i am second

Our church has a summer message series called "I am second."  There is a movement that shares the stories of many people.  Pastor Bob played this testimony today, and it's not easy to understand, but it is worth persevering.



"We throw away broken things, but God doesn't.  God use broken things."

Tomorrow is Tobys last day of school so all his work has been sent home.

Just read this in his journal...

Little sweetheart!!

Mini- vacation

What was supposed to be a quiet day was happily full!

Scott went in to work at 6am, as he usually does (an hour later than weekdays!), only to be home by 9am to get us and go to Tobys T-ball trophy ceremony then game!

Then it was back home, where Scott finished our other tree swing...

And tested it out!

We've all been swinging on it and it is really fun!

Toby and I headed to the pool, and Scott and Emma came up later.  Em is not supposed to go to the pool in case her face gets knocked.  However, despite it being 91f, there were hardly any people there.

At first Em was in the baby pool, where she played with a boy from her class

In the shade, as we know sun will make her scars stay red.

Not long after though the big pool was very quiet and partially shaded so she joined everyone else in there.

It's going to be very hard to keep her out of the sun all summer, and keep a hat on her to cover her scalp scars, and try to shade her face.  There are some options, like a tan tape that protects the skin, but I know it will look "weird"!  She'll have to go along with it if she wants in, and we may have to go later than we would usually, avoiding the peak sun.

When we came home (after getting an ice cream at Dairy Queen) we all went on the rope swing again!  

It felt like a mini vacation today, exactly what I needed!

Unexpected reaction

Yesterday morning Toby got himself grounded!  It was a long time coming - many days of dragging his feet on doing as he was told, or flat out ignoring it.  

The kids have a printed checklist with pictures of the things they have to do before we leave in the morning (basic stuff like eat, dress, brush teeth!).  Toby is the king of not getting up when he needs to and dilly-dallying around until I yell at him to move it!  As much as I am willing to yell, I hate doing it, especially in the little time I have with them before leaving for the day.

Anyway, I warned him on Wednesday a few times, that if he didn't pick up the pace he'd be grounded.  He got a break until Thursday morning, when I drew the line in the sand.

Being "grounded" is subjective in our house.  Neither kid gets an allowance, so it means withdrawal of a leisure activity.  For Emma, it would be taking her iPad or the TV.  For Toby it was keeping him inside the house (it is sunny in the 80s most days and he lives outside!), and not being allowed to play with his buddy from across the street.

Thursday afternoon Dillon came over to see if Toby could play.  Toby went to the door before I could and calmly told Dillon he was not allowed to play.  When asked why, he explained.  Then he picked up his Kindle and cuddled up on the couch with me!  

Victory!  He understood his mistake, and he accepted the consequence.  And he was not holding a grudge against me.  He still had his Kindle, or the TV, in fact any inside activity!  I was not trying to strip him of all his fun, just a simple consequence.

So today it was a clean slate, and after Emma brought him breakfast in bed (say what?!!) he got up and did fairly well to get out the door.  After school he had a playdate and all was well.

Until about 6:45pm.  We were all outside (Emma likes to sit on the bench swing when she can!), and all of a sudden I noticed Toby across the street, presumably looking for Dillon.  I asked Scott if he'd been asked for permission and he hadn't.  When Toby came back over we questioned him and he actually said "I didn't know who to ask!"  Um, you have two parents, both right here!!

Since he knows that he is not allowed to cross our street without letting us know first (it can be a busy street, but he is very good at crossing it, and we always have to know when he goes across), he was sent inside for the rest of the evening.  Well!  Full-on tantrum ensued.  I could here the screaming etc in the front yard.  Whenever I am tempted to feel guilty at these moments I remind myself that enduring this now might save him from an arrest warrant later!

He was fine by the time we all came in and the rest of the night went as usual.

When I snuggled up with him at bedtime he said "there's something I wanted to tell you yesterday and forgot."  Oh boy, my mind started to race, after all the drama!  Then he hit me with it, "your the best mommy."

Boom!  He doesn't usually say stuff like that, and I was not expecting it tonight.  But it was all I needed to hear to know that I'm doing ok!!

Keeping on

On Friday afternoon, about 45 minutes before school ended, I took Emma in to see her class.  At the start of the week she had been hesitant about going in, but after a few days, and lots of positive reinforcement, she was excited to see everyone. 

