This I Know... Happy Birthday Dear Boy

My Dear Boy Simon...

I'm not sure why you were born into some cruel reality, but this I know...
you were born to be MY son.

I'm not sure why your first hours on earth were spent cold, alone, swaddled in a sheet, in the snow, in the woods, waiting to be found, but this I know...
I will never let you be cold, alone or in need of rescue again.

I'm not sure why a police station was one of your first destinations in life, but this I know....
you will have many adventures and destinations to come with your family who loves you.

I'm not sure why you had to spend 2 years and 11 months without a mommy and daddy to call your own, but this I know....
God placed Joyce and Robin, and Steven and Marybeth and so many others to act on our behalf while you waited for us.

I'm not sure why you can't speak as much as you and I would like, but this I know....
you can tell me what is in your heart with a look and a touch.

I'm not sure what you see at times when you look at the world, but this I know...
I would give a million dollars to see life through your eyes for just one day.

I'm not sure how a mamma can love a boy so much that my heart wants to burst open, but this I know...
I love you more and more and more every day!

Happy ninth birthday my dear boy, I love you with every breath that I take!

some fun in the midst of our daily grind...

Yes... I am married to Santa... go ahead and check out my husband... I dare ya... (then share away pretty please)

So much of our life is serious stuff... i guess this is what happens when you get a little burnt out on reality :)!!

Danielle's next 24 hours...

Hello friends...

I would like to shamelessly recruit prayers for Danielle and Dan and I over the next 24 hours. Tomorrow is the day we finally have her EEG ( to determine if she's having seizure activity or not ).  It is in the late afternoon.  Although the test itself makes me a bit nervous in regards to her tolerance to the test and the overall outcome, there are other things she / we need prayer for as well.

Her EEG has to be a "sleep deprived" test to have a better chance of seeing seizure activity if it's occurring. We are only allowed to let her sleep for 4 to 5 hours tonight.  I'm not really sure how we are going to pull this one off !  I have a feeling we will be having a 10 pm trip to Mc Donalds or something along those lines.

I would specifically like to pray for tomorrow leading up to the test, that we can get her through the day without letting her nap, and that emotionally and behaviorally she can endure this reasonably.  Given the fact that at her baseline she struggles with her emotional and behavioral stability...add to it sleep deprivation and the fact she hasn't been feeling well lately... and well... i'm thinking tomorrow may be one heck of a roller coaster ride.

Hopefully she will prove this all wrong, and we will have smooth waters and I will laugh at myself for worrying so much, but none the less, knowing a few extra prayers are covering her will ease my soul too.

Thanks for taking the time to read... and we'll keep you updated.

BOOK AUCTION FOR MERCY

https://www.facebook.com/lightingmercyspath

selling some of my good reads, auction style to raise funds for mercy's adoption grant... please check out the link and like the page to help me spread the word :)

Mercy: a word from Shea

Mercy is in need of a family... like our shea was at one time, she is living in an orphanage without the ability to achieve her true potential, without parents to love and defend her...please click on the link and help her grant to grow...even 5 dollars, every bit helps... lord we place Mercy in your hands. hold your babies close... we are blessed more than we know...
http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=mercy

Shea would like to speak on her behalf...

"She has spina bifida like me, i hope she gets a mom and dad, i want to be her friend, can people help her so she can come to a home, why are there still kids in groupa?, groupa is not fun..."

October and Awareness ~ My spin....

October brings "big stuff" in the Kulp home.  Not only is it the month to bring awareness to Spina Bifida for our Shea, but also Down Syndrome for Simon.  Poor Danielle... I'm not sure if Alfi's syndrome has a "month" you are just so unique!  Mommy will have to look into that.  Emily as for you - you are in your "terrific and terrible twos" so every single second we are all very well aware of you my love...!

With it being SB and DS awareness month the usual tradition is to tell stories of the wonderful goals my children are meeting, revel in the challenges we have overcome, post photos of your newest brave feat or shiny new equipment that is helping you to live life....

However, I am going to break tradition for now.  My dear Simon and Shea, this post is not about you... sorry lovies.  In honor of october and awareness, we look beyond our home... we look toward your roots, your history.

I will simply post this link today. http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=spina+bifida

For today, these are just a very very small sampling of beautiful, wonderfully made children, who also happen to have spina bifida, who happen to be alone is this world, who happen to need a family to love them and help them and hold them... and BE BLESSED BY THEM....

