BUMMER – Surgery Needed

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ayson saw the orthopedic surgeon today, and it was disappointing news.  The bone broke the rest of the way since the accident – the ball part in the shoulder broke off the bone, and its now healing in the wrong way.  So, on Friday, he has to go in for it to be reset – breaking how it’s healing  now, resetting, and then shooting pins into the bone.  The surgery will be about 30 minutes and then an hour and a half recovery and he should be able to come home.  These pins will stay in 6-8 weeks and then will have them surgically removed.  He is rather bummed – we are bummed to for him.  He is such an active kid – always doing something, and it’s really slowing him down (but probably not as much as it should).  He works at a horse stable and can’t work there right now.  He misses playing his guitar.  So pray for him – that God will just give him a peace about this and that all will go well on Friday.

While I am typing this at a little coffee shoppe, our oldest son came in to chat with us.  He is in between work and his automotive evening class.  He listened about Jayson, and then said he had to go to the doctor today too.  He got a metal chip in his eye at the shop.  They are real good to him at his job, and set him up with an eye doctor for an "emergency", gave him a blank check and had someone drive him.  The eye doctor was able to get it all out and clean out his eye. It’s tender, but thankfully THAT went well! 

And we got a little news as far as my tests from last week, and I go in to the doctor on Thursday for the full details, but it looks like I have gallbladder stones.  It makes sense with the pains and symptoms now after reading on that. 

Does life slow down?!?!?!

I am short on time – but tomorrow I will share some good news.  We were given a gift that our whole family is very excited about it.  I have to get pictures of "it" and will share the story of  . . . ohhh, I am going to give it away, so come on back tomorrow! 

PTL! NO Surgery Needed!

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hat a day!  What a Mighty, Healing God we have!  Miracles still happen!   

About an hour after I found out that Jayson needed surgery (made quick calls and the hurried post below) and got to the hospital, another x-ray was ordered before taking Jayson to the other hospital, so the surgeons knew before exactly the extent of Jayson’s injuries.  A few minutes later, the ER doc walked into our room, and said, as he was shaking his head, his shoulder does not appear as bad as previously shown on his other x-rays . . . and the new x-ray showed a different angle and "somehow" it’s not dislocated anymore, and the fracture is NOT on the growth plate as previously thought.  And not only does he not need surgery right now, there is a very good possibility that it can heal on its own and he not need surgery at all!  WOW!  I looked at Jayson and said "Lots of people are praying".  I still get the goose bumps thinking of how it appeared to begin to heal before our eyes!

So many puzzle pieces as I see God working – it’s been unbelieveable.  When it first happened, I was rather ticked at him for driving his three wheeler so "recklessly".  His younger brother found this large metal strap that got caught up in the wheel which was the culprit of jamming his wheel, stopping it suddenly and flipping him over, and the bike on top of him.  So, I was able to tell him first thing at the hospital, "it was not your fault".  My husband took Jayson to ER and while waiting for the results, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law called to just talk, not knowing what was going on – so we had family praying right way.  After we got the results of not needing surgery, I called my mom-in-law, and she said she had just gotten off her knees from praying. So many e-mails and calls of the word getting out and people praying.   Oh, sometimes it seems God is so far off, it takes forever to get answers, the whys are there, and yet, when we can fall into these pits of uncertainties, He says, "Now wait, I AM here."  It was so evident today.

At this point surgery is not totally out of the picture. He sees an orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday.  The hard part is keeping Jayson laying low and not trying to do too much.  He loves to play his guitar, and cannot now.  (He just made a guitar and was thrilled to have Jeremy Camp, Thirty-Three Miles and their bands sign it this past Saturday at a concert).  Yet, tonight as I was talking to him, he said he is suppose to sing/play in church in a few weeks, and plans on singing Casting Crowns song, "Praise You in the Storm".  How God makes these words that had been going through his mind more real.

Thank you for praying.  I meant to get a post up much sooner than this, but it’s been a whirlwind of a day with a van that died, the accident, and then a houseful of Jayson’s friends here later.  We need times of celebration and we indeed have that!  We were all pretty discouraged when this first happened – another "not again" type situation that seems like too much – but God used to show us of His ever presence and that He is in control.  Please continue praying for Jayson – for a complete recovery.   

Now . . . somehow, I am trying to figure out how to bubblewrap all my kids!   

Urgent Prayer Request

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our 17 year old son, Jayson, rolled his 3-wheeler bike on him and crushed his shoulder.  He is having to have emergency surgery shortly and being taken to a larger hospital.  Please pray.  We are overwhelmed with all the stuff.  Please pray for him to get through surgery.  Will update later. 

Homemade Breadmachine Cinnamon Rolls

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e have enjoyed this recipe a couple of times in the past week. It is SO melt-in-your-mouth good!  I made it earlier in the week when we had guests and the kids asked for it again, so I altered it a little to make it a bit healthier, using half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose white flour, and it was still WONDERFUL!   This recipe makes 24 cinnamon rolls and can easily be cut in half.  What I like the best about it is the time it saves starting it out in my bread machine.

