A Sign of Things to Come?

Hope not!!!!!

She Passed!!!

Major praise- Leelah's testing went as best as it could have gone yesterday (only four restrainers needed and no throwing up!), and we got a call from the doc's office today saying her results were "unremarkable" which means her immune system and CBC was/is great! We are so thankful for this news. We know it still leaves the question of why she has so many infections. We are just going to steamroll on ahead and lay that question down at Jesus' feet. I'm quite content with accepting the fact my darling princess produces too many boogers and that's that!

Thank you Lord for your plans for this child and we look forward to renewed health for this sweet baby. Phew!

In One Hour...

We will be taking Leelah for her immunological (immune system) testing today.

Yes, we caved.

After she got bronchitis this past week (2 wks after surgery mind you), John, God and I decided, it's time.

It's only bloodwork. Ahmm, there will be a live pony bribe waiting in the car. And by "live pony" I mean copious amounts of ice cream and possibly dinner out.

We are hoping that these test results provide answers as to why my child suffers from all these infections. Again, lysol is our friend around here. But seriously, we know she is in God's hands with this and He will be on top of things. He always is! Keep your heads up, knees bent and your hands folded!

The Cookbook Book Club

If you are female you should read Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It basicallly lays out God's design for a woman just like the book Wild at Heart does for guys. It is so eye-openingly good, girls. I'm learning things I didn't know could be so excellently uncovered in a book. I mean I always felt them and was like, "ooooh weee- what up with that!?" (SNL come on! show another skit!). And this book just encapsulates it all. I'm only on chapter three hence the present tense I'm using.

The Lord really put it on my heart this summer after I had some issues with grief, perfectionism, controlling and I HAVE GOT TO MAKE EVERYTHING BE CUTE, CRAFTY AND FABULOUS. I found myself behaving this way while planning my child's bday party. It was ridiculous. I'm putting myself out there. Anyone mind a little honesty?- I'm full of it! The fun that it HAD to be- was so not fun. And she's 3 for crying out loud! God didn't make us to be "on" at all times ladies in the wordly sense. Got to read the book (which is Biblically based) to find out how and why He made you. So I started praying hard. What's up God? Why am I all spazzy on the inside (okay on the outside too), but trying to put on a face like I'm not for the outside- oh it's cool I got it and I'm oh so fabulous- please think I'm fabulous. Gross. God made me dorky on purpose- dorky in a fabulous way though. But I mustn't forget my roots!

So after months of praying and talking it over with close friends we started a group. I love good food. I love attempting to cook. I love my girlsies. Thus, the Cookbook Book Club began and after a head turn look at the book Captivating- it just all fit together. We meet every other Tuesday and have dinner, dessy, and chat up our book. We are taking turns cooking recipes out of Cooking Light- YUMMY. This is a GREAT cookbook- Thanks Lesly! All ladies welcome!

Last night's meeting exposed all of our hurting hearts. It was hard. And wonderful all at once. Did I tell you I adore the sweet ladies that are coming and have yet to come to this group? I just can't even stand how precious God made them. I have to hold back love-tears when I look out at the whole group seated around sharing their hearts without fear and with boldness. Wow. I'm not mushy, but I just have to go there. It's a beautiful sight. So glad God made me a part of it. Thanks ladies for getting real with us. Thanks for the laughs.

Last night we all wrote down what's bothering our hearts. You'd be surprised. We all got to see what we all struggle with. Even if I did dumb it down with my response. Oh the things I could and should have shared...

And what'd ya know. Sure 'nuf each time it's CBBC Tuesday the enemy pounds at my heart: "You're not this.. You're not that... They won't like this... or that..."
God must be doing some mighty things among us.

Again, I do get Jesus-y here. No, I'm not all Carrie's Mom with a prayer closet and 800 lit candles everywhere. Don't judge!

Decisions, decisions....

Be careful when you pray "God's will". Make sure you mean it. Bear with me here while I get all eloquent as best as an Aggie can.

I probably should start adding to the prayer "And give me your guts to follow Your Will, Lord."

I told one of my besties today,
"I promise I'm not a drama person, but here's yet another..."
Then I immediately redacted that statement. Okay, okay, so I do get swept up in dramatic situations. But who says that's not what Jesus had in store for me and some folks? My selfish flesh (I really hate that word "flesh"- it's gross sounding) begs me to chillax. Don't speak up. Watch more T.V. I know I shouldn't (I'm just talkin' mainstream reality show manufactured drama). Take the easy path.

But in thought-walks the Holy Spirit and places the all too pertinent question: do you want to follow God's will or not? I am not meaning to say I am by any means omniscient. But here's what His Will could possibly mean for our little family: homeschooling, saying no to tests for Leelah, bucking the system(s), standing out for Jesus, posting about Jesus, "well let's pray about it now" type situations, and even thoughts of adoption. It's all to be talked and prayed diligently with God and John of course. OF COURSE. And I do totally cave into the T.V. trap.

Now is family formation time. Where we begin as we hope to end. Setting our family up for success in God's eyes. Not man's. And I cannot lie to you, I feel the pressure. But then immediately send it up in bank-chute-tube fashion to the Man in Charge. I can't let it get me down. You can't either.
SO here's the heavy topics that have come our way. But I'd like to pose to you that while it may seem slightly precarious God's got it figured out already!

Homeschooling. Yeah we're doing it. For preschool. God be with us. Leelah's read her first word already "D-O-G" MOMMY I READ DOG IN MY BOOK (Hop on Pop or 1 Fish, 2 fish...)!!?!!! Now wait. Do not hate on me. I am not "Baby Booming" her with flash cards or drilling her. She wants to learn. So we're working on it. If it makes you feel any better the crazy kid was caught today sucking on a pacifier she stole from an infant. Straight up still puts everything in her mouth. So there! Can I really state what Leelah's future plans will entail? Not with full certainty. For only God knows. I can say this and that, but it's Him who has the planner. Or is it He?