That is all my friends.... please look, please pray, please be aware of them, please do something for them...

something...

prayer....

donate....

adopt....

yes, I am pleading here...

endurance...

endurance...

not what I'm having an abundance of right now...

but what I need prayers for!

I will start with saying I am completely and utterly blessed beyond measure in life and really have no right to complain at all...

But... I need to do a little bit of therapuetic whining... and ask for prayers for our home.

The last 5 weeks have been a bit rough.  Nothing at all in comparison to what some folks are struggling through, but I'm running low on gas, and need to see my refill coming soon.  Every night I've been telling myself... tomorrow will be end of this craziness ... I'm sure of it!   So please pray that for us.

In just the last few weeks we've had water damage, a hot water heater died, our dryer died, many life transitions, some behavioral issues, two unmentionable medical issues that I will keep vague for the sake of one of the kids privacy, all vehicles have some sort of issue, simon's pneumonia, dan with bronchitis, shea's hip surgery is monday, I did not get the promotion I applied for, simon has found his "wandering gene" and has made some escapes on us, and just today shea and danielle decided strep throat would be fun!  Phew, that run on fragmented sentence makes me out of breath just reading it.

I apologize for this bummer of a post, I have no witty or creative stories to put on paper, not because they aren't happening... but because I'm just too tired to focus my brain that way right now :)

I would really appreciate your prayers for our house to hit that "upswing" really soon, and for now I'm going to go to bed at 8:30, and tell myself  "tomorrow will be the end of this craziness"!

Thanks friends...counting my blessings, and knowing this really is all "small stuff", but appreciating your prayers

Memorial Day 2013: the basic difference...

I was blessed to have a memorial day weekend that was pretty close to "norman rockwellish".  I may have struggled to portray effectively to my children the real meaning of this day... but they are grasping as much of the concept as their minds can at their young age.  As soldiers for years have fought for our freedoms and safety...

 

Shea can understand that he lives in a land where he is free to leave his home to explore, learn, take risks and live up to his full potential...

 

Simon can grasp the concept that he is loved as strongly as any son can be loved, and that he is treasured and valued for his differences. 

 

 

Emily learned that she can wave her flag high, and squeal w delight at the parade that marched by... all while standing in front of a church that she is completely free to attend without persecution.

 

Danielle realizes that she has a role as a protector to those who come behind her and who look up to her as an example...

   This memorial day weekend, pleasures were enjoyed, but not taken for granted...

 

Joy was experienced repeatedly...

 

and we were thankful to God, country, and the men and

women who sacrificed to allow for all of this...

 

We will continue to appreciate the "basic differences" in our lives... the freedoms, the blessings.

We will continue to pray for the weak and undefended....

 

On Sunday night, I put my Shea to sleep at 8 pm.  I thought he had been long asleep, but an hour later I heard rustles and sniffles on the stairway.  I opened the door to see a sobbing little boy.  Grasping for him, and holding him tight, I comforted him....

after some time he was able to verbalize what his tears were about.

 

Shea was so sad for Beatrices eyes "not working", and so sad that she was in his grouppa and had no mommy and daddy.    Shea knows the "basic difference".  He has lived it, and can feel it...

The differnces are real and harsh.  They break the heart of a 6 year old boy.

Here is sweet Beatrice...

 

Please make a difference for her... build her fund so that a family can bring her out of oppresion, to be treasured, defended, and protected.... our family thanks you...

click here:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Falexinmyheart.blogspot.com%2Fp%2Fbeatrice-100-gift-card-drawing.html&h=YAQHMS5Vs

 

or here: http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Beatrice

 

 

 

SEE

Today is Thursday...going on Friday.  For many of us this means "paycheck time".  I am going to donate to Beatrice tonight... could you consider doing this too?

This little girl has hit some major bumps in the road... more bumps than her little heart can even comprehend yet....

please help her over a bump...

If we all gave just a percentage of what we might spend on a dinner out this weekend, or a movie... a lot of littles make a big...

This is Beatrice... please SEE her.  Her eyes are weak and frail... our eyes are strong.  Please God let us SEE her....

"Now then stand still and SEE this great thing the Lord is about to do before your EYES."
1st Samuel 12:16

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=beatrice  please click on this link, donate, SEE...   goodnight, I pray to wake to a larger number for this treasure...

Exist

This will be short and sweet...

