Weekly Update ...

Life is good.

I haven't cried today.

Or yesterday.

Or did I?

Oh, shoot, I did cry yesterday.

Dang it.   

I thought it had been a whole 48 hours.  

Well, at least 24 hours ... that's pretty good? 

Don't get me wrong -- I am not walking around with a box of tissues strapped to my body.  The girls & I have a very happy life -- but when I get in the tub or I am driving in my car alone -- I cry.

The tears find a way out.

Betrayal hurts.

Period.

This past week was many things but a few were: heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, beautiful dozen roses from my parents, a visit to the park, after school snacks outside on the deck, Valentine's day party at Hannah's school, an amazing well check up for Hannah and two play dates for her in one day.

Lily is just LOVING her pre-school and she is so super busy all the time that it makes me LOVE her pre-school!  All you Moms know what I am talking about.  Don't act like you don't :-)

Lily has been quoting from the movie "What About Bob?" and it is absolutely hysterical.  The other morning she got on my bed to wake me up & was pushing on me saying "Wake up, Bob.  Wake up.  Rise & Shine, Bob.  Cock a doodle doo!!!!"   How can the day not be good when your 3 year old wakes you up like that?

Typical, today we were back at the doctor's office for Hannah ... another ear infection!  The doctor said many kids have been in with 3rd or 4th infections this year.  They took a few drops of blood just to check her numbers & everything was NORMAL.  Her platelets were even up from the last time --- really good since they had been trending downward the last few times.

My nice DSLR camera is still broken.  Hoping it will be fixed soon.  Taking pictures of the girls is so fun for me & I can't wait for our next photo shoot.  For now, I snap away with Lily's little camera or my phone.  The nice part is that I can easily upload to Facebook from my camera phone.  The bad part is I can easily upload to Facebook.  My sister is on a "vacation from Facebook" & I am thinking to join her ... do I really need it?

Well, you won't find me complaining about life. 

My kids live each day without an IV-Pole attached.

After that experience, the rest is icing on the cake.

Truly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lily kept telling Hannah to push her higher!!!  Hannah loves that Lily lets her push her on the swing.  

What a privilege to be the big sister after all those years of waiting!

Lily was hesitant to put on this jacket in the car when we got to the park.  She said, "It doesn't match."  

Oh my goodness!  Of course, she was right but I didn't want her to be cold!

Feeding the deer the carrots!

I never noticed these animals at the farm before .... what ever are these creatures?? 

A friend of Hannah's from school joined us to feed the animals.   A very fun outing!

And, oh my goodness, just melt my heart.  

Look at her precious feet!!!! 

I cherish this pumpkin & thank God every day for the joy of being her mother! 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens..." Psalm 68:19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All God's best from HOME,


 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Happy Valentine's Day from us girls!!

Thank you, Lord, for your constant, continual, 

unending love that never stops flowing.

Sick, Sick, Sick ...

Girls in bed Friday night ... sick, sick, sick .. but still smiling!

On the way home from the doctor on Friday .. both of them slept most of the day, including the ride home from picking up the antibiotics!!

Sick of being sick over here.

Hannah has missed so much school this year (well, not as much as with Aplastic Anemia!!) & this past week was no different!!   On Thursday night she started complaining that her ear was hurting.  Not like Hannah to complain of pain.  I asked her on a scale of 1 -10, what is your pain level.  A "6" she says ... which for her is very high!  I gave her pain meds & said we'd go to the doctor in the morning.

I turned off the alarm for school knowing she wasn't going.  That morning Lily was warm & coughing all over the place as well.  The girls & I went to the doctor and  BOTH had double ear infections.  Hannah's temp hit 106 and Lily's was around 102.  Just nuts.

The most adorable thing is how they both take care of each other -- even when they feel totally miserable.  On Friday morning I was walking Hannah back to my bed from the bathroom -- she'd been laying on the bathroom floor because the room was spinning (from her high fever).  On the way back Lily pops into the room to hand Hannah a special project she had made & glued together for her (a bunch of scrap papers all glued to a big piece of paper -- oh the joy of sissors & a glue stick!).  As sick as Hannah was, she took the paper & said in the sweetest voice, "oh thank you Lily -- I love it"   So cute!!   

Later that night, we were camped out in my room watching What About Bob (I've lost count how many times we have watched that movie since Hannah got it for Christmas from Auntie Mom & fam).  Lily was coughing & all of the sudden started throwing up.  Hannah jumps out of bed & starts patting Lily saying "it's OK, honey ... it's Ok, honey," while I was grabbing towels & a wet wash cloth. 

