The Slusher Family's adventures

"Welcome to Holland" 6 years later

2011-08-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

Six years ago today, I was very very pregnant with my first child. He was going to be a boy and we had had his name picked out Michael William. Michael after both of our father and William after Matt's grandfather and one of my uncles.

We had no idea that when he was born three days later that he would be a special angel sent from God, to change our lives forever.

I found this poem and thought it as very appropriate for the journey we have been on for the last 6 years

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Thankfulness

2010-11-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

So I know its already the 8th of November. But I am going to try for the rest of the month and hopefully into December post something that I am thankful for and maybe even a bible verse that I have been thinking about.

So God has been really laying it on my heart that I need to rejoice in everything I do.
I follow a blog The Bolte's, and this weekend she posted about rejoice in everything you put your hand to. She quoted Deuteronomy 12:18 "You are to rejoice before the LORD your GOD in everything you put your hand to."

It really challenged me to make the choice to rejoice in everything I do. I live a very blessed life, with wonderful people in it. I need to CHOOSE to rejoice in everything I do.

I hope that whoever reads this is blessed by this verse as much as I was.

Memorial Box Monday

2010-05-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a story that just happened today. When I was at Women of Faith a couple of weeks ago the verse that they quoted all weekend is "God can do anything you know- far more than you could imagine, or guess or request in your wildest dreams" ~ Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

Well today I had to go to the store to pick some Mother's Day cards. This will be the first mothers day since my mom passed away. And even though I would totally and completely like to boycott sunday, I know that the first one will be the hardest. So I got mother's day cards for my step-mom from me and my kids. Well while I was there I thought why not pick up a graduation card for my step-brother who is graduating with his bachelors degree. I didn't really like any of the ones I saw so I bought one that was suitable.

I came home and had a good cry because it was a hard day. Well I had to run to a different store for a couple of things and I stopped to look at the graduation cards and lo and behold there was a graduation card with Ephesians 3:20 on it.

I don't have a memorial box yet, but when I do I will put a post it card with Ephesians 3:20 on it to always remember that God is in control and He wants to give us far more than you could ever imagine or request in your wildest dreams.

Memorial Box Monday

2010-04-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have a story that just happened this weekend. I went to the Women of Faith this weekend, and I met a very incredible woman. I don't know her name or her situation but I know her heart and spirit.

She was a little older and confined to a wheelchair. Not only was she confined to a wheel chair she had no ability to use her arms or legs. But she didn't let that stop her. She pushed herself around in a electric wheelchair with just her chin. We visited a couple of times and not once did she ever not have a huge smile on her face.

God really spoke to me through this wonderful woman that I wish I would of gotten her name so I could chat with her more. But what God was speaking to my heart was that no matter what my circumstance I am blessed beyond measure.

This has been a really tough couple of months for me but God really spoke to me that if this wonderful woman can do all she does than I have no room to complain.

So I highly doubt that this woman reads my blog, but if you out there and are reading this "Thank you". And even that phrase can not even describe how blessed I am by seeing you just living your life with a smile on your face.

Memorial Box Monday on a Wednesday

2010-04-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

This comes from A Place called Simplicity and it helps us remember what God has done for us in our lives.

This is my first ever memorial box entry and I hope I can add more and more as I remember what God has done in my life.

This story is very recent. So Natalie just turned three and all of her friends are potty training. I just haven't had the energy to help learn how to potty train so I silently asked God to make this easy. So one day when I was dropping her off at the babysitter's I said that I was trying to potty train her and she was doing ok, but not being very consistent with it. The babysitter said that was fine, and I went off to work.

When I picked her up I was just chatting with the babysitter and asked how her day went. She said that it went okay and that Natalie would go on the potty if you gave her a sticker. Natalie has only had 2 accidents since then.

Thank you God for making this such an easy transition and that I now have only one child in diapers,

If you want to participate in Memorial Box, A Place Called Simplicity

Updates

2010-04-20T09:51:00.001-07:00

Well here we are again three months (actually longer than that) with no update.

Since I last blogged Natalie turned three. We celebrated her birthday at a party place and it was really nice as I didn't have to do anything but show up and enjoy my time. Natalie enjoyed herself.

Michael has started to cruise more and more. During therapy he will walk with his walker as many as 75 steps without stopping. I'll have to take a picture of him and the huge smile he gets. He also has (we think) graduated from his foot braces and into just regular shoes. Its a pair of hightops and he really likes them.

Matt and I went away for the first time time just the two of us but our timing was off as Natalie caught the stomach flu the day we left so we had to cut our trip short to come home and take care of sick kids and then both Matt and I caught it. Oh well, we will try again soon.

Michael is about 4 weeks away from being done with preschool and will be in full day kindergarten in the fall. We are very blessed to be able to keep his teacher for at least another year. Michael and her just have a bond that you can't explain. Its fun to see how well he is doing in school.

Well thats about it from the Slusher family. Hope you all are doing good.

Welcome to Holland

2010-01-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Holland
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for awhile and you catch your breath, you look around... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills. And Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts!

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss. But, if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, very lovely things... about Holland.

