Happy 4th!

It's Independence Day - that's right, the celebration of when the country I live in defeated the country I'm from in a war and gained independence. To me, it's just one of several patriotic American holidays!

And what would a holiday be without a parade?! Today we went to our first parade as a family...

Uncle Sam! (that's an American thing, not our actual Uncle Sam - we don't have one!)

These are some of the "kids" efforts...

And my favorite part - the local Republican party somehow arranged for an elephant (their logo) to walk down the main road. An elephant!!!

Time for a quick swing at the park before escaping the heat and humidity!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

Breakthroughs

It's been quite the day! I was off work and enjoyed waking up next to my beautiful daughter around 7ish. We hung out in bed for a few minutes (until my phone battery died!) before getting up.

Toby was also awake by then so we headed in to get him. Emma and Toby played trampoline in his crib for a few minutes - they're about 60lbs combined, but it holds up well!

After I dragged them out we went downstairs for breakfast.

I've been facing two challenges lately. The first, as you know is how to get Emma to drink the water she needs daily. The second, you may not be aware of, is Toby's lack of interest in eating. More specifically that he prefers to throw his food than eat it!

Christina has been getting Emma to drink at least 8oz of water each day (an incredible achievement, given that she was drinking practically nothing just a week or so ago!). When I have tried on my days off, no such luck!

Today, in faith, I measured out the water in her Peppa Pig bottle and decided to just let it go.

As for Toby, I never have trouble feeding him breakfast, his cereal and fruit, which I spoon feed him. So I wondered if that might be the key to the other meals.

Enjoying the less frequent days I have home with the kids, we spent the whole morning in our PJs and hung out together. I've been trying to keep the chores and errands to a minimum so that they can be confident that they are my priority.

At lunch time Emma had drank some of her water, but not really half. I was not despondent, and simply put the remainder in the fridge for after nap!

With Toby, I cut up his nuggets and sat down next to him with some mac'n'cheese. He ate far more than I have seen him eat in many weeks, and we had fun with it.

Scott's brother and his family were coming over for dinner, but not until 7pm, so I ended up feeding Toby and Emma before even Scott got home, around 6.30. Emma barely stopped talking long enough to eat. While Toby, sat right next to me, polished off 1 1/2 meatballs (golf ball size!), a piece of bread and a yoghurt before his juice!

I think I found my answer with Toby. I remember when we were researching the ideal feeding environment for Emma, the importance of the social interaction at meal-times. However, because of Scott's late working hours, often the kids eat much earlier than we do. I think I started leaving them to it when I realized I could get a ton done while they were occupied.

I realize now that I need to bring it back to basics, and that should be possible with Scott working regular hours. We want mealtimes to be the great opportunity for connecting as a family that they should be.

By the time the kids went to bed, after our guests left around 9pm, Emma had indeed finished the whole bottle of water I'd given her that morning.

I can understand how hard it might be to grasp that it takes her all day to drink the volume Toby, or most other kids, can suck down in 5 minutes or less! But, to give it perspective, Emma has gone from 0% of her hydration orally, to 20% in a few days - I'm just guessing, but I'm pretty sure that's phenomenal! (I'll confirm after our visit with the doctor this week!)

However you may be like me, who forgot to eat at all until 4pm, and had just one drink in the morning! Unless you're body is crying out for it, you can go without. That's why the cues many of us depend on, like lunch hour at work, or a change in TV schedule, trigger the physical cues. Pavlov's dogs anyone?

Did I mention the other side-effect of the kids' time with Christina? No TV!! That's right, she doesn't let them watch TV non-stop as I might, so they don't even notice half the time when they're home and it's not on. I think I miss it more, I truly am an addict!! Perhaps our electricity bill will be great too!!

If I don't keep working for much longer, I really don't care - the things I have learned and been shown during this time are priceless!!

Diet drinkers beware...

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/diet-soda-may-be-making-you-fat-2504019/

You just can't win!!

What Do You Want More Than Anything?

This article appeared in a recent issue of Today's Pentecostal Evangel (pe.ag.org).  I thought it was worth sharing...

What good is it for a man to gain the world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36,37, NIV)

Jesus asks you two of the most important questions you will ever answer.

Imagine a scale. On one side is the whole world. On the other, your soul. You can have one or the other, but not both.

There's never been a human who owns the whole world — not Caesar, not Napoleon, not Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or Donald Trump. The richest people on earth own only billions, but that's a grain of sand compared to the composite wealth of the whole world.

Jesus says, "Suppose you had it all. Everything. Everything you've always wanted — money, fame, position, family, health, influence — everything. All together — they are not as valuable to you as your soul."

Your soul is you — the you that lasts forever. Jesus says you are more important than anything you could ever have. If that is the case, then you must pay attention to who you are.

The question Jesus asks comes within the context of His call that you deny yourself for His cause. He's saying that when you choose this world — with all its passing values — rather than Him and His gospel, then you forfeit your eternal soul.