So sweet how these sisters love each other & look after each other even when they both feel downright miserable.

I am a blessed mom to my two most precious girls ... what a gift each day is ... even when I am cleaning up barf, scheduling medications & going a bit nuts with it all.

I still count it as joy ... life at home!!

All God's Best from HOME in KY,

"I recognize you from your blog ..."

On Friday, Hannah & I were out for some one-on-one time.  In the parking lot on the way back to the car, a lady stopped us & said "I recognize you from your blog." 

She told Hannah she had been praying for her the entire time she was sick. 

Imagine that? 

Who would have ever thought we'd move across the country & run into someone who "knows" us. 

What a blessing to connect with our new friend, Holly. 

Holly invited us to a Chinese New Year party for the very next evening.  The girls & I went- including my cousin, Blair, who was in town to hang out for part of the weekend.  We had an great night, thanks to Holly, & enjoyed our first Chinese New Year party with other Families with Children from China.  It was amazing to see so many families with kids from China. 

Of course, Lily was convinced it was her party and I just encouraged saying "yes, Lily, it is your party!!"  Why not?  It was her party, right??.  

Really -- the kindness of people just amazes me!  Thank you, Holly for making our weekend so special -- the Chinese New Year party was an evening we will never forget & I look forward to getting together with you soon!

Meanwhile, Hannah went from the stomach flu at the beginning of last week to getting a chest cold over the weekend.  She was coughing pretty bad today so I got her checked out to make sure it wasn't pneumonia or the flu.  Everything came back clear -- just something viral so no anti-biotic needed. 

Since we were in the presence of so many medical professionals, I had her blood counts checked & they all came back NORMAL!  Thank you, Lord!!!!!  Hannah handled all three pokes to get her blood drawn like a total champ.  She really could give lessons to kids (and some adults) on how to deal with the needle sticks.

I am still in awe of God's healing on Hannah's life.  Even when I am stressed out or my back goes out for NO reason or things just seem all wrong -- every day is a blessing & I don't take any this life for granted!!

Here are some snapshots from the Chinese New Year Party:  

In honor of Chinese New Year, Hannah & Lily got into the RED lipstick before we left for the party.  Despite wiping it off the remnants remained....how lovely!?!

 Sisters Forever!

 Making a rabbit craft for The Year of The Rabbit

 Thank you, Blair, for making the trip to KY ... WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

 Making Rabbit cookies & tasting the frosting.  Yum-O!

 My crazy girls .. wouldn't have it any other way!!

 All God's best from HOME in KY,
 

Catching Up ...

Just a quick "catch up" to let everyone know we are still alive here in cold Kentucky!

Here are some pictures from the past week or so ....

My adorable mom being caught on camera by Lily.  

Lily having a picnic with her babies!

Breakfast time with Grandma!

A last minute picture with Grandma .. and of course, Lily refused to really smile.  Such a ham!!!

My sister, Miriam, came to visit for one night .. thanks, Miriam, for making the drive.  I love you so much!

And here is our little dog that is in desperate need of a haircut.  Lily documents it all!

Lots going on over here.

Let's just say -- life is downright H.A.R.D right now -- it is not pretty but none of the details are making it onto my blog.

Truly the Lord is sustaining me & I know it is HIS grace carrying me through each day. 

If tears cause weight loss, I'll be rail before this is done.   Unfortunately, I don't think it works that way. :-)

My Mom was here & what an emotional support she is to me.  Thank you, Lord, for my mother!!!! 

Unfortunately my mom got the stomach flu the night before she left & has been sick for days ... sorry, Mom!  Turns out there is a nasty stomach flu going around (anyone else have it??).  

Hannah came down with it tonight plus Lily has a cold & now, a fever.  I am not complaining at all but tonight has been a lot of holding Hannah's hair back & making sure Lily is "all good" in the midst of not feeling well. 

Just really hoping I don't get anything because nurse-mommy must stay well :-)    All you moms out there know what I mean!

What can I say? 

Even in the midst of life's worst circumstances & deeper pain that I have ever experienced: God is good and His tender love is carrying me through this tragic time.   

After life in a hospital room with Hannah for 160+ nights & finding God's goodness in the midst of that time I see His goodness even in the midst of this difficult time.  I went for a walk on Sunday & was reminded in an extraordinary way that The Lord HIMSELF is a Lamp unto my feet & a Light unto my path. 

I am forever God's precious, treasured child .... and a piece of paper from the state of Kentucky won't change that.
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7

" The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."  Psalm 9:9-10 

All God's best from HOME,