tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22312793655543753802024-02-20T21:33:47.202-06:00Who's there?Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-88281886169790473092015-08-02T05:30:00.001-05:002015-08-02T05:30:34.218-05:003:30am HOW DARE WE NOT FEAR HIM?It's 3:30am an God woke me with a single thought - How Dare we not Fear Him? I'm half-way tempted to put on a pot of coffee and give up on the idea of sleep... but let's just see where He wants to go with this... I'm awake anyways :) <br />
<br />
I look around this broken world we are living in and it's hard not to miss things these days.. we have access to so much information, so much news.. everything we want and need to know is literally at the tip of our fingter tips all day long. I realize that the majority of the population of this world does not have smart phone access, but I am writing to those who do. And we are the ones that have the power to change the tide.<br />
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In the US alone over 3500 babies are aborted daily yet we provide free condoms to our youth, promoting OUR RIGHTS to free sex. <br />
In 2013 less than 3 percent of the US adult population identified themselves as gay yet over 50% of our Facebook feeds dressed up in rainbows screaming about OUR RIGHTS. I'm not here to pick on gays you're missing the point if you get hung up on that...<br />
Over half of the population now lives with their mate before committing their lives to one another.<br />
There is a terror organization that threatens us and murders innocent people daily in the name of their god yet we scream and shout about THEIR RIGHTS to set of beliefs we don't even take the time to educate ourselves about.<br />
Not only do we allow a statue of Satan to be erected in our nation that was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but people everywhere are erecting statues of buddha and all kinds of other Gods in their homes, front yards and places of business. And we are not just numb but supportive<br />
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We live in a society that continues to Mock God yet we call it OUR RIGHTS. HOW DARE WE NOT FEAR HIM?<br />
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<br />
Yet, at the end of the day, all he wants is our hearts. <br />
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He hand-crafted each and everyone of us for a purpose:<br />
<b>For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10</b><br />
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Don't let the enemy rob you of that by lying to you. Unborn children are real people with value who do feel pain, giving of ourselves too freely to any relationship is damaging to our spirits, free sex and homosexuality is never how we were intended to live. If you believe any different, you are believing a lie. Giving glory or worship to any being or idol other than God himself is Idolatry.<br />
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<b>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10<br />
</b><br />
<b>Dear Children Keep yourselves from Idols 1 John 5:21</b><br />
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I testify to you that there IS a God in heaven. He created you, he loves you. He put on human flesh, in the person of Jesus, to walk with us and show us how to live and love one another.<br />
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<b>In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God John 1:1<br />
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14</b><br />
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He gave his life to be mocked publicly and brutally murdered in his innocence so that he could take on your sin, wipe your slate clean and invite you into eternity with him and all he has created for you.<br />
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<b>For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but eternal life John 3:16</b><br />
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He wants you just as you are, no matter what you've done, no matter what lies you have believed. He can use every bit of your story, the good, the bad, the ugly... it's all part of your purpose. All you have to do is turn your back on this world and choose Him. Choose LIFE<br />
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My parting thought to ponder, Both Matthew 25 and Luke 19 refer to a parable Jesus taught about how a king entrusted his servants with his treasures and they had to report back what they did while he was gone. To the 2 servants who took risks and invested his treasures he commended with the words "well done my good and faithful servant". As God's children, we desire so much to hear those exact words... I think there may have even been a few songs written about those words.<br />
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On the flip side: Matthew 7:12-23 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;<br />
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When this is all over, which phrase do you want to hear your master say? <br />
"Well done my good and faithful servant"<br />
or<br />
"I never knew you" ??<br />
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My friends, the time is coming near. YOU have the power the change the world, YOU have the power make choices every single day. <br />
HOW DARE WE NOT FEAR HIM?<br />
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-50964780882265667882013-06-17T21:02:00.000-05:002013-06-17T21:02:08.805-05:00Tiny Messes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbOwGJv6WQUlnSWc_SUigwDsT-LReUfQL68aPpJuqHo4yM06euROO5SvzMMbnJcK-PtTpczbOh4VTuLHPxLRLJXWqeUwELUP0Aso4napKz8xYQ58QbvQY-IbAZkRCZ4myTrcnGcORsA/s1600/mess+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbOwGJv6WQUlnSWc_SUigwDsT-LReUfQL68aPpJuqHo4yM06euROO5SvzMMbnJcK-PtTpczbOh4VTuLHPxLRLJXWqeUwELUP0Aso4napKz8xYQ58QbvQY-IbAZkRCZ4myTrcnGcORsA/s320/mess+003.JPG" /></a></div>As Mike and I were going through our nightly ritual of putting away toys, and cleaning up the kitchen for the last time of the day I was putting all of my frosting tips back in their little tackle box. Oliver had been playing with them while I was preparing dinner [or as Mike and I call it: "Oliver was re-organizing the Tupperware cabinet.." (the baking stuff happens to be in the same cabinet)] I said to Mike "I think it is a one-year-old's JOB to UN-do everything that is "done". Then, putting the frosting tips back below, I turned to put the bottles and sippy cups and all the little feeding devices that were drying on a towel next to the sink away into what used to be my spice cabinet.<br />
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All of this just another illustration to the phrase we may as well record, press play and hit the repeat button... "this is just the phase of life we are in"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC53bPDvKFbuLyNH8PQxhuTDbymnMXpSqLta7X7WFs5rtluUtU_r5Hbh0FKFqMbGom1RX-b7u6P55L3AXKrQ-jzQp9Sp5PMZ0ua0VzjgqTF8eemygDcMqWzm7UKZ11JrKgtKSRpIpb3A/s1600/mess+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC53bPDvKFbuLyNH8PQxhuTDbymnMXpSqLta7X7WFs5rtluUtU_r5Hbh0FKFqMbGom1RX-b7u6P55L3AXKrQ-jzQp9Sp5PMZ0ua0VzjgqTF8eemygDcMqWzm7UKZ11JrKgtKSRpIpb3A/s320/mess+005.JPG" /></a></div>Why am I blogging about this? Because.. "this is just the phase of life we are in". Before entering parenthood... it was so common to think "why can't they just get it together?" After experiencing the chaos of a home of small children. My oh my... I wouldn't say that I am a neat-freak... but I like organization. I don't like crap on my counters... not even appliances other than the coffee maker... it just drives me nuts to feel like I am amidst clutter in my own home. I am always striving to create a place for everything... I have always had my little piles, but they get sorted. <br />
