Food & Finances Friday

Last summer, we made the commitment to manage our finances according to Biblical principles. We read books, and listened to broadcasts from both Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial Ministries. We listened to their advice, and started making drastic changes to the way we viewed money matters. One of the biggest changes we made was to shred all of our credit cards and become free of debt.

(It is actually going to take us a couple more years to be entirely rid of our existing debt load, but we are moving steadily forward in the right direction).

We do not acquire new debt. We save. We budget. We plan. We pay cash. We assess needs versus wants. It is a whole new way of living for us.

It is working GREAT!

One of the ways we cut major expenses was to stop eating out at restaurants and fast food, and instead cook at home. That meant I had to learn to cook. I have not been very skilled in this area, so I have had quite a learning curve. I have finally gotten to the point of being able to make tasty meals on a regular basis, and even preparing meals for others when needed.

We are impressed with ourselves right now. But, we are even more impressed with God. He has blessed us beyond measure. Our church family, our extended family, and our friends rallied around us and gave generously to help us out with all of our travel expenses for Jersey #2's surgery. We started out with a budgeted amount in mind that we needed to save up to cover the expenses. We were given that EXACT amount by other folks. All of our needs were met....just like the Bible says....But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

In addition, our church family has filled our freezer full of meals and continues to bring meals to the house. It is such a blessing to be able to unwind from the recent stresses and not have to worry about meal preparation or grocery shopping. The ladies from our church have really taught me that there are many, many meals that can be prepped in advance and frozen for later. I had no idea such menu options existed.

I have been re-working our household budget now that life is taking a calmer course once again. The Referee and I have been discussing our priorities for our family, making plans, and making changes to the budgeting categories.

One area I hope to improve upon is the level of financial assistance we can offer to other folks going through challenges. I thought we were fairly generous before, but I was shown a whole new level. I was so humbled by the number of folks who gave us money, in addition to tithing regularly to their church. That is generosity at its best.

The next area I hope to improve upon is preparing more meals for folks who are going through challenges. No matter how big or how small the life challenge, a meal can really ease a burden. Everyone needs to eat. So, a prepared meal can be a real show of love.

We have just received an outpouring of love and blessings from our community, in the exact areas where we have been working hard to improve...food and finances. It seems our efforts have been greatly rewarded. And, our eyes have been opened to just how helpful those things can be to a family in crisis.

Our next step is to pay it forward...

She needs me....She needs me not...

I am re-living so many experiences of motherhood...at a higher rate of speed....and at a stronger level of intensity, these days. Right now, Jersey #2 is putting me through a big push-n-pull. She needs me. She needs me not.

The kids all go through something like this in the younger ages. When they were breastfeeding, they would perk up as soon as I entered the room, regardless of who was holding them or playing with them at the time. As toddlers, they go through phases of preferring Mommy or preferring Daddy over the other parent....leaving my lap to go sit with The Referee....or crying to me when Daddy won't give them their way. Some of it is preferences over time, some of it is identifying with the same-gender parent, some of it is testing limits. I understand this part of their development, so I don't take it personal.

When it comes to behavior issues, I am careful to support The Referee's authority if he has set a limit with the children. We are a unified parenting team, especially in front of the children. I don't give them their way, just because they cried to me and acted like they preferred me instead. My self-esteem as a mother is not tied to their shows of favoritism.

At least it shouldn't be.

Even though I try hard to make sure I am responding to the children in ways that promote healthy behaviors, and healthy families...because I want what is best for them first....I still have my moments of flattery when the children prefer my comfort. I like being the Mom! When you are feeling crummy, you want your Mom. Moms have a way of making us feel better. Moms have magic kisses that heal boo-boos. Moms have smiles that raise our confidence. Moms still love us even at our worst moments. I am more than happy to give up sleep for over 2 days, because Jersey #2 wanted her Mom right next to her bedside when she was first out of surgery. She needed me. I love that I get to fill that role for my children. I love to hear my husband's reminders that "Boys always love their Moms."

It is great to be MOM!

Except when I have to back off and let them continue to grow and develop. That can be hard for me.

