In the past couple of days I have been thinking about all the life things that have and are happening in the lives of the people I love and care deeply about. Somehow, somewhere along the way of life I became a grown up, my friends have become grown ups, and life has happened. The idea of being invincible and nothing bad happening has gone away completely and the reality of life has settled in.
Becoming widowed mother of very young children, loosing a parent, loosing a brother or sister, loosing a child, loosing an infant. A marriage facing infertility. Marriage ending in divorce. Becoming the care giver for a parent. Having to make tough choices a child hopes to never have to make for their parent. Being jobless. Raising children and having those really bad days that you aren't proud of. Depression. Suicide. Cancer.
That is just a quick list that I can think of many of you reading this could add more to that list of the things we hope we never have to face. How do people who don't know Jesus personally face the things of life? How do they survive?
I don't know when I became a grown up. And I'm still not sure what I want to be. I do know I want to help others face life with Jesus.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Disobedience--Gunner's putting it all together
If you have hung out with me and Gunner I'm sure you've heard me say at least once that I want Gunner to be 'respectful and obedient.' To me those words cover the majority of things in life. Respect others, their space, their time, their things and obey, do what your asked to do the first time. (We are adding self-control but really if we could master those 3 things, I think we would have a fine young man on our hands.)
ANYWAY...tonight on the way to church Gunner starts telling me that Jonah was inside a whale for 10 days (so he's a little off on his facts), and that their were other fish and crabs in the whale, and it was dark and stinky. He then asked me why Jonah was in the whale. I told him because Jonah was disobedient. The conversation went on for a while until finally Gunner had the courage to ask the question that was on his mind "Mommy if I'm disobedient are you going to put me in the whale's belly?"
No wonder my boy didn't like Sea World!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Legoland
OK I am so far behind on blogging that I thought I would just start with the most exciting thing that has happened lately and go with it. Catching up at this point is, well...pointless!
So we took our first real family vacation to San Diego a couple of weeks ago and had a blast!
Yes, that's right the 4 of us flew to San Diego and stayed a week. We went to Legoland (for 3 days), the Sea Life Aquarium that is attached to Legoland (but you have to pay extra to enter), and Sea World. We also swam in the pool, picked strawberries, and shopped just a little.
Legoland is awesome for kids Gunner's ago up to probably 6 or so. There are only 2 roller coasters so most rides were suitable for his age and he had a blast. So people have said "really 3 days? Was there that much to do?" Not necessarily but Gunner is all about repetition and he was in heaven going to Legoland day after day. He would have again and again. He would ask us each night if he got to go to Legoland the next day.
Here are some fun pics.
So we took our first real family vacation to San Diego a couple of weeks ago and had a blast!
Yes, that's right the 4 of us flew to San Diego and stayed a week. We went to Legoland (for 3 days), the Sea Life Aquarium that is attached to Legoland (but you have to pay extra to enter), and Sea World. We also swam in the pool, picked strawberries, and shopped just a little.
Legoland is awesome for kids Gunner's ago up to probably 6 or so. There are only 2 roller coasters so most rides were suitable for his age and he had a blast. So people have said "really 3 days? Was there that much to do?" Not necessarily but Gunner is all about repetition and he was in heaven going to Legoland day after day. He would have again and again. He would ask us each night if he got to go to Legoland the next day.
Here are some fun pics.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pay Sussies Forward
I love getting "sussies"! What is a "sussie" you ask? A "sussie" is an unexpected gift....a surprise....a special little treat!
If you don't read Julie Ryker's blog, you should! She is a hoot. AND she gives great style advice. Check out the post What every woman should know. At any rate, she is the reason I am posting this post. I commented on her post about sussies and thought what the heck. I really hope 3 of you comment because I am in a crafty mood and I have some good gifts in mind!
So here's the rules:
I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and sent out sometime soon within the year. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive. What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ON YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.
Recap: The first three people who comment, commit to the PIF thing. The gifts are supposed to be hand made. I know a lot of you are probably thinking that you can't get in on it because you aren't "crafty" enough. If you really want in on it but don't find yourself crafty enough, I am sure it would be okay to support someone you know that has a handmade crafty kind of business. Buy a gift from them. Got it?
