Tweet and See - February 2011

• European Starling
• Northern Flicker
• Northern Cardinal
• Tufted Titmouse
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Northern Mockingbird
• American Goldfinch
• Blue Jay
• American Robin
• American Crow
• American Kestrel
• Mourning Dove
• Canada Goose
• Eastern Bluebird
• Copper Maran
• Rhode Island Red
• Barred Plymouth Rock
• Production Red
• Killdeer
• Eastern Meadowlark

Amazing

I am amazed at things that have been happening in our life.  A man who was a member of the church that my dear husband used to pastor has been diagnosed with the exact same, rare type of thyroid cancer that I had.  He has contacted me, and I have done my best to be a help and an encouragement to him.  A friend sent a message of encouragement containing a Bible verse which is one of the very ones that I thought of while I was in the surgery waiting room.  It talked of God being our refuge and our strength.  Another card had a quote from Hubert Humphreys, a different quote from the one I posted here yesterday.

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14

What You Have Left

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts - it's what you do with what you have left." - Hubert Humphrey, ostomate and former US Vice President

While waiting for a prescription to be filled, I often find myself looking for reading material where the books and magazines are located at Kroger.  Even when there is no prescription to fill,  the children will ask to go there and look at the books.  A week ago today while my dad was bringing my loved one home from the hospital, I was again at Kroger waiting.  I went to the Inspirational book section and saw several Chicken Soups for the Soul.  Selecting the ones that seemed most applicable to my current station in life, I found this quote contained in one.  It was full of meaning on that day and still is.  Surgery can take things away from us in a very literal, real way.  One experience can change our lives forever.  What remains and what we do with it - now there is something to consider.  What now?

As I go through my days of care-giving and keeping the home fires burning, I find myself wondering what is next.  Things have changed irrevocably, irreversibly, and yet we go on.  Life goes on.  A newness of life that is nothing akin to the life we knew before.  Each day with its challenges and demands.  What now?  A time to carry on, to keep up your courage, and to love and serve as never before.

Tweet and See - January 2011

• Northern Mockingbird
• Northern Flicker
• Dark-eyed junco
• Blue Jay
• Downy woodpecker
• Eastern Bluebird
• Copper Maran
• Rhode Island Red
• Production Red
• Northern Cardinal

There is a Season

To everything there is a season...

A time for china dishes,

A time for paper plates.

Guess which time it is at our house right now.

Puzzles and Popcorn

In my previous post, I forgot to mention that puzzles are another good quiet activity that the children can do when they are sick.  Also Magformers have kept them well occupied and computer games.  We have eaten popcorn too.

One child has accidentally spilled a cup of water on herself and on the couch.  What I thought was a small spill turned out to be a big spill.  I found out after that child kept telling me how wet he was.  So I had this child move to the loveseat and found a big, wet spot underneath where they had been.  No wonder he was cold!

When I called the doctor's office yesterday to schedule an appointment for another child, the receptionist asked for her birthday.  I gave her mine instead.  There is only three days' difference between the two.  After a while you start losing it when there is this much sickness happening where you live.

Then there was the time two nights ago when I was administering medicine to two of the children.  After pouring the prescribed dosage in two medicine cups, I instructed each child to take their medicine before going to bed.  One child took both, and the other hesitated.  Thankfully we have lived through that too.

So we are surviving and staying in and getting well.  Today a little school (reading aloud by Mom) and lots of TLC.

I Will Sing

Even though all of the children are sick, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.  With my mouth will I make known God's faithfulness.  The children are recovering, and our long week of sickness is over, and another week has begun.  The children are not well but are better in varying stages.  I can thank God that I am not sick and can continue to minister to each one of them.  I can be thankful that things are no worse than they are and that the children are getting better.  We have cut back on our routine and are keeping things simple.  When there is a lot of sickness, it is time for survival mode.

1.  Simple meals - sandwiches, pb toast, baked potatoes, soup

2.  Book reading, drawing, quiet play, watching television and lots of rest

3.  Lots of liquids.  Eat when you feel like eating.  If you don't feel like eating, that is okay too as long as you are drinking something.

4.  School only if you have no fever and are well enough to play.

5.  Extra sleep is encouraged.

6.  Lots of TLC.