For 3 months now, Jersey #2 has been coming to our bed, to sleep next to me. This is not real common sleeping behavior for a 6-year old, considering our children have their own beds in our home. I did not discourage her one bit, because I knew she was dealing with the stress and anxiety of her upcoming surgery, and she just needed a little more comfort from Mom. I was happy to provide for that need. I did not make a big deal out of it. For the first few days after we returned home from her surgery, she continued to sleep next to me. I actually preferred this, because I was so exhausted, yet I wanted to listen to her breathe (and make sure she continued to do so). Then, out of the blue, she went to her own bed the other night. After 3 months of sleeping in bed with me, that behavior abruptly ended. I wasn't ready! I was liking getting to sleep to the sounds of her breathing. But, I know I need to support her independence. I would not want to train her to continue sleeping in bed with her Mom...that would not be in her best interest. It was never about me anyway. It was about her needs.

Sometimes my children need me to hold them closer. Sometimes they need me to relax my grip so they can expand their wings. One day, they will need me to let go so they can fly.

That is the hard part about being Mom. Sometimes I want to hold them close, and they want to spread their wings. Sometimes I wonder why they are not spreading their wings, but are clinging to my leg instead. It is challenging to figure out how to respond to each child at each moment. When do I nudge a little independence? When do I let them take a step backwards instead. When do I hold firm to the limits in place? When do I relax and extend a little more grace? Should I even feel flattered when they need me? Is it Ok to feel hurt when they don't?

Motherhood comes with a whole whirlwind of emotions as the children grow and develop. Sometimes I have to take the time to remind myself that Motherhood is a calling. I have a responsibility to these children, to love them, nurture them, and train them up in the way they should go. I should hold them close when they need more compassion, and celebrate when they are ready to soar. I should not put my own emotions and desires in the way of their growth.

It's not personal. It's motherhood.

Sometimes she needs me to help her through the challenge....

And sometimes she needs me to just step back and cheer her on...

True Love

There are many traits that can describe the greatness of a man,


but THIS is what I love most about The Referee...

He takes care of his family's needs first. He stayed up all night, at Jersey #2's bedside, and kept watch over her, so that I could get some sleep.

He never once mentioned how uncomfortable he is in hospital settings. The sight of blood and needles makes him ill. He never once complained about being tired. He took leave from work. He skipped sleep...and meals...and recreation. He stayed right there, at our daughter's bedside, making sure that she knew that she was safe and loved. He paid close attention to all of the beeping monitors, and every comment made by the nurse. He gave me a full report on the status of Jersey #2 and her care for the hours I was away. He contacted me immediately, the first night, when she was uncomfortable and wanted her Mom. He knew when to let me sleep, and when Jersey #2 needed me instead. He put the needs of his family above his own.

He was there to encourage Jersey #2, and celebrate the accomplishments she made in her recovery each day.

He carried her through the airport when she was feeling weak and shaky after that big airplane ride. He didn't mention how heavy it was to carry a 6-year old, AND carry on bags. He assured her, that her big, strong Daddy would take care of her. He said, "Hey, I had to scoop you up under your bottom like this when you were a baby too."

When we returned home, he took the weekend to fix up the air conditioning, and stocked the fridge with milk. He made sure the kids and I were all set to function well at home when he returned to work.

Then, he returned to his job that provides strong health insurance. Two years ago, he let go of a "dream" opportunity to work for a start-up, on the cutting edge of technology, because medical insurance benefits were not available. Jersey #2's health started to decline, and we knew that surgery would be in our future. The Referee decided that providing for her medical needs took priority over his career dreams.

True Love: putting the needs of others above our own desires.

Food for Thought

After spending over 2 days in a hospital bed, hooked up to a variety of machines, Jersey #2 had to begin the work of regaining ability as she regained strength. She went from IV fluids...to drinking clear fluids...to eating again. She went from diapers...to bedpans...to a beside commode...to being able to use the actual restroom. She went from laying down...to sitting up...to standing...to walking. Even though she is 6 years old, it was a lot like getting to re-live those developmental milestones from when she was a baby.

Only, this time, those milestones were about her...not about me.

