The Power of Prayer

As if I needed any more proof that prayer works!

This past Friday after school we took Scott in for his next shot. He started to get upset again; as I held him down I began to pray, "Lord, help Scott. Help the shot not to hurt, etc..." He calmed down and the next thing we knew the nurse was saying, "It's done!" So next time we start praying before the weeping and wailing starts! Seriously, I am continually amazed at how God blesses us and answers our prayers. He really wants to hear from us. How cool is that!!!

After the doctor's office we went to see "Hotel for Dogs", the kids had both really wanted to see it and we thought it would be a good "reward" for Scott. Then on to dinner at Scott's favorite restaurant Souplantation, where he loves the Mac & Cheese!

Thanks to all of our prayer warriors! You are awesome.

Here we go again...

Tomorrow Scott has to go in for the 3rd shot of the drug that will (hopefully) block the growth hormone that his pituitary gland is producing an overabundance of. The first shot he had was in Maryland at NIH, the second was here at our pediatrician’s office.

It went pretty well, if you don't consider that he was kicking and screaming and that Chuck was lying over his legs and I was lying over his upper back to hold him down. So with us lying there, the nurse grabs him and jabs the shot in so fast! I don’t think I have ever seen a shot go so quickly, I am certain she just wanted out of there!

It reminded us of the scene in "Finding Nemo" where the pelican flies into the dentist’s office and chaos breaks out. Ashlyn was afraid and slowly backing out of the room and when Chuck noticed her leaving he could see the receptionist and the people in the waiting room. Eyes as big as saucers and mouths hanging open is what he said he saw!

We made the mistake of telling Scott last time that it was coming up soon, so we haven’t yet told him that the shot is coming. Please be praying that he won’t get so worked up and that he wouldn’t even feel the shot. (It’s a big gauge needle and a thick liquid so it hurts when he gets stuck and when the drug goes in). Also, please be praying that the shots will be effective, if the levels of growth hormone (IGF-1) isn’t lowered enough by this drug, we’ll have to add a second one, which would be a daily shot (once or twice daily), I really don’t want to have to do that!

The Things that Kids Say

Today at work, I was in the two year old room and one of the little boys had a scratch on his face and we asked him, "How did that happen?"

His reply, "I bounced and then I was fine."

I just love the things that come out of kids mouths!

Prayer Request Update

We have just found out that John Portlock, the man that we had asked for prayer for, has passed away.

Please continue to pray for his family, for their comfort and strength during this time.

Thanks prayer warriors!

Christmas Memories

Wow, Christmas has come and gone. I don't know whether to be sad or relieved! It seems to come faster each year and a little bit harder to prepare for (maybe that's just me... I don't know).

However, we had a great holiday and here are some pictures to prove it!

We had the traditional "big" dinner at our house on Christmas Eve (ham, roast, potatoes, green bean casserole, etc). Scott and Ashlyn had the normal chicken nuggets and applesauce. No adventure in those two, at least when it comes to food. They don't know what they are missing.

Baby Jessica and mom, Natasha are both beautiful. Don't you love the little Santa suit! What a cutie!

They really do love each other... or maybe it's the Christmas spirit or that Santa's coming soon... hmmm.

Even Kira gets into the Christmas spirit!

We celebrate Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake. I asked the kids what kind of cake they wanted me to make for Jesus and the answer was, CHOCOLATE. What else would it be? It was a really good cake, if I do say so myself. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, it's a good thing that He has unconditional love for us, because we can't sing worth anything!

Natasha's mom and dad, Michael and Tomara have recently immigrated from Russia and they were with us this year. It was good having them join us. Natasha translated for us.

Scott and Ashlyn wanted to leave cookies and milk for Santa...

Scott and Ashlyn wanted to sleep together in Scott's bed and we said it was o.k. They were so excited they thought they wouldn't go to sleep, I think they were in dreamland in just a few minutes. One of them, I don't remember which one now, was awake at 4:00am wanting to start Christmas. I said go back to bed....

We ended up not waking up until 8:00 or so... which was so much better than 4:00 am! Anyway, the kids were both happy with the gifts that Santa brought!

My sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia and Tony, gave us some wonderful things from Bolivia. The blanket works really well for naps! I have already given it a "test drive"!

We had a great Christmas! Our families are so wonderful and generous. I hope that you had a great Christmas as well!

Urgent Prayer Needed

First, I must say so sorry that I haven't kept my blog updated...

Second, (and more importantly). Chuck's boss, Laurie, called this morning with a prayer request for a dear friend's husband, John Portlock. He was in a motorcycle accident over the past weekend and has very little brain activity and the doctors aren't hopeful for a good outcome. John has a wife and three young children.

Please pray for a miraculous recovery for John and comfort for his family. No time is a good time to go through something like this, but at Christmas time it just seems worse.

Thanks to all you faithful prayer warriors! We know that prayer works! Praise God!

Thanksgiving and Praise

This is the time of year when we reflect on what we are thankful for; these are a few of mine...

-- A loving, caring, merciful, forgiving God.

-- A loving, supportive, wonderful husband.

-- Fabulous kids, who get along (most of the time).

-- A wonderful, generous, loving extended family; aunties, uncles, grandparents, & cousins.

-- "Adopted" parents/grandparents, Darrel & Barbie.

-- Old friends and new friends.

-- Prayers, cards, emails, and encouragement from those friends.

-- A good dog, who likes to snuggle.

-- A son who is goofy and kind of a dork, just like his mom.

-- That Scott's illness is manageable. Not terminal or debilitating.

-- That there is a treatment for the excess growth hormone.

-- That Scott is not in precocious puberty. That the external signs of puberty that he has can be dealt with.

-- A daughter who is independent and strong even though it drives me crazy sometimes. Pray for me!

-- That Ashlyn loves to dance around and be silly.

-- Coffee (the stronger the better).

-- The doctors who we have met recently. That they are caring, knowledgeable and willing to share their time.

-- Nurses.

-- NIH (National Institutes of Health).

-- That Scott hasn't had any side effects to his new medication, at least as of right now.

-- Good news. It is always welcome.

-- Bad new. It makes us trust in God and strengthens our faith in Him.

-- Target. I love to shop there.

-- Books. I love to read.

-- My own bed!

-- Chocolate.

I hope that you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!