Family Beach Pictures & Shad's Party

 

Pictures are so important to me, especially as time goes on and kids grow up....

For many years I was not a very nostalgic person.  But as I grow older I began to  miss everything about the past.  In the past few months I've found myself really missing my "Boot Mama" my great aunt that raised me.  For most of my life I only looked forward to the future and didn't pay too much attention to the past.  The way I looked at it, there was nothing I could do about the past and I was too busy to think deeply about the it.  Now with one son grown and basically on his own & the second one leaving for college in a week, the past is a happier place for me!  Not that I'm not thrilled to see them pursue their dreams and have fun but I miss the simple days.  We had a great time for many years and we still have a great time but it's different  And it begins when they leave for college.... nothing is ever the same.  So knowing that in the back of my mind I get ready to watch another one leave.  Every day I think "this is the last time" for this or that.  Shad is a VERY strong willed kid believe me we have had our moments!  One of my close friends loves to tell me that I met my match and had to go to China to get a kid as stubborn as me LOL  She is right!  Despite that, I will miss him very much!  

Last weekend we had a combo Grad/Going Away to college/Birthday Party for Shad.

We rented out our local theater & surprised him :)  We watched Jurassic Park in comfort.  the theater is renting out it's smaller rooms.  It was great and we want to do it again.  

Surprise!

But this is what I see.....

Beach Day

BEACH DAY!

The hotel was so sweet and offered us a motorized beach chair....it didn't work too good for us.  Sam ended up having to walk and I ran along side of it guiding it... and it got stuck....

it's hard taking our little folks to the beach!

But once we are there.....

THIS!!!!  I love it so much!  Shad took all of these pictures

I love her sandy Florida girl feet!  Sarah is a beach girl!

And she know how to chill

My babies!

Today is the 17th anniversary of the day I found out I was  pregnant with Sam.  Remembering that day, way back then at our old house with just one child in it....  Little did I know what was about to happen to me and my family!  I credit Sam with every thing that has happened since that day.  Having him turned my world upside down in the best of ways!  Because of him our eyes were opened and we saw the need for families for special needs kids, especially internationally.    About a week after he was born I had an epiphany in the hospital corridor & determined I was not going to become bitter about Sam's disability-and back then I JUST thought he was blind and premature..... I was so innocent....  But Sam toughen me up!   And in dealing with his life I realized there were kids like him going through life without two parents holding them.....  Now we have 3 adopted kids, we've been involved in helping other families adopt, we've supported orphanages and ministries to children around the world and meet some amazing folks!  I look back and am grateful that God keep my heart soft as I grieved the child and family I thought I wanted.   ***** Theologically speaking I do not think God CAUSED Sam to be born with all his challenges, but we live in a fallen world and things happen.  God has been faithful to walk every single step with us and I am so grateful for that!  I've come to Know God in a way I never did before.  Before I did not need to depend on God but now I know my Help comes from Him....  I didn't need a Comforter.... but now I do.  Even the hope of heaven is so much brighter to me than before. 

So with thankfulness we celebrate the beginning of our relationship with Sam all those years ago :)  Thank God for keeping him safe through a terrible pregnancy and an early birth and all the complications that arose.  We love this boy so much!  And by the way he weighs in today at 95.6 pounds!  It has been so hard to get him to gain weight and we are proud of every ounce.  He is about where his endocrinologist wants him to be weight wise since he is only 4'10 and is done growing.  He was stuck around 82-83 pounds for a long time and we did worry.  We also had to deal with a gastrologist who wanted to put in a g-tube.  That was not going to happen!  Now the endocrinologist has written a letter explaining Sam's growth plates are finished and due to his chromosomal issues he is not going to grow any taller and the doctor does not want him to gain too much weight!  We have been feeding him more junky food than he has ever had before as we normally eat low fat.  For some reason it does not keep us as skinny as it kept him. LOL   We've even given him some soda since that's the only sweet thing he likes.  He hates cake or ice cream or candy so those obvious higher fat/calorie foods are no use to us.  He used to drink pedisure but we can't get him to drink it anymore.  He loves vegetables and we are so happy about that but it's hard to gain weight on veggies!  We've started putting butter on his food.  that's something we would normally never do but we were getting so worried about his weight.  Now we will back off and see if he can keep the weight up.....before anyone freaks we discussed his diet with several doctors!  They all wanted us to add fat and some sugars for now.  He has low cholesterol and there was no concern about it for short term