It sounds so silly to me now, but I used to place much more emphasis on those specific milestones than is even necessary. I would proudly announce when I chose to start my babies on cereal...and when and how I started fruits, vegetables, and other solid foods. I can still list the age each of my children were when they weaned from breastfeeding. I was proud of myself. Those milestones were about ME. They were about my mothering choices. I had a method that I thought was best, and I would announce it to others as if it was some sort of accomplishment.

As if everyone else should follow my style of mothering? Ridiculous!

In the hospital, each patient is treated as a separate case. There is a general trend that is followed, and guidelines for that trend. But each patient is not expected to be at the same level at the same time. The medical team knows that there are many more variables to be considered, big picture.

So why are mothering choices not treated the same way? The recommendation to begin solid foods between 4-6 months of age is actually just a guideline. So why are there debates about which time point is best? Each child is a separate case. And, there are many more variables other than age to be considered. Mothers should make those decisions about what is best for their own child, instead of following the "rules" set in place by their friends, authors of parenting books, or mothering boards on the internet.

In my experience, with my own 5 children, they did not all begin solid foods at the same age. There were more factors in effect than age, and each child is different. My priorities have changed so much, based on circumstances. I knew it all when I was a first-time Mom to Jersey #1. I was bold in voicing my feeding choices for her. I attempted to follow that same pattern with Jersey #2, and it did not work out as well. Jersey #2 had other obstacles to overcome....including surgery and taking a variety of medications starting at 2 months of age....so her feeding pattern was often disrupted. With Jersey #3, I started breaking the feeding "rules" out of necessity, and that is when I finally learned that each child truly is different and the same recommendations are really not going to fit everyone.

With Jersey #4 and Jersey #5, medical folks started asking me how I decided when to introduce solids, instead of quoting me the recommended guidelines. That is when I started to realize that the same medical community that is blamed for making the strict feeding rules that are found in the parenting debates, really aren't that strict. Feeding milestones are really just data to them. They process that data for that specific child/case. They offer suggestions based on recommendations, only if the outcome is straying away from their goal. It may sound like a law when parents are sitting in the exam room, during a well-child check-up, but it is really just background data for that case. Sometimes the advice is good, and sometimes it is not. That is for a parent to discern.

Parents really are in charge of making the nutritional decisions for their children. Parents should be the ones who know their own children better than anyone else. Therefore, they are the experts on their own children. Not the medical community. Not authors of parenting books. Not the mothering boards on the internet. Not other Mommy friends at the park. Those sources can be very convincing that their method is best for everyone. These decisions should be based on what is best for that child. It is not about the parent. It is not about me. It is about what is best for that child.


I could quote 101 reasons why breastfeeding is superior to a bottle (even a bottle of pumped breast milk)....and all of them would be irrelevant to the fact that Jersey #2 did not have the strength to nurse...or the freedom of pain-free movement to position at the breast...this first time out of bed following her first open-heart surgery. Did it matter she was getting bottle? No....all I really cared about at that time was that she was doing well enough to be in my arms again. In an instant, my priorities changed...

I could say that larger babies tend to want solids earlier, to help them feel content....or that solids helps pack on some pounds....but Jersey #2 initially thought solids were as yucky as her medicine, so she was not interested. Her medicine also caused her to drop weight, so we halted the cereal, weaned off that specific medication first, and pushed breast milk every chance we got, just to help her growth get back on track....before re-introducing cereal....

Even today, regardless of all of our attempts to help Jersey #2 hold onto calories, she is described medically as "well nourished, but very thin." Her heart is to blame. It was working so hard prior to surgery, that her metabolism was extremely high. When she hit growth spurts, her height would try to continue on its curve, but her weight kept dropping curves. We are hoping that she will be able to gain some weight, now that she has this new valve to ease the burden on her heart. It is difficult to be so thin that bones stick through her skin, because there is no barrier of protection from bumps and falls, so every little stumble hurts. We also wonder if her body is having this kind of trouble holding onto calories to grow properly, is her brain able to grow to its full potential?


