Thankfulness

Here are a few things that are bringing me joy lately.

11. This picture! I can use it twice if I want to! Hee hee

10. My laundry baskets! I finally got the laminated label attached to them... soo much neater in the basement

9. My new bedspread. We have been wanting a nice spread for a while. (We still were using one that was a hand me down when we got married 10 years ago)

8. The new color scheme in my bedroom.... (black and yellow gets old after a while, the new faux suede brown walls are so relaxing, and the light tannish that matches the spread will be soo much more soothing than black.

7. My New kitchen rug from goodwill (super nice wool hooked rug for only $14!)

6. All the lovely candles that I light each night...

5. Music :-)

4. My Big children, who are a BIG help!

3. My littlest man, who is just starting to smile and "talk" with fake coughs!

2. My husband and his loving me, even when I drop a ball or two. :-D

1. My Gracious Heavenly Father because "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."
Jer. 29:11

This kind of list can be so uplifting..... What's on your list?

The boy and the casts....Pt. 1.

Mark had his first appointment with Dr. Aiona on Thursday. We rose early (6am) and were at Grandmas by 8. After dropping Levi & Charlotte off, I made my way up to the Shriner's hospital in Portland. This was the first time I had driven up there by myself, and since I am a wee bit Portland-a-phobic, I was a bit stressed. As I spotted the freeway exit the song " Three Little Birds" came on the radio. I couldn't help but grin, God seems to give encouragement in the nicest little ways sometimes. OK, I thought, I'll just relax. Despite a detour, we ended up right on time at the hospital.

I made my way up to the lobby, and was greeted by 2 older ladies, who were handing out stuffed animals to the kids who had appointments. I had to fill out paper work, then wait till we were called, have a nice chat and then wait till we were paged. Mark was weighed (11lbs 6oz dressed) photographed, and smiled at by nurses. After all this the actual casting went pretty fast. I was too busy trying to keep Mark happy to take the planned pics... but I will try for next time.

Mark now has full leg casts, and makes lovely clunking noises if he is set on the floor... It was a bit tricky to figure out the best way to diaper him with casts in the way, but it seems to be going better now. He was great during the appointment, and yelled during the last part of the casting, only because he was a bit hungry, and VERY tired. He seems to need to fuss for about 10-15 minutes before naps. I'll try a bottle again this time, but there are no guarantees!

I am so very thankful that God has us here, in a country with great health care, and giving people. Shriners is a free hospital, and the only two doctors in Oregon who are trained in the Ponsetti method of clubfoot correction are there. Dr. Aiona was great, and we are looking foward to the next cast. :-)

"Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

Singin: don't worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (don't worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Sleep and Joyfulness.... :-)

Ok, with a new baby around the house, sleep is at a premium. I would ideally like to rise at around 6:30, be ready by 6:45, and cook breakfast for all. The few times I have managed to do this, it REALLY helped to create a joyful and ready to go attitude among the children. (and me)

Now the last key to our AM perkiness is Mark... Mark sleeps fairly well, but his long sleep chunks begin around midnight, and are done around 9 am. Since I have had to be comforting, changing, feeding him till 12, I cannot get up early enough. This is a Bummer... Because a day started at 9 is just not long enough... :-D

Oh well, I hope that eventually he will adjust to my schedule.... Hee hee! In other respects he is pretty sweet. He is gaining weight beautifully... last night at 17 days old he was 9lbs, 6oz, up from his original 7lb 14. Yup! 24 oz in only 17 days. My pediatrician's comment was "My compliments to his chef!"

Mark is here!

Mark was born on 12/19. He weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz, and was 20 1/2" long. We went home at 1 o'clock the next day because another ice and snow storm was on its way. :-) Our area had a giant weather system of ice and snow, and were iced in for almost a week. Church had to be canceled for 2 Sundays in a row, because of the ice, so I got lots of good snuggle time with baby!

Mark is quite the tough little guy! He was born with the card wrapped around his neck, not once, but 3 times. As an added bonus, there was a true knot in the cord. Praise God for his grace in allowing Mark a safe birth!

Mark also has another challenge to overcome. He was born with bilateral (both sides) clubfoot. Basically, his feet are turned in, and he will need either surgery or braces and casting to walk. Thankfully this is something that is usually successful, and he shouldn't have too much trouble after the first year of foot therapy/casting/braces.We are hoping to meet with the specialist ASAP, and would covet your prayers that we could get the casting and brace process started soon, and that the insurance we have would cover the right doctor.


Mark is such a sweet boy! He sleeps well, barely cries, and is eating like a pro. :-) Oh! And he makes the cutest "bitter beer" face ever!

Thanks for all your prayers!