There are still more beach pictures to come:)  For years I kept up our photo albums....now this blog has replaced them  I'm 8 years behind on picture albums!

Beach 2020

Thank you all for all the prayers and well wishes for Sam.  He has recovered fully from surgery and we are so very very thankful!   I learned of another child with a tumor in roughly the same area as Sam's was, the family is friends with some of my family.  That little guy's tumor is malignant and my heart goes out to the family.  You can follow him at Rhet Cooper's miracle  as I read his journey, it brings back some of the possibilities that we were given about Sam.


Well to update on the family.... Steve graduated with his Master's in Human Services and is working full time as an assistant TV producer for a government agency.  (Broadcast was his BA degree)  Steve is also working part time for a church as their media person.  Shad graduated from High School (homeschool) 2 years early and is starting college in August in Arizona!  He has almost a full scholarship thanks to grants and 4 scholarships he has received!  Sam has been doing good.

Selah is doing ok but she has seen an increase in seizures!  We re concerned because she had never really had seizures until the last year or so.  It's being monitored and she has had some med increases

Sarah who has always been my healthiest and drama free child....has lost that title.  Last week at horse back therapy she passed out and fell off her horse.  Thankfully the therapist caught her.  I did not see it happen, by the time I got to her, she was coming around.  We go pretty far out in the country to ride so I drove her to the ER in Tampa rather than call an ambulance, I did't want her to be seen by someone who was not familiar with her situation.  There were so many extra things to worry about as I had Shad and Sam with me and they couldn't go in the ER and it was too hot for them to sit outside.  Thankfully Steve was able to meet me there and take them home and Jon came afterwards.  For the record there was only Sarah and one other child in the whole giant ER!  It was unreal and they worked very fast on her.  They determined that she had had a seizure as all her bloodwork CT scan and all tests came back normal.  It was early morning and she did not have any symptoms of a heat stroke either.  She was released ad we went back to see her neurologist (he follows her just because some of her diagnosis come with seizures as a possibility)   Her hour long EEG was normal so at this point we are waiting to see if it was a fluke or a real issue.  If she has another one she will be admitted for a 24 hour or longer EEG to try and catch one happening.

I will be quite honest, when it happened I was in shock, there was no concerns about her at all, it had been a regular morning....as I was trying to coordinate everything I just lost it.  In my heart I was afraid it was a brain tumor because she also had some issues with dragging her feet after we got her up.  Some kids from Ukraine end up presenting with various types of tumors because of Chernobyl.  On the way down to the hospital I spoke with her neurologist and he ordered everything to rule that out.  Thankfully he's known me for about 8 years and knows I don't freak out too much but I was petrified of a tumor.  I guess going through what we'd just gone through with Sam has me on edge!  Again I'm so grateful that it was no worse than it was!!!  So we watch our sweet girl and pray it was just a fluke that will never happen again.

Ironically the week before on our way back from our third day of horse back riding for that week Sarah and I were rear ended.   It really didn't mess up my van much but of course it was aggravating and stressful!

