Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Jacob's Story~Part 1



I need to tell the story about how our 9 year suffered unusual neurological symptoms just 'out of the blue' last September.
On September 1, 2010, my husband, Len, was on the way home from the hospital that I was admitted to due to a little blip in my pregnancy, when he recieved a call from our then 11 year old. It was 1:30 in the morning and Philip was calling to say that Jacob was crying because he had a horrible headache (the teenagers were all sleeping). When Lenny got home, he assessed the situation and decided he needed to bring Jacob to the emergency room. They gave him a CAT scan and an MRI, but couldn't find anything so they figured it was a sinus/ear infection. They gave him medicine and sent him home. We gave him his medicine for a few days and he seemed fine.
Two weeks later, Jacob started acting strange. He came into our bedroom around 9:30 at night and said that he knocked into some furniture and bumped his head and I remember saying to him that maybe we should get his eyes checked. He appeared to be fine~no bumps or anything. He walked out of the room and a few minutes later, one of the younger kids came to our door to say that Jacob was acting funny~breaking pencils and a ruler. I went to investigate. I remember asking him what he was doing and to stop breaking things. I thought maybe he was mad about something. Without saying anything, he started to go downstairs. I followed him. He sat down at the kitchen table and I went into the other room to do something. Lenny had decided to go to the store to get coffee for the morning. I can't remember who it was, but someone came to tell me that Jacob was breathing funny. I rushed into the kitchen and sure enough, Jacob was making this throaty, gurgling sound. It looked like he was about to have a seizure.
"Jacob, are you okay?", I asked.
He didn't say anything, but continued to make that strange sound.
I said, "Jacob, you're scaring me. Can you hear me? Can you breathe?"
He must have shook his head to say 'yes', because I remember feeling a tiny bit relieved.
I brought him into the living room and found that his legs gave out on him. I sat him on the couch. I told him that everything will be okay and that I will take care of him. He was somewhat stiff when I told him to lay down. He couldn't seem to relax his body.
He asked me if he was going to die. I reassured him that he wasn't, but boy, my heart just broke a little.
Then he started babbling, not making any sense at all.
I panicked!
I screamed for someone to call Dad!
"Hurry! Tell him it's an emergency!"
I was crying and screaming!
Jacob was breathing funny, couldn't walk and babbling~all the while wondering if he was going to die.
Something was terribly wrong with my little boy!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Dear Children, I Just Want You To Know





Dear Children,

I just want you to know that each one of you has brought so much joy to my life.

From the time Dad and I knew that you would be our child until now, I have found no greater joy than to be your mother.

To think that God created each one of you and sent you straight from Heaven for me and Dad to love is just so very wonderful!

Our lives have been so richly blessed by the birth of each one of you! And to watch you grow and become the person God created you to be is just so exciting!

You are all so special and beautiful in your own way! Each one having your own special gifts!

And to think that I get to be your mother! Wow, did I luck out!

Thank you, God, thank you, God, for these precious, precious children!

I just want you to know that my heart is so full of love for all of you and eventhough a mothers love will never be perfect, I love you more than you'll ever know.

And I will never stop loving you, no matter what!

Someday, you will all be grown up and have your own families, but I will always be your mother and I will always love you.

My prayer is that I can love each one of you the way you need to be loved, for everyone of you is different and you all bring joy in many different ways.

I just want you to know that you never have to be anyone besides yourself because you are beautiful and perfect just the way God made you and that is where your joy comes from. From being you!

I want you to know that eventhough I love you more than you'll ever know, that God loves you more! So much that He gave us Jesus to be our Savior!

So even when you feel alone, you never are. Jesus is always with you, loving you and taking care of you!

But anyway, I just wanted you to know that I love being your mother and that I couldn't be happier being anything else!

Every day is a happy day for me. I get to be your mother!

O happy me!

O happy day!

O Happy Mothers Day!

I love you, Dear Children!

I just wanted you to know!

Love, Mom




















Thursday, April 21, 2011

A Happy Easter To You




Easter is such a precious time of year!



Hearts filled with hope of an even more precious Heaven!



How lucky we are that we have a Saviour that 'laid down his life for his friends'!



There is no greater love!



Easter is a beautiful reminder of That Love!



A Love that covers all sins, delivers hope to the downtrodden, strength for the weary!



O Happy Day!



O Happy Day!



O Happy Day!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Springtime poem

My Mom loves poetry and she will send me a poem that she thinks I will like. This is one of my favorites! In the heart of a bulb Is a promise of Spring. In a little blue egg There's a bird that will sing. In the soul of a seed Is a hope of the sod. In the heart of a child Is the Kingdom of God. ~Anonymous I hope your Spring is filled with sunshine in your hearts!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Crispy Kale Chips


I found this super simple recipe for kale chips.

They are light, crispy and delicious!

Kale is a dark leafy green that is a nutritional powerhouse full of health boosting nutrients!


~Wash and dry your kale bunch.

~Tear leaves off of the tough stem into bitesize pieces.

~Spread on cookie sheet.

~Sprinkle with sea salt.

~Bake at 350* F. for 15 minutes or until crispy.

~Great alone, as a unique 'side' or on top of eggs or soup.
Don't be shy! Give it a try!


Friday, March 4, 2011

Of Love and Babies


When my newborn smiles at me like I am the center of her universe, my heart wants to leap right out of my body!

It is the most precious thing!

Such unconditional love!

She sees no flaws!

Only love!

Isn't it just a beautiful thing?

When do we stop loving like that?

I mean, we still have so much love and all as we get older~but do we still love as a child does?

I am telling you, I learn so much from babies and children that it just amazes me!

Have I put expectations on the love I have for my parents, husband or children, for example, that I no longer can love unconditionally.

Do I expect more of any relationship, where as a child I didn't expect anything?

We just loved!

Hmmm.

It is something to think about!

God just loves.

I want to go back to that feeling of just plain loving.

My baby has taught me to just love!

Forget about conditions and whatever else that keeps us from really, truly loving!

Thank you, Baby Rosie, for showing me God's way of loving!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Jack LaLanne's Guide To Reducing Stress

Jack LaLanne, a health and fitness icon, passed away in January at the age of 96.
Just last year he wrote a book called "Live Young Forever" just to continue his love of encouraging people to get into and stay in great health!

We bought the book.

Here was a man in his 90's that was the picture of health from the time he learned about health and proper nutrition when he was 15 years old until his death at 96.

It is never too late to learn all you can to live a happy, healthy, fulfilled life!

Here are his tips for reducing stress, which is a major factor in illness.
These tips are from his book "Live Young Forever"

~Be prepared for the unexpected.
~Don't take a job of which you know little, are careless about, or that you find extremely difficult.
~ Don't expect constant approval at work or in the home. It seldom materializes.
~Work out at least three days a week: weights, stretching, walking, treadmill, yoga, Pilates.
~Prioritize your "to-do list" and follow through in order of importance.
~Eat clean: Natural, wholesome foods. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein.
~Don't worry about the future; plan your future. Set achievable goals, and follow through.
~Do everything that is healthy for your mind and body. No junk food, drugs, or cigarettes, and very limited alcohol.
~Delegate some of your workload to others; you cannot do everything.
~Learn to completely relax at different times of the day. Put your feet up and watch a half-hour TV comedy program or read a good book.

I love these tips. Read and think about everyone of them and see if you can incorporate a few at a time!
Check out the Jack LaLanne website for motivation and encouragement:
http://www.jacklalanne.com/