I am a Chris Rice fan. For those of you who do not know him, he is a christian music artist. Well, he wrote and recorded a song called, Thanks for the Lemonade. It is a play on the 'If life gives you lemons, make lemonade' saying. Sometimes it is easier to see the lemon and not the lemonade. I was recently talking to a lady in her 70's. She was lamenting over all the things that she had not done in her life, such as snow skiing or white water rafting or going to see Mt. Rushmore. She was truly ranking her life as all lemons, even though God had blessed her with the love of her life for 49 years and 4 grown independent healthy children (which is a miracle in itself) If you look at my life right now, you might think that I received some pretty big lemons, and sometimes I might feel that way too. But in my car with this song playing in the CD player, I listened to Kaydee and Cooper sing the words at the top of their lungs as Kensley laughed at them. I smiled and thanked God for the lemonade. It is pretty sweet. Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Prayer requests: Kensley did not gain any weight this morning and we still need 3 more ounces. She is also stooling looser and more frequently today. Pray for thickness and fewer stools.
Caed has his sister with him for a while, what a praise! Continue to pray that he makes progress and that his time in NE will productive and fast!
Pray for J. as he travels.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Just three more ounces! 10-20-08
Just three more ounces and Kensley will double her birth weight before her 6th month birthday. Pray for us! Kensley is doing well. We even attended church on Sunday. I was a nervous wreck the whole time. I just don't want Kensley to get sick and of course so many people wanted to get up close to her. It was hard to isolate her, but most everyone was very understanding and kept their distance. Today was her lab draw and we will find out the result late tomorrow or Wednesday. She is happy and playing and seems great. Kaydee and Cooper have been great too! They are helping out with all the extra work load without complaint, well with little complaint. God is good. Have a great day and keep praying! Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Climbing Mount Laundry
Home again and climbing the great mountain range known as Mt. Laundry. It seems to grow bigger every day and sprout satellite hills in each bedroom. Some of the hills consist of clean clothes that have been taken out of the dryer, but not folded or put away. Some of the hills consist of dirty clothes sorted into the correct color combination for the washer. About the time I get one washed and put away, another grows. Mt. Baby Laundry is a daily climb with special detergent! I am sure some of you are thinking back to the time when your children were small, and the daily tasks seemed overwhelming. Well, sometimes they just are! You have to take care of the big rocks and let the little ones lie. There is an old saying that goes, 'If you want to visit, come on over. If you want to visit my house, make an appointment'. In the midst of overwhelming daily grind, a clean house becomes a very little rock. So, I am sending out a prayer for all the mothers of infants and little ones. We just have to hang in there. It will be easier someday and all the hardship will be rewarded. Even Kensley with all her extra feedings, and diapers and supplements and special schedules is getting easier to take care of (or I'm just getting used to it). It is no secret that this has not been the easiest year of my life, but after a trial God loves to bless you when you keep the faith and keep praising Him. And... just to give me a little hope boost, the Lord led me to Isaiah 61 (The Year of the Lord's Favor). If you need a little hope, read the chapter and claim your crown of beauty instead of ashes. The Lord knows I need it. Like many of you, I am tired, nervous, rushed and overwhelmed (not to mention my personal over scheduled and over weight problems) All these things added to Mt. Laundry can wreck havoc on your peace and self esteem. Well, no more! I am claiming my crown of beauty, throwing out the ashes and counting my blessings now. J. has continued to be my partner in all of this. He supports and loves and tells me each day (even though it is a blatant lie) that I am beautiful. Kensley grows and laughs and plays and tries to make things as normal as she can for Mommy, and Kaydee and Cooper make me laugh everyday. It is going to be a great year-No matter who is president! Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Prayer requests: For Kensley to remain as healthy as possible and to continue to grow.
For Caed to continue to make progress and for the doctors to make the right decisions for his case.
For Jake to continue to get stronger.
For churches and pastors and church leadership to stay true to the Bible and create a Biblical world view and not a world altered Bible view.