I had been nervous throughout the day, and texted her teacher to that effect, but she reassured me it would be fine.  I sent her a picture of Emma, so to avoid any shock, and thankfully she had shown the class!  When we arrived all the kids were happy to see her.  She got several hugs (which is really important - nothing worse than feeling like people don't even want to touch you), and they had all made cards again!  There were balloons, gifts and the white board had a ton of greetings.

Em's teacher brought her over to sit in the guest reader chair and then sat next to her, while the kids sat at Emma's feet on the rug!  Emma shared some things about her experience - mainly about peeing with a catheter, then a bed pan and then a commode!!  Then it was questions and comments from the kids. 

They had lots of good questions, and I did my best to answer the medical ones and the ones about her restrictions and recovery. 

Emma was excited to go back to school today.  We did her hair half up, which hides the shaved, scarred, are.  She picked out a nice outfit and was excited that because she will not be doing gym, she can wear sandals the rest of the school year!!  Initially she was going to stick to her normal routine, which involves joining a different class for an hour a day, but she requested today to stay with her class as her teacher offered.  She also opted to have lunch with her teacher because she "doesn't want people looking at her without her knowing."

When I picked her up (a little early so she doesn't get bumped in the rush when the bell goes!) she had had a good day!  She spent the whole day with her class, including recess and lunch which was spent in the classroom with two friends and her teacher!

She was a bit sad to not be able to enjoy popcorn with the class at snack time, however there have been days that she has turned down the snack based on health level!  She just happens to love popcorn!

The right side of her face is almost back to pre-op size, and the incision is pretty clear - time for scar cream!  The left side is still swollen, but the surgeon said it looks fine and just needs time (based on the photo I sent him last night!).

Parenting Challenges

Life is full of experiences that you need to learn from, or be doomed to repeat!  Couple recent examples...

Last night was a bit hectic, Em had a friend over after school finished, so we were home and I didn't get to the supermarket for much needed groceries.  When her friend got picked up Scott called to tell me what train he was on, as his car was at the mechanic and I was to pick him up and take him to the car.

It was already 6pm by the time we got all this done, and we decided to go to Chick Fil A for dinner.  We realized Em wouldn't be able to have her usual chicken nuggets and fries, but they have chicken noodle soup, and ice cream. 

Unfortunately their soup is a far cry from Campbell's condensed, and had celery and large pieces of real chicken in it - she couldn't eat it.  Understandably she got a bit upset.  Thankfully Scott got her a giant ice cream and she agreed to have tomato soup when we got home.  Poor girl!

Then this morning it was spirit day at school (the first Friday of the month) and the kids can get a soft pretzel for 25c.  Of course I forgot until we pulled in and I had only 23c in my wallet!  Toby was heart broken, and though I figured they'd probably be fine with that, you never know!  He hunted around the car and eventually found two pennies in his cup holder! 

We always tell the kids that pennies are worthless, but in this case they were very valuable!!  I guess you shouldn't take even the smallest thing for granted!

This afternoon Emma will go in to see her class and I'm praying that the kids are able to see her new smile and not worry about the distortion caused by the swelling, or her scalp incision. 

Progress Report

Things are progressing nicely.  Emma is pretty much pain free, and is only taking a muscle relaxer, with a little ibuprofen to help inflammation and take away the taste of the other medicine!  The swelling is still pretty significant, but I think it's going down slowly - tough to tell when I see her ever day.  The incision scars are healing very well and I think they will be pretty clear in a week.

After having the drains removed on Tuesday, life has been getting more normal.  She can sleep without worrying about pulling on the tube, change her clothes etc.  Emma is eating only very soft food like scrambled eggs, apple sauce and macaroni and cheese.  We are mashing up bananas too!  She loves the smoothies that I have for breakfast and lunch, so she gets one of those for breakfast, which she squirts in her mouth with a big syringe!

After our appointment on Tuesday we went to the movies to see the new Jungle Book.  We all used the bathroom before the movie and I noticed Emma glance in the mirror, but quickly look away.  It broke my heart because she has always loved to look at herself in the mirror - which I see as a sign of a good self-image, not vanity!

Mid-movie Toby needed to pee again, so we all went in to the bathroom.  As we rushed back out to get back to the movie a little girl came in, and I was nervous about how she would react to Emma's appearance.  She saw Em and said "Aww, she's so cute!"  This was definitely a God thing.  That's never happened before, and the timing was amazing!