Instead, Jesus says: "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." In other words, you are to live by His terms. It's not your agenda that counts. If you think that following Jesus will bring you wealth, fame and comfort — think again. You're likely to experience suffering. The cross is not fun and games. Self-fulfillment is much easier than self-denial.

But, if you lose your life for Him, then you save it for eternity.

Jesus, in so many words, asks: "What will you trade for your soul?" Will you trade it for what is temporary: wealth, things, a title or position, sex, approval from others, security, personal ambition?

You are of more value than all things of this earth. In fact, you are so valuable Jesus came to earth to lay down His life for you. He took the punishment for your sin so that you could stand before God without fault or blame of any kind.

When I was younger, I heard preachers say: "When you quote John 3:16, put your own name in place of the word 'world.' 'God so loved [your name] that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life'" (NIV).

I used to think: I'm not that valuable. He wouldn't have come just for me. There had to be a critical mass of people — perhaps hundreds of thousands or even millions — before He would have thought it worthwhile to lay down His life as a substitute for sinners.

But my view did not square with the reality of Jesus' own teaching. He looks for even one lost sheep, one lost coin, one lost son (Luke 15). The amazing love of God is that Jesus would have come for you alone if you were the only one who needed the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life.

He values you so much that He laid down His life for you! Will you give Him your life in return?

A prayer of response
Lord Jesus, I do not want to forfeit my soul. I don't want to spend my life living for things that do not matter. I place all that I am and have in Your hands.

Quote of the Day

I am trying to get back into pilates!  I did it last Wednesday before the kids got up, and planned to do it this morning.  The trouble is when my alarm goes offI'm usually so tired I don't move.  However I know the extra half hour sleep does not help, while exercising does wake me up!

Around 4 am this morning Emma started crying.  I went in, and remarkably gently asked her what was wrong (remarkable because I did not get to bed until midnight and this was not my first trip into her room!).  She said she wanted "Daddy" so I carried her into our room - no more rushing in to see what's up! 

Emma slept through Scott's obnoxious alarm at 5am, and however many times thereafter before  he finally got up!  She slept through the alarm I set on my phone to wake me at 6am, and the re-alarm 9 minutes later. 

Eventually I carefully dragged myself out of bed to go work out downstairs.  I am using the laptop to run the pilates DVD so it is quieter and uses less electricity (ecologically and economically savvy, me!).

About half way through, at 6.30am I hear Emma calling me so I pause it and run up so she doesn't wake Toby.  She asked me to lay down with her, but I suggested she come and eat breakfast and watch a cartoon while I exercise.  She agrees.

I get her set up and get back to the last 10 minutes of my work out. 

Shortly after I resume the pilates Emma interrupts...

"Um, mom - that doesn't look like exercise.  Can you do push-ups?"

How's that for encouragement!!  Pilates is exercise and if you are at all sceptical, you can borrow my DVD!!!

Let's Do This!

At the reunion yesterday, several things helped me regain a sense of perspective.

When Emma went on the carousel the second time around we were in line behind a family with a baby girl, apparently about 12 months old.  Her mom carried her up to the horses and got her settled on one.  As I watched her I marveled at how different things could have been for us.

You see, the little girl had been in a stroller with a big basket.  Her parents accompanied by a nurse.  When the mom carried her up to the carousel she had a large bag on one shoulder, with a big machine in it.  There was about 5 feet of tubing connecting the machine to the little girls neck, where she had a tracheotomy. 

When Scott took Emma on the slide I watched a pregnant woman with a little boy, around 3 years old, and an older girl who was in wheel chair.  The little girl could not walk, and I suspect she has spina bifida, so the mom picked her up and carried her from the wheelchair, holding her under her armpits, over to the moon bounce, where the little girl got to go.

The beauty of an event like this was that maybe 50% or more of the families have had similar experiences or struggles of their own.  There is no pity, only admiration for the strength of the parents and children and the awesomeness of the human spirit.  You will never know how strong you are until you are required to be strong.

I look forward to being there with Emma when she is a little older and letting her see that life is not about being the same as everyone else, but being the best that you can be, however God made you.

We are closer than ever to the point of "normality" for Emma.  Increasingly resistant and stubborn about getting tube feeds, we are hitting a point of necessity for her drinking.  The psychologist said, now two months ago, that we would need to give her practice at drinking, building up to a measurement reward system.  I am still waiting to deal with the therapists due to my working and their month long vacation!

However, that may not be an issue!  Last week Christina had to call me at work because I'd forgotten to put a tube in the kids bag, so she could not give Emma the necessary water.  We figured it out, but in the end Christina opted to have Emma drink the water she needed instead.  And she did!!  Somehow, she got Emma to drink 8oz of water. 

