in my early years of motherhood, when I was mama to one, I was quick to let people know that yes, I stayed at home, BUT I was getting "such-n-such" degree in "blah, blah, blah" field, furthering my education with the full intent to pursue career, status, wealth for self, the praise of man, more dry wall . . .<br />
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PRAISE GOD for Romans 12:1-2! Don't get me wrong; I am passionate about education, as knowledge, understanding, and wisdom begin with the LORD. #homeschoolmama But I thank God that He changed my mind and my heart, according to His Word. The turning point began in a sweet friend's home with a small group study on the meaning of a godly wife, way back when my oldest was 8 months old.<br />
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I can't cast being a wife and mother aside as second best, as something I'm just doing right now, as something that is only blocking something greater, as though it's a pit stop along a better journey. I'm not counting down the days until my children are gone so "I can do me". Ladies, it just doesn't disappoint me to be known as the Mister's wife or as the Lady with all those children.<br />
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Since when did such a blessed position become so despised? Since when did it become embarrassing to have a rich life centered around those at home? Since when? For what reason? (I know the answer, but these questions must be asked!!!) Shame on anyone who belittles a woman for living out the very essence of womanhood, for only women can be wives and mothers. And sisters, we must not put ourselves down. No one can love, honor, help and complement your husband like you do. No one. You were created for him; own that. No one can raise, teach, love, correct, and build up your children like you can. Be there for them, rather than push them away.<br />
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Home is everything. The people God has given you within the walls of your home are everything. Embrace that.<br />
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#homelife #wifelife #motherhood #Biblicalwomanhood #marriage #wife #mama #Godsdesign #love #noidlebread<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B86ReO6BlB8/?igshid=1fncp4go0k4pf">from my Instagram</a></span></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-47509764810361109392020-02-21T22:24:00.000-05:002020-02-21T22:39:10.587-05:00Motherhood & Reading God's Word (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, you really want to read God’s Word every day but aren’t sure where to start. To begin, we must change our thinking.<br />
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<i><b>Reject the idea that you are too busy or don’t have time.</b></i><br />
We know that reading God’s Word is God’s will for us. The Scriptures teach us:<br />
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<i> “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”</i><br />
<i>Matthew 4:4</i><br />
<i>***</i><br />
<i>Your word I have hidden in my heart,</i><br />
<i>That I might not sin against You.</i><br />
<i>Psalm 119:11</i><br />
<i>***</i><br />
<i>All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</i><br />
<i>2 Timothy 3:16-17</i><br />
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And since reading His Word is God’s will for us, then we must see to it. A popular quote by Elisabeth Elliot says, “There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” Bit by bit throughout the day, we can create the habit, right in the midst of what we’re doing.<br />
Here’s how...<br />
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<i><b>Keep a Bible open all day.</b></i><br />
When something is accessible, we tend to use it more often. I remember my Granny always having her Bible open at the dining room table or on the shelf near her seat at the table, ready to use. I remember her facial expression as she would look up at me to answer a question or tell me something. I remember how she would turn the worn pages back and forth. I remember seeing the pages of her Bible marked by her hand-written notes and underlined passages. She diligently studied God’s Word.<br />
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So, I’ve learned over the years to just keep my Bible open--on the kitchen counter, on the dining room table, in the school room, etc.--just keep it open to whatever passage I’m reading. For me, the kitchen counter or dining room table are my go-to places for having the Word available all day. These places tend to be the hub of my home anyway, which makes God’s Word easy to read while I’m waiting for something to bake or cook, or for a litte whie at the end of a meal.<br />
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<i><b>Align Bible reading with something you already do.</b></i><br />
What is the first thing you can think of that must be done daily? Eating! And that is the perfect time to read God’s Word, which kind of coincides with Matthew 4:4 above, doesn’t it? Read while you eat, and since most of us are eating as a family, read together!<br />
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We read our Bibles toward the end of breakfast time each day as the unofficial start to our homeschool day. We’ve invested to make sure each child who is able to read has their own Bible. (For my non-readers, we use a good picture Bible.) We make sure everyone is reading from the same translation and we dig in together. (Note: Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to speak to and influence your children as you read through meaty passages. No need to skip them or alter them. God’s Word is for children, too. He will increase their understanding, just as He does yours!)<br />