So living in Florida we are living our lives but being careful.  Our family takes Covid-19 serious (as we take every flu season or outbreak of illness)  We have lived in masks at times to protect the little kids, especially Sam when he was younger and so sickly.  Even a couple years ago Sam's ANC was down very low and we went on quarantined  per our doctor's order.  Jon still went to work but he stripped before he came in the house, the kids didn't go anywhere at all and we cleaned all the time.  I think I stayed home 8 weeks with him except quick trips to the grocery store alone.  So I've done this whole quarantine thingy for years off and on before it was acceptable.  But I'm pretty much in the middle of the road about all of this.  I have several friends who have had it (a few who are sick with it right now)  A close friend of mine lost her grandfather and uncle to it.  It's real but we also have to carefully live our lives.  While I have wore masks (even back when the authorities told us not to) I do not think it is a good idea to mandate masks.  I do like the idea that it is socially acceptable to wear a mask out -mainly because I used to feel stupid and like a drama queen for wearing them when I had to for Sam)  And probably masks should be required in doctor's offices and hospitals for ever from now on since that is where the sick folks go.... but some of this crap is getting out of hand!

I've always said be balanced- I've really seen in this past year I am in the middle of the road about so many things that I used to think I was extreme on LOL


So having said that...we went on vacation to the beach last weekend.  We took all our own food -most of it cooked and frozen so all I had to do was pop it in the oven.  We did not go out to eat once!  That is a HUGE accomplishment for me LOL  We also did some sandwiches and easy foods  Actually I did not even buy a Diet Pepsi LOL!  We stayed in an older hotel the Arvilla  it's a mom and pop hotel right on the beach.  We got a 1 bedroom suite that had a full kitchen and sleeps 6 ground level. .  The hotel door opens right out to the walkway so there were no halls or elevators to contend with.  Housecleaning only comes in if you want and the room is empty.  They were kind enough to allow us to bring in our dirty towels and bed-sheets and give us fresh ones.  I didn't mind that and thought it was a good idea.  The beach was amazing even though it was a bit of a walk ( hotel is on the beach but there are sand dunes so it's probably a 700 foot walk to the actual beach.  For most folks that would be no issue but we have the little kids so it was a bit of work for us.  But we always have that issue.  But the beach is sooooooo worth it to me!  Check them out and tell them the Clantons recommended them!  Maybe they'll give us a discount! 

The first day we got there it stormed which I love!  After it was safe (maybe)  I headed out to the beach.  I literally was the only person on the beach!  Maybe because I'm stupid but it was amazing!  I walked for about 4 miles before others started coming out.  But all in all there was not many people, Treasure Island is a family beach so it's never awfully crowded.  We've gone there several times and always loved it,

Having two photographers in the family I have an insane amount of pictures to share even cutting down lol  so I'm just going to share the first day in this blog.  Later I'll share the photo shot we did with the family.  I take room pictures before it gets trashed by my family!

The windows were divine!

Down near St John's pass

How is this boy going off to college in two weeks???????

Shad loves photography and videography

Later that night we walked the kids down the paved sidewalk for a couple of miles.

We wished this boardwalk was closer to our hotel

 On Friday our hard working oldest son could join us:)  I'll share those pictures later.  Maybe that will make me blog more!  I still can't believe people follow this blog.  Thank you for your prayers and support all these years!

NO CANCER!

NO CANCER!!!!

San had the tumor removed along with his tailbone last Monday!  He actually came home that day and did ok for a few days before he began having intense pain.  Now it seems we are through that phase thank God.  He still moves very gingerly & doesn't  really like to ride in the car at all  Today is the best he's felt and he rode in the car some-I did take him through McDonalds and that made him happy. 

We are beyond relieved as there was some very terrifying talk regarding the tumor.  i still don't have all the details but will next week when he goes for a follow up visit to the surgeon .  We know tht the tumor had began to grow on his tail bone and there was a vascular connection that is why they did the deeper surgery. 

What a scary experience.  Thank you for your prayers!  

Covid 19 Day 62

During this whole time we've been dealing with an issue with Sam.  He has a tumor on his lower back.  He's been through a lot of testing and no one knows exactly what it is.  Surgery is set for Monday in Tampa.  We've been hampered by the virus but mainly because we were trying to use a doctor and hospital that our pediatrician recommended to us.  Let's just say it was not a good fit.  Maybe I'll tell the whole story one day but right now I'm just focused on Sam. 

