Coming Soon To A Blog Near You!

I know I've been an awful blogger lately. It's not that I don't have things on my mind and in my life that I would like to write about. Time, however, tends to get away from me. But, I would like to revive the little thing that is this blog. So keep your eyes open for some new posts!

A Beautiful Life

 

     I first met Caitlin when I started nursing school at Southern Adventist University. We were both nursing students. From the first time I met her, she always had a smile and a kind word. We would take turns driving the carpool to our clinicals during nursing school. Caitlin always had a song to sing or some thought to share with us while we were driving.
     When I became engaged, Caitlin and some other friends, prepared a song for our wedding shower. It was such a beautiful song that we used the same song at our wedding. Caitlin had been the one to pick it out and it was perfect.
     During our second year of nursing school, I became pregnant with Hope. Caitlin made a beautiful small blanket for our newborn baby. Right now, Ephram is sleeping on it in his crib. It's one of the blankets that all three of our children have used. I'm sure Caitlin sewed it with love.
     Before we came to Thailand, in 2010, we went around the country visiting family and friends. I remember we went to Tennessee and to Southern, and I remember meeting up with Caitlin there and chatting for a little bit. That's the last time that I saw Caitlin, but she was as beautiful, cheerful, kind and loving as always.
     Two years ago, I learned that Caitlin had esophageal cancer and was receiving treatment for it. The treatment went well, but her body was unable to take the final dose of chemo. It appeared at that time that she was in remission. But then six months ago, Caitlin wrote on her blog that her PET scan had shown mets to her lungs and lymph nodes. She and her family had researched ALL her options and looked at ALL the most current information for treatment. She had decided against traditional treatments.
     I followed Caitlin on her blog... I sent her a card once from Thailand. I never heard back from her, so I don't know if she ever received it. Sometimes things get lost in the mail between here and the States. Caitlin loved to write. She loved words and painting pictures with them. She loved photographs as well, but reading how she put words together was always enjoyable.
     Four months ago, Caitlin said her x-rays were clear, but x-rays don't show the smaller tumors. She wrote that her tumor markers in her blood were increased. Then she wrote these words, "I do not know what my future is - only where it is - His hands. But I do know that He is graciously answering the many prayers by giving me more time so far. For this I am grateful. For the precious time that it gives me with those I love so much!"
     Then, a few days ago, a mutual friend posted on Facebook that Caitlin had lost her voice a couple months ago, and that she was now having difficulty breathing. And today, she passed away....
     I have many memories of Caitlin. I remember nursing classes with her, nursing clinicals with her, her violin playing at our wedding shower, her bringing me the blanket that she had made for Hope. One time, as we were walking down a hospital hallway to our clinical, we passed a janitor mopping the floor. Caitlin stopped, and said to him, "Thank you so much for doing such a good job!" She was always thinking of others, always willing to lend a helping hand, say a kind word, pray together. Caitlin loved to sing, loved to be out in nature, loved words and books. She walked with poise and dignity, with joy on her face and in her heart.
     I am not exaggerating when I say that I have never seen Jesus reflected so clearly as I did in Caitlin's life. She was selfless, joyful, loyal, kind, loving, respectful, thoughtful. I can not think of ANYTHING negative to say about the life that she lived. Although her life was cut so short (she was only 25 or 26... maybe younger?) it was full of meaning, and not wasted at all. Every day of Caitlin's life, she was an inspiration to those around her.
     Thank you God, for the gift of Caitlin. All of us who have known her have caught a better glimpse of You. 

A Story For Hope

Tiny Bear's Search

Tiny Bear woke up all alone in the bed he shared with Hope.

He sat up and looked around.

Tiny Bear was very thirsty, so he went to the kitchen for a drink of water.

He was wondering where Hope could be. Tiny Bear saw
some apple peel on the table and thought, "Has Hope
been here?"

Tiny Bear washed his face and hands before going outside
to look for Hope.

The bicycle basket was a good vantage point,
but Tiny Bear still could not find Hope.

He went out into the flower garden, but Hope was not there.

Growing tired of searching, Tiny Bear sat down in Hope's
car seat to rest. Then he had an idea...

He climbed up into the front seat of the van.

And there she was!

Tiny Bear climbed up and gave Hope a big hug.

39 Weeks

Here in our house, the topic most discussed right now is "How are you feeling?" On Monday of last week, I thought I might be in labor so we called our friends who would watch our girls, and packed a bag, and were ready to go to the hospital when things had moved along to that point. They never moved along to that point. I took a nap when the girls did and all contraction activity ceased. DISAPPOINTING!

39 week belly shot

So, the next night Robbie prepared a meal that has been known to induce labor for many women. It is a recipe from a restaurant in Atlanta, Scalini's, Eggplant Parmesiana. He made a big pan of it. We ate it for dinner last Tuesday night, then I ate some more for breakfast the next morning, and then lunch that afternoon. On Friday night, we ate it for dinner again. The rumor is that this recipe kicks women into labor within 48 hours of eating it, but this was not the case for me... DISAPPOINTING!!!

Eggplant Parmesiana (recipe courtesy of Scalini's restaurant)

I've also been trying to walk 30 minutes every evening after the girls are in bed. Trying to get little boy to move on down. I can't always walk the entire 30 minutes but walking does feel like it is helping some. We were hoping maybe the full moon would help things move right along, but it hasn't. Disappointing!

Today, Robbie went and bought three pineapples and a bottle of evening primrose oil. Both are known to help. So, I've taken one dose of EPO and I ate an entire pineapple (minus about four bites) for lunch. My mouth is feeling the burn, and so is my stomach, but who knows if this will help?

That's a whole pineapple on my plate.

Baby boy's due date is October 4, and the doctor thinks that because I delivered both girls at right around 40 weeks, that he won't show up until that time as well. Really, he could come anytime and we'd be ready. Well, as ready as we'll ever be!

Ephram's "bedroom"

Silliness and Haiku

Silly, googly eyes

My husband sits on the couch

Did this make you laugh?

Girls in a basket

What are they doing in there?

Outdoor playtime fun!

28 Weeks

Size of Baby: Chinese cabbage (about 2 1/4 lbs., almost 15 inches head to heel).

Cravings: Nothing new in this department...

What is different this time around: I believe that my weight gain has been significantly less so far this time around, which is great. With both Hope and Haven I gained 40 lbs. So far I've gained about 19 lbs. this time. We'll see how this third trimester weighs in :) Also, recently I've been really bugged by how sensitive my stomach is to touch. Both girls have no idea how bothersome it is to elbowed and kneed in the stomach right now. Add to that the constant kicking and pushing from inside and it is almost unbearable!

Symptoms: Heartburn (occasionally) and other unpleasant symptoms. Let's just say that prunes, applesauce and dragonfruit are my friends... and lots and lots of water.

Appointments: Just had our 28 week appointment yesterday. Fundal height is 27 centimeters, so I'm measuring a week behind, which is fine. Everything looked good. Baby heartbeat is strong, in the 130-140 range. Next appointment is August 2, the day after Haven's 2nd birthday. After that, we'll be seeing the doc every two weeks until D-Day. It's always amazing to me how quickly the time flies right on by...