It was a great milestone, 3 days after open-heart surgery, when Jersey #2 was able to sit up in bed and feed herself yogurt. She loves yogurt. She proudly announced that she could feed herself, instead of having me feed her. Did it matter what she was eating? No. It only mattered that she was feeling well enough to eat...

Jersey #2 entertained us all later that day when she ordered McDonalds for lunch. Our Pastor was coming to the hospital to visit her, and he called to ask if she wanted him to bring her anything to snack on. Jersey #2 asked for McDonalds fries and a chocolate shake. I had to ask the nurse if that was even allowed to be brought into the Cardiovascular ICU. I am certain that McDonalds is not a cardiology-approved food source. The nurse laughed and said, that the doctors did tell Jersey #2 that she could have ANYTHING that she wanted to eat, because they wanted her to move her bowels (to prove they were working fine and not damaged by surgery). The nurse joked that McDonalds food would certainly get things moving along....

It did motivate Jersey #2 to get moving out of bed and sitting into a chair to eat. Plus, I am pretty convinced that chocolate milkshakes have healing properties!

Take Two

So much for decompression....just over an hour after this morning's post, I dove into another adrenaline rush!

I had just woken up, sent my husband off to work, changed the baby's diaper, greeted the kids, and sat down to the computer to check my email, when I was approached by Jersey #2.

"Mom, my tummy hurts."

I barely get her to point to the location of the pain (which happens to be where her stomach is actually located in the abdomen), before she starts to gag. I suggest she run to the bathroom to puke....she makes it half-way there. I inspect the spewed contents while she washes her hands at the sink. I clean up the mess, while I explain to her what was in her stomach: apple juice and mucous. Yuck. I feel her forehead. She's warm.

OH NO! BEGIN PANIC MODE!

I take her temperature with both the ear thermometer and the forehead thermometer. Either way I look at it, she has a low fever. 100.2 Ugh. This is not good.

This is SO not good.

10 days after surgery, and she is at an incredibly high risk for infection.

5 out of 5 cardiologists (not 4 out of 5 like you hear on drug commercials on TV) have instilled in me last week that Jersey #2 is NOT to be running a fever of unknown origin. She must be checked out by our family doctor...and he is suppose to go through an entire checklist of clinic symptoms, in order to rule out various infections and heart failure.

Try explaining THAT to the new receptionist who hasn't met us yet! She insisted that Dr. S was completely booked today, but she could get us in to see someone else in the clinic.

Um, no. That will not do. This situation is critical enough to require the doctor who literally caught Jersey #2 when she entered this world. He is the one who picked up on her heart problem in the first place. He is the one who needs to assess her today. He knows her. Please have the nurse call me. I would prefer a person who has actually taken an anatomy class to decide whether this situation needs Dr. S specifically. Did you hear the words open-heart surgery on a 6-year old??? I am not sure when receptionists started dishing out medical advice, but there is no way I am leaving my daughter's health in such untrained hands.

The nurse calls me back within 15 minutes, listens to half of my story, and promptly tells me that Dr. S will want to fit us in today, under the circumstances. Yes, that is what I was thinking too.

In the meantime, Jersey #2 holds down her heart meds, Tylenol, and a cracker. She starts drinking water again and tells me she is fine. She tells me that the entire trip to the clinic. She naps on the way, which is another bad sign.

We get right in almost immediately. I semi-apologize for being such a panicked Mom like this. The medical assistant taking vital signs tells me she would have panicked too. Apparently my panic is very understandable, because Dr. S doesn't joke or tease. He greets us and tells me immediately that Jersey #2's Cardiologist called him on Friday. That let me know that he knows exactly what is expected from him, so I do not have to try to relay all of that information. This could be nothing. This could be serious.

He tries to make small talk with Jersey #2 about her surgery adventure, while he steadily goes through the various clinical signs of infection. He smiles more and more as he rules things out. Her throat is clear. Her ears are clear. He is almost surprised to report that her lungs sound real good (because she has been dealing with some collapsed lung tissue on her left side). Her abdomen is soft, and not in any pain. He says he is going to run a urinalysis too. I expect that, because it was one of the "extra" tests that her cardiologist wants run at times like this.

