Quiet Sunday

Quiet Sunday....

Had to get up several times with Selah last night, her heat rate was up some, in the 90's and 100's.  Usually that means she is sick.  She does seem to have some more secretions than normal but not an extreme amount.  We are hoping see is not getting sick.  She is still on Tobymixion until tomorrow.  She still seems more aware of things:)  We love to see her looking around more and holding her head up.  Our nurse said Selah held her head up, off the bed, as she brushed her hair this morning:) 

The guys went to the river and went kayaking after church.  They had a great time and got lots of exercise:) 

I've been busy with the little ones today.  Sarah loves to play and hold my hands as she stands up.  She wants to do it over and over again:) 

Hope you have a peaceful day....I'm going to watch a movie with the family.

Please keep Selah in your prayers

Chuck E Cheese....

Well I didn't have to go through labor for Shad but I did have to go to Chuck E Cheese....the place that makes me start really disliking children (not mine of course LOL)  Chuck E cheese HAS to be a part of Dante's Inferno.....the 7th level or something like that.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah was not too sure about the bouncy car

 

 

 

 

 

Look at my twins!  Do they not have the absolute small hair color?  And they are about the same size although Sam is almost 4 years older than Sarah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my friend's daughter

 

Shad and his bud Andrew.

 

 

 

 

Shad picking out what he could buy with his 425 tokens....

Shad bought me some sweet tarts my fav sugar candy:)

 

So the kids all had a great time, I fulfilled the Chuck E Cheese need for a year or so I hope... that place is more than I can bear!

 

 

 

 

Shad with the spoils of his bday, two of his Lego sets.  He is amazing with putting those together! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selah continues to do good.... so much more movement than ever.  Someone asked WHY was it taking so long to find a speech therapist for her....first it has been hard to find one for any of the three little ones.  At one point we were taking her a few times to a local hospital for speech but we were not satisfied with the therapist.  It's a lot of effort to take her out for only a 30 minute session that was missed a few times....  Also I was a bit uncomfortable taking her to the hospital.  So many germs and she is susceptible  to getting ill.   For Selah she has to have a therapist who knows what they are doing with a trach.  Not all ST have even worked a child off a trach before.  Several we contacted had no experience with that.  I believe we will connect with the right one at the right time, if that makes sense.   It can be frustrating to me. 

 

Last night we didn't have a nurse (the weekend) and Selah woke us up twice by making a gurgle sound in her trach.  She quit doing it as soon as she was changed.  It's funny to us and quite wonderful that she can make a noise like that.  We change her position and when Jon first walked in, the nurse had put her right leg on top of a pillow and she was somewhat on her side.  Selah was trying to move her leg off the pillow!!!!!!!!  We've never seen her do that before. 

 

Last night I dreamed AGAIN that Selah was back to normal.  I dreamed she sat up in bed, she wasn't' steady and fell over once and then caught her self up on her right arm.  It was so real....

 

Please keep praying for Selah.  Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for her! 

 

 

A Beautiful Day

We had a bit of a scare today.  Steve found two lumps in his "upper leg area"  I took him to the doctor and thankfully they are just ingrown hairs!  Evidently it can be a genetic problem LOL  And they can be removed, Steve was just fine with them staying LOL!!

 

Sometimes when you have gone through bad things, you always expect the worse....I always expect the worse and this morning, I was really afraid.  I was kidding around with Steve but inside I was scared.  I had to remind myself that God was still in control even if there was something really wrong...but thankfully everything was ok:)

 

I got the results back from my mammogram and "things are fine, see you next year"   Good news!

 

This afternoon our nurse had an appointment so I had a few hours alone with Selah during the day time.  It was great.  I enjoyed being with her and her being awake!  When I'm with her at night, it's different, this was great, it wasn't too hot.  We went outside and she was so alert.  I'm leaning towards we may do the HBOT again....   I did finger and hand exercises then thought about clipping her nails, she moved her hand back from me so quick!  I loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at the sky!  Florida is beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

I was going to try and answer some questions......

 

Yes Selah did have popsicles and things in her mouth in NY.  When we went to the "rehab" they no longer wanted to work with her like that and refused to.  I am not comfortable putting things in her mouth at home.  It could put the nurses in a hard situation since it has not been ordered by a doctor or therapist and Selah too if she aspirated anything.  We live so far out, that it just isnt' worth the risk .  We'd love to get her a good speech therapist to work with her on this...but haven't found one yet.

 

How does Selah show she doesn't like something.  She will FROWN up, and even cry with tears.  It's obvious when she doesn't like something and we are so thankful that she is able to show us!

 

So we are encouraged, Selah is moving her tongue and her neck/shoulders more each day.  All the nurses feel she is more alert....  The tongue thing is NEW...completely new so I feel good about that...  I know it's not a lot but it might take more to get her out of the state.

