ENOUGH

Do you want to be humbled today??? Just read the last few blog posts from Bring the Rain, and it will happen. I was just grumbling about how I would love more space in my home, more money in the bank, and maybe just a little extra to buy myself some new shoes. HMMM? After reading this, and being overcome with tears and joy, I have remembered that HE IS ENOUGH, HE IS TRULY SUFFICIENT FOR US ALL.

It's Back

on Prednisone


3 days off of it

The prednisone has worn off, and the eczema is back. I am amazed at how unhealthy he looks compared to last week. Oh, how we long for more of last week--for those sparkly eyes, and rosy cheeks. After a fussy, unrested, not feeling good Eli day, Aaron came up to me and Kevin and said "I wish Eli's stuff didn't come back. I hate eczema." Me too, buddy, me too.

Another Birthday!

One Alexis, 100's of expressions

Alexis is 7 today. 7!! I love that number, it's a great number. I can't tell you how long the 9 days are between their birthdays. How hard it is to be the oldest but to have a birthday nine days after your little brother! Just torture!! I promise we did not plan it that way. In fact, would you believe they were both due on the exact same day? That's right, April 23rd. They were both early. This year in honor of our first child and only girl, I thought I would list 7 of my most favorite things about Alexis:

1. Alexis is very passionate. She gets really excited about the things that she loves and really emotional about things that she doesn't so much love. There is no in-between.

2. Just about every day we are home, she runs out to greet her friend Kadie at the bus. She yells her name and gives her a gigantic hug and then back she comes. I love that, and I think Kadie does, too.

3. Alexis is very discerning. For example, the other day she made fun of her brother's artwork (which was beautiful). I got onto her a bit about encouraging her brother and not trying to discourage him. She said "Mom, I am jealous of him. He draws better than me." I thought she hit the nail on the head. she is pretty good at calling it like it is.

4. She has a thousand different expressions!! And she keeps coming up with new ones. See Pics!!

5. I love that Alexis puts on "shows" for us at least once a week. She is quite the director.

6. I love that she tells me when I am being grouchy and reminds me that I am no fun when I am grouchy. Like I said, she tells it like it is.

7. and lastly, I love how Alexis is learning and transitioning every day into life with Jesus. She prays often, and she is beginning to give on things that were once so hard. She gave her own money in the offering the other day, and she told me she didn't want to, but when she did it "it felt good." God loves a cheerful giver, Alexis. And though letting go of things doesn't come easy, you are learning that there is much joy in it. I am proud of you for fighting against your fears and doing things that are good even though you may not really want to do it. You are less and less a little girl these days and truly becoming a little lady, and your dad and I could not love you more. We have some ups and downs, but we are working and learning together everyday. I am thankful to be your mom. Happy Birthday. I can't wait to see what God does with you this year.

The Land of the Living

Hey Good Lookin'!


We have seen...



and discovered...

a lotta-bit of...

our Eli's personality, this week.

