Our Saturday

Saturday, we had the opportunity to look through some of my husband's Aunt Margie's things . . . it was like going back in time.

Letters from family serving in the war in France . . .

Marriage license from 1921 (Rick's great grandfather) . . .

Dress and first pair of shoes that belong to Aunt Margie . . .

I really enjoy seeing pieces of history especially when it relates to people I know.

While there, we spent time with Daddy's side of the family. Isaiah and Halle had a good time playing together. They are 5 months apart in age. I thought it was so cute to see the both of them sitting under the counter. We're excited that Halle will "officially" become part of our family on June 11 when her adoption is finalized (although she's always been part of our family as far as we're concerned)!

Wishing you all a safe and happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all that have served and are serving to protect our country. You are not forgotten.

Josiah's Homegoing

At 12:22 AM on Wednesday morning, Josiah Lee was embraced by his best Friend.

Ten days ago he fell asleep in Disney World and this morning he woke up in heaven. It doesn't get much better than that for a four-year-old kid. Fifty-five days ago Josiah's journey began. His short life recently touched thousands and some of us were privileged to bask in the warmth of his light for almost five years. Looking out from the balcony of our room in the Disney resort over the splendor of the Magic Kingdom, Suzie commented that the whole Disney trip seemed almost surreal. Last night as Suzie and I were reminiscing about little Josiah I realized our life has been surreal. Josiah lived a "Make A Wish" childhood. One day soon we'll get our wish trip when we're reunited with our little blonde haired, blue eyed boy - 'Siah, my Siah'.

"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us... that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

Thank you for praying for the Herring/Stalnaker families. Please continue to pray for them in this difficult time. Praise the Lord little Josiah is no longer suffering!

Update on Josiah

Seems like there are a million personal pictures and stories that I could post, but life hasn't afford me the time to do that right now.

However, I felt it was important to keep you updated on little Josiah. (Those of you following on Facebook and through Cleveland Baptist Church probably know this information as it was given out last week.)

Josiah and his mother were flown via Air Ambulance back to Boise while Daddy and brother flew back commercially (paid by Make A Wish -- what a blessing). The doctor's ran more test and told the family Josiah will not recover from this coma. The tumor thrives on blood flow and creates it's own very thin blood vessels making them susceptible to rupture. When hemorrhage occurred in his brain it double the affected area.

They are thankful they took the advise of the doctors and put off radiation to go on their trip to Disney. The family stated, "Was it coincidence that Josiah lapsed into the coma on the last day of our trip and a few days before starting treatment?" They believe God has shown them grace through this. Please uplift the Herring / Stalnaker family in your prayers. Because his health seems to only be declining, for his dignity, they will not be updating his condition unless something major happens.

PS: A shout out and prayer for my friend Deena that is in the hospital on complete bedrest with her 6th child. Please keep her, her husband and their baby girl in your prayers -- she is due in August and has started having contractions. Pray for wisdom on their part and that this miracle of God will be patient and wait until it's a good time to make her entrance!

Pray for Josiah

Another prayer request . . . this time for a little 4-year old boy, Josiah Herring. I was friends with his mother, Suzanne Stahlnaker, as a teen and young adult until we each married and moved away from home (Ohio). Suzie, her husband and her parents are all in the ministry.

If my memory serves me correctly, Suzie & Jason just dealt with a miscarriage earlier this year and now just recently learned that their youngest son has a brain tumor. It was misdiagnosed at first even though it was thought to be a brain tumor, it was a far less deadly tumor. The second diagnosis revealed a kind of tumor that only gives him a year to live, and because of his age there is a lot less data regarding treatment. They opted to let him live as long as he can enjoying life rather than enduring treatment with unknown results.

A few weeks ago, they took a trip to Walt Disney World with Make A Wish Foundation . . .

Dear Friends,

After five wonderful days in the Walt Disney World resort, this morning we encountered a problem. Josiah woke up hungry, just like he has every morning, and he asked for some Cheetos. Suzie fixed him a bowl, and after taking two bites he acted like he was falling asleep. We gave him a bath, hoping it would wake him up for the character breakfast we had made reservations for at Chef Mickeys. But all Josiah could do was mumble a response with his eyes closed. We dressed him and placed him on the bed thinking that perhaps the excitement of the last few days was taking its toll and perhaps he just needed some more rest. None of this was normal, however.

Every morning Josiah has been up at the crack of dawn. He doesn't have a world of energy, but he doesn't nap until late afternoon. When we checked his eyes and noticed that one pupil was dilated larger than the other we imediately called his oncologist in Boise who told us to take him to the hospital for a MRI.