I was not sure if Emma was going to be ok with going back to school before the swelling goes away, and there are only two weeks left after this week!  I asked her if she would at least go and visit her class because they all miss her and want to know how it went.  She was very reluctant and said she'd think about it.

Later that night we had to pick Toby up from gymnastics.  Emma's one coach had come to visit her at home on Monday, but the head coach was desperate to see her.  I told Em and she agreed to come in with me.  This was her first real public appearance, with kids around.  The coaches were amazing.  They were so excited for her and praised her new smile.  The coach explained to the other girls about her surgery and they were so kind.  On the way home Emma said she wanted to visit her class on Friday!

On Wednesday Emma spent the day with Nanna and Pops, and Sophia, so I could return to work.  She got a warm welcome and is really feeding off everyone's positivity.  She even told her therapist when she visited last night that she was going back to school on Monday!

Her teacher has been keeping tabs on how Emma is doing and letting me know the kids all miss her too.  I let her know about our visit, and some of my concerns for her full return and this was her reply:

"I'm so happy to hear that Emma will be visiting tomorrow!  I think the sooner she gets in, the easier it will be for her.  The kids in room 2 CANNOT wait to see her. 

Do you want us to make a big fuss about her return, or just keep it low-key- like a normal da?.  I want to make Emma as comfortable as possible, so let me know what you think is best.  I will talk to the class about being extra-sensitive.  They are such sweet kids and they all love Emma so much!

I would be happy to have lunch with Emma and a couple friends in the classroom if you think that would be better than eating in the cafeteria.  I'd be happy to keep her with me during gym class as well.
 
Let me know what you think is best.
We are so excited for Emma's return!"

We are so thankful to see god's perfect timing in all of this, from getting surgery scheduled as quickly as possible, to being before the summer and having an amazing class and teacher to support her return to school.

Last week Emma's principal called the house to see how she was doing.  Emma was rendered speechless - like the President was calling!  She also sent her a card this week and Emma was so thrilled.  I know this is not standard procedure - Emma has touched the hearts of all the people she comes in to contact with.  We are overwhelmed by all the love she is receiving back, but not surprised. 

It's so exciting to imagine the transformation over the next few months, and it is truly amazing to see her with a smile that I know is from her heart, not surgery!!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

One week down

Is it Sunday already?  Somehow this week has felt like an entire month, while also going quickly so I  had no time for anything.  I was delusional, thinking that Emma would bounce back from this surgery as quickly as her ear tubes, or g-tube closure surgeries!  I thought I would have "vacation" time this week.

After arriving home on Wednesday, Emma made a little progress each day.  She had more energy each day, and her appetite steadily increased.  She's very limited on what she can eat without chewing.  Mainly she has smoothies and meal replacement drinks, soup, apple sauce and mac and cheese. 

We have a busy schedule of medicine, to manage pain, oral rinses, because she can't brush her teeth, and antibiotic ointment for her incisions.

Emma has managed to watch several movies this week, as well as doing some coloring and reading.  She's keeping busy inside the house.  The weather has been the best we've had all year, and I know Emma is sad to not be able to go to the pool, which opened for the season yesterday.  However, it's not going to be the whole summer (I hope)!

One of the main restrictions she has had is that she still has drains in.  These are tubes, about 1/4" in diameter, inserted under the skin just behind her ears, and down in to her cheeks.  They are draining excess fluid and blood from the main surgical site, in to two plastic bulbs, that act like suction.  They are pinned to the shoulders of her clothes to stop them hanging or getting caught.  We are going to see her surgeon on Tuesday, to hopefully get them removed.

Going back to school is still up in the air.  She has 3 weeks left of school.  I've ruled out going back this coming week, which leaves two weeks.  I have a few hesitations.  First, she is still very swollen, especially on the left side.  Second, since her cheeks were fixed tight, to allow for stretching, her top lip is still way high, so she has a permanent fixed grin, which is not ideal for "fitting in".  Lastly, she has not seen herself yet.  We have offered a few times, but she is adamant about waiting.  I'm not sure she can avoid a mirror indefinitely, but I would like to have her hair done, so she feels normal.

So, we still have a ways to go, but we see the smile on Emma's face and it is like a ray of sunshine! 

Swing time

Scott ordered me a porch swing for our anniversary- but not for a porch (as we don't have one!) but to hang in our tree!!