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Another thing we all do each day is to use the bathroom, yes? And, how many of us moms, if we’re honest, have gone to the bathroom simply for a few minutes alone, or for quiet and refreshing? Well, while you’re in there, get some time in the Word. . .which means the bathroom is another place where you can just leave the Bible open. See how this works?<br />
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<b><i>What should I read?</i></b><br />
Before I give my opinion to this question, remember what the Scripture teach us in 2 Timothy 2:16-17:<br />
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<i>All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,</i></div>
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<i>for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,</i></div>
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<i>that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</i></div>
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So, there is no wrong answer. All of God’s Word is good to read.<br />
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What I’ve been doing lately is to read all the way through books of the Bible that I’m not familiar with or am trying to gain a more thorough understanding of. I will read just a few verses each day, generally using the headers that are available in most Bibles these days as starting and stopping points. If what I read at one point is something I need a deeper understanding of, I will read it again the next time. I also will take the time to look up other verses that may coincide with the passage for greater understanding before continuing on.<br />
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I have read through Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, John, and Hebrews using this method. I am currently reading the book of Isaiah, bit by bit. The children and I read through the book of John over the summer and fall. This has been so helpful in increasing my understanding, allowing me to soak up God’s Word and not be overwhelmed.<br />
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Other places to begin reading may be:<br />
Start with Genesis and move forward.<br />
Read Proverbs and Psalms or begin with one of the Gospels.<br />
Read something you never read like the minor prophets, the book of Jude or Revelation.<br />
Above all, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and He will.<br />
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<i><b>Memorize Scripture</b></i><br />
This is another one that is easily family friendly. I choose Scriptures that are essential to our faith and doctrine as Believers that we learn as a family. We work on memorizing these verses at breakfast or lunch, just working on one verse until we know it before moving on to the next. Some mom’s post Scripture verses up throughout the house to see what they are memorizing regularly: on the fridge, in pretty font on the wall, posted on the bathroom mirror, sticky notes, etc. It will surprise you just how much you are able to retain!<br />
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I hope you are encouraged more than ever to read God’s Word regularly. You’d be surprised at how much the Word will resonate with your spirit as you fill it up with what God wants for you. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit as He goes about making God’s Word alive in your heart!<br />
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<i>Your word is a lamp to my feet</i></div>
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<i>And a light to my path.</i></div>
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<i>-Psalm 119:105</i></div>
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How do you incorporate reading God’s Word into your daily rhythm?<br />
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-59361752306143535802020-02-21T20:06:00.001-05:002020-02-21T22:40:10.037-05:00Motherhood and Reading God's Word (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Written a couple of months ago. . .</i><br />
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I am in a day-by-day season of life where my days aren’t always as predictable as I’d like them to be. I am mama to 8, my youngest being just 4 months old, and my oldest a few months shy of 17 years old. I have many things going on, at one time, to say the least. If I’m busy doing all the things--late night nursing, homeschooling, diaper changes, helping my husband, keeping my home, teaching teens to drive--where do I have time to study God’s Word?<br />
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Throughout my mothering journey, I’ve heard all kinds of things said on the subject. Some will tell women not to worry about reading the Bible during the newborn days, for example, because the Lord will understand the time constraints a little one places on the schedule. If we go that route, we fall into a habit of not reading the Word, convincing ourselves that we just don’t have time.<br />
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On the other hand, some will wonder why it is you don’t participate in all the online Bible studies or every small group your church offers. This makes us feel guilty because we aren’t able to keep up with everyone else.<br />
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We can also place unreasonable demands on ourselves when it comes to reading the Bible. Somewhere along the way we think that to effectively study and read God’s Word we need these types of things: a friend or group to read along with us, a dedicated reading space, a specified amount of time, complete quiet, special highlighters and pens, no interruptions, a note-taking system, a fancy journal to write those notes in, or a beautifully brewed cup of coffee or tea.<br />