Disney provides ambulance service for their guests, and they offered to take us to the hospital. A CT scan at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital revealed that Josiah was suffering from hydrocephalus and the tumor was hemorrhaging. The fluid level in his ventricles was at a dangerous level because the bleeding had caused a clot to block the third ventriculostomy. The neurosurgeon imediately went in and did a frontal ventriculostomy to release the dangerous fluid pressure in Josiah's brain.

Now here's the hard part. Josiah is currently in a chomatose state. He could come out of the choma as soon as the fluid levels return to normal or not. The choma could have been caused by the bleeding or the pressure from the fluid. There is a very serious possibility that the bleeding into Josiah's brain and brain stem might cause neurological damage or impairment. We are waiting to see if Josiah will regain consciousness and when he does if there will be any impairments to his neurological functions.

The doctors assured us that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent this and there is nothing that we did to cause this. If Josiah wasn't at a Disney World resort this would have happened in our living room in Eagle. None of the activity of the recent days caused this tumor to hemmorhage. The nasty nature of these tumors is that they sometimes bleed.

Please, pray for my son. Our situation is desperate. I feel the heartcry of Abraham as I plead: "O, that Josiah might live for thee!"

Jason Herring

For those of you on Facebook, you can become a fan of "Praying for little Josiah Herring" and received updates that way. I will try to add updates as often as I hear something. Thank you for your prayers. Makes you thankful for your health and the health of your family, doesn't it??

Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to post a list of questions and answers. I had received these questions in an email, and they had been answered by various 2nd graders. Since my Makenna is in 2nd grade, I thought this would be appropriate to ask her these questions. Here are her answers. ENJOY!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Why did God make mothers? to have children

What ingredients are mothers made of? bones, eyes, teeth, gums, ears, etc.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? because I love YOU

What kind of little girl was your mom? played with toys, got spankings

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him? had Jesus in his heart

Why did your mom marry your dad? wanted to have a baby

Who's the boss at your house? Daddy and Mommy

What's the difference between moms & dads? moms wear dresses, dads where suits

What does your mom do in her spare time? have dinner with Daddy

What would it take to make your mom perfect? buy more ice cream

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be? don't give me spankings

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It's good to see humor in rearing children (or you'll go insane!). As difficult as it can be sometimes, it has it's rewarding moments like this:

A Thank You note Makenna gave me without mine or Rick's knowledge thanking me for helping her have a great birthday party with her friends. (Mel, she had saved the note card you gave her and used it for a thank you note.)

Esther

As promised, an update on Esther Travis . . .

Esther entered into the Joy of her Lord, from death unto life eternal at 4:25pm Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Touches of grace : (things Esther said over this last week)

1. 4-30-09 Thursday morning she woke up and wanted to eat Adam remembers that prayer, She was so grateful to eat! Daddy asked her if she had seen Jesus. Esther said YES and Adam askedwhen. Esther said,"While I was praying for my food I saw Him in my heart". Adam went on to ask if He said anything and she said, "He said I will be with you." Anxious that she was going to go Adam asked "Is he with you now?" She replied,"He is always in my heart Daddy! He said I WILL be with you." Adam is still laughing about how silly his question was. =)

2. 4-30-09 We were watching a movie but she wasn't really watching so I asked her what she was thinking about she replied" I was thinking about how special Jesus is". I said, Yes, He is special, what special thing where you thinking about? She said" How strong He is".

3. 5-3-09 Sunday Adam walked the kids over to Sunday school and came back to help me with Esther. When she realized he was back she said, "Daddy you can go". He explained he was staying to help me with her and I ask, do you want Daddy to go? Esther nodded and said "Yes, I want you to go teach the Indians about Jesus".

4. 5-3-09 That night we had taken her into the hospital for platlets and two red cell transfusions. She sat up with a smile and wanted to hug me I will always remember those little boney arms with her pick line brace squeasing my neck as she spoke the words I love you mommy for the last time. I was headed to get her meds a little later and she muttered "Don't worry about me mommy, Jesus will be with me."

5. 5-8-09 For fun when Daddy wiped an eyelash off her cheek he asked what she wished for. Esther said (what we would later know was her real last conversation) "I wish to go to heaven".

6. 5-9-09 After a hard night and morning we were able at 2:30 to get her pain finally to subside. We fell asleep stretched out by her. The Lord sent a total stranger to wake us up (a man from Southwood Baptist Church, who said they had taken up a collection for us and had been praying for us) as Adam started to visit with him I realized Esther was taking her last few breathes. I called Adam he excused himself and we along with her two older siblings Jonathan and Deborah were able to be with her as she took her last. The Lord answered our prayer to both be with her as she passed on.

Makenna's Photoshoot

Each year I try to have the kids' picture taken. This year we chose to use friends of ours at Heirloom Moments Photography.

