Greene Acres

A Mile In His Shoes Review and Giveaway

2012-01-13T23:25:00.004-06:00

Popcorn? Check. Jammies? Check. Toasty fire? Check. Four Greene beans cozy up in a row on the couch for family movie night. Tonight's feature is A Mile In His Shoes.
The opening scene is a very familiar one: Green, grassy pastures, a barn with fading paint. Behind the old, wooden fence a horse trots by as farmers bale their hay. The camera then cuts to a baseball diamond. Tractors are at work there too, preparing the ground for a new game. These scenes take turns setting the back drop for tonight's story. There's a team on the field now. The River Rats. It looks like they are used to losing. Soon we meet Coach Murphy. He is being sent on a trip to search for new talent. Along the way, is it an accident or providence that causes him to stop by an old farm for help? No reception for a cell phone where he ended up. We chuckle. Yeah. That is what it can be like out here too. Coach gets more that a phone call, though, when he meets Mickey Tussler, a boy with Asperger's Syndrome and a mean pitching arm. In the adventure that follows, we are inspired and encouraged. We can relate to this story in so many ways. We sympathize with his gruff father's tendency to overprotect, fearing how his son will cope and how he will be treated away from his family. Yet we have to agree with his mom that he should be given the opportunity to try. There are ups and downs and ups again. The movie ends. We stretch, shake kernels from the blankets, and discuss what we've seen. All in all, four Greenes agree we are glad for the chance to see this movie. The underlying feeling is hope. Hope for the future when things seem uncertain. If you love someone with special needs, A Mile in His Shoes will be extra special to you. The coolest thing is, you can enter to win a copy here! Just leave a comment on this post or on Facebook for your chance to win. "Share" it for an extra entry; just let me know you did that too. I'll get your mailing info from you if you win. (Gotta keep the giveaway just for US residents, though, for shipping's sake.) The movie is presented by Thomas Kinkade and comes with a postcard-sized print of a painting he made called, you guessed it, A Mile In His Shoes. It is rated PG and is Dove Family Approved. We'll be wrapping up the giveaway on January 30, 2012. Good Luck!

Now for the disclosure. Take a deep breath aaaaand...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Whew. Try saying that three times fast!

The Tie That Binds Old Times Past

2011-12-31T11:42:00.008-06:00

"Should old acquaintance be forgot something something la la mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot la la la la auld lang syne..." Maybe I should learn the lyrics to this song someday. The few occasions I've had to use it didn't really settle the words to this traditional Scottish tune in my mind. My growing up years rang in the new year holding hands in a very small church with a few other people singing a different song:

Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above

There were other verses, but that was as far as we ever got. I never knew about the others until looking this one up to make sure I had it right. Apparently I didn't know this one all that well either! Those other verses sounded good too. Common goals, sharing burdens, perfect love... all so much easier to sing about than to put into practice. It's a good thing Jesus is the tie that binds.
Last night Lucas had to work, so the boys and I rang in the new year with a quieter bell. We snuggled under a blanket on the couch, fireplace crackling away, reading stories and cracking jokes. "What did the windshield say to the bug?" I ask Seth. "Happy New Smear!" This brings major peals of laughter.
"Hey, Mom, I got one," He counters. (We are making these up as we go.) "What did the fist say to the mouth? Help yourself to the punch!" He's laughing so hard he can't breath. Okay. If these corny jokes seem this funny it's getting late. We settle down with a Bible story and songs. Micah's eyes droop. "Go ni-night, Mama?" Oh well. He gave it his best shot. Soon he's all tucked in and sawing logs. There is still a little while to go until 2012. Down to just one in his audience, my jokster decides he needs something else to laugh at. I agree to an episode of Life's Funniest Moments. Seth loves this special time with just Mom to himself. Me too. Guffaws turn to chuckles turn to an occasional giggle. This boy is fading fast as well. The phone rings and my hubby's sweet voice is the first I hear in this new year. After we hang up my mind runs back to all those years ago. I try to remember the blessing song. I don't quite have it, but it's close. How about Auld Lang Syne? No where near, but a few lines do stand out from the others. Someday, these precious moments will be our Auld Lang Syne, our old times past. They will never be forgotten, either. The Tie that binds us will make certain of that.
Happy New Year from the Greene family!

Snips-N-Snails

2011-12-15T13:27:00.003-06:00

Eeeee! The water was freeeeezing! Just the way they liked it, I suppose. Wiping water from the camera lense would have been a whole lot easier if the tape holding those batteries inside the camera would have stayed put. Or if the boys would have stayed put for that matter, but there was no chance of that! They were packing as much cousin time as they could get in the scant days they had to play together. One minute they were generals surrounded by an army of Legos in the bedroom, and the next minute found two scheming, pint-sized tycoons bent on taking over Boardwalk and Park Place in the basement. We didn't get to see much of our nephew Mikey for a couple days as he and Seth stormed here and there playing at all things rough and tumble. A late night snack raid a the local grocery store took care of that. The boys trucked up one aisle and down the other, half chasing each other and half picking out treats. As we piled into the van with the boy's loot in tow, we noticed an elderly man fumbling for change in front of a pop machine. His layered cloths, unkempt hair, and overstuffed backpack by his feet spoke volumes. Lucas's eyes met mine, and we looked back at the kids. Without complaint they offered up their snacks. The man began to move on. Lucas quickly picked out what he thought the guy could use, grabbed some bottles of green tea, and ran across the parking lot. The boys peered from the windows as the man said something to Lucas and they shook hands. Seat belts clicked in and we headed on our way. Mikey held the depleated bag of goodies and offered up a contented sigh. "I wish you guys lived here all the time!"

Oh boy. This one is just going to have to come home with us someday too. Maybe Jay and Sal need a nice, quiet house next summer?

Sugar -N- Spice

2011-11-21T21:54:00.007-06:00

"Ca'mere an' let me tuck you in, Auntie Leah, we are goin' to bed." I could only shake my head and smile at the sweetest little sweet pea who took me by the hand. Never mind that she'd called me by my sister's name for the umpteenth time. She was just so cute I didn't have the heart to correct her again. She prompted me to lay down on the rug and covered me "all up" with her special blanky.

"I'll get you a snack. Some human cheese, I think." She pattered off in search of her mom. Human cheese? I was afraid to ask. Besides, I'd already been stuffed full of imaginary strawberries and tea.

"Uh, we don't have anymore so you can have this," She handed me an empty, plastic plate. I pretended to gobble up whatever it was, thankfull not to have to try whatever "human cheese" was.

"Not yet! you need another nap before pie!" One teeny hand rested on her hip while the other wagged at me. Then, again with the covering of the blanky. I could play with Maddie all day, which, I think, was her plan. I tried to steer her Uncle Lucas's direction but she wasn't so sure about him yet. I was already under her tiny tot spell. It was Lucas's turn.

The next morning found Maddie, Macy, and I blowing huge hand bubbles in the front yard. Macy made the best ones I'd ever seen. Later they actually let me paint their faces. (Bring out the face paints at our house and the boys scatter.) Maddie wanted flowers down one side of her face and a green heart... on her chin.

"I just love fish. I want a fish. A fish in the ocean. How about a lot of fish! As many fish as you can fit. Now paint a fish on my other cheek. A fish in a bowl. Oh! I know! A fish in a bowl on this side, dreaming about being a fish in the ocean on the other." I painted as fast as I could to keep up with her. Macy has a great imagination. "Now could you paint a fish on my hand?" She blinked up at me with her big baby blues. How could I resist?

"Ca'mere," Maddy grabbed my hand again. "Let's go watch Angelina Ballerina, Aunt Rachie." Oh, wow. I could have taken her home with me! They wouldn't have missed just one would they?

And Away We Go...Er... Went

2011-11-19T13:03:00.006-06:00

Ha ha, yes. Feathery wisps of snow fall in slow motion past the window and I've got summer on my mind. I'm trying to play a little catch up here since choosing an almost blog free summer and fall. Sis, Marmie, Nessa, Jess, and Tiff want the back stories and they're gettin' 'em! ((Brrr)) But not before I grab some socks. And maybe a sweater. That's better.

He looked so good in his sandles, shorts, and summer shades, all kicked back in the driver's seat. I love seeing Lucas like this. Relaxed. No work on his mind. No worries. Half grin. *swoon*

"How ya doing back there, Seth?" I peered over Micah's head as much as possible, straining to see past his wheelchair strapped in the middle of the van. We'd stuffed every available corner of Micah's "low rider", and there wasn't much room to wiggle. Seth's lap full of half put together Lego creations let me know he was doing just fine. Micah happily waved his hands in time to the music. I turned my attention back to the beautiful scenery. Thick woods on either side, an open country road in the middle, Ah. It was a long way to Marmie's place, but we had a good start. This would be the longest road trip we'd taken since Micah was tiny, and we'd planned his positioning carefully. Generally a day at home includes a lot of rotation. A little time in the wheelchair is followed by some tummy time. Later, he stands with the aid of a stander, and then rests on his back for about an hour with some range of motion exercises for good measure. Then the routine starts over, giving him the chance to use his muscles, prevent bone damage, and soothe away the aches and pains that come from spastic cerebral palsy. That routine wasn't gonna be happening in the van. That's why we'd purchased a special seat belt allowing him to lay in the back seat from time to time and still be safely buckled up. Of course this meant that Seth got to see what it was like to be strapped in the wheelchair as it was the only seat left. I think he kind of liked it. So this was how we traveled, stopping every three hours to change positions, exercise Micah's cramped muscles, visit the changing room (unless one wasn't available in which case the van in a vacant parking lot became the diaper station) and on the road again. Everyone was glad to stop overnight, not quite as far on the map as Lucas would like to have been, but close enough. One more day of the same, made us question our judgment on this whole road trip idea, but then we were there! Marmie stood in the driveway, her eyes shining, the hugest smile on her face. There were tons of kisses and hugs, and... what was that? The smell of fried chicken, buttery taters, and freshly made sweet tea wafted from the windows of the house. Mmmmmm. Bring on the road trip anytime!

And Then They Broke It

2011-11-15T01:09:00.009-06:00

They buzzed around my head like flies at a picnic. Seth swooped in to beg for computer game time and Isaiah, for snacks.

"Hold on guys. It's a beautiful summer day. You know where you should be?" I asked, surrounded by piles of folded laundry and an empty suitcase.

"Outsiiiiiiiide," they droned in unison.

"Exactly. Soon you won't be seeing each other for twelve whole days." I glanced up at these two, joined by the hip. Whatever would one do without the other? "Play while you can," I insisted.

They lingered, then buzzed some more. Time to shoo 'em out the door. Maybe a broom... I looked around and caught a glimpse of the camera. I really should pack that before I forget. Or...

"Heeeeeeyyy. Why don't you guys take some pics outside?" (so I can get back to packing)

Yeah. This was new. Nobody plays with Mama's camera. They grabbed it and flew out onto the porch before I could change my mind.

Folded clothes weren't gonna cut it. We were trying to pack light for the trip to Marmie's. It was the first time we'd be out that way in six years. Jay, Sal, and the kids were on vacation, but would be back before we left their home, so we would get the chance to see them too.

Really. These clothes weren't going to fit. Time for the military roll. That worked.

The boys peeked back through a crack in the door.

"It hasn't even been five minutes, Seth!"

But Seth and Isaiah looked worried.

"Uhhhh. Something happened..." each began to talk over the other. All I heard was, "BzzzzBzzzzBzzzzz!"

"Shhhhh. You'll wake Micah from his nap," I hissed.

Seth handed me the camera, its bottom hanging open, batteries missing. It wasn't shuttin', either. Argh. Isaiah found the batteries in the cracks of the porch and I shoved them back in. Tape? It would have to do. And if we held it just so.... I squeezed the bottom with all my might. They'd managed to capture two pictures before destruction. I grinned in spite of myself. That's what I got for trying to make the camera my babysitter. It was going to be interesting taking pics on this trip!

Collage

2011-10-21T16:22:00.002-05:00

Nieces blowing bubbles, Seth splashing his cousin in the late summer sun, My sis and nephew cuddling their sweet Beagle pup... pictures from summer and fall wait patiently, each with their own story to tell. Oh, here is Lucas chillin' in his cool shades in the driver's seat on the trip to see Marmie. Aw, Micah grins adoringly at "Uncle Keith" in this one, like he's the best thing since Elmo. What a good one of Jay and Sal. Huh, this one of Lucas and me isn't half bad either. Why did I wait so long to share the things they had to tell? It's not as if the stories weren't swirling around up there in my head somewhere. Somehow, though, they settled, got buried in summer sand, lost under fall leaves. Should I dig around and find them again? Blow off the dust and replay like the back story in a movie? Or would it be better to leave this collage of memories lay comfortably where it is, and pick up from this cozy spot. You get to decide! Just let me know here or FB, and the life and times of Greene Acres will begin again soon. :D

And They Are Called Coupons?

2011-06-30T11:54:00.003-05:00

I caught Lucas just before he drove it. The very last nail to be hammered on the inside of our home (for at least a few years) was immortalized on film... er... memory card. What a sense of accomplishment! I'd dreamed about celebrating this day with family and friends to much fanfare, but there was still a lot to do. The very next step: finalize the loan. Hmmm. Ever notice how loan rhymes with groan? Anyway, Sitting in the bank office with Lucas and the Suit, I did pretty well keeping up on all of the loan lingo. When the conversation moved on to fish, however, I have to admit, my mind began to wander. Not that I don't like fishing. It might have a little more allure, though, if I'd ever caught anything big enough to actually eat! My eyes wandered around the small office. Most of the man's pictures involved very large fish. Walleyes, apparently. Eesh. He lets 'em go. Why? Do they not taste good? They surely look like they could make a mean fish fry. What if you could catch most of your meat? It certainly would save on the grocery bill. Fish is brain food too. I should feed it to my kids every day. They would grow up to be geniuses! Oh. What about mercury? That is bad for you. Isn't there alot of that in fish? Do fish sticks count for brain food? Doesn't matter. No one in the Greene family will eat those. What did he say? Coupon book! Ooooooo. I know a lot of people who do extreme couponing. I've never quite caught on to that process. Walk into a grocery store with ten cents and leave with a cart full. Wow. I bet they give you an awesome coupon book in return for a home loan. Kinda like a "thank you for signing with us" perk? He's sliding the many papers across the table. I get the feeling I'd better give this my full attention.
In the following weeks, the coupon book was never very far from my mind. It was to come in the mail "any day now". I began making plans. Maybe I should consult with the experts? No. Better wait until we see what stores the coupons are for.
"Our coupon book came today," Lucas said as he tossed the mail on the counter one afternoon.
"Yay! Where?" I searched through the pile. Junk. Junk. Junk... and one thing that looked like a checkbook filler.
"Here," he replied, holding the disappointingly small "checkbook".
Wha? These aren't coupons. They look like little bills. Lots of 'em. Slowly, realization changed the utter shock on my face to chagrin.
" You thought they'd be coupon coupons?" Lucas laughed. And laughed. He's still laughing.
*Sigh* I need to eat more fish.

Bandalooper? Butternodder? What Was That Thing Called?

2011-06-14T15:57:00.007-05:00

Kayaks. Every time I saw one all I could think of was becoming stuck upside down on some cold, cold river. *shudder* Several friends love them, though, and had invited me on one occasion or another. Little by little I'd been warming up to the idea.

This winter we were introduced to the perfect opportunity. A kayaking event would be held at the beginning of summer, in a nearby lake. The big B was named after a mispronunciation of another famous Northwoods event. It would benefit some good organizations, Sethie's violin group being one of them. They were giving us plenty of warning ahead of time. It was easy to say yes. Summer seems oh so very far away when you're standing in knee deep snow. No way was I going to be the only newbie out there, though. I needed to wrangle someone else into this thing so I wouldn't look like the only fish out of water... Ooooh, Luuuuucas! But wait! How would we know what to do? Better invite some veterans...

Winter took its sweet time crawling away, but a whirlwind spring brought summer up to speed with a quickness. It was here! I was nervous. We didn't even know how to get in a kayak, much less navigate our way around an island! Thankfully, a paddle demonstration the night before allowed Lucas and I to take a couple of them out for a spin. (me, literally) Hey, not too bad! We tried a tandem (two person) kayak first. I spent most of the time just trying not to whack Lucas in the head. In my own kayak, I quickly fell behind Speedy Gonzales. Wasn't this guy supposed to splash around in circles with me? Lucas took to it like a duck to water. I was a fish all by myself. Uh oh.

Morning came too soon. Early as the birds, we met our friend, Tammy, who brought each of us a kayak of our own. Hmmm. No tandem. I wouldn't be able to coast on Lucas's tail feathers. The air horn blew out the "Y'all come" and we were off. Sort of.
"Rach turn your paddle around. Nope. The other way. It's backward, Hun! There ya go." Tammy coasted expertly to my side and set me straight. A few times, I might add. You can tell she's done this before.

First we had to get to the island, then around it. No Gilligan here. This thing was a lot bigger than I'd thought. 8km. Lucas cut though the lake like butter and was soon a red speck in the distance. I felt like I was sludging through pudding. Mmmm. Chocolate pudding. Good thing the first check point gave us a big ol' cookie! Plus, Tammy was a good coach. Though I know she could have shot ahead and left me in her wake, she stayed shoulder to shoulder-ish and encouraged me through. It was like the "one anothers". You know, those verses that tell us how we should be to one another: be ye kind one to another, love one another, bear one another's burdens... Surprisingly, my arms did not tire. Years of lifting Micah from one place to the other has given me a decent set of guns... for a girl, anyway. However, after an hour and a half, my tail bone was in protest mode. At the beginning of the race we'd been given some safety tips. We were also informed there would be a boat following the stragglers, ever ready to pick up anyone who couldn't finish. There was absolutely no way I wanted to be in that boat. I have to admit I made up a little chant to get me through the last mile or so. "No -boat -of- shame -no- boat -of -shame -I -do- not -want -the- boat- of -shame!"

Waiting at the starting point/finish line was my husband, grinning ear to ear. With his help I tottered out of the kayak and waded to shore. He didn't even gloat, and promptly treated Tammy and I to lunch. What better way to celebrate those hard burned calories than with food? Before heading our separate ways, our friend offered the use of her kayaks again. Ooooo. that would make a great date night. Kissin' and kayaks. As long as I don't get left in the dust. We'd better borrow that tandem, Tammy!

Swappin', Signs, N Such

2011-05-31T12:28:00.005-05:00

It all started last summer with a little family sign I painted for our home. Someone saw it, liked it, and wanted a couple for wedding presents. These I traded for a cookout, which due to our busy schedule that summer we never cashed in. (Is is too late, Lins?)

Later, to keep my mind and hands busy during Micah's surgery, I sketched Micah's and Seth's sweet friend Em. She loves fairies. Her Nana, my dear friend, surprised me with something pretty I'll treasure forever.

This spring, my good neighbors at K's corner asked for a sign for their farm, and in return, spoiled our family with some of the things listed on their shiny, new sign.

Isn't this the way things used to be long ago? Trading talents, swapping needs for needs (or wants for wants) don't necessarily have to be a thing of the past; or is that what Craig's List is all about? I have to admit, I'm liking this swapping thing. Maybe I'll have to give the List a try! :)

To Zap or Not to Zap

2011-05-16T11:56:00.003-05:00

Here they come! Rough and Tumble. That's what we should have named the Duo of Destruction. Since they learned there was a whole new world outside Greene Acres last fall, we've been searching for a solution to their wandering ways. Not that it would have been so bad for them to travel the world, but it was the few neighbors we have for them to annoy and the conditions they ended up in that required a tighter reign so to speak. Let me tell you, the train with treats method was not working. Pure and utter reckless abandon to cruise the hood was a much better treat than any ol' Milkbone!

First we tried letting them out one at a time. Maybe they wouldn't be so brave to truck around without backup. Not so. Little by little, the yard began filling up with cans, bones, and other oddities. Uh oh. Somebody's garbage. Bella has a stomach like a steel trap, but Thea... well, after quite a few three am cleanups on aisle one... you can imagine. Soon our famous up north weather kicked in. The dogs stayed comfy cozy inside the house except for a few quick outside trips per day. Cold weather would keep them close, wouldn't it? Not for these winter wanderers. One early Sunday morning chasing them down the street in foot deep snow, my still-in-jammies self had certainly had enough. The girls had earned themselves a shiny new cable. We staked it to the ground within reach of the woods and the porch. This is how we kept potty breaks for the rest of the winter and early spring.

The lure of the great outdoors was just too much. Once a wanderer, always a wanderer for these pups. Daily, they wrapped around trees and had to be untangled. Occasionally, a brown blur of fur would streak past our window, broken leash trailing behind like a flag in the breeze! We looked off and on at different devices: some in-ground wire, some hand held training device, and some radio collar. All were pricey, especially compared to just a plain tether. However, the price of replacing broken cables was adding up too. I felt badly about the "static reminder" crossing the border would give the dogs. Who are we kidding? It is a zap. In fact, with "run through protection" (meaning a dog could not just decided to run through and take a jolt for the pure joy of tearing up country on the other side) the dogs would keep getting the reminder until they got back where they belonged. We put it off, until Bella made up our minds for us. While we were away, she wrapped herself tightly around a tree and hurt her leg and hind end. It wasn't bad, but was enough for us to make up our minds. A few weeks later we invested in the radio collar.