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Then we worry about how much we’re reading or what we should be reading. So, maybe we try out one of those “read the Bible in a year” plans that we’ve all seen. We begin the plan, reading huge chunks of Scripture each day, regardless of what we’re able to retain, just in order to check the box. Then life happens and you miss a day. What then? How can you make up all that reading if you are so busy? You try to double up, but you feel overwhelmed. The truth is, doubling up doesn’t work, you’ve lost your place on the plan, so you stop reading altogether. That is the exact opposite of what the goal is meant to be.<br />
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While reading plans, study groups, highlighters and coffee can be motivating, they aren’t necessary. And, although motivating, they can be a distraction. I once heard it said that hiding God’s Word in your heart (according to Psalm 119:11) is not a race but a life-long habit. In other words, be consistent and remain committed. Keep it simple; no need to complicate things.<br />
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You may be wondering, how do I know what to read? When do I even have the time to read? How do I become consistent in God’s Word? Head over to <a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2020/02/motherhood-reading-gods-word-part-2.html">Part 2 </a>where I’ll share some tips that have helped me, as well as a bit of what I’ve been doing lately. Instead of stressing, remember the main thing is to stay connected to God through His Word.<br />
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<i><a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2020/02/motherhood-reading-gods-word-part-2.html">Click here for Part 2.</a></i><br />
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-44504720196505786592020-01-03T14:59:00.000-05:002020-01-13T15:35:25.413-05:00Homeschooling with a Newborn: Revised for Moms of Older Children<b id="docs-internal-guid-5d2240ce-7fff-f829-66fc-b638a78c81c5" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2019/08/new-baby-girl.html">I just had my 8th child at the end of the summer, a sweet little baby girl to welcome into our home! </a>Although she is the 5th child to be born in our family since we started homeschooling, this is the first time I’ve had a newborn with high school aged students. And, I must say, this is a game-changer!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You see, homeschooling with a newborn looks different depending upon the season. My 3 oldest children are 12, 14, and 16 which means they are <i>super </i>helpful with daily tasks. However, when we first started homeschooling, these same children were 4, 6, and 8--and we had a little one born about 4 months in. Some of the advice given to homeschool moms with a newborn on the way may not apply to those who have both older and younger children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Usually, moms are encouraged to take it slow, to pop in a movie for science or history, and to cuddle as much as possible on the couch reading aloud. I must say, I’ve done my fair share of this over the years, with my little ones. And it continues to be a life-saver for my children under 8 years old. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it doesn’t quite work this way when children are earning high school credit or are a part of dual enrollment at community college. Additionally, my little one was born one week after we began our new homeschool year, so we didn’t have much time to establish new routines. This is what I’ve done to adjust in this season and I hope it helps you if you find yourself in a simliar season as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Stick to Tried and True</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now is not the time to change what works for your family life and homeschool! Stick to the natural routines that everyone is used to. Adjust time frames if necessary, but continue going with the flow. For us, this means we start each day with breakfast, Bible, then Math. We’ve begun our homeschool day like this for 8 years and it works for us. Now breakfast might start some days at 9 rather than 8, but the routine is the same.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Repeat Scheduling</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doing the same thing daily (for the most part), and in the same order is a life-saver right now. I used to try to follow the advise of, <i>Language Arts on Mondays and Wednesdays and Science on Tuesdays and Thursdays,</i> for example. Problems arose when something interrupted our week because that meant I’d have to wait until the following week before getting back to that subject. Now, every day (except Fridays) our schedule is the same, with a few exceptions. I don’t have to remember what subject is tied to which day (which is particularly helpful when I don’t know what day it is because my newborn has kept me up all night). Because I’m doing most subjects each day, we are doing a little each day rather than huge chunks of one subject, which is great for my younger children. And, if a day doesn’t go as planned, I know the very next day I can pick up where I left off.