Her liver is not enlarged! HALLELUJAH! One of the scariest risks Jersey #2 has right now is infection to her pericardium, the tissue lining around her heart. One of the clinical signs of pericarditis...and also heart failure....is an enlarged liver. If her valve starts to have trouble, her liver will tattle. So, it is really good news to hear that her liver is its normal size.

Dr. S jokes that Jersey #2's heart is very musical. He is joking again, this is a good sign.

He sends us off to the restroom to get a urine sample. He walks back in the room a few minutes later and shows me the lab result: Negative. There is no increase in white blood cells. Her urine is not showing any signs of infection. This is good.

He assures me that Jersey #2 is not showing any clinical signs of infection. He jokes with her that it must have been her Mama's cooking! He's teasing again.....this is a good sign that all is well. He offers her a sticker.

He tells us to have a good day, asks about the siblings and The Referee's job, and reminds me to call him immediately if Jersey #2 spikes a fever.

I leave the clinic so relieved that I am practically shaking and ready to cry. Crisis averted.....for now. The window of the highest risk for infection are the first 3 months after surgery. Here's hoping I can keep my wits about me that long.

Now, let me go re-read my earlier post on decompressing, because I have already forgotten how....

Decompress and Reflect

For probably the first time in my entire life, I am finally taking the time to decompress from crisis mode.

And I like it.

In the past, whenever we would deal with some major stress in life, my husband and I would jump back into all of the minor stresses in life as soon as the major one was out of the way. We didn't stop to eat, sleep, or think, let alone come down off the adrenaline. Needless to say, it was just a matter of time before we turned on each other, as a way to relieve stress. Let's just say that kind of behavior has a terrible effect on a marriage. Our sad joke was that we were a great team during crisis, but we would ruin everything during the "easy" times.

I refused to follow that same trend this time around.

This time, I decided to eat, sleep, pray, think, play, and rest.

For the past 4 days, I have taken at least 2-3 naps a day. I did very little chores. Actually, I just finished unloading the suitcases last night. Our friends provided us with meals, so I did no cooking either. I let the kids snack a lot. I only bathed the dirtiest children, when the timing was easy each day. (I did oversee them brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and brushing their hair every day). I pulled down the futon in the living room, and let the older kids have a slumber party each night. I let them pick out their own clothes, including letting them wear pajamas all day long. I had the kids help me straighten the living room and dining room on Saturday and Sunday. Other than that, the house was a cluttered mess, with suitcases, clothes, shoes, and toys everywhere. I didn't mind. I knew it was temporary.

The Referee made a large to-do list and was ready to tackle the world. He was not planning to decompress at all. We got into a large argument immediately. Our resolution included a much smaller to-do list, of the most crucial of tasks (such as towing the broken car to the mechanic, calling the vet about the sick dog, and hooking up the air conditioning). When those items were complete, I suggested The Referee take the time to decompress. He asked for clarification for what that was?

Then, he took a 3 hour nap! The rest of the to-do list was ignored. It is better that way.

We did not keep our usual routine over the past 4 days. But, the family is better rested, better bonded, and more relaxed. We had a lot of fun and games with the kids. We have been celebrating just how far we have come this month....and every ounce of strength that Jersey #2 has gained with each passing day. We are blessed.

I have been taking the time to reflect on my priorities. Spending the weekend in quarantine, keeping away from the public germs in an attempt to keep Jersey #2 from coming down sick, has helped me tune out the world, and focus. I have just experienced one of those pivotal moments in life, when it becomes crystal clear what truly matters. I do not want to lose this lesson, so I am paying close attention to that still, small voice.

One BIG Week

Jersey #2 survived open-heart surgery! Her recovery has been an amazing whirlwind. She has come a long way in just 1 week.

Her surgery lasted over 6 hours, and included over 100 minutes on the heart/lung bypass machine. The additional complexity to the surgery was due to the discovery of a small hole between the atria (upper chambers) of her heart, which is called the patent foramen ovale. This usually closes at birth, or within 2 years of life, but hers did not close completely. Other folks can live just fine with a small hole there...unless they need to go on the bypass machine. Plus, there was a small coronary injury, while trying to get through the scar tissue, which also had to be repaired. Jersey #2's heart was enlarged, and rotated out of its normal plane, making the surgeon have to reframe his approach to finding all of her heart parts. He is patient, and skilled, and his workmanship is world-renowned. Plus, we were all praying, so we knew she was in good hands.

