Doctor Updates

Well, I must apologize for not blogging in such a long time. I wish I had a good excuse, but in reality I am just a bit busy with growing a new little baby. She loves to sit on my lap and make my legs go numb. She even tickles me at times at the far corners of my placenta. It is hard not to jump out of my chair for those split moments. Mary-Elizabeth is doing very well and is growing and moving everyday. In fact, God has so blessed me that I am able to partake in my bro in laws wedding. We leave in just over a week!

So, we have to get outfits for the wedding, tires for the car, and ear plugs! The boys are beyond estatic about the trip to Texas. I must admit that Mark is a bit excited too! Me well I need some good tex-mex food called Rosas! We will be stopping in Amarillo for Rosas regardless of the hunger level of our family. We can't wait to see our family and to 'officially' add Shannon! She is precious and loves us unconditionally--she makes my boys smile and laugh. What else could a sister want?

Alright updates.....

Kaleb recovered from his leg surgery very well. He spent two days on the couch and decided that was enough! We are constantly reminding him to settle down because a broken leg is no fun in the summer! He is extremely excited about having complete freedom in his leg! Mark and I were so proud of him during the ordeal. He was such a trooper!

Kaleb also had a routine renal ultrasound done last week. Periodically we have to test Kaleb's urine for potential calcium stones and an ultrasound is done as well. We received the results on Friday. Basically, the ultrasound was normal except the artery to his kidney is showing mild elevated resistance. We don't know what that means except that we get to go to another specialist. I am not extremely concerned because I know that God is in complete control regardless of the situation. I also know that Kaleb is not in any pain right now. Just thought you could pray that the appt. could be sooner than later due to having a sweet little girl in less than 9 weeks!

Joshua, Stephen and Micah stepped up to the plate these last few weeks with Kaleb down and loved on him in many special ways. It was great to see the compassion from the smallest to the oldest.

My pregnancy is going very well. I am on meds every other day to keep the pulse and blood pressure under control! It doesn't look like bed rest is in my immediate future so I am very pleased!

Kaleb's Surgery

First and foremost, I am thankful that Kaleb came through the surgery without any serious complications. That is a gift from God and I am most grateful!



Now for the run down of the exciting day. Of course we couldn't sleep well so we were all up and ready to go by 6:30 to drive to Denver. We were blessed to have a babysitter for the three younger children. We left the house around 7:00 and headed to Denver in an uneventful ride. Once we arrived on the scene of the children's surgery center, we found out that they were running late--very late. Kaleb was scheduled for surgery at 9:45, but he did not get in until 11:15. We were all very anxious and ready to be done with the process.



Once in pre-op, the doctors came and talked with us and we felt very calm about the process. The anesthesiologist was awesome. He listened to us completely about Kaleb's sickness after surgery. He came up with some great ideas to keep Kaleb well during his recovery. He rocked our world. God blessed us greatly.



So, when they took Kaleb back to the OR, Mark and I were able to go back with him. I have never seen an operating room awake. I was amazed. They allowed us to stay back until Kaleb was asleep. It was hard to release my son, but peace came over me as I set out to the waiting room to wait and wait and wait. After waiting an hour, the doctor came and assured us that Kaleb was an awesome patient and that all things worked out well. We praised God and waited for them to come and get us shortly....



Well, 35 min. later they came and got us from the waiting room. I think there are holes in their carpet from me pacing. 35 min. did not feel short to me. When we saw Kaleb he was quite emotional and ready to be done with the wires. After getting his pain under control, he woke up a bit more and did great.



We were finally able to leave the hospital at 2:15 and high tail it home to relieve the babysitter. We were 2 hours later due to the delay at the surgery center. Kaleb's ride home was good, but he did not like the bumps in the road or any turns.



Kaleb was welcomed home by a slew of get well cards by his brothers and friends. He was so amazed! He continued to say thank you into this morning. He felt extreme love for his family and friends.