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Increasing Independence</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Somehow, a newborn baby sheds light on just how much older everyone else is. So, utilize your children’s independence as much as possible. Mama being out of commission for a couple of weeks is an eye-opener to what assignments they can take on. So, who’s ready to make simple meals? Who can wash the dishes or set the table? Which child can help take out the trash or load the laundry? The newborn days have been a good time for our family to transition into the next level of responsibility for household chores. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The same idea holds true for schooling. Maybe it’s time for your children to share some of the reading for read alouds, while you do the listening. Sometimes, my older children check their younger siblings’ schoolwork, which frees me to check theirs (think: Calculus and Physics!). My older ones also pitch in with photocopying and filing papers, arts-and-crafts and P. E. activities as well. Let them assist you by taking charge of a few new things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I hope this has been a help to you, as I am writing from the haze of newborn sleepiness! What ways do you adjust your homeschool life when a new baby is born?</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>For more newborn encouragement,<a href="https://no-idle-bread.blogspot.com/2013/04/lessons-from-my-newborn.html"> click HERE.</a></i></span></span></div>
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-87743420179753022742019-12-28T17:25:00.000-05:002019-12-29T21:31:36.243-05:00Like Mother, Like Daughter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me holding baby number 8<br />
My little girl (baby #6) holding her stuffies.</td></tr>
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Like mother, like daughter. . .<br />
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My liitle girl told me she needed to carry her babies just like me, so we rigged a scarf up to do so.💞😘😍<br />
As I tied the scarf behind her back, it occurred to me that this is a reminder to me to be careful of the example I set before my children. The truth is that they are ALWAYS watching.... waaaaayyyy more than I think they are.<br />
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As a mother to 5 daughters, I've got lots of girly eyes watching me. My prayer is that my girls follow me as I follow Christ. I pray that I am an example of godly living, that through the help of the Holy Spirit I live out the biblical principals of the Proverbs31/Titus2 woman. I pray they see the value in embracing biblical womanhood, of being wives and mothers who diligently work in their homes and all the blessings that flow from it.Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-90657873653546655172019-12-07T11:13:00.000-05:002019-12-07T11:13:15.083-05:00Birthday Boy{From my Instagram}<br />
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We had a birthday this week!! The top set of pictures is the last day of 7 years for my little ol' boy! Reflecting over his precious life is like 😘😍😁😊 on the outside, but 😭💙😭💙😭💙 on the inside! #sogladtoseehimgrow #theygrowtooquickly<br />
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I am so blessed to have the gift of being his mama. #lovemotherhood<br />
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You may or may not know . . .<br />
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-he is our rainbow baby and that God used his life to speak to our hearts in such a mighty way. #forevergrateful<br />
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-people never counted the members of our family until I was visibly pregnant with him (or S T A R E D at us, or made comments/jokes/rude remarks etc., or started talking fertility in the middle of the grocery store). #nowords<br />
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-of out 8 children, he looks most like me, but it's hard to see because he blends in so well with the others. 😁 #Husbandhasstronggenes<br />
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-God brought him through a very major surgery just shy of 3 years ago, and I still struggle with the words to write about it. #WonderWorkingGod #prayersstillappreciated<br />
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-he is a ray of sunshine and will leave you choked up and smiling all at the same time. #tenderhearted<br />
Y'all, what can I say? I'm a mama who loves her son!<br />
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On his birthday, we began the day blowing up birthday balloons and thanking God for his life!!!! {{E I G H T Y E A R S}}<br />
Husband was home that day, so no need to wait for the evening for the festivities to begin...which means birthday cake and presents right after breakfast, PLUS #Husband announced no school today! #homeschoolperk😁 #goodcall #principalmove<br />
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Thank you all for all of the love you've shown him today!💞 He has been beaming all. day. long!!!!🎉🎊🎂<br />
Birthday pictures are below.<br />
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#number4 #lastdayat7 #firstdayateight #breakfastcelebration #myson #motherandson #myboyandme #mamalovesyou #mybaby #birthdaythings #growingup #thankGod #suchablessing #capturingmoments #loveveryday #love #noidlebread<br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-23923718379841351452019-08-29T22:20:00.000-04:002019-08-29T22:20:55.051-04:00New Baby Girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Wednesday, August 28, 2019,</div>
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God blessed our family with a new baby girl!!</div>
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She was born at 10:14 am</div>
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7 lbs, 4.5 oz, 20 inches</div>
