Prayer request

It has been on my heart that Annika may need a different type of care.  She is VERY well taken care of at her sitter's house, but she does so well at our house.  Each morning I usually have to wake her up to go and she is finally sleeping so well at that time.  So, my prayer that God has put on my heart is to find someone willing to do "At home" care - at my home - a few days a week (or whatever works best).  I would love someone who could come there in the morning, be with her, do therapy with her and just love on her (and maybe I could even pay a bit extra to clean up the house some :).  So, prayer warriors, this is my request so if you think about it please be in prayer for the right situation for our family and whomever God will bring into our lives.  He has always provided just the right sitters at just the right time for us and I know that if this is in His will He will lead us to that person.  Thank you in advance.

Overwhelming joy

Do you ever just have that moment when your blessings come flooding in and you can hardly breath?  As I am getting ready for Christmas and experiencing all these wonderful traditions and memories with friends and family I find myself overwhelmed with joy at all of the blessings in my life.  Friends who are willing to help with simple things, like take my kids for an hour or clean up my kitchen after a party, people who call just to say "Hi" and and "I love you", a hug from my daughter after a fun day together, a kiss on the cheek from my husband because dinner was good, a smile and full-belly laugh from Annika as she is playing, simple things that make up a full, joyful, blessed life.  There are moments when I begin to reflect on all of these blessings that I feel a catch in my throat and tears welling up in my eyes because God is good.  In all situations, if we choose to see it, in all areas of life God is good!  I am so lucky to have all that we have and I am so thankful for all God has given me that I could shout from the mountain top!  Enjoy your blessings, count them one by one....

Thank you Lord for crying kids..

Thank you Lord for crying kids, even in the middle of the night, because it means I have kids.  There are many out there who would love to be in my shoes.  Thank you that I have kids who need me because one day they won't, as much.  Thank you for reminding me of all my blessings, even though they can make life messy and crazy and sad and busy, they make my life LIFE!  And I am so very blessed.  Thank you for reminding me Lord of all you have given me.  Kids to take care of, a husband to love, good food to eat so there are dishes to wash, nice clothes to wear that I now have to fold, and so many other amazing blessings.  Thank you Lord for these reminders of all my blessings even though I am tired at times.  That is all for today :)


Okay, as I am writing this post I am remembering a song I used to play on the piano, Thank God for Kids by the Oak Ridge Boys.  I loved this song as a kid, but now that I am a parent it has even more meaning.  The lyrics are below.  All those things we as parents complain about and dread go along with all those wonderful things that make life exciting when you have a child (or a child that is part of your life).  Read through the words and thank God for all those little things in your life.

"Thank God For Kids"

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids.

We'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
And Kool Aid on the couch
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile.
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child?

Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other wheres and whys
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids.

When I look down in those trusting eyes
That look to me I realize
There's love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile.
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child?

When you get down on your knees tonight
And thank the Lord for His guiding light
Pray they turn out right.
Thank God for kids.
Mmm, Thank God for kids.

GI in Albuquerque

Last week we had a follow up appointment in Albuquerque with the pediatric GI specialist.  He said that her test results looked good (she had a scope and biopsy a couple of weeks ago).  The tissue looked good but he did see a bit of inflammation.  She is on a different reflux medicine (Previcid) and he changed her to Neocate formula.  If you are on Facebook you saw my post about the wonderful gift we received from the doctor.  About 30 cans of free formula; praise God because that stuff is expensive!!!  She gained 1/2 a pound in a week - huge deal for us.  We will watch her for about 4 months or so and see how she does with weight gain and spit up.  If she is still having trouble he will run a probe down her nose into her stomach for 24 hours.  It will record how often she refluxes, how high it goes and the acid content.  From there we will decide what needs to be done.  Prayers please that the medicine and new formula are enough and that she will continue to get stronger and develop those muscles so she won't have to have any procedures done.  She sure has been happy since we changed her formula so that is very exciting.  Thank you for your love and support!

Kelsey, did you know?

I love this time of year.  I have started up the Christmas music and it just puts a smile on my face.  While traveling home from ABQ the last time a beautiful song came on by Amy Grant - Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

I began to think about Mary holding baby Jesus, looking down at him and all that he would become.  Growing up, Whitney and I sang the song Mary Did you Know and it still brings tears to my eyes today.  I thought about how she must have felt kissing that little baby, knowing what he would go through as he got older.  You know, we think about Jesus as a baby at Christmas and as a man at Easter on the cross, but can you picture that little baby hanging on the cross for all of our ugly sins?  I can't imagine how that would feel as a parent. 

We always want to be able to protect our kids from pain, suffering, ridicule and everything else the world can dish out.  Mary held her little baby and knew there was nothing she could do to protect him from what was to come.  I started to think about why God chose Mary and why he chose me to be the mother to Madelynn and Annika.  Was there something extra special about her?  Did she have some special connection with God?  Why was she the chosen one?  Why was I chosen to have this extra special child.  I hear those words by Amy Grant, "Do you wonder, as you watch my face, if a wiser one should have had my place?"

I think that no matter how our children are abled, we have moments in raising them that we think, "Are you sure I am the right one for this job, God?"  Well, just as I was thinking about all of this guess what the sermon was about on Sunday....Yup, Miss Mary herself.  

As I sat there and listened to Pastor Monty talk about Mary receiving the news and listening to the angel I realized that what was special about Mary was her obedience to God.  Did she have a few doubts about the information she was receiving, heck yeah!  But, did she let that hold her back from the amazing things God had in store for her, NO!  Her response,

 "I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38

Mary didn't posses any powers, she wasn't part angel, she was just like you and me, but she was willing and ready for whatever God had in store for her.  Once she got over her bit of doubt she was ready to go.  I am not sure I can always say that.  If God sent an angel to me right now and told me what he wanted me to do would I be that obedient?  Do I have a heart that is tuned to God, spending time with him everyday, getting to know his voice so that when he calls I would recognize it and be ready?  

When I look down at Annika and kiss her face, I can't even imagine what God has in store for her.  I can't see all the ways he is going to use her little life to show his face to those around us.  When I hold her in my arms I wonder why God chose me, but I know I am his servant and ready for whatever he has planned for our lives.  So, I pray that my obedience will allow God to use me however he sees fit, and I know that through this I will experience the glory of God first hand and in ways I can't even imagine.