Blurb

My cup runneth over with blessings!

lower part of my body

my feet always hurt...I wish I could hire someone to rub them for 1/2 right before bed. For sure then I would have a great night of sleep!

_________________ CHRISTMAS

I received this email from a friend today. I thought I would post it on here. It made me sad to think how life is as a Christian now in today's world, and how much harder it will be for Blake to be a Christian in his schools as he gets older. I will for sure be saying Merry Christmas this season!

Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !*

Duhhhhhhhh it's all about knowing Christ

I try and workout weekly. It's more of a hassle when I am expecting my monthly visitor. I dreaded working out this past week, but in doing so would release some stress. I decided this past week when I was working out I would take along my Parent Magazine to help bypass the time. As I began to go on the PreCore, I took out the Parent Magazine and started to read it. I came across an article about Mothers and how to reduce their stress. I had a pretty tough week last week, so I was eager to read what they had suggested in this article. They listed two things in there that totally hit home to me and I realized, did I really need a secular magazine article to tell me how to reduce stress? The two things they listed were:
1) Go in your car and meditate by yourself = hmmmm might that be praying?
2) Always be thankful it helps take your mind off of what is going on
around you = isn't that scriptural ( 1 Thessalonians 5)

I was put into my place by realizing that when I am stressed to remember to still have my quiet time with the Lord to rejuvenate and refresh me and to have the mindset that there are so many things I have been blessed with and need to be thankful for. But then I also realize that a secular magazine was talking about the Lord and the Bible and they didn't even realize it. It saddened me but also gave me hope that maybe those who are wayward and reading this article maybe able to be turned back to the Lord and be reminded what they learned in the past and go back to that relationship with him.

Isaiah 35:3...read this and reminded me of how to encourage and pray for Jason.

It says :(New International Version)

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way

So now what in action would help me to accomplish that verse besides praying for him daily....hmmmm not sure but need to think about that.

Champ

Oh yesterday Blake did awesome when he got his tubes in. I woke him up at 5:45 am and got him ready. While daddy got ready we watched Jon and Kate on TLC. He loves kids, so watching that clan on TV was very entertaining to him. He was running around the house while we were gathering snacks for him that he could have after his surgery.

We got to CDH at 6:35 am. Blake was running around the office in the waiting room saying hi to everyone. At this waiting room, they actually had kids toys, book, and even Nintendo.

Finally they called us back to the room for Blake to be weighed and measured. He had bear in his hands and was running into the room and was just so happy. Never would have known he woke up 2 1/2 hours earlier than normal.

They lady then led us into the room where she took out the cutest yellow garmets Blake had to wear. They were little yellow pants and a yellow shirt that fit him perfect. Once Blake was changed, she began to check his vitals. He did awesome once again while they checked his pulse, blood pressure, and lungs. I think he loves when it gets done. He sits there patiently and then looks up and smiles at the nurse.

When we finished our vital check, the nurse pulled out several papers I needed to sign and review. As I was doing that, Blake wasn't too keen on waiting, so Jason got a HUGE red wagon...not a typical radio flyer wagon, but HUGE wagon. He began toting Blake around the hospital...the nurses saw and decided Blake needed a pillow and a blanket in the wagon. Oh was Blake ever so proud. Grinning from ear to ear as daddy wheeled him around. He would greet those in their rooms and then the nurses at the nurse station. He was so happy! Soon he decided daddy was done wheeling him around and he was going to pull bear around in the wagon. I just will never forget the grin on his face when he was pretending like he was the mayor and greeter for all the hospital workers and guests.

After waiting about 45 min for the anesthesiologist and dr. Blake was given some happy juice. It helped him with his separation anxiety and not to freak out when they put a mask over his face. He took the medicine like a pro and began to get really loopy. He was dazing out and couldn't walk on his own, he would start to tip over. It was the only time I thought I might cry seeing how that medicine affected him, but I knew it would help him and not harm him.

Shortly after the nurses, anesthesiologist, and dr came in several times to see if we had questions and to tell us they would take extra care of Blake.

The nurse took Blake away at 8:17 and then at 8:28 they came and told us that the procedure was done. That he did phenomenal and didn't cry once. He did fine when the mask was put on him, breathed a couple deep breaths, and fell asleep. They said it would take 20 min for him to wake up. Shortly after we heard two nurses say "isn't he adorable"...i jumped up turned to Jason and said...Blake is here...Blake is done! Sure enough he was wheeled in on his little hospital crib and was stretching and out came the word "mama". The nurse said that was the first word he said when he woke up! Touched my heart!!!

He looked so adorable in the hospital bed in his yellow pj's holding his bear. He was so relaxed when he was wheeled in to us.

The nurse told us to expect Blake to scream, cry, yell, and to arch his back. During that time when we were warned that Blake could react that way they assured us it was normal and the screaming and crying doesn't phase them.

Blake woke up and sat in daddy's arms and had cheerios and apple juice. Five min had passed I looked a Jason, and asked when is he suppose to scream and arch his back...????? Jason told me it should have happened already, and Blake just didn't react that way like most kids do after this type of surgery.

I was relived. The nurse kept saying how great Blake had done through out the whole surgery and before hand. I was so happy! I know my son did awesome and that he was a champ through the whole thing, but I also know that there were so many praying for us and that made the difference as well. All the texts and phone calls meant so much to me!! We were blessed to have such a wonderufl support system. Having been through a surgery with a little one now helps me to know how to pray more specifically for those who are having to go through one with their little one as well.

OH little one

you are too much for your mommy and daddy! too cute for us, but we don't mind. Today I was rocking you and you kept saying, "set GO!" and would like jerk your body like you are getting ready to spring somewhere. I asked you while I was rocking you what song you wanted me to sing, and the last several nights you have asked for "To You (happy birthday)!" Crazy how much you love the happy birthday song. You have started to read books more and sit and watch TV for 10min straight. You love to color and play with play dough, although mommy and daddy have to take it away every time because you put it in your mouth. You are to much for mommy and daddy because you are too cute and amaze us everyday!

Italy brought to us

I am fortunate enough to be over 50% Italian. I have a grandma Bea who cooks amazing Italian food. Sundays growing up we would go to her house for pasta and homemade sauce and big meatballs. I can't even explain to you the smell of her house when we walked it. Her pasta sauce and meatballs beat any reasturant. Still to this day I crave her food. Today I went to go see my grandpa all by myself. It's Sunday, so of course she made her pasta sauce and meatballs. Grandma insisted I bring home some pasta for Jason and Blake. Jason ate it up super fast and Blake had his first taste of grandma Bea's pasta. He gobbled it up like a turkey. Stuffing both hands in his mouth eating it as fast as he could. Several times Jason and I had to tell him to slow down. It's so awesome that Blake is able to taste what I grew up on and be blessed with that great Italian cooking!

side note: we took blake's highschair down yesterday and now he just sits in a normal chair for eating....such a big boy!