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This makes 8 children in our family: 3 sons and 5 daughters. My husband and I are so grateful for this newest gift from God, as only He can do all things well!</div>
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This year, there have been many changes for my family, lots of journeys, with enough twists and turns to qualify to be a reality TV show. I hope to update and share in this space again very soon! All in all, I know the One who is writing this story and so I will put my trust in Him.</div>
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-50229974918599046892019-03-06T20:34:00.004-05:002020-12-07T17:42:39.962-05:00Book Review: The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNTKWSaFg28/X86u4gfre_I/AAAAAAAAY84/ncHLC6jQEMMjviqFASX6AR9CFVr0ElITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s583/BookButtonBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNTKWSaFg28/X86u4gfre_I/AAAAAAAAY84/ncHLC6jQEMMjviqFASX6AR9CFVr0ElITQCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h640/BookButtonBible.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>THE TINY TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED BIBLE:<br />The Incredible Story of Who God Is, Who You Are, and Who You Were Made to Be</b><br />
Created By: Joanna Rivard & Tim Penner</td></tr>
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The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible is a great way to present God's Word to young children. I would say it is perfect for little ones between the ages of 2 and 7. All of my little ones in that age range flock to this book every time I pull it out. They LOVE the pictures! And the truth is, I do, too!! They are bright and colorful, and it's nice to see Biblical illustrations that are more culturally diverse.<br />
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<i>{Although Biblical illustrations are not necessary, and none of them could be called completely accurate, what we do know is that most are grossly inaccurate. Most illustrations depict people of Anglo-Saxon, when the entire Bible takes place in present day Meditterranen, Northern African, and Arabic countries. That eats at me from a historical perspective. Anyway, the point is the pictures are surprisingly refreshing!}</i><br />
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This children's Bible is a collection of select stories, 15 from the Old Testament and 18 from the New Testament. Although is is heavily paraphrased, it is very well-written. In general, the integrity of each story is maintained (some discrepancies here and there) and the stories are clearly retold. I do wish that each story included the actual Scripture reference so that children know where to find the entire account in the <i>real</i> Bible, understanding that it was recorded there first. I am a firm believer that children's ears should grow accustomed to hearing the Word of God to build familiarity with it. Because of this, we use children's Bibles as supplemental only.<br />
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At any rate, this is a great supplement to family Bible time! Children will be drawn to the pictures and its simple narrative--most of my little ones can read it on their own. I'm glad we have a copy!<br />
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An excerpt from the back cover:<br />
"This Bible connects each individual story to the next, clearly showing how all the stories of the Old and New Testament fit together to tell the one big story of God's great love for his children. The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible helps children discover:<br />
-Who God is--the one who made everything and everyone<br />
-Who we are--his children, whom he loves no matter what<br />
-What we were made for--to love God and others"<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQmGMZhcYlf9t2zebUPqv2xJi3OgH1owH39ZJxk5VcNDsS6IQ36R8xoe8bYIY9bqY1lgQIR7iFxvYSBHdTaZSdAplTOZ1nyzq_CI6xNQvg-ZcxY3W1Ee6maTJ071PRHPKtKXFbsdjxuU/s583/BookButtonBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQmGMZhcYlf9t2zebUPqv2xJi3OgH1owH39ZJxk5VcNDsS6IQ36R8xoe8bYIY9bqY1lgQIR7iFxvYSBHdTaZSdAplTOZ1nyzq_CI6xNQvg-ZcxY3W1Ee6maTJ071PRHPKtKXFbsdjxuU/s320/BookButtonBible.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>(I received a copy of this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <</span><a href="http://booklookbloggers.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #0c6bbf; font-size: small; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">http://booklookbloggers.com</a><span style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; text-align: right;">> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)</span><br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-15591132306541159432019-02-01T20:50:00.001-05:002019-03-06T20:35:12.687-05:00How's the Money Managed?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Newest vlog is up and running! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Husband can't remember what day it is and </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I've got the deep-conditioner under the head wrap look going on, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but it's real life! </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="heart emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;"><3</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This month's married folks topic: How's the money managed? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Click below to watch!</span></div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-71138171854646222702019-01-26T20:37:00.000-05:002019-01-26T20:37:36.263-05:00As Our Children Grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My sweet boy, 4th born, asked me the other day, “Mommy, how old do you have to be to be a big kid?” This, just days before he turns 7 years old. I told him, “You have to be at least 8.” And as soon as the words flew out of my mouth, his sweet life flashed before my eyes: my rainbow baby, the health concerns he’s been through and what he’s overcome, his bright smile and his sense of humor. I thought, “Here we go again, I’ve been here before.”<br />