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This whole small children thing... takes the challenge to a whole new level... Children come with things... things that have LOTS of parts... they also require every single ounce of time and energy that you never knew you even had. That is why our token phrase is "this is just the phase of life we are in" It's not our excuse for not getting things done... it's how we comfort ourselves in the fact that although we never stop moving and trying to get the laundry to where it needs to go or keep the pile of clothes that are not quite dirty... or the toys or the sippy cups or the toy-littered bath tub at bay.... and it appears as though we've "lost our touch" we're actually doing our best... and it could be a whole lot worse. <br />
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But at the end of the day, our job is to insert as much love and knowledge into our little treasures that God has gifted us with. After checking on their sweet sleeping faces before going to bed last night I said to Mike... "they're completely exhausting, but they're only this little for a little while" So I guess we just need to embrace the moment and trust that everything will get done... and it always does when it counts.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-36835367090348781712013-03-01T23:28:00.001-06:002013-03-01T23:28:19.361-06:002013<p dir=ltr>Okay so I am waving the white flag.  My bad, at the new year I said something like... "Bring on 2013, there's no way it can be anything like 2012".  I really thought a several month battle with severe infant allergies, a run in with cancer and all of the other 2012 craziness couldnt be topped!  <br>
Well the past 3 weeks alone we've come mighty close.  It started with a child birth followed by emergency surgery, 5 days later a 911 call and another 5 days l later the hospitalization of my 10 day old son.  As I sit up nursing my baby, reflecting on it all here on March first.  This is what I am thinking.... This  happens to be the month of my 10 year wedding anniversary.  I can't help but think " okay Satan if you're trying to create adversity, youve only reinforced or made stronger our bond, and although you have your tiny moments of victory when I am overcome with fear for my sons next breath; it is not you who I cry out to for help and strength.  It is Jesus.  So you still lose.  You will always be a loser. So you may as well go pick on someone else because Im already taken.  That is all.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPqv0Iv8u_SCjvf1eUU8YiiLgNmQSlMw9mLfQahOSIQSWOoQyxz1SPKyfDpziVHlke6BqrjW293Uw9FErGGS0jnZTz8iGnewj4_YRCCjEiBz08CmhfXk_y_hBcR6c0IG5ygcvxcJDaw/s1600/20130218_201705.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPqv0Iv8u_SCjvf1eUU8YiiLgNmQSlMw9mLfQahOSIQSWOoQyxz1SPKyfDpziVHlke6BqrjW293Uw9FErGGS0jnZTz8iGnewj4_YRCCjEiBz08CmhfXk_y_hBcR6c0IG5ygcvxcJDaw/s640/20130218_201705.jpg' /> </a> </div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-56134353313170410462012-11-11T15:13:00.000-06:002012-11-11T15:13:50.897-06:00The Refinery<br />
The last several weeks, the Holy Spirit has really laid this word on my heart: Refinement/Refinery. As I look around this is a process that is taking place in many areas. <br />
<b>The refining began at home:</b><br />
In regards to my own life, 2012 has been a year of refinery. Beginning in January; living through the daily agony of the skin on my son’s head and face cracking, bleeding and sloughing off on a daily basis for about 3 months straight with no answers. I found myself sobbing and on my knees in prayer daily begging for answers, strength, perseverance and God’s glory to be revealed through that storm. As the healing began in May, everything around us was in need of catching up… adjusting to the first year of parenthood, the unexpected four to six hundred a month we spent just trying to figure out what was wrong with Oliver, paying for treatments, special lotions, organic formula and foods. My prayer was to trust in His provision. When it gets so overwhelming and unbearable he takes you ONE STEP further, to a place where ONLY HE can come in and wipe the slate clean. <br />
It was time for total surrender, and the timing was right. By end of July and early August we could say we were trudging through a season of my Husband’s cancer news and [what seemed like] every appliance in the house breaking at the same time. But hope was beginning to shine through. It was a TUFF couple of months no doubt; but the refining process was already well under way. The previous nine months having given us new strength and an even firmer foundation in Him.<br />
<b>Meanwhile:</b><br />
Everywhere around me I was reminded throughout the year not to pity my own tribulations as my dearest friends were dealing with heavy, heavy life challenges as well; folks unable to pay their bills, losing jobs and homes, fighting for their marriages and families, kids in the ICU the list goes on. Men of faith being asked to compromise their values for corporate America; that was a common theme this year as well. <br />
All of these people and families near and dear to me struggling to live a respectable life without facing persecution for their differences, values, and faith; a process of refinement. I am proud to say in the cases that particularly come to mind, there is victory taking place on different levels. There is victory in perseverance for the Kindom of heaven (in marriages prevailing over the enemy’s will, jobs being found where men can speak truth) and there is victory from an earthly perspective (bills getting paid and healing taking place). All a part of a refining process.<br />
<b>On a larger scale:</b><br />
I see things like apathy in the church and towards patriotism and I can’t help but wonder: Is this all part of a greater refining process? The apathy is something we see on a grand scale for instance a stat I learned today 80% of teens here in Tulsa [right smack dab in the middle of the “Bible Belt”] are unchurched. Kinda shocking huh? But, I also see it in my own small prayer group with lame excuses week after week for not showing up or participating. Totally taking for granted a group of people that have volunteered to offer support to one another and the simple fact that we even have the freedom to do so. Kinda makes me wonder how long we will keep fighting for a freedom we don’t even seem to treasure as a nation or as individuals. It’s scary frankly and if you just rolled your eyes; you, my friend suffer from apathy as well. My question to you… What DO you care about?? What ARE you willing to fight for? If you can’t answer that question you are without passion and in effect DEAD, spiritually dead.<br />
But back to the refinement process. I can’t help but wonder if there IS a greater refinement process going on? Maybe God is putting his people through a refinement process. 1. To see who really has passion for truth. And 2. To make those individuals stronger and BOLDER for him.<br />