  Sam has a deletion in his chromosomes that includes a deletion for a tumor inhibitor called an ING2.  We've known about it for 10 years and it's always been a source of worry.  I"m not a "positive speaker or a Name it claim it person" but right now I can't even go into all the details of Sam's situation and what all has been speculated upon by medical folks and us.  Unfortunately I looked up one thing....I should not have. 

Just pray that this tumor will be benign.  Unfortunately it is a tumor not a cyst as we had originally hoped. 

MOTHER'S DAY

Sam being so good with a mask

So please pray for Sam!  Pray he won't get any sickness from being in the hospital and that the surgery will go perfect and the tumor is benign.  

COVID-19 LIFE #5 (Day 37)

Good Lord Day 37????  What has been the most amazing is that we have not had any food from a restaurant during any of that time!  My goal is always to eat most food at home but now I know how woefully we had fallen in that area!  Eating out was always my back up plan but not now!  Now I can round up a full meal in no time flat LOL So there is always a silver lining ......

After this quarantine is over personally I'm going to continue cooking most of our meals from home.  Honestly at this time, I have no desire to eat out, if I can't watch my food being prepared then I'm going to feel like I'm eating germs!  People are still getting to go food from restaurants and fast food places and I can't even imagine doing that right now.  No I've not heard of anyone getting sick that way but it doesn't matter, it just turns my stomach.  Plus this is  huge money saver.  Before COVID I'd check our little bank account and there would be withdrawal after withdrawal from different food places AND I prided myself on cooking at home alot LOL  Now I can look at my little bank account and see just a few little withdrawals for bills and that's about it.  It used to be so many little withdrawals every day now it looks like I've gone missing without my ATM card!  I can see all the way back to March on one page! 

So I don't know about you but I have all these friends who are now medical disease experts, political analysts, eschatology experts, prophets,  and they've all gotten into different camps.  Some think that our civil liberties are being taken away from us, others are wearing Haz-mat suits and vowing to do so for the next year...  I pretty much hate everyone at this time & I feel like somehow I am about as middle of the road as I can possibly get at this time....

I don't know if COVID-19 came from eating a bat or from a lab....and if from a lab was it released purposely or a mistake?  I have no earthly idea & I'm pretty sure no one I'm friends with does either although some of them think they do  LOL  I'm pretty sure our government and the heads of other governments knew it was very serious and that is why countries shut down.  Living in Florida- I know Disney doesn't shut down for much!  And while I happen to like Trump alot- I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have shut down the country like it's been shut down -in an election year- while the economy was going so good- if there was no a major threat to our lives.  He nor the economy had nothing to gain by doing so. 

So my conspiracy theory is that we dodged a bullet!  Whatever was anticipated didn't happen whether the  rate of transmission  slowed, or our social distancing worked, or just the Grace of God (although for those directly affected I'm sure none of that is much of a comfort.)

Personally I'm glad to do my part.  Over the years I've really learned to live in the moment.  The whole year of 2012 was a time to live in the moment because the future was so unknown.  From the beginning of the year waiting daily for "the call" telling us we had an appointment in Ukraine...then the one way tickets we bought having no idea of how long we'd be in Ukraine (we ended up being there 2.5 months)  then the accident.... we had no idea of when we would be able to go home to Florida-it took us 4.5 months to get back to Florida and another 2 months to get Selah home for good.  So during all that time, I learned to live in the moment.  There were so many other people controlling my/our future that I had no choice but to live in the moment.  Plus I had a bunch of little folks watching how we handled so many challenges during that year.  We learned to have joy in the journey. So I chose to look at this time as a time to just live day to day and enjoy what I could of it.  There's alot of things going on in my life that I can't control right now but I also can not make it my focus. 