If you have a child... close your eyes and picture them.  Now imagine that you no longer exist, and picture your child being raised by 3 or 4 hired women, who care for a score of children, and who may or may not have any emotional connection to your child.  Imagine your child having a medical condition or illness and not getting the basic health care they might need.  Imagine your child having the same exact routine everyday.  Imagine the meals your child has as being repetative and basic, possibly lacking in nutrician.  Imagine when your child has a fever or pain that there are no devoted arms to comfort them. Imagine that they have intestinal parasites that are not alarming, but just normal life in the place that they live...

Now think about sweet Beatrice....much of this could be very real for her at this moment.  This was the plot for our children Simon, Danielle and Shea before we "existed" to them.  This was their lot before all the amzaing donors and supporters existed for them...

after a nice weekend of grant growth... Beatrice has had no new movement for over 24 hours...

Please exist for Beatrice...  in any way, shape or form.

to donate... even what you may think is a small amount... please go here: 
http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=beatrice

please share this blog, and or her link.  Please pray... please exist for her...

thank you....

... weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." Psalm 30:5b and 6

 

 

Last night I went to bed feeling discouraged...I shared with Dan.  I was very happy and grateful that 4 more donors had stepped forward for Beatrice's sake, and her grant was 200 dollars larger than it had been one day prior...

 

but....

 

I had put my hopes up very high...

I thought I may have 100's of "shares"

I thought I may have seen scores of donors...

I was hoping for something magical...

 

Then there was a lull... and when I went to bed, I was discouraged for Beatrice.  I have no idea why God had now laid this soul so heavily on my heart.  It's consuming, and honestly at times when God does this to me I wish he wouldn't...because it hurts my heart to have thoughts in my mind that never stop about a sweet child I have never seen, smelled, touched...   but it's not for me to understand, and God has told me to get to work for this little girl.

 

Consumed? what do I mean by that?  The very first thought I had in the morning was to "check on Beatrice...so that's what I did.  Before I have even wiped the sleep from my eyes, or moved a limb out of bed, I grabbed my phone and checked her FSP.  Morning can be stressful in our home to say the least, a million potties...beds to change, spills to be wiped, meds to pass, braces to don,... by the time the fourth child is completed, the first child has undone everything and we start all over again.  We've been known to say it takes an act of congress to get our family out of the house in the morning, even if it's just to go to the playground!... but my despair was turned to joy before I even rolled out of bed in the morning.  600 more dollars had been raised, and we were now up to 800 dollars since late thursday night!

 

Consumed? All day I've felt I was being told to write this entry... but who has time while juggling this family on a saturday?  You all know I can be a tad ocd... but yet here I sit... lunch messes still on the floor of the diningroom, some dishes in the sink, danielle has snuck a bag of marshmallows out of the cupboard, and emily is napping...instead of my mad dash to get working on all the things in the home that call to me... I am writing as I feel it is needed for sweet Beatrice. 

 

Every click of a donation brings a child closer to a family.  Adoption of a child, especially a child with special needs from a foreign land can be daunting.  The financial impact of an adoption can be even more daunting.  Taking away one of the major fears...the cost... often gives that family who is nervous on various fronts the courage to trust God, trust that they will be equipped, and say "YES".  (Trust me... been there, done that!)

 

Again last night, in the "wee hours" Emily woke ( Emily who is just months older than Beatrice), called for mamma.  A mamma came and soothed her so that she could drift back to sleep.  During the day Emily had sniffed in deeply the aroma of lilacs, and gotten dandelion fuzz up her nose ( something that Beatrice might one day be able to do if she is given a surgery to reconstruct the cartiledge of her nose ), Emily was able to be hugged tight after scraping a knee, and her tears were wiped away ( does Beatrice even produce tears? we don't know what she anatomy she has where healthy eyes should be, but someday they could be cared for and monitored, and followed by doctors who would do all that they could ). 

 

Emily had the chance to see a picture of Beatrice on the computer, she stopped and looked, and pointed, .... she did not say "baby" or "pretty" or "gentle" as she normally does when she spots another babe... She said "EMILY".  My daughter, saw herself in Beatrice... just as I do.

 

That is why I'm consumed.  Beatrice should have a momma just as emily does... and all the wonderful shakes in life that our kids do...

 

I'm out of steam here... please go to this link and donate

 

http://reecesrainbow.org/41025/beatrice

 

... after you do this, please share it, share it, share it...and then pray... hard...