(I didn't write this, I found it on another blog and it definitely describes my life sometimes)

A very sad time

2009-12-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

As most of my reader's know (all like 5 of you) my mom passed away on December 6, 2009. I am still in a state of shock as her passing was very very unexpected.

This is a picture taken of her at my brother Mike's wedding in June of 2007.

I miss her so much and will probably for the rest of my life.

So in loving memory of my wonderful mother Mary Anne Brown 12/26/46 to 12/06/09

Pictures

2009-11-06T11:25:00.001-08:00

So obviously I didn't post everyday in October. I didn't even post once in October. I can't believe that its already November. October flew by.

On my last post my father requested pictures so here is a post of some pics that we took recently.

Here is Michael getting on the bus for school. He really does like to ride the bus.

This is Michael's halloween costume. Our cute Super Mario

Here he is with his hat on. It didn't last very long as Michael is not a big fan of things on his head

Here is a picture of me and the kids right before I got Natalie dressed to go trick or treating.

Here is Natalie as a pirate princess

So there is some pictures. I will TRY to update more. We'll see how long that lasts

Update on us

2009-09-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

So wow, I can't believe its been over 3 months since I updated. Thats craziness.

Alot of stuff has happened. Well maybe not alot of stuff but we have kept pretty busy.

Michael started his second year of preschool this year. It's been a little bit of a struggle as he is adjusting to a new teacher.

He got a walker and is going to start using it in therapy today. I'll update with pictures after therapy.

Natalie is doing pretty good. She is almost 2 1/2 and is talking up a storm. My mom came and visited this weekend and its fun to see Natalie want to follow my mom everywhere she went.

My plan is to start posting everyday in October. Starting next thursday I hope to blog once a day.

All right its time to go get ready to pick Michael up from school and go to his Speech and Occupational therapy appointment.

Random Sunday Thoughts

2009-06-14T17:46:00.001-07:00

I have so much on my mind right now I don't even know where to begin.

Michael started wanting to cruise along furniture this week. I am so excited but at the same time he is SOOOOOOOO TALLLLLLLLLLLLL that I know have to be extra careful about what is on the island and table and stove. While I am typing this he stood up to the stove. Which is thankfully not on so he didn't hurt himself at all.

In talking with a girl I know, she let it all out about the person she lives with is very abusive and how she is tired of being grown up. It has totally made my heart heavy the whole entire day and even now my heart hurts for her because at her age she needs to be able to be a kid and not be an adult.

I have been following a blog for a couple of months. Off and on but not very consistently but on and off but on monday afternoon it turned out that this blog was all fake and the person writing it made it all up and then quickly decided to delete it all. This is not the first time I have encountered fake blogs but one of my biggest pet peeves is people who lie and i just don't understand people who lie. I personally believe that it takes so much energy to lie and to keep the lie straight and not contradict yourself.

I know that this doesn't make any sense but I just wanted to let it all out. Bob Erler came and spoke at church today. He is called the "Catch Me Killer". He killed a woman in the early 1960's and was sentenced to 99 1/2 years in prison. He has an amazing testimony about how God saved him and how he was released from jail. Its always amazing to me to see how God uses different people different ways and how he always meets us just where we are and no matter how far away we feel from Him, He is always right there waiting for us to come back to him.

I hope that this finds you all well and I hope it makes some sort of sense.

Not Me! Monday

2009-05-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Go on over to MckMama's blog to join in on the fun.

These are the things I did NOT DO lately

~On Saturday at work (I work in the inventory control department of an online warehouse) while training, I did not make a bet with a co-worker about what a product description was. I did not win the bet.

~This past week while grocery shopping with Natalie I did not get complimented on my cart driving skills while driving one of these

The person who did the complimenting wasn't a little bit envious that I had no problem pushing this around.

~And while driving said cart around with Natalie in it, She DID NOT try to shop lift 4 candies while waiting to check out. The bagger didn't bring these to my attention and I WAS NOT totally embarrassed about this.

I hope that you have not enjoyed these Not ME!'s and if you want to join in on the fun hop on over to MckMama's Blog and join in on the fun.

Please Pray

2009-03-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many people read my blog, but for how many are out there I am going to ask for prayer. I have been following a couple of other blogs for a while now, one for almost a year and the other one just since this fall. Today both families need prayer

First off is MckMama and her baby boy Stellan. When MckMama was pregnant with Stellan they found that baby Stellan had a heart condition. Asking for lots of prayer on her blog Stellan was born in October a perfect and healthy newborn. Although right after Christmas he did struggle with RSV, he has been perfectly healthy since he was born with no sign of trouble with his heart. Until this weekend, yesterday afternoon MckMama took him to the ER. They have now been admitted and Stellan is in the PICU. Please pray for this family

Also is the Bolte family. After losing two children shortly after birth, they are now expecting their fifth child, a baby girl. Kristy had an ultrasound today and the doctor was a little concerned about the baby's head growth. Please just pray for this wonderful family and that God's will is done and they feel His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Thank you so much.