For me I've kept a schedule of sorts.  I've done crazy amounts of projects but there are still things I can do.  We continue playing outside with the kids.  I've read more, I go walking most days so I get in my 10,000 steps which is a good thing because I'm eating MORE!  Lord I eat so much.  Not only do I cook alot, I have bought sweets...I figured we needed something....  There are things in my house that have never been in my house before LOL  I'm still trying to eat healthy but I have to admit I've added some sugar to my diet.  So far I've not gained any weight but I'm fearful of getting on the scales LOL
For example for lunch I cooked a ground chicken meatloaf with lots of green peppers and onions.  I added flax seed to it and parsley too. I made mashed  potatoes, corn  and green beans.  It sounds healthy right...but then I made Orange Fluff...it's as good as it sounds and a Southern staple for potlucks  I believe I have just become diabetic!  Before Covid-19 I never made things like that!  I actually rarely made desserts but that has all changed now!

Jon has been home for about 3 weeks it has given me a taste of what retirement will be like....  the little kids have loved having us home and just being together.  Sarah especially wants both of us playing with her all the time.  She usually swings on her swing set for about 2 hours a day and Jon sits with her.  He's gotten plenty of study time in. 

It almost feels sinful to just be home-it's hard for me to miss appointments and get off our schedule but it might be easier after this is over LOL I have to admit I've been staying up late watching TV every night.  Until Netflix came along I was not much of a TV watcher but now....

So go watch some late night TV and spend time with the folks you live with.  they are probably pretty nice people LOL  Hope all is well with each of you and your families!  Take care of yourselves and each other. 

COVID-19 LIFE #4

Here in Florida we are going under a "stay at home" order at midnight tonight.  Checking the calendar, I saw we are on week 3 of the Clanton stay at home order!  Today Jon has been home for a week.  We learned that an officer tested positive for the virus but the officer had been out of work for a few days before hand so it's been more than 14 days since they could have had contact with each other.  We have friends/acquaintances who have it- three are doing much better and two have no changes or somewhat worse.  This is a serious time for our world. 

Today I spent over 3 hours on the phone taking care of various business/insurance/prescriptions/monthly supplies  Normally I get very annoyed doing things like that because it seems like such a waste of my time.  But I had nothing else to do and all the workers were so nice....LOL  we all talked about the virus and wished each other well!
My college roommate and BFF is a music teacher.  I was her guinea pig to do her first on line class.  It went really well.  If anyone wants an on line music teacher let me know!  I'll hook you up!

We've been busy here taking the kids outside.  I'm sure they are wondering why they've not been to the barn for three weeks!

They go out at different times because we have to be so careful with Sam's eye.  He can't get water in it and Sarah likes to splash so they go separately


Jon and I take turns going on long walks.  Our neighborhood is very country and quiet normally but now sometimes I can walk for 2 miles before a car will pass me.   This little guy was sunning the other evening.  I actually was afraid he'd been ran over because he paid no attention to me whatsoever until I tried to move him with a stick and he ran off!  Don't worry he's not poisonous at all just a pretty swamp snake.  Believe me I know the poisonous ones!

Sunset

Morning

A few nights ago Shad and I went walking at night and we saw the most amazing field of lightening bugs I've seen in central Florida!  Growing up we had some and one year on our way to Rochester we stopped at a hotel south of Gettysburg Pennsylvania and saw the most amazing display of lightening bugs any of us have ever seen.  It was an older motel with huge rooms dated but clean so we thought we'd gotten a deal...seeing so many fire flies in one field was the real deal!  What an experience to remember.  The other night was quite a sight for us.  Then on the walk back we startled three deer (or they startled us!) We followed them as they jumped a fence and ran across the road.  I LOVE living in the country!  It helps with social distancing!

This virus has affected many families who were in the process of international adoption.  8 years ago today we were at our appointment in Kiev Ukraine with their Department of Adoption.  What an exciting day that was for us!  Boy would I love to go back to that day!   My heart goes out to the families and children whose lives on put on hold at this moment in time.  It's very hard waiting to go get your children and it's hard on the children too.

Well stay safe everyone and find the good in this time as many of us sit at home.  Prayers for all the ones who are working hard to help the rest of us!!!