For all of you, who encourage and love and remain the hands and feet of Jesus on earth.
Prayer requests: For Kensley to remain as healthy as possible and to continue to grow.
For Caed to continue to make progress and for the doctors to make the right decisions for his case.
For Jake to continue to get stronger.
For churches and pastors and church leadership to stay true to the Bible and create a Biblical world view and not a world altered Bible view.
For all of you, who encourage and love and remain the hands and feet of Jesus on earth.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Home Busy Home
I am home again and things are going very well and very busy. I took the kids to school on Friday and attended Cooper's field trip to the Corn Maze, helped with homework, packed lunches, got dance outfit together, cleaned house, unpacked most of the things we took to Omaha, made appointments for Kensley, washed bottles, changed diapers again and again and again, read stories to Cooper, tucked Kaydee into bed, AND wondered how I was going to continue this schedule until Kensley is a year old. I forgot to eat on Friday until it was dinner time. My back has been hurting and I have had a headache on and off for two days. Personally, I couldn't be happier. Home is home. It is often a hectic place, but for some unknown reason it is a place a rest. Your heart rests where it is loved. My heart rests at home. Now my body is a different story-no rest there.
Kensley made the transition well. She has gained to 12lbs. and 5oz. Her stools are better, not great, but better. She is trying to roll over and she grabs and hold on to everything, including her nasal feeding tube and central line. This is the greatest problem. If she can get her hands on those tubes, she yanks them hard. The nasal tube has come out twice and I have had to re-insert it. She grabbed the central line so hard that the dressing had to be changed. But what can you do. Kensley, just like any normal active healthy little baby, is playing and rolling from side to side (she rolled over to her stomach one time, but hasn't tried again) and she is trying to cut her first two bottom teeth. She is eating rice cereal twice a day and the doctors say that she can try other baby foods at 6 months. Wow! It was a dream and a prayer that got us this far. We still have a long way to go, but I am going to keep dreaming and praying and the Lord will see my through. Some day Kensley will not have a central line or nasal tube, and I won't have to mix and administer medicine morning and night. That is my dream. You know, God gives everyone those dreams. The ones you want sooooo much, but never think can happen. Maybe it is for a new house, and a better job, a college degree, or maybe you want to start your own business. Whatever the dream, Hold on to it, ask God for help and trust Jesus to go with you on your journey. Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Prayer requests:
Jake is doing well, improving and healing everyday. Pray that he may continue to improve and go home sooner rather than later. Caed had a small bowel series, which we hope will indicate adaption of the intestine. Pray for wisdom and understanding for his doctors and parents. Kensley is still gaining and growing, but her stools remain sometime loose and liquid. Pray for continue growth and thicker stools.
Pray without ceasing for each other.
Kensley made the transition well. She has gained to 12lbs. and 5oz. Her stools are better, not great, but better. She is trying to roll over and she grabs and hold on to everything, including her nasal feeding tube and central line. This is the greatest problem. If she can get her hands on those tubes, she yanks them hard. The nasal tube has come out twice and I have had to re-insert it. She grabbed the central line so hard that the dressing had to be changed. But what can you do. Kensley, just like any normal active healthy little baby, is playing and rolling from side to side (she rolled over to her stomach one time, but hasn't tried again) and she is trying to cut her first two bottom teeth. She is eating rice cereal twice a day and the doctors say that she can try other baby foods at 6 months. Wow! It was a dream and a prayer that got us this far. We still have a long way to go, but I am going to keep dreaming and praying and the Lord will see my through. Some day Kensley will not have a central line or nasal tube, and I won't have to mix and administer medicine morning and night. That is my dream. You know, God gives everyone those dreams. The ones you want sooooo much, but never think can happen. Maybe it is for a new house, and a better job, a college degree, or maybe you want to start your own business. Whatever the dream, Hold on to it, ask God for help and trust Jesus to go with you on your journey. Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Prayer requests:
Jake is doing well, improving and healing everyday. Pray that he may continue to improve and go home sooner rather than later. Caed had a small bowel series, which we hope will indicate adaption of the intestine. Pray for wisdom and understanding for his doctors and parents. Kensley is still gaining and growing, but her stools remain sometime loose and liquid. Pray for continue growth and thicker stools.