If you click on FULL SCREEN, you will be able to view the pictures more easily. I posted a voting poll in the right colomn of my blog. When you watch the slide show, pay attention to the numbers on the bottom of your screen (ie, 1/20, 2/20, etc.). After you watch the slide show, hop on over to the poll and pick your favorite.

Where I Live (Part 2)

Week 2: Living Room Edition

For those of you that missed last week, I am joining in on Kelly's Korner's Show Us Where You Live Friday. To see my last week's Kitchen Edition, click here.

This is the view of the living room from the dining room. To the left is the pantry and kitchen/dining room and to the right are the steps to the split entryway. The lighting doesn't the paint color justice. It is Churchhill Hotel Maple -- a tan color. I'd love to color my ceilings, but because the floor plan is open, it isn't possible with different wall colors in each room.

This view is of what is on the wall to the left of the previous picture. This wall is opposite of my kitchen. I bought the entertainment center of Craigslist (mental note: make sure you measure the TV exactly -- including the lip around the outside -- thanks to my dad's carpentry skills, the TV now fits inside). The chair was given to us, and it is currently hiding my exercise ball and step. Maybe I should keep them out in the open, so I actually use them!?!

We bought the couches and blue chair a few years back when we bought the house. Definitely wished we would have gotten built-in recliners. The end tables we have were given to us and we will probably have them refinished or buy new ones. I just recently rearranged the living room to accommodate an end table next to my hubby's chair. The previous arrangement didn't give him that option. I'm not sure how I like the current arrangement yet, but the hubby is happy. (BTW, that is my son's head at the bottom of the picture. I tried taking them photos before the kids woke up, but it didn't happen.)

Last pic of the living room. I really don't like toys sitting around in the living room, but I recently found a few cute baskets that fit under the other end table to keep them in and out of the way. This layout does help camouflage toys because you can't really see them in less you are on this side of the living room. The curtains . . . um, I accidentally shrunk them in the dryer and had to add a panel, but I guess they work. The back side is starting to fade, so if I find a great deal, I might pick up something else some day. (Again, I couldn't keep Isaiah from vacuuming the floor since he just saw me doing it.)

This is the view of split entryway (and the baby gate behind the couch). We really struggled over the fact that the couch is on this "short" wall, and the kids could climb up on it. I think the plants are a big deterrent, plus we don't let them stand on the furniture. The lighting in this house is so crazy -- the wall color in the entry way is the same color as the wall by the chair, but it doesn't look like that in the picture. We just had the steps finished and a railing put in because there wasn't one when we bought the house. Our 1 year old kept peering over the edge of the steps!!! There is only one phone jack upstairs. I hate how the phone cords are hanging, but it's what I have right now. Maybe I'll find a cute table to set there. Right now this chair I received as a wedding gift holds the diaper bag, my purse and items that need to be taken to people at church and whatever other junk we pile there. This is probably the cleanest it has been since Christmas!

This is the aerial view of the entryway. I like how easy it is to clean the steps now that they aren't carpeted, but I don't like the "slippery" factor. My hubby wanted wood, so I told him he is responsible for all the ER visits that result from accidents on the steps. We had a close call a few months ago when we thought my daughter's tooth went through her lip when she fell down. And no, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. The wall on the lower stairwell is white. We recently had someone notch out the ceiling at the bottom since my 6' 4" hubby had to duck when going down the stairs. We just haven't had the time to finish painting.

Kelly also suggested including Family Rooms, but mine isn't anywhere clean since it's in the basement and is the main entry to the house (since there are not stairs to the front door yet). I'll post them at a later date.

Weekend With Family

I started this post a couple weeks ago. I was hoping to edit the photos, but since I haven't gotten around to it, I'm just going to stick the photos in "as is." I have a few more posts that I want to do this week/weekend, so I'd better get posting!

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This weekend was the last time my sister's fiance, Josh, was going to be in town before the wedding. So arrangements were made to get our family together. (Jon, I can't tell you how much we missed you. Maybe some day, God will see fit to move you closer to us.)

Papaw always likes to make our visits memorable. We started our day out going to breakfast. The place we went to breakfast had two large fish tanks with HUGE fish. The kids were facinated.

Then we split up. Papaw and Daddy took the kids to the West Side Market and bought them fruit then to the "beach" to fly kites and play in the sand/water. Mind you, I have been explaining to my girls all winter that it has to be like -- 80 degrees before you can go swimming. (They have been asking to go swimming in our inflatable pool all winter. I was half tempted to stick them out there!) Of course, it was 80 in April in the northest this weekend! They wanted to bring their swimsuits --I wasn't even going to attempt to explain water temperature! They figured it out.

Madi was later heard saying, "when are we going to go to a real beach?" I hear ya, girl. But this is the poor man's beach, so it's all we got right now. Guess it didn't live up the beaches she's seen on TV!

