Life. Trials. Hard times. Good times. Fun. Joy. Sadness.
It's ALL about Perspective my friends
per•spec•tive
defined as:
A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. True understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion
Just wanted to give you a little lesson before I begin. First of all I am so sorry that it has been 2 months since my last blog. Honestly I have been fighting off the Depression beast, and have no desire to do much of anything. But that is so another post:0
So this past weekend May 20-22, 2011. We went on a family camping trip. This trip had been on the Calendar for 2 months. I worked ALL week long getting a menu made, groceries bought, clothes packed, food packed, all of our bedding packed, and ALL of our camping needs. For the camper and ourselves. It is WORK, I tell you. But definitely work that I don't mind doing for some great family time. Notice I said "great". Well the day of telling my kids it was 3, 2, 1 days away came and went ....and the DAY was here . The day we were all looking forward too. We loaded up the suburban and were off. We had a three hour drive, that I prepared for. We were to start listening to our audio version of Narnia. It was great. We were headed to Arkansas to camp at Daisy State Park. It was in the back hills. The drive was absolutely beautiful. We got to ohh and awww over the hills and valleys. We arrived at the park at 3:30. Immediately we set up house. We got the camper all popped up and all the beds made. My home away from home was organized and ready. So being the shy person I am...JK. I went to visit friends. We talked about all the stuff they had been doing and all the things we planned to do. Bryce was getting ready to head out on the canoe. I noticed the kids were riding their bikes at lightning speed, and said "Bryce how are you with the kids doing that, it seems so dangerous to me" He then said "Oh Vic let them be kids" Well......2 minutes later. I was peeling my daughter off the ground, and Instantly knew she had to go to the doctor. Her chin was busted and hanging open. We did all the right things put pressure, clean and then bandage. While I was running to get the suburban that Bryce left at the boat dock. Others were setting up the tom tom and giving us instructions. I was not around for all that I was running to get pinkie and her puppy. Things I knew she would need to comfort her on our 1 hour drive to the ER. She was a little in and out, tired and restless. We got to the ER and signed her up. Did I mention that there were Severe storms all around? As we sat and waited we watch the TV we were shocked at the weather that was headed to the campsite. The nurse came in then the Doctor. He was young and completely not patient with children. I had asked people to pray as Lucy has only been to the doctor 2 other times in her life. And I knew it would be hard on her. He was irritated that she would not keep still . So he said for the nurses to STRAP her down? What? Well they did. Can I tell you how incredibly hopeless I felt as a parent? Here I was right next to her, but she didn't feel it. She begged us to help her out. She begged us not to leave her. And that, that is when I could no longer be strong. I broke down. I was crying so bad I hid my face. I knew that this was what she needed, and yet it hurt to see her go through it. After they were done she sat up and declared that she was going to try to be brave but it was too much. We reassured her of her braveness and told her she could pick anything she wanted to eat. She picked MC Donald's. I hate that place. But swallowed hard and took her there anyway. It was 9 pm at this point. And to say that we were tired well that was an understatement. We had a pit stop at the gas station, Wal-Mart, and KFC. And then headed on our 1 hour drive back to the campsite. We got home to our boys having a "Bachelor Night" in the camper with he Folmar men. Then we all went to bed. We awoke Saturday morning to a Beautiful day. We got all ready after having a nice breakfast. Our day was Blissful. We rented all 6 Kayaks the park had, and enjoyed the water all day. We rode the canoe, sat around the fire, and visited with friends. The kids went swimming, jumped off trees, raced each other, rode bikes and scooters. And we all ate very well. Saturday was Awesome, Amazing and just flat out wonderful. After campfire time, game time, popcorn, smore and cobbler time. We all decided it was bed time. So I headed to the shower and Bryce put the boys to bed. Lucy had asked to go to bed earlier. After being in the bathroom and my mind racing. I thought I have seen way too many scary movies. I will shower in the Am. I headed back to camp and the boys all came running out. "Lucy is hurt" What?? She's asleep. Well "Dad was hanging the lantern, it fell and sliced her head open" Seriously?? So I like a robot went to get my friend that is calmer and had a first aid kit in hand. We all went to the Ladies bathroom men and all. Turns out it was not that bad but head wounds bleed like crazy. So after some time we all went to bed. Can I tell you that we were done at this point? Bryce wanted to pack up and leave that night. I talked him into at least sleeping and leaving in the morning. We slept well, ate breakfast and then the kids went swimming while we packed up. Some f you may read this. Some of you may laugh, cry or even shake your head. I am quick to admit that the trip while it seems like I could surely say was from Hell. I choose to say that it was GRAND. It was hard yes and not sure I want to do it exactly like that again, but we had some great times, with friends and our family. So see it’s all about perspective. And the perspective I am choosing to see is that we made some great memories and enjoyed time with our favorite people. Our children. So how in the world could that have been so bad??