This weekend the weather was perfect to put it up!

We've already had comments from passers by saying they like it!  I guess it's a novelty in our town!

The boys even hung out this morning waiting to go to church!

Day 2

Today was interesting.  The anesthesia seems to be wearing off, Em was awake for longer periods and actually used words instead of various tones of whining to communicate.  She's even repositioning herself to sleep on her side.

Everything is progressing as expected, and we've been shown wound care.

The hope is that she can be released tomorrow, but for that to happen, she's going to need to get up and walk a bit, and start drinking more, maybe even eat a little - none of which has she shown interest in!!

As of now we are alone in the room, so we could get a decent night of rest - I'm camping in her bed for convenience.  She wakes up whenever I get up!!

Please pray that she continues to improve and feels able to go home.  I'm not even thinking past that!!

Keep praying - the hard work has just begun

Well it's been quite the week for us!  In the space of 24 hours our world has been flipped upside down.  A little over 24 hours ago, Emma went in for smile surgery using the temporalis transfer procedure.  We were told it would be about 5 hours long, to do both sides.

After we were waiting about an hour our Pastor arrived, which was a welcome surprise.  He is always able to inspire calm in us, although we were both very chipper and relaxed.  He couldn't stay due to a big meeting some way out from town, which was even nicer that he trekked into the city beforehand!

After that a couple friends asked to come and get lunch with us, so we had a little lunch break, and as we headed back to wait, we go the call that she was out, in a little over 4 hours.

We were taken back to the acute care recovery room where she was still very sleepy, but not distressed at all.  The surgeon had spoken to us prior, and warned us that it was not going to be pretty.  Basically, her cheeks are super tight, so her mouth is pulled into a Joker-like smile.  This is to allow for some stretching that will happen to the muscle as it settles in.  The hope is that through therapy she will be able to retain the full range of contraction of the muscle to smile.

Additionally, there was a 2"wide strip of hair shaved from ear to ear, over the middle of her head, where the zig zag incision allowed them to access her muscles under the scalp.  The hair will grow back, of course, but I don't know how she's going to react to it.  Thankfully there is still hair up front that can be pulled back to cover much of the strip.

After about 3 hours in recovery we were finally transferred to a room (shared, because the hospital is full).  As the anesthesia wore of, nausea increased and Emma was not able to keep down the water or ginger ale we were syringing in to her mouth.  That increased through the night, which also meant she was not able to absorb the pain medication, so they gave her some more morphine in her IV.

Scott went home to sleep and take care of Toby.  I stayed with Emma.  There is a sofa bed next to her bed, which was fairly comfortable.  However, due to the frequent moaning from Em, vomiting and the TV from the other occupants, I struggled to get any sleep.  Emma wanted me to lay with her, which I was happy to do, but unable to get comfortable.  When I finally did get comfy she asked me to get out!

She is in a little pain, but admits to mostly being miserable and wanting to go home.  She's not happy to have  a catheter in either.

The doctors came round in the early morning, and prescribed some other pain meds for her IV, but she is also keeping fluids down.  She's getting IV fluids also, especially since she had a lot of blood loss and needed a transfusion.

She will be in the hospital until Wednesday.  We need to wait for the anesthetic to wear off completely do she can get up and walk around.  She needs to be holding down fluids, then soft foods and purees, and have her pain under control.  

She also has two tubes draining the area in her face that the surgery is performed. They will come out on Wednesday.  

This part is harder than I had anticipated (based on the past), but that's my underestimation!  Just trying to keep her calm and as comfortable as possible. 

Scott had let on that he was having flowers delivered today, which is a lovely gesture.  But when they arrived I was taken aback at how perfect they were!

You see, it was basically a replica of my wedding bouquet!!

He doesn't claim to have come up with the idea himself, but he gets a ton of credit for such a romantic gesture and surprise!!

Class act

Today was Emma's last day at school before surgery and I arranged to go in and speak to the kids about what they could expect when she returns.  She also decided to read to them from a book that details what it can be like to have Moebius Syndrome!

No special event is complete with out refreshments, so I made brownie cupcakes!!

I half expected Em to back out of reading, but she went with it!

Then the kids gave her the cards and drawings they had made in secret for her!  Her teacher also gave her a book and stuffed bunny!

After we talked about how Em might look different and have a change of diet, they all got to eat their cupcakes!