P.S. If you read this blog and are so inclined to add the information for MckMama and Stellan on your blog, and would like to add it a growing list of blogs that are asking for prayer for this sweet famil please go to Newly Wed, Newly Bred! and your blog to the blog roll

5 Things

2009-03-08T18:49:00.001-07:00

Lucky you! I saw this on my cousin Jill's (she is actually married to my cousin George) blog and wanted her to make me something bad enough to post the same offer here. Here's how it works!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does, however, have some restrictions and limitations...
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year.
4. You will have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven't even invented yet (but Heaven knows it will most likely be totally fabulous and creative... :). I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! (I know you're all hoping I'll paint you a picture or write you a poem. Too bad... you can't make requests!)
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. (Not intentionally strange, but you may label it that way)
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so (and leave a comment telling me they did) win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! (If you don't have a blog, you can still leave a comment and win... we'll work something out. Maybe you'll just have to give all 5 of your homemade gifts to me! Sounds fair, right?)
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

I got this idea from A Place called Simplicity and even though my last Thankful Thursday was a month ago I decided to try and write again.

I am very thankful for

1) God and the close personal relationship He desires with us.

2) I am thankful that even though the economy is hard my husband's job has not been affected. I got a phone call today telling me that there is not enough work for me this weekend so please don't come in. Even without my small income I still feel blessed beyond measure in this hard economic time.

3) I am thankful for all the things that we in America take for granted. Like running water, electricity and especially the internet. Even though I am not addicted to Blogging, I am addicted to reading other people's blogs and to F@cebook.

4) I am definitely thankful for antibiotics as Natalie had pneumonia two weeks ago and even though she was really sick she is SO much better now.

5) I am thankful for all the people God has put in my life recently. I am blessed beyond measure with the friendships God has blessed me with.

I hope you all have a Thankful Thursday.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T07:47:00.001-08:00

Natalie riding her horse that Santa brought her. She still loves that horse.

This is Michael who had pulled himself up. He has come so far since he started school in August. Praise the Lord.

Thankful Thursday

2009-02-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

So I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging like I usually do, life has been crazy lately. For almost 6 months I have been following my charming kids and almost a month ago on her twitter she had posted about this family in Colorado with ten kids lost their house to a fire. You can read their story here a place called simplicity. Anyway even after this devastating house fire where they lost almost everything the mom Linn blogs every Thursday about what she is thankful for. I have decided that I am going to try to blog about what I am thankful for and hopefully get to it every week.

So here goes
I am so thankful that God sent his son Jesus to die for our sins and all we have to do it accept His gift of grace and mercy.

I am thankful to live in America where I can go and worship and meet with friends to do a bible study and not be persecuted for it.

I am thankful for my family, my hubby and my two wonderful children.

I am thankful that I do have wonderful friends who have been and are there for me whenever I need them.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Hope life is finding you well

Not Me, Monday!

2009-01-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here we are again for a Not Me, Monday

I am not nervous about interviewing a respite worker for Michael. She is not coming to the house in like 30 minutes and I am not blogging about it instead of picking up the house.

I did not bend down to get something off of the floor at work on Saturday, just to have my pants rip. I did not think it was that big deal when I bent down again and it ripped even more. I did not have to run to Walmart at 7am in the morning and did not buy a new pair of pants without even trying them on because the dressing rooms are not open that early in the morning. Nope, Not Me. I would never do that

I did not go down to my sisters last weekend just to leave my tennis shoes there just to come back home and have to go out and buy some more. I did not get a really good deal on the shoes so much so that I decided to buy another pair. I did not get both pairs for twenty dollars less then I would usually spend on one pair.

On my way to work on Saturday I did not stop at Circle K and I did not tell the girls working that I was hoping to get laid off. They didn't laugh at me at ALL.
(BTW in all seriousness I did not get laid off, and have been blessed with my job)

I hope you all enjoy these Not Me, Mondays! and go on over to www.mycharmingkids.net to join in on the fun.

2009

2009-01-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

I can't believe its already 2009. Life flies when you're having fun. Christmas at our house was fun. We slept in late (probably the last year we will be able to do that) and opened presents. Matt wasn't feeling well so Natalie and I went over to my friends house by ourselves. Michael stayed home with his dad.

I have been loving having Michael home during winter break. He has just made huge developmental advancements in the last couple of months. He is now willingly pulling himself to a standing position and even letting go some and trying to gain his balance. He has had multiple ear infections these last couple of months and so they are putting tubes in on Tuesday, January 6. And I hope that after the surgery when he is done recovering he will get a better sense of balance.

Natalie is just being a typical almost 2 year old. She loves going anywhere anybody else is going, is learning new words every week. She will eat almost anything you give her and LOVES M&M's. Her favorite word is please and she can sign and say it at the same time.

Here are a couple of pictures from our Christmas fun.

This is Michael when we were at Christmas with Matt's parents.

Here is Natalie in her "diva" glasses that she got from Santa.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. My prayer for you is that you will see God's blessing in your life and that you will rejoice always.

Not Me, Monday!

2008-12-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

Once again here are the things I DID NOT DO this week

~I did not wait until the last day of two promotions to buy christmas presents for people. I am always on top of everything and NEVER have to go out and buy things at the last minute.

~When my dear hubby went out last night to see "The Punisher" I did not make him go get my Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup. Let me tell you it wasnt as good as I had been craving.

~I did not forget up until 4 hours before that Michael had an IEP meeting at school last monday. I did NOT have to scramble to find someone to watch the kids during the meeting.

