Hello, again!

Well, here I am again.  I've really fallen down on the blogging.  There are actually two reasons for that, one of which is very, very good!  William has been doing so well, there hasn't been much going on with him to post about, except for the recent hospital stay.  The other reason, as I'm sure that everyone can surmise without my actually saying anything, is that I am incredibly busy!  Busy in the best way possible!  With EIGHT children in school this year (I decided to start Wallace in the middle of the year...that boy needs something consistent to do!) and therapies on top of that, our days are fairly packed!

William has finally received the "all clear" from his pulmonologist, so we're back to therapy.  It's kind of a struggle, as he lost so much during the 3 months of illness and recovery, but he is a trooper!  Henry didn't make it with our family, but we found him a very good home that he loves.  I think he was just too nervous to tolerate so many children!  William got a new chihuahua, Bandit, who just so happens to be Annie's younger brother!  He's amazing and fits so well!  He's already averted one illness for William -- my kind of dog!







God has chosen to bless us again with another daughter!  We expect little Adelina Jubilee in January and we are so excited!  Delivery place is undetermined for now, as we have some issues to overcome before making those kind of decisions.  However, all who know me know that I am still praying for a home delivery!







I am so thankful and blessed to be at home with these precious children!  Sarah is in her last year of school and is desiring to take over some of the teaching with the little ones.  I am very torn about this!  On the one hand, I know the learning experience will be good for her and very useful to her one day.  On the other hand, I covet this time teaching my little ones and find it very difficult to give that over to ANYONE else, even Sarah, who also loves them dearly!  When I look into their faces I see the babies disappearing and young men and women replacing them all too quickly!  In fact, today is Elly's 8th birthday.  The oldest of my "young" set is 8 years old!  So hard to believe!  I know that just as quickly as this has happened she will be 16!  And 24!  And married!  And having children!  Oh, my!  The thoughts overwhelm me!  What I short time our children are given to us for!  May we not waste that precious time, for each moment is a gift!  I have been guilty of wasting more moments than I would want, but I am thankful that the Lord quickens my heart and reminds me how precious time is!


"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17

Update

I haven't updated in quite a long time because my computer got water spilled into it and I'm still without. There's so much to catch up on! But, for now, just the present...
William was released from a 9 day hospital stay on Saturday evening. He is still on a 10 day home regiment and is not released to go anywhere until after July 2, when he will hopefully get the "all clear" from his doctor. He had a severe case of pneumonia and his right lung was in pretty bad shape. Praise the Lord, he is much better, though still extremely weak!




We're very thankful to have our little man back home!

- Posted from my iPhone

Oh, Henry!

You see that tiny little black ball curled up on my sweet William? Love him already!

- Posted from my iPhone

Plans Change

Well, the plan was to wait. Wait for everyone to grieve and to heal. Wait for Annie's parents to have another litter. Wait.

But William started showing signs that waiting wouldn't be a good idea. His mucus became thick again. He had some rattling in his chest. He went back to sleeping fitfully. Everytime I checked on him through the night he was in a different position, his pillow was across the room, his blankets were in shambles. He kicked the wall in his sleep and cried out pitifully. All these things he used to do before Annie. He began having less daytime energy and his head began to droop again. Maybe it was the lack of sufficient rest that caused the other symptoms, but we felt we needed to act quickly, so...

Introducing...

Oh, Henry!



Henry is a tiny, black, male, nearly 10-week-old chihuahua. We've had him only 6 days, but he is already loved and cherished! He is such a smart little dog and already understands about house training and seems to have a natural understanding of what his job is!


At first, we hesitated to put him in bed with William, but have been doing so the last 3 nights and they've both done wonderfully! William sleeps soundly and peacefully, Henry seems to know to stay cuddled up beside William until I come get him. Neither of them move. It is so sweet!

And William is already doing much better! Praise the Lord!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-32

Asthma Annie

It has been a sad week in our home. William's little dog, Asthma Annie, was killed on Thursday, December 22, after running onto the highway. Many tears have been shed for her, as she was a much-loved friend and constant companion.
Just the day before, William's Pulmonologist had commented how well William's lungs were looking, perfectly healthy, not at all like the little boy he began seeing over 1 and 1/2 years ago. At that time he was sure that William would end up with a trache, as his lungs were so damaged and scarred from previous pneumonias that there was not really hope of such a successful turnaround! After all, 9 serious pneumonias before the 3rd birthday is nothing to be complacent about. I told him about Annie and he said not to discount it...he's been in practice too long and seen it too many times to not give it any merit. So, does a chihuahua REALLY take a child's asthma? I don't know. But I do know William has consistently gotten stronger and healthier in the last year and for that we give thanks to God!
William is beginning to understand that she won't be coming back. The first night was awful, as he had no realization of death. He called for her several times through the day, but was reminded of her death. At bedtime, the conversation went:
"I want Annie."
"Annie can't come. Remember, she got hit by the car and died?"
"Oh. When Annie's done being hurt, she come back to bed with me?"
And, of course, many tears with the knowledge that she can never come back.
The next night was better, with simply
"We buried Annie in the ground?"
"Yes."
"She can't come to me?"
"No, son."
More tears.
By last night, there were no tears. Just a simple, "I miss Annie."
Oh, my heart is hurting for my little boy, and the rest of my children! I realize there are much worse things that can happen. People are missing much, much more. We've even experienced greater loss in our own family. But watching my sweet children learn about death is a painful providence. It is also incredibly sweet. That might sound odd, but truly there is nothing sweeter than knowing the sorrow in a heart, while listening to tender prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of such a special dog. Hearing words of wisdom repeated from young lips makes this a very bittersweet occasion.
"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away..."
Thank You, LORD, for all of your precious gifts, no matter how insignificant they may seem to mere human eyes. And thank You for the life lessons that come in Your perfect time.
"...blessed be the name of the LORD!"

- Posted from my iPhone