Love,
Vicki
PS pic later :)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Story of the judge who said no!!
This is a friend's friend story. I do not know these people, but I would love it if we could help them:)
The Story of the Judge Who Said No
Please feel free to share the following on your blogs. It is a summary of our adoption journey so far. Please help us spread the word. We are hoping somehow someone will be able to help us.
Two years ago Greg and I began praying for God to do whatever he wanted with our lives. We handed him a “blank check” so to speak, and told him to cash it. He opened our eyes to children with disabilities wasting away across the ocean in Eastern Europe. We joined God and started our adoption journey.
Our family is more than equipped to handle a child with special needs. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies of Alabama. I have volunteered for RISE and Eagles’ Wings. All of these organizations serve individuals with special needs. My husband I have close friends and family who have special needs and we are a big part of each other’s lives. Our wedding party included some of these special people. Our involvement with individuals with special needs led us to adopt a child with special needs; specifically, we chose Down Syndrome.
As we prayed over the faces of thousands of orphaned children with Down Syndrome, we ultimately chose a little boy named Sergey from Russia. Eight months later, as we neared the finish line of our adoption, one of Sergey’s family members in Russia stepped forward to adopt him. We were heartbroken for our loss, but God showed us that we were following him, and his ways are perfect. We knew we still wanted to adopt, so the way we saw it, two children would find homes because of our journey…Sergey went to his family and now we would choose another child to come into our family. We took great comfort in knowing that God could see this when we first committed to Sergey! We were honored to be a part of his plan.
Shortly after losing Sergey, we received a new referral with a grainy photo of a four-year-old blond-haired boy wearing pink glasses named Kirill. We were instantly in love with him. We had to re-file a lot of our paperwork because of the change in referrals and regions of Russia, but we were fast and we thought we were looking at three more months at the most until we would have Kirill home.
That was well over a year ago.
Since then so many things have happened. A tragic story of an adoptive mother sending her child back to his country alone on a plane with a note pinned to his shirt rocked our world…he was from Russia. Adoptions in Russia came to a screeching halt. Kirill’s region stopped processing adoptions for eight long months. The judge refused to accept any Amercian adoption cases until an official treaty was signed between the United States and Russia.
Even though we wouldn’t be able to finalize the adoption in court until the treaty was signed, we were allowed to go visit Kirill and sign our official petition to adopt him in August 2010. We fell more deeply in love with him. This was our son.
During that time, we found out that Kirill is the first child from his region EVER to be adopted with Down Syndrome. A birth mother keeping her child with Down Syndrome is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with Down Syndrome just don’t happen there, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphanages and mental institutions. As our process continued, it became apparent that Kirill would be a pioneer. If our adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region.
Then, a miracle happened around Christmas and the judge in this region suddenly changed her mind and began processing American adoptions again. We were elated. Could this be the light at the end of a very long tunnel? I was somewhat nervous about Kirill being the first child adopted with Down Syndrome from his region, but our agency was very confident that if we got a court date, our adoption would be approved. In seventeen years, they had never had a case rejected IF the family was issued a court date. We were told not to worry, so I didn’t. After meeting the judge’s requests for several supporting court documents, we were finally granted a court date-March 17, 2011. St. Patrick’s Day…I was thrilled. This would be our new favorite holiday! Our son was coming home!
Our other son, Clayton, who had just turned three when we started this adoption process, has prayed fervently for his brother. He is now almost five. When we told him Kirill was coming home, oh my…we had an excited big brother on our hands! At one point he even went to his room, dumped out his toy cars and divided them into two stacks…one for him and one for Kirill.
