Children's Dream Trip & more

 I start about every other post apologizing for not having kept up to date on my blog!  Well here I am again doing it LOL It's not that I don't want to blog- I do!  Actually I 'write blogs' in my mind all the time, I just don't take the time to write them in real life.  Then when I go to catch up I have too much to share 

Last month Sarah had her Children's Dream Fund vacation in the Keys where she got to interact with dolphins.

We had to go and feed the Tarpon at Robbie's  We've been doing that for yeas but now everyone goes there

Ashley our kids caregiver and dear friend came with us.  

The first night we took a sunset cruise the kids loved it

our condo at Hawk Cay 

I love these pictures!!!

It was so beautiful

the lagoon

One day we went to Key West

At Zackey Taylor Park

years ago we snorkeled out there to the rocks with all the boys.  We took pictures on the rocks.  Sam and Shad were young.  

Some pictures of the dolphins

One day Jon and I went out on an excursion to a sandbar.  That was great we floated for hours I got a little sun through my sun resistant clothing but it was great

Is there any other place as beautiful as the Florida Keys?  I love it!  

Sarah had all her tummy issues and surgery for the malrotation of her small intestines in January.  She has not really been herself 100% since then.  We thought she had had so much medical drama that she was traumatized.  I'm sure that was some of it.  But for about 2 months she was really off even on her trip.  She had NO physical symptoms at all but....after her trip one day she started gagging (she never throws up) and wouldn't eat.  We rush her to the hospital and she had a large bowel obstruction.  She was still going to the bathroom in a normal way and we had no idea.  The doctor told us if it had been higher she would have had to have surgery.  As it wa she was in for 4 days being cleaned out.  She is now on two meds that make her go to the bathroom ALOT!  We don't know how to balance it.  

The doctors feel her guts do not move very good.  There are theories about it but whatever caused it we are dealing with it now and it looks like for the rest of her life  She is feeling great...I'm doing lots of laundry......I'll take it! My poor baby I hate she was having issues and we did not know we just thought she was sad.  I feel awful about it!  It's so hard having non verbal kids plus I think Sarah "hides" negative feelings and pushes things down until she just can't anymore.   My Sweet girl.....

Everyone else is doing great!  A few weeks ago Shad officially got his badge.  We are so proud of him.  He has learned so much and has become a professional.  He is pretty amazing and works very hard  even works 16 hour days often.  It's crazy to think he is only 18! He has a sweet girl friend who we enjoy spending time with.  

Selah turned 18!  Seems unreal!  She is doing great.  I try to see her every other day, eve4rytime I see her I'm happy with her care and grateful.  I also call often for updates.  I'm happy the group home allows us to be involved we have plans for Christmas and a sensory room.  In fact the room should be started soon we have the equipment.  When you think of Selah please pray that all her needs are met and she feels God's comfort daily.  Her caregivers are kind and I'm so thankful for that!

And Steve....

we are busy with wedding details!  WHEW!  Listen we eloped so I didn't have all this stuff to do LOL  We have offered for them to elope a few times as long as we get to come along!  Sarah and I got our dresses, she is the flower girl.  Sam got his suit he's the ring bearer and Shad is the best man and his suit is ordered.  It's fun just so many details.  Steve has been traveling a lot with his job and a quick trip to meet Nichole's dad who lives in NY.  We are thankful for such a wonderful daughter in love to be! 

 Sometimes I almost have to pinch myself to think of how grown up my older boys are!  How in the heck did that happen?  We love them and are so grateful for the relationships we have with them.  Family is everything!!

Ok i'm caught up.....mostly!  I hope I'll post more but i won't make too many promises lol

Thanks to your giving we have $255 towards the wheelchairs!  

You can still give at Grace Church paypal

Haiti

I want you to meet some of the kids that live at my friend David Wine's orphanage in Haiti.  He has 70 kids some with special needs.  Wal the little boy in this picture needs a folding wheelchair so it can be put in the van to take him to therapy.  He is actually in my daughter's old chair in this picture,  The little girl in the first picture with him is named Guens Love.  She is in a chair I think I got for them at a thrift store.  She also needs a chair that can be folded so she can be transported easily.  The little girl in the bottom picture is new to the orphanage.  No dad very young mom who has no idea how to take care of her little special needs baby girl.  The mom has done alot for her so far but as she is getting older she needs help with her.  Chamma is her name.  We need a good baby stroller for her.  We also need a baby gate for Guens Love, although she can't walk, she she can crawl fast and they must watch her as she doesn't have any fear or understanding of danger.  

I've found a simple folding wheelchair for $140 each now I'm looking for a stroller and baby gate.  The budget is $500 with any extra money going to shipping costs.  If you can help I'd appreciate it!  Thanks to Pam, Stephanie and my son Shad we have raised $160 so far!  Thank you!!!! I need to order them this week if possible!  THANK YOU!!!

You can give on paypal at 

Grace Church Paypal

or mail a check to 

Grace Church

7060 Berry Road

Zephyrhills Fl 33540

(if you do mail a check could you send me a message and let me know it's coming?)