For two bull-headed puppies, they got the idea of a boundary on the very first day, and have been happily hounding the grounds ever since. So, we hope for no more midnight messes, no more tangled tushies, no more trash in the... Bella runs up with, what is that... a stick? Nope. It is a chewed to bits paint brush. Across the yard is some twisted lump that used to be an ice cream bucket. Where are they getting this stuff? And what on earth happened to the woodpile? BELLA! THEA! There they go!

Found Tucked in the Bottom of My Old Dresser Drawer

2011-05-13T12:38:00.006-05:00

What is this? Folded up, one page ripped.
"Dear Rachie,
I am not sure what to say. It's common for people to say,'I understand what you are going through!' I kinda understand, but it is from the viewpoint of a sister. "
It's coming back to me. Micah was so tiny. Four months, maybe? The doctor told us his head was not growing at a proper rate. She also said he was "behind". We thought that doctor was nuts at first, but as time went on, we came to see what she saw.
"I don't know the pain and sorrow of being the parent of a child with limitations. My parents do, and I can imagine that pain. I can say this: Joey was an extremely handicapped little boy. His limitations were very severe."
I remember this too. I babysat Joey a few times when my cousins couldn't keep an eye on their brother. He was about as big as me, but sweet as can be. And rambunctious!
"I know what it is like to live with him, watch as people tease, (William and I almost killed a couple other kids at the park once) to see the frustration in Joey's eyes when he wanted or needed something but could not communicate. I know what that pain feels like. I also know the joy of watching him laugh. Joey was such a blessing and I guess I never realized how much till later. We never made fun of Joey. We would laugh at his antics. You almost wonder if he was purposely trying to entertain us."
He was.
"We still laugh, not because he is handicap, but because he is our brother and we enjoy him for who he is. I never thought, 'Why isn't he normal?' because to us, Joey was Joey and that was his 'normal'. I have wondered what it would have been like for Joey had he been 'normal', but never, 'Why not?' The teasing was not very often. More often we saw concern in people's eyes. Some would question about him. It is only natural. It was nice to have people show concern. It is a major way to be a witness."
I can identify with this.
"Someone, I think Grandma Harris, told my mom that children are not handicap. They are God's special people. We know that all kids are special in God's eyes, yet children like Joey and Micah are so much more. She also told my mom that God does not trust these children to just anyone. It takes very special parents to raise children with limitations and or handicaps. (although sometimes I wondered about mom and dad) "
Lol. She didn't wonder about her parents. You hafta to know my cousin Sheila. She's just kidding around. All three of those cousins did a lot of that. It is a good way to cope sometimes. "Laughter is the best medicine," right?
"I know this is kinda hard to swallow. Maybe you feel like you or Lucas did something wrong..."
How did she know?
"this is NOT so. First of all, medically speaking, the doctors told mom and dad it had nothing to do with them. In fact, in Down's Syndrome children, there is an extra Y chromosome produced, thus the 'handicap' or there are children who suffer from Cerebral Palsy. They get stuck in the birth canal and they have a limited supply of oxygen."
We had no idea at the time she wrote this letter that Micah had cp.
"Either way you slice it, it is not the parent's fault. It points all fingers to an all-knowing God. Remember the saying, 'God don't make no junk'? Well, if he is all-knowing and all-powerful and perfect, then it stands to reason that he purposely chooses which children will be 'blessed' with limitations and who won't. So, If he chose Micah, then remember this is a blessing in disguise."
Do I believe God singled out Micah, or any special needs child, to bear this burden? Nope. Placenta abruptia did that. Plain and simple. But I get what she is saying.
"God chose Moses with his 'limitations'. And remember, it is we as humans who determine what 'limitations' or 'handicaps' are. To God, nothing is a limitation nor is anything impossible for HIM. God's perfect plan is never wrong nor 'imperfect' and neither are his creations, although there are times we question them. Even the nasty, worthless spider (in my eyes) yet God has a purpose for the little critter."
I have to say, I never considered we might be labeling things as "handicaps" that God did not view as such. Makes me think a little harder. :)
"I love you, Lucas, and the kids so much. It hurts me to ever think of the pain you have endured already. It breaks my heart beyond comprehension. I guess I think too much and try to put myself into someone else's shoes to the point that I really feel their pain. I know that sounds crazy.... I don't even know why I do it. I feel for you and I hurt for you... BUT I know that you have a major blessing that you might not begin to see for a short while. I promise you, though, when Micah laughs or smiles, there is nothing limited or handicap about that. He is not 'slow' in the least bit. He responds to a lot of love and attention... and tickling from all of us. He is not slow in any means. He responds to those around him. I love it! There is nothing that can take that joy away. He is beautiful to me and he is beautifully made by God. I really don't think his situation is severe. He might be 'slow' as the doctors say, but how slow? How long? It may just be a mild case, so continue to have that 'Rachel-rock-hard-faith.' You are such an encouragement to me and a pillar of strength."
Not too sure about that, but I'm coming along.
"I know you may not feel like it right now."
True that.
"Please know this, Rach, God is in control. He can move the mountain if you continue to have faith, or he may decide to leave the perfect mountain in it's perfect place, in spite of your faith. Either way, remain faithful, God is in control, and give Micah the same love, attention, training, and discipline that you do Seth. Treat him as though he has no limitations because he has you and God on his side. I know that God will use him to do great and mighty things.
There is a preacher who visited First Assembly several years ago. His name is David Ring. He was born with cerebral palsy. His brain was starved from oxygen for several minutes during birth. You cannot see anything 'wrong' with him. You notice when he speaks. He has a big speech impediment. He explains his birth, the struggles he still faces, and then he preaches as no other preacher. He is beautiful. His mother would not allow the school to label David as slow. She knew he had some problems, but she treated him like any other child. She made waves when necessary to keep David in school. He ended up graduating high school, then seminary. He knew he wanted to be a preacher. He eventually married and has three or four beautiful children."
I borrowed his book from my cousin. I borrowed the video. Then later, looked him up on the internet. "I have cerebral palsy," he is famous for saying. What's your problem?" Gotta love that guy's attitude.
"So, like I said, God is in control. Micah will be used of God. Continue to love him as before, train him in the ways as our awesome God, and you will see the blessings pour down from heaven.
Okay, I have to end this for now. I am starting to puddle up a little."
Me too.
"Can't break down in front of my class just yet. I'll save it for home. Rachel, I love you. I hope this letter has been an encouragement to you. I don't want to bring you any pain."
It does encourage, even all these years later. She didn't bring any pain. By the creases in this paper I can tell I read and re-read it at one time in my life. How could I have forgotten about it? The things written in here are so very personal, but with her permission, I'd like to share it.
"I just want you to know that I care and that God cares even more. When you feel the need or want, please call me or come to my class to talk. I don't know that I'll have a lot of advice, but I sure do have a whole lot of love to give ya.
PS. Bring my baby to school for a little while Friday. I'll teach him to play Sega Dreamcast so he can beat all of my boys."
She had to have been the most fun teacher in that school.

"LUV SHEILA"
Yep. I do.

The Best Tree You Can Be

2011-05-04T19:24:00.006-05:00

"Soooooo what play are you guys doing this year?" I ask as Seth settles into the back seat. His charter school puts on an annual spring play, but the subject is kept secret until January.

"Oh, Snow White." He replies.

Yay! That means they'll use the castle background from the Emperor's New Clothes, (last year's play) meaning I'll only be painting up one bed sheet this year.

"Aaaaaaand?" He roots around for leftovers in his lunch box. "What's your part?"

"I get to be the tree," He munches on some cheese.

Huh. Why would they need to use a kid for a tree? There are plenty of fake ones up on the stage already. I press for further information. "Okaaaaay, so what does this tree do?

"Well, he sort of echoes everybody and then the evil queen falls from his branch," Seth pops the straw into a Yoohoo and chugs it down. I'm still sitting in the same spot in the parking lot.

"Give me and example." I'm already running possible costume ideas through my mind. All I can think of is a great, big, green, afro wig. Could that work for leaves? This is not good.

"Who, who, who... Cliff, cliff, cliff," he says in true echo fashion: louder, then fading away.

The engine is running and we need to head to group violin. The subject is dropped, but I'm still mulling over possible outfits. Seth chomps on a carrot stick. What does this boy eat at lunch?

The next few months are packed with life's usual busyness, and before we know it play night has arrived. The kids rush around in costumes. I rush through paintings faces. Ms. Crystal rushes from place to place trying desperately to keep things on schedule. Parents rush to grab the prime picture-taking spots. A few other mini programs, then... lights, camera, action! Our little tree is cute with his overturned-basket-covered-in-branches-from-the-backyard hat! Our little tree gets a few laughs. Then a few more. Our little tree grins at his family from the stage: the very best tree in the enchanted forest. And his family is proud.

Good Friday

2011-04-22T19:16:00.005-05:00

"Mom ! We need to leave in 30 minutes to make it to Sunday school!" Wha? My bleary eyes shoot to the clock. Grrr. Why am I always the one to get the ball rolling? Rush rush. Feed toast. Throw on clothes. Grump at husband. Scurry stomp. Strap in wheelchair. Silent ride. Wave the palm branch. I sing songs from an empty heart.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That he would give his only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

It has been a day. Can't shake this funk. Kid forgot chores. Grit teeth. Raise voice. Skip exercise. Skip devotions. Feel worse. I apologize without feeling it.

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns his face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one
bring many sons to glory

Two days later. Falsely accused. Can't let it go. "Others" are jerks. Nose in the air. It is hard to forgive, so I just lie to myself and pretend I do.

Behold the man upon the cross
My guilt upon his shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

Three days later. Still mad with no good reason. Don't want to hug. Don't' want to smile. Just push through the day. I skip bedtime stories with the boys in favor of mindless TV watching.

It was my sin that held him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

Four days later. Fake grin. I gloss over crabbiness like icing on a fallen cake. Talk like I'm good, forgiving, just, fair, while thinking the opposite of those I've chosen not to like. I realize this, ask forgiveness, and promptly do it again. And again.

I will not boast in anything
No gift no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Good Friday. I know I need to get my act together. Seth and I watch the Passion of the Christ. Horrified. Why is this called Good Friday? What was so good about it for Jesus? Indignant. "Those people". Well, if I were there, why I woulda... I woulda... wait. Think over this week. I would lie. I would be filled with pride. I would be a hypocrite. I would be unforgiving and ungrateful. This looks real. The torture and death he experienced: I realize that punishment he took was mine. It may be a movie, but it doesn't feel like it. He is looking right at me. Things are set right. Rivers of tears. True repentance. My burden is lifted at Calvary and I will have a happier family next week for it.

Why should I gain from his reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Song lyrics written by Stuart Townend

Revisiting the Yellow Butterfly

2011-04-07T09:50:00.008-05:00

I first mentioned the yellow butterfly the day before Micah's seventh birthday in this post: This time of year is always one of mixed emotions. Tomorrow we celebrate the miracle of Micah's birth and the goodness of God. Each year there is a pause, though, a day or two before, when I think of the yellow butterfly. There were only five weeks left. We were excited as the day of the twins' births grew closer. (I was actually more relieved we were in the final stretch as I felt like any day, my tummy would pop!) We had a slew of tiny, matching outfits and friends at church were taking "bets" as to whether the babies would really be two boys or not. One particularly uncomfortable evening, Lucas and I were picking out baby names when it became apparent that it was time to go! With a quick smooch to Seth and Marmie, we were on our way to the hospital. What a flurry of activity went on as Lucas wheeled me through the door, nurses jogging on either side as we rushed to our room and settled in for some measured breathing. Excitement gave way to concern and prayer as the nurse strapping on the heart monitor nervously set out for another nurse, then that nurse searching for another after her unsuccessful try to find one of the baby's heartbeats. The doctor arrived and soon all was a blur. Emergency surgery...one heartbeat gone...count backwards.... I woke alone in a room feeling horribly sad. The nurse asked why I was crying and I couldn't give an answer. Then the doctor, Lucas, and Dad were there. One baby was gone. The other, terribly critical. Everything seemed unreal and in slow motion. In the recovery room, they tried to prepare me for Jesse. "He had a little trauma on his face," they said, "but we dressed him in the clothes you brought." The nurse handed me a tiny bundle lovingly wrapped in a soft, flannel blanket. We looked down at his button nose and bitty fingers so long for such a little one and felt perfect peace. We knew this was just his fragile shell. Our boy was being welcomed into the arms of Jesus. Though we mourned for our loss, it was with the comforting knowledge that we would see him again. Micah would have to be transferred immediately to the Children's Hospital of Milwaukee. They wheeled in his incubator, I was able to touch his leg for a moment, and they hurried away, Lucas following so our son would not be alone. As the door closed, I caught a quick flash of yellow on the door, but was too tired to investigate. The next day, a nurse came in to check on me and I saw it: a yellow card with a butterfly stamped on it, taped to my door. None of the other doors had it. Just mine. Then it hit me. It meant I was different. I had no baby in my room. And the peace faltered. That day brought very welcomed calls and visits from friends and family, but every time the door was opened, I saw it... and began to hate it. When I was in the room alone I railed against it in my mind. At prayer later that night, the Lord spoke to my heart. Was I upset with a yellow butterfly on the door, or with him? "My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Is.55:9) "But they are babies, Lord." "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made :Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." (Ps. 138:14) But how come you didn't protect us from this? How can we bear it? "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all of our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (II Cor.1:3-4) I'd like to say that I left that room the next day, transformed, like a butterfly, but that was a slow journey, and still in progress. In the rush to be with Micah, though, I paused, then took the yellow butterfly from the door. On Sunday we will celebrate the blessing of Micah Moochie's tenth birthday. Saturday, however, is Yellow Butterfly Day. Inside Jesse's mini, keepsake chest nestles a cupcake-sized knit cap, a baby blanket, and a tiny, precious footprint. It will be a time to remember a baby brother in heaven and answer any questions the boys may have as best we can. Then, underneath a few pictures and cards at the bottom of the box, rests the yellow butterfly just for mom.

Happy Birthday, Marmie!

2011-04-03T18:50:00.003-05:00

It all started with the 1994 movie version of Little Women. Marmee was loved. Marmee was cherished. Marmee was adored. All four March girls hung on to her every word and rushed to smother her in affection any time she came home from being far away. Marmee fought for her children when they had been disciplined too harshly at school. Marmee's girls never grew too old for her to cuddle, and she always offered the best advice at just the right times. "Marmee" became a symbol of unconditional love, a safe harbor, a source of wisdom. I so related to the feeling these girls had for their mother, that I soon adopted the name for you. And you have stayed "Marmie" ever since. Of course, I'd never seen it written so you ended up with a custom spelling job!
When you are not at the center of every happy childhood memory I own, it is because you were still there, in the background, helping that memory become what it is. I have watched you give when you didn't have much to begin with. I've seen you love when you could have used a lot more love yourself. And I've admired you as you held your head up high in circumstances where I would have crumbled. How proud I am to be called your daughter. I so, so love you, Marmie, and I wish you the very happiest birthday ever!

Now, Everybody Promenaaaaaade!

2011-04-02T17:06:00.005-05:00

Violin? Check
Plaid shirts? Check
Cowboy boots? Um... no. There's still plenty of snow left on the ground up here in these northwoods. Do snow boots count?
Seth is a bit nervous. I can't say I blame him. He has had recitals in the past, but this is no recital. A dance floor awaits. For the past few years, Seth has been blessed to be involved in a non-profit organization that brings stringed instrument instruction to children of the northwoods and local Native American reservation. Tonight it is time to give back. Parents are bringing goodies to sell, items to auction, and children to fiddle the evening away. There will be foot-stompin', hand-clappin' fun to be had by everyone. I wouldn't be at all suprised if somebody even broke out the spoons and a washboard to play. There will be at least one set of wheels out there too. All the easier to spin my partner round and round! Micah is wiggle-out-of-his-chair excited about this one! His excitement is catchy. I hear Seth and Isaiah giggling it up as they get ready to head out the door. We'd better get going. Grab your partner; it's time for a shindig!

Long Distance Inspiration

2011-03-25T14:17:00.020-05:00

Thup thup thup. The steady beat of her feet on the boardwalk blend with calling gulls and lapping waves in their own early morning harmony. The running girl doesn't need any better music than this. Her earbuds died out on her some time ago and she just never felt the need to replace them. Besides, she gets some of her very best ideas during these 8am runs. And, she grins, some of her most harebrained. Hey, everything seems like a good idea once the endorphins start kicking in! An image of a juicy burger with the works and pile of hot, crispy fries pops into her head. Mmmm. There was a time when she'd feel guilty just thinking about them, but not any more. Two years into the racing scene, she is the most fit she's ever been in her life. She might just go out with the family tonight and indulge. In fact, if you were to ask her why she got started in racing, she'd honestly tell you she "runs to eat!"
Today she is using the bridges for hill work and her muscles protest. Her mind reaches for those things that keep her motivated. It all began when her little brother asked her to run a race with him. She had only four months to go from "couch" to a half marathon! Now, averaging two races a month in Florida's cooler season, her times are getting better and better. Soon she will be taking first place. That works! Pushing through the pain, she flies over the next bridge with ease. Her high school swimming career gifted her with a great set of lungs. They could let her go on forever, but she shouldn't overdo it. A quick glance at the Swatch watch tells her it's already time to head home.
AJ and Ash-man are chillin' on the couch in jammies, catching some Saturday morning cartoons with Daddy. Adam gives Amy a grin and a wink. He's waiting for his turn to jog out. He's proud of her. Seeing her enjoyment plus great results has inspired him and his eldest son to slip on the running shoes as well. It has also caught the attention of someone else...
Leave behind the beaches and palm trees for a moment. Travel waaaaaay up north to a place where it snows a foot and a half at the end of March. Sitting at the computer, I read that my in-laws are training for another race. I admire their dedication. Whenever I see their racing pictures it brings to mind Hebrews 12:1, "And seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doeth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." This long distance inspiration is the only reason why the words "three miles" is written here and there on my calender. Once for each time I've completed them. Right now it is sporadic, but some day it'll be up there everyday. That works! I turn off the computer and slip on my running shoes!

Granting Micah's Wish

2011-03-05T14:33:00.009-06:00

Seven surgeries in just nine years: this is typical for a child with spastic Cerebral Palsy. Two surgeries were for the eyes, two were for the hips, one was to remove hardware from a previous surgery, one was to implant a baclofen pump, and one to release leg muscles. Micah will have his eighth surgery this summer to remove hardware once again. Spastic CP often requires the need for physical, occupational, and speech therapies, Botox/ Phenol injections, a library of medicines, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, nutritionists, and many other specialists . Then there is the plethora of equipment: adductor pillows, knee immobilizers, standers, walkers, bath chairs, potty seats with straps, and wheelchairs to name a few. Beyond these, everything else needs to be adapted just so a little one with CP may join in everyday activities: bikes, sleds, swings, cups, silverware, vehicles and more. None of these things bring healing.
Last year I heard a radio broadcast from a woman who had become involved in aid to third world orphanages. The conditions of the special needs children she described were heartbreaking. Anyone listening would have felt like hopping on the first plane over and rescuing a child in need. I know I felt that way. Also, since that broadcast, a great appreciation for the availability in our country of these things where Micah is concerned has been ever present in my mind. It didn't keep me from stumbling over disappointment, though, when we finally received a response to Micah's Make-A- Wish application. "It was concluded that at this time, your child's medical diagnosis does not meet the qualifications for the Make-A-Wish program." They then assured us that if Micah's condition ever changed, he was welcome to reapply. I was confused and maybe a bit hurt, truth be told. On one hand, it was a relief to hear they didn't think Micah qualified; on the other hand, I certainly didn't agree with the decision. "After all he's been through?" I grumped. So I wrote an e-mail to the director and placed a call to his doctor to better understand the mechanics of it all. This is what I learned.
It is a myth that Make-A-Wish only approves the applications of terminally ill children, however, a child's condition must meet one of three criteria: progressive (gets worse and worse), degenerative (breaks down over time), or malignant (life threatening). Despite the fact that Cerebral Palsy is currently incurable and can possibly shorten a lifespan due to complications arising from symptoms, etc. it is not recognized as a life threatening condition. Additionally, CP does not meet the criteria of a degenerative or progressive condition since brain damage resulting in a diagnosis of CP does not worsen or break down over time. Symptoms related to the condition of CP may worsen either with or without proper care, but that is not considered to be the same thing.
Micah is no worse for the wear. With strategic planning and a little codling of the family budget, Daddy and Mommy will eventually grant his "Nickey Nouse" wish. Thank God he does not struggle with life threatening symptoms at this time. Our hearts go out to those families and children who do, and we hope all of their Make-A-Wishes come true!