Then they had a little extra recess, which was awesome on such a warm sunny day!  Toby and I hung around as it was almost home time, and I got a couple of pictures.

We couldn't dream of a better teacher or class for her!  

Ten short years

Ten years ago I gave myself to this man, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, until death parts us.

We've seen good times, and some bad times.  We've had times of  affluence and times of need.  And through it all Scott has been my superhero.  With the character of Captain America, the creativity and wit of Iron Man and the strength of Thor!  (And better looking than them all!!!)

It's unlikely that Scott will read this, but I want to share with you the impact of being a husband, and father, that takes seriously God's instruction...

“The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.”

Ephesians 5:22-28 MSG

I am unable to recall a time when we have argued and it wasn't at least 51% my fault!  There is no memory of a time when I doubted that he would use all his strength to protect me and our children. 

There are many occasions when I worried I might have embarrassed him, only to be reassured that he is never ashamed of me.  And when I do share my dark thoughts and ugly feelings he doesn't encourage me, but leads me back to the light, reminding me to love and be loved.

When our hearts were breaking for our baby girl (as they often still do) he never tired of listening to my fears or wiping away my tears.

When I fall short, lose my cool and am disgracefully rude, he is quick to forgive, forget and make me smile.

This man - humble, wise and kind.

My best friend, my inspiration and my hero, ten years ago agreed to lead me through the rest of our lives, together.  My part is to follow, and I will follow him anywhere.

You’ve captured my heart, dear friend. You looked at me, and I fell in love. One look my way and I was hopelessly in love! 

Song of Solomon 4:9 MSG

"For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.”

Song of Songs 8:6b NLT

A new chapter up ahead

Emma expressed it herself tonight when she said "on April 23rd my surgery was so far away, and now there are less than 6 days to go!"  She's not wrong.  

Two months ago we faced the decision on whether to go for a local surgeon with no experience with Moebius Syndrome (though vast experience with facial palsy), and a procedure that will leave scars on Emma's cheeks, or to search the country for someone more experienced to do a two-stage procedure that has more complications and varying results.

We decided to go with the former.  While finances were not our concern, we are SOOO thankful that the state medical assistance has agreed to cover the procedure.  The benefit of having the surgery in our local hospital is huge - we can have as many follow-up appointments as needed, the weekly post-op therapy, and should there be any complications, there is no difficulty in returning immediately.

So we are in the final preparation stage.  On Monday we had an appointment with anesthesia, and poor Emma had to have blood taken for the first time.  She handled it well - she cried a lot but sat still and did it.  I always give the kids treats when they have to get shots, so I asked her if she wanted a treat, or cash!!  She opted for cash and the guy drawing the blood disapproved - I told him it was fine, the girl's saving up for an iPad!!

Speaking of which, she's done so great, saving $160 since Christmas.  I told her they were $200, which I thought they were.  Turns out they are more like $500!  I feel really bad because I was hoping to give her a few extra dollars so she could buy it for next week, and her recovery period.  Especially since she won't be able to go to the pool for a while, and it opens on May 27!!  Still figuring out what to do about that.

Following the procedure, for 3-4 weeks, Emma will need to avoid chewing as much as possible.  So we are investigating meal replacement drinks.  Most people go straight to "milkshakes" but seriously - that's not the direction we can afford to head in.  It needs to be nutritional, and not high in sugar or we'll have diabetes to deal with!!  Lots of apple sauce, yogurt, some ice-cream, maybe pasta.  There aren't many whole fruits or veggies you can eat without biting and chewing, so I'll make some of my smoothies, which she does love!

Since all her favorites are off the table for a while, we are going out for a "last supper" on Sunday, wherever she wants.  I'm tempted to give her anything and everything all week because I feel bad for her, but that's very short-sighted.  She'll be back to normal before long.

After surgery, we anticipate a 1-2 day hospital stay.  She will have staples across her scalp, where a hairband would sit, and stitches on her cheeks.  I will be off work through to May 31, and I am hoping she will be ready to go back to school - but I am not going to push her on it.  She will have 3 weeks of school left, finishing on June 21.

In fact, to try and make returning more comfortable, I am going to go into her class this Friday and talk to the kids about what she is having done (and bring smiley face cupcakes!!).  Her class and teacher are so supportive of her that I really would like her to go back and feel normal again.  