 

Please keep praying for her!! 

Lemon Swab

Busy day today... I had my mammogram and of course I am nervous till I get the results.....I have one yearly and no have problems but I'm always afraid of finding out something bad!  But I urge you to go and get one ladies....it could save your life.  I've also had some issues with my right side again.  I've gone to the doctors for this for years, with no answers.  I don't want to be a hypochondriac but it is scary to deal with a pain that comes and goes and changes somewhat.  The change in the pain, has worried me.   I remind myself that there are real people in real pain and to try and trust God.  Sometimes I think I focus too much on myself  (at least in my mind LOL that is the only place I can do it !)  So I'm hoping this is just the same old thing and it will go away...

I got home to a social worker and nurse coming form the school system to do evaluations on the little ones.  They actually seemed to care about us and helping the kids get some services.  It was a joy to talk about how we found our girls and even our first meeting with them....  in spite of everything that has happened. I can't help but smile when I think of meeting and falling in love with our girls....  Really hoping to get things started as soon as possible.  Sarah continues to do well in PT and loves drinking from a straw!!!!!

Selah has really been moving her tongue around in her mouth.  It is rather amazing.  So our nurse froze a lemon flavored swab and wiped her mouth out with it.  She went crazy, moving her mouth and tongue.  That is pretty new behavior.  She did something  like that a few times in NY but it's not happened for awhile.   she really responded nicely.  We are excited to see if she will do it tomorrow too!

Keep praying for Selah, our hope is in God. 

Happy Birthday to me and Shad!

One of the first things we noticed about Shad's picture was his birthdate below it...it seemed like a sign:)   so now I have a boy to share my birthday with....

Today was a Clanton crazy day...Jon's van broke down on the way to work, just stopped working and he had to coast off to the side of the road.  No other problems, it went from normal to stopped.... Since he didn't have his cell with him, he walked to the prison, it wasn't too far, maybe a mile or so.  He was a little late so no one stopped to pick him up.  I guess they would have thought it odd to see the chaplain walking down the highway!  LOL  when he called me he told me the gas light had come on.  So I told him that maybe he'd ran out of gas LOL  but that wasn't it. 

Finally got it towed, thanks to one of his volunteers for taking him back to the van and staying with him until the tow truck came!  Bet he will remember his cell from now on LOL!

He ended up with the day just about shot after everything ....so he came with us to pick Shad up early from school for a late lunch.  Shad took cookies to school this morning and was happy:)  Shad opened his presents at lunch. 



Look at Steve...he wants a present too LOL





   

 

 

 

Look at Sarah drinking from the straw!!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!

 

Sam loves the soup.  The staff came up and sang to us and Sam loved that too:) 

 

Then we came home and I took a NAP!!!!  A real face drooling NAP!  It was good!

Happy Birthday to me:)

 

Jon went and got us a cake...

 

 

Steve put on the candles......only 8 but they were trick candles...

 

So we've had a nice day.  I wouldn't trade this day for anything, being with my family is the best thing ever!

 

SO if you want to really wish me and Shad a Happy Birthday...please consider giving to our orphans of the month.  The two little blind twins from India that Amanda and Chet are adopting.  To give, send a check to Grace Church, mark it Orphan ministry. 7060 Berry Road Zephyrhills Fl 33540......we only have had $200 come in so far and I'd love to give them at least $600 to help them out!!!!  That would make us HAPPY!!!!

 

 

 

Selah has had a very alert day and tolerated being in her stander for an hour!  Her nurses are happy with her alertness.  She still isn't pooping like we'd like for her to do.  So thanks for all your prayers for Selah and don't forget to pray for her poop:)    I'm pretty real on here! She is pooping a little but we don't want her tummy to get upset or dependent on any meds!  We are giving her prune juice in her gtube (per the doc) and it does help. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syrian refugees.....

Yeah today I got to have lunch with one of my BFFs!  The past three weeks of HBOT made it impossible to do see any friends:)  It was good to talk and laugh for 2 hours:)

Everyone is doing good.  No real changes in Selah.  Please keep praying! 





Tonight I felt to share this need with you.......

This is a crazy world we live in....I have no idea where I stand on some issues in the Middle East, I have to fight bad feelings in my heart at times towards nations who would love to destroy our way of life but I have to remember that God loves them JUST as much as He loves me.  Knowing that fact, I received a request from a friend I have known for many years.  He has lived in the Arab World for 20 years where he  faithfully leads a ministry in the Middle East that is directly involved in hands on ministry with those who are suffering and need to experience the love of Jesus.  He, his family and ministry are the REAL deal and they are accountable to others.  I whole heartily endorse this ministry and promise you the funds will be used to meet the needs.  Please read the request below and respond if you can. 