~Hubby did not put Natalie in the car when she was just dressed in a diaper to go pick Michael from school. Again Hubby always dresses our kids in the outfits that I put out for him.

I hope you guys enjoy this free therapy every week and go on over to MckMama's blog at www.mycharmingkids.net to join in on the fun

Not Me! Monday

2008-12-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here are the things I absolutely did not do this weekend

-My friend and I did not skip doing our bible study because our other friend was in OKC on business and go shopping. I did not then proceed to spend alot of money on books at TJM@X for stocking stuffers.

-I also did not let my friends children eat on my floor when I was babysitting because at my house we ~~always~~ eat at the table and ~~never~~ on the floor.

-Michael also did not have an appointment to get new AFO's (Ankle Foot Orthotics) and it DID NOT take two grown men and myself to hold him down. Michael also did not also almost kick one of the grown men in the groin while they were casting his feet.

-My hubby did not take my daughter out to do errands on saturday (while I was NOT working) in her long john pajamas and messed up hair. My kids are ALWAYS dressed up in non pajamas.

-We did not go christmas shopping on saturday to the mall. We did not go get in line to see Santa Claus. While we were not in line, the manager did not come over to tell us that in 15 minutes Santa was NOT going on a break and would NOT be back in 30 minutes. She then didn't proceed to ask me whether or not Michael was special needs (She felt really bad for asking me) and when I told her he was then she didn't proceed to tell me to go quietly away and come back after his break and go straight to the exit where we wouldn't have to wait at all. ( I really am not so thankful that we didn't have to wait in the line.) Natalie did not proceed to throw a huge fit when placed in Santas arms and didn't recover until we were very far away from Santa

Here is NOT said picture of us

I hope you all have a blessed week and I hope that you go on over to www.mycharmingkids.net and join in on the fun.

Not Me! Monday

2008-12-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

These are the things I DID NOT do this week

This morning I did not stop by Circle K to get gas and coffee, just to come home and brew myself some coffee at home because I totally forgot that I got coffee at Circle K.

I did not make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on wednesday just to forget to put all the flour in. I always remember all of my ingredients in everything I make.

I did not nap with the kids 3 days this week. I always go to bed early and never need a nap

I did not take my daughter to the store today in her pajamas because I was running late and didn't have time to get her dressed. She is always dressed in cute clothes.

My mom did not do ALL of my laundry (thank you mom) for me while she was up here visiting on friday. I did NOT have to work all day and she didn't watch my kids for awhile so my hubby could go shopping with his mom.

I hope you enjoy this Not Me! Monday and don't forget to check out MckMama's blog at www.mycharmingkids.net

Women Of Faith

2008-11-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

I had the wonderful experience to go to the Women of Faith this weekend. And can I just tell you I have never laughed so hard. It was AMAZING.

One of my favorite parts was on saturday when Nicole C. Mullen was performing and she started signing the words to Redeemer.

As many of you know my little guy Michael is deaf and Matt and I are learning sign language and I thought it was utterly AMAZING (i love that word) that Nicole took the time to learn all the sign to that song and then have the confidence to perform it.

I am not a crier at all but that brought me very close to tears.

If you want to see a version of it check this out it also includes part of her song "Witness"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-KN3Dza8BU

Happy Turkey Day Everyone

I forgot to post yesterday

2008-11-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness....I was so tired yesterday and didn't feel good so I forgot to post and so here I am again REALLY REALLY tired and so I am just posting a Oh my goodness I'm tired and forgot to post.

Hope everyone has a ood weekend

Going back to work

2008-11-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

So a couple of months ago Matt and I talked about me going back to work part time and seasonal this Christmas season just to get a little ahead. So I didn't think he was serious but apparently he was.

Last monday I went and applied, then on friday I had an interview and got the job and then today I went and filled out all the paperwork and I have orientation tomorrow.

I am a little bit nervous as everybody probably is about starting a new job. Plus I have never left Natalie to go to a job and I like staying home with my kids.

I will work usually friday, saturday and sunday 6am to 12pm. Matt has those days off so He will typically watch the kids so we won't have to find outside childcare very often which will be nice. And this job only lasts for about 10 weeks which is just fine with me.

I hope everyone is having a great wednesday.

Did you vote?

2008-11-04T14:59:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite memories of growing up was going with my mom to vote. I always have loved paperwork and those kind of things even when I was little and so I was very jealous of her getting to fill out paperwork that I was not allowed to fill out.
I voted today and I have to tell you how humbled I was that I got to vote.

This got me to thinking about the women in the early 1900's who sacrificed alot to get to vote. And then it started me thinking that the sacrifice of Christ was so much more significant and I take that for granted.

I am so thankful on this presidential voting day that my Savior died for me and all of those women sacrificed so much for me.

Not Me! Monday

2008-11-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

These are the things that DID NOT happen at my house this week.