Maybe he wants his entire church to go through a refinement process. Maybe people roll their eyes about church and walk away without introducing their children to Him because the people at the head of the church are not the ones who are truly passionate about Him ….and Truth! Maybe at the end of this process there really will be a revival; a movement of love … TRUE LOVE. It’s a refinery, that’s my theory. I can’t otherwise make any sense of the apathy and selfishness that literally makes me SICK in this world.<br />
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-54059722110996281802012-09-19T11:34:00.001-05:002012-09-19T11:34:26.237-05:00PeleIt has been a source of both joy and comedy over the months to see how coordinated Oliver is with his feet. At times, as he is learning new motor skills and "tricks" it seems like he may be more coordinated with his feet than his hands. <br />
When my mom came to visit in april he was about 5 1/2 months old; she bought him his first ball... we sat in a circle passing the ball around, trying o teach Oliver how to pass. He preferred to use his feet to catch and pass over his hands, this is where he gained the nick-name Pele.<br />
Anyway I was putting him down for a nap this morning; I needed to change his pants first. As he was laying on his changing table I handed him his bottle. I went to grab his feet to lift his tush to slide the new diaper under and was un able to because his feet were occupied. They were holding his bottle in his mouth. What a goofball. There are times you wish you had a camera handy... if it happens again, I'll have to snap a pic.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-85452008394894767132012-08-28T20:54:00.000-05:002012-08-29T07:17:36.678-05:00The Month of AugustWell... suprise! Another challenging month for the Stenglein houhehold. <br />
<br />
It's been a challenging year for us really, starting in January began the journey with Oliver's allergies and bacterial infection. Literally bringing me to my knees in prayer and pleading for answers, healing and resolution on an almost daily basis. <br />
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Finally in April and May we began to feel as though the situation was somewhat predictable and manageable. I felt like "okay maybe I can relax a little". (Other than Mike's 2 trips to the E.R. on Easter Weekend) The weather was beautiful, and the garden was more fruitful than EVER this spring.<br />
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In June we were pleasantly suprised with the news of our second baby on the way. We were not "suprised" about the pregnancy other than after YEARS of trying for Oliver we just didn't expect for things to come as easy this time. Truely a blessing an answer to prayer and wishes come true. <br />
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By Mid-June, though, the heat just got so strong and unlike with my pregnancy with Oliver I was really lethargic, tired and having daily nausea. We gave up on the garden. Oliver and I didn't go much of anywhere for the next 4 weeks except the occasional early morning errand. The car would heat up too much to take the baby out. We were basically <i>TRAPPED</i> looking forward to our tuesday swim days and Living for the weekends when Daddy is home! I Began to sink quickly into a depression :(<br />
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The 3rd week of July my mom flew us down to Tucson for 2 weeks. A MUCH welcome change of pace! It was the end of my first trimester so the help and extra naps were a God-send. We were able to come home somewhat refreshed... and anxious to see Daddy!<br />
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The day we got home, Mike had gone in for a follow-up CT Scan for a "suspicious spot" on his kidney. [Three months prior, on Easter Weekend, he had gone in for another unrelated problem and a scan done at that time caused the initial suspicion]<br />
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On Monday July 30th Mike had a biopsy done on "the spot". We were feeling some anxiety, it was a long day. Our prayer was for an accurate Biopsy so we could deal accordingly and know what we were working with. We were told that the Doctor should have results within 24 hours so Mike called a few times the next day... but it wasn't until<br />
<b>August 1st</b> that we found out the biopsy was/is malignant. He was informed over the phone with no details but an appointment set for the following Tuesday. The week to follow was without a doubt <i>emotional</i>. We immediatly began educating ourselves on every possible precaution we could take to stop feeding and reverse the growth of the cancer. [and I thought we ate pretty healthy <i>before</i> the cancer diet became a part of our household routine]<br />
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My Brother came in to offer us some much needed emotional and prayer support for a few days. I was, to say the least, OVERWHELMED now with every member of our household having different nutritional needs. What lies ahead being the pregnant mother of a 10 month old and wife of a cancer fighting husband? Mike's head swimming with similair thoughts "How do I take care of my Family and fight cancer? I have 2 babies..." We don't for a second claim to think that we are capable of or left to play this hand on our own. As a matter of fact it is because of the great friend and healer we have in our savior Jesus Christ that we have been able to stay sane and strong through ALL of the challenges we have faced... this... just another opportunity to give Him the glory.<br />
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<i>Meanwhile we had been talking all summer long on our evening walks about how we have a strong feeling about God bringing a great change in this next season of our lives...</i><br />
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Anyway, rewind to the saturday before the biopsy, the heat of summer was topping out at 112-118 every day, and the Air Conditioner seemed to be literally dying. A service man came out dumped a bunch of chemicals into it and said "it's a matter of time" On Thursday, the day after we received our life-changing news it was nearly dead again, I had a guy out to give a price and were told we'd not only have to replace the A/C but we'd also have to replace the coil and furnace because it's all connected and out of date. I said thank you, we'd like to get another opinion before we make a decision. That night as we were getting Oliver ready for bed we heard an aweful noise coming from the laundry room which was literally the sound of the motor on our washing machine spinning it's LAST rotation. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???<br />
We proceeded to put Oliver to bed, hand rinsed the laundry in the tub and as we were standing on the back patio wringing out towels we just had to have a laugh. I mean what ELSE could POSSIBLY happen in one week??<br />
Oh... about the A/C, our "second opinion" guy was a miracle worker, he had everything working just fine in less than an hour. I told him "you have a new customer".<br />
<br />
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Anyway, the following Tuesday we went in for our <b><b>long-awaited</b></b> doctor's appointment. The doctor's attitude was very reassuring. We have aparently discovered this cancer VERY early on. It's also extremely RARE to find this type of cancer so early. Along with our nutritional, supplementational and hard-core prayer activity we plan to have it removed laproscoprically with a less than 10% chance of seeing it again. Plus we will be having routine scans done, so the "prognosis" is good. Praise the Lord.<br />