Confessions of a Caregiving Momma

2011-03-03T23:09:00.004-06:00

It is hard to believe that next month our sweet pea with CP will be ten years old. That being said, I cannot break myself from the very bad habit of baby talking to Micah. "Oh, Mommy's baby sunshine! Is oo weddy to git up? Huh? Is oo? What oo want?"
I'm certain Micah is thinking, "Poor Mom. I'll speak slowly so she'll understand."
How amazing it is that such a tiny finger can have two adults so firmly wrapped around it. We often find ourselves chugging by the McDonald's drive through for a dollar fry rather than hear Micah wail all the way home after spying the golden arches out of the window. We tell ourselves we are doing the elderly people on our road a favor. They'd think he was an ambulance coming through!
Seth could be called a caregiver. Occasionally he is the respite care, and by occasionally I mean a lot. He helps to keep Micah upright on the couch, or helps him choose a cd or dvd from his "movie book." He assists in feeding Micah from time to time, and fends off over zealous puppies. For this reason I sometimes feel guilty for giving Seth household chores. Only sometimes. "Now please toss this diaper out. Nope. Not in the kitchen. It's loaded. A bomb, really. Better chuck it in the garbage can on the porch. In below zero weather. That's Mom's number one helper..." We will soon be wearing green for Saint Seth's Day too.
I have come to the age where sleep is tangibly delicious. On those really tiresome evening, I read quickly and skip pages. Shhh. The Pokey Little Puppy never tumble bumbled down the other side of the hill so fast!
Lucas and I still spell things and speak in code around the kids. We do this to avoid the dreaded pouty-lip/accusing eyes/ambulance wail of the littlest one when he finds out he's not invited. I'm afraid time is running out for that trick. The other day Micah plainly asked to "go to the s-t-o-r-e!"
There are many more confessions to be told, but it's late, I'm tired, and want to enjoy every morsel of sweet, sweet sleep! Until next time, g'night!

Introduction to Micah's iPad

2011-01-29T12:27:00.008-06:00

We were blessed to get Micah an iPad in December with the help of a county program. The goal is for Micah to learn to use it as a speech augmentation device, but there are so many other applications for him.
Since he is physically unable to write, educational applications provide a way for him to choose an answer using a simple touch. This can be documented and will demonstrate not only what he knows, but areas in which he needs help.
He may not be able to take a cd, put it into a player, close the top, and press play, but with the iPad, he can touch his music app, play, and change music. This has been one of the easiest things for him to navigate so far and he loves it. There are also many instrument applications, allowing him to choose and "play" the piano, violin, drums, and guitar.
Since he is unable to take a book from a shelf and turn the pages on his own, we have downloaded book apps which allow him to choose a book and turn pages with the touch of a finger. So far, since he is left handed, he often turns the pages backward! We're trying to teach him to reach across midline and touch the right corner. He is very proud of himself when he accomplishes this! Some books come with cool extras like coloring pages, puzzles, games, and music, all done by touch, of course. Because of these extras in his Toy Story Three book, he and Seth have been bellowing, "Hay Un Amigo En Mi," the Spanish version of the song, "You've Got a Friend in Me" heard at the end of the movie.
Micah loves looking at pictures just like his mama does. It gets him talking about the people he sees in them, which is good for speech therapy. Use those words, Micah Mooch!
This iPad can access the internet too, making it irresistible to the rest of the family when Micah goes to bed!
It is going to take some time to improve Micah's dexterity so that he will be able to use the iPad on his own. There are a few drawbacks we're trying to fix, like the stand swiveling away from him when he applies too much pressure, or the choices he makes not registering because he has touched too many at once. He already loves the iPad, though. He knows it is his and asks to take it everywhere. Someday he will. We are saving up for an application called Proloquo to Go. Once he learns to navigate it well, he will be able to use it to talk to and be understood by those who don't know Micah Speak.
Get ready, World, Micah has got somethin' to say!

Ice and Angels

2011-01-14T11:16:00.012-06:00

"Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!" Ever heard that one? As a teen, I really should have had that quote stuck to my dashboard. Instead, I had a little picture of Jesus taped there. Seriously. I took a lot of chances and it was a way of trying to keep my driving in check. It worked... sometimes.

Lucas, since I have known him, has always been steady and sure in everything, including his driving. Needless to say, when he called to tell me the truck had rolled, I knew he wasn't kidding. By the time the kids and I arrived on the scene, the Chevy had been towed away. Our empty trailer that had been hooked to the truck sat crooked and forlorn on the side of the road. Lucas's neck was sore, so we had the hospital check it out. He looked no worse for the wear, but as we sat there, he spit out a few gravel sized pieces of glass! After a cat scan and x-ray, everything looked good, and we headed happily home. They told him not to worry. If he'd inadvertently snacked on the windshield, it would, well, eventually pass.

The next day, Lucas and I went to the towing place to collect our personal effects from the vehicle. I have to admit, I was shocked Lucas had not been injured. Windows were broken, a bumper hung crazily, side view mirrors hung by wires, doors were either stuck shut or opened with herculean effort, and to top it all off, the roof caved in the middle to where the rear view mirror touched the dashboard! Poor Lucas, peppered with questions by an anxious wife, patiently answered each one.

"What Happened?" Lucas was returning home from what he hoped was his last time hauling construction waste from Greene Acres to the dump/recycling center. Driving home on a road notoriously known for accidents, he hit a slushy patch with ice underneath. The trailer did a little dance, and the truck, good partner that it was, decided to join in. Lucas doesn't like to dance. The truck proceeded to Dukes of Hazard off a snowbank, and rolled completely over in the ditch. The trailer had enough of that, and tried to let go, but was still connected by way of safety chains.

"What was going through your mind?" Practical man that he is, Lucas said his first thought was, "I hope I don't hit a tree!"

Then, after crawling out the window of a truck laying sideways, he thought, "Man, I hope somebody comes along soon. My wife has the cell phone."

Somebody did. An "angel" in a pickup stopped, let Lucas use his phone, and chatted it up while encouraging Lucas to sit in the cab to keep warm until I got there. A sheriff on the scene took one look at the road and decided he knew just exactly how this accident happened. Shortly thereafter the road was plowed and salted again.

What do I think? I think God knows we need Lucas. He is the rock of our family and the best part of me. I think Lucas, Seth, Micah, and I are a lot more thankful for God's protection. AND I think there is one husband who is going to get some much needed spoiling for a long, long time!

Aunt Barb, You Won the Apricots!

2011-01-14T10:36:00.004-06:00

Seth brought the Darth Vader Helmet (his choice of hat) to Micah on Christmas afternoon. Micah drew from the names and accidentally picked out two. Either that or he was in it for all he could grab! We emptied the helmet of all but those two, and this time Micah drew out Aunt Barb's name. Hmmm. Another Auntie. I promise no names were visible, so God must know our aunts need candles. (or a pick-me-up)

So, Aunt Barb, I hope to have your small-oasis-of-summer-in-the-middle-of-winter mailed to you by the end of this month.

I'd like to thank Aunt Barb, Molly, Marti, Tiffany, Lynessa, Tammy, Jolene, Aunt Kay, Aunt Ruby, and Dustin for helping Micah out with his occupational therapy during Christmas break. He even had a little fun with your name tags after the game was over. Also, what have we learned in these giveaway ventures so far? Odds are in favor of aunts!

Brandied Apricots, Anyone?

2010-12-14T18:33:00.005-06:00

Don't you just love the smell of apricots? I know I do. Their fresh, summer scent brings a little warmth to this below zero weather! There are two delicious smelling PartyLite candles here waiting for a home. They are even shaped like apricots. This is what we'll do. If you share one of your favorite Christmas memories in the form of a comment here or on facebook, I'll drop your name in a hat. Little by little, the names will fill it up. On Christmas day, Micah will get some good exercise by reaching in, and picking out one of those names. That special person will become the new owner of a small piece of summer in the middle of winter. And if you don't happen to win, don't worry. You can order some yummy scents from my sweet, hard working cousin, Kari Millican at www.partylite.biz/karimillican Not only that, but you will have encouraged Micah to have extra occupational therapy time during Christmas Break.

Have a very, Merry Christmas and good luck!

God With Us

2010-12-13T21:59:00.003-06:00

Red, orange, green, and blue stars twinkle in the corner of our living room. Below them is a weather beaten shed with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, arms outstretched, in his manger. Mary takes Jesus out and snuggles with him. He's just way too cold, as his swaddling clothes don't quite fit. Joseph wraps his jacket around the three of them and the animals scoot in closer for a peek. From somewhere, a shepherd produces a flute and begins to play. Mary's eyes droop and Joseph yawns. Baby Jesus is fast asleep. The wise men are in route a little ways away from the stable. It is going to take them a couple years to figure out just where he is. Western Barbie and a handful of my brother's GI Joes are dying for a visit too, along with Barbie's cat. They don't dare. Not that I've exactly been TOLD not to play with it, but there is just an unspoken knowledge that the manger scene is for looks only. So Barbie doesn't ask Mary to hold the baby, and the Joes don't offer protective services from King Herod, even though they'd sure like too. Instead, they whisper amongst themselves, before getting stuffed haphazardly under a couch cushion. The stars are just tree lights. Jesus is back in the manger while Joseph and Mary look on at a distance. Here comes Marmie to tuck me in. I have the Christmas time honor of sleeping on the couch: my favorite goodnight spot this time of year. I'll keep this spot during this season until I'm grown and out of the house. (Minus the Barbie!)

The years pass by like blowing pages. Lucas, Seth, Micah, and I watch via computer as Mr. Bean rescues baby Jesus from a dinosaur and the Daleks, then puts the family up in a Barbie house for the night. I laugh. Hard. Lucas, Seth, and Micah think I'm nuts. Well, maybe just a little, but I know what Mr. Bean feels like.

Back to reality, I think about the way things truly were: a poor couple just starting out, a baby who was Emmanuel, "God with us." He didn't need the rescuing. He came to be the rescuer.

Now all is quiet in the house. Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus snuggle in the stable on our mantle, while red, orange, green, and blue stars twinkle in the corner of our living room.

Aunt Kay, You Won!

2010-11-26T11:38:00.003-06:00

It was a hard job, but somebody had to do it. Okay, for you and me it would not have been a big deal. For him it was, but we'll get back to that.
It started with my sis taking a trip to visit family. A baby had been born a few months ago, and Leah was heading down to give that baby enough smooches to make up for the fact that us up north folk haven't seen her yet. Baby's mommy, among the many other jobs she has, is a PartyLite consultant. She has been for twelve years and is very good at what she does. Sometimes she shares! Needless to say, Leah came back with a little bag of goodies for Greene Acres.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the idea for an impromptu giveaway popped up. Aunt Kay won! How convenient. Aunt Kay just happened to be up for the holiday! Let me tell you, she deserved it. With help from her and Uncle Bob, the chairs and tables were cleaned and set up, the taters were peeled and cooked, and the stuffing was, well, stuffed. They even helped serve it all up.
Today, Micah got to be the big man in charge. We used the good ol', tried and true, names-in-the- hat routine. He enjoyed the challenge. As I watched him try again and again to grasp one of the folded pieces of paper, I couldn't help but admire his tenacity. I think I'd have said, "Forget it!" He grinned in triumph as he finally pulled out a name: Aunt Kay. I told Micah he did a great job, and, as any good mother would do, tossed it back in for him to try again. Hey, I had to be sure of our winner, plus it was good exercise for Micah. Wouldn't you know he drew her name again. I guess you were meant to win, Aunt Kay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T12:31:00.002-06:00

There is so much for our family to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: faith, family, friends, a home in which to enjoy one another, and food, of course Tell me what you are thankful for here on the blog or on FB, and I'll host a drawing for you to be entered to win six of Kari Millican's coconut, milk chocolate, votive candles from PartyLite. Happy Thanksgiving!
http://www.partylite.biz/sites/karimillican

R.I.P. , Tigger

2010-11-19T11:58:00.009-06:00

There was a day when we thought we were so accomplished. The puppies were so good weren't they? We followed all of the doggy training rules, didn't we? Just look how quickly they learned to potty outside. Did they chew the furniture? No. Did they stay in the yard? Pretty much. Never mind that it had taken a few months to get to this point. The dog whisperer had nothing on us. Or so we thought.

Once a neighborhood dog came for some unannounced visits several days in a row, Bella and Thea (hereafter referred to as Duo of Destruction) discovered they could do the same. They wandered further and further, staying out longer and longer, eventually outright refusing to come when we called. Could this be the teen phase in doggy training? Okay. Leashes it is... 'till they learned to chew through them. Hmmm. That's not all they learned to chew. While shoes on the rug were generally safe, anything off rug was fair game. Seth's (NEW) floppy left shoe is proof. So is the rug no longer padding their kennel. Did I see teeth marks on the corner of the coffee table? Oh no they didn't. (Oh YES they did!) Nothing on the porch is safe either, as the dismembered decorational scarecrow could tell you. That is if he had a mouth left. Or a head.

Then there is Tigger, Poor, poor Tigger. Once a comfort for two tiny pups, nervous in their new home, he was loved, cherished, cuddled, adored. The loving and cherishing got a little bit more violent as time went on, until that fateful afternoon we followed a curious trail of orange fuzz-n-cotton to what was left of him.

Time to get back on top of things in this puppy training game. Got some good tips? Please leave 'em. We're trying everything to get the Duo of Destruction back to just Thea and Bella. Until then, rest in pieces, Tigger, rest in pieces.

A Letter to Home

2010-11-11T18:05:00.005-06:00

Faded black and whites from years ago and a yellowed envelope waited patiently on the table as Great Aunt Katie talked with Seth, Micah, and I about the old days. She asked Seth if he knew what day today was.

"Um, Labor Day?" He guessed.

She cleared her throat in a disapproving harrumph. I squirmed. This year we hadn't chosen a soldier to honor as we have in the past and he had his holidays crossed.

So she told the story of her husband, Fred. As she spoke of when they met and how they lived, my mind drifted back to when I was his age hearing these same stories. Then I thought of the Uncle Fred I knew. He didn't talk much. Aunt Katie did that for him! But he gave great big "bear hugs" and could sit contentedly just being with a person. I remembered his farm and his kittens in the hay loft. I remember he was proud when I played all day up there without complaint while he worked. Hey, there were kittens. I could have stayed up there all week!

The crackle of paper brought me back to the sound of Aunt Katie's voice. She said she had a letter Uncle Fred had written from overseas. The front was labeled War and Navy Department

V-mail Service March 30, 1944, and this is what it said:

Dear Grandpa,

Just a few lines to let you know how sorry I am about Grandma passing away. I know what a shock that must have been for you. I guess we all have to go someday and it must have been her time. It will never be the same with her gone. That is the first death in our family so far, isn't it. We've been lucky.

Well, take good care of yourself and don't try to outwork the young men like you always try to do. Write when you can and give all the folks my regards.

Loads of Love From Your Grandson,

Fred

I tried to imagine Great Uncle Fred as a young man far, far away from the farm and all that was familiar. Aunt Katie said he never liked to speak about the war. Ever. That brought to mind all of the family members and friends who either have been, or are going overseas again. Thank you is all I can say. Thank you from the deepest part of our hearts. May God bless you, and keep you, and make his face shine upon you, and give you peace this Veteran's Day.

In His Hands

2010-10-20T19:00:00.006-05:00

Today I did what I thought I'd never do. Maybe I hadn't before because doctors can sometimes be wrong. It could be that I was afraid it would be very bad news that our family just wouldn't want to know. I was lily-livered, chicken, a big baby. But not today.

Strangely enough, it was the Make a Wish Foundation that gave me the push. Not that I hadn't wondered (feared, worried, stressed about it) before. How exciting it was when they called and asked for Micah's information and asked what he'd like. We went online to get ideas. Of course, for Micah, it was an easy choice: "Nicky Nouse's house." The sweet lady on the other end of the line then said they'd call Micah's doctor and be in touch around a month or so. Yay!

I couldn't help wanting to find out more about the program after that. A couple words at the website home page stood out from the rest, "life threatening medical conditions." Hmm. I guess I always thought that this was for children with cancer, aids, or anything equally terrifying. I looked up testimonials. Had any child with cp ever been granted a wish? Yes. Why would that be? I didn't really want to know. Then I did. Then I didn't.

Alright already. Today I typed it in the search engine before losing my nerve: "life expectancy cerebral palsy." There were plenty of entries to choose from. Once started, I couldn't stop hopping from one site to another. Got a bit dizzy till I realized I'd been holding my breath, like something unpleasant was going to pop out at any moment. It did. Most studies seemed to agree that physical abilities like walking, rolling over, sitting, and feeding one's self increased an otherwise low expectancy. Whoa. If I ever wavered in motivation to work with Micah before, I surely have it now.

We are truly blessed. Micah loves to feed himself. He needs help getting food on the fork, but doesn't need any help getting it where it needs to go! You should have seen him chow down the french toast Big Brother made for him on Monday. He can't walk, but before surgery, could stand with help. We are currently working with a physical therapist on getting him back up to snuff on that one as well as many other things. With the help of the hip placement, he is sitting unaided for about five minutes! He also has just begun rolling over again, mostly when trying to get something Mama has placed out of reach.

There is a reason this news didn't shake me as much as I thought it might. My heart has the assurance that God knows when our book is written, and when it should be done. Playing softly in the background of our lives is a steady theme song: "O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me. Though knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art aquainted with all my ways..."

The song gets better as it goes along. You can find the full version in Psalm139:1-18

or just listen closely, and I hope you'll hear it.

A Change of Seasons

2010-10-01T14:15:00.002-05:00

With every breath of wind, a kaleidoscope of color swirls gently to the ground. This is my very favorite time of year with some of God's most beautiful artwork on display. The trees are getting ready for a change of seasons. They know their branches could not take the weight of the coming winter wonderland if it were to freeze to every leaf. So they prepare ahead. Little by little, cork cells grow at the base of each stem. The leaves get to relax from their jobs and this is when they really shine. The beauty of their other colors has always been there, but they have been too busy churning out new chlorophyll to show us. Now the old sugar and bright sunlight work their magic to allow the leaves a blaze of glory as they breeze into retirement.

Hmmm. Another gray. I can't help but wish it worked exactly the same way for hair as it does for those leaves. Can you imagine? The older we get, the brighter we look with brilliant reds, golden blonds, and chestnut browns that don't have to come from a bottle? Sigh. No more time for wishing. I hear Micah singing his morning songs and Seth is begging for french toast.

"Easy does it.... it's okay-okay-okay-okay... there." This is our routine cheer for any change of position Micah has to make. It is getting smoother every time and his muscles are tolerating more and more. We can back off a smidge from pain meds, too. What a blessing!

Tummies are full and it has been a few hours. I'm sitting beside him on the couch. "It's alright. I won't let you fall." Ease slooooowly away aaaaaaannnd... He sits, teetering at the edge with his feet on the floor all by himself! I get a little misty eyed at the sight of him sitting tall and proud for the moment, no cast, no wheelchair. Wait. Micah's feet reach the floor? Seth walks over with a question. I notice his pants are flooding a bit. I think I blinked and he grew taller. Maybe next week we can size him up for some new ones.

Two Greene beans, shooting up so quickly. Aw, who cares about the gray? I'm looking forward to this next season of life... and maybe a trip to the salon for some highlights, too!

The Daddy Doll

2010-09-03T00:44:00.005-05:00

Only two weeks left, then off with the cast! We can't wait! I look into Micah's baby blues and he gives me a cheesy grin. How he can keep smiling in that clunky thing still blows me away. Not that he gave off this much sunshine when we were in the hospital. No, Sir! There, he was cloudier than he's ever been before, and with good reason. Lots of owies plus a heavy cast equal major discomfort! I tip him up on his side (no small feat, I can tell ya) and begin the diapering process one handed. This involves four diapers, an absorbent pad, lots of tape and a little luck. See, there's this opening you have to keep from getting wet. Everything must be secured into place with tape that does not stick. Some diapers have to be cut in half and taped together at the ends and "petaled" around the...eh... after which another diaper with pad has to be tucked in and... well, the whole process includes lots of pillows. Pillows under head, under legs, (can't let the heels bear weight or touch the bed for very long. That would mean more owies.) pillows under the bumkins and propping up whatever else needs propping. I've run out of pillows, but the daddy doll is within reach...

Ah, yes. The infamous daddy doll. Aunt Deb, concerned that Micah would be missing his daddy when he had to spend a week in the slammer, (at least it feels that way to him... and Mommy too sometimes, Shhhh.) bought Micah a "Huggee Miss You" doll. Lucas shook his head when I slid his beaming mug shot in the faceless window of the little, blue guy's noggin. "It's gonna scare him," He warned. Not really. Micah loved it, but it did startle a surgeon and one of the cast techs. Heh, heh. Guess that's what they get for bugging my poor, sleepy buddy in the dark, wee morning hours!

I grab Daddy Doll and stuff him under a leg. He's good for more than just huggin'! Better hurry, though. My left arm is tingling under the weight of the cast, and, to tell the truth, I feel a little bad about treating the DD this way. He's been the source of a lot of laughs for us, and a lot of comfort for my sweet boy. Whew! This diapering session is over. I settle Micah on his patchwork of pillows, then remove Daddy Doll and brush away some crumbs. What DD really needs is a bath. I'll have to take the picture out first. Lucas hopes I won't put it back in. Sorry, Lukie! Not a chance! Soon Daddy Doll will be cuddled snugly in the crook of Micah's arm, restored to his place of honor.

Charge Over You

2010-08-22T11:26:00.009-05:00

It is dark outside and she's waking me up. Medicine this early? I'm toooooooo sleeeeeepy. Daddy, Mama, and Sethie get ready for the day. I get to stay in my jammies. Nice! Daddy and Sethie slip out the door while Mama stays with me. She just asks for coffee. I don't get breakfast today. I give Mama my most charming look. "I'm hungry" I tell her. I'm not sure she heard me. She seems distracted.
Rachel and Cat bow their heads to pray. Today is going to be a long day. It's time to start the prayer blanket. I've been here all along, but now step to Micah's side.
Daddy and Sethie are back already? They must have wolfed it! I look hopefully at their hands. Nope. No breakfast plate for me. (sigh) Daddy and Seth aren't paying attention to me either.
Lucas, Seth, Buddy and Pastor Mark ask for safety, steady hands, and quick healing. I smile. My Maker sent a few of us over to the doctors last night. They are refreshed and ready for this day.
Whew! It's whirlwind time. Everybody is rushing around and then we're off to the hospital. Not my favorite place, but I know they have food... Huh. Nobody is giving me any. I have to change into a gown. Bleh. A doctor comes and talks a lot. A nurse. Another doctor. I'm getting nervous. I don't want breakfast anymore.
Judy, Tia, Amy, and Marmie begin their prayers. I pull the blanket up to Micah's chin and rest a hand on each parent. Rachel, Lucas, and Seth are calm. They are comforted by the blanket as well.
Everything seems to be settling down. I have cartoons now, but I don't really want to watch. I know the nurses are trying to distract me. "This isn't our first rodeo," as Mama would say. Daddy is suiting up in the snowman clothes. Heh heh. Oh! We're wheeling away! "Mama! Mama!" Daddy holds my hand. The doctor puts a mask on my face that smells like watermelon. Mmmmmm. I like waterme......zzzzzzzzzz.
Molly, Sal, Don, and Ruth pray. I take in the room. There is a partner for each doctor, each nurse. They have no idea. I rest my hand on Micah's forehead.
The surgeries last longer than expected, but with each one, the blanket stays firmly tucked around this small boy. Carol, Cheryl, and Tammy pray while he gets shots in his muscles. Amanda, Bernice, and Kay pray through the doctor's first incisions. Heather and the entire Boltz family pray through the muscle lengthening. Ah. We've worked with this family before. Tiffany, Laura, Barb, Jim, and Mary pray while doctors and nurses take turns stretching their cramped backs, legs, hands. We still have a long way to go. I glance at my friends. One gives me the thumbs up. It is kind of what you'd say a "joke" between us. We never give a thumbs down, because "all things work together for good to those who love God," even things that may seem like they don't. It is one of the perks we have looking from our Maker's side of the glass.
Lynessa, Ruby, Pastor Jeremy, AJ, Vicki, Alicia and Justin are praying. What a sweet fragrance it is. The room is cool, but nurses swab foreheads. Doctors are intent. Bones are being moved ever so carefully. There are "extra" prayers here. People who didn't sign up, but are praying anyway. It is a heavy blanket, and that is good.
The Lyons family, Keith, and Adam pray. X-rays are taken and it is time to close up the wounds.
Lynessa, Ashley, Buddy, Renee', Heather, Bill, Heidi, Leah, Judy, Andrea, Kathy: some of these people share family ties, others are friends, many don't even know each other, but they finish up the prayer blanket as the technicians, with partners of their own, work on Micah's cast. What a crowded room, if only they could see...
"Mama! Daddy! Sethie!" Anybody! The watermelon smell is gone. Fine. I don't feel so good. Ah. They are here, right by my bed, giving lots of smooches. Those feel nice. And... someone else? I thought I saw something behind Daddy. Gone now. Soooo sleeepy.
No. Not gone. Always here. Just like our Maker. Goodnight, little Micah.

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Ps. 91:11

Micah's Prayer Blanket

2010-07-30T21:04:00.026-05:00

Dear Friends and Family, (and the occasional passers-by)

Here is the schedule for Micah's Prayer Blanket. I'll post the names and times of those who wish to choose a time slot to pray for Micah on August 9th. (you can choose more than one if you want!) Just leave a comment letting us know. Surgery is scheduled to start at 7 am. Micah will be having proximal/femoral osteotomies, pemberton osteotomies, adductor, hamstring, and psoas lengthenings followed by Spica casting. (chest to toe body cast)

6:00-6:15 Rach and Aunt Cat
6:15-6:30 Lucas and Pastor Mark
6:30-6:45 Seth and Buddy H.
6:45-7:00 Judy B.
7:00-7:15 Tia R.
7:15-7:30 Amy H.
7:30-7:45 Marmie
7:45-8:00 Molly D. and Sal
8:00-8:15 Don M. and Ruth V.
8:15-8:30 Don M.
8:30-8:45 Carol W. and Cheryl R.
8:45-9:00 Tammy A.
9:00-9:15 Amanda L.
9:15-9:30 Great Grandma
9:30-9:45 Aunt Kay
9:45-10:00 Kim B.
10:00-10:15 Ray B.
10:15-10:30 Heather M.
10:30-10:45 Jess B.
10:45-11:00 Kevin and Kim B.
11:00-11:15 Justin and Ray B.
11:15-11:30 Ryan B.
11:30-11:45 Rachelle B.
11:45-12:00 Kimberly B.
12:00-12:15 Tiffany R.
12:15-12:30 Laura P. and Aunt Barb
12:30-12:45 Uncle Jim and Buddy H.
12:45-1:00 Mary C.
1:00-1:15 Nessa
1:15-1:30 Aunt Ruby and Pastor Jeremy
1:30-1:45 AJ H.
1:45-2:00 Vicki E.
2:00-2:15 Alicia B.
2:15-2:30 Justin W.
2:30-2:45 PJ L.
2:45-3:00 Greg L.
3:00-3:15 Kaley L. and Keith B.
3:15-3:30 La Vie-en L.
3:30-3:45 Allen L.
3:45-4:00 Nikki L.
4:00-4:15 Adam H.
4:15-4:30 Nessa
4:30-4:45 Ashley L. and Renee' H.
4:45-5:00 Heather M., Carol W., Bill M. and Heidi
5:00-5:15 Heather D. and Sissy
5:15-5:30 Judy B.
5:30-5:45 Andrea M.
5:45-6:00 Kathy T.

As you can see, it is a long blanket. Think we can make it by Aug. 9th? We'll surely try!

Open Invitation

2010-07-30T09:18:00.009-05:00

I remember the day Bernice rescued me. I had been in that stuffy attic for oh, so long. She rubbed the dust away with an apron, her hands much older and care worn than I can recall. "If you want, it's yours. Seth could have it someday," she offered, passing me over to a younger set of hands. "It was your Dad's when he was little." I was sad to leave her, of course. Having belonged to her boy those years ago, I couldn't help feeling somewhat nostalgic, but that was tempered with the fact that I'd soon be played again. How I longed to stretch my strings, tune back up, and let 'er rip! Just like with Rocky. It didn't happen right away, though. This next boy was very little, and his mom was a bit too protective

for my taste. So I waited. At least I was out in the open and a part of the family again. It wasn't long before I was being toted from room to room and strummed with reckless abandon. Seth just loved running around with me, though his mom would occasionally threaten to put me up if he didn't settle down. Hey buddy! Better cool it, We don't want that to happen!

I even moved around with our family a few times, but no matter where we went, it was an open invitation to play. I played with big kids, little kids, and adults alike.

Imagine my surprise when, one day, I looked up into the aging eyes of my very first boy all grown up. His hands were large and calloused but man, could he play now! I was exhausted!

As with all young children's play things, I was "grown out of" yet again, but it didn't take long before I was passed to yet another set of hands. They differ from any I've ever felt before. Hesitant at first, and always gentle, this boy plucks slowly, singing (mostly Christmas songs) and every once in a while he pats me like a drum. It blows me away that Micah is the first boy to actually talk to me. He tells me about his day and where he wants to go. He fills me in on where he has been and who he has seen. He even whispers "Goodnight, Ay-ah." This boy doesn't run around with me, ever. I love the snugly way I'm cradled on his lap with a pillow each time he plays. I must admit I've developed a soft spot for the little guy.

I've been hearing the word "surgery" a lot lately. It seems my buddy is facing some leg work coming up soon. His mom says he'll be having several leg surgeries at 7:00 am on Monday, August 9th. I'm hoping I can go too. She's making him a prayer blanket so he'll be "snuggled in prayer and love" she says. Really, the "blanket" is a schedule for volunteers to sign up for a fifteen minute time slot to pray for him that day starting at 6am and ending at 6pm. Won't you leave her a note here or on Facebook letting her know what time you'll pray for him? She says she'll post your first name and last initial along with the time you pick on this blog. It's an open invitation to pray. Anyone can do it from anywhere, big kids, little kids, and adults alike.

Micah will be in a SPICA cast for five to six weeks after he gets home from the hospital. I sure hope he'll still have room for me on his lap.

So, how about it? Let's see if we can make that blanket before August 9th!

Countrified

2010-07-21T12:23:00.005-05:00

"A day in the country is worth a month in town" is painted on a sign hanging in our neighbor's home. She's right, you know. As I drive "in to town" on errands today, I can't help but chuckle at the fact that I now say the words, "in to town." Living in the country for five years is working its subtle magic on our family. Groaning about the distance to the nearest Wally World has faded into appreciation for the beauty of the north woods on a peaceful, no traffic drive. There is awe at needing to brake, not for 9 stop lights on the way to the store around the corner, but just once for a black bear and her three cubs trotting across the road.

I'm almost there now. In a parking lot, some body's grandpa is checking out an RV "for sale by owner" in his overalls and scratching a beard that rivals ZZ Top. We pass a rusty blue truck bed piled high with organic sweet corn, then another truck, then a stand. Mmmm I should pick some up while we're out this way. I think the country version of multi-tasking is getting it all done while you're in town 'cause you won't be headed out again for a while.

On the way home, my mind runs over some little things we've come to love and appreciate over these past few years, like neighbors who invite us over to hold downy, baby chicks... heading out the door in the morning to find a five gallon bucket of garden fresh tomatoes on the porch... discovering a teeny spotted fawn in our bushes. Oh, sure, the Internet is slow, and storms knock out power from time to time, but I can't say us reforming townies have given up much at all, even though I know we have a long way to go.

Now I sit with my just-moved-from-the-city sis and grin as she mutters about the computer connection and bemoans travel distances to the nearest Old Navy. In the short time she's been up here she has already gone 4 wheeling and washed an old dog in a creek. Okay, that last part she only watched, but give 'er time and she'll be wading in with the best of 'em... countrified!

Puppy Love

2010-07-06T01:31:00.003-05:00

They were huddled together on the cement floor when we first laid eyes on them. Amid the uproar of barks, yips, and growls of much bigger dogs at the Humane Society, these two little sisters pressed their heads against one another as if to block out the chaos...

I glance at Micah. I can scarcely believe he's handling all of this, but other than a pooched out lower lip, he's keeping it together.

"You can go in with 'em if you want," the volunteer informs us cheerily. Only I don't need to. The sisters are peering up at us with big, brown, Bambi eyes. I'm already sold. Micah and I scoot over as Lucas squeezes in the kennel behind us and scoops up the first pup to venture our way. I lift the second to Micah's level and she gives his hand a tentative lick. No more poochie lip for about a second. It would last a bit longer if it weren't for all the echoing racket.

"Now, the girls can't leave just yet. They still need to be spayed, but they'll be ready this weekend. We can't hold 'em for ya..."

I grab a quick look at Lucas, who's still holding Thea. Uh oh. Just called her by name. I know where we'll be on Saturday and I also know we'll be taking Bella, too. We grin at the volunteer, who gives a knowing grin right back. There's gonna be one surprised and happy birthday boy when he gets back from camp.

Now, two weeks later, they sleep curled together in their borrowed travel kennel on the living room floor. They look so peaceful that you'd never know they were just tearing around the living room under eight watchful eyes. "Thea! No! Don't chew the rug! Here's the rawhide. Give that back to your sister! For heaven's sake! Quit loosing it under the couch. Ah! Don't chew the couch! Here! Take your rawhide!"

" Mom! Bella's circling and sniffing."

" No no no no no! Seth, grab the leash!"

Who said puppies were easier than toddlers? At least babies can wear diapers! Hmmmm... I wonder if Micah's would fit... ;D

Chosen Protector

2010-06-25T11:26:00.005-05:00

... is what your names mean, and they surely fit you, sweet Seth Alexander! We recently over heard you telling your cousin that you weren't allowed to watch a particular movie. When he asked you why not, you replied that it was too violent and had "waaaay too much kissing!" Even though Daddy and I chuckle when you cover your eyes if you anticipate an on screen smooch, it secretly makes us proud when you cover Micah's eyes too. We have heard you stand up for your faith in God and your own personal convictions many times and it blows us away!

You are always on the look out for your little brother. "What about Micah?" is something we hear often. You read him stories and help to feed him, sometimes all on your own without being asked. I often wonder what God has in store for you, as he is preparing you in such a special way.

What a year of firsts it has been for you, including your first week at summer camp. I have to admit that your Daddy and Mama had a harder time with the separation than you did. When we drove up to visit you, you wowed us with the mature way you led us on a tour and assured us of the great time you were having. Of course then the first thing you handed me when you got off the bus when you came home was a soggy pair of dirty underwear and socks! Nice to see you aren't growing up too fast! :D

You are our family musician, our comedian, our assistant, and our little warrior. Happy Birthday, Sethie Boy!

Mary Had A Little Lamb

2010-06-10T21:39:00.008-05:00

"I peh uh am, Mama." Micah peeks up at me with bright, sunshiny eyes.
"You did?" I reply, smooching his forehead and strapping on his knee immobilizers. "You pet a lamb right in church?"
Micah has been testing the waters of vacation Bible school without me by his side this year. As I lined him up with the wriggling group of kiddos earlier this morning he said, "Go. Bye, Mama." Gasp! Blink. Sputter. Well, look who suddenly became Mr. Independent! I have to admit, I stood watching the door a bit too long after his teacher rolled him on through.
"Yeah, a lamb!" Seth elaborates, "And he played 'Stampede' with us!" Clearly, Seth is impressed. "When we ran across to the other side of the yard, he ran too. Sometimes he ran to the other side even if he was 'It'." Apparently, one of the perks to telling the story of The Good Shepherd in our neck of the woods is that you can really get some hands on learning in there.
I brush Micah's teeth, wipe his mouth and give him a sip of water. Then it's blankie up to the chin, bedtime prayer, flip on a cd, and lights out.
"Oooooh Eeeeee?" Micah sneaks in, flashing a half grin. He's laying on the charm. Eh. My eyes are crossing and the bed is calling. I'll be up at 5:45 to drive Lucas to work thanks to the little, red car's troublesome transmission. I hesitate and Micah knows he's got me. He waves his hand excitedly and squeals. Who could resist that?
"Sure, you can have a story." I grab a couple books from the shelf and Micah chooses his favorites. There is one, though, I'm glad he doesn't choose tonight. Don't get me wrong, it's a really good book with beautiful illustrations too. It would be perfect for tying in the morning lessons learned at VBS, but not tonight. I just can't. It's the last two pages that get me every time. I don't even have to start reading. Just turning them ties my throat up like the bottom of a balloon. Nothing squeaks out and I end up futilely swallowing and aheming till I have to give up and ask Seth to finish.
Stories are read, children tucked in. Parents even have time to visit. Later, I tip-toe in for the nightly check-and-make-sure-the-kids-are-breathing ritual. They look like angels. Hmmm. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado is still lying at the foot of the bed. I flip through, drawn to The Pages.
"Joshua looked down at the baby. Somehow he knew this was a special moment. He also understood why he had been born with a crippled leg. Had he been like the other sheep, he would have been in the valley. But since he was different, he was in the stable, among the first to welcome Jesus into the world. He turned and walked back to Abigail and took his place beside his friend. 'You were right,' he told her. 'God does have a special place for me.' "
Eyes are blurry for a different reason now. The kids are getting extra smooches tonight. As I creep back upstairs I can't help thinking that Max is a pretty smart guy. You know what, Mr. Lucado? You are right. God does have a special place for each and every one of us.

A Dozen Delicious Ones

2010-06-04T10:16:00.002-05:00

Good things come in dozens. A dozen eggs, a dozen donuts, a dozen roses, each marvelously wonderful in its own way. He's looking up at the clear blue sky with his clear blue eyes while the Blue Angels soar overhead. I'm sipping a mocha shake and enjoying the view. Twelve years together and it just doesn't get any better than this. Only that isn't really true. It gets better year by year. Did I honestly think I knew what love was while wrapped in mom's lovingly hand stitched dress with the Pachabel Cannon playing in the background as Dad guided me up the aisle in his Chuck Taylors? Pshaw!! What I thought I felt then doesn't even skim the surface of the deep, deep well that is now. Then, I couldn't wait to run away with him to a Smokey Mountains cabin in Tennessee for a week. Now, I cherish the chance for a last minute, one night getaway two hours from our home.
We mix business and pleasure, fun and responsibility. We need time to ourselves if just for a moment; Micah needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle with room for Seth. (and maybe more?)
We choose a location near the dealership and leave in the evening with just enough time for the drive thru. In Jeff Foxworthy style, Lucas quips, "Can ya super size that fer th' little wohmin? Hits ar aniversuhree!" This keeps us laughing for miles.
We sleep in, enjoying a breakfast that someone else has to clean up after, then take our time getting where we're going. We check out the vans, gulp at the prices, and take one for a spin. Funny how these special needs vans look like low riders. All we need is pumping bass, a purple, glowing under carriage light, and maybe some flames on the side. Something screams above us, rumbling our rib cages. Back at the parking lot, the Blue Angels zoom low and break formation. They are practicing for an airshow this coming weekend. We get lunch nearby and watch them. Can't take too long, we'll have to head home soon. Lucas has night shift and the kids need mom. He's looking up at the clear blue sky with his clear blue eyes while the Blue Angels soar overhead. I'm sipping a mocha shake and thanking God for this view.

Now, Dance!

2010-05-07T12:11:00.005-05:00

Whew! Ever feel like the poor, hapless guy at the bad end of a cowboy's barrel? He shoots the ground at your feet and you book it!

Pow! Pow! There were the back to back violin recitals followed by three play practices and the play. Bang! Blam! Zing! Between these, were a couple breathers: quick trips down the road for more baby animal snugglins, (Adorable, just born lambs. Cute! Cute! Cute!) just enough to take a deep breath before, Ping! Field Day at the charter school. Boom! Ladies' prayer breakfast. Pow! Church concert. Somewhere in there we were able to squeeze in a little work on Greene Acres, too (the tub is in!) and have K's Corner over for dinner. Rat-a-tat-tat! Each of these deserve a note of their own, but I don't think we can quit dancing long enough to add them to the blog. And there is more to come: a lil' sis and nephew moving on up at the end of this month, (Can't wait! Thank you for your help, Aunt Deb and Uncle Bob!) seven much missed family members visiting for Memorial Day weekend, summer therapy to plan, and Micah's surgery on August 9th, at which time the only dancing we'll be doing is at home, since he will be all wrapped up in a spica cast from chest to toes for five weeks.

I hadn't realized how busy we've been until catching up with Marmie after her trip to visit Mamaw and all our Mississippi relatives. Kept her on the phone till waaaaay past her bedtime. Poor Mom. She's planning a visit to the north woods in August and wasn't too thrilled about our backyard bear...

Squashed Plans?

2010-05-02T17:52:00.006-05:00

This little guy is the reason I'm afraid we won't be able to keep compost in the backyard.

Sunday afternoon, Lucas happened to glance out the kitchen window in time to see Koda (Yep. Seth named him.) snuffling around my unofficial compost pile. It isn't so much a pile as a sad, scattered conglomeration of rotten fruit peelings and veggies that had not yet been mixed into the dirt. Seth and I got to the window in time to see him truck clumsily across the yard, dragging an old squash. A mad dash for the camera ensued, but by the time we got back, he'd abandoned it there, minus a bite, and was ambling away. (He doesn't like squash either, Seth!)

So how do you manage a compost pile in the northwoods? Or can you?