Last week, as we sat in the courtroom and suffered through five agonizing hours of difficult questioning, we were not prepared for anything but an approval of our case. Two doctors, two social workers, and the Minister of Children’s Services all made very strong statements on our behalf. They fought for us. Hard.
But when the ruling was read, the judge said, “Your application to adopt is rejected.” The basis given was that Kirill was “not socially adaptable” due to his “medical condition” and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family. As the judge read her ruling, she stated several times that we were a good family, that we met all the criteria to adopt a child, but that she would not approve our adoption because Kirill has Down Syndrome. She told us that we could adopt another child, because legally our application had no problems according to Russian adoption law. She said she would approve our adoption for a “typical” child, but not this child. Why? The only reason? Because he has Down Syndrome. Even though we were approved by our home study and by the USCIS to adopt a child with special needs. It makes no sense whatsoever. Denying a child a family because he has Down Syndrome is a violation of human rights at its most basic level!
It was like a terrible dream. We were so unprepared for this outcome. As we left the courthouse in a mental fog, the doctors and social workers that had testified came to us and said, “If you appeal, we will fight for you. Appeal. Fight this decision.” Of course we were going to appeal…I could no more walk away from our biological son, Clayton, at this point. Kirill is just as much my son.
So here we are, asking God to move the mountain that is standing between Kirill and us as we appeal to the Supreme Court in Moscow. There are also three other families who are in various stages of adopting children with Down Syndrome from Kirill’s region; one of the families has a court hearing set for next week.
We are hoping that someone will hear our outcry and help us bring our son and these other waiting children home. His adoption will set the precedent for many other children in his region. There are 98 children in his orphanage with special needs alone. It is one of many orphanages in this region that houses children with special needs. This is about more than just one child, the lives of hundreds of children with special need are at stake. Please help us.
(This story taken from "Our Eyes Opened")
The Story of the Judge Who Said No
Please feel free to share the following on your blogs. It is a summary of our adoption journey so far. Please help us spread the word. We are hoping somehow someone will be able to help us.
Two years ago Greg and I began praying for God to do whatever he wanted with our lives. We handed him a “blank check” so to speak, and told him to cash it. He opened our eyes to children with disabilities wasting away across the ocean in Eastern Europe. We joined God and started our adoption journey.
Our family is more than equipped to handle a child with special needs. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies of Alabama. I have volunteered for RISE and Eagles’ Wings. All of these organizations serve individuals with special needs. My husband I have close friends and family who have special needs and we are a big part of each other’s lives. Our wedding party included some of these special people. Our involvement with individuals with special needs led us to adopt a child with special needs; specifically, we chose Down Syndrome.
As we prayed over the faces of thousands of orphaned children with Down Syndrome, we ultimately chose a little boy named Sergey from Russia. Eight months later, as we neared the finish line of our adoption, one of Sergey’s family members in Russia stepped forward to adopt him. We were heartbroken for our loss, but God showed us that we were following him, and his ways are perfect. We knew we still wanted to adopt, so the way we saw it, two children would find homes because of our journey…Sergey went to his family and now we would choose another child to come into our family. We took great comfort in knowing that God could see this when we first committed to Sergey! We were honored to be a part of his plan.
Shortly after losing Sergey, we received a new referral with a grainy photo of a four-year-old blond-haired boy wearing pink glasses named Kirill. We were instantly in love with him. We had to re-file a lot of our paperwork because of the change in referrals and regions of Russia, but we were fast and we thought we were looking at three more months at the most until we would have Kirill home.
That was well over a year ago.
Since then so many things have happened. A tragic story of an adoptive mother sending her child back to his country alone on a plane with a note pinned to his shirt rocked our world…he was from Russia. Adoptions in Russia came to a screeching halt. Kirill’s region stopped processing adoptions for eight long months. The judge refused to accept any Amercian adoption cases until an official treaty was signed between the United States and Russia.
Even though we wouldn’t be able to finalize the adoption in court until the treaty was signed, we were allowed to go visit Kirill and sign our official petition to adopt him in August 2010. We fell more deeply in love with him. This was our son.
