Sprinkler Fun

Just a beautiful day and perfect for spontaneous summer fun.

big bed for Laine

I am so glad we were spontaneous today. We decided after church to look for a big bed for Laine. Her 3 year old birthday is coming and we decided a Dora bedroom and twin bed was going to be her present. We found a great twin bed and really cute Dora bedding. We set it up when she was playing this afternoon with her sister. They were outside and when she came in we surprised her.
I am glad I didn't know last night it would be the last time I put her in her crib.
I am glad that as we said her goodnight prayers last night I didn't know that tonight I would say those prayers in a big bed.
I am glad that she is growing and healthy and strong and is becoming a little girl and not a baby anymore.
I am not glad that the time goes so quickly and here she is almost 3 years old. Just where did 1095 days go? Where did 26280 hours go? And where did over 1,500,000 minutes go?
Oh I remember some of the moments....
I remember the moment when she was born, I remember just days later when we were told she had a rare genetic disorder. I remember times when she was sick and we were scared. I remember wishing that God would give me a glimpse of her future when she was tiny and weeks old. I am glad I felt the peace that only God can give and being told "just trust me". Thank you God for giving us all these moments. You have been faithful. We have seen Laine become a spunky, sassy, funny, and feisty little one who has brought us much joy in the million minutes we have had her. She has learned and explored, taught, loved, sung, danced, cried, and many other moments we likely won't forget. These images are etched on our minds and remain in our hearts. I remember the first time she laughed...I remember when she walked...I remember when she said grace for the first time...I remember when she sang Hannah Montana's "I've got the best of both worlds" (complete with the key change and everything). I remember the night she crawled into Paige's bed to snuggle. I remember the sunny day she said "It's a great day huh mom?"
I remember the day when she used the potty chair all day..(oh yeah that hasn't happen yet never mind, just wishful thinking).
I hope in the future that I can create a snapshot, a little scrapbook in my mind, a place in my heart to help me to remember all the moments to come.

feeling better...

I have gotten rest and sleep and extra help with the girls and I am feeling better. Thanks to all those friends and family who helped with my girls. I look forward to this week when Paige's lessons will be over. Tennis twice a week and swimming 4 times a week make for a busy momma. We are excited to just enjoy the normal summer activities like Frisbee, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, riding bikes, swimming and exploring our backyard. Here's to the rest of the summer. May the days be long and rememberable and illness free.

mono...*sigh*..

OK I am the "don'thavetimetobesickmommy". But obviously the thinking isn't really helping me out right now..... I was sick all weekend, on the couch with fever, fatigue, and sore throat. I still felt pretty bad earlier this week and returned to the doctor. I suggested to him to run a mono test and his nurse called me yesterday that indeed it came back positive. Supposedly you only get mono once but I'm one of those who have able to get it more than once...(had it twice before). The nurse tells me to rest and drink lots of fluids. "Ok" I tell her "thanks for calling". After hanging up I was thinking how am I suppose to get any more rest than 4 days in bed? I have a job, kids with swim class and tennis lessons, dentist appointments, a house that needs cleaning to name a few. I don't have the time right now.

But, I will make the time. It could be worse. Actually when the nurse called me to give me the results she probably thought I sounded a little happy to have mono. That's what happens when you mix an Oncology Nurse and an illness. Every sickness is probably cancer in our minds. (All the nurses I work with do it too because at work it is all we see...the worst of the worst). So on Monday when I was feeling only a little bit better I thought in my "10yearsasanursemind" that something more serious was going on. So the fact it is mono, it is all good.