Pray without ceasing for each other.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Heading Home 10/06/08
Well, Kensley and I will be headed home soon. We will have one more doctor's visit and then we travel home later this week. J. arrived safely on Saturday. It is so nice to just sit and talk. We have laughed and had a great time. We also tallied Kensley's progress during our 6 week stay here in Omaha. She has gained almost 4lbs, and grown 2 inches taller. It is amazing. If she continues this progress, she will be on track to double her birth weight by 6 months (just like a baby without complications!) We will have to travel back to Omaha in about 6 weeks for another doctor's appointment, but I don't mind. I have come to trust this team of doctors and nurses. I will be glad to see them again. I will probably not get to blog until Wednesday or Thursday, so I wish all of you a blessed Tuesday. I will be praying for you, please pray for Kensley. Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Saturday Night in Nebraska 10/4/08
Hello, I'm finally back on line. I am using a local wireless signal, but it is just an unsecured network that I can randomly log on to, soooo... sometimes it just won't let me on. I am sorry to all those who check this site daily. Don't stop! But please accept my apologies for the skipped days. They are beyond my control.
Today, J. arrived to spend the last week in Omaha with me. Yes, I said last week. I should be home by the 11th of October. I can not believe that we have been here 6 weeks. It really went by fast. Kensley started this adventure at 8lbs 9oz on August 31st and today she weighs 11lbs 8oz (that is basically 3lbs in 6weeks). She has also grown 2 inches longer, and her head circumference has gone from 39cm to 42cm. Wow! She is on the growth chart in weight (barely at the 5% weight, 20% and 25% on height and head respectively). This has really been a blessing for us, and our time is not truly over. We will return in 6weeks for our first out-patient appointment. All of our daily care will be ordered by the doctors here in Nebraska but go through our GI doctor in Lubbock. We will be e-mailing back and forth daily chart sheets and we will have a weekly conference call with our nurse coordinator. I will admit that I am a little nervous about going home, but the doctors have confidence in our abilities to monitor and take care of Kensley's needs. With that and God, we will be alright. Kensley has still been having watery stools, but the number has gone down. All I can do is pray for thicker and fewer stools. I never in my life thought I would be praying about poop! Well, poop is a major concern in my life now. It takes up quite a lot of my thoughts, prayers, and time. Yes, God does have a sense of humor. Let's face it, people are funny, and if we are made in God image then it is easy to see why a good laugh is a blessing from God. So remember to laugh today. It just might be a hug from Heaven, Tana
Prayer Requests:
Praise be to God, Caed and Jake seem to be doing better. Caed has gained some weight. Jake is eating playing and there is talk of him being home by Christmas (Wow, after a heart transplant). Keep them in your prayers, pray without ceasing!
Pray for Kensley. She is stooling a bit too much and too loosely. Pray that her stools slow down and thicken.
Pray for a special American family in Germany. They are a sweet family with 5 children, 4 of which are under 4 years of age. One has celrebral palsy. They are having financial difficulty due the medical issues. I know it must be hard to be so far from home, with no family, and little support.
Blessings to all of you.