Papaw bought Isaiah a boy toy so he could play in the sand. Mr. OCD had issues with the sand in his sandals and sticking to his legs, but eventually figured out how to work around that.

Apparently, it was so windy they just had to let go of the kites and they went soaring. We've been trying to fly kites at home with little success.

Later that afternoon we headed over to my brother's girlfriend's house. My brother, previously a chef, with the help of Anna prepared a yummy meal. Here's a few pics of the iced tea with lemon spiral, fruit salad and garden salad with toppings!

Some of the activities of the evening included corn hole, running through the sprinkler and riding scooters. It was a little bit of an adjustment for the kids. They aren't used to sidewalks (which they appreciated for riding scooter since we just have gravel), and we didn't think to explain to them that they couldn't just wander as far as they do on our 4 acres. We found Isaiah a few doors down roaming the neighborhood. Can we say break for informational meeting on city life?

While the kids played, the adults enjoyed being entertained and spent some time together. Here are a few pics I while we visited. I thought these were especially good photos of my parents.

I've taken pictures of this but haven't had time to post them . . . Isaiah has this "thing" for picking the sock fuzz out of his toes . . . He had gotten grass and dirt in his toes, so we again were being entertained. Everyone thought it was hillarious, so they encouraged him.

Uncle Steve was giving Isaiah some tips on how to get his toes even cleaner. (Thanks Steve!?!)

"Like this?"

"Okay, lets try it."

Fortunately, Isaiah listened to his mama and never did lick his toes (not without more encouragement from Uncle Josh).

Thanks to Gramma & Papaw for breakfast and a day of fun. Thanks to Steve and Anna for your wondeful hospitality. Josh, we look forward to having you in our family!

Happy Birthday To My Little Girl

*UPDATED: See pics at bottom of post*

It's hard to believe that my firstborn will be 8 years old today (7:28 pm to be exact). In some ways, I remember more about the day she was born than when my other kids were born. Guess it's mostly because I was busier and busier as the other came along and my memory continues to fail.

Being a parent is not what I envisioned, but I don't think anyone ever knows what it means to be a parent until you are one. We are blessed beyond measure, and we love our children more and more each day. It helps that they "say the darndest things" to help lessen the blows of the tough times.

She has a long way to go, but she is growing up into a fine young woman!

We love you Makenna! We hope your birthday is special!

Pictures from the past ~

Happy 7th Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday!

5 years old

4 years old (with sister, Madi)

3 years old
I couldn't leave this one out! It's one of our favorites. She loved to eat lemons. We had gone to Olive Garden with family and were being entertained by Makenna while we waited for our food.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Born May 5, 2001

Where I Live (Part 1)

Friday on one of the blogs I read (Kelly's Korner), we were asked to "show us where you live." This post is actually late (well, it is late -- almost 3 AM, but this post was intended for Friday). However, I still wanted to participate, so friends and family can see where we live.

This week: Kitchen Edition

A little history on our house . . . we've been here about 3 years. We bought the house partially finished. This is the first place that I've been able to choose wall colors. So I HAD to go with COLOR!! The kitchen is painted French Pastry (how fitting for a kitchen). I've added a few decorations over the years, but I've always had an apple theme in my kitchen.

This view of the kitchen is from the hallway. As you come up the split entry to the main level of the house, you would be facing the dining room table and sliding glass doors. *We sold our high chair before Baby #3 came along. He's happy with a booster seat, and I'm happy with one less peice of furniture.

This china cupboard was handed down to us from my husband's grandmother. It's a

little darker than the rest of the wood we have in the house, but we can't part with it or the dining room table that also belonged to her. (I store booklet-type cookbooks in the basket on the floor. My other cookbooks are above the stove almost out of reach. Some day when I grow up, I'll have a book case for all my cookbooks.)

This little inlet is pretty much out of sight (thankfully since my kids like to post they latest craft on the fridge). I hung up a cork board to keep track of school calendars, nursery and singing schedules too.

The pantry is on the far right of the photo. My double oven (which was a birthday / anniversary / Christmas gift for a few years running from my hubby) is wonderful especially when company comes over.

This is looking back into the dining room area (and toward the hallway where the bedrooms and bathroom is located).

Not that it's pretty, but I had to take a picture of my pantry. The previous owners used this as a coat closet!?!? Everywhere we have lived since we were married didn't have a pantry, and I had to keep my pantry items in the basement. I am so thankful to have a pantry IN the kitchen area. (Notice the toy vacuum next to the real vacuum? Guess who? Little Mr. Janitor Man.) To the right of this photo is the living room.

This is one of my favorite decorations in the kitchen. It is a picture of Rick & I on our first anniversary -- 11 1/2 years ago.