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This last week we have all gotten hit with a nasty virus, probably all the stress finally breaking us down... I finally have begun to feel somewhat human today after about 5 achy nauseus miserable days. I was beginning to wonder "Are we EVER gonna get a break around here?" <br />
<br />
Well, good thing I was feeling better today because I had an OB appointment today where we found out that we are expecting our next baby to be another BOY!! Soo excited, we were secretly hoping for Oliver to have a little brother... apparently our great "wish granter" was privy to the secret :) We are blessed.<br />
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Thursday we meet with the surgeon, so we'll be in prayer that goes well and we can schedule surgery soon.<br />
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So, we've had our challenges this year, nearly each one accompanied by a great blessing. We continue to live in great anticipation of what the next season of our lives will bring and are on the edge of our seats to see and be a part of God's Glory being Revealed through it all.<br />
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-58827818314718982092012-08-13T07:14:00.001-05:002012-08-13T07:14:14.269-05:008-13-12My reading this morning took me to 2 Timothy 2. At first I thought "how appropriate" as the first verse says (1)"You then, my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" as we are currently facing some pretty <i>daunting</i> [to the unbeliever] GIANTS in our household. (3) "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" <i>Amen</i>! I thought "we're suited up for battle!"<br />
... Then I read on: (4) "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affiars - he wants to please his commanding officer." Now wait a minute, this scripture is for all of his children.<br />
Likewise verse (16) "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly"<br />
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Thoughts of political rants, chick-fil-a non-sense, social networking conflict, personal conflict, useless ramblings with no basis other than self-importance and foolish pride rolled through my mind.<br />
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Brothers and sisters, God used this scripture this morning to remind me and whoever comes across this:<br />
<br />
<b>There is ONLY ONE battle worth fighting<br />
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Reconcile your differences<br />
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Be accountable</b><br />
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I guess scripture has a little something for all of us today. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-36827966598119125102012-07-29T14:32:00.001-05:002012-07-29T14:39:38.137-05:00Oliver 9 Months : A visit to Gramma's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQt7iQGVRt60ztHAEBu6sllDr3tMexvw5WrfWeJpzyeiqEAiEDdb-NE9lib9owbPj7pehg96_Zbp9AnMiXFz2fKoIl6PNLvRU-XNOby8pu4rcs9AcM9QucjhjlSybnx6NM02TbeppQ/s1600/grammas+958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQt7iQGVRt60ztHAEBu6sllDr3tMexvw5WrfWeJpzyeiqEAiEDdb-NE9lib9owbPj7pehg96_Zbp9AnMiXFz2fKoIl6PNLvRU-XNOby8pu4rcs9AcM9QucjhjlSybnx6NM02TbeppQ/s400/grammas+958.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3JSaTB49Pgo9jPbe_47wlsuj65hmfIuqQlnXXvD8Yz7VERmQ2iT6oMbJM4wJM06NrQ6pjFusfmN5uyDWhQdOFU8lAnRkweMyeKVqycwxmaodW0Rtm1a3pCxTxXRw-OJkVfbIkqfQ2g/s1600/gramma%2527s+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3JSaTB49Pgo9jPbe_47wlsuj65hmfIuqQlnXXvD8Yz7VERmQ2iT6oMbJM4wJM06NrQ6pjFusfmN5uyDWhQdOFU8lAnRkweMyeKVqycwxmaodW0Rtm1a3pCxTxXRw-OJkVfbIkqfQ2g/s400/gramma%2527s+026.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This month Oliver and I went to visit my Mom in Tucson for 2 weeks. He was an absolute angel on the plane both ways, thank God! I was a bit nervous about how that would go! We went to see Dr Martha for Allergy treatments and also had 3 Cranial Sacral treatments done to help align the bones in his skull... what a difference! We went for a walk and swam almost every day and enjoyed lots of quality time with "gramma"! <br />
Being in my first tri-mester with baby #2 it was a MUCH needed break from the "norm" for me too! I have been trapped inside much of the time this summer with the heat and this one is taking a greater toll on me that Oliver did! My mom was a HUGE help with Oliver and let me take some much needed naps too!<br />
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While we were there, Oliver turned 9 months.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-32349569942677191102012-06-20T15:00:00.002-05:002012-06-20T15:00:49.361-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFahFfOj2mtSXGqMdK5I1tYcNvgaZKbNxS_EXEchJ-qP7RjJR6y6qVt8MJAkiBAQRyM6z_MfL1P1DKdhs8hGlVwD4pFIOqDQEo2qbRwkgsSV2MEPW5e1YzRm3gs8viAIww6opfy5Xfg/s1600/6-20+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFahFfOj2mtSXGqMdK5I1tYcNvgaZKbNxS_EXEchJ-qP7RjJR6y6qVt8MJAkiBAQRyM6z_MfL1P1DKdhs8hGlVwD4pFIOqDQEo2qbRwkgsSV2MEPW5e1YzRm3gs8viAIww6opfy5Xfg/s400/6-20+001.JPG" /></a><br />
In an effort to be both organized and budget conscious I decided to prepare 2 different meals with one chicken this morning... anyway... I failed to think ahead ingredients-wise... or at least I thought. I got started then realized I had no onions or carrots... <br />
No problem! I took a little walk down to the old garden and dug some up! Although I have to shamefully admit things are getting a little overgrown down there so I had to dig around to find the onions. What a treat that was..... and not to mention SUPER cheap!<br />
Having my own produce and herbs comes in handy from time to time :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-28175765968487416672012-05-23T13:29:00.000-05:002012-05-23T13:29:23.697-05:00Hope for when everything is made RIGHT!Loved this little note in my study bible:<br />
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on Revelation 17:7<br />
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...<i>No matter what happens, we must trust that God is still in charge, that God overrules all the plans and intrigues of the evil one, and that God's plans will happen just as he says. God even uses people opposed to him as tools to execute his will. Although he allows evil to permeate this present world, the new earth will <b>never know sin</b></i> -niv<br />
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<b>AMEN</b> ... and that is a day worth living for!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-2973995915346848962012-04-24T12:24:00.002-05:002012-04-24T12:24:51.552-05:004-24-2012Just thought I'd post a little update.. it's been a while.<br />
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In Mommy news we've been sucessfully introducing solids for the past several weeks. I felt confident and did green beans without checking for allergy first 'cause things were going so well. He broke out but we caught it quick. I had him treated and then 'pureed' some of my own, but they only chopped up fine... still kinda mealy... we tried to re-introduce today at lunch and he did not like AT ALL. I think it was more texture than anything so I am going to wait a bit ... maybe just give him store-bought for a while. I think they cook them more 'cause the color is not as fresh looking.<br />
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We've been eating asparagus, broccoli, chive, lettuce and herbs from the garden for a few weeks now. Peas are all blooming so hopefully a matter of time. <br />