I did not go to T@rget on Monday instead of coming home and cleaning the house.
I did not let my hubby go out with friends on Wednesday instead of going to aerobics and church. I ALWAYS go to church and NEVER skip aerobics.
I didn't dress up my daughter as a cowgirl just for people to say "oh, what a cute cowboy"
I did not have a job interview that lasted all of 20 minutes and get the job
I am not going to miss sunday services at church until jan because of said job
I did not cut 7 inches off of my hair because my hair was so damaged.
I did not show up 30 minutes before a baby shower that I was supposed to help set up for.
I did not beat an 11-year old and almost 9-year old at M@rio P@rty 6.
I did not tell the middle school flag team that I help out with that they have it so easy and to be more respectful to the leader. Thats not me, I would never yell at kids.

Hope everyone had a great monday

Sunday

2008-11-02T19:56:00.001-08:00

I'm always amazed at what God can accomplish in sunday school. I am a 6th grade girls sunday school teacher and today we combined with the 7th and 8th grades to talk about the movie we watched. The movie was by Blue Fish TV and it is in the revolution series and it was about poverty. It was a really good movie and showed boths sides of it. The side of the people who are in poverty and a couple of people who have helped out in impoverished areas.

After the movie was over we started talking about things that our combined sunday school classes could do and the girls were very receptive to it. I am so thankful for the girls in my sunday school class and how they really are being receptive to what the Lord has for them.

I don't know if that makes any sense to anybody but me but I thought that I would share how amazed and humbled I am with all the girls at my church.

Have a blessed day

First NaBloPoMo

2008-11-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

So my cousin Ellie over at www.attachedparent.blogspot.com is doing this thing where every day for a month you post on your blog. So I am going to do it with her.

So today I went to book club with my friend Amy and we discussed the book "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Piccoult. It was an interesting book. I read "My Sister's Keeper" by her a couple of years ago and I really didn't like it. But this book was alot better and I actually enjoyed it. I'm not going to tell you about it other than I really enjoyed it because even the book jacket doesn't describe what happened.

Then I went straight from there to a baby shower for another friend Azure. It was alot of fun and I really enjoyed it.

Michael is definetly feeling better after being diagnosed with pneumonia and is starting to be back to his old self. I feel so very blessed that almost all of the time when my kids are sick they are not crabby. Mostly the only reason I know that they are sick is because they have fevers and coughs.

I got a job this week at M@cy's working part time on the weekends. Matt works for M@cy's and they are hiring for weekend part-time seasonal. And so I applied and got hired. While we feel very blessed during this hard economic time we both really feel like we need to get out of debt and if I can help out then I need to do that.

I think that is all.

Hope everyone is having a great saturday

Prayer Please

2008-10-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

UPDATE

Baby Stellan was born this morning and both APGAR scores were 9. We serve an amazing and mighty God. MckMama and Stellan or MckMuffin as they call him are both doing fine. Please continue to pray for them. And also for Alison and for my precious Michael
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I come to you today asking for prayer for a couple of little people.

First off Baby Stellan at www.mycharmingkids.net will be born tomorrow. He was given a poor prognosis sometime in the middle of the pregnancy and God has continued to heal him. He will be born about 9:30 am CDT

Also Alison at ashleyadamsjournal.blogspot.com is having a hard time.

And for my son Michael. He was diagnosed with pneumonia this morning and is having a hard time breathing.

Please be in prayer for these wonderful little people.

Not Me! Monday

2008-10-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

So here we are again on Monday.

These are the things that I DID NOT DO!!!!!

I did not drop my son off late for school on monday. I am ALWAYS on time and I am NEVER late.

I did not take Michael to the doctor on monday because his teachers thought he had blisters on the top of his mouth, just for the doctor to tell me that he was perfectly fine.

I did not forget that it was Michael's turn for snack at school on Tuesday. I did not drop him off late for the second day because of this.

I did not go to the fair on wednesday instead of taking Michael to therapy. Because we all know that kids should go to therapy every time they are scheduled.

I did not leave my husband and children almost all day friday so I could help out with church and then flag team and then go out for a girl's night out.

On Saturday I did not help make almost 500 bags of cotton candy. My fingers DID NOT turn blue.

And on Sunday I did not leave my sons side while I was helping out with the church's fall festival. I went around with him and Natalie to ALL of the booths. (THANK YOU so much Terri and Wayne for watching the kids yesterday so that Matt and I could help)

I most certainly do not have something scheduled every weekend until the first week of december. I am always home with my children and hubby.

In a more serioud note please be in prayer for MckMama and Prince Charming and Stellan this week as Stellan makes his debut on Wednesday via C-Section.

Not Me, Monday!

2008-10-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are again with the Not Me, Monday!

These are the things that I DID NOT DO, this week.

I did not go down to Tucson and hang out with my mom and sister after we just got back from vacation last saturday.

I did not let my daughter stand up on the wagon at the pumpkin patch without holding her. Because we all know that the wagon can't go unless EVERYONE is sitting down.

I did not go to church yesterday and go to the senior adult class because my adopted grandparents were in there, and I didn't want to go to class by myself.

I did not call my husbands work and talked to one of his co-workers thinking it was him.

I didn't leave Michael's Nebulizer and braces and my mom's house and have to wait for her to bring them to me. I always remember everything when I travel.

I do not live in the bad part of town, so much so that my neighbors back window got shot out on friday night with probably a bebe gun.

These are the things I did not do.

If you want to participate go to http://www.mycharmingkids.net and read the rules

Have a great Monday.