Shortly after surgery, we met up with Jersey #2 in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit...

She was on a ventilator (breathing tube) for 24 hours. She was sedated...



Recovery Day 1: She was happy when that tube was able to be removed. She also takes to morphine well...

Recovery Day 2: This was the hardest day by far. Sitting up hurt. Deep breathing hurt. Coughing was intensely painful. It was hard to watch my baby go through that level of pain. I'm certain it was hard for her to live that level of pain. She was a trooper. I tried to smile through it all and encourage her every step of the way. It was actually easy to smile, because I was so proud of her....and so very blessed to be her Mom.

Recovery Day 3: She was feeling stronger and able to sit up on her own. Medicines were weaned. 1 chest tube was removed, and the IV line in her neck was removed.

Recovery Day 4: The 2nd chest tube was removed. Pacer wires were removed. Arterial line was removed. The IV port in her foot was removed. She was moved out of the ICU and into an acute care unit. She was free to get up and walk around. This also meant she was able to visit the Child Life Playroom in the hospital...

Recovery Day 5: Discharge Day! Jersey #2 made an amazing recovery. She stunned her parents and her entire medical team. We were expecting at least a week in the hospital. She was up and around quickly, and eating well, so they decided she could go home...

1 Week After Open-Heart Surgery: Jersey #2 had a check-up with her Cardiologist here at home. She confirmed that the surgery was a great success, and that Jersey #2's recovery is impressive. Doc says Jersey #2 looks so fantastic, that she does not need another cardiology check-up for 3 months! We should continue to notice an improvement in her recovery and energy a little each day. She should take it very easy the first 2 weeks, and then return to regular activities as she feels up for it. We have precautions to take for the wound sites, and precautions to take for the sternotomy (broken sternum)...but everything should be at its best in about 6-8 weeks. Wow! I took this picture of her today. It is so hard to believe that this child had open-heart surgery 1 week ago...

Surgery Day

Pure joy flows through this child.

It is amazing to see how well she handles all of the medical adventures she must endure. She did not complain about having to get up real early, or not getting to eat or drink anything. She smiled and waved at all of the hospital staff. She celebrated the new hospital socks she gets to wear. She posed for a picture.

She bravely held out her wrist so that the anesthesia team could insert and IV in her hand. She patiently waited for them to secure it with tape. They rewarded her with an injection of some great medication which immediately put in her a state of sleepy bliss.

They rolled her down the hall into the operating room, with her smiling the whole way!

I sit here in this family waiting room, updating my blog with stories and pictures from the whole week, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the clock.

And Praying.

Lots of praying.

Praying she survives. Praying that surgery is a huge success. Praying that I get to see her sweet smile again soon.

Pre-Op Day

We spent a full day at the hospital today. We had to accomplish an entire list of pre-op tests and consultations in one day. We did well.

Our day started with waking sleeping beauty early...

One of the first decorations we noticed at the hospital was this awareness ribbon made from 1001 origami cranes, which are a symbol of health according to Japanese legend.

At the heart center, Jersey #2 had an EKG and an echocardiogram...

We met with the most amazing pediatric cardiac surgeon. This is the man credited with repairing the plumbing in Jersey #2's heart when she was an infant. He is the same surgeon who will be placing her new pulmonary valve. He put our minds at ease as he explained the surgical procedure, and all the ways that this surgery is expected to be less intense than her first surgery. After our consultation, he was happy to pose for a picture with Jersey #2....

When we met with members of the surgical team, we had a good laugh after discovering the anesthesia nurse was wearing rainbow socks! She admired Jersey #2's rainbow shoes. They were a beautiful match...

The next stop was a chest x-ray...

Pre-Op day ran about 2 hours shorter than we expected. The hospital staff were so organized with their paperwork and procedures. Jersey #2 was very cooperative. It was a winning combination. We stopped off at the Child Life playroom to see where Jersey #2 gets to play as soon as she feels well enough to get out of bed, after surgery.