God is good all the time. I will listen...I will rest....I will enjoy the lesson...Just let me pencil it on my schedule.

fever

For the last 3 days I have had a temperature up to 102.3. I think children must be able to deal with fevers a lot better than adults because I have been on the couch since Thursday night. I saw the doctor on Friday and after blood work and swabs to rule out infection or strep she thought it was just a viral infection. Thank you to my husband who took the kids to a movie tonight...thank you to Laine who take me by the face and says "awe honey are you sick?"...thank you to Paige who played pretty quietly this afternoon (This was after my not so good mommy moment where the girls were playing outside and come in with chalk sidewalk paint covering their crocs and rainboots. Paige says Laine told her to squirt the paint into her shoes. Paint was oozing out the holes of the crocs. They had the paint all over little hands, legs and shoes. I admit it...I yelled. A lot... I hate it when I do it. If I felt better I probably would have laughed and told them to go back outside and use the hose. Paige's feelings were hurt and I felt bad. Not one of my best moments being a parent. I'll try better next time.) Just hoping tomorrow I feel better. It did get me off work for the weekend. Having a nurse with a fever isn't a good idea... especially oncology patients. Just praying the Laine doesn't get the same virus. Please pray protection for her as that might just get her a ticket to admission for IV fluids. Until next time...

summer fun

little shoes......





















swings















cousins on vacation

Wonder

Natalie Merchant is one of my favorite singers. I love the song "Wonder". It is the song that plays when you log on here. Laine is one of God's creations and He is good. He makes no mistakes. Another mom that writes a blog I read (and also has a child with a rare genetic disorder) wrote recently, "find joy in the unexpected" ( to see here to go to her post http://lisaleonardonline.com/). I am glad that I am at a point now where I can find joy. With God, I can find the joy in the unexpected. Laine is "gifted with love and with faith she will make her way". My prayer is that Laine's way will be God's way and His word will light her path. With God all things are possible little Laine. Here are the words to the song

WONDER

"Doctors have come from distant cities

just to see me stand over my bed

disbelieving what they're seeing

they say I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation

and as far as they see they can offer no explanation

newspapers ask intimate questions want confessions

they reach into my head to steal the glory of my story they say

I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation

and as far as they see they can offer no explanation

I believe fate smiled and destiny laughed

as she came to my cradle "know this child will be able"

laughed as my body she lifted

"know this child will be gifted with love, with patience and with faith she'll make her way" people see me I'm a challenge to your balance

I'm over your heads how I confound you and astound you to know

I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation

and as far as you see you can offer me no explanation

I believe fate smiled and destiny laughed

as she came to my cradle "know this child will be able"

laughed as she came to my mother "know this child will not suffer"

laughed as my body she lifted "know this child will be gifted with love, with patience and with faith she'll make her way"

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July in Frankfort Michigan. It was our second trip this summer and so far we are having a great time. We watched the 4th of July parade yesterday morning and the fireworks last night. They were awesome right off the pier at the beach! We went out on the boat with some friends who are up here on Thursday. Our family (cousins, grammie, and aunt and uncle) are here too and it has been beautiful. What memories!

Our Favorite things this trip:

1) Fireworks

2) Beach days with cousins

3) Swimming in Lake Michigan

4) 4th of July Picnic

5) Homemade breakfast by grammie

6) 4th of July Parade

7) Moomers Ice Cream

8) Walks on the beach

9) Being with our family

10) Boating with friends

Paige's faith

This week I asked Paige what she has been learned about God at Church Camp and what she is learning at Sunday School. She replied..."Well I learned that in heaven there are pearly gates (once she opened just one oyster with a pearl inside and was thrilled, I can't imagine what she is thinking when there will be gates covered in them) and Goldy roads (like the yellow brick road), and ya know what else mom? I get to see Jesus face." Precious, Priceless, my Paige.

Rainbows...

I love rainbows. I love the bright cheerful colors. I love the happiness and joy they bring my young girls who stare in amazement at the beautiful painting in the sky. I love even more what rainbows represent. God's promises to me. He loves me and cares for me. He does you too.

Today, he cares for my friend who miscarried and lost her baby...He cares for my patient that fought the fight and passed, but, is now looking at Jesus face...He cares for Laine and Paige and our family...He cares about you too. He cares about the big and little things in our lives. Thank you God for the promises you give. Thank you Jesus for the cross and for reminding us when times are tough you've been there too...You know pain. Without the rain there can't be the rainbows.