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I'm motivated to get some of the landscaping looking better. Mainly because I want to mix-in some fun interactive kid-stuff... but some areas really need some attention anyways.<br />
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I've been having fun making the bags and purses... I was able to successfully come up with some of my own designs and they turned out cute. I feel like I was able to conquer (not perfect) that quest so I am okay with moving on to the out-door stuff for a while... haha. <br />
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Anyways that's about it. I'm 33 today. WHhooopppeeedddooo.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-88239042351841973982012-03-28T21:42:00.003-05:002012-03-28T21:42:52.962-05:005 months....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXp9qiPRDXrbd8NmZOAdrs6QFRZT4l8Klznzs1mzlU3d1SUVE7jlBb0f39VzSuhaxNelhHsCkx3NYwroTSLCDOrYWEroqgSs6__aoRXQVq6w8rh9ZeOb6zmgI0Hqm8wsoF8XX_x0M5w/s1600/3-22-10+046sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXp9qiPRDXrbd8NmZOAdrs6QFRZT4l8Klznzs1mzlU3d1SUVE7jlBb0f39VzSuhaxNelhHsCkx3NYwroTSLCDOrYWEroqgSs6__aoRXQVq6w8rh9ZeOb6zmgI0Hqm8wsoF8XX_x0M5w/s400/3-22-10+046sm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Well... actually more like 5 1/2 months, He's 24 weeks today!... <br />
I dressed him up in these overalls one day last week and thought he looked so cute, I better get the camera out! His skin has been so sensitive that all I've been able to put him in these last couple of months is sweats. I bought these overalls when I was pregnant and now that he can finally wear them, he will probably grow out of them in just a few short weeks! His skin is consistently improving, some days better than others.... nothing at all like how bad it was with the undiagnosed bacterial infection. We're slowly introducing solid foods. <br />
He's been doing fine with rice cereal for several weeks. We tried Banana's first and he had a reaction. Then peas, then avacados, they seem to be going well. His favorite so far is avacado! Next is sweet potato's, then oatmeal baby cereal.<br />
He's also rolling over now and has had 2 teeth since he was 22 weeks old! He's really at a fun age, sitting better and better all the time, and LOVES the Jump-a-roo!<br />
Since moving to solid foods twice a day he's sleeping through the night too! He goes to bed @ 7, we wake him for a bottle @10, he wakes @ 5am for a snack and gets up around 7 or so. Not bad! <br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-33281325294323116072012-03-22T10:29:00.000-05:002012-03-22T10:40:29.084-05:00It's a hard job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2D5Ez27N-IIj5B7jhimEvLajyluO-ZLEx3z-pA16gA4LuBpFcoDFqTPLuvsYF1DJh32dhTlst1VeGm2dAyn_p1CCoJWyrtlyi4E5cBh_Weh651LBJzOF76aeARs6R9d10foDUujPbA/s1600/feb12+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2D5Ez27N-IIj5B7jhimEvLajyluO-ZLEx3z-pA16gA4LuBpFcoDFqTPLuvsYF1DJh32dhTlst1VeGm2dAyn_p1CCoJWyrtlyi4E5cBh_Weh651LBJzOF76aeARs6R9d10foDUujPbA/s320/feb12+052.JPG" /></a></div>This picture is a reminder for me of where we've been and how far we've come<br />
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It's funny, I was thinking about the other day and shared with a friend of mine over a conversation about parenting... it seems as though being a mom is living in a state of constantly second guessing your decisions. It's so easy before becoming one yourself to look from the outside and think you know how you would react to situations or methodically approach things like bed time, food, illness... yikes just wait 'til discipline comes in play!<br />
It's like you're trying to read your child and respond in a way that is appropriate for them as an individual. You don't want to give in on everything, but they live in this soft spot you never knew you had... especially if you're a real tuff-ass like myself. And when they're sick or hurting you just want to make it magically go away. Truthfully this whole process we've been through with the rashes, food allergies, bacterial infection has probably been ions more painful for me than him. <br />
Over the weekend we tried our first non-cereal food; bananas. Everything seemed to have been on the mend since I finally gave up breast-feeding. So we thought it was a good time to get started... I mean, he's HUNGRY! Ya know? And he has 2 teeth! Well... we started noticing some reddness in the cheeks and around the mouth then tuesday night he started secreting/sweating UGH! I went to the store at midnight to buy goats milk thinking he was reacting to the formula. Who knows! My head swimming, I began to suffocate again. I swear the enemy knows his way in.... why can't I lock that door??? I would recite in my mind "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" Matt 11:28 I know he can take my anxieties but I can't fully let go. Somewhere in this life as a parent I am going to have to learn to let go a little bit. So maybe this is all a lesson in trust. Well, perseverence... now trust... Okay Lord have I learned all I need to from this? That's what I am really saying.<br />
Anyways, In the morning I gave him cereal mixed w/water and called the doc. They said they would get him in in the afternoon. He was wtill hungry, I gave him the Goats Milk.... in front of my face he started turning redder, maybe even swelling up? Is my mind playing tricks on me? WHAT DO I DO??? I called my neighbor Dana a mom of 3 boys and asked her to look at him... I was panicking. I'm tired of panicking. She prayed with me over Oliver, a while later we left for the Doctor's a little early. During the last break out; the word took me to James 5:14 "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." So this time I stopped by the church, an emotional mess. Many staff members stopped what they were doing and gathered around me and Oliver in prayer. I am so thankful for a praying church. <br />
The doctor felt confident that Oliver's reaction was to the Banana's and not the formula. Probably most people would have been able to see that... but you're lookng through a foggy lens when you're emotionally exhausted from putting out the same fire over and over again. Anyways, he seems to be doing good.<br />
Last night I said to Mike, "I got dealt the wrong hand, I am not a good match for this challenge" He assured me that is not true, that I am strong enough. We agreed this is just the first of many challenges. It's the hardest job on earth. Probably cause you care more about this job than any other you will ever have. It's a blessing to care so much. <br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-49274059994672040622012-03-06T10:04:00.000-06:002012-03-06T10:07:16.089-06:00Relevant Scripture Today for MeMy Current reading plan continues to speak to the long long long trial of my son's illness. So thankful for his healing, just a couple spots on his cheeks to clear up. <br />
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<b>Actual Scripture:</b><br />
1 Peter 1 1-12<br />
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1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, <br />
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To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: <br />
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Grace and peace be yours in abundance. <br />
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Praise to God for a Living Hope<br />