Understanding Significance

2010-04-26T03:25:00.002-05:00

Micah understands. Smiles, frowns, stares, joy, tension, relief, tone of voice: he soaks it all in like a sponge.
Seth's violin group had the privilege to play a song with an adult, community orchestra Sunday afternoon. We arrived early for practice, the kids buzzing around with excitement and trying their best to showcase various skills in front of the big guys. Micah thrilled, clapping his hand against his knee, laughing at the deep sound of the tuba. As we wheeled into the auditorium to scope out the seating, he waved his arms with glee. Unfortunately, the place was a bit old and stuffy. There was no special needs seating. The choices were to block the aisle and have others squeeze around us, stand as far as we could to the side, blocking the view of people who'd paid 12 bucks a pop to see their family members play, or peek from backstage. Since we wouldn't be able to stay for the whole thing, plan C seemed best. The crowd arrived. The bigger it got, the lower Micah's head sank. We settled quietly into a doorway in the narrow backstage hall, straining for a glimpse of Seth. He's waaaaaay in the back... ah yes! I see his ear. The orchestra began to warm up. Micah peeped through long lashes and cracked a tiny smile. The orchestra began to play. Up his head came as he recognized the song and began to sing along. The kids played very well. Relieved to be done, they emptied their seats, soon to be filed with the rest of the adult orchestra members. Pint sized fiddlers, filed past us with triumphant grins to happy applause. Micah grinned too.
"I'm going to need my case!" barked an impatient voice.
Oh. An adult member was glaring at Micah and me but there was nothing we could do. We were trapped between the case, the wall, and the never ending parade of kiddos, and so was she. Everything in her attitude said we did not belong, our presence insignificant to the task at hand. Her knuckles gripping the neck of her bass were white. Micah frowned, his eyebrows knit with worry. Quick flash of temper. Bite you tongue, Rach. I'm pretty sure I choked on it for a second, then concentrated on my "go to" verse for the moment: "Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall offend them."
"We'll be out of your way as soon as we can." Eeesh. That came out a bit louder than I'd meant. There we stood. Awkward and in the way, hoping for a break in the crowd. When it came, I jumped at the chance to scoot away. Micah's lower lip pooched out.
On the way home, my little musician patiently took turns spooning ice cream into little brother's now smiling mouth, and his own, when he confessed he had trouble keeping up with the group. "Why didn't they wait, Mom? I fell behind whenever I had to turn the page."
I explained that they couldn't. They had to stay together as a group, the show must go on. Seth fell silent. I could tell he was struggling with feelings of insignificance, just like Micah and I in the hallway. Thoughts ran through my mind of the many times I have made others feel that way, being so focused on my own agenda, that I left no time for common courtesy.
Now, at 3 am I toss and turn. All the biting things I'd love to have said run through my mind. Bleh. I'd have regretted them. Besides, with the way I felt at the time, it would most certainly not have been "speaking the truth in love." And the lady was just doing her job.
God, please help me to get over it. I don't like the way Micah and I were treated, but it is so wrong to stew over it. Help that lady, too. Who knows, maybe she's unhappy. I've no idea what her life is like or what she could be going through.
How different my Heavenly Father is. No matter how insignificant I may be to others, the creator of the universe takes the time to listen to my small prayer as if I were the only person talking.
And it is gone. Ahhhhh. Back to bed.
I'll explain this to Sethie and Micah later. And I know they will understand.

Got Milk?

2010-04-18T19:41:00.009-05:00

It's sort of funny the way that my neighbor and I bump into each other more at the 25-miles -away library than we do on our own street. Which could be due to the fact that we live quite a few acres down the road from their farm; but "neighbor" in the northwoods has a broader meaning than, say, in Tampa! It started in a conversation about mail order library books that led to mail order chicks, (who knew?) and finished up with the fact that no one in our family has ever actually held a baby chick. Mrs. K then sweetly invited us over as soon as their chicks were to come in.

A few Sunday afternoons later found us trekking on down to K's Corner (as we have fondly dubbed it- gonna try to get her to start a farming blog with that name...) minus the church clothes and into grubs, of course. The tour began with the littlest farmer smooshing away at dirt and other stuff, turning it into seed blocks for the beginnings of their garden. They ended up looking surprisingly like brownies...

Next, we all squeezed in the chicken coop where every member of the Greene family was inducted into the chick holding club. Even Grandma, who hasn't held a chick since about 1962, made up for lost time. Seth got a quick lesson on how to collect eggs. Whoa. Ever try to take an egg from under the chicken? Those things can growl! Micah wasn't even about to go there!

Mr. K, leading us out over the pasture, noticed a cow was about to calve and, sure enough, within 20 minutes, PLUNK! A new calf was born before our very eyes! Seth was thrilled to round up the cows for milking time, too. What a day of firsts for the green Greenes!

After a brief introduction to the intricacies of the magic milking hour, and after gaining all sorts of new found respect for dairy farmer families, (and teen girls who can tow the line as well as any man!!) we piled into the Chevy to head home, but not before Mrs. K handed Seth the fruits of his labor: a dozen eggs!

Upon our return home, Seth immediately began counting the change in his Spiderman wallet that, until now,he'd been saving up for Legos. "I have enough for four baby chicks!" he triumphed. Hmmmm. And now he wants to save one of his precious eggs to hatch...

Happy Birthday, Moochie!!

2010-04-10T10:29:00.007-05:00

Our precious, little Micah Amadeus, you are nine years old today! Mommy and Daddy chose your names for what they say about you. Put together they mean, "One who is like God and loved by God." And you are! Every day we see in you unconditional love and acceptance.

Titi Leah, however, named you Mooch. You see, when you were born you had to spend lots of time in the hospital. You were early and so very tiny, we could not bring you home until you felt better and gained weight. In fact, the nurse even told Mommy and Daddy that we could only take you home if you stayed over five pounds. So feed you we did! Every time your teeny mouth opened up, we popped in a special bottle that helped you to eat. Titi said you looked like a little moochie and called you Micah Mooch. The name stuck. We fed you and fed you until you looked like a little stuffed potato! Though, soon after, you began to grow so quickly that you became skinny as a Greene string bean!

Now you are such a tall boy! You are our health nut, too. You love to eat salads, veggies, and fruits. When asked what you wanted for your birthday breakfast, you rejected donuts or french toast, choosing strawberry yogurt instead.

You are also the only nine year old I know of that loves the old school "Fat Albert." Daddy introduced you to those cartoons a while back because he liked that they teach good lessons and he used to watch them when he was little. So what did you ask for on your birthday? "Hey, Hey, Hey!!"

You are our Sonshine. You love Jesus and His light shines from your eyes and smile most of the time. We like to say that you are mostly sunny and partly cloudy! When Mommy reads you Bible stories, you like to talk to Jesus's picture. You tell him, "I love you" and "Ni Night."

You are crazy about music and musical instruments. You love to play and hear them played, and when you have the chance, will scream like a crazed fan! You are the most enthusiastic audience any musician could ever wish to have. You love Christmas songs and sing them year round. Mommy and Daddy often wake to hear Jingle Bells early in the morning. So, what did Daddy and Grandma Marmie get you for your birthday? A Karaoke machine! And the first song you sang on it? Silent Night, of course.

You are our special miracle, and we love you so very much. Happy Birthday, Micah Mooch!

Wearin' Greene :)

2010-03-29T10:09:00.004-05:00

Oh, the guilt for not wearing green! I love to browse the Cerebral Palsy Awareness group on Facebook. It's like shopping without spending anything, only instead of milk or eggs or, you know, maybe ... shoes, I get priceless advice from parents and people who have "been there." I might even get to share some back. And pictures! Lots and lots of pictures of sweet peas! There are also golden nuggets of info to be had for the taking, such as, did you know that March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month? And on top of that, March 20th is CP Awareness Day? I didn't, that is, until browsing the CPA aisle. So, what to do in celebration... or, do you really "celebrate" your child's cp? Nope. Mostly, you just wish it was gone and pray for miracles on a daily basis. There are things to celebrate, though, like reaching goals and swift recoveries and support from God, family and friends. For our first CPA day, our family thought it would be great to get as many people as we could to pray on that day for as many CPA group families as possible. The person holding the "event" on fb also asked everyone to wear green as it is the official color for cp awareness, (didn't know that until the shopping trip either) So I passed the request along. Little by little responses came back and 41 people agreed to join in! Woohoo! Saturday morning found our family clustered around the computer in our jammies, praying for the family of a little boy whose birthday just so happened to be that day! Then came the dilemma: Lucas and I were to spend time working on the bathroom. I'd be snapping chalk lines, drilling holes, and vacuuming cement board dust, bleh! Can't do that in my one and only green sweater. Plus, I just wore it for St. Patty's and it's still in the wash. Oh well. Who's gonna know?

Later, notes came rolling in, "Got my green on!" Great. Now I have guilt. Might seem silly, but I'd asked everybody else to do it. Hmmm. The it dawned on me. When Micah cuddled on my lap that morning, I wore Greene. When I carried him to the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I wore Greene. When he snuggled with me for bedtime stories, I wore Greene. The very, very best shade!

Jack of All Trades

2010-03-03T10:41:00.005-06:00

...and a master of some? Lucas and I have surely learned a lot of lessons along this journey of building our own home. Most have been through trial and error. Thanks to the internet, Lucas has downloaded many an instruction and "how to" video from multiple sites. Lots were helpful; some were, well, what were they thinking?

I realize it has been a while since we have posted new Greene Acres pics and figured it was about time. I've gotten into the habit of posting them on FB and forgetting about the blog. (Which is imported, so FB friends and family just ignore. They are old hat to you!)

To the ever-shrinking (yay!) list of unfinished business, we have been able to cross out the porch railing, carpet/trim in two rooms, and curtains. Thank you, Marmie, for taking time off to sew them. (Twu wuv.) You knew if it were up to me, the poor things would have been hot glued together. Plus, we primed, painted, and even threw in a little wall paper border, and are so glad the painting is over for a long time!

Alright, so the bathroom border turned out a bit girlier than I'd planned (sorry Lukie) but a manly, new use for rebar (porch) makes up for it!

Sat. 11:48 am: Rach Posts a Note

2010-02-20T09:24:00.007-06:00

Thurs.

2:30 pm: We are packed, ready, and on our way. Micah crows in the back seat, "Go simmin' wi' Daddy!" Not for a while. It's a three hour drive. Seth kicks back to enjoy a book on CD. Knights in shining armor, clashing swords, so cool! A nice loooong story to keep him occupied.

3:15 pm: Stop off at Burger King to enjoy the delectable dollar menu. Micah is going to take a while to mow through the nuggets.

3:31 pm: Lucas leaves us to finish up while he heads out to get the oil changed. Micah is still munching the second piece.

4:05 pm: On the road again. Micah shouts, "Go simmin' wi' Daddy!"

5:49 pm: Bleh. Traffic. The real kind. Sure do miss the one tractor/four car jams back home.

6:52 pm: Ah! The hotel is in sight at last. "Go simmin' wi' Daddy!" Micah sings. Seth stretches and helps Daddy haul in the "stuff." I haul in Micah. Am I getting wimpier or is he gaining weight?

7:10 pm: Lucas and I wriggle Micah into his floater. Seth doggy paddles over to new found friends. Micah startles as the other kids splash around. Uh oh. Shut down in three, two, one... chin on chest, eyes lowered, lip out. His head doesn't come back up until...

7:30 pm: Micah and I snuggle into downy blankets. Lucas and Seth stay to play a while longer. "I hungee," Micah states. He won't be able to eat again until after the laughing gas tomorrow, so we put off dinner as long as we can.

10:15 pm: Tummies full. Kids asleep. Mom and Dad lay awake in discussion, praying tomorrow goes well.

Friday:

8:00 am Scrape through the door just in time to register for appointment.

8:30 am Micah is fitted for two wrist braces: one for days, one for nights. Micah shines puppy dog eyes on me. "I hungee."

10:29 am: Injections take place under Lucas' watchful eye. I just can't. One peek was enough. A machine shocks the muscle of Micah's legs and they jerk while Dr. G prods a needle this way and that as gently as possible. I kissy Micah's head all over instead. Pupils dilated to the size of dimes, he gives a wobbly smile. The gas is working.

11:26am: Lucas wheels Micah in for x-rays. Seth groans over a story problem as I check his work. Yeah. I made him bring it. Mean Mommy.

12:00 pm: Doctor Q explains Micah's need for a second bilateral hip placement surgery. Despite the pump, etc. his hips are still working their way out of socket. Without this surgery, he will need another, scarier one a few years out. We learn our view of Micah's procedures is skewed? The braces, phenol injections, and other various therapies are not to fix Micah for good, but to stave off future, inevitable surgeries. Her schedule is booked until July. Dread. Five days in the hospital and six weeks in a body cast if all goes well. On the outside, we nod understandingly. On the inside we pray. Hard.

12:39 pm: The nurse ups the dosage on Micah's Baclofen pump.

1:44 pm: Micah, still a bit unsettled from the gas, sips Sierra Mist and refuses anything but M&Ms. Sigh. At least they are peanut.

2:15 pm: We strap Micah's newly tweaked AFOs to his feet and grab directions to the MOA.

4:15 pm: Micah is keeping lunch down and Seth has a death grip on his Lego gift bag. Now, just a four hour trip to the b-day party. I call his friend's mom. Seth is going to be way late.

12:00 am: Collapse into the sweet bliss that is our bed! Heavenly Father, thank you for our safety today. Please prepare our family for the rough road ahead, if you choose not to work a miracle. I still remember: all faith, no doubt.

12:02 am: ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

First Times

2010-02-17T11:34:00.008-06:00

Remember the first time you rode your bike with no training wheels? You tried and tried, shaky and jittery at first, but, oh, the thrill of the eventual take off a few feet down the side walk. Fast forward and it is your first day of high school, then maybe your first day of college or your first day living on your own, nervous and excited about the future, loving the freedom of it all! For some, there is even the first time you truly gave your life to God, and began for the first time, to live for Him. Then, there is the first time you fall in love, for real this time, and for the first time, begin making decisions and plans as a couple. Then, maybe, the first time someone takes your hand and puts a ring on your finger, committing to a lifetime of "us."

Later, one precious day may come, that you cuddle your first baby for the first time, marveling at the tiny feet and hands. And the first times start all over again, but this time, you are the teacher, cheerleader, worrier... First times can be much harder, the second time around!

This is especially true for parents of children who have "special needs." For a lot of us, those first times come much further down the road and we find the need to adjust. We find ourselves cheering our child to roll over, when our friends' children have long since been walking, and we choke down a little jealousy. We try to listen with sympathy to the worries of those whose children are down with the flu for a week, when we have been carrying our child to the table for years, and strapping them into a wheelchair just so they can sit up. Many of us have prayed by the bedside of our children and held their little hands as they have gone for surgery after surgery, shot after shot, and physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, until we feel like we need therapy!

So, when we sometimes seem unsociable, and turn down "girls/guys night" or can't go on that double date, miss church, birthday parties, family events... trust us! We would love to be so free. (and sometimes when we are, we need that time to catch up with our spouse) Don't quit inviting us! Even if we can't go, it feels really good to be asked. Have patience with us! Ours is just about used up. Pray for us! We need it. Besides, sometimes it's hard to find a babysitter who can safely lift an eight year old, and change his diaper! :D

Picture Perfect

2010-02-13T22:40:00.004-06:00

The pencil glides confidently across a thick piece of Bristol Board. Quick movements softly sh-sh-sh and a figure emerges from paper: elbow on knee, book in one hand while the other cups his chin, finger across sensitive lips.

The artist sits back for a moment, stretching, holding in a yawn. She really should be writing, not drawing, but there are better things to think about than a term paper... or better people. Okay, one person. She gently blows stray bits of graphite from the edges of the sketch. She has seen him this way many times, sitting on the stairs, studying, reading his Bible. It is one of the many things she admires about him. A tiny smile pulls at the corners of her mouth as she thinks back over the past year. From study partners, to friends, to something much more, love had grown, a shy violet, almost unnoticed at first. She sighs and begins shading his hair, the curve of his neck, that cute semi-dimple at the corner of his mouth. A seat begins to take form, not the usual stairs, but the whole world. Why not? They will be getting married this summer, and the world is at their feet. The shadow of the cross is before him: an indication of the path he has chosen.

She stretches again and this time yawns loudly. It is getting late and there is a curfew, after all. She gathers up her things and heads to the dorm. All the picture needs now is a mat and frame. She should be able to pick those up before his birthday and the surprise party she has planned. Maybe, someday, it will hang on the wall of their very own home. He's going to love it!

Angel Among Us

2010-02-03T11:12:00.006-06:00

Okay. Something is definitely up. Gramma has been spending lots of time on the phone, and she made me a new bed. Plus, she left me at Aunt Katie's all day today, which never happens. Oh, Joy! The Family is here. Oh, how I love The Family. I have missed them. I jump all over them to show just how much. It has been much too quiet since they moved, but the upside is that I get Gramma all to myself. Hey, they took my new bed! Weird. Whoa, wait just one minute now. They took the big can of food Gramma keeps for me. What's up with that? Walk? Oh Joy of Joys! A walk! "Mom" is taking me? SO COOL!

I wish I'd thought to ask Grandma to clip Angel's nails. Yikes! They are like daggers! I hope they don't scratch my floors. Sheesh! Settle down, already! I wonder how she'll do at our place for the next two weeks. "Yes, Aunt Katie, the trip was fine. Aunt Deb and Uncle Bob met us halfway to pick up Grandma. She seems to be handling things just fine. She is a bit worried about Uncle Jim's surgery Friday, but said she is glad to go help out. Thanks for keeping Angel for the day!" Man, I hope she doesn't bark like this the whole time.

Bye! Bye! Bye! Bye! Bye! Woohoo! Car ride! Oooooooooh, The Family's house. It has been a while. I can't wait to sniff absolutely

Everything! She's been all over everything for days. Oh well. Better let her check things out. Can dogs have ADHD? Besides, we keep saying we're going to get a dog. Better get used to it. She has to go out again? Ahhhrg! I just had her out and she didn't do anything. Sometimes, she can be so

Insufferable! "Mom" does not walk right. She is supposed go slower and give me more time. I miss Gramma! Gramma gives more snacks, too. These people will just let a doggy starve!

I can't take the eyes She won't quit looking! It is hard to eat when you're being stared at, even if it is just a dog. She follows every bite I feed Micah. Is she waiting for me to drop it? Aaaaawww. She put her little head on my knee. I gotta admit, she is a cutie. A few tiny bits won't hurt. "Sure, Sethie. Go ahead and give her your scraps."

Sooo stuffed! The only thing that could make things any better is, oh yes! A huge pile of wonderfully, smelly

Shoes? Dogs are so weird. Why does she want to lay on a pile of our shoes by the door? That can't be comfortable. Though I did put her bed in the car already. Oh, well. "Time to head out, guys! Ick! Angel, get your nose out of my boot! You can hold her this time, Seth." It's almost hard to believe it has been only

Two loooooong weeks, but now I'm HOME. Joy of Joy of Joys! I can curl right up on my rug in front of the vent. Ah! "Mom" kicked up the heat, and everything smells just like, Wait! Who's that at the door? GRAMMAAAAAAA!!!!

Over The River and Through The Woods

2009-12-27T14:28:00.004-06:00

To Grandmother's house we go! Only the river is more like a creek... and some frozen swamp, thanks to the beavers.

Our neighbors started off the festivities by coming to carol. They didn't even ask for figgy pudding! We gave them a plate of sugar cookies instead.

Christmas Eve was spent cozied by grandma's fireplace and reading the Nativity story with a few friends and relatives who were brave enough to face the weather for a visit. Christmas day was perfect! Since Lucas spent a good amount of his youth growing up in Hope Children's Home and I grew up with parents who stuffed the house to the chimney with people every holiday, we both feel as though it hasn't really been Christmas unless you're sitting elbow to elbow and bumping into one another as you dive bomb for food! We played UNO Attack, Apples to Apples, and the Wii (courtesy of Sissy and Don) until we could play no more. Then all collapsed to watch "UP" and pass out on the couch. (sigh)

The day after Christmas brought a sledding marathon with the cousins, with very few wipe outs. Oh what fun it is to ride in a 40 year old toboggan!

Handmade Songbird

2009-12-18T13:23:00.003-06:00

What to do? Ms Juana had asked her Spanish class students to make a handcrafted gift to share for Christmas. There was only a week in which to think of and make them, and most of the kids had listed things in their wish list that fell nowhere in the handmade category. Lego Stormtroopers out of felt? A toothpick Pet Shop kitty? Arhg! This would be harder than we thought. Could we make it out of something we had on hand?

While riffling through one of our many catch-all clutter boxes in desperate hopes of something crafty worthy, we came across our solution: an old ocarina hearkening back to my nerdy "dress-up-and-go-to-the-Renaissance-Fair"days. Okay, so before you rush to Google "ocarina" and since probably no one knows what that is besides my brother (who ALSO dressed up to go the the ren fair - Yeah! Busted, Bro!) I'll tell ya what it is: a musical wind instrument that can be made out of ceramics, clay, etc. with a mouthpiece and varying number of finger holes. Mine happened to be shaped like a tiny turtle shell and only had four holes. How hard could it be? But the lint covered, sticky, non-hardening clay we already had found crammed in bottom of the box in the closet wouldn't do. So we picked up brand new bakeable, and as it turns out, very breakable clay from good ol' Wally World. We began to get the hang of of it about two crushed turtles later, and the boys were pretty pleased with the results. They even sort of work!