Today, J. arrived to spend the last week in Omaha with me. Yes, I said last week. I should be home by the 11th of October. I can not believe that we have been here 6 weeks. It really went by fast. Kensley started this adventure at 8lbs 9oz on August 31st and today she weighs 11lbs 8oz (that is basically 3lbs in 6weeks). She has also grown 2 inches longer, and her head circumference has gone from 39cm to 42cm. Wow! She is on the growth chart in weight (barely at the 5% weight, 20% and 25% on height and head respectively). This has really been a blessing for us, and our time is not truly over. We will return in 6weeks for our first out-patient appointment. All of our daily care will be ordered by the doctors here in Nebraska but go through our GI doctor in Lubbock. We will be e-mailing back and forth daily chart sheets and we will have a weekly conference call with our nurse coordinator. I will admit that I am a little nervous about going home, but the doctors have confidence in our abilities to monitor and take care of Kensley's needs. With that and God, we will be alright. Kensley has still been having watery stools, but the number has gone down. All I can do is pray for thicker and fewer stools. I never in my life thought I would be praying about poop! Well, poop is a major concern in my life now. It takes up quite a lot of my thoughts, prayers, and time. Yes, God does have a sense of humor. Let's face it, people are funny, and if we are made in God image then it is easy to see why a good laugh is a blessing from God. So remember to laugh today. It just might be a hug from Heaven, Tana
Prayer Requests:
Praise be to God, Caed and Jake seem to be doing better. Caed has gained some weight. Jake is eating playing and there is talk of him being home by Christmas (Wow, after a heart transplant). Keep them in your prayers, pray without ceasing!
Pray for Kensley. She is stooling a bit too much and too loosely. Pray that her stools slow down and thicken.
Pray for a special American family in Germany. They are a sweet family with 5 children, 4 of which are under 4 years of age. One has celrebral palsy. They are having financial difficulty due the medical issues. I know it must be hard to be so far from home, with no family, and little support.
Blessings to all of you.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I have always loved Scooby Doo 10-1-08
God gave me Cooper Free, Scooby Doo's #1 fan, for a reason. As a kid, I loved all things Scooby Doo. Of course, I wanted to be Daphne, but I solved mysteries and tried to get my dog Tip to talk all the time. Sometime I just knew he understood what I was saying. Well, Cooper is an even greater Scooby Doo fan than I. He would watch Scooby movies and cartoons all day if I let him. So, just yesterday, as Kensley slept I flip through the channels and found none other than Scooby Doo. I watched and pretended that Cooper was with me. I thought about my children, all three of them. There are so many things that I love about just spending time with them. Hugging Cooper tight as he pretends to be scared about some Scooby mystery that he has seen 100 times. Talking quietly just before bedtime with Kaydee about her day and her concerns and her joys, as I run my fingers through her hair. Holding Kensley against my chest as she falls to sleep hearing my heart beat. All these things remind me to love all of life, good and bad. Children touch our lives and make our moments worth living. They give us honesty when no one else will and they just want love and time. No wonder God tells us to like children (Matthew 18:3-4). So, today I encourage you to hug and hold your children no matter their age, talk to them, love them, play with them, and LEARN from them. Hugs from Heaven, Tana
Prayer requests:
Kensley is still stooling too loosely. She has gone through several feeding changes and they always make her stools loose. It is my prayer that her stools thicken up, so that she absorbs more nutrients and water from the food she eats.
Caed seems to be gaining weight. My prayer is that he continues to gains and feel better everyday. I also pray that his intestine continues to adapt and grow everyday.
Jake has received his miracle heart and is still recovering. This is a very critical time, and although the reports I have received say that he is doing well, I pray for a hedge of protection around Jake and his family as they go through this time.
I also pray for all who read this blog and who pray with me and support my family everyday. You are a blessing to my life and I could not go on without you. May God bless you and Jesus walk beside you.
Prayer requests:
Kensley is still stooling too loosely. She has gone through several feeding changes and they always make her stools loose. It is my prayer that her stools thicken up, so that she absorbs more nutrients and water from the food she eats.
Caed seems to be gaining weight. My prayer is that he continues to gains and feel better everyday. I also pray that his intestine continues to adapt and grow everyday.
Jake has received his miracle heart and is still recovering. This is a very critical time, and although the reports I have received say that he is doing well, I pray for a hedge of protection around Jake and his family as they go through this time.
I also pray for all who read this blog and who pray with me and support my family everyday. You are a blessing to my life and I could not go on without you. May God bless you and Jesus walk beside you.
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