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. <br />
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. <br />
<b><br />
My Translation:</b><br />
<br />
1 Peter 1: 1-12 <br />
We will face trials and persecution for our faith. The old prophets did, Christ did, the first Christians did. So will we. These trials refine us, make us stronger in our faith. Because the old prophets suffered persecution; we have concrete proof of our salvation through Christ. He fulfilled prophecy and will come back for those who hold fast to his truths. For those who are called, he sent us his spirit as a gift of counsel, teaching, help and guidance.<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-53710985950826927732012-03-02T08:34:00.001-06:002012-03-02T08:40:37.711-06:00perseveranceThis post is really for me, but you are welcome to read it.<br />
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We are still battling this skin problem/illness/allergy/yeast/bacterial infection with Oliver, my 4 1/2 month old son. It's now been going on for half of his life. The last bout, I felt helpless and hopeless. I spent time in prayer and the Lord assured me that he is my strength. I clung to that and he slowly started to improve. THat was a couple weeks ago. Another outbreak started yesterday and I don't even have the strength to reach out for the Lord's strength. <br />
I am a week hopeless mess. I'm in temendous emotional anguish over my baby's health. We begged and prayed for him for years, and the joy of motherhood had been robbed from me. I have been a sobbing mess for the last 24 hours. We went back to Dr Olsen last night and he called in a script for a bacterial infection. THe skin all over his head is open and raw and he is secreeting profusely again. I feel like hei is NEVER going to heal.<br />
I turn to scripture [feeling forsaken] searching for any glimmer of hope to cling to. The Lord told me to read on in the reading plan that I have been doing. It lead me to the book if James which begins and ends in speaking of perseverence. James 1:1 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete. James 5:11 As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered.<br />
Lord, I pray that it is no mistake that you lead me to this portion of your word during this time. Not because I want to be tested, quite frankly I didn't ask to persevere anything. I would give anything for you to take this illness from my baby. But I thank you for seeing me worthy of perseverance and most of all I have hope that when there is something to persevere, there is also a promise of resolution.<br />
I pray that your resolution is a complete healing for Oliver. I pray it come soon, and you continue to strenghten us until that time<br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-33112819219209902772012-01-30T21:34:00.001-06:002012-01-30T21:50:34.933-06:00Better than Mittens.... No More Scratching!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpCZgqT4tSGmo6xuqHm84tw9033KlBXEy9XdRGBW1v7WkQCRKNGEkY66CvSXqghJs4Oh_KsPwhgsnZ-YEGjM92_7h3QksVr1cwhbIexzQ4wHjG4aV4BWfSFZ7oHW3NvKZ6MexwEvgKg/s1600/1-30-12+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpCZgqT4tSGmo6xuqHm84tw9033KlBXEy9XdRGBW1v7WkQCRKNGEkY66CvSXqghJs4Oh_KsPwhgsnZ-YEGjM92_7h3QksVr1cwhbIexzQ4wHjG4aV4BWfSFZ7oHW3NvKZ6MexwEvgKg/s320/1-30-12+062.JPG" /></a></div>The last 4 or 5 weeks we have been dealing with a "skin irritation" with our little Oliver... Initially we weren't exactly sure what we were dealing with... So, treatment was more or less stabs in the dark... <br />
Is it a food allergy? We eliminated one food after another only to watch his condition decline... <br />
Is it certain fabrics?... Okay... nothing but 100% cotton... <br />
Is it detergent? Okay we'll wash everything in hot water only... <br />
Is it bath soap? Okay then we'll bathe him in water only! <br />
This has been my new mother's constant source of anxiety since before Christmas... I've been a ball of stress! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAntfwoFN5cfTWF3sLBOZnf_1GYUNSJ3Rz4hXsip6XafIotgobXwju7L9YFwQMS3jkHsnMJlDR3c_6bt6CXfbAkGvG_iYpexyDPbCIlXrqoJWKF30JJQYHjrPd7u1XzDIxOeUJP5-r-A/s1600/1-30-12+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAntfwoFN5cfTWF3sLBOZnf_1GYUNSJ3Rz4hXsip6XafIotgobXwju7L9YFwQMS3jkHsnMJlDR3c_6bt6CXfbAkGvG_iYpexyDPbCIlXrqoJWKF30JJQYHjrPd7u1XzDIxOeUJP5-r-A/s320/1-30-12+065.JPG" /></a></div>Well, the good news is, we have finally settled on a diagnosis; and are working on getting rid of the problem. Every day he's improving, praise God! I can get into details in a seperate post... <br />
What I want to share here is my new invention (shown in pictures) that has been dreamed up out of necessity. Through out this crazy itchy scratchy nightmare, Oliver's skin continually flares up with itchy break outs here and there. Cortizones not only lose their effectiveness, but they ultimately feed the problem. Then, just when something about heals up, he scratches his skin open again... it's a never ending battle. We started swaddling him again at night and for naps... but little Houdini gets his hands out and begins scratching in the middle of the night before ever making a peep! I have walked in to find him more than half dozen times a <b>bloody mess</b> literally. SOOOOOOO frustrating!!!!!! <br />
Anyways... the little mittnes are fine for tiny ones... but he is about too old to be swaddled and has long ago figured out how to get mittens off... If they stay on, even the cotton is TOO abrasive for his delicate skin! So it's been 2 steps fwd, one step back over and over again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNJvPzTpE6m-vriUAuGd6LBXTbt_2sd_X1kGnsgsFAsncDLU9xLCY74NG-LV8HmRzHROAfIUL-6HheKenjjHeGxdaI2RdB5ULk4kucVFPgrlV28ZyDvr424iN4UDYf-prK5lI-nUpDg/s1600/1-30-12+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNJvPzTpE6m-vriUAuGd6LBXTbt_2sd_X1kGnsgsFAsncDLU9xLCY74NG-LV8HmRzHROAfIUL-6HheKenjjHeGxdaI2RdB5ULk4kucVFPgrlV28ZyDvr424iN4UDYf-prK5lI-nUpDg/s320/1-30-12+060.JPG" /></a></div>Anyways, I came up with this idea on sunday morning; laying in bed. After church, I came home and made a couple proto-types. They were too small... so today I whipped up a couple bigger ones. I think we may have a winner here. <br />
The key here is 2 things: <br />
1, the garment cannot be removed by the baby... but it can't choke or injure either. and <br />
2, the satin fabric... no matter how much he rubs his skin, it won't scratch. At least I hope not.<br />
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He had a litte nap with it on and it looks to be a success... However, to be precautionary we have it on under the swaddler for tonight. I need to have a full day of naps to observe tomorrow and probably make another even a tiny bit bigger to fit on the outside of a blanket sleeper.<br />
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So what do you think?? Is this something you would use? Should I try and make more?? I think I would call it "Better than Mittens" or something like that... <br />
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PS Ignore the ugly gold color... it's the only color of this material I had... and I wanted to see how it would work first :) Thoughts Appreciated! <br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-13826557096951644942012-01-20T20:06:00.001-06:002012-01-20T20:06:14.217-06:00Singing BabyBeing home with a baby all day every day I do things a bit differently than I used to... when I was home alone a lot self-employed. Mainly I am refering to the noise I make... Pre-baby, I would often talk to my "studio audience" about what I was doing... or what I was about to do... that, or I would have music Jammin... and I'd be singin along.<br />