Please Pray

2008-10-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

In late February I started following this blog about this amazing family. Its actually Nathan Lawrenson's blog. His wife Tricia is a couple of months older than me and has had Cystic Fibrosis since birth. They had a beautiful baby girl named Gwyneth Rose who was born 15 weeks early. A couple of months later Tricia recieved a double lung transplant. Since the transplant the Lawrensons found out that Tricia has Post transplant lymphoma. They found out this week that the chemo that Tricia is on, isn't working. Please visit their blog which is located on the right hand side of my blog under "Confessions of a CF husband".

Not Me Monday

2008-10-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is another Not Me Monday. This is definetly what I didn't do this week

I did not lose my voice for two days last week while we were on vacation. Cuz that is just silliness and who would get sick while they are on vacation.

I did not go shopping with my dad's wife Jody and aunt Candy to go get a couple of shirts for my dad and took too long in M@cy's so that by the time we got to the store for my dad it was closed.

I did not let my daughter run around the hotel room with french fries and get grease all over cuz that would be just really really rude.

I also did not let my kids watch movies all the way home from SLC on friday and saturday. I especially didn't let them watch the simpson movies because that is NOT and I repeat is NOT there favorite movie.

Before we left I totally and completely cleaned out my fridge because that would be one smelly mess that we came home (And boy it DID NOT smell)

I hope you enjoy these Not Me, Monday's and do one of your own. Also don't forget to check out McMama's blog from where I got the idea from
www.mycharmingkids.net

Not Me, Monday

2008-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

I found this link on a blog I have just started to follow and I thought it was great. If you want to see the original go to www.mycharmingkids.net and follow this mom's amazing story.

Ok so now for my Not Me, Monday.
I did not in any way shape or form do any of these things this week.

I did not scour other people's blog for interesting things to read while putting of the house work that needs to get done. I also did not go to B*rd*rs and buy a book that cost $25 when I really could of just checked it out from the library.

I also did not stay out hanging out with my cousin until midnight which meant that Natalie and I didn't get home till 1 am on saturday night. That would of been so foolish of me considering that I had to get up and teach junior high sunday school the next morning.

I also did not let my one year old have a danish for breakfast this morning, because that would of been unhealthy for her.

I also did not totally ruin my husband's surprise when we went out for our 5 year anniversary on friday night. I did not totally and completely guess where we were going for dinner.

I hope that you enjoy this Not Me, Monday and do one of your own.

Blessings

Michael's Con

2008-09-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

So about a month ago we went to the orthopedics doctor, and the doctor said that he had high hopes for Michael and his legs are becoming more and more strong. So about 2 weeks later I was chatting with his teacher and she asked me why the doctor didn't order a stander (like a walker but doesn't move) to help strengthen his legs since he didn't have any strength in them.

My little 3 year old boy had conned his teacher into thinking that he couldn't put any weight on his legs. I told her and said, "You know, he is totally and completely conning you. He can not only put weight on his legs, he can pull himself to stand and balance on a couch for at least 5 minutes." She was totally surprised.

And then the next day I told her the easiest way for her to see how much strength he has, is when she is changing his diaper make him stand up. She did that and then had him stand up at the table and do a craft later in the day.

You know you have a mischievous child when already at 3 years of age he is already conning his teacher. I can just imagine all the mischief he is going to get into when he is older.

Natalie is being her cute self. She is already a drama queen and knows that whenever Mom or Dad go to the door, that she probably gets to go. And if she doesn't get to go then she throws a HUGE and I mean HUGE tantrum. Its so funny but I don't laugh because I don't want to encourage her.

We are excited to go up to Utah in a couple of weeks right after my cousin Ellie and her husband come and visit us. Hope everyone is doing good. Our prayers are with my Uncle Garth and his family as he struggles with Lymphoma and maybe Brain Cancer. He is such a strong man in his faith and I am definetly praying for him

Psalm 73

2008-08-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.

2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.

5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.

7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.

9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.

10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.

11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”

12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.

16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.

20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.

28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Psalm 73:21-28 New Living Translation

Today we had a guest speaker at church. He spoke about Psalm 73. I have never seen the world from this view before. It really opened up my eyes to how God wants me to see the view.

In the beginning of the Psalm He talks about non-believers and about how they always seem to prosper. As many of you know my son Michael is special needs. I tend to struggle with why two friends of mine who have little boys about the same age as Michael and they are fine. These two friends are non-believers and I am not saying that they are totally evil but I have to remind myself that although it looks like they are prospering but if trust totally and completely in God that HE alone is all I have ever needed, need at the moment and will ever need. That as soon as I focus completely and totally on God, that HE will supply everything I mean. He is supposed to be my everything and I am supposed to tell EVERYONE about EVERYTHING big or little that HE does for me.

God is so good and He has blessed me beyond measure and I am so thankful that He chose me to be Michael's mom. I am renewed this Sunday afternoon by all the promises GOD has shown me through this Psalm.

I hope you all get something out of this.

Blessings to you on this Sunday afternoon.

Update on Surgery

2008-08-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

So I did have surgery yesterday. The doctor removed a cyst from my left ovary the size of a golfball. I couldn't believe it. I am feeling better but still in some pain. Matt has been a great nurse and my friends Tina and Amy C. have been great to come and hang out with me. Thank you for all your prayers the last couple of days. I really appreciate it.