 

Beatrice needs more advocates than this one consumed mommy who has so much on her plate... I will take your help eagerly!  Thank you...

 

 

 

Liz, Dan, Simon, Danielle, Shea and Emily Kulp....

A Black Bag... finally putting it to paper.

You all know that sometimes my life gets very crazy, busy, overwhelming.

Somedays I have moments where I say... "what the heck have we gotten ourselves into here"

Today i was reminded exactly what the heck, and why the heck we have made the life choices that we have...

I had no idea I would be writing this today.  I have written it clinically... leaving out 90% of the detail that floods my mind... I just need to get it on paper tonight.  It is time.

I had gone out to the garage with emily to bring out some toys... a ball, a tricycle, a sit and spin.  Emily was running gleefully up and down, up and down shea's new ramp.  She's 1 1/2 years old and so independent, so adventurous.  The other kids were all at school still.

It was at that moment that I saw it.  The Black Bag.  It was just a black garbage bag filled with junk that the contractor had left behind from our recent ramp installation....  but in that moment I felt sick to my stomach, and froze for a while, not realizing until later that there were tears in my eyes.

I'm a pretty strong woman most of the time, ...darn strong I would dare say.... I mean mentally, not necessarily physically.

It takes a lot to shake me.  I don't have a weak stomach.  I'm not a girly girl.

But I can't be in a room with a black garbage bag without loosing my cool. 

During my first service in  C****, I was one of the workers allowed to make frequent visits to the dying room.  Because of my medical background they thought I might have a keen eye to help choose which babies might actually survive if "rescued" from the dying room and taken to the orphanage.  ( you see there was never enough room for all the abandoned children to make it to the orphanage... many never made it even that far )  I was really there to hold, touch, pray for and love on the ones who would not make it to the next week or next morning....

On more than one occasion, babes I had held in my arms one day, were cold and still the next.  I would tell the workers we had lost another.  To them it was a way of life... for me it was years to come of cold sweats and dreams in the middle of the night.

The intensity of these memories has faded for me... but I still can't stomach black garbage bags.  I don't know how to write it other than...honestly....

when I discovered a babe who had passed on to be with God... a male staff person would come to remove the body.  I know their spirit was in heaven....but it still didn't make watching their physical body leave the room any easier. 

The worker would place them in a black garbage bag.

This worker was a young man, who had grown up in the orphanage himself.  He was mentally challenged and physically challenged himself...but functional enough to earn a living.  This was a part of his job....he was a good man.

That in itself would be enough to explain why I detest The Black Bag.... however there is more.

There was a boy that came to the dying room.  I don't remember his actual age, but he appeared to be 4 or 5.  His parents had left him at the local hospital.  They couldn't pay his medical bills, and they had fled.  He had accidentally ingested some type of poison / cleaner / chemical.  The hospital sent him to the dying rooms because there was no one to foot the bill.  I sat with him daily, and watched him fade, and prayed his soul to heaven.  My heart is still broken for him. 

He was gone.  I had to tell the young man that we needed him removed from his bed... The young man came with that
awful    
black   
bag    .  .   .   .

Again, I don't know how to write this other than honestly.  This man struggled... the boy's body was much heavier and larger than the babies were that he normally cared for.  He struggled... and struggled some more.

The young man..
couldn't
get
the body
into
that
awful
BLACK BAG.

I choked as more than once the young man began to drop, or let slip the body of this dear boy.  I could watch no longer.  I knew his soul was not there... but I would not let this go on.  I don't fault the young man.  He was trying to do his job the best that he could, and he knew no other life.  This was "normal" to him.   I felt nearly as heart broken for the man as I did for the boy.

It had to stop...
I helped him place the boys body gently into the black garbage bag.... now it was done.
I placed the boys body into the black garbage bag.
I put a boy in a black bag...

I will never regret helping.... I will never forgive myself for helping...

that is why I despise black garbage bags...

That is why no matter how much I may want to throw in the towel some days because my life is "too hard" and not convenient...none of that really matters... I would do it all over again a million times.  This is "what the heck we have gotten ourselves into" ... and I wouldn't change it....

Staycation phase 2 : family style (scroll down for photos)

The four days away that Dan and I had were just wonderful... I would do it all over again in a heartbeat... thank you so much to the people who helped make it happen for us.  When I think back to last week and close my eyes I can feel my bloodpressure drop and a nice relexed sigh flows from my lips....  Good thing we built up our reserves for Phase 2!