Even if she does return to school, she won't be allowed to do anything that could result in trauma to her face, so no gym, no outdoor recess (she's thrilled about that), no physical therapy, and no gymnastics.  We've actually had her going twice a week to gymnastics to increase her strength ahead of the recovery time.  I will try and have her doing some moderate exercise, like walking etc. 

After all the stitches are firmly healed Em will begin a therapy program involving exercises at home, practicing using her new smile and therapy at the hospital that uses electrodes and feedback on computer screens to retrain the brain.  She's excited about the latter, because they are basically simple video games controlled by your mind and muscle impulses!

We do not know anything past Monday, (or tomorrow really!) and we are aware but not focusing on the standard risks of any surgery.  Rather we are focusing on the hope that this will give her the ability to smile "so that people will know when I am happy, or sad, without having to ask."

So, please continue to pray with us, for the doctors and nurses, for the hospital, for Emma's healing and recovery, for our strength and energy, for the future and that God would be glorified throughout this stage of Emma's story of hope.

The gift of speech

Since October she has been in an enrichment program at school for "mentally gifted" children.  As part of this program, the kids were challenged to choose a topic of interest that they did not know much about, to research, and present using a slideshow.

Emma's chosen topic was Pocahontas!  She called it "Pocahontas the Peacemaker".  She did the research and created her presentation at school and presented it to the other students in the program.

On Tuesday Emma gave her first public presentation, along with other students from higher grades, and the other elementary school in town.  The kids were assigned to be in a group of 5, kids they didn't know, and a range of ages (of which she was the youngest).

I got a couple pictures of her practicing before we went...

She was nervous, but not hesitant and did really well. 

We are so proud of her achievement, not because she did this with Moebius, but because she did it!!  Public Speaking is not something many people enjoy, let alone do!! 

Her current project is on Ocean Animals and her group will present their research to every class in her grade at school!  We are currently waiting to see if she will want to participate in that because it is right after her surgery.  But she will have more opportunities next year and beyond!

Who's Lazy?

Last night, Toby told Emma she was lazy, which really upset her because we emphasize not being lazy.  His justification is that she does not run around as much as him!  So of course, this raised the question, what exactly is "lazy"?

Our response was to explain to both kids that directionless activity does not constitute not being lazy!  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and as a family we work together and support each other.  Where Toby has boundless energy, he can lack focus and attention to detail.  Where Emma lacks desire to move, she can focus, accomplish goals and has a heart to help.

We often tell the kids that being lazy can be the result of too much TV, eating unhealthily and general lack of participation.  So Toby can be excused for equating it solely with that.  In fact, the dictionary definition supports that:

Simple Definition of lazy
    : not liking to work hard or to be active
    : not having much activity

    : causing people to feel that they do not want to be active

    : moving slowly

But laziness, which the Bible cautions us against, is more of an attitude, a heart issue.

Proverbs 13:4 ESV
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Proverbs 14:23 ESV
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

So, while there is certainly a connection between lack of physical activity and lack of work, it is of greater concern if we are spiritually lazy - failing to do that which God has asked us to do.  Running around being busy all our days does not mean we are being productive or obedient.

It's a great word picture of how appearances can be deceiving!  Walking with God, for the long haul, requires a balance of rest and exertion.  We just have to make sure that the exertion is purposeful and mot merely a distraction!!

Breakfast in bed

The kids gave me all their cards and stuff they made for Mother's Day last night, so I wasn't expecting anything this morning.  It was a pleasant surprise to be awoken with "breakfast" this morning!

The kids made me pancakes - frozen pancakes, cooked in the microwave, which is what they eat pretty much every day.  They added some syrup for good measure.  I think they may have taken a while to bring them up because they were cold and chewy, but this was not the time to be fussy!

Emma had woken Toby up and they did this themselves - Scott was still asleep too!  Bless their hearts!!

Mother's Day!

I became a mother when this girl came into existence. She taught me that I have a greater capacity to love than I knew. She helped me find the strength and determination that God had given me. She showed me that even the smartest people can not outsmart the purpose of God in our lives. She embodies the need to hope for good no matter how bleak the outlook. And she reminds me that a smile is not a movement of your lips, but an attitude of your heart.

My house and my heart is full!!

Tonight I asked Toby to stop growing.  He agreed to stop at 7 1/2!  Instead I asked him to promise to never stop loving me.  He happily agreed!

Mothers Day

The kids came home from school this week with a ton of Mothers Day things.  Of them all, this was by far the funniest!