Michael is increasing in strength day by day. Yesterday while I was in surgery my friend Tina had him walking a couple steps of course with help but he is getting it. God is great.

School and Surgery

2008-08-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

So Michael started school on Monday, and He turned three on Tuesday. The school that he is going to, is just the local school districts preschool. I like his teacher and he does get a personal aide and she is very nice. I can't believe that He is already three and old enough to go to preschool. What happened to my baby boy? He goes four days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day. He seems to like it and his teacher told me today that he is adjusting well.

So I have been having some pain in my right side since the second week of july. So I finally got a pelvic ultrasound and they saw a cyst on my left ovary. The doctor gave me two options.
First option is to wait a month and see if it goes away, if it doesn't go away do laparoscopic surgery to remove it. Second option was that if I am in too much pain to wait a month do it now. Matt and I talked about it and prayed about it and we both feel very much at peace with doing the surgery now. So I called the doctor's office and they had openings for this coming tuesday August 19. Its an outpatient surgery so I won't have to stay in the hospital overnight. Thats good news to us.

Hopefully I will feel good enough next wednesday or thursday to post and to tell you all how it went. Thanx for all your prayers.

Happening in our world

2008-07-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Natalie feeding herself. That little girl of mine LOVES macaroni and cheese. I just thought it was adorable and thought I would share with you all.

Not much is going on in our world. Michael starts preschool on the 6th of August. Natalie is still walking like a champ. Michael also discovered how to pull himself onto our bed.

For a couple of months now Michael has known how to pull himself to his knees using the couch and other things but last night he pulled himself onto our bed. Now let me explain that Matt and I don't sleep on a normal bed.

In our room we have two queen beds and boxsprings on the floor next to each other. So its not that far to pull himself up on but it shows that he is getting the strength to do that kind of stuff.

This week is very busy for us. Today I have to go register Michael for school and then tonight at church with the youth group we are playing "Bigger and Better". Its an awesome game and is alot of fun. Then tomorrow I do a bible study with some friends of mine. Wednesday is church. Thursday my friend is having a jewelry show and after that is a youth workers meeting. And then friday I am going to a Beth Moore conference. I can't wait.

Memories

2008-07-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

So here's how it works....
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.So there you have it! Post away! Oh,and if you don't "know" me well enough to have a memory, feel free to use anything you've read here. A favorite post you've read, etc. that way everyone can play!

Random things and Cheese

2008-07-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

So Natalie is taking more and more steps as she continues on her quest of figuring out the joy of walking. Michael is doing good, he really likes to beat up Natalie and take her down.

A couple of other things that have happened this week is that we are no longer going to San Diego, which is fine. Although I am going to miss seeing the ocean. I love the ocean. And that we have moved our trip to utah from august to october so that we can see my sister Carol's family while they are up there also. I am very excited about that.

Something good that happened this week is that Michael finally got a place at a therapist office(PT, OT and Speech) that is 20 miles closer to home. Thank you GOD!!!!!! I have been praying about that for 7 long weeks now and finally he has a place. I am excited about that.

We had a meeting with Michael's preschool people yesterday and saw what classroom he will be in, in the fall. He did get a morning session spot which I am so thankful, as Michael really relies on his naps. School starts in just 4 weeks. I can't believe it.

So on a more random note.... My brother Andrew is probably one of the goofiest people I know. And he is obsessed with cheese. Every year for my b-day or christmas he offers to buy me a cheese log. So today I got an e-mail from him and this is what it said......... (BTW I did get his permission to post it on my blog just so you know)

i like cheese.

i think i will build a huge wall of cheese in the shape of a large B or maybe a Q because you see, if i had a huge wall of cheese i could do things with it LOTS of things! like charge a toll for passage through my wall of cheese or perhaps patrol the top of my wall of cheese to watch for intruders i would need a spear of cheese, i could call it the cheesy spear of DEATH! and that would be important if i ever got mixed up in a cheese war dirty cheese thief's trying to tare down my wall!

i think i would have to build it in wisconsini think the reason why wisconsin has the best cheese is the climate its cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer but still hot enough to let the cheese grow! plus its next to canada only separated by a big lake so i could have my wall of cheese on the american side and they on the canadian side and i could build huge cheese catapults to launch giant balls of cheese into canada and then they would have no choice but to taste my superior cheese and by tasting it they would know that the cheese war against me and wisonsin was futile and they would surrender to me all their cheesy munitions then i could build TWO walls of cheese. one to keep out the canadians and one to keep out the french!!dirty french!!

walking, crawling and such

2008-07-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

So Natalie has finally started to show an interest in walking. She will stand up on her own and get a big smile on her face and then she'll take a few steps. Its the cutest thing. I'll have to post a picture one of these days.

Michael has started to crawl on all fours. Its still a little more like leaping but its better then the army crawling he has been doing for the past year. He had an eye appointment yesterday and the doctor said that his eyes look great. Its great news to hear, and I am very relieved.