Losing Family. I have several friends who have lost a parent. 2 within the past month. Both women my age. Everyday takes God-courage to re-endure what you've been through and give to a friend in need. Thank you Lord for that courage. Please, keep it comin'. When I lost my dad a year and a half ago and when I'd be accepting meals, babysitting offers, loving, hugs, etc. I would say "but I can't repay you!" It's not about that. I'm so thankful God blessed me to have friends who just gave so generously of themselves. I pray I can do that for these sweet friends.

Eyesight. Still ain't so hot, but liveable. Praying for upcoming 5th surgery on Feb.2nd. Or as I like to call it "the day the left eye becomes The Cinco". Will this fix that eye again? What is His plan for my eyes? When will the right eye quit? Will at least one eye work so I can see my family? Can I get hooked up with a Kindle robot voice to read to me? I just better if I can't read. I love to read. Does it add a day to my life to ponder these things? (my own message Bible version there...)

Leelah. They fear her immune system is whack. I say let's let the adenoidectomy do it's thang. Have you ever heard of the scientific method? No more testing! I got a puker remember!?

All these have come to pass (well eyeballs are always jacked) this month. Yay! 2010. Nice to see this year won't be boring. Man, I kind of was hoping for boring? Naaahh.........

"He will not fear bad news, his heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord." Psalm 111:7

Peace Out Adenoids!

I know y'all want to know. How it all went down.

Leelah was a champ last Thursday. Went in to that surgical center like a pro. Got her "candy mask" from Dr. Harzenschnitzelfarb (I don't know it was long) {who has 9 kids by the by!?!?!! insert your anesthesia joke here} and went night night... Woke up and stared. They called us in as soon as she awakened. We practically ran in there!!?!?!?! I mean come on!? Oh wait, back up, Doc said she did great first and then recommended we get her immunology testing done-more on this. But back to the post op- so we go in and she's totally out of her mind. John and I love on her and hold her. She finally sits up and cries. They said that most all kids cry out the anesthesia so we were glad when she did. Then we calmed her down with the blue bank sucker trick. After an hour we are allowed to go home.

Now here's where it gets interesting. I come up with hey, let's give her tylenol and codeine now for the pain like prescribed. Didn't give her too much to eat/drink but a strawberry pediasure, popsicle, and fruit snack bag. Leelah starts chatting. HARDCORE. Y'all know my kid can talk a parrot into a corner,but she was hyper talking (drugged). Then she gets all ghostypale. Then I say whilst she is laying on me "hey Leelah how's your stomach?" Leelah: "Not good."

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT- YEP- PINK FOUNTAIN ALL OVER US!!!!!! The couch. The pillow, The clothes. The rug, The carpet. The hands. The tub. The bathroom rug. She was yarfing pink like a sprinkler. Sorry guys. I can't tone it down. Don't read this if you can't handle the truth. Note the pics- are actually reversed. See the bowl and beach towels... And Sans mom.... Sweet Tina and her angel Rebecca brought the Leej a tinkerbell care package which really brightened her spirits. We love y'all!! You know it!

But she recovered really well. We meet with her pedi to talk about immunological testing. Leelah's already saying "NO TESTS!!!!!" I swear though- I don't have a "puker" just b/c of the Chick-fil-a Mudslide, this pink geyser, the allergy testing throwdown.... Okay maybe I do have one..?

I am trusting in the Lord and will "not fear bad news"-Ps 139:? about these tests. I'm praying it's just routine for them to suggest this. OH and I forgot to mention the surge "moved" a part in her nose for her sinuses. Yeah, she's so 90210. Nose job at 3.5 yrs...

Project Runway. Tomorrow.

Thursday. Day of Adenoidectomy...

I'm ashamed I couldn't come up with a better more pun-filled title.

Christmas was great. We really scaled it down in terms of everything and really it was just as great if not better. As Leelah said yesterday, "It's not about all the presents. It's about Jesus." THen she named all 3 of her presents off. Then all the rest she received from family in Oklahoma. That reminds me!
OKLAHOMA...
Talk about snow!?!?!
I hate to complain, but since I have a talent at it here goes. Snow is no longer magical to me. When you see humongous piles of dirt grey snow filling up two parking spaces in Targie, you get over it. Quickly. So I will be uploading the pics of 4-6ft snow drifts we conquered (well on the side of the road) in our Toyota Corolla (Ol' Smokey). We prayed every time we took her out on the ice/slickness/snow/rain/blech. IT was so bleak looking. It was not as picturesque as the Oregon snow. It was hardcore snow. Going from our famous 1 in snow day in Katy, Texas to "hey I live in snow now" was somethin' else! I was fearful we were heading for the top story on Dateline driving all around at night. Snowblindness and this and that! We did skid once. We did get stuck once. No, we didn't build a snowman. It was too dang cold!!!!

Please keep my sweet lass Leelah in your prayers for this Thursday as she will be having her adenoidectomy to hopefully improve or lessen the amount of sinus infections. Should be in the morning some time. I have told her all about her "special appointment" since she knows sort of what "surgery" means(I'm in the 10 club myself. Bet you're jealous because I'm all streamlined!) so I try to leave that word out. I told her all about how she will go to sleep and then wake up, take medicine, have ice cream and get a special toy surprise! Yes. Heavy bribing. Sue me. We went to the bank today (Leelah's famous there) and they gave her 6 blue suckers to take home for her surgery and let her up in the teller drive through sitting area. You'd think she was Miley Cyrus or someone in that place! They are the nicest. We love them!

I must go to my sleeping chambers as my eye will not stop twitching. Will post about adenoidectomy sometime soon.