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There is much ebbing and flowing in parenting. And much like the shift between infant days and toddler years, there’s an I’m-getting-older shift, too. I see it in my son: the I can take care of things attitude, the wittiness because he actually understands the joke, increase in level of ability and skill, beginning to turn the corner on reason vs. imagination. This may occur at different ages for different children, but like I said, I’ve been here before with my 3 children before him, and if God says the same, I’ll see it again with the children after him.<br />
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As I recall all his squishy baby days, all the neck cuddles, all the sleepless nights, all the times I held him or wore him in a wrap around the house, I must be careful. . . careful to embrace his growth as God’s will for his life and not wish for all the days gone by. Time passes so quickly and I try so diligently to record as much as I can (hence this blog and <a href="http://instagram.com/noidlebread">Instagram</a>). As much as it tugs at my heart that his little boy days are beginning to slide into his older boy days, I know more blessings await.<br />
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The older children have taught me the beautiful combination of laboring and harvesting years. When they were little, there was a lot of time spent laying foundations, lots of seeds planted, lots of watering and weeding. But those three, who are now 15, 13, and 11, have shown me some good, ripe fruit for the labor. And there is still more laboring yet to do, but what a blessing their lives are! Not only are the cute little baby days a gift from God, but these "teenagery" days have been a delight as well.<br />
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What a thought: I delight in my teenagers! Counter-cultural? Yes. Gift from God? Absolutely!<br />
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They are like a new set of friends, talking with me for hours on end about everything imaginable. They share new experiences with me, have supported me through some very sad days, give me random hugs just because, and let me tell you, the laughter, the singing, the dancing--just a gift. Then there are their thoughts on life, about the world, about their Faith, about others; these are when I feel the most grateful, to hear that their perspectives are God-fearing.<br />
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Now, lest you be hoodwinked into thinking that I think my children are perfect, I’d be the first to say, that is not the case. Again, more watering and weeding with lots of prayer. But what I am saying is that the older years are a delight as well. They present us with new challenges and unknowns for sure. However, I reject the notion that somehow because my child is in double digits or has “teen” in their age that they are no longer enjoyable or that this gives them the license to behave unruly. God’s Word is true, children are an inheritance and reward from the Lord, and are to be trained in the ways of righteousness, with the expectation of obedience, regardless of age. {<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+127%3A3-5%3B+Proverbs+22%3A6%2C+6%3A20-21%3B+Ephesians+6%3A1-3&version=NKJV">Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6, 6:20-21; Ephesians 6:1-3</a>} These blessings and responsibilities apply to teens, too!<br />
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Anyway, if you see me somewhere, smiling through my tears, it’s because there’s a shift happening and I’m so blessed to be a part of it.<br />
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<i>a belated post</i></div>
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<i>from the archives of my heart</i></div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-80927176311032557112019-01-09T17:22:00.002-05:002019-01-10T10:06:06.912-05:00Starting Up Again: Homeschooling After a Break<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-f7645d28-7fff-5d25-3f5e-4a7ce94dc7d6" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Many homeschoolers have enjoyed taking a break from school to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and New</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Year's Day with their families and friends. After all the special memories made, fellowship, good food and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre;">merriment, </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre;">it can be difficult to get into the swing of things again. January stretches out before us, a roll of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre;">endless </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre;">winter days. Most of us know that we have all the way until May or June before the closing of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">academic year. How do we get back on track??</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Know Where You Left Off</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I know I am guilty of and declaring at the end of one our school days, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We’re finished until such and such</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">date! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And I haven’t always stopped to check every assignment or subject because we are all in break </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mode. So, to begin again, it starts with me. I have to take one or two days before resuming to note where </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">we left off. I get caught up with any assignments that need to be checked so I know exactly where each </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">child will begin in each subject.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ease Back into the Routine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I do NOT recommend just jumping back in, feet first, full-steam ahead with sit-down instruction. Instead, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">take a couple of days to gently practice getting back into a basic </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">time</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> routine, minus the school work: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">waking up at regular time, putting nap times back in place, having meals at their regular times, chores and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">housework, bedtime is back on schedule, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">During school breaks--and especially when my husband is off from work--our days and nights run into </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A Few Subjects at a Time</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This isn’t a new one to homeschoolers as we usually begin our academic year this way, so why not use </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">it after a long break? Instead of teaching all subjects to all children on the first day back, we start with </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For the first few weeks after a big break, I try to keep our outside commitments to a minimum. We stay </span><br />
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-72881496346476611252018-12-22T20:10:00.002-05:002018-12-22T20:10:44.016-05:00Moving, Pizza, College, and Choosing a Church {{November + December 2018 Video Updates}}Ooops!!! I've been a bit tardy in posting our videos here on the blog for the last 2 updates of the year. . . as most families do, we have lots going on. Check out our updates below!!<br />
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So, we managed to squeeze in our November family update the other day, which marks one year of making videos! Thanks for sticking with us!</div>
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Check out Husband's new nickname and where we eat for family night.</div>
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Also, putting an offer on a house, Thanksgiving recap--complete with a little football commentary, and end of semester goals.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Hey Y'all! The last video of the year is up and rolling. Small life updates,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">plus the latest discussion topic: Married couples choosing a church home when the two of you are from different Christian traditions.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">**BONUS: The Train Game!! Play along if you remember how this one goes!**</span></span></div>
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<i>Enjoy the kindness and love of the season as many Believers around the world celebrate the Birth of Our Lord during this time. May you enjoy your family and friends and loving times of fellowship. I pray that we would all do well to carry the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace and gentleness in our hearts, not only in this season, but the whole year through.</i></div>
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<i>Glory to God in the highest, Peace on earth, Goodwill toward men!</i></div>
Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-53194169982117856972018-11-18T23:37:00.000-05:002018-11-18T23:37:03.990-05:00The Promise of God's Presence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am still plugging along in the book of Exodus in my daily Bible reading and wanted to share a bit of what I'm reading. I read through Exodus once with my children and I am visiting it again. I previously read through Deuteronomy, in conjunction with the book of Hebrews, to gain more understanding of the loving Law of God.<br />
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<i>**Interesting note: anytime we read in the New Testament of someone quoting Scripture or referring to Scripture, they are talking about the Old Testament because the New hadn't yet been formed as something to refer to.**</i></blockquote>
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I am on a little quest to understand the Old Scriptures as much more than "something we don't do anymore since we have Jesus." While that is very much true in many regards, that thinking <i>can</i> lead to a dismissive attitude and a disregard concerning the Old Testament. That only gives way to a lack of understanding of the Father and His character. There's a reason<i> all </i>of Scripture was preserved for us, down through the ages <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16-17&version=NKJV">(2 Timothy 3:16-17)</a>. Graciously, the Lord is deepening my understanding of the beauty of the Old Testament Scriptures as they relate to the New Testament, the unfolding of one Word of God. I'm just soaking it in, bit by bit, hence how long it has taken me to ready just 3 books of the bible--almost one year!<br />