He slept well last night and now he is resting on the couch watching all his favorite movies. His pain is up a little, but I feel confident that tomorrow will be a better day.



Thanks for your prayers and love.



In Adoration,



Super Momma

Prayer request--Kaleb

I am requesting prayer for Kaleb as tomorrow he goes in for surgery. At the age of 3, he broke his femur. His leg healed so well that he grew an inch taller on that side. To level him out and help out his back, we had plates and pins put in his left leg to restrict growth. Well, 13 months later they are being removed.

We go in tomorrow and should be home after lunch. I am asking for specific prayers for nausea mgmt and pain mgmt.

I will post again when we get home. Thanks for your prayers!

In Adoration,

Super Momma

The envelope please....

Last night was our annual award night for the boys in the Awana program. It has become a regular event for us in the past 7 years. We are huge Awana supporters and choose our churches based upon the Awana program. We believe in its solid Bible based program of teaching Scripture to our children.

Last night was our awards and we knew that all three boys would receive their end of the year participation award and their book reward. We were all very pleased with their accomplishments. Getting through a book is tough stuff and takes some dedication and hard work.

What we didn't anticipate was an award that this particular club gives out. They select from the Sparky group and the T&T group special 'Clubbers of the Year.' The award is based upon participation, finishing your required books and overall attitude. Joshua won the 'Clubber of the Year' for the 1st grade Sparky group and Kaleb won for his group in T&T. I was shocked and never expected such a praise for our children. We have only been at our present church since January.


The boys have received their 'Clubber of the Year' awards.

The boys are joyful and pleased!

For Mark and I, the awards was once again God confirming the calling He has given us. He called us to be parents that teach the word of God as a living and active part of our life. For the boys, he affirmed both of them in some tough decisions they had to make this year in being set apart for God. It was a great feeling and a tangible gift to us all. I am so proud of my boys...

In Adoration,

Super Momma

Mary-Elizabeth Janice Update

We had our 28 week ultrasound today. We were shocked with the results! Mary-Elizabeth has doubled her size percentage. She use to be 33% and a few days late and now she is 62% and a week ahead of time with her due date. God is good! This was the last piece of information we needed. I think I may skip bed rest this month. I am so grateful that being off my meds allowed her to grow to a healthy size. Her kidneys were also healthy. So, no problems except my erratic pulse.

For those of you who walked with me through Micah's pregnancy knows that he was transverse (sideways) up to the day he decided to be born. Well, Mary-Elizabeth is also in a weird breach transverse position. This definitely explains why my hips hurt and the weird pains. This time I know that she will probably move when she is ready. No need to fret!

Just for your information...her right hand is up by her head and the umbilical cord is hanging around her chin and neck. She is asleep or at least tired because right before this picture she was yawning. Her cheeks have filled out and she even smiled for us during the exam. Unfortunately, it was not captured on film. Micah loved seeing the baby and was very good during the entire exam. He was focused on Mary-Elizabeth. Kaleb and Joshua were busy asking questions about 'vines'. Also known in the medical world as veins! Stephen was also in awe of watching his baby sister!

In Loving Adoration,

Super Momma

Fighting the Good Fight

At times, fear grips the inner part of my soul and won't let go. I hate it about myself, but it is very true. Fear turns into anxiety which leads to being easily angered, frustrated and all around hard to live with. I fear the unknown when I know something can go wrong. I never feared having a miscarriage until I did. I never feared having a c-section until Micah wouldn't turn in the right position. I never feared bed rest until the doctor discussed it with me as a real possibility.

Fear can control my every step. For example, throughout Micah's labor he was in the sunny side position or crooked in the birth canal. It was a tough time getting him down the canal. I feared the impending c-section so much that I actually would hit my epidural drip to give me more meds for fear of 'feeling' the section like one of my friends. It made me sick. In fact, I was so over drugged and didn't need it that I began to vomit. Getting sick actually put Micah into the right position and he was born fairly shortly after the incident. I was thankful that God utilized my fear for Micah's and mine benefit. Fear makes you make dumb decisions.