During that time, we found out that Kirill is the first child from his region EVER to be adopted with Down Syndrome. A birth mother keeping her child with Down Syndrome is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with Down Syndrome just don’t happen there, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphanages and mental institutions. As our process continued, it became apparent that Kirill would be a pioneer. If our adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region.
Then, a miracle happened around Christmas and the judge in this region suddenly changed her mind and began processing American adoptions again. We were elated. Could this be the light at the end of a very long tunnel? I was somewhat nervous about Kirill being the first child adopted with Down Syndrome from his region, but our agency was very confident that if we got a court date, our adoption would be approved. In seventeen years, they had never had a case rejected IF the family was issued a court date. We were told not to worry, so I didn’t. After meeting the judge’s requests for several supporting court documents, we were finally granted a court date-March 17, 2011. St. Patrick’s Day…I was thrilled. This would be our new favorite holiday! Our son was coming home!
Our other son, Clayton, who had just turned three when we started this adoption process, has prayed fervently for his brother. He is now almost five. When we told him Kirill was coming home, oh my…we had an excited big brother on our hands! At one point he even went to his room, dumped out his toy cars and divided them into two stacks…one for him and one for Kirill.
Last week, as we sat in the courtroom and suffered through five agonizing hours of difficult questioning, we were not prepared for anything but an approval of our case. Two doctors, two social workers, and the Minister of Children’s Services all made very strong statements on our behalf. They fought for us. Hard.
But when the ruling was read, the judge said, “Your application to adopt is rejected.” The basis given was that Kirill was “not socially adaptable” due to his “medical condition” and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family. As the judge read her ruling, she stated several times that we were a good family, that we met all the criteria to adopt a child, but that she would not approve our adoption because Kirill has Down Syndrome. She told us that we could adopt another child, because legally our application had no problems according to Russian adoption law. She said she would approve our adoption for a “typical” child, but not this child. Why? The only reason? Because he has Down Syndrome. Even though we were approved by our home study and by the USCIS to adopt a child with special needs. It makes no sense whatsoever. Denying a child a family because he has Down Syndrome is a violation of human rights at its most basic level!
It was like a terrible dream. We were so unprepared for this outcome. As we left the courthouse in a mental fog, the doctors and social workers that had testified came to us and said, “If you appeal, we will fight for you. Appeal. Fight this decision.” Of course we were going to appeal…I could no more walk away from our biological son, Clayton, at this point. Kirill is just as much my son.
So here we are, asking God to move the mountain that is standing between Kirill and us as we appeal to the Supreme Court in Moscow. There are also three other families who are in various stages of adopting children with Down Syndrome from Kirill’s region; one of the families has a court hearing set for next week.
We are hoping that someone will hear our outcry and help us bring our son and these other waiting children home. His adoption will set the precedent for many other children in his region. There are 98 children in his orphanage with special needs alone. It is one of many orphanages in this region that houses children with special needs. This is about more than just one child, the lives of hundreds of children with special need are at stake. Please help us.
(This story taken from "Our Eyes Opened")
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Shattered Image...........
