loose tooth, pink eye, ear infection, and a broken finger

so that was my day in a nutshell!
The day started kinda full on plans. Mostly, Amy and I wanted the kids to have a fun day full of mommy time and playing before we got busy with all the Christmas festivities. Before the play came the shopping for people who needed food. Then after Walmart we took the kids to a play place for some grub and fun. While we were there, Caleb complained about his mouth hurting. So I checked his teeth and a front one was loose and slightly bloody. I would like to say that this was a natural phenominon, but I would be lying. Yesterday he was jumping off of the couch when he fell and bloodied his lip. I soothed him and washed him and sent him on his way. Little did I know that he had loosened the tooth. So I made an appointment to see the dentist this afternoon. But first I had to run groceries to Carol. Then I took the other two to Amy's and off to the dentist we went.
Good news! Caleb's tooth was already just being held in by tissue, so no damage done. Just wiggly until it decides to come out.
Then when we got back to Amy's she said that Julia;s eye was looking really bad and she thought I should take her to the doctor. She was totally right, so I made an appointment. We left Draden and Caleb with Amy. I said something along the lines of "Don't let Draden break a bone or I will be three for three."
I had barely made the highway when I got a call from Amy. Draden had gotten his hand smashed in the door. He was screaming and was having a hard time moving his fingers. I told her to meet me at the doctor's office.
First the doctor looked at Julia. Yep, she has an ear infection and the pink eye to go with it. None of my kids have ever had either of these ailments, but there you have it.
Then she looked at Draden's hand. She told us to go over to the hospital and get it x-rayed.
Draden got to look at his pictures when he was done, and sure enough, he has a fractured index finger!
I was three for three!
When I went to Walgreens to get all the meds and first aid gear I needed, I also picked up "good patient" gifts for each of my children. The likelyhood of us having another day like this anytime soon is slim. The surprise made putting the splint on his finger worth it for Draden. And the splint actually helped it feel better. Julia is just a mess, but the eye drops shoul dhelp quickly and of course there are the antibiotics for the infection. Caleb, well, Caleb is just a boy and the dentist almost seemed proud of him for knocking his tooth loose. Seems our dentist did that when he was 8 by jumping off the coffee table.
Quite an eventful day! But the best part is that we still had time to serve another family in the midst of our chaos. And as Draden told Amy today at Walmart, "You are giving a present to Jesus when you give Christmas to a family who wouldn't get one if you didn't help."

Hooray!

I found my writing about Carol! Just thought I would share!!!!!!

frustrated and gross!

I had a really good start on my story about Carol saved to my computer. Now I can't find it! Just a little frustrated about that!!!!!!!

Gross! Megan dissected a shark today for marine biology. It smelled bad and was disgusting. But also very very cool!!! Of course I wasn't the one who had to touch it with my bare hands. Kuddos to Megan who did it with only one glove! :)

Is he six?!?!?!

This week we celebrated 6 years with our firstborn. I am so amazed by this child every day. He loves to read and learn new things. He likes to create. He has an opinion of his own about a lot of things. (this can be tiresome at times, but most of the time it is pretty cool and often funny!) He has a heart for people who have nothing and he wants to share what he has with them. Though he will be quick to tell you that he doesn't want to give his money to the government because they already have more than enough! :)

Being his mommy has brought challenges, but mostly great joy. God has used this child to connect me with Him in more ways than I can even describe. I am forever grateful that we are so blessed to be called his mommy and daddy.

My prayer for him is that he may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I love you Draden!!!


Blowing out the candles!
With Beth and Hallie

Bryan and Mindi rock, Dude!

Austin, Colton, Madison, and Draden, a motley crew!

Draden and his best friend, Madison!

Draden and Colton

(after this picture was taken they wrestled eachother to the ground!)

Crazy moms! Amy and Debra!

Mindi and Beth

Colton, Austin and Draden

Austin and Draden

We had so much fun celebrating with all of you!

Calling in the battle troops!

Dear friends,

Recently I went on a day mission with my church, LifeChurch, and several other churches. We did a "Block Party" downtown for the homeless and poverty stricken people who live downtown. I serve weekly at the City Rescue Mission, so on the way downtown I did some praying. I asked God to stretch me, and boy did He. Without going into all the details of the last 3 weeks of our journey I will tell you that we have hit a little road block.

The lives that God chose to intertwine with ours is a woman named Carol and her three children (ages 2, 1, and 2 weeks!) The baby was born after I met her. They are now off the streets and living with a friend. My extended family has supplied a place for her to live with her children. She has filled out the section 8 forms. She wants to get her life going and I intend to see her though it all. She is my friend.

This is where you come in.

We have a move-in date set for next Sunday. We want to have her whole house furnished and supplied when she moves in. This includes everything from dishes to picture frames to clothes in the closets hanging on hangers. We are also searching for a car so she can get to a job and take her kids to day care.

I am asking you to think big and give big. If you are a Life Churcher too, think of this as your chance to practice what you learned this past weekend.

What we need:

pretty much everything that will make a house a home!

sizes

Carol: size 8-9 shoes

size 12-14 clothing

2 year old girl:

She wears 4t clothing

I am not sure about shoes but somewhere between a 9 and 11

1 year old boy:

18-24 month clothing

size 4 diapers

infant girl:

infant clothing

size 1 diapers

If you have the next size up for any of the kids that would help in the long run for them.

If you have any questions or want to help with decorating or if you have a truck and some time or can assist in any way please email me and/or give me a call. Thank you in advance for giving BIG!!!!

Trusting that God is who He says He is,
cissa

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12

60 miles in 3 days

So I am now in day two of my recovery from my recent walk. I am actually in great shape. My feet don't want to fit into tennis shoes, but other than that I am great! The walk was much prettier and I think easier than last year. I plan on signing up for next year soon. I am so proud of the girls that I took down there with me. Each walked what they could and made a huge difference in the lives of people they will never meet. I love you girls!

$5 or $100?

So our new sermon series at church comes at an interesting time in my family's life. Last Wednesday we took in two little ones (1 and 2) that live at the City Rescue Mission with their mommy. This was to be until mommy had the new baby. Which she did yesterday! Yea! A beautiful little girl!!!!! That to say that I think that God is testing to see if I have a $5 faith or $100. Will I be obedient with all my life or do I hold back?