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Any way, here is a beautiful passage of Scripture I read from Exodus 33 and I keep returning to it again and again. The back drop for this passage comes after the debacle in the wilderness where the children of Israel make a molded calf while Moses is meeting with God on Mt. Sinai. The Lord says earlier in the chapter that he will send His Angel to lead them into the Promised Land, but He will not be in their midst to go up with them, lest they be consumed on the way for their grievous offense (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A1-3&version=NKJV">see vs. 1-3</a>). Moses entreats the Lord on behalf of the people and this is the exchange:<br />
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<i>Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people."</i></div>
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<i>And he said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."</i></div>
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<i>Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."</i></div>
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<i>So the LORD said to Moses, " I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name."</i></div>
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<i>And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."</i></div>
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<i>Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me and live." And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen." </i></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33&version=NKJV">Exodus 33:12-23</a></i></div>
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Ladies, I cannot express just how great the love of the Father is. Oh, His mercy is abundant and He lavishes His grace upon us, even though we deserve far worse. There is so much that is evident here: friendship, loyal love, humility, grace, forgiveness, prayer, holiness, favor, blessing, protection . . .</div>
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And as usual, a few songs come to mind. Of course that timeless hymn: "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee" and then a song my Grandfather would hum at any moment of any day: "If I could I surely would stand on that rock where Moses stood". . . All of these "Rock" references point us to Jesus, who is the Rock, the Chief Cornerstone. The old saints would sing: "Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, He's a Shelter in the time of a storm."</div>
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Be encouraged; stay in His Word; cling to the One who is Faithful and True.</div>
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<i>What are you reading in your Bible? What verses do you return to again and again?</i></div>
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Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-41558525274006139412018-11-06T19:11:00.000-05:002018-11-06T19:11:46.504-05:00Happy Homemaker Face<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From my <a href="http://instagram.com/noidlebread">Instagram</a>...<br />
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The face I make when I don't have to be out of the house for the entire week!!!!! Being on the go all the time is not my jam, but has been the rhythm for this particular season of life. So when I looked at my schedule and saw that I had a break, thanks to my #Husband sharing the load, I got happy, y'all!! 😁 Being able to be at home, working each day to care for my home life, educate my children and help my husband is. the. best. ever! To be in the place God has for me isn't always easy, but it's where I have learned God's way for family life, where I have found peace, fulfillment, understanding, joy and more. It is such a blessing that I am grateful for every day. 🌸 #growing #learning<br />
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Quotes to ponder....<br />
"It comes naturally, replied his wife. There's a lot of work to it, but on the whole it is pleasant work." From The Trumpet of the Swans, says the female swan to the cob, as he marvels over the way she prepares her nest 😊 #goodliterature #2ndgradereading #homeschoolmom<br />
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"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, on home and family 💞 #faithfulness #sacrifice<br />
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#wife #wifelife #mother #motherhood #mama #familyeducation #homeschool #homemaking #homelife #largefamilyliving #giftfromGod #anoffering #grateful #love #noidlebreadStaciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163323533274040183.post-59406534518591393752018-11-02T08:11:00.000-04:002018-11-03T21:23:47.640-04:00October 2018 {Vlog #11} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: left;">The October Vlog is up and rolling! (I know, it's already November, but better late than never!)</span></div>
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Join us for a little bit of an update on our son, number 4 (thank you for your prayers); our oldest daughter (number 1) and her community college classes--education vs. indoctrination; flag football season is OVER for the boys (I'm happy about that one 😁); and we are planning to move our large family! Watch below or, click this link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ys8gZB5A6A</div>
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<br />Staciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17869552571064566480noreply@blogger.com0