So a good friend and I have been discussing for months now reality in blogs. Life on a blog and how different it is from real life. I feel like mine is pretty open to what happens around here. But have thought that you all don't necessarily see the ugly. So not that I want you all to think that my life is not all that and a bag of chips. But I DO want you all to see that my life well it's good, but there is some ugly(it's just real). Like the fact that my kids don't always obey, or the way Bryce and I disagree. Well sometimes it's just down right ugly. Does it negate the fact that we are still 100% committed to each other? Well of course not. We take our vows VERY VERY SERIOUSLY. And it's not entirely because we made them to each other. Why it's because we stood before the God of the Universe and pledged ourselves to each other before him. I fear the wrath of God more than I fear the wrath of Bryce. So many people, sadly to say a lot of Christians do not anymore. And we wonder what's going on with our youth and Nation. Ok this is NOT a marriage post....:) There have been times when I did not think that I have been fit to be a wife and mother. But when I get that feeling I pray. I used to go to the telephone. So someone could tell me my self worth. But now I go to the throne of Jesus. He tells me I am the apple of his eye, that he LOVES me and will NEVER leave me, he says if I draw near to him he will draw near to me.....It's the way things are. I DEPEND on Jesus for everything. I NEED him for everything. Sometimes there is chastising. HE does that to the people he Loves. Only because he wants to see me grow. To have victory in areas I have struggled, to overcome. To hold my toungue, to love and not hate. Jesus is why I can love, be a decent wife and mother. Jesus is why I can love friends, and family enough to give myself. It's all about him. So this my firends is my REALITY. It's not always easy nor do I expect it to be. There have and will continue to be disapoinments. But if I keep my eyes on him, those will only last a little while. Becasue joy comes in the morning!!! So friends...please don't hide behind a fence, image or mirage. Just be you, let Jesus live in you. And you won't have to hide anymore. Oh the Victory in just being you and not what others think you should be is... well it's FRREDOM!! I love all of you!!! Have a wonderful day...Remember we are Blessed to be a Blessing:)
Vicki
Vicki
Saturday, March 12, 2011
PW + MM = My Valentine's 2011
OK there was this city girl, that met a cowboy. They fell in love, got married and had 4 babies. Oh AND she was from the city....moved to the country and became Pioneer Woman. I LOVE HER!!!! Some of you worry about me and my minor obsession with PW. But to all concerned, STOP. She is my friend. Maybe just in the cyber world, but none the less my friend. I feel like she is one of my best friends. And guess what? I am not the only one that feels this way about her and her incredible family!! She has this small blog www.thepioneerwoman.com . You should check it out sometime...Jk about the small part. It's a goldmine of information, photo tips, life stories, oh the Mike stories they make me smile, and just a few recipes. Just a few? Are you kidding a platthera of recipes. I was hooked when she showed a picture of every step of the way. It was life changing for me. Do you know how many times, I have been making something new, and wondered what it should look like? Well she eliminated that for me, and for that I will always have a special place in my heart for her. I was introduced to her blog 4 years ago, when really there was not much traffic. Those were the days. She now gets a million hits a month, and I am sure there are even more now. It has been such neat journey to share with her the explosion, and popularity of her blog. She wrote a cookbook and I went to her signing. I had never been to a signing before. I had so much fun. Met some friends, well what else do you do in line for hours....you meet people, Totally a gift of mine:) When she announced her Love story release I looked for her book signing schedule. Once again I made plans to attend. My husband gave me the book for our Anniversary gift, but insisted that I get a date to go with me. You see it was on Valentine's day. How awesome was that? My husband gave up his Valentine. It was pretty special and I came home with a special present for him.....now get your minds out of the gutter. It was a cigar humidor that he has wanted for a long time now. I took 2 lovely teenage girls with me. Lynsee and Korrin, they were so much fun. And on the date I found out I was both of their first dates. We had fun shopping, eating at the Purple Cow. Then standing in line. Oh I meant I stood in line they are both book worms and had fun wondering around Borders for an evening. They would come check on me every now and then. I met more new friends. I was able to meet up with an old friend from high school. Karie and I had not seen each other in 20 years. That was so much fun, new and old friends...my favorite:)Oh I got to see MM's cousin Mateo and his lovely Bride Teresa again. I think their just as great!! PW, is so gracious, kind, loving, fun, and my best friend. Oh I already told you all that. Well her husband, MM the one responsible as to why some of us have bought our husband's Wranglers. Jk......Well he is just a true gentlemen. He stood in line for hours signing books with no comfortable table or chair. He just stood there, gave everyone their moment, took pictures for us to brag about, smiled and did the same for the next 500 people. Oh the night was wonderful.....and I am so Thankful to my wonderful husband for giving me that gift on Valentine's...Enjoy the pics everyone!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
12
OK how in the world do I have a 12 year old? I am so sad, not because I desire like the world to be young...Nope. I am sad because Colin is still my baby boy. He will always be. I realize he has a desire to grow out of that, but I may not ever let him. He is my little love. In fact when ever he wakes up in the morning. Lucy announces "Mom your love is awake" I just love him so much. I cant help but think back of him being my only baby. Oh the attention he got:) And now the way he is literally my right arm. He helps me remember things, is my strong guy when dad isn't around. I am just so impressed with the amazing young man Jesus has developed. Colin is skilled at building things, and serving. This young man in the making is such a joy to be around. In honor of Colin's birthday(well every one's in the house) He does not have to do any chores today. We serve him and love him ALL DAY LONG!! He gets to pick the menu for the day.