It has been a great week this week. I am remembering what it feels like when you get adequate sleep. I felt normal this week, and motivated as well. It all started last Saturday, when Eli came down with a respiratory virus. He had been having a good week before (not great, bot better) and then this virus hit and he had trouble breathing. So, we had to put him on an oral steroid to get him opened up. Most of you who know me know that I hate medicine, especially prednisone. But, I also concede when I know there is an emergency with health. But I will try to find any other way before I use those kind of strong medications. I am one of those "mean" parents that won't even give my kids fever reducer meds, like ibuprofen, unless it gets way too high for too long. I believe fever is a good sign, it is. It means the body is fighting the invader. If we supress the fever we supress the immune system trying to do it's job. I have found that when I don't use those reducers, they fight the bug quicker and more effectively, and it usually doesn't go into infection either. Fevers actually make our immune systems stronger. But, I digress. I guess I just believe that God created and designed our bodies to do things and I don't want to interfere with the process. But, in saying that, I also know that sometimes intervention is necessary, because we live in a broken world and sometimes are bodies don't respond like they should because of our environment and nutritional state. At least, that is what I believe. So, I didn't hesitate to give Eli the steroids. And, not only did they help his airways, it cleared up the rest of the eczema and gave him the best week of his life--he was even able to eat cheese!! .He looks amazing, feels amazing, and has the most beautiful, sparkly eyes I have ever seen. WE gave him his last dose this morning--bittersweet, for sure. Basically, he is a sight for sore eyes. I know this is the drugs, so it is hard for me to believe he will not regress when he is done with the round. But, I am remaining hopeful. Because, I do believe we have been working on the "heart" of the problem, not just treating the symptom. At least, I hope we are. We have all slept through the night this week, and that, accompanied by the fact that I am not walking on eggshells wondering when he will start scratching (which is part of the exhaustion) has given us a wonderful week. Things piled up around our house, and emotions have been all over the place for the last couple months. But this week, I have done about 12 loads of laundry, sorted through winter and summer clothes, de-cluttered the entire house, enjoyed playing and schooling my other 2, yelled a whole lot less, smiled a lot more, and enjoyed every minute with a happy little Eli, who got to actually wear shorts!! I have even taken notice of things that have been brought to my attention, like the fact that Alexis has been eating pencil erasers and Aaron had not taken a bath in over a week. Yes, that is how it has been around here. Survival. I think my kids actually like me again. And I think I like them, too. They ARE sweet children who just needed a little attention and TLC! It is amazing what having a sick child can do to a family. BUT, I count my blessings, because I could have a child, like this precious baby Jonah, who has a disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa and will live life covered in painful blisters. OR, this sweet boy Stellan, who has been living life going in and out of SVT (high heart rate) for the past month, and may face a difficult heart surgery that most Dr.'s don't typically want to do until the child is over 3 years old--he is only 5 months old. I imagine their parents would much rather be dealing with eczema. And so, I am grateful. And I hope to better praise our Lord during the times of trial, because these parents, facing what they face--life, death, and suffering--sure do a good job of praising the Lord through their storm. So, if the rashes come back and he reacts to cheese again when he is off the meds, we will carry our cross without complaint, and wait on the Lord, thankful for this week of "normal" and hopeful for more weeks like this to come--without the roids, preferably!

Oh, and don't worry, after daddy made certain, due to a little scare tactic (sometimes those are necessary) Lexi will not be feasting on pencil erasers anymore--no matter how "yummy" they are! What???

And gotten lots of kisses!

FIVE

April 11, 2004 (Easter Sunday)

Our Sweet Aaron was born, 2 hours and 48 minutes after my own birthday.

3 days old

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE--Where did the time go?

I sit here on Easter Sunday (home with the sick baby) on really the actual 5 year anniversary of Aaron's birth. He was born on a Sunday, Easter, which I think is pretty special. On the anniversary of God's son's resurrection, my first son took his first breath. He was the only one of our children born in St. Louis--a Cardinal by birth. We make a big deal about that!!! I sent him off this morning with his Prince Caspian sword attached, ready for battle. Don't worry his dad won't allow it to go past the car. But that is my boy, brave and ready to fight off the bad guys. I could probably get all upset about the fact that he loves to sword fight, but I don't because I know the heart of this boy is tender and loving and God will use that nature for His glory one day. He has everything it takes for a man after God's own heart, and I pray that for him everyday. Aaron is strong, like a rock. He will knock you over with his hugs, because he doesn't just hug, he hugs with his entire body. We have grown to love this, even though we usually walk away wounded in some way. When he smiles he lights up the entire room, but don't you dare tell him that, because any attention--good or bad--given his way is not well recieved. He hates to be the center of attention--a trait passed down on both sides. He is the only one I know who likes to make people laugh, but then gets mad at them for laughing. But that's our Aaron. He is loud, aggressive, competitive, rough--but sweet, forgiving, eager to please, and loyal. He will be that boy who gets out on a football field and tackles with all his might--but walks off worried if he hurt someone, and probably won't care about being the hero either. All reasons why I know the Lord will use our Easter baby in mighty ways. I have been praying for the Lord to reveal to me the gifts He has given my children--and as I write this, I see them even more clearly.

Aaron, I am proud to be your mom. I love your sweet heart and bulldozer hugs. I love the way you work hard on things, even though sometimes you get a bit frustrated. I love your sweet voice and hearing you sing while you play. I love the excitement in your beautiful, blue eyes at the simplest of things. I hush you way too much, and get impatient with you way too easy--for that I am sorry, I would never want to squelch the spirit within you that makes you Aaron. I pray you will always know who created you to be this wonderful boy and who will ultimately be your true strength. May your heart be undivided as you one day engage in the battle for His Kingdom and may you know the Lord to be BIG and MIGHTY and ALIVE!!! May He be forever glorified in you. I love you, sweet son.

Reprieve

Good nights, great days. Thank you, thank you Lord, and to those of you who have been praying for Eli. He hasn't scratched or had any inflammation in almost 48 hours!!