Engagement Surprise!

 Well it's been a minute but so much has been going on in our family....

We are so happy to announce our son's engagement to his girlfriend Nichole!  We couldn't be happier!  

Our big secret

We will never forget this cruise

Our hearts are full of joy to welcome this wonderful young lady into our family. I can remember the first time I prayed for Steve’s wife. It was the first full day we were home from the hospital. I remember sitting on the couch in NYC with my tiny cute little baby and I prayed Psalms 1 over his life and almost as an afterthought I prayed that one day God would send him the right person to marry. That seemed almost crazy that morning because he was so little & new. Over the years I’d pray that again & again. Well that prayer has been answered! We are so blessed to be able to announce their engagement

First night of the cruise

She said yes

Aren't they so sweet??? We are so happy for them!

And we are honored to have been there with them for their moment along with some of their friends.

He proposed the first night which was great! I couldn't hardly wait LOL

The next day we visited Nassau Bahamas

Our family has a knack for bringing a hurricane to Nassau!

It was pouring but we didn't care!

First we visited the old fort!

Then the Queen's staircase

The Gang

Then we went to Atlantis and tried the slot machines LOL Don't worry we each just played $1

We seldom do shore excursion through the ship it is just too expensive. I know they tell people not to do it on your own but.... we've always had great experiences. I think Mr Noel Daley was the best guide we have ever had in the Bahamas. His van was so nice and clean with great AC and plastic covered seats. He is a very nice man. So if you are going to Nassau I'd recommend him! his number there is 242-421-1501 and his taxi # is 283 He only charges $35 but make sure to give him a good tip! Tell him Yvonne sent you!!

Later it cleared up LOL

But I have to share this story...

November 2019 we took a family cruise to the Bahamas. At that time our family was facing some situations that had me extremely concerned. Our ship stayed in Nassau overnight. The next morning I got up early & went to the upper deck to take pictures & pray/think about things. I’ve always loved lighthouses, I love what they represent. That morning I just did not see how some things would work out but I prayed that God would work them all out for my children & our family. Fast forward almost 2 years & everything I prayed about that morning has been resolved & has made a 180 degree turnaround going in the right direction! Thank you Jesus! I went up there as we were leaving & I sincerely in my heart thanked God for His help & for the wonderful things that have happened since then!!! What was nice was I had my new daughter in law to be sitting beside me! God is good!

We ate alot!

Jon & love to go off the beaten path. So the day we stopped at Princess Cay the private island, we went and did a nature tour

 

 

 

 

the whole crew!

Steve and his best friends Michael and Dylan

My favorite daughter in law to be!!!

so sweet

we asked Jon what he was thinking....he said he was wondering what would be for supper LOL

We missed Shad so much but he just couldn't take the time off of his job as an officer yet. He's hoping to take a few days off next month but his schedule had just changed so it made it harder for him to go. He will be Steve's best man which makes me so happy! Jon will be doing part of the service and I'm sure I'll be doing my part in bawling because I love seeing how God has worked in y family!!

Youth Pastor Position

       

Our church is looking for a youth pastor. It would be a huge PLUS if he also could lead worship and be flexible in other areas. Grace Church is a rural Assembly of God church in Zephyrhills FL only 30 minutes from Southeastern University. We are a traditional church with a focus on missions, prison ministry and special needs ministry. The youth pastor would be expected to be involved in those areas too.   The youth pastor would need to be bi-vocational but a very nice parsonage with fenced in yard is included with electricity/water/sewer/garbage/security system. If interested call 352-567-6208 and send resume to theclanton5@aol.com  This position will be open August 1.

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Goodbye dear friend

 

This is our dear friend Guy Canaday's video.  He was our music pastor for almost 15 years and a very close family friend.  He died of cancer after a horrific battle.  He trusted God to the very end and was courageous.  We shared some wonderful times with him.  It was a blessing to have someone we could trust 110% as a pastor you don't always have that.  He was a big part of our family.  I had tried to write about him several times but I just can't really share all that is on my heart.  He was truly a brother to me we figured he had to be Jon's brother in law LOL and an uncle to our kids.  It's so hard to think he is gone from this earth- I've grieved ever since he got his diagnosis which was bad from the beginning.  It's been hard to see someone who has served God so faithfully suffer so much.  When he finally passed I felt peace about it because all the suffering was over.  From the beginning he'd say "I don't want to fail God"  He never failed God, he was so strong and he trusted God.  He was an example of someone who lived for God and died for God.  There will never be another person like him, he was unique.  He loved God and I smile when I think of all the wonders of heaven he is experiencing.  But it's hard for everyone left behind.  He leaves a big hole. 

My son and I did this video. Guy picked the song which I had never heard but it is perfect.  This has been a hard situation for us and his family.  Our church is sad he was such a part of everything.  

I'm glad we have the hope of heaven.  Heaven gets sweeter as time goes by.