Today it is:
Breakfast Homemade donuts
Lunch Chicken fettuccine
Dinner Fried catfish and home made fries
For his birthday celebration this year we are going to an indoor water park for the weekend....Fun times and family memories...Our favorite!!!!
Colin,
We all love you so much. Dad and I are so proud of you. You are such a joy to be with. Thank you for loving Jesus.!!
Love Forever,
Dad and Mom :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Three........
In just 29 short days, it has SNOWED 3 times here in East Texas. Now according to the people that have been born and bred here...well it's a first. I have never experienced the white stuff so much in my life. I am from South Texas where we actually celebrated Christmas with our AC on at times. So this over abundance, global warming, insane weather is odd for me. The first time we were so excited we were outside as much as possible....The second time after a day we enjoyed snow ball fights....Now this third time...I am thinking the only good thing is that I can eat snow again. I LOVE TO EAT SNOW. So, no pictures just a ramble...enjoy the snow folks:)
Vicki
Vicki
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How??
How is it February 1, 2011? I mean really. I had this great idea and plan. I was going to blog once a week in January about first. Like Tanner's Deer. And my first real fast.First time to really admit we made a mistake..... And my first time to ever take care of a parent. It was going to be good. And now here it is February and well it doesn't seem so cool anymore. So I guess I will just give you snippets of what was going to be...........
We talked to our life group about having a fast. We all agreed to meet every night for a week. To worship, pray and seek the Lord. What you fasted or didn't was up to you and your family. I actually did it for the first time. Now I am very familiar with fasting. We have done many fasts. Our last church Trinity in Dallas we fasted church wide twice a year. So I am used to them. But honestly I have never fully participated. See I was always pregnant or nursing. So I had to eat. I mean I was the source for my babies. But anyway this time I had no excuse. I tried to make them:) I was blown away. I have never denied myself for that long and I saw Jesus. I saw him and spoke to him and loved every minute of it. Well not every minute of the hunger but every minute of being in his presence. It was so incredible to be so close to him. If you have not ever fasted. I challenge you to pray and seek the Lord and ask him if you should. Because with out him you will not succeed.
Mistake:
What are you thinking???
Well let me just tell you so you don't have to wonder. We made a HUGE mistake when we decided to have Bryce fixed. We thought that was what we wanted. I was so DONE having kids. My body was tired and honestly I was being really selfish. Now before you throw tomatoes at me. We did have some valid reasons. Like the fact that after loosing our Precious Henry. I almost died. Twice. Now that is a reason. But as we have seen over time it really wasn't reason enough. You see because I trust the Lord. So even if I would have died it would have been his plan. I don't mean to be all morbid. But I Completely trust my Maker. He knows it all and has a plan that I am just involved in. So the action of cutting off his blessings makes us sick today. We want another baby or 2 or 3. Who knows we just know that Children are a Blessing from the Lord. No matter what the world says. So my dear, sweet, wonderful friends......PLEASE I BEG YOU...DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE. Am I saying become the next Duggars? Well if that is what the Lord has planned then yes if not then no. But we have a Lord that loves us so much. He gave his only son so we could live, and Love his Blessings!!
Taking care of MOM:
Well we have had the opportunity of taking care of Mom. We have had her since November. She has official been here 11 weeks. How has it been you ask? Well you want the pretty picture or the truth? I must give you the truth I love you all too much. It has been a challenge. The beginning although it is now a blurr was very very difficult. I was being stretched like never before. I had 5 children in my home and one(mom)was like an infant. Not because she wanted to be. But truly out of a need. I would have to wake up in the middle of the night half asleep to take her to the bathroom. I had to bathe her. Make all her meals help her get to and from the table. Wash all of her clothes and bedding. It was HARD. I don't want to have to do it again anytime soon. But I have learned so much about myself and my family. Some of it isn't so pretty. Like my lashing out on all of them because I was so tired or worn out. I yelled at all of them one time to be quiet. I said there is one of me to 5 of you give me a break. Well that was the ugly. I was ugly. My mom did not want to sit in a wheelchair and depend on me. But she did need me. There were times when Bryce would just hug me and then demand that I go to sleep. My husband slept on the floor next to mom. So he did not have to wake me. He is amazing. Then we got her into a room with a bed and it got a little better. Then she walked and boy did that change things......My kids were so happy for her. It has been a really amazing time. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to help mom during this time. I am even so thankful for all the hard. I am thankful that my kids have had life lessons that you can not get through a textbook. They have leaned first hand to love and serve. I have seen my family grow in this experience and it makes my heart smile. Now I am not tooting our horn saying we have done it all right. Because we have not. But I do believe that Lord is happy with us. His servants.