Warm up in saucepan but do NOT bring to boil:

• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of butter

Put in breadmachine and then add in:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour [or half white flour - half whole wheat flour]
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1½ tablespoons yeast
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs (fork beat first before adding in)

Put on dough cyle.  (My bread machine has a "quicK’ dough cyle and it has worked fine on this setting.)

Once dough is done, remove, and punch down.  If still real sticky, knead more flour in.  Divide dough into two parts.  On a well-floured surface, roll out dough into retangle as thin as possible.  Using about two tablespoons of soft butter for each part, spread butter over the entire retangle.

Mix together:

• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

Divide above mixture in half to put on each retangle, evenly. If desired,  sprinkle with 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts and/or raisins.

Roll up into two long logs.  Cut each log in half – and then each half into 6 rolls.  (To cut easily, dip knife into flour while slicing).  Using two 10×13 greased pans, place the rolls on, cut side down.  Cover and let rise about 45 minutes, until doubled in size (many times longer).

Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, until golden brown. 

While rolls are baking, combine the following for icing and put on hot cinnamon rolls after done baking:

• 4 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt   

ENJOY ! !

(You just don’t want to be calorie counting with this recipe!)

Baby Powder vs Barium Drink

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here IS a difference between barium liquid to drink and baby powder!  I wrote the post below last night before going to bed along with drinking the first  bottle.  The second bottle of it I put on my nightstand (not noting I was setting it next to baby powder) with an alarm set to take at 6:30 a.m.  I am not a morning person.  That alarm went off and I went to twist off the cap – I could not remember it being hard hard before but gave it a good twist, and then poured it into my mouth.  Baby powder does not taste good.  I don’t know if I swallowed or inhaled more from the surprise of it all!  YIKES!  Maybe it’s God’s way of making me (and especially my kids) laugh through this yucky situation!   

Our Baby – 5 Months Old

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e’s five months old today!  Oh, is he adored!  He is still quite petite and looks like a newborn.  He was just weighed at the doctor’s office today, and with a onsie on weighed 11 lbs. 7 oz.  He’s not even on the charts on the weight percentile, but is for his long length. He is wearing 3 month sized clothes.    All of our kids have been on the petite side, so I know it’s not just his slow start.  In some ways it’s like he’s our first baby, as I am doing things so differently with him.  Though I am still nursing him about three times a day, he’s getting formula and we started him on organic rice cereal.  My last babies I did not do this, knowing it can cause early allergies, but he was just not sleeping (so neither was I).  It’s made a HUGE difference – sleeping sometimes now, nine hours and as little as six hours.  At times I feel like I’ve failed and have been discouraged having to give him the formula and cereal . . . but then too, I see the extra bonding he has had with his siblings who love feeding him.  He is cooing and has the most gorgeous smiles and is on more of a schedule now. 

I’ve been having some medical tests done since his birth – which has made for more of a need with him having formula, since I’ve not been able to nurse him with some of them for a short period of time.  Today I am having a CAT scan done, and have to drink another big, gross, thick, gaggy bottle of barium (the first one being before bedtime).  Uuuugggg.   I’ve got a lot of hip/kidney area pain, and it’s just trying to rule out what it is.  I had an intervenous pyelogram (IVP) test  done several weeks ago, which did determine I have about five kidney stones but are in the kidney area, not blocking anything – thus should not be causing the pain (until they move on out – which I remember the pain of all too well).  So now we are seeing if it’s a bone density problem in my hip, scar tissue adhesions from the last 2 hour very invasive c-section, any masses or other bone problems.  Reading the doctor’s orders to "rule out mass" has been a little scary and it’s easy to let my mind take captive of the "what ifs".  My blood pressure has been back up, but the doctor does not want to put me on meds for it, until we rule out what it could be coming from including the pain.  And the waiting . . . that’s the worst!  So the CAT scan and other blood tests are being done today.  I don’t like getting older! 

Well, I gotta gulp down that barium stuff.  And wait . . . and pray . . . 

A Free Homeschool Recordkeeping Program

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husband and wife team combined their years of homeschooling, business and computer software industry experience to create the Homeschool Tracker program for the homeschool community.  They have two versions – a Basic version which is FREE and a one time $39 Plus program with free updates.  In looking this over and viewing their webpage and reading from others about it, it is very intriguing and something I am going to implement in the coming school year.

With the free version, there records for  attendance and hours, managing  assignments (along with copy and reschedule features), keeping track of your resources, a reading logs, a schedule for field trips, and a way to create several reports (field trips, student overviews, reading logs, report cards, resources used, teacher’s planner and time spent). There are templates for frequently-used assignments. If you aren’t much of a scheduler, or if you schedule some subjects but prefer a journal type approach for others, the basic version also includes a teacher’s journal.   Screenshots of the Basic edition and to download the program and user manual, check here.

Though I have not looked over the Plus program in a lot of depth, it appears that it makes it much easier to reuse the same programs for additional children and a great asset for transcripts.  For me, I think trying out the free version, and seeing how I like it, and if I can indeed use it, THEN see if the paid-for-version is needed.  Let me know if you have used this – likes or dislikes – the worthfulness of the paid program. 