To unwind after a very large day at the hospital, Jersey #2 spent a little time jumping on the bed in the hotel room....

Day of Fun

Leaving on a jet plane.....don't know when I'll be back again....

We had a great flight. The last time Jersey #2 flew on an airplane, she was almost 2 years old. So, she did not remember it. She was excited and nervous at the same time. As we were strapping in to our seatbelts, she asked "Do you think we will die?" I reassured her that we were safe on the plane, and I went through the details of what to expect. She enjoyed looking out the window and watching the land go by, and going up in the clouds. She was so relieved when we landed, that she yelled out "LAND! WE MADE IT TO LAND!"

Traveling with Jersey #2 is like traveling with a celebrity. She smiles and waves at everyone. Airport workers were going out of their way to wave to her and greet her. Other passengers on the plane chat with her and laugh at her antics. We joked that we were her entourage...The Referee is her personal chauffeur....and I am her personal assistant.

With the time we had between landing and checking in to the hotel, we decided to take Jersey #2 out for an afternoon of fun. We ate at a nice pasta restaurant. She added extra straws to her drink, and showed us how she could use 4 straws at a time...

We went to the beach!

Jersey #2 was excited to see the ocean. She had hoped to swim in it, but it was way too cold for that. We settled for taking our shoes off and walking barefoot in the sand...

Jersey #2 was here...

It was nice to have an afternoon of carefree fun before the medical stresses began.

This Seems Strange

We took the kids to Granny & PawPaw's house today. They have bravely volunteered to care for the four children, while we take Jersey #2 out of state for surgery.

We went from this.....


To this....

It was very strange to travel home with only Jersey #2. To be the parents of a 6-year old....and no one else.....is very different. My hands are free. She is so independent that I am hardly needed for anything. I don't even carry a diaper bag anymore. This feeling is so odd, that it makes me thankful that I am the mother of 5 children. I enjoy the volume, the mess, the craziness, the laughter, and the joy. As much as I appreciate my parents for caring for our children while we are away, I am thankful it is a temporary arrangement.

I am blessed to be able to focus on the one child who needs me the most right now. And I will be blessed to have my arms over-flowing with children once again.

Fun With Numbers

Evens...





Odds....




No matter which way I calculate, these numbers add up to CUTE!

Happy Mother's Day

I received the best Mother's Day gift this year....FAMILY PORTRAITS!




Happy Mothers Day

Horse Fun

Our family received an opportunity to visit Galloping Grace Youth Ranch this weekend. It was such a treat that they could fit us in again before Jersey #2 has to go for surgery. It was an additional treat to be able to visit on a Saturday, because The Referee could join us to see the kids having so much fun with horses.

Each of the kids demonstrated a new skill today.

Tim, the awesome ranch volunteer, was able to get Jersey #2 up on a horse again. She told me before we arrived that she didn't think she wanted to ride. She told Tim that she just wanted to walk the horse around. I encouraged her to show her Dad how she can sit on a horse. She finally agreed. After the initial fear of going up on the horse, she started to relax in the saddle.

It was just a matter of time before she was glad she decided to ride. She quickly became real comfortable in the saddle, and started waving to me. She was comfortable enough to ride, so Tim led the horse around the corral nearly a dozen times, because Jersey #2 was having so much fun.

Jersey #3 was excited to get to hold the reins. He quickly became distracted by the reins, and almost forgot to go through the balance drills.

Look Ma, no hands!

Jersey #1 shocked us by riding a horse without someone leading it around the corral. I had no idea she could do that. The ranch volunteer explained to me that she told Jersey #1 she could give it a try the next time she visits.

She learned how to use the reins to steer the horse.

She had a blast! A love of horses is growing deep in this child.

She still says she will have to hire someone to clean the stalls, when she gets a horse of her own. Her response to the work station was "Yuck."

Her siblings, on the other hand, think those kid-sized rakes and shovels are neat!

They worked hard to clean the corral...

....until Jersey #5 discovered the water.

He actually sampled some of the horses' water before I could stop him. Yum.