So there you have it friends just a little recap of our lives lately. Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Vicki
We talked to our life group about having a fast. We all agreed to meet every night for a week. To worship, pray and seek the Lord. What you fasted or didn't was up to you and your family. I actually did it for the first time. Now I am very familiar with fasting. We have done many fasts. Our last church Trinity in Dallas we fasted church wide twice a year. So I am used to them. But honestly I have never fully participated. See I was always pregnant or nursing. So I had to eat. I mean I was the source for my babies. But anyway this time I had no excuse. I tried to make them:) I was blown away. I have never denied myself for that long and I saw Jesus. I saw him and spoke to him and loved every minute of it. Well not every minute of the hunger but every minute of being in his presence. It was so incredible to be so close to him. If you have not ever fasted. I challenge you to pray and seek the Lord and ask him if you should. Because with out him you will not succeed.
Mistake:
What are you thinking???
Well let me just tell you so you don't have to wonder. We made a HUGE mistake when we decided to have Bryce fixed. We thought that was what we wanted. I was so DONE having kids. My body was tired and honestly I was being really selfish. Now before you throw tomatoes at me. We did have some valid reasons. Like the fact that after loosing our Precious Henry. I almost died. Twice. Now that is a reason. But as we have seen over time it really wasn't reason enough. You see because I trust the Lord. So even if I would have died it would have been his plan. I don't mean to be all morbid. But I Completely trust my Maker. He knows it all and has a plan that I am just involved in. So the action of cutting off his blessings makes us sick today. We want another baby or 2 or 3. Who knows we just know that Children are a Blessing from the Lord. No matter what the world says. So my dear, sweet, wonderful friends......PLEASE I BEG YOU...DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE. Am I saying become the next Duggars? Well if that is what the Lord has planned then yes if not then no. But we have a Lord that loves us so much. He gave his only son so we could live, and Love his Blessings!!
Taking care of MOM:
Well we have had the opportunity of taking care of Mom. We have had her since November. She has official been here 11 weeks. How has it been you ask? Well you want the pretty picture or the truth? I must give you the truth I love you all too much. It has been a challenge. The beginning although it is now a blurr was very very difficult. I was being stretched like never before. I had 5 children in my home and one(mom)was like an infant. Not because she wanted to be. But truly out of a need. I would have to wake up in the middle of the night half asleep to take her to the bathroom. I had to bathe her. Make all her meals help her get to and from the table. Wash all of her clothes and bedding. It was HARD. I don't want to have to do it again anytime soon. But I have learned so much about myself and my family. Some of it isn't so pretty. Like my lashing out on all of them because I was so tired or worn out. I yelled at all of them one time to be quiet. I said there is one of me to 5 of you give me a break. Well that was the ugly. I was ugly. My mom did not want to sit in a wheelchair and depend on me. But she did need me. There were times when Bryce would just hug me and then demand that I go to sleep. My husband slept on the floor next to mom. So he did not have to wake me. He is amazing. Then we got her into a room with a bed and it got a little better. Then she walked and boy did that change things......My kids were so happy for her. It has been a really amazing time. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to help mom during this time. I am even so thankful for all the hard. I am thankful that my kids have had life lessons that you can not get through a textbook. They have leaned first hand to love and serve. I have seen my family grow in this experience and it makes my heart smile. Now I am not tooting our horn saying we have done it all right. Because we have not. But I do believe that Lord is happy with us. His servants.
So there you have it friends just a little recap of our lives lately. Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Vicki
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