We arrived back to the homestead on saturday and were reunited with the kiddies.   We did a unpack / repack marathon for all, loaded the van and we were ready to go after church on Sunday.  The kids and I hit Letournea and awaited daddy's arrival late in the night after he finished up with some work / church duties.

As we drove to camp, shea's first question was... "will they have a ramp for my chair"? Ahhh the concerns of a babe!

I was a bit whooped getting the kids into the cottage settled, unpacked, fed, changed, etc etc, but had a fun break as my good friend Deb and her son Ben were brave enough to come visit us and have a play date.  There are many categories of friends at this stage in life.  One main category:  the friends who are still brave enough to come hang out for play dates with the crazy kulp crew for more than half an hour!  If you are one of the brave souls in that group give yourselves a pat on the back! 

The kids were very excited to explore the new surroundings of the cottage, play on the enclosed porch, set up the "big kid bedroom" camping style, and in general, run, jump and climb.  Simon especially seemed very content and happy to be king of this new castle.  One of my favorite features was a comfy rocker, that simon liked as much as I did.  A few times a day he would come sit with me and just rock and enjoy each other.... just being still.

That is one of the necessary reasons for a staycation with the family... it is still a ton of work, there are still medical routines to perform, dishes to wash, diapers to change, meals to prepare.... but the rest of the world is not pulling on you.  You sit and enjoy each othera bit more easily.  You may be thinking about the million things that need to be done, but you are not home so you don't feel guilty about not doing them!  You can be still with each other just a bit more, play with them just a bit sillier, and breath just a little deeper some of the time.

Grandpa Button came for a fun surprise visit on monday.  The boys had long overdue haircuts.  The rec hall was explored.  The playground was played on.  The lake was admired!   Emily seemed to be the most entranced by the beauty of the water.  She asked (insisted) repeatedly to go "out out out" to the porch.  She would climb up in a chair and look out at the water over and over again.

Mommy's favorite quote of the week... "oops a doosie" from our Shea.  He used this phrase repeatedly.  I don't have the heart to tell him it's really oops a daisy...because I don't want him to change how he says it!  Too wonderful!

Surprise winner in category of "favorite toy":   The platic kitchen ladel that was transformed into a sand digger, worm finder, dirt soup stirrer!   Ahh what a young mind can do with a kitchen utensil.

Unexpected skill discovered:  my boys kind of kick butt in air hockey!  Simon has quite the arm, and scored on mommy a few times.  I loved watching him gaze intently at the way the puck hovered over the hundreds of tiny holes shooting out air.  Yes I know he was intently studying this because of his autism, but he let out a happy squeal, was good at something while having fun with it... and it was something NEW!  I love it when simon will allow a new joy to enter into his routine.

Award for best ploy:  Danielle was intent on "arresting" mom and dad, and throwing us into "jail".  Dan came up with the brilliant idea to make his prison the park bench... He could be doomed to punishment of sitting down and resting while the others played!  I married such a smart man!  He did deserve some rest after all the hauling and packing i've made him do lately!

Tuesday was honestly quite hectic... the norman rockwell of it all had to fade in the background as mom and dad figured out how to watch the gang and pack up a whole cottage, load the van, do the normal routines etc etc....and Emily was giving us a run for our money :)  We did leave a few hours early as this all became a bit overwhelming.  We did however go out for a "grand" mexican meal at Taco Bell on the way home. It was a hit for all.... especially simon...BEEF!... a kids best friend. 

So now we are home... mostly unpacked, and reality kicks back in tomorrow. No more playing hookie from school I am afraid! I am very thankful for the last few days to give us a boost during this long winter....memories were made. Hopefully the kids will be recharged and refreshed too! Now we wait for Spring!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Pinching Myself

Why is Liz pinching herself you may ask?  She has been "childless" for over 48 hours now.  Gasp!

My wonderful husband Dan has arranged a staycation for us.  We have been looking forward to these 4 days for months and it has finally arrived.  We are incredibly appreciative to the "village" at home helping to manage the kids, "auntie Ann", grandparents Button, Carli and Ann Marie, Jeff and Joey... all a part of the plan to keep the boat afloat while we are gone.  Dan and I realized this is the first vacation we have taken since 2010 thats main purpose wasn't traveling across an ocean to add a family member to our home!