So, here I am again 28 weeks pregnant and faced with unknown circumstances. Fear grips me at times. Fear of what could happen in a pregnancy that has been unpredictable since the beginning. Some fears are normal yet not Biblical. Where we live the chances are higher for a premature delivery, smaller birth rate and blue colored babies. Yep, stuff I have not faced yet. Not to mention the effects of having high blood pressure. The next few weeks are filled with doctor appts. just for me. Not to mention taking the plates and pins out of Kaleb's knee. Plus, we have the privilege of adding a wedding, two birthday parities and family visiting us in July. Not knowing how much I am gonna be able to participate in the activities can make this control freak Momma a total freak.

So, by now you know that not knowing is tough for me. So, what can I do? Well, like most times that I am scared, I can run and hide in the shadow of the wings of my Abba Father. He truly loves me and desires the best for me. I can trust in Him. One physical thing I can do is to quote Scripture when I am afraid. One that I am clinging to is in the book of John 14:27:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid."

So, my God tells me that I can trust him. He also tells me in Philippians 1:27, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." To live in fear would be against God's desire for me. So, I must lay down my fear at the cross of Jesus and claim His peace. On various days, I might need to do this more often. It is time to believe the voice of truth and walk out on the water. I must keep my eyes on the King of Kings, my God, my Abba!

When all is said and done I want to be like Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7, " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the FAITH!

Pregnancy Update:

I went to the doctor on Wednesday. My blood pressure was excellent. My pulse is erratic and high. So I am back on meds per my request for a better night rest without my heart racing. Thus far it hasn't worked, but we will wait and see. My uterus size is right on target. Normally I measure larger, but this is a different pregnancy. The doctor listened intently to me and believes that if we can control the pulse than maybe I can go to Texas in June for the wedding. He was much more hopeful! I have a sonogram on Monday to help us see how Mary-Elizabeth is handling the pregnancy. So, I will update you again. Then I go back in 2 weeks to the doctor for another blood pressure check. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes me come every 2 weeks until he is settled on how my body will respond to the 3rd trimester. 12 Weeks LEFT! 84 days!

Trying to Keep the Faith,

Super Momma

Mary-Elizabeth's Room and Bear

So, time is approaching for sweet little Mary-Elizabeth Janice to come and visit us. We have 13 weeks left or 90 days until her due date. Sounds like alot until you throw a wedding in there along with potential bed rest at the end of my pregnancy or around 32 weeks. Therefore, I have made 'the list.'

'The list' consists of things I want to participate in...such as Mary-Elizabeth's room. We all have had so much fun transforming her room from the 'ball' room to a 'girly' room. All the boys have been involved. We only lack one thing for her room--a lamp shade!

We are transfering the baby bed from Micah's room to Mary-Elizabeth's room.
I think Micah is excited!

Working on getting the bedding out and putting it on her bed!

All the boys helping to put up the border in her room--a yucky mess!

Kaleb helping me smooth it out!

Another project that I wanted to be involved in also involved the boys making something special for Mary-Elizabeth. Since Micah, we have come up with a tradition of making the new child a Build-A-Bear. This time it was extra sweet because they were not busy. So, the sweet lady gave us time and allowed all the boys to put a heart in her bear. The boys along with Mark and myself had a delightful time picking out the 'right' outfit for her pink bear. Finally, Daddy chose the 'Ballerina' outfit and it fit perfect. Oh, did I mention the bear has a heartbeat that sounds like my womb...too cool!

Picking out the bear was tough stuff--finally decided on a pink one--or course!

Filling the bear with love!


Sewing up the bear and smiling for Daddy!

We are all done and Micah loves the bear!

As you can tell, we are getting things done for our Princess. We are enjoying the process and after seeing a friend's baby girl--Joshua asked if our little girl would hurry up. July will soon be here and soon I won't get to hog my little girl...I will actually have to share her. However, it will all be good. Until then, my boys and I are hanging out and having fun!