So hurry and be one of the top 3 so you can get a "sussie"
If you don't read Julie Ryker's blog, you should! She is a hoot. AND she gives great style advice. Check out the post What every woman should know. At any rate, she is the reason I am posting this post. I commented on her post about sussies and thought what the heck. I really hope 3 of you comment because I am in a crafty mood and I have some good gifts in mind!
So here's the rules:
I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and sent out sometime soon within the year. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive. What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ON YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.
Recap: The first three people who comment, commit to the PIF thing. The gifts are supposed to be hand made. I know a lot of you are probably thinking that you can't get in on it because you aren't "crafty" enough. If you really want in on it but don't find yourself crafty enough, I am sure it would be okay to support someone you know that has a handmade crafty kind of business. Buy a gift from them. Got it?
So hurry and be one of the top 3 so you can get a "sussie"
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
So much to blog so little time...
Well, I am afraid I am falling off the blogger wagon or is it I am falling on? I haven't posted in what a month? And this is why...as I sit here trying to type this my wonderful Gunner is putting his sunglasses in my face asking if I want to wear them. Of course I don't want to wear them but that doesn't stop him from asking and offering over and over and over again. Too bad he isn't so eager to share his toys with his friends.
So I have lots to blog about and a bunch of pictures but I can't seem to find the time. A trip to Burleson (including a trip to the Ft Worth zoo), a trip to the lake house (including rock climbing and horse back riding), a trip to the lake with the Giles family (I'm not so motivated to blog that one since Jen already did maybe I will just attach a link to her blog), Gunner flying a kite, and much much more.
Life seems to be crazy as always.
I'm think of planning a craft camp for some of my girlfriends. Anyone interested? We would plan a Friday night and all day Saturday. Daddy's would be on duty that weekend for the kids of course. Planning on having it at my mom's house where we can spread out. She also has a sewing machine and surger if anyone would need that for their project. Hoping to do sometime in April or May. What do you think?
So I have lots to blog about and a bunch of pictures but I can't seem to find the time. A trip to Burleson (including a trip to the Ft Worth zoo), a trip to the lake house (including rock climbing and horse back riding), a trip to the lake with the Giles family (I'm not so motivated to blog that one since Jen already did maybe I will just attach a link to her blog), Gunner flying a kite, and much much more.
Life seems to be crazy as always.
I'm think of planning a craft camp for some of my girlfriends. Anyone interested? We would plan a Friday night and all day Saturday. Daddy's would be on duty that weekend for the kids of course. Planning on having it at my mom's house where we can spread out. She also has a sewing machine and surger if anyone would need that for their project. Hoping to do sometime in April or May. What do you think?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Diagnosis from the Genetic Doctor
We saw Dr Kayser, who is a geneticist, this week and received a diagnosis we are comfortable with for now. We will have additional conversations with our pediatrician and seek wisdom from the Lord as we move forward.
He diagnosed her with hemihypertrophy.
The following is directly from a website that he directed us to (for the complete article if you are all that interested you can read it at healthline. com). I just copied the highlights that pertain to Rylee.
Hemihypertrophy, more correctly termed hemihyperplasia, is defined as the enlargement of one side of the body or part of the body.
Hemihypertrophy is characterized by unequal (asymmetric) growth of the limb. The size difference can involve only a specific part of the body such as a finger (called simple hemihypertrophy).*
The cause and exact mechanism of isolated hemihypertrophy is not known. The asymmetry occurs most likely as a result of an increase in the rate of cell growth, or unregulated cell growth.
Isolated hemihypertrophy occurs in about one in 86,000 live births.
As with other overgrowth syndromes, there is an increased risk for childhood cancers in people with isolated hemihypertrophy (about 6%), particularly cancers of the kidney (Wilms tumor, 3% of individuals), adrenals, and liver.
A protocol to screen for childhood cancers has been proposed, which includes abdominal ultrasound every three months until age six, every six months until puberty, and careful medical follow-up of patients into adulthood. Surgical intervention is appropriate if cancers are detected. Monitoring of serum alpha fetoprotein levels may also be useful as a marker of hepatic tumors.
