Deuteronomy 6:5-9

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Challenge...

Last night at our "Women's Fellowship Night" we had some very deep and interesting discussions. First of all I have to tell you, It wasn't all women. My hubby got trapped in our discussions. He didn't have to go to work. There is something that I wanted to pass along to you all. Martie asked what is going to change this world??? Could there be another "great awakening"??? Is it possible???

After thinking for a while, we came up with all kinds of answers. Then Martie brought it back to the elementary truths... The Gospel! That is the only thing that can change this world that is the only thing that can change people. We as Christians have failed! When was the last time you shared your faith? When was the last time you were excited about the Lord, and wanted to share it with a LOST person.

Christians, brothers, sisters... we need to get out of our Christian "ghettos". We need to share the gospel. No, it's not going to be easy. People are not going to like you. Jesus said they hated Him first, they will hate us too. That's not very encouraging is it? Why do we act surprised when lost people act lost? Why do we act surprised when elections come around? We can't change the world!!! But, God can, through us.

We need to get out there! Get our hands and feet dirty!!! I challenge you all share your faith with ONE person today. Leave me a comment let me know how it goes. Let's encourage each other, rejoice with each other, sharpen each other.....only to go out and do it again!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

I'm starting a new business!!!

Yes, you heard me right. A few people close to me have suggested this new "business adventure". Most of you know we are trying to find a way to allow Martie to quit his part-time job. So this is where I come in. I believe that it is my role to try to help provide for our family in ANY way I can. Whether that's clipping coupons, recycling, at home jobs, whatever it may be. Anyway, that can be a whole other discussion.

So here's my new "business":
www.graspingthespindle.com

I have been up very late building the web site, and it's still not finished. I have lot's more pictures to load. I also need to write a lot more info. and prices. Anyway for now you can look and see my idea. Tell me what you think. Taylor is also going to be involved in this, as I seek to train her in taking care of her family. (She also wants me to add a link of some jewelry she's making) :-) That will be coming soon!

Spread the word! Thanks!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

So I've been tagged by Jennifer, and I guess in all fairness I must play along. This should be very interesting. Get ready!!!

THE RULES:
* Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
* Share 7 little known facts about yourself on your blog.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here we go...

1. I am very passionate about adoption. We'll see where God leads us.

2. I really LOVE my minivan. (bring on the 15 passenger)

3. I really love to help children or teens who don't have much or that come from crazy homes.

4. I love gardening, but hate the work.

5. I'm excited to see how many children God will give us.

6. I'm really o.k. with our small house.

7. I will miss Tuesday nights with my children at chick-fil-a, if my hubby quits UPS. (we won't be able to afford it then. :-)

O.k. so here are the people I tag:
Carrie

Sarah

Kami

Laura

Kelly

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Tabitha @ 4 months

I haven't done an update on Tabitha in a while. Well, she is probably our best "baby". Meaning, she NEVER cries, smiles all the time, sleeps ALL night. Now, don't get me wrong all of the children have been great babies. The thing that sets her apart is her love for SLEEP. If you know me, you know I go to bed late (when Martie gets home), and I wake up early. The boys took forever to sleep through the night, and when they did they got up between 6 and 7. Now they sleep until about 7.

Now Tabitha... she goes to bed when they do at 8:00 and sleeps until..... I wake her up. Crazy, huh? I usually wake her up about 8:00/8:30. I like to keep her on schedule. She has adjusted great to the boys schedule. She never fought naps or going to bed at night. I know, I am special. Remember, I did not have that with the boys. Taylor was another story of her own. First baby, I didn't have a clue. Schedule? What was that? I let her tell me what she wanted, sometimes she didn't even know. (side note: I love "Baby Wise")

So Tabitha has been such a blessing to our family. The children all love her so much. Here are her latest pictures from this morning before church. She's wearing the dress Nanny made her before she died. :-( Doesn't she look just beautiful, oh and that smile.

My favorite Tabitha in the whole world!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Update on Andrew

I took Andrew back to the doctor this morning. I was able to make an appointment with his doctor. The one that we've seen since he was born. I really think a lot of him. (Martie does too) So Dr. Wang is convinced it is a bug/spider bite. He poked a hole in the blister and drained it a little. He wanted to make sure there was no infection. It should start to get better.


While we were there, he heard Andrew coughing so he decided to listen to him. He said that he is very close to needing a prescription. Dr. Wang doesn't like kids on antibiotics for just anything. I love that about him. So before we left this is the conclusion we came to... He gave us the prescription for the antibiotic. In a day or so, if Andrew's cough gets any worse, then get the prescription filled. He prescribed one that will be good for his 'cold' and for skin infections.


I thought that was a good decision, and I'm feeling pretty comfortable. It still looks bad, but hopefully we'll see some progress from here on out. Oh, and I took my camera this time and showed him the progression pictures. (I know, I'm slightly crazy)


This morning, before we saw Dr. Wang


This evening, after Dr. Wang drained the blister

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Frustration with doctors...

Monday night, after our trip to BJ's, I took the children to Chick-fil-A. While we were sitting there Andrew said, "ouch bug bite me". Then he showed me the inside of his hand. He had a scratch so I said, "no honey you have a scratch". Then he grabbed his side and said, "ouch bug bite me again". In a panic Taylor said, "mom get him up". We searched him and found nothing, except he had the chills all over.
The next morning around 9:00 am the boys were playing in the living room, when we heard Andrew start crying. Taylor ran in there and Ethan ran away. Andrew said Ethan hit him. Andrew was sitting in the big purple chair and Ethan was standing in the middle of the floor. Hmmmmm, we looked and saw a red spot on the top of his hand. After talking to Ethan, I came to the conclusion that Ethan hit him on his hand. He said he hit him with an open hand. (not with anything) So we watched it through the day. By lunch I was concerned, it was now red with some swelling. Martie said to just wait and keep watching it. By 4:00 pm it had a little white pimple looking thing on it. So I called the doctor, and they saw us right away.

Conclusion.... spider bite.... remember the night before at chick-fil-a? So maybe when Ethan hit him is when we noticed it? After Chick-fil-a we brought him straight home and put him to bed. (he was already asleep)

After the doctor trip, I came home and gave him a bath. They went to my dad and step moms last night. I had a mom's night out. I told them if it looked worse to call me. Around 9:30 they called and said the "pimple" now looked like a wart. A big wart like blister. I told them that Martie would be there in a little while let him look at it. (I would probably over react) He called me at 11:00 pm and asked me to meet him at the hospital. It looked a lot worse. Martie DOESN'T over react.

So the hospital experience was terrible. Three hours later, a doctor comes in and looks at it and says it looks like a burn. I assured her it was NOT a burn. I would know if he burned himself. He would have really cried if he burned himself on something. Well she insisted that it was a burn and put some neosporin on it with a band-aid. Thanks a lot for NOTHING!!! She spent maybe 2 minutes in there. I should have showed her the pictures of the progression, however I didn't think of it.

So, here we are a day later. I think it looks worse, but who knows. At this point I'm starting to think I'm crazy. We didn't get home with all the kids until 3 this morning. What do you all think?

The first picture 4:00 Tuesday afternoon.

At the hospital Tuesday night. (11:30 pm)


This morning. (Wednesday)

Before church tonight. (Wednesday @ 5:00 pm)

It's hard to see in these pictures, but the blister is the same size as the whole spot.