Today, I got a text that she had drank half of the water in her beloved Peppa Pig bottle ("that Grandma gave me"!).  I let Christina know that I would fund whatever incentive system she chose to implement and wean Emma off the tube.   Because you know that she bribed her with a present to get her to drink it today!

I couldn't be more excited.  It was looking like the only way to get her to drink would be halt the tube feeds, and have to make them up at night.  Emma is much more willing to drink if she's thirsty.  However, requiring intervention at night would be like moving 10 steps back, especially with me working right now.

Could we really work this out, without disrupting the night?  We'll have to see! 

Family Reunion

Today was the annual family reunion for the Center that cared for Emma (and me) during my pregnancy. This ground breaking department has been going for 15 years and there were around 1000 people expected today - all families that have been helped.

It might seem odd to have such a celebration, when clearly each of the families have many struggles and difficulties. However, without the Center many of these children would not have made it, many through the pregnancy.

While Emma did not require medical intervention during the pregnancy, many babies do. The team have recently discovered that they can greatly reduce the impact of spina bifida by doing surgery in utero, and will help many more children in the future by offering it to all.

Other conditions that they treat would blow your mind, and all on the tiniest of people. Having the best doctors is only part of the incredible way they help. Having the nurses and staff that let you feel safe is really huge.

Scott and I actually bumped into individuals whose families sponsor/fund the fetal program and NICU (or they are named after them!). They interacted with Emma and Toby, and when I went to tell them how much their support means to families I choked up bad - and that's not like me!

After a massive group picture and greeting the staff we remember so fondly we went outside for some fun.

There was a mini carousel, which of course Emma wanted to go on...


more than once! Toby had his first go on a carousel too.

Toby got to go on a fire engine...

but has to grow a bit before he can apply!!
I asked Emma if she wanted to go and sit on the fire engine, to which she replied "No - fire trucks are for emergencies." Unbelievable!!

Scott took Emma on the giant inflatable slide...

she went very fast!
Scott said it might be too much for Toby - who won't even go down a six-foot slide at the playground!

And finally the train. This year the driver got a little too enthusiastic and drove slalom around the parking lot at pretty high speed!


Back home, before nap Emma insisted on trying on her free t-shirt. Orange - her favorite color, nice!

Big thanks to Laura, who snagged me a grown-up version of the shirt in purple!! I told you, only the best people work there!!

Happy Birthday Scott

Saturday June 25 was Scott's 29th birthday. That's right - he's still only in his twenties!! To celebrate I planned a semi-surprise party - I invited some of our closest friends and family on Friday and bought all the food without telling him.

I had to let him know ahead of time since he's the only one who could get the canopy, tables and chairs from church!! Which he did, graciously.

And then trimmed some branches off the tree for baseball clearance!!

Scott requested not to have to grill at his own party. I was going to do it, but mercifully Jeremy stepped in (and probably saved the burgers)!!

Emma started work on the potato chips before the guests arrived!

Scott reaped what he sowed after giving the kids water pistols! (He probably planned it that way!)

Emma helped Daddy blow out the candles

Kimberly was avoiding the camera...

While Aaron gave full "cheese"!

We brought Scott's golf game out of the basement and into the light...

although it wasn't always used for golf...

the kids did love it.

The badminton net went up

And was the adult game of choice

Christina got really into it, and our next door neighbor joined Scott's team for the win.

The kids wagon rolled out for kid rides,

I think Emma got her fair share!

It was a great few hours and Scott had fun. Job done!

Day at the Zoo

One of our day trips with my Mum and Dad was to the local zoo. Neither of the kids have ever been to a zoo, and it's been a while since Scott or I had too.

The weather was overcast but warm - perfect!


This manoeuvre by the tortoises got a lot of jeering from the adults - not least because the top one is climbing on the others head!

These guys reminded me of the three wise monkeys!

Big guy!

Toby comes face to face with one of the gorillas. They were a little afraid at first, but I think realized the glass would protect them (kids and gorillas!!)


I took this through glass, but it's such a great picture!


Dad took this, I just love it. I'm thinking of having a caption competition!!

The giraffes were the first thing Emma said she wanted to see, but being at the back of the zoo were one of the last. I think the excitement had waned a bit by then!

In the Children's Zoo the kids had fun...

Emma rode a pony for the first time. I was a little nervous how she'd do, but they had two people walking with her and I think that was reassuring.

She loved it, and patted the horse when she got off!

Then, to my utter surprise, she asked to pet the sheep - not a small animal! She was behind a fence though, and Emma was on a ledge making her taller than the sheep.
Due to time (and my "issues") I didn't let her go in and pet all the animals! A pony and sheep was pretty good for me. Next time I'll prepare myself!

Toby did not pet a thing, but was not bothered! I think he was quite tired.
Giant otters - so cute!!

The kids burned a lot of energy running around...

...and seemed to have more fun with that than looking at/for the animals!

In the words of the Fresh Beat Band - what a great day!

Dad Life...