Christmas Party day rolled around, and we held our breath as the gifts were opened, but needn't have worried. Seth showed his friend how to work it and grinned while said buddy proceeded to annoy all within hearing range of his handmade songbird!

Meals On Wheels

2009-12-01T20:38:00.003-06:00

Success! Our very first year cooking the turkey and it didn't even explode! Though, I have to admit, it did fall apart. How after eleven years of marriage we've managed to sneak by without basting the bird, I'm not sure, but it must have been good. Either that, or we starved poor Grandma and Aunt Katie by serving an hour after the original chow time. I say this because there actually wasn't much left, plus I caught our great aunt snitching and feeding tidbits to Micah while I was mashing potatoes! Four guests including Dad were under the weather and couldn't come, so we packed up some tasties and brought the Thanksgiving to them!

So, we thank God for guests who give for keeps the crystal bowl in which they brought cranberry salad. Aunt Katie, it is so pretty! (I am especially thankful for an awesome husband who helps with the dishes.) We thank Him for the ability to share, for family to love, and for a home in which to celebrate. We thank Him for the wondrous gift of His Son, and the chance to celebrate that gift so soon after Thanksgiving.

Oh yeah, and we thank Him, too, for a Grandma who can school us all at Chinese Checkers!!!

For M&M

2009-12-01T20:23:00.004-06:00

Dear Little-Girl-Born-On-The-Very-Day-Lucas-And-I-Were-Married,

No wonder your Nana calls you M&M! You are so very sweet and bright! Micah and Seth love the turkey you made. In fact, it was the best turkey we had all Thanksgiving! I know God has great plans for you, Sweet Pea!

All The Year Through

2009-11-08T18:54:00.002-06:00

Micah LOVES Christmas songs and sings them all year long. Whenever the chance for a concert from Bepa pops up he is sure to request a great number of Christmas carols. He is also fascinated with the guitar, and has recently begun to sing while strumming... or beating it like a drum!

He even dedicates them. This one is for you, Grandma Marmie! xxoo

Bye Bye Birdie?

2009-11-03T09:43:00.006-06:00

Yay! The siding is done! Lucas began some time ago, if you remember, until Old Man Winter showed up and it became too cold outside to finish. This year, with that in mind, he hired two guys to help finish up before winter blew back in, and they did a great job.
However, they were interrupted by snow at least twice! (I think Winter is trying to sneak through early this year!) There is just one problem. It seems the dormers have the birds confused. Is it because we have quite a few farms on our quiet road, or that the dormers somehow resemble a barn to these poor, little guys? We're not sure, but at least three so far have smacked into them since they've been finished. No fatalities. Whew. Can you imagine? Enough of this and the bird union will blacklist our house for sure! Guess we'll have to set out seeds as a good will offering. But not, I'm told, until the bears go into hibernation, unless we want to find one of those on the porch!

Papas Peruvian Style

2009-10-21T12:54:00.006-05:00

As soon as she discovered we were moving in, Juana was making plans. "I will cook for you," she said, and immediately set about finding just the right recipe. "How about giving us a cooking lesson," I asked, thinking that I'd better tell Fran and Shanti. They'd want to learn too. We've known each other since we enrolled our children in the same charter school a few years ago. Juana is one of our favorite teachers. Plus, it would be great for the kids!
So, to the sound of Peruvian music (thanks to playlist.com) we learned a few steps to a traditional dance, and prepared Papas Rellenas with garlic rice and homemade salsa. Apparently, there are lots of different ways to make these potatoes, but Juana's version included boiled eggs and raisins. What a lot of work goes into the preparation!
First you boil and mash potatoes, and boil and slice eggs. While you wait for these things to cool enough to handle, (Yep... with your hands) you brown and crumble ground beef and diced onions and a garlic clove together. Once these are fully cooked, you add the raisins, and any spices you want (Juana couldn't find the Peruvian ones she wanted, so we improvised with chili powder) and put it in the oven to keep warm.
For a side dish, fry dry rice, diced onions, a small, crushed garlic clove, and 2 tsp of oil in a pan until it begins to look toasty and add water to cook like you normally would.
By this time, the taters should be ready to roll! You pat a large, palm sized amount like you might a burger patty, spoon the meat mixture in the middle and form the mashed potato around it. It looks almost the size of a baked potato. Then, you dip it first in raw, whisked eggs, then flour, and fry it in a pan of oil. Put them on a cookie sheet in the oven to keep warm while you make a quickie salsa of chopped onions, tomatoes, and a little lemon juice or extra virgin olive oil. Put a few leaves of big green lettuce on the side of a plate, load it up, and you're all set! Boy, does this meal stick to the ribs!
Afterward, we sat like stuffed turkeys on the couch (mostly, I think, because it was hard to move, ha ha ha!!) and watched footage of Peru, from busy cities, with barely any green, to beautiful countrysides, and the lush rain forest.
Before braving the snow that had begun to fall (I Know! In October!) Juana left me with the considerably detailed recipe card. I'd better brush up on Spanish! A little help, Seth?

Banged Up Blessings

2009-10-21T10:43:00.006-05:00

"Keep your mind on the task at hand." I can't count how many times I've bestowed this little nugget o' wisdom on the eldest boy. Funny how it is so easy to share advice, and not follow it! Monday morning, as Seth practiced violin and Micah was at school/therapy, I thought I'd slip out onto the unfinished porch and give Lucas a hand with his current project. As we cleared bits of wood, debris, and snippets of vinyl siding, I shifted into "auto mode" while thinking about everything other than what I should have been doing. That is, until I stepped on the edge of a board that was not screwed down. In true Tom -n- Jerry fashion, up the back of the board flew and popped me in the biscuits, knocking one leg through the studs. The other twisted strangely, my knee catching another stud with a wham! Aaaaaaooooooow! My knight in shining armor rushed over to see me dangling eight feet from the ground like a broken puppet. Making a bridge with a piece of OSB, he hauled me, myself, and my crumpled pride up to assess the damage.
By the time I made it to the couch, I looked and if I'd grown three extra knee caps! (EEEEEEEEEWWW!)
We dropped Seth off with grandma and rushed to the ER. What a strange blur of thoughts flew through my mind then! "What if it is broken...Now this house will never get done...How will I take care of the kids and Micah's needs...Suck it up, Micah has been through way more than this...Remember Souad, the girl who was lit on fire by extremist family members and survived... (a book I'd recently read).. Don't be wimpy!" I prayed for my leg and everyone under the sun I could think of that has been hurt recently... or might have been hurt... or could be hurt in the future!
It has been a few days now. With the urgency of the situation over, it is easy to see the blessings in it all. Lucas was off work and able to take care of me, both during and after. (Though he may be looking forward to heading back to work after his brief exposure to mommy life!) There are no broken bones, and I've been able to kick back, put my foot up, and recuperate with some computer/reading therapy. Plus, a long, uncomfortable trip with my leg on the dashboard of the car yesterday while we took Micah to his Shriner and Gillette visits, helped me gain more empathy for Micah's aches and pains, and a greater appreciation for Lucas and Seth who have lovingly picked up the slack. And that pesky, twisted knee? It kept me from crashing through those boards to what might have been something worse. God works in mysterious ways!

Movin' On Down The Road!!

2009-10-16T03:41:00.006-05:00

The time has come! It started as a trickle, a few boxes brought over here and there. Then after a visit from the inspector, the tide brought in the rest with some help from the world's most wonderful neighbors. At least the constant rain made it feel as though the tide had a hand in it. A prayer went up when we got to the heavy duty stuff one afternoon, and amazingly, the rain stopped just in time to load the furniture and squeak it through the door! So, with one floor pretty much finished, the Greene family packed up and moseyed on over the hill looking just a little too much like the Clampits! (All we needed was Grandma sitting in a rocking chair on the roof!) Without the distraction (addiction) of the internet, we've had the chance to settle in a bit before swinging the hammer once again.

Thank you Audrey, Royce, Kathy, and especially John (for helping out a family you didn't even know) and thank you, God, for such sweet brothers and sisters and for our precious home!!!!!!!

Round Two

2009-09-27T20:19:00.006-05:00

The little boxer stands in front of a mirror in nothing but undies and cowboy boots. He runs his fingers through a shock of red hair, then adopts his best "put 'em up" stance with the "Rocky" theme song blaring on Daddy's record player.

He flexes his teeny muscles and yells "YO!" Daddy throws Jay over his shoulder , spinning him around before they collapse in a heap of laughter. Then Daddy grabs his karate uniform and speeds out the door, but not before a quick glance in the same mirror to check his Fu Manchu.

A few years later, Daddy hammers boards and carries shingle bundles to the roof as if they were nothing, intent on building a sturdy home for his family. Little sister falls asleep on a carpet rolls to the sound of hammering and the smell of saw dust. Late in the evenings, Rachie pretends to stay sleeping, just to feel Superman carry her to the car.

It is amazing how, in our minds, our parents stay the same. We kind of take for granted that they will continue to do the same things they've been able to do forever until the end of time. Dad's rooftop days were over the day he fell from one head first in 2005. Still, after two major head injuries, many bouts with pneumonia and several surgeries, Rocky (Yes. His real name!) gets back up, shakes himself off, and goes another round.

The latest is round two with a tumor, the first in the colon, this second in his stomach. Seth and Micah snuggle with him Sunday in the hospital room watching Star Wars and giggling at his jokes. Soon we wait outside the room as it takes three nurses to help him to the bathroom. Once he's settled safely into a chair, we head back in for goodbyes before a two hour car ride. There is a lot of time for reflection on the way home. Really there isn't a lot of difference in strength, it is just in a different place. It has shifted to his spirit. He may not be able to go round after round in a ring, but he sure can go round after round in the hospital. Yo, Cancer! Put 'em up!

A City Mouse Tale

2009-09-23T20:40:00.005-05:00

Grandma is in the kitchen, surrounded by all of the preparations: something that looks like a shortened baseball bat with a knob at the top, a sieve (complete with stand) a paring knife, four five gallon buckets 'o apples, and a pressure cooker the size of Robbie the Robot. Three large kettles already bubble happily on the stove when she gets a call. A family member is in the hospital for unexpected surgery. She looks at me and I know. She needs to go, and I'm on sauce duty. Okay. I've peeked over at her apple smooshing operations a time or two while cutting the stem and belly button from the apples (Don't make fun! I'm talking about the thing on the bottom of the apple!) The paring knife, I'm comfortable with. It's just those other things...

Alright. The apples are ready. So you dump them in the sieve like this? Then smoosh 'em like that? Cool! It's working. I've got this! Pour them into the quart jars, trim more apples while the others boil. Get a little routine going and the jars fill up one by one. Success! Except Robbie is staring at me from the stove, trying to intimidate. It's working! I glance at the crusty old cook book with no covers on it. You have to do what? For how many minutes? I think Micah's calling me. And don't the boys need lunch? Let's take a break.

Boys are fed and settle in to do other things. The army of jars on the counter wait for new orders. Shouldn't they be taking turns boiling away by now in that hunk of metal? I just can't bring myself to try it alone. What if it explodes? I'm pretty sure years ago somebody told me that could happen. Better leave it to the professionals. I smoosh more apples.

It is early afternoon. Grandma breezes back, eyes searching her kitchen for any signs of destruction. She smiles at me, at the army, and at the robot, relieved.

The city mouse steps aside and the very capable country mouse takes over!

Volume VII

2009-09-16T21:08:00.005-05:00

For all of you faithful "Letters from the Warzone" series readers, Keith is back to work overseas and is missing his family. Lots of reflections in this one. Be safe, Cousin!

It has been a while since my last in this series, but it's been kinda hectic around here. For that, I'm sorry, but here is one now!!
We are all looking forward to the end of this deployment, which happens to be right around the corner. Yay!!! I want to thank all of you that have beat on the gates of heaven with your prayers. Looking back on this past year, it has been relatively quiet for our battalion and I know that it is thanks to you guys.
I've been thinking about life in general lately. I guess getting to know your son and seeing how much they grow in a short time can do that to a person. I question if this is actually the life I want to raise my son in. Granted, it's a long step from how I was raised, and I don't have the first idea how to go about this "daddy" thing. Especially if half the time he is growing up, I'm gone. I'm afraid if this is the way it will be all the time, that he would grow up to resent me. All the time spent abroad means I have the possibility of missing some major things in his life, such as, the first steps, teaching him how to ride a bike, and how to field a hot grounder.
I guess I will have to quiet my heart and listen for that little voice that tells me I'm on the right track, and not to worry it's all gonna work out. Those are some of the things I worry about on almost a constant basis. There are also parts about it I really look forward to. I can't wait to play games with the little man. I was remembering last night some of the games people used to play with us when Chris and I were kids. I remember the fun we had with dad, rolling on the floor playing "steam roller". With Jason growing up we would chase each other around with "black cats," throwing them at each other in the ravine. We would go play ninjas with Matt in the ravine by their house. Lots of time spent in ravines!!!!!
I have great examples to follow when it comes to raising my kid/s. All I need to do is look at the way my sister and numerous cousins have dome it and I know just what NOT to do!!!!! I'm j/k of course. You all have great kids that I'm absolutely proud to call my family. You all should have your own article in Parenting magazine! I also know that if I have any questions, you are all there for me as you have always been. Did I mention that I have the greatest family in the world... granted we are imperfect and defunct at times, but nothing can keep us mad at each other. My guess is that is exactly what FAMILY is all about. If you have ever seen some of the day time programs and talk shows and news, it seems the world could learn a lesson from us!
Anyway, I didn't mean to talk your eyes off, and I'm sure if you keep reading for much longer epilepsy is in your near future!!! Love you guys!!!!

Proud Daddy,
Keith

What did the Mayo Say to the Mustard?

2009-09-10T15:11:00.006-05:00

Seth likes to make up jokes. Any time, day or night, he'll just pop out with, "What do ya get when..." or "Knock, knock..." Lucas is trying to teach him that they actually have to make sense to be funny. No matter. They are funny to Seth and Micah! It is time, though, for a little ketchup here, as I have fallen a bit behind...

All in all this summer we were blessed with 20 guests. We had 6 of them twice. With 9 being children, there was absolutely never a dull moment!

Marmie and Aunt Cat sewed 6 curtains (not up yet) and 1 pillow.

We had 2 surgeries (Micah's and Bepa's)

Lucas turned 14 planks of wood into 112 spindles, which I was able to coat 336 times! (pre-treat, stain, poly)

We cleaned out 1 garage, piling all the stuff into 1 basement.

We treated, stained, and pollied 4 doors and 58 pieces of trim. We installed the floor in 1 hallway and 4 rooms. (Bill, call us to return the favor! We couldn't have done it without you!)

Finally, we've just about finished 1 bathroom, 2 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, and 1 living room! Woohoo!

That about sums it all up! (Oooo, yeah! and the corn-ball jokes keep rollin'.)

Worth a Thousand Words

2009-08-25T13:01:00.004-05:00

For those of you following Keith's "Letters from the Warzone" series and wonder what's up... just look at that precious angel reaching to Daddy for the first time! Keith, we are so glad you are home safe, if even for a short time. We know you are cherishing every second! XO (Jen, you are awesome! Thanks for sharing the pic!)

Dance Me Around

2009-08-19T20:05:00.003-05:00

I can't help it, the song is stuck! Every time we walk in the door now I just can't keep from grinning. The gleaming floors remind me of a ballroom. Seth and Isaiah immediately did the Tom Cruise slide in their socks across the kitchen, the first time they saw it, and Micah woulda if he coulda! He got to spin in Momma's arms instead.

Though we weren't able to move in before his surgery, he has been enjoying some time over there. He still isn't able to be up for more than three hours without his surgery site filling up with fluid, so his days are spent up for two hours, then down for a while with lots of video time. He's working on his couch potato degree with relish! Meanwhile, cousin Isaiah traveled back home for the school year, and without his partner in crime, Seth has taken a greater interest in all things construction. He even helped Daddy finish up the floor in Micah's room.

We spent last night and today squeezing the appliances through the front door. (That verse about the camel and the needle come to mind!) We were even able to get a few hooked up and running today! If you need something nuked, come on over. (No, Lukie, we're not talking about my cooking!)

Interjections

2009-07-29T13:12:00.010-05:00

Ahhhh! Home again. Eeek! 4o something messages to check. Mmmmm! Homemade cinnamon rolls on the counter. Oh, but I'm skipping ahead...

A very happy group tumbled out of the truck and rumbled their way in to the fourth floor of the hospital last Thursday morning. The sun was shining, the birds singing, tummies were full of waffles, and busy boys were already looking forward to beginning an air hockey tournament as soon as possible. That would have to wait a while. Micah's surgery time had been pushed back a smidge. Momma and Daddy didn't mind. It meant a little, quiet reading time and extra snugglins for Micah. Seth and Isaiah, however were chomping at the bit, "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"

Soon enough, nurses came for Micah and me, (I was now dressed as the abominable snowman, er, woman) and Lucas took the boys to go let out the pent up wiggles. (Just for the record, every woman should try on a pair of surgery room cover ups. You take them off and feel instantly slimmer!)

The surgery went very well. (Thank you, Lord!) I must say it has been the best hospital experience we've ever had. What a great group they have over there! Fun doctors (blue hair and all), caring nurses... very nice. Micah was able to meet a plethora of therapy dogs. (there must be a club...) There was Otis the Mastiff and Sophie the Greyhound and Sasha the huge, white fluff ball. (Okay! So I don't know what she was.) Ronald McDonald even flopped on in with his big, red shoes.. and after Micah's reaction, flopped right back out with many an apology! (Can you say, "coulrophobia?")

The dosage for Micah's meds has changed three times already, and we are realizing that recovery will take a lot longer than we thought, but no worries! Now that we are home, it's time to get to work, but not before kicking back with a big 'ol glass o' lemonade!

Which leads me back to, Ahhhh! :D

Lemonade

2009-07-21T14:50:00.004-05:00

David limps onto the stage, a Bible grasped tightly in one twisted hand, while the other grips the pulpit to steady his bent legs. I know what is coming before he even opens his mouth. I've heard his testimony before on VHS (Yup... waaaaay back in the day), and read his book. It takes a moment to get used to the way he speaks, but soon it isn't even noticeable as I grab a bunch of tissues and settle in on the stool in front of the t angle web sight. Just need it one more time before trekking out with the family tomorrow to Gillette. "When life gives you lemons, make..." here he pauses for the audience to answer, "Lemonade!" The problem, he says, is that we are too busy showing each other our "lemons" and comparing them. "My lemon is bigger than yours." We hold on to those lemons so tightly because if we gave 'em up, we wouldn't have any thing to complain about. "I have cerebral palsy," he says, "what's your problem?"

I wonder how this surgery will go. I certainly know my weakness. It comes every time around 2 or 3 in the morning, when Micah is crying in the hospital bed hooked up to tubes, and I can do nothing but rub his little knobby knees and pray. 'Cept it resembles more like blaming, accusing, "having words with God" I've called it in the past. Repentance and acceptance come later, but only after Micah shows improvement.

David speaks on, about how his daddy passed away when he was 11 and his momma, when he was 14. Oh, how much he missed them! How could God love him and allow all of this in his life, he wondered. He spoke of hating school and how it hurt to have kids make fun of him.

I remember one surgery, when I was feeling rather sorry for Micah and myself, (keeping a death grip on my big, fat lemon) when the nurse wheeled in our roommate. Such a tiny girl she was. With no arms below the elbows. No legs below the knees. Her mom followed behind, worry lines creasing her face and mouth. (My big, fat lemon immediately shrank to the size of a pea.) Once the nurse was gone I introduced myself. "No hable Ingles" came the reply. (And the pea sized lemon crumbled and disappeared completely.) So with shaky Spanish 101, I attempted to communicate and reassure. In the end, we were released before them leaving behind a Snickers bar and taking with us prayers for this precious family we didn't know.

What happened with David? I can't even answer that well. You need to hear it straight from him. Look him up. Google him, or YouTube him, or tangle.com him. David Ring. Try adding cerebral palsy if you have trouble finding him. All I know is that, for me, my reaction to Micah's recovery will be different this time. All faith, no doubt. No matter what . And you? Well, maybe you'll never look at lemonade the same way! :D

Scrambled or Fried?

2009-07-10T14:00:00.005-05:00

With Micah's surgery date creeping up and the Great Moving In Date looking a little further down the road, we have found ourselves in a bit of a scramble at Greene Acres. So, between hospital visits with Dad and fleeting time spent with visiting family members (mostly in the late evenings) we've been cruising right along, concentrating on a workable kitchen/living room and bathroom. Oh, the joys of a flushing toilet! No more frantic driving home or (ahem) trips behind the wood pile...

Jay and his family, Uncle Jim and his family, Bill and his family, and Leah have all been here within the past two weeks, and just to shine a little light on their big, big hearts...

Jay worked on electrical doohickeys and Bill put up trim and Leah helped prepare for grouting and Uncle Jim helped clean up after grouting, and Barb wiped down the fireplace, and Leah and Sal and Grandma watched the many, many, sweet peas and... What can we say but we love you. Come again. Anytime. Really! :D

Magic Word

2009-07-02T01:21:00.004-05:00

It brings shock, fear, dread. It inspires walks and t-shirts and rubber bracelets. It is amazing how it can bring families together quickly. It is terrifying yet can gather about some of the most touching moments you've ever had. I remember the call from my sis years ago, "Jackie is going Home. She wants to say her goodbyes for now." January. Bitter cold. Snow. We packed up the kids and headed seven hours south. It is not that we didn't know it was coming, but... a mother of four. Two of whom I'd taught in kindergarten. My "secret sis" and friend. We brought food. This was a loving, close-knit, large family. Food was a must. Walking into the kitchen/grocery store we discovered everyone else had the same idea! There was catching up on the past few years. More laughter than tears. Feeling warmth and love just being together. She said since we'd come the farthest, I would get to feed her dinner. Spooning each bite carefully into her mouth, I had her all to myself for a few precious moments. Not really knowing what to say, but somehow not needing to say anything. Then there was the gathering together, hands held, Lucas prayed for "all the right things" her tired Momma said. A week later, she went Home.

We had a call last week. "Sit down" the voice said. Dad was in the hospital. He has been many times before. What would it be this time? "It is colon cancer. Surgery will be Thursday. There will be tests. We'll know more next week." Leah was already here, visiting for a few days. All we could think about was that our grandpa (mom's side) had passed away from colon cancer before Leah was even born. And for a time, my mind flew to that winter a few years ago. Would Dad need to be fed? Would he have to have a colostomy bag, would he lose all his hair from chemo treatments, or would he heal up from surgery and be just fine?

Again we gathered. And prayed. Family we haven't seen for a long time, and family that is still coming. Dad's bout came to a conclusion with no spreading of the cancer at this time. Sighs of relief . Songs of praise. "Be still and know that he is God" no matter what the end may be. :)

Volume VI

2009-06-14T19:14:00.002-05:00

This is Keith's Letters From The War Zone number six, if the special edition counts as five. It has been a little while since we've heard from him. Lots of shuffling in the deck, it seems. I can't imagine being the ones in charge of keeping everything organized in times of peace, let alone times of war. Our prayers are with you, Cousin!

Well now as I'm pretty sure you have all heard by now I am now longer going to Afghanistan. Yay. I was all geared up and actually looking forward to going. Leave it to the U.S. government to lose an entire unit. When our Advance team reached where we were supposed to go, there was all ready a Engineer unit there. Go figure eh? So I am back with the 643rd. My address only changes in one way. I'm no longer in 3rd plt, instead, 26th DET. I would like to take some time here to thank all of you and everyone else that has sent things for me. You have no idea how much it improves my day. Even just a letter brightens me up. Not an e-mail. I feel like that is just so..... impersonal. Ya know what I mean? As for us here... We have no idea what is going to happen after June 30th. That is the date of our mandatory withdrawal from all Iraqi cities. We all think that the insurgents are going to have free reign and just bomb us to the middle ages...... Let's hope not. After all, a mortar round would definitely ruin my good looks! I'll just catch it and throw it back! Remember, "soft hands, soft hands!"Well, I currently can't tell you guys what we are doing... It's all hush hush. I'm sure you will understand. I'll tell you all when I see you next. Promise. Until next time........ God bless you all.

LOVES MUCH,
Keith

Feathering Nests

2009-06-11T11:57:00.003-05:00

They built their home in a day. Even that was not as surprising as the spot they chose. Attached to a decoration we've had on the porch for a long time, on top of the railing, right by the door was a pretty strange spot for a robin's nest. Then plunk, plunk, plunk, within three days she had laid her eggs. With all of the many times we disturbed her by going in and out, we wondered if the eggs would even hatch. Yesterday, each time we headed out the door, we took a peek. First one, then two then three little babies struggled through, and tidy mommy took care of the shells right away, each time.

They built their home in a day. Seth and Isaiah discovered an empty cabinet box while we were working yesterday. This they promptly transformed into a house/hideout complete with a "do not enter" sign and a green markered security code panel. I wasn't allowed to look until they were done which was fine with me. I was up to the eyeballs in stain and polyurethane. When the triumphant boys called me in to unveil their creation, Isaiah poked his head around the cardboard door and said, "We finished our house already. Now you need to finish yours!"

I wish we could build in a day. For now I'm just blessed to finish the border in Seth's room (thanks, Grandma, for the extra arms) and stain some of the trim and doors. Here are the pics! Hope to have more to show you soon. Next step: bathroom tile!

Circus Act

2009-06-02T11:56:00.006-05:00

Doesn't every kid want to juggle at one time or another? At the Ren Fair they'd artfully whip around flaming torches, passing them back and forth through the air, managing not to scorch anything, well, anything important that is. We all do learn, though, by the time we're grown. Schedules, work, play, obligations... sometimes we drop the ball. No big deal. We just pick it back up and keep on going. (Just don't juggle eggs!) It happens all so quickly, no wonder there is always a play by play in any sport. I'm planning on asking Helms Deep for lessons in organization... someday....

Until then, here is an unorganized smattering of May events to catch up:

Micah had his overnight EEG with the results being: (drumrolllllll) NO Night Seizures!! Hoooraaaaay! (toss confetti, release balloons!)

Then there was Seth throwing down at the musical extravaganza with the best teach ever to Cat On An Old Tennessee Farm. Bepa did a great job whooping it up for the whole crowd! (pics of that were too dark so we gotta settle for practice time)

Goodbyes were said to a best buddy who was moving on way down south, but not before one last, fearless, epic battle in the loft with no railing!

Lots of work was finished at Greene Acres, with lots still left to squeeze in before Micah's surgery (was July 31st, now July 23rd Boy, those dates are slippery!)

Little Isaiah is up for the season and ready to roll without Hambone this time. (Somebody had to stay home and keep Leah company.)

Baby Squirrels up-n-moved away, but still hang around for peanuts. They have yet to discover Lucas made them two squirrel houses nearby. They grow up so fast, don't they?

Finally, Lucas took a quick break from work and the house for a quickie fishing day and then to reign as king over the grill. Bring on yummertime, I mean, summertime!

Elvis Has Some Peanuts

2009-05-04T12:56:00.004-05:00

Our second post ever written was one about a cute black squirrel that had taken over the front porch. He trained us to feed him nuts whenever he tapped at the window. Last Wednesday morning we were sad to find that he had been hit by a car.

After returning home from church on Sunday, we met Grandma in the kitchen, glowing with a secret. She told us to look out by Elvis' tree for a surprise. How adorable! Apparently, Elvis was Evita! Three black and gray, baby squirrels were gingerly picking their way up and down the tree. These we fed crumbs and sunflower seeds which they handled clumsily. A fourth, the tiniest, was lost across the yard desperately climbing up and down a tree. He did this for about three hours. We were afraid he'd dehydrate or starve, so on came the gardening gloves, and to the rescue we came. Or so we thought. He was too afraid and rightly so. After all, stranger danger, you know? Lucas, concerned for my tender fingers, tossed me a pair of thick, black, gloves. Once baby saw those, he leaped into my arms! Wow! After settling on his own tree again, he found his way up where he belonged.

Monday, as we sat on the ground, they overcame curiosity and we became their playground, soon discovering that there were five! We did notice that they were still trying to nurse (on us!) so we did a little online research. Kitten formula to the rescue! A visit to the Farm and Fleet had us stocked with yums and nums. They don't like the kitty bottle, though, choosing to lap the milk from a dish, but that will do. We are really impressed with these little guys, who tuck themselves in to that little hole in the tree each evening around six all on their own. What a precious and special experience for God to share with our family!

Swamped!

2009-05-02T21:36:00.005-05:00

Tick-tock-tick-tock... Up the stage steps crawls a crocodile, grinning from ear to ear. He looks a little chubby, as if he has already caught and eaten Captain Hook. This might be due to the fact that just a minute ago, he was scrambling to yank the croc costume over black sweats in the back hallway. Whew! It is a tough job playing Peter's shadow and a crusty reptile in the same evening! All of the kids do a wonderful job, and inevitably, bring down the house! Soon, a mish-mash of pirates, Native Americans, lost boys, a nanny dog, and a croc are happily munching on as many cookies as they can squeeze onto a napkin, while parents exchange compliments on costumes. The background painter is particularly sleepy and can't wait to head home and collapse, more than a little weary of paint fumes. A friend behind the snack table offers coffee. Ah, the dilemma: leaded or unleaded. But wait! It is Friday night. "Late Night," the boys are quick to remind her. ((Sigh)) No need to ask. She shuffles away to join the chit chat with a steamy cup of wonderful go-go juice in hand.

The "Skinny"

2009-04-30T13:02:00.008-05:00

Okay, dear friends and family, here are the details pertaining to Micah's upcoming surgery as we understand them. As Micah rapidly grows, his very tight muscles won't allow his bones to grow properly. In fact, they'll twist and warp them. He has had muscle surgery before, but in those surgeries, they are actually just slitting the muscle to loosen it temporarily. This means that little ones like Micah end up having lots of these surgeries as they grow up. He takes medication to help his muscles relax, but the oral doses aren't enough to keep up with our little Greene string bean! A Baclofen pump is a device that is surgically implanted to release that medication just where it needs to go all the time, providing relief to Micah for the constant tightening, as well as giving his bones a greater chance to grow properly.
As with all things, there are pros and cons:
Cons:
#1. Possibly reduced ability to communicate due to extreme sleepiness and relaxed muscles. Though Micah is shy in public, he is a virtual motor mouth at home! Needless to say, we do not want it to mess with his sparkly personality.
#2 Might contribute to scoliosis which would mean a spinal fusion in the future.
#3 Might limit his mobility even further. If all of the things Micah does: roll across the floor to reach things he wants, stand (hanging on to the railing) in public bathrooms stalls for diaper changes, hold his head up during tummy time, etc. are due to his spasticity, he won't be able to do them once the spasticity is relaxed.
# Might increase seizure activity which can lead to further brain damage. (This is supposed to be a very slight possibility.)

Pros:
#1 Will certainly give relief to Micah. Try clenching your toes as tight as you can. Go ahead, nobody is looking! Now keep them that way for as loooong as you can. When you finally relax, do it again. Ow! feel that? Now imagine that is all of your muscles, all of the time! On the other hand, Micah's old neurologist said if we all did that with all of our muscles we'd be really skinny!
#2 Possibly keeping him from developing scoliosis. Yes, I know it is one of the cons, too. Weird, huh?
#3 Possibly making some things easier for him to do with therapy.
#4 Reversible. If need be, it can be removed, but then we'd be back to multiple surgeries...

Notice all of those "mights" and possibilities?" The thing is, we won't know for sure until we try, and we know we have a loving God for whom all things are possible. We've been taking comfort in the fact that God knew Micah before he was even born, and Psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Would you please join us in prayer first of all for Micah's swift recovery, then for Lucas and I as we monitor how it affects him as it will take some time for him to become accustomed to it. There will also be some added care issues we will need to implement because of the close proximity it will have the skin of his tummy, etc. We would really like to have the house finished as much as possible and be settled in before he has the surgery, so that he won't have to be moved in and acclimate to new surroundings while recovering at the same time.

Thanks so much!
The Greenes

Special Edition

2009-04-26T20:50:00.002-05:00

Keith calls this a special edition from his Letters from the War Zone series. Please remember to keep him in your prayers...

I have disheartening news. In a short time here I will be forced to leave behind the people who have become my comrades. It has come down from much higher that I will be transferred to 26 Concrete Detachment. What this means is a couple of things. The people I have come to trust with my life will no longer be in my life. At least not until we come home. You see the thing is the 26th will not be in Iraq. They will be leaving soon for Afghanistan. Yes. That is correct. I am leaving for Afghanistan. The thing I love most about it, is they can tell me with certainty things like that, but cannot tell me if I will receive leave. Fairness is something the military isn't known for. So I do what everyone expects, I pull out some car keys and a straw and "suck it up and drive on." What this means for you is that this is the last "Letter from the War Zone" that you will receive for a while. I do not know where it is I'm going or what they have available. I will do my best to keep you all informed. So for now...... I love you all and hope to see most of you in Aug.

Love, Keith

Gonna Let It Shine

2009-04-20T14:51:00.004-05:00

The first time we saw him was too brief a moment. It seemed he was swathed in wires, rather than the downy soft blankets usually associated with such a teeny pink newborn. I was only able to touch his leg for the briefest of moments before he was whisked across the state line to the children's hospital. The doctor gently broke the news that our baby would possibly be blind and was so contracted that he might never be able to extend his arms and legs. He suggested that there would be many tests and trials yet to come. Lucas and I were still coming to terms with the loss of his twin, and I'm not sure we absorbed all of what the doctor was trying to communicate...

Eight years later, we wake every morning to singing. LOUD singing. Namely, The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, and Feliz Navidad. Then there's, "MAMA! DADDY! AAAAAAAAh DOOONE!" and laughter. All done sleeping? Us too! Who needs an alarm clock, and how on earth can Seth, sharing a room with him, sleep through it all? I stumble in to his room, trying not to step on Seth, cocooned in blankets on the trundle. My bleary eyes meet his shining, wide-awake ones. "I hungeeee, Mama."

"You're hungry? What do you want" I ask while unstrapping the aduction pillow from his legs and changing his diaper.

"Eggs!"

"That's all, huh? Just eggs" I reply, strapping the AFOs to his ankles and shins.

"Uh, go to oh-itah ih Daddy?" He grins charmingly.

I balance him on my lap while struggling to pull his bent elbows through the shirt sleeves, then hook glasses over his ears."Why would you want to go back to the hospital?"

"Iy-ies, Mama? Iy-ies an coos coos?"

Ah. There it is. French fries and Blues Clues. Lucas and I try to make the many doctors and hospital trips as fun an experience as possible for both boys, so the recent trip to Gillette was no exception. This time had been a two day appointment. The first day was followed up with wild swimming lessons from Daddy, and the second, by choosing two rides each at the Mall of America, with McDonald's to cap it off. Micah chose the Blues Clues ride and, his favorite, french fries. So rather than associating the trip with poking, prodding, and a room crammed with solemn faced doctors, The boys are already raring to go for another round. Which will be soon.

In May, there will be an overnight EEG of Micah's brain, something to compare to the image they will take after this summer's surgery. The room full of professionals unanimously agree that Micah will need a Baclofen pump implant soon. There were the usual warnings, the usual doom and glooms and what if's. The usual pros vs. cons with the pros outweighing. There was the squeezing of the heart and squelching of tears in the presence of strangers. But then there was that spring of Hope, steadying Blessed Assurance, calming Comforting Presence, and Perfect Peace, knowing that "God is good all the time."

I wheel Micah up to the table and he plunks out a one finger tune on the little keyboard he loves. I can't help but smile while preparing his medicine.

Two more sleepyheads shuffle into the kitchen, and I cook eggs for breakfast.

Volume IV

2009-04-18T17:07:00.003-05:00

Thank you to all who have been praying for Keith. Here is his fourth in the Letters from the War zone series:

So I just want to start by saying so far it has been a rough month. Our battalion has had 2 bad incidents that have sent soldiers home wounded. The first was a convoy I was supposed to be on. The last gun truck (the one I was supposed to be in) was hit by 2 rkg grenades. Those are Russian anti tank grenades. They pierced the passenger side door and hit 3 soldiers. The drive sustained shrapnel to the face. (Only peppered him.) And a larger piece in the shoulder. He will be fine; in fact, he is still here. The gunner suffered a wound to his right leg. He is also still here. The third was Staff SGT Guyton, a friend of mine. He was stabilized and sent to Germany and from there back to Hawaii. The good news is he will be fine with time. He has had five surgeries to repair damage to his right thigh. He took the worst of it and will probably be medically released from the army. He was a friend of mine, and I’m glad he is ok. I fortunately sprained my ankle two days before and couldn't go on the mission. The second was during a convoy in which I was a part. I was driving an 18 wheeler for another company. Well, the rear gun truck flipped, injuring 4 army soldiers and one senior master chief. A VIP. Everyone from that accident will be fine except the gunner. During the crash, the turret separated from the truck and landed on him. Broke almost every bone in his upper body. But he also will be ok. He is back in Hawaii too. This is why you have not heard from me in awhile. Now most recently you probably heard about the 5 soldiers that were killed by the truck bomb. They were not in my unit, but our prayers are with their families. What you most likely didn’t know is that the bomb was 10,000 lbs. That is a lot of boom. And it was only about 600 yards from where I was standing. That was definitely an eye opener. Where it went off we travel a lot. In fact, it was pretty dang close to the gate. Now, another thing you might not know is they have been hitting us like that about every other week. I think it is because we are leaving and they are trying to get it in while they still can. Keep praying for us. We need it. The armor the Lord has around me is mightier that any bomb a man can make. Do not worry for me, for the Lord is my Shepherd though this valley of death. I am afraid to leave the wire do not doubt, but at least I am prepared if you know what I mean. I still have a job to do and I will do it to the best of my ability. It is a good thing we in my platoon trust each other fully. These guys WILL bring me home safe. Do not doubt it. The Lord shall see us through this deployment and safely back to our families. My heart and thoughts are with you all always.
With love,
Keith

If A Woodchuck Could

2009-04-14T21:22:00.003-05:00

Spring is such a fitting time to be busy as bees. Lucas and I zoom around the hive doing this-n-that. Some painting here, some shower foundational work there. Lately it has been wood, wood, wood. There is something very satisfactory about transforming a boring pile of wood into a pretty ceiling.

So, if the woodchuck would chuck, tell him to chuck it to Lucas. He'll figure out what to do with it!

Uncontemplated Blessing

2009-04-07T15:26:00.005-05:00

I dread waiting. It really is a weakness that has fostered a lifelong habit of lateness, I think. I'd much rather happen onto an event just in progress than feel every TICK TICK TICK crawl by before it begins. (except for weddings!)

Sometimes, though, the wait cannot be avoided. We've recently been waiting to hear from Gillette Children's Hospital. Micah's spastic cerebral palsy had really been causing him to struggle more than usual. His orthopedic surgeon suggested the oral medication he has been taking for years is not enough, and greater measures were needed for his relief. At her referral, we contacted Gillette and waited...

Yesterday, I got the call. There is a cancellation next week and Micah can take the slot, provided one thing: If he is unable to walk. It seems that, if a child does have some ability to walk, there are extra evaluations required that would have called for more time, and we would be back to waiting. Hmmm. Precious Micah's wheelchair bound state as a blessing in this case. It is definitely something worth contemplating.

Bean Sprout

2009-03-27T11:34:00.005-05:00

Posted today is a freshly e-mailed picture of Keith's "Bamboo Boy" "Bean Sprout" "Angel"... What a sweet pea!

Volume III

2009-03-20T12:07:00.002-05:00

This one is a doozy, and precious all the same. So proud of you, Sweetie!

You know there are times in everyone’s life when they stop and evaluate what hand exactly they have been dealt. During such times of reflection, they weigh each aspect very carefully. I believe I am at such a pass, crossroad, or evaluation period in my life and I have chosen to share it with you all.
The first, the most important, my walk with the Lord. I’m not going to go into the specifics just know that Jesus is my “Battle Buddy”. Wonder what that means? Google it. It’s actually quite a cool term. Yes it’s an army term.
My Family. Second most important. I absolutely believe that I am blessed in this regard more than any man should be. I have a great wife I love dearly. Without her I would probably be a roadie for a terrible band in the middle of nowhere, without a penny to my name. I love you honey. A HEALTHY son (future NFL star) with whom my thoughts are with every moment of every day. I don’t think anyone has loved another human as much as I love my son, someone who doesn't even really know me. Or I him. But it doesn't matter, because no distance can separate a relationship as profound as a parent and their child. Most of you know what I mean. The others WILL find out. I wish to mention my mother. I appreciate her more than she knows or than I tell her. She is the reason I am who I am. Dad pitched in a bit too. (Although I’m a better ballplayer than he is) Heck, don’t hate. A wise man gave all of us a “pearl of wisdom”when he said, “those who can’t do, teach”! I’m just kidding of course. I’m still only trying to fill some mighty cleats. (Get it? As in shoes, only on …. never mind) I love you too, Pops. My brothers and sisters. This is going to be kind of general. (There really are a lot of you guys!) If I picked on you and made life hard, I was toughening you up. The real world is hard and unforgiving. For those of you who picked on ME, (Chris) you suck. Just kidding. I love all of you in your own special way. And you all made life so interesting. I don’t know what I would do without you guys. To my many, many, many, dang how many cousins do I have?! Ok to the relatively small nation of my cousins, that from this moment forth shall be known as the country of……. Cousitopia. I remember growing up and not being able to wait till I got to spend time with you all. I thought. No wait. I knew you guys were so cool! I wanted to be just like you. And did I mention you were SOOOOOO cool. A certain one of you has found some old pictures and brought them to my attention….. I would now like to retract earlier statement of said coolness. I saw the clothes you were wearing back then. As well as the hair. You know 80’s early 90’s. All coolness and previously earned “cool-points” are officially revoked. Do NOT try to argue for points. Remember, I work directly for the president. My word is practically law. Don’t believe me? Pull out the old pics and try not to beat yourself up too bad…. Remember……. You were young and stupid! The kids in the family……. You guys are growing up SO fast. I love you all. My life is so much richer because you remind us all on a daily basis, the secret of life. It’s supposed to be full of games of Hide and seek. Piggy back rides, tickle fights and a faith that only you posses. Giggles, getting tucked in, and ganging up on the biggest cousin! I can’t say it enough how much I miss you all.
My job. I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing. (Other than hanging out with my family.) It’s a hard job that is filled with challenges and victories. There are draw backs, yes. Dangers, yes. I’ll tell you right now. You have no idea how alive you are until it is in danger. You appreciate the little things. You really learn things about yourself. What you’re made of. If you have the gumption. The nerve. I do. Some don’t. I like my job. I miss my family, that’s life. Any way enough about me.
I want to thank all of you that sent me stuff. The pictures are great. The snacks are awesome. The cd’s rock! Thank you all for your prayer most of all! Remind your friends not to forget us. If they wish to send things, donate to the red-cross, VFW, or local post MWR. If they can’t get any of those there is always www.soldiersangels.com. Every bit helps!!!!!! I love you all!