Hemihypertrophy does not alter lifespan, although complications from associated abnormalities such as childhood cancer and mental retardation** can cause problems. Asymmetry of the limbs can interfere with their proper function and cause pain. Insecurities due to disfigurement are possible and can be addressed through support groups or therapy.***
*Since only Rylee's arm is affected she has what is considered simple or isolated hemihypertrophy.
**mental retardation is NOT a concern in Rylee's case.
***they forgot to list prayer...
So what's next? We will begin to have ultrasounds and blood work every three months as recommended to monitor the increased risk for childhood cancers as stated in the article. But to us a 6% increase is not something to be overly concerned about. That means there is a 94% chance that all will be fine--I'll take those odds anyday!
That being said, the important thing is that our God is bigger than percentages. He is bigger than odds. He is bigger than this diagnosis. He has a plan and a purpose for Rylee's life and has formed her exactly the way she is suppose to be formed. I believe with all my heart God has a special purpose for Rylee's life (as with all of us). I look forward to seeing how God will touch our precious girl and grow her into a beautiful woman who knows Him, loves Him, and follows Him with all of her heart.
For you created Rylee's inmost being; you knit her together in my womb. I praise you because Rylee is fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Rylee's form was not hidden from you when she was made in the secret place. When she was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw her unformed body. All the days ordained for her were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Amen
He diagnosed her with hemihypertrophy.
The following is directly from a website that he directed us to (for the complete article if you are all that interested you can read it at healthline. com). I just copied the highlights that pertain to Rylee.
Hemihypertrophy, more correctly termed hemihyperplasia, is defined as the enlargement of one side of the body or part of the body.
Hemihypertrophy is characterized by unequal (asymmetric) growth of the limb. The size difference can involve only a specific part of the body such as a finger (called simple hemihypertrophy).*
The cause and exact mechanism of isolated hemihypertrophy is not known. The asymmetry occurs most likely as a result of an increase in the rate of cell growth, or unregulated cell growth.
Isolated hemihypertrophy occurs in about one in 86,000 live births.
As with other overgrowth syndromes, there is an increased risk for childhood cancers in people with isolated hemihypertrophy (about 6%), particularly cancers of the kidney (Wilms tumor, 3% of individuals), adrenals, and liver.
A protocol to screen for childhood cancers has been proposed, which includes abdominal ultrasound every three months until age six, every six months until puberty, and careful medical follow-up of patients into adulthood. Surgical intervention is appropriate if cancers are detected. Monitoring of serum alpha fetoprotein levels may also be useful as a marker of hepatic tumors.
Hemihypertrophy does not alter lifespan, although complications from associated abnormalities such as childhood cancer and mental retardation** can cause problems. Asymmetry of the limbs can interfere with their proper function and cause pain. Insecurities due to disfigurement are possible and can be addressed through support groups or therapy.***
*Since only Rylee's arm is affected she has what is considered simple or isolated hemihypertrophy.
**mental retardation is NOT a concern in Rylee's case.
***they forgot to list prayer...
So what's next? We will begin to have ultrasounds and blood work every three months as recommended to monitor the increased risk for childhood cancers as stated in the article. But to us a 6% increase is not something to be overly concerned about. That means there is a 94% chance that all will be fine--I'll take those odds anyday!
That being said, the important thing is that our God is bigger than percentages. He is bigger than odds. He is bigger than this diagnosis. He has a plan and a purpose for Rylee's life and has formed her exactly the way she is suppose to be formed. I believe with all my heart God has a special purpose for Rylee's life (as with all of us). I look forward to seeing how God will touch our precious girl and grow her into a beautiful woman who knows Him, loves Him, and follows Him with all of her heart.
For you created Rylee's inmost being; you knit her together in my womb. I praise you because Rylee is fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Rylee's form was not hidden from you when she was made in the secret place. When she was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw her unformed body. All the days ordained for her were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Amen
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
More pitcures of my treasure
Wearing Pawpaw's hat at the lake house
Playing with Pawpaw and Brocco.
He loves Baby Rylee more than I could imagine.
Having fun at the mall.
OK--I could upload hundreds of pictures but thats all for now. I love this guy!
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