In Other Words: Intimacy with Jesus

 

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s moms how often do we forget the joy of being a mom? We just continue along with the daily tasks of life, from making breakfast, cleaning up spilled milk, to reminders to children to complete schoolwork and chores, to watching the clock for curfew times to be met and hurrying children off to bed after a busy, tasked-filled day.  It can be wearing, overwhelming and the joy of motherhood is zapped.  I can forget to give my kids a hug or the much needed praise, overlook a handdrawn picture, and don’t take that time out I was going to, to re-read their favorite book (that I am tired of – but they are not).  I keep going with the daily tasks of keeping my house going – but I can get so involved in all the "chores" that I overlook the deepening of my relationships with my children.  The dishes can stay a few hours longer for a walk through the woods or smores at the firepit.  Snuggles in the rocking chair reading a favorite story will be remembered much longer than clean windows and the laundry being caught up.  A simple trip to the playground with a picnic will help towards deepening relationships  . . . to keep the communication doors open with the children. 

I wonder if Jesus thinks the same thing, when we forget our personal time with Him.  We can appear to "do service" things for Him – going to church, attending Bible studies, praying at mealtime, bringing our Bibles to church, and singing hymns and praises, but how do we REALLY get to know Him?  It is easy to "do" but when is the last time we sat down, just listened for God, really searched the Scriptures for what He wants to tell us, looked for answers in the Scripture for our personal struggles and goals?  Just as our relationships with our children, our husbands and family is work – takes time – takes commitment – so does our relationship with the Lord.  Just as my children and husband want more time with me that involves talking, laughing, sharing, and not just doing, but quality one on one time together, so does Jesus want this of me.  At times devotions can be hurried, just to "do our time and get it overwith" to say we’ve prayed and read our Bible . . . but what about getting to know Him more.  What about sitting at His feet learning.   

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Are you Am I a Martha or Mary – busy in the kitchen – or sitting at Jesus feet?

 

The quote at the top of this post is from the book by Joanna Weaver,  Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out ~ an amazing, thought-provoking and soul searching book – highly recommend. 

  ~~ ~ ~
If you have written about the above quote,
be sure to leave the link to your post below
and a comment.  Come along and visit the
women’s interpretations on this quote.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
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Homemade Pesto – YUMMY!

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ave you noticed the incredible high price of "pesto" or do you just avoid using this because of its cost? A quarter pint can be a minimum of $5 to $7!  YIKES!    We love it – but I cannot reason spending that much.  BUT, with summer here and gardens growing we can make it for a fraction of the cost and it’s oooohhhh . . .  so yummy!!!  Here’s how we make it with a view variations with what we might have (or not have) on hand.

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
• ½ cups fresh cilantro (packed)
• ½ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup walnuts
• 1½ cups shredded Parmesan OR Romano cheese (stronger taste)
• ½ cup cold pressed olive oil (this is approximate, as I drizzle it in when blending and what I need to use to make a paste)
• 4 large fresh garlic cloves (more or less to taste), minced
• Pinch of sea salt (to taste – add slowly as cheese is salty and can be overdone)
• Pinch of pepper
• 1 loaf of whole wheat french bread or a baguette – WARMED

Using a blender or food processor, I first put in nuts and get them chopped up a little, then gradually adding in the leaves alternating with a little oil, then slowly adding remaining ingredients (except bread) making a thick smooth paste.  Spread on sliced, warmed bread.  This is melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

OTHER IDEAS:

• Use all basil OR use all cilantro (2½ cups)
• Use spinach leaves instead of the cilantro and basil
• Do one of the above options and use only pumpkin seeds or walnuts instead of other two nuts

Pesto is also wonderful on pasta, baked potatoes or warmed toast in the morning!  Pesto can be kept in refridgerator for about one week (depending on freshness of your ingredients) or frozen for a few months.

The Loveliness of Summer Reading

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esterday I shared about our son’s "pet worm" and with the help of my readers we were able to find the actual name of it.    We have since found several insect books in our library system that has info on the Cecropia Moth Caterpillar.  The Loveliness of Summer Reading is finding treasures in books independantly, opening a new world of learning and discoveries.  It is not "required reading" yet just as much reading is done during the summer months, if not more, than the school year.  We are making at least two trips a week to the library, finding new treasures in books. It’s not just all "fluff" books (fiction) but many times because of things they discover outside (BUGS), they do research on to learn more about.  Gardening books, eatable plants, barbequing, and how to make birdhouses, pincushions and guitars have been just a few of the interests this summer. 

The best part of The Loveliness of Summer Reading is hiding away with that special book ~ sneeking off to the hayloft or porch swing ~ maybe under a large shaded tree capturing the warm summer breeze, or a couple of them hovering over a new "I Spy" book just retrieved from the library.  What a thrill it is for me "catch" them enjoying The Loveliness of Summer Reading. 

The Loveliness of Summer Reading is being hosted by Sarah.