Keith
P.S. Grandma Terry- Have you ever heard of photo paper? When I said pictures that’s what I meant not print outs on recycled paper!!!!! LOL I love you Grandma! You make me laugh!!!!! ( ok maybe not recycled… Grandpa Gary isn’t THAT cheap!)
P.P.s Grandpa Gary- You know I meant frugal. HA!

All The Pretty Little Colors!

2009-03-19T12:29:00.003-05:00

I sooo wanted the next few posts to be of Lucas and I with paint brushes in hand grinning triumphantly at freshly painted walls. Due to some delays, well, we're just not there yet, but will be shortly... I hear...

I just can't wait, so here are the swatches. Eventually there will be pics of which colors are going with what rooms, and believe me, I reigned myself in.

Marmie chuckles ever so lovingly at the memory of a neighbor's tactful comment about my, er, "colorful wardrobe choices" during the teen years. And I remember my brother's complete amusement in the "flower child" (as he put it) clothes during my freshman college year.

Lucas, for his part, never bats an eyelash, and it is his steady, unconditional trust in my choices that calms those, "wouldn't it be weirdly awesome if we..."

impulses that would be regretted in a year!

Sheesh! How'd I get on that rabbit trail? Anyway, the paint is waiting patiently in the basement. Admittedly the buckets have been opened for a longing peek from time to time. Hope to have pics for you soon!

Volume II

2009-03-18T12:44:00.003-05:00

Hi, All! Here is the second letter from Keith:

Welcome friends and family to the second installment in the "Letters From The War zone" series. First off I would like to inform you all that I REALLY enjoy the handwritten letters some of you have sent. Everyday I get something in the mail is like Christmas and makes me feel closer to home. If you were ever wondering what my address is, contact my lovely wife and she can give it to you. If you were also wondering what you can send me to make "the world's largest ashtray" more bearable, I would recommend PICTURES! My goal is to cover my walls in my room with the friends and family I love. On a side note it never hurts to send random snacks for me and the guys either. We don't have much in the way of goodies to choose from. Just don't send gummie bears..... (Gramma Terry has a monopoly on that front.) As far as what's going on here, It seems to be calming down. The attacks I mean. It could be because all of the bad weather but I like to think for other reasons! We have been doing the same mission for a while now. We are supporting one of the other companies. Completing a massive amount of burm work. By massive I mean around the perimeter of the whole city. Lots of time in a dozer I'll tell ya that! MUSIC! Oh my gosh I can't believe I almost forgot. I HAVE NO MUSIC!!!!!!!!! I'm going crazy because of it!!!!!!!! Anyways, I just want to throw this out there: that I have just about every Godly soldier praying for my special cousin Felisha. (just to her) We are fighting a different kind of battle here, but the guys wanted to let you know that their prayers and thoughts will be with you in your war as well. Sarah, you better make sure she gets that, or I'm comin' for ya! So much for having time to talk, eh? I have one more thing to tell you guys.... if you haven't had a chance to meet my little angel, Connor, you're missing out!
Love you all,
Keith

A package is on the way! :D

Volume I

2009-03-13T12:44:00.007-05:00

I've blogged about him once before. My cousin Keith. As a youngster, he and his brother were such little bundles of mischief. They were a bit younger than us, and we knew when they came over there'd be lots of fun and not a dull moment! (somehow, their little sis, Hollie, came out an angel) On the one hand there were broken windows, darts in the drywall, and decapitated dolls. On the other there were lopsided grins, cool traps-in-the-"woods" ideas (it was a wooded lot in our crowded neighborhood and we had good imaginations) and squeeze-your-breath-out hugs.
Back then, he bloodied my lip (a total accident involving a very large rock) and now, he teases me about turning gray! Sometimes it is hard to think of him all grown up and fighting in a war.
With a fond heart and with his blessing, I'll be posting a series of letters he's been writing from time to time. They are very "Keith"... humor, wit and all that. Here is the first: Letters from the Combat Zone Volume I
Well everyone, I'm writing to let you know that once again I find myself in dismal Camp Beuring Kuwait. Don't fret however, this time I am only visiting! However, the place I shall find myself shortly should be much more drab! I am here only for small amount of training and should be moving on shortly thereafter. Then it's into the big I. You know Iraq. I do hear that the war will be over very soon! (military intelligence has informed me that the info detailing my arrival in Iraq has been leaked and since then Al-Queda has issued an unconditional surrender as a result!) They aired it on Al Jazera apologizing repeatedly asking if they could just send me home. I guess they heard how mad I was at having to leave my little bean sprout of a son at home! Have you seen how big he's getting? Maybe "bean sprout" is inaccurate, perhaps "Bamboo Boy" is better! Especially considering bamboo is the fastest growing thing on the planet. (formerly, now it's Connor) At this rate he will be shaving by the time I get home! Hear that Grandpa? Gonna have to show the boy something you never showed me, how not to tear you neck to pieces with a razor! Thank GOD for electric or I would be forced to go around looking like Grizzly Adams! Anyway, as you can tell I'm doing fine and looking forward to seeing you all next time! Just do me a favor.... Never forget to mention the rest of your troops in your one-on-one petition to GOD every night. I know I'm covered in prayer but they should get to have the extra power of my family and friends on their side as well. I'm so covered in prayer I think I might just march on down to hell (when I'm done in Iraq) and give old Lou a piece or two of my mind! And foot! Any way I hope this finds all of you well. KEEP PRAYING! I love you all!!!! HUGS!! And a special MONSTER HUG just for Hannah!

Keith

A Skeeter Weekend

2009-02-27T10:35:00.005-06:00

I think it must have been because of the red hair. Yes. I know it was. And because the Skeeter (twin sister of Scooter) on the Muppet Babies cartoon was a bit of a tomboy, just like Leah. In any case, somewhere along the way of our childhood, she became Skeeter to me. Almost six years younger, She was the precious baby to be adored. Sometimes she was the pest. She was the bait we shoved toward the "Mom Monster" when my older brother and I were being chased down the hallway. (It was so much easier to make our escape that way!) She was the little arm wrestling champ of fourth grade, beating all but one boy who was too scared to try his luck. She was the one I chased down bullies for, but sometimes bullied myself. She was my model for photos and face painting, the one I sang to sleep, and my number one fan.

Then, I missed a whole chunk of her life. College can do that. Though, I do have a box of funny little notes and letters to fill in the gap.

Last weekend, for the first time ever in ten years, I took a trip to visit her with no kiddos. Just me, Skeeter, and a four day weekend of music, laughter, scrap booking, and a commemoration of our sisterly affection that surprised even me.

Home safely, with sleepy eyes, I thank God for such a dear sissy. (And, Skeeter, I just gotta say, " 'L' and 'R' I'm with you... every step of the way!" ;D)

Sweetest Joe

2009-02-18T12:18:00.003-06:00

Every parent can feel the presence. I don't know exactly what it is. Maybe it's the barely imperceptible wisp of breath on your face, the stealthy swoosh on carpet, the eerie feeling of eyes willing you to wake up. Whatever it is, it works! I awoke this morning to a pair of big baby blues inches from my nose, and a Cheshire cat grin. "Mom! Guess what? I made your coffee. There are two cups one is for you and one is for me but yours is the biggest I put in five scoops and filled the water thing up to seven but a little of it spilled on my shirt and I don't know how it did that just like bloop bloop bloop why does water do that?"

Did he just ask me a question? I'm still on "coffee" and his face just came into focus.

"Mom, I love you. You are my favorite mom." (wait a sec. he has others?) "I want to stay with you forever."

Okay. I'm up. "You are my favorite Seth in the world and I love you too!" Mmmmmmmm! You know what? It is the best cup 'o joe I've ever tasted!

Fresh Face

2009-02-09T21:46:00.002-06:00

Whenever I get the chance, I love to browse the blogs. It helps me feel close to far away friends, or those I haven't talked to in a while, or ones I talked to yesterday... like catching up, only you can do it in your pj's. On some of my favorites I kept noticing a little icon. Something about the cutest blog. I thought it was an award, like, "Congratulations, we've now voted you the 'cutest blog on the block'." It took a while to catch on that each one had been updated "jest so purtey!" Clicking on the icon opened a whole new world of beautiful backgrounds, seasonal backgrounds, cutesy backgrounds all for free free free! So I fiddled. And messed up. And lost Seth. (family pic.) Ended up with a mishmash of the polka dots (got a bit tired of those) and the cute new thing I'd picked. AAAh! So what we have here is a little compromise until I figure it out.
ANYWAY, I love the "Cutest Blog on the Block" site and think you will too. Click away and discover it for yourself! Thanks to all of you who went before. I can't wait to do some more! Valentines Day... Saint Patrick's... swirls... hearts .. flowers...ribbons...bows... the possibilities! :D

You Say Sheetrock, I Say Drywall

2009-02-02T14:36:00.003-06:00

Greene Acres has been very quiet lately. Everything is snuggled under a blanket of snow. Deer tracks crisscross the backyard, but we rarely ever see them sneak by. What we are seeing, though, are lots and lots of white walls. And dust. We (and by we I mean mostly Lucas) have been hanging drywa..sheetrock, whatever you call it. He has been doing this with only the tiniest smattering of help and I'm so proud of him! My hero! ((Le sigh)) Our pastor let us borrow this big metal arm drywall holding thingy. Oh I'm sure it has an official name but we call it FRIEND. It has been such a help, as my girly arms can't quite seem to hold up my share of the sheet. I get to drill. Zzzzt, zzzzt! Amazing how powerful you can feel with a power tool at your command! Makes you want to let out a gruff, Tim Allen ho ho ho ho! Except for when my arm gets tired and I find myself whimpering, "Can this be the last one for tonight?" So, anyway, here are some pics of my hero, the drywall, and one of the backyard thrown in just for fun!

Sixteen Roses

2009-01-23T17:23:00.003-06:00

They were sitting in the foyer when I arrived. I caught their fragrance as I rushed to make copies for Sunday school. Sweet and fresh and crisp. I just had to stop and take a deeper whiff, several, in fact, on the way in and on the way out. Jumbled among the busy thoughts in my very forgetful brain, I wondered if there had been a wedding or funeral over the weekend, but brushed it out of my mind and bustled away. I need to keep track of the bulletin board waaaay better than this.

Later, during the service, I noticed they had been moved to the platform. Hmm. They've really got my attention now. All through announcements and prayer I could feel them up there. The lights dimmed and a screen lit up with one of my very favorite subjects: tiny pink toes with bitsy little feet... fragile fingers curled next to a sweet round cheek... eyes squinched shut with feather soft lashes... sigh! All of these precious pictures were from babies 10 weeks, 18 weeks, 24 weeks inside the womb. Then Pastor approached the pulpit. He spoke of a local pregnancy help center that offers ladies and men counseling, a shoulder to cry on, baby supplies, parenting classes and so much more all free of charge. More than just a quick and hurtful way to smother a "problem." A true choice. There were sixteen roses in that vase. One for every tiny life given. One for every tiny life saved last year. Sixteen first birthdays for 2009 that may never have been. Later that day, there was a basket in the foyer filled with white remembrance bracelets. Written on each was a message I'll remember the rest of my life: "Life Is Precious."

"A person's a person no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss

The Adventures of Hambone the Magnificent

2008-12-27T17:18:00.007-06:00

The day started out totally crazy. Instead of heading off to work or school, Mom was setting big, rectangular parcels by the door. Isaiah was picking through his toys while Mom was telling him "Only a few. You don't want to lose them!" Huh? Then Mom picked me up, cage and all, and trucked out the door. I couldn't believe it! The Forbidden Zone! I've never been allowed out there, though I have tried to squeeze under the door before (no luck with that).

I do have hazy memories from the day I was first adopted, but I spent most of that trip quivering under cotton balls. It has been such a quiet routine since adoption day: eat- sleep- run in the wheel- sleep- eat sleep- play with Mom and Isaiah (definitely the highlight)- sleep again...

So, going outside? Big deal!! Mom set me on the back seat of the car and away we went. I slept as long as I possibly could, so did Isaiah, but it got old after a while. He and I began getting a little squirmy. Ever so often they'd stop somewhere and I'd hide under my fluff until they came back. With every bounce of the car, my water bottle dripped and made my cage cold and wet. Eventually it got dark and Mom got worried. I got the feeling we kept turning around and were going really slow. Mom made many phone calls and said "pray" a lot. I think she even whispered some herself. I knew she was talking to family. Auntie and Uncle and cousins I've never met. And God. Him I know. We all know Him. All of creation. It is said the rocks would even cry out if people wouldn't, though I'd love to see Mom and Isaiah's faces if I did! You know what? He heard her. We found a place to bunker down for the night. Mom tucked me in her bag to bring me in the hotel. I guess they don't prefer hamsters. (their loss!) I could see Isaiah needed comfort, so I unzipped my carrying case and tried to climb the bed. Mom caught me and put me back, but when she fell asleep, I succeeded. The next morning Mom found me snuggled up to my buddy on his pillow. I'm not saying I'm the best behaved member of the family. Soon they were taking things back out into the cold. No Way! Uh-uh. The heater was so toasty and inviting, I crawled in. Mom had quite the time finding me. I thought I could keep her there a little while longer until she ripped the grate from the front and grabbed me. Kinda tight! I chalk it up to happiness and relief that she found me.

The rest of the trip was a breeze and much fuss was made over our safe arrival. I found out that having family is pretty cool. Speaking of which, I'd better sneak back into my cage before Auntie Rachie figures out I'm on the loose again. (They think they can keep my doors shut with twisty ties. HA!) You know what else I found out? God watches and takes care over all of His own. Even me. Hambone the Magnificent. (but you can call me Hammy)

How To "Make" A Wise Man

2008-12-19T12:20:00.005-06:00

Supplies:

plastic fireman hat

spray glue

old sheet

leftover fabric from early 90's

old baptismal curtains

leftover trim from "The Centurion" play circa 1980's

one sewing Grandma (who hangs on to absolutely everything)

one ancient, broken piece of costume jewelry

one long, gray beard previously used for a Moses costume and mailed from your sis

a well loved pair of sandals

one willing child

Process:

spray glue fabric to hat

sew costume jewelry to hat (hid all of the goofy knots somehow... you've never learned quite how to tie them)

sew belt from same fabric (it will be crooked because you'd rather use the glue)

Take pictures of Grandma doing all the rest, drooling over her nimble ability to sew!

Welcome, Santa!

2008-12-07T20:38:00.004-06:00

Okay, no, I don't believe. The little, silver sleigh bell doesn't ring for me. My parents wanted us to know the presents came from them. They weren't sharing credit! Ask Micah, though, and he'll tell you Santa works at Menard's. All we have to do is pull in the parking lot, and he's asking for Santa. So, off to the Christmas section we go. Soon enough we find him stocking shelves, or he finds us. Same twinkling eyes, same rosy cheeks and white beard. He's traded his coat for Menard's blue, and has brown boots. He even wears a name tag labeled "Steve" as Seth points out, but Micah knows better. Soon after, we wheel away, Micah clutching a tiny candy cane or "Shhh! I met Santa 2008" card with his picture. Santa incognito!

Oh yeah. All that to say that the fireplace is in! Lucas (with some help from Dad) has been hard at work this week installing it. ((Sigh)) Lucas is my favorite Santa! xxxxoooo

Illumination!

2008-12-07T20:03:00.004-06:00

To our looooong list of things to be thankful for, we were able to add working lights by the time Thanksgiving weekend was over. Poor Uncle Bob and Aunt Deb can't catch a break. Every time they come for a visit, they are put to work. Uncle Bob did get to fill up on the snowmen he was craving, though. Aunt Deb was such a blur of activity, I couldn't even catch a picture of her. What a trooper. She even helped me with the insulation, which I am now convinced is the yuckiest part of building your own home. It is so very nice to see the warm lights shining in the very cold night. We sure can light up our neck of the woods!

Somehow, we still found time to "feast," as Seth calls it, and visit. Micah even got a private concert from Bepa, and screamed like a crazed fan!

Oh thank you, God, for a loving family!

Third Generation Snowmen

2008-11-14T13:00:00.009-06:00

As far back as I can remember, Grandma has made the coolest pancakes ever. Her breakfast portfolio includes, but is not limited to, bunnies, alligators, cowboy hats, sports balls of all types, and the ever popular snowman. (my personal favorite) These she decorates with chocolate chips. I'm sure you can imagine how popular the soccer ball is! Sitting in her kitchen with the smell of maple syrup (oh, yeah, the real kind) and awesome characters hot off the griddle is one of my treasured childhood memories. Grandma has managed to share this special breakfast with three generations of hungry tummies. Keep 'em comin', Grandma!

Would you like to share a warm and fuzzy memory of something special your grandma did for you?

Seth Vader, Micah Skywalker... And A Gall Bladder?

2008-11-04T20:12:00.003-06:00

"Trick or Treat!!" Seth and Micah hollered at the door of "Bepa's" house. Only Bepa wasn't standing at the door with a bunch o' goodies. Feeling sick, he was snuggled deep under the covers of his bed. Ever the loving daughter, I marched them in to his room to crawl all over him. (No rest for the weary!) Why was Bepa sick? It could have been that Bepa was under the weather due to all of his hard work, stacking wood in preparation for the winter... or it could have been the half a bowl of Halloween candy he scarfed the night before. (Bepa is diabetic.) But, perk up as he might for the kids, days later, the nagging pain was still there. A trip to the doctor proved quite enlightening. Bepa needed gall bladder surgery, like, yesterday! So now he rests, recovering in the hospital, waking a bit now and then to fume about not being able to cast his vote today. So, when you say your bed time prayers tonight, please remember Bepa in them and thank God for the chance to vote! :)

Bits And Pieces

2008-11-03T18:57:00.003-06:00

It has been a while since we've been able to post pics on the next step of completion at Greene Acres. That may be due to the fact that we haven't actually completed a next step. Rather, we have things in various stages of completion, so...

When the weather is nice, we work on the porch or siding. When it is too chilly for these girly fingers of mine to handle a drill, or is too dark out to rely on natural light, in we go to the soft, fluffy, cloud-like, um, insulation. It really hasn't been that bad. We keep our arms and mouths covered, and try not to steam up the goggles. (no heat yet, but getting there) Just call us Itchy and Scratchy!

Patch Results

2008-10-30T16:13:00.004-05:00

Carvers, start your... well, carving! We finally got around to chopping up those tiny pumpkins. Hallmark magazine had a really cute idea on the cover last month, showing pumpkins carved into little houses, so we branched out a little this year. Okay, Mommy did. Daddy, Seth and Micah opted for the traditional, toothy faces. At the behest of a friend, we picked up battery powered tea lights from the dollar store. There were two to a pack and they work great. The package boasted 60 hrs. of light, and they haven't let us down yet. They even sort of flicker!

Wow! Those little pumpkins had a lot of seeds. We can't seem to get all of the mini, toasted daggers eaten! (Ack! They stick in my throat, but Sethie loves 'em.)

Pumpkins And Pumpkins

2008-10-12T16:43:00.004-05:00

Look at these cuties. What fun they had on their field trip to the pumpkin farm! They pet furry critters to their hearts' content, although I think Seth would have liked to bring home a kitty, and Em, a pony. It really turned out to be quite an informative event. The kids learned how apple cider is made and how pumpkins are grown, from pollination to harvest. Mom learned that corn field mazes and wheelchairs don't really work well together! (I think we're missing some bolts.)

My favorite part of the field trip? There were six: Seth, Micah, Em, Obi, Fran and Shanti!