Now-a-days I find that I still do lots and lots of singing.. somehow finding ways to make singing about every little thing I do in 2-parts always ending in words that rhyme with eachother... I guess that's just what you do with babies. You sing. I think it's soothing to both mom and baby, I don't know. <br />
Anyways, I am pretty convinced that Little Oliver has caught on to this form of communication. And I gotta document it cause it's pretty stinkin cute... and hilarious too.<br />
When we were home in Chicagoland over Christmas, my sister gave me a few cd's on which she had burned her favorite kids songs. Earlier this week, I finally had time to rip them and get them on my MP3 player. We've been listening to children's music most of the week, and Oliver loves it. <br />
So, today, I was holding him up by my shoulder and dancing around the family room, singing along to the children's songs... Just something to do. Heck I used to sing and dance around eveyday by myself... now I got a buddy! And he started in with his cute scratchy voice... "ooooooaaaahhh waaaaaaoooooo ooooowaaaa" (and so on) I thought... He's so cute, I love the way he sounds when he tries to make sounds.... Then I noticed that during instrumental, or if I wasn't singing he'd stop. I thought, "could he possibly be SINGING???" ..."no way!" Then the song ended. Oliver stopped too... "is it coincidence?" The next song started up, the singing started, so did mommy and so did Oliver... it was the cutest thing ever... we sang a couple more songs... before nap... we were livin in the moment... loved it! <br />
Mike cam home from work, and after dinner I was in the bedroom putting away laundry. I heard him singing Fifteen Animals, to Ollie... we've been singing that book to him since he was a week old. And I heard Oliver chime in and start singing. I came out to tell Mike "He's singing, he loves to sing" He tested the waters a bit... and sure enough Oliver stopped when Mike stopped and sang when he sang. <br />
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<a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-11311776397480185132012-01-06T10:55:00.001-06:002012-01-06T11:01:42.122-06:0012 Week Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pVd1wHcOwaXdcMaokSUmt602Wv69-HD09WHUuB4RKspBfmn1m7SKIdIokQi559eVSPMaaQnCogKMmvmUO-i_FcohFbbikOY9QSwSkcUK7P7ohC0JA__efOWZk7sjLemy1WYXcXxwfA/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="343" width="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pVd1wHcOwaXdcMaokSUmt602Wv69-HD09WHUuB4RKspBfmn1m7SKIdIokQi559eVSPMaaQnCogKMmvmUO-i_FcohFbbikOY9QSwSkcUK7P7ohC0JA__efOWZk7sjLemy1WYXcXxwfA/s400/blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Wow! The time is flying by! <br />
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Wednesday was oficially Oliver's 12 week birthday. It's crazy how timely the milestones are! <br />
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The First two weeks were quiet... lots of sleeping eating and snuggling. It's almost as if I have to jog my memory here to remember how he has progressed.... and it's not even been 3 full months... maybe it's the lack of sleep... haha <br />
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Just about 2 1/2 weeks, he realized he was no longer in the womb... or so it seemed. Oliver was still his happy and easy going self... until about 4pm then he'd start to get antsy and fussy up to bed time. For the next 3-4 weeks this went on.. and bed time was DRAMA. Poor Mike didn't get to see his happy lil guy except on the weekends. I would say "I swear he is not like this all day... it was a bit frustrating of a stage. But now seems a distant memory. <br />
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I kept asking other mom's for insight and the most common answer I would get was "I don't remember". So, I began to bury my self in Baby books... I found "The baby whisperer" and "Healthy sleep habits, happy baby" to be extremely helpful. I also logged eat and sleep times round the clock for a few days. What I learned was that even though he was getting tons of sleep, he needed more... we were always trying to stave off bed time 'til 7-730... he needed to be in bed before then. Still does... so we've learned that's just what we do... once 6pm comes around... we have to be home to put bubba in bed ... makes for a heck of a social life... haha. But since we figured that out... no more crabbies!<br />
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Around 6 weeks the Adkins came down to celebrate Thanksgiving with us... Oliver got to meet 4 of his cousins who wanted to love on him 24-7. This was also fun because he was learning to focus on faces and smile :) It was beautiful! The next 4 weeks were pretty routine... eating, sleeping, snuggling growing... by 6 weeks old he was ready for 3-6 month clothing size. <br />
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The 4 weeks leading up to Christmas were pretty routine... mostly hanging out getting ready for Christmas, lots of naps and growing. Our drive went great... about 14 hrs each way... no crying but about the last 10-15 mins each way! He loved meeting all the smiling faces but brought back a cold! Or is it teething? We don't know. We got back and he graduated to the 6-9 month clothing.. and pretty well fills it out! He also graduated to the non-swaddle sleepers! What a big boy :) We've been working through a whole body rash/eczema and a ton of boogers this past week and a half. Earlier this week I got panicky... probably as all first time moms do the first time their baby gets sick. So Tuesday we took him to the doc. He said this is allergy related so I am changing my diet. He prescribed a cortizone cream for the skin which I was hesitant to use... but I had tried EVERYTHING available to me and my poor baby was itchy from head to toe. The cream cleared it up over night... so we're just working on the mucus now... I am hoping it's teething... but also eliminating the common allergens like milk, eggs and nuts in hopes to "figure it out"! <br />
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Just wednesday was was his 12 week birthday. He just in these last couple days seems more independant. He likes playing by himself and yesterday I put him down for one of his afternoon naps and heard him doing all kinds of talking to himself. I had to hide around the corner and spy on him it was so darn cute it melted my heart! Everyday is an adventure. Learning new tricks and our love as parents growing all of the time for our sweet adorable son!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-30183248390498860462011-11-03T21:42:00.001-05:002012-01-09T20:52:30.027-06:00Oliver's Arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bD_69yHNmhyeM7NVNoD7bVkW_7kFPySCNeZ7VLmriJs5Zf9E05XNRHWRKdTZkcMApNSSoMQ0VUS8Xcg1FIfeCLyAON26_C17gDE0q0R-OGjqkD5L7NhEMHFbM5sFvyTKJpq6J0Apw/s1600/oliverweek1+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bD_69yHNmhyeM7NVNoD7bVkW_7kFPySCNeZ7VLmriJs5Zf9E05XNRHWRKdTZkcMApNSSoMQ0VUS8Xcg1FIfeCLyAON26_C17gDE0q0R-OGjqkD5L7NhEMHFbM5sFvyTKJpq6J0Apw/s400/oliverweek1+001.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Today marks 3 weeks since Oliver was born. So, now with our family visitors having come and gone and little Oliver resting peacefully in his swing, this just may be the appropriate time to share his "birth story" for anyone interested. (That's what this post is about, so if that's not your thing; you have been warned) We'll see how far I get before our next dirty diaper complaint ;)<br />
