Monday, August 2, 2010
Branson
Money's really tight. I know many others would say the same. Never could we possibly imagine taking a vacation with how strapped we are! God knows when we need a break, and boy have we needed one! Jason and Eilene, Joshua and Jenna's godparents and very dear friends of ours, invited us to join them for a week in Branson...FREE LODGING! Jason's parents have a time share and generously offered to let us use it. The resort is beautiful! We are staying at the Wyndham Branson at The Meadows. I have pictures to post, but for some reason, Blogger isn't allowing me to upload them. I will try again later :) Right now, I have two very antsy toddlers anxious to check-out the playground!
Friday, July 30, 2010
OKCHopeLink - Mom's Night Out
The pictures below are some of the most amazing, strong women I know. HopeLink connects mom's who have children with rare and undiagnosed dissorders. I just love these ladies! I joined the group early this year and truly regret not joining when I first heard of HopeLink (last year). I'm eager to keep everyone updated on future happenings. Last night was a much needed Mom's Night Out! Cafe do Brasil...excellent food!
Left to right: Brittany, Me, Ryan, Crystal, Amy, Nellie and Robyn
looking back and some disappointing news
Yesterday marked a very special anniversary in the life of Jenna. Two years ago, yesterday, Jenna came home from the hospital! I remember being so scared. No nurses to help...just me and Nick. By the grace of God, we made it through that first night...and then the next...and the next. Thank you, Jesus, for helping us!
Then...
...and now!
God has been performing miracles in sweet Jenna, and I know He will continue to do so.We could really use one of His miracles now. I spoke with Jenna's GI doctor today and unfortunately, Jenna's liver function is still poor. Her results were nearly exact compared to January's results, which was the last time she was tested. If her numbers do not improve within the next 3 months, she will need a liver biopsy. Dr. Sferra explained that since the numbers are not improving that there is current damage. From day one, Jenna has baffled the doctors in regards to her condition, the positives and negatives alike. Please remember Jenna in your prayers...especially over the next 3 months. We were hoping for a Colorado Christmas, but Jenna's health is our top priority.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life as we know it...
Yes, life as we know it is most certainly going to change. This Fall, Joshua starts Kindergarten. No, not at the local school, but here...at home...at my mercy (insert evil laugh). Okay, seriously, I'm really excited! Joshua is so eager to learn. Everyday, he's asking how to spell a new word; pointing to things and asking about them; reciting the Pledge of Allegiance; etc. Why skip Pre-K? Some of you may be wondering. Well, I think Joshua is a little advanced (perhaps I'm biased). Joshua knows his entire alphabet (upper and lowercase); he can sound-out letters in attempts to read; he can write quite well; knows his shapes, letters, colors, and numbers (1-20); and, finally, his planets! I'm sure I'm forgetting something that he knows, but you get the idea.
Alright...mommy bragging is done...for now!
I can't wait to go to Mardel and buy things to go on the wall. Ahhhh!! The smell of books, crayons and laminated charts. Yes, I'm aware I sound a little off. I take pride in my offness (if that's even a word...well, it is now)! I plan on incorporating quite a few subjects, but of course the amount will be light and will entail lots of coloring, field trips to the Zoo, and Science Museum. Okay, more bragging... Joshua has a huge fascination with the weather and I plan on encouraging and feeding that interest. Anytime there is a storm, or even just clouds in the sky, Joshua says, "I'm going to wait for the thunder! It might turn into a juicy storm!" Another favorite phrase, "Tornadoes come from juicy storms!" I've always been fascinated with the weather as well. Perhaps Joshua will be a meteorologist...he's certainly smart enough!
I'm pretty certain I have my curriculum choices down to 2 sources. Currently, my choices are My Father's World and Sonlight. I plan on supplementing with A Beka (mostly just for phonics and reading purposes). I think we could count AWANA as part of school too. I'm interested to hear some of your ideas. Care to share?
I can't believe August is so soon! Not sure I can pull everything together that quickly. I should've started this planning thing a lot earlier. On top of the planning, there's the money factor. Sonlight is not cheap! God will provide though and that will help determine which direction He wants us to go. I'm thankful I can just turn all of that over to Him and trust Him with it. The Lord most certainly knows what's best for Joshua and for me as we venture into this exciting new stage in life!
Looking back and reading what I've typed has really proven to me that homeschooling and resurrecting my blogging endeavors will be a good refresher! Who knows how many grammatical errors I've made! Sorry mom! You did teach me very well...I'm just a little rusty.
Can't wait to post pictures of our progress! Look forward to lots of proud mommy moments and hopefully creative bookkeeping, logs, etc. We'll see...this is definitely going to satisfy my "type A" instincts!
Alright...mommy bragging is done...for now!
I can't wait to go to Mardel and buy things to go on the wall. Ahhhh!! The smell of books, crayons and laminated charts. Yes, I'm aware I sound a little off. I take pride in my offness (if that's even a word...well, it is now)! I plan on incorporating quite a few subjects, but of course the amount will be light and will entail lots of coloring, field trips to the Zoo, and Science Museum. Okay, more bragging... Joshua has a huge fascination with the weather and I plan on encouraging and feeding that interest. Anytime there is a storm, or even just clouds in the sky, Joshua says, "I'm going to wait for the thunder! It might turn into a juicy storm!" Another favorite phrase, "Tornadoes come from juicy storms!" I've always been fascinated with the weather as well. Perhaps Joshua will be a meteorologist...he's certainly smart enough!
I'm pretty certain I have my curriculum choices down to 2 sources. Currently, my choices are My Father's World and Sonlight. I plan on supplementing with A Beka (mostly just for phonics and reading purposes). I think we could count AWANA as part of school too. I'm interested to hear some of your ideas. Care to share?
I can't believe August is so soon! Not sure I can pull everything together that quickly. I should've started this planning thing a lot earlier. On top of the planning, there's the money factor. Sonlight is not cheap! God will provide though and that will help determine which direction He wants us to go. I'm thankful I can just turn all of that over to Him and trust Him with it. The Lord most certainly knows what's best for Joshua and for me as we venture into this exciting new stage in life!
Looking back and reading what I've typed has really proven to me that homeschooling and resurrecting my blogging endeavors will be a good refresher! Who knows how many grammatical errors I've made! Sorry mom! You did teach me very well...I'm just a little rusty.
Can't wait to post pictures of our progress! Look forward to lots of proud mommy moments and hopefully creative bookkeeping, logs, etc. We'll see...this is definitely going to satisfy my "type A" instincts!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Jenna Update
Jenna had a GI appointment today. She is being prescribed an anti-acid medications. Mixed feelings about this. If it's short-term, it's no big deal. But long-term, we'll have to seek other options if her acid isn't fixed quickly. I was talking with my mom about it this afternoon. She said that long-term, anti-acid medications (such as Prevacid, Nexium, etc.) block essential nutrients from absorbing into your system. My mom speaks from experience...due to her anti-acid medications, she does not absorb Vitamin B, iron and others. I tried to ask her doctor about the side affects of long-term usage, but he started talking about something else and I forgot :(
We are waiting to hear from Pediatric Radiology about getting Jenna in for an Upper GI to see just how severe her hernia is. If it's not a big deal, we'd rather not put her through an unnecessary surgery. However, her doctor said her acid problem could be a result of the hernia. We will be meeting with Pediatric Surgery on the 26th to determine whether or not surgery is required. I'm praying for healing! Would you pray with me?
Some definite good news to report. I don't think I've blogged about this yet, but if I have, I apologize! Jenna has been bolus feeding since last week and so far things are going just great! Dr. Sferra (GI doctor) was happy to see she was doing so well with it. His excitement really encouraged me :) I asked him how long after she was eating enough orally to sustain her would she be able to have her Mic-Key button removed. He said it would be best to keep it in until she can orally take her meds as well. Most likely until she's 4 or 5. Since her meds are so crucial, there's no sense in taking any risks by assuming she will take her meds orally. I'm VERY relieved. I was worried they be in a hurry to take it out and we'd have to pin her down to administer meds. BIG RELIEF!!
Jenna is like a new little kid without her backpack on. I had no idea how much it was holding her back. She's so energetic! Running around, chasing her brother, getting into mischief...these are the days I have prayed for :) She still gets hooked-up to her pump when she goes to bed at night, but what a dramatic improvement to not have to use it during the day! Thank you Jesus for sustaining her glucose levels so she can have some freedom! God is so good :)
May is the much anticipated month where we can have Jenna out and about more. We miss our playgroup friends and having the freedom to go where we please. Please pray for Jenna's immune system...she needs much healing in that area.
We are waiting to hear from Pediatric Radiology about getting Jenna in for an Upper GI to see just how severe her hernia is. If it's not a big deal, we'd rather not put her through an unnecessary surgery. However, her doctor said her acid problem could be a result of the hernia. We will be meeting with Pediatric Surgery on the 26th to determine whether or not surgery is required. I'm praying for healing! Would you pray with me?
Some definite good news to report. I don't think I've blogged about this yet, but if I have, I apologize! Jenna has been bolus feeding since last week and so far things are going just great! Dr. Sferra (GI doctor) was happy to see she was doing so well with it. His excitement really encouraged me :) I asked him how long after she was eating enough orally to sustain her would she be able to have her Mic-Key button removed. He said it would be best to keep it in until she can orally take her meds as well. Most likely until she's 4 or 5. Since her meds are so crucial, there's no sense in taking any risks by assuming she will take her meds orally. I'm VERY relieved. I was worried they be in a hurry to take it out and we'd have to pin her down to administer meds. BIG RELIEF!!
Jenna is like a new little kid without her backpack on. I had no idea how much it was holding her back. She's so energetic! Running around, chasing her brother, getting into mischief...these are the days I have prayed for :) She still gets hooked-up to her pump when she goes to bed at night, but what a dramatic improvement to not have to use it during the day! Thank you Jesus for sustaining her glucose levels so she can have some freedom! God is so good :)
May is the much anticipated month where we can have Jenna out and about more. We miss our playgroup friends and having the freedom to go where we please. Please pray for Jenna's immune system...she needs much healing in that area.
Monday, February 1, 2010
March of Dimes
Jenna has a March of Dimes team for March of Babies (Saturday, May 1st Downtown OKC)! We'd love to have you join our team if you are up for a small amount of fund-raising; or, if you'd like to sponsor our team, we are accepting donations :) So far, we have 8 team members. Our team goal is set at $1000...very achievable! I'll show you why :) If we had 10 team members, each team member need only receive $10 donations from 10 individuals! Easy peasy!!
Here is the link to our team page if you'd like to read more...
Team Jenna
Here is the link to our team page if you'd like to read more...
Team Jenna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)