 

I have been wined and dined, took in Le Mis, a bit of shopping, a hair cut, brisk walks, naps, observed fillabusters, read, and even attended a protest rally in regards to my children.... I am enjoying myself thouroughly and am so thankful for this time to be refreshed.  Dan and I are careful though not to get too rejuvinated.... staying slightly overwhelmed and frazzled keeps us from making any silly life changes, grand plans or decisions! We have though enjoyed talks and sharing about our past, present and future....

 

It's so nice to have long uninterrupted conversations with each other, and long uninterrupted silences as well.  My devotion today reminded me to not be anxious or fearful for anything, but to trust in God, and transform those anxieties into petitions of prayer, and pledges of trust to Him. 

 

So, yet again it's been MONTHS since my last blog post.  Here are our "immensly exciting" life updates of late. 

 

Dan:  some of you may know about his new job that he started back in July.  A surprise to us, Dan was asked to interview for the position of interim pastor at the Manchester Baptist Church.  It made good sense because of the long history of church jobs and his comfort with speaking and teaching, but it was something we hadn't though about before.  It seemed like God was telling us to "go ahead".  Dan has been there now for some months, and is thouroughly enjoying his post.  Our family enjoys it as well, and we have made many new friends.  They lovingly tolerate our crazy family just like our FUMC family does.  I'm not sure though if they know about his tattoos yet.... hee hee well now they do!  Come visit us there anytime :) 

 

Mr Simon:  he had his time in district at Pal Mac, and Dan and I decided it was in his best interest to return him to Holy Childhood on our dime.  It's not easy, but it's what is best for him....we have some battles ahead of us on this topic, that I am not looking forward to, but as you know a momma will give her left arm for what she knows is right for her child...and so it goes.  He has been more vocal this month sharing some words with us we haven't heard before!  also lately he's been trying some new foods for us.  He's enjoyed wrestling with shea, and playing chase with his sisters... for him all is well in his world currently.

 

Danielle:  still growing about an inch a month!  She's going to be catching up to me soon.  She thrives when given helping jobs or nurturing tasks.  Her health has been good, except for a recent bout with flu.  Her most recent triannual ear surgery was in January.  The Kirsch Center has been working closely with us to help us address some of her mood and behaviour issues, and dare I say it outloud... the last few months have been milder.   She is a great sister, especially to emily, at times helping to keep her little sister out of trouble, and at times teaching her how to make the trouble!

 

Shea:  He certainly keeps mommy busy... between his medical needs, his extracirrics, and his social life, we stay hopping for this one!  At this time Shea is again active in his Rookies wheelchair sports team.  His hip surgery from last may has healed remarkably well, so well infact that now it is time to schedule the removal of his hardware for sometime this summer.  If the hardware isn't taken out before bone grows over the top of it, then we run into trouble, so back in we will go.  Also on the schedule are meetings with the pediatric urology team to discuss when we will start to move forward with his bladder surgeries.  He had a pretty rough february in regards to his respiratory illnesses and asthma...but is now back to his old self.  He keeps us laughing, and is booked up with birthday parties and play dates.  Does anyone want to volunteer to be his booking agent?

 

Miss Emily:  wow what a blossoming personality.  She is happy when she is making people laugh.  She is happy when she is climbing under, on and around things that she should not be.  She is happy when being chased in circles around our home by her siblings.  She is happy when she figures out how to say a new word... in general for the most part she is just happy!  and yes... LOUD.  She did get another ear infection a few weeks ago, but that too has passed.  Also, did I mention that she has her daddy completely wrapped around her little finger?

 

As for "mamma":  what is new for me?  Aside from my Physical Therapy work which I am still doing half time I pretty much just sit around eating bon bons and painting my toenails.   Just kidding, actually not too much is new.  Being the nurse / secretary / planner/ maid / equipment manager / driver / advocate / caregiver / hugger / and smoocher of my family keeps me booked from dawn till dark and then some.  Also I must mention Heath... we continue to advocate for this boy.  God has laid him on our hearts heavily.  We are feeling very called to advocate strongly for him and to keep sounding the alarms about his fate.  Please continue to help us share and to pray .... and even if you think you are not the family for him... stop and think about it again...

 

As is my custom...I have rambled on much too long, and if you are still reading and awake I commend you!  hugs to all... and see you again on this blog...."sometime"