The such part is that as some of you know my DH has a old truck that has over 173,000 miles on it. Well considering the fact that it can't hold the four of us (its just a regular cab) and that its ten years old now, He finally got a new truck. Its a nice truck that has a super crew so it has a back seat that will hold all four of us. And my favorite part about it is that it has a DVD player in it. This will make our lives easier when we travel to utah in august. My kids really like to watch DVD's and so this will give them a distraction of sorts.

I think thats all the news from here now.

VBS and other things

2008-06-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

So as you can see from when my friend Michele, hijacked my blog. My kids had a great time at VBS.

I was a little not concerned exactly but anxious I guess is the right term because I didn't know how Michael was going to do. God certainly blessed us when Charissa, Shy and Jessica said that it was ok for Michael to go into the older class. I can not describe in words how blessed I feel for them because of the awesome and amazing way they took care of Michael. They treated him like any other kid and I am so blessed.

Of course Natalie also had amazing teachers but as she is a "typical" child I don't worry quite as much about how teachers are going to react to her.

I had a blast teaching 4th grade VBS this year. And the kids I taught really seemed to enjoy it too. And of course I got to teach with Robert and it was so much fun.

Over at my friend Michele's blog, (yes the one who hijacked my blog) she found a youtube video about cardboard testimonies. I have to tell you that it took me about three or four different times to watch it. It seemed like every time I tried to watch it one of the kids needed something or it would not load for me. So today when I got back from grocery shopping I decided that I was finally going to watch it. It took my breath away at how amazing and right on some of those testimonies were.

As some of my friends know, I am addicted to reading blogs. Not writing them, but reading blogs. I guess I haven't been very interested in writing blogs because I don't feel like I have that much to say to people, and that my testimony wasn't and isn't that interesting. But I guess that watching that video and some other things that have happened the last couple of weeks really has shown me that God has a plan for me to. THat my life is not as boring or as mediocre as I think it is.

About a month ago I wrote an e-mail to a blog I read often and I would like to share it as a short version of my testimony about Michael. I hope you enjoy it.

"I am a mother of a wonderful special needs son named Michael. Michael is almost 3, deaf, not walking, has only been sitting unassisted for about a year and is now understanding how to work his whole body so he can eventually crawl like other kids do.

I am also a believer and about 2 years ago my in-laws invited to go to a healing service at the church they attend. I argued and pleaded with God to not make me go. For half an hour on the way home from work I had a conversation with God. His answer was "Go, and it will all be ok"

So I went and it was the most eye opening church experience I have ever had. Have you ever seen that movie with Steve Martin "Leap of Faith" when he plays a fake evangelist, and everything was a show. Thats just what I saw when I walked into this church.

They (the pastors at this church) told me that my son was cursed and that only if I had enough faith would he be healed. They also put a time limit on God's healing. They said that Michael would be healed within a week.

Well here we are almost 2 years later, and Michael is not healed, in the sense that they had told me he was going to be. But maybe I am.

I love the analogy that you used with the pottery. Ever since that sunday morning that we went to that church, I have slowly but surely putting the pieces of my relationship with God, back together.

God is good, all the time.

We have since learned what Michael has, and in every logical sense, every human thought process Michael will never be completely healed. He (and so do I) have a rare chromosome deletion. He is missing part of his X chromosome. Its not a big deal in me because women have two X's, but my little boy (and all men) only have one and the part of his X he is missing affects his motor skills and his hearing and possibly his sight. But God is good all the time. "

And I meant what I said to her, God is good all the time.

Have a blessed Saturday

Vacation Bible School Fun

2008-06-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

BLOG HIJACK!

Hi,
I'm Michele, one of Audre's friends from church. While Audre has been busy teaching 4th Grade VBS this week, I have been busy taking pictures of all of the kids. I have been amazed to see how much Michael has grown up over the last several months. He has the most incredible teachers this week, and every time I have visited Michael's room, he has been actively engaged in all kinds of activities. He has really enjoyed going to worship, and last night he loved making the flower necklace. Michael was so fascinated by all the colors and textures in the necklace, it was so fun to watch him interact with his teachers and other children.

Tonight during recreation the teachers made a special activity for Michael. It was a miniature ball pit with bright colored balls, and stuffed animals. He played forever in the ball pit, he loved it. Michael is such a ham...he loved having his picture taken tonight, and grinned bigger each time that I took his picture.

Of course Natalie is always a cutie, so I had to add a few pictures of her as well.

Audre, I hope you enjoy this. God has truly blessed you and Matt with two beautiful children. I admire your strength and courage in coordinating all of Michael's care. He is lucky to have such a great Mom!

Love ya,
Michele :)

My Beautiful Children

2008-06-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some updated pics of the kids. I can't believe that Natalie is fourteen months today and Michael will be three in august. My how time flies. Hope everyone is doing well

"Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?"

2008-06-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Growing up Dr. Seuss was my favorite author. I love his rhymes and his sense that anything is possible. Awhile ago we got Michael and Natalie the board book of "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" And the kids seem to really enjoy it. Anyway, Natalie is sleeping right now, so I thought I would go and play with Michael. Well he was reading Mr Brown and so I laid right down next to him and started signing the different animals. Well in one part of the book there is a picture of a chicken and an owl, so I started signing bird, well Michael thought that was hilarious. It is so fun to hear his laugh and to get a sense of what he thinks is funny. Just thought I would share.