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As you know, there are over one million Syrian refugees living in the countries that surround Syria. Over 600,000 of those are in Jordan. About half of these people live in UN refugees camps, but many of them have chosen to live outside of the camps (as the camps are not very family-friendly). Our teams and national churches are actively involved in ministry to these suffering people.
It costs us about $50 a month to feed one of these refugees. Would you consider helping us with this incredible need and ministry opportunity? Our teams are meeting both physical and spiritual needs on the ground, but we need your help to keep this ministry running. If you are willing to help, please clink on the link below to give online.
Thank you for praying about helping us with this need!!

https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/4e5359b3-2e18-4dc3-8b99-e73b3a9bfa8a


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Thank you for reading & thinking how you can help meet this need.  These are real people who are caught up in something they can not control.  It would be an awful thing to be in their situation.   

 

Catch UP

I don't have a title for the blog today....I guess Catch Up is good:)  So weird not to have HBOT after 20 intensive days of it!  Selah had PT and OT today, as did the other two little ones....

Guess who learned to drink from a straw today.....SARAH!!!!!!

 

And yes we went to the beauty shop today too!  Mama will NEVER try and cut her bangs again LOL! 

 

Drinking from a straw is HUGE.   What happened is when we got home from Ukraine, Sarah quit drinking from a cup.  She didn't do it very good to begin with.  I spoon fed her all her drinks.  All her food is pureed so she got lots of liquids.  Our therapists didn't like that I didn't push her to drink from a cup and it was hard BUT I really felt, despite the inconvenience of it, that it was bonding for us.   So I've done it and tried to work with her with a cup too.  BUT now with the straw....life maybe changing:) 

 

I do think she needed the bonding.  I always hold her in my lap when I spoon fed her the drinks.  I also feed her in my lap most of the time at home too instead of in the high chair.  I think it makes up some for how she was treated in the orphanages she was in.  I saw how food was shoved down her throat and it just killed me.  She used to gag after about 3 spoonfuls of anything.  There is NOTHING wrong with her mouth or throat, yet she can not chew.  I blend everything for her.  It would be so much easier for me if she'd just eat food...but I'm not pushing her, just letting her go at her own rate.  She'll get there, she loves food and gets HAPPY when it is time to eat!  Tonight I had cooked chicken and veggies in the crock pot all day and I just blended that for her in my MAGIC BULLET  (Lord knows I had no idea how much that Magic Bullet would get used when I bought it!) and she ate 3 containers of it! 

 

So today was a lot of running around for me.  First I took the van to the dealership to get the oil changed and the back up camera fixed.  They dropped me off at the mall (and I had NO kids with me  WOOHOO)  I got my hair cut and bought a few things cuz it is going to be my bday this week!  I bought a dress and two pairs of dressy flip flops (flip flops can be dressy....and we live in Florida, I have quite the collection)  And everything was on CLEARANCE!!!  The only way to buy:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to the bookstore and found TWO AGATHA CHRISTIE books that I don't have.  I thought I had everyone of her books but I found one I've never read and one I read but don't have!  I was so excited!   Agatha Christie is probably my overall favorite author.  I love Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot!   

 

 

 

 

I also got a hair cut and my nails done since I haven't been able to go do anything like that during therapy.  So I have had my birthday celebration all by myself today and it was great:)

 

 

Then I picked up Shad from school, got pizza, went home, we all ate, then took the kids to enroll Steve in Driver's Ed, then got Steve and poor Sarah's hair cut! 

 

 

 

she looks better although she did not like me trying to take a picture when she was ready for supper LOL

 

 

this is about as mad of a face as she does:)  Love my little Sarah JOY!

 

So today we got a lot of little things done that we couldn't' take the time for the last three weeks.  It was fun but I am tired!

 

 Our nurse feels like Selah was moving around more today.  I was in and out so much, maybe she was wondering where I was and why weren't we in the car LOL.  She is still having issues with constipation.... she doesn't seem uncomfortable but it's not good for her!  Please pray that she can go poo easily and that her little mind heals.   Can you also add three friends to your prayer list?  Matthew (brain tumor)  a young man around Steve's age that I've known his parents for years, known Matt since he was a baby....worked with his mom.

Angie (brain tumor) friends for years, she has some adopted children and is a strong advocate for orphans.  She met us at the airport when we got home form Ukraine with the girls.

Sheri (stage 4 ovarian cancer) we went to college together and she has such a sweet spirit. 

 

When I wake up during the night, I pray for each of these, during the day they come to my mind.  All three are real life friends, all three have not been given much hope at all medically....all three serve and love God.  They all have been faithful to God.....Matt even as a young man has a strong faith....

 

I don't know WHY God doesn't heal instantly every Christian...Not even going to go there...but I know the bible says "the fervent prayers of a righteous man availith much"  I might not be the most righteous one around, but I try....and I'm calling out to God for my friends....Please pray with me for them!