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So basically the weeks leading up to my due date, I was ready to not be pregnant anymore... like any other woman. We went for evening walks, and I drank every tea recommended to induce labor and ate spicy food... all that good stuff. At each check up my doctor would discover that I was making no progress dilation or cervix-wise. I did not feel too concerned for the most part because historically the women in my family would go from 0-10 on the day of their comparatively short labor. I informed my doctor of this incase it meant anything to her... I'm sure it would be medically irresponsible to make decisions based on such information. So, on Friday the 7th she had me go in for an ultra sound to measure the amount of fluid and view the state of the placenta so that Monday when I went back in we could discuss a plan. Now, my actual due date was Sunday the 10th so it's not like I was particularly late; my hope was that she would find that everything was fine and continue to wait till he came naturally. I have desired to naturally birth my children since before I ever even got married... I knew this was my wish in my teen years. That said, I knew that if she wanted to induce labor, I would have a much harder labor; the drug pitosin forcing contractions to be much harder and stronger; not an ideal combination with no pain medication. [Which absolutely was not an option for me... and I can be pretty darn stubborn about things I am serious about]<br />
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Anyways, we went in for my appointment on Monday morning. She came in the room with a serious look on her face. She said that my placenta was past it's prime (I guess they begin to deteriorate about 37 weeks). My fluid levels were less than ideal and Oliver's growth had slowed. She made reservations for me to check in at 5pm on Tuesday and begin a drug to soften my cervix which had not even begun to soften @6pm, and start pitosin drip @5am. I cried. I was really upset, concerned about Oliver and disappointed that I was not going to have the birthing experience that I desired. She asked what she could do and I asked her to pray. She said she would.<br />
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We went home and continued to work on all of the "labor inducing" theories... went to the high school and climbed stairs... pulled weeds... more tea and spicy food etc etc. I composed an e-mail and sent it to my closest friends and family members explaining the situation, asking for prayer. I woke Tuesday morning, prayed and asked Jesus that no matter what happens that he keep his hand on me and let me feel it the whole time, which is the only way I can do this. We checked in at 5pm and they checked me, no dilation cervix 60% effaced; gave me the first of 3 doses of medication @6 as planned; the following scheduled @9pm and 12am. Over the next few hours, contractions were registering on the monitor but I really didn't feel much... the nurse kept coming in to adjust the monitor and have my lay on my side saying that maybe Oliver was laying on his cord and his heart rate would slightly dip after each contraction. No problem... I thought... maybe we're getting somewhere... hope I will go onto labor with out the pitosin.<br />
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9pm came and went and no one came to administer second dose, what the heck??? 9:15... no one... now I'm anxious and angry... 9:20 Mike talks to nurse "what is GOING on??" They decided that they didn't like Oliver's reaction and will not be administering drug anymore... they will start Pitosin @3am instead of 5am. NOW IM PISSED, this is not what I want and the staff does not even have the courtesy to tell me what is going on... I cried... "Why did I even agree to let them induce me?" So Mike says what can I do?? I said "pray over me, pray that I go into labor before 3am". He did. Then I calmed down I felt the embrace of my savior and was able to feel peace.<br />
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At 10:30pm, I felt my first strong contraction... kept silent, watched the clock and another came 5 mins later, this time they were STRONG and not showing up on the monitor. I told Mike, start timing me, I'm pretty sure I'm in labor. He did, within 15 mins we felt confident "this is it"... we agreed to keep me hydrated and keep this to ourselves because we wanted to revert back to our natural birth plan, no drugs, no IV, no interventions.<br />
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It was after 1am and the nurses had come in and out a few times, we decided to let the nurse know "we're in labor". She said "what makes you think you're in labor?" uh... duh! So Mike told her that he had been keeping track... not to mention my mental state was deteriorating.... and I was moaning and breathing through a contraction every 3-4 mins.... She left the room and a few minutes later another nurse came in the room and said, "So you think you're in labor?" We were like "we ARE in labor..." so she said ... let's check you... and WHOA I was dilated to 7cm. Again... DUH... I think I know I'm in labor.<br />
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A little while later when my nurse came back in I said "So what's the plan"... in the slurred (drugged with pain) voice I could muster. She was like "well what do you think the plan should be?" I said "like when do we inform the DOCTOR???" She said "well your doctor comes on @ 7am. We'll go from there.” She left the room.<br />
I was thinking 7am... she's NUTS... I'll tell her next time she comes back. So next time I told her (I think I was still speaking english at this point) "Uh, we need to call the doctor, I'm not going to make it 'til 7am” Now it's after 3am. Mike could probably tell you times better... I was barely coherent.... or should I say barely Human at this point. So exhausted from the pain, Mike said I snored between contractions. <br />
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She decided to check me again and I was now at 10cm. She said "but your water hasn't broken” WHAT THE HECK?????? What does it take for you to call the doctor around here???? So a couple contractions later I told Mike I'm having a strong urge to push. He said what should I do?? I said tell the F@#(^$@*&^ NURSE!! (When you're in labor, you might say some things that are out of character). He ran out into the hall and shouted the update to the nurse... at least I think that's what happened.... with the next contraction, I couldn't stop the push... I pushed my water out... now they FINALLY come in and said "We've called the doctor that's on call, he is really close and will be here shortly.. They proceeded to set up the room for delivery... it was around 4am.<br />
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The doctor walked in the room @415. They had me start pushing immediately, finally! I pushed once, twice... I was so exhausted.... then they told me this time you gotta PUSH hard Katie, PUSH PUSH PUSH.... take a breath and PUSH! My nurse trying to lock eyes with me another nurse on the left, Mike on the right, everyone shouting PUSH. And Oliver was born! <br />
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I guess, in the mean time somewