Lately...

Yes, we are trying to process horrible news. God is helping us. It's messy though. I mean, seriously, I have questions and things I am so NOT OK with right now! I think God is totally OK with our messiness & I am so very thankful for that. 

Besides that though, we are LIVING! 

If you don't know Nathan, you are missing out. He is hilarious! This is what he decided to do today. It's nice out but NOT that nice. I love his zany sense of humor! 

We also had some Fall fun with dressing up, candy and pumpkins and several photo bombing incidents. I thought this one by Juneau was so funny! 

Another photo bomb by cute-dimpled-Luke! 

Sam's Health Update

We've been concerned about Sam's health for awhile now, maybe eight months, and have been doing labs every four weeks to monitor his liver. It all came to a head this week at the children's hospital when we met with his specialists. 

He will be admitted for a liver biopsy in the next week or two and then will begin six months of treatment/therapy with a chemo med. We will have to give him multiple injections at home every week that will very possibly make him feel awfully sick. Oh my, it hurts even to type that. My son. My sweet little son.

To be fair, we expected the biopsy would be scheduled. We were prepared for that, but we thought the therapy might not happen, that the biopsy results would look OK and that we could put that off. I mean, he is only four. But, his doctors are amazing, and very, very thorough and care about him, so we trust their decision that he should begin the meds too. 

So, we are trying to process it all. Our kids know what is going on, of course. We talk about everything. They asked, "Is Sam going to die?" We told them, "Not any time soon." That is what they wanted to know, the bottom line, so now they are fine. We are going to face it all together as a family with our ever faithful God.

So, I am relating to this God I know, and that I love, and that I trust, and that I also BEGGED not to let this happen to my son. Tough stuff! I have been down this road before though and I know I can process and be angry and have a big, big fit (and I will) and that God is plenty big enough to handle that. I also know I will continue on trusting Him. Implicitly. My only other choice is to not trust Him and that is not even an option for me. Not at all. 

So, we're preparing for battle around here. Battle for our son's health, battle to keep life as joy-filled and normal as possible, battle for our hearts to stay close to our Comforter and Strength. 

Messes or Miracles?

I read this wonderful quote on FB today. It was a kind of a warning to not miss out on the miracles surrounding you because you are focused on the mess. What good advice for me! I love it and perhaps will put in on a wall somewhere in our home. 

It is very easy to become discouraged as I daily trip over the shoes, soccer gear, pets, toys, dirty laundry piles, swim goggles, dishes, construction zone (our addition project), school supplies for both the home schoolers and public schoolers in our family and more, knowing that I will not be able to conquer/fix it all since it will just keep on growing. 

If the mess is all I let myself see, I will be missing out on such pure, dear treasure. I live in the middle of so many miracles! John and I have been happily married for 19 years now, despite having been born and raised in different countries. I mean, what were the chances of us even meeting one another? Mark is our miracle baby. Luke and Nathan are our beloved treasures from Ghana. The story of how our little Sam came to us from Ukraine is incredible. Really, we are crazy, crazy blessed! 

So, I will still try to clean up, but I will keep my eyes & heart wide open and remember. 

I adore this saying that I found on Pinterest.

So, thank You God for blessing me with a home full of love, and energy and life. So it's very messy...and loud! So what?! I am blessed!  

Big Mac & Nathan's First-Ever Presentation

Nathan did his first-ever presentation at a public speaking class he goes to. Big Mac, his bunny, came along as the best prop ever. Nate did a good job and Mac surprised us by loving all the attention. 

The Fair

Every year I work with the kids on their fair projects and it is such a lot of work (and often very frustrating!!!!!) that I always wonder if it is even worth all the effort. But then we all go to the Fair and see their work on display and all their ribbons and we all enjoy it so much. So, I guess I'm convinced to try again next year too. 

Our littlest, Sam, won the purple rosette for his age group with a Christmas tree he made from a pot from Goodwill and some painted egg cups. 

All of us ribboned, even John and I. Fun! 

Luke and Nathan got to be in a play.

We went to a Colton Dixon concert (I was impressed.) and Sam got hilariously happy and kept trying to plant big kisses on his unwilling brother's face. So funny! 

Candy Making, Fall and More Vet Visits

 It's Fall and it's beautiful and we are playing soccer, and doing school, and making candy to enter at the Fair ( and 100 other things, despite our efforts to slow life down.) Luke made Peanut butter candy and Mark made Honey Butterscotch. It is so good, which is kinda dangerous...must get it out of our house ASAP! 

Sam has been doing so well going to pre-school that we have increased his hours, so now he goes three mornings a week. I am very thankful for amazing teachers and therapists. 

Our poor sick kitty, Jewel,  tested negative for ALL the tests our amazing vet did. Ugh! We put her on a broad spectrum anti-biotic as a last try and it is not working too well. :(  I think we are just going to take it one day at a time with her and make sure she enjoys her days as best she can. 

I am sick too. Every time the boys get a "bug" I seem to get it as well but worse and for longer, and antibiotics and steroids are often needed. This is a long term problem for me and the allergy shots I've been doing the last two years have helped but have not completely solved it all. I have also become allergic to gluten and soy. Weird! I am getting more opportunities for patience & trusting in God day by day, I'll tell you that. I long to be Wonder Woman who can do it all, but am learning to be content with life as it is. 

And now, for some darling pictures of my treasures...

I couldn't choose my favorite of these two. I love them both. The way my boys love each other means so very much to me, I can't think of the right words. 

Here's one more of those two, having a cuddle at a soccer game. 

I found this on Pinterst the other day and loved it. I think I need it on my wall. 

September

Time for school! Phew! That is a lot of work for me as I am continuing to home school the three oldest boys, ages 12, 10, and 9. Sam is going to an Exceptional Preschool two mornings a week. I am honestly a reluctant home schooler but it still remains the best option we can find for most of our kids. 

So, we are starting school with fair entries. Most of the boys have 20 + entries including candy making, fine art, simple weaving, woodwork, you name it. I want them to be well rounded and try out different kinds of art, so we do this every year. They aren't crafty and don't love it but they do love winning prize $ and seeing their work on display at the fair.

We are also back to their extra curriculars....swim team, soccer, public speaking class, and PE. It's busy but mostly fun.

We've also been hiking...

...and taking naps after pre- school. It wears a guy out, you know! 

Also, dressing up as pirate/Vikings...

On a sadder note, I think our little grey and white cat that we rescued just a few years ago, may be dying. She has been ill for awhile and is at the vet again today. They suspect feline leukemia or renal failure. Poor Jewel! Every life matters and we are sad for her....waiting on a phone call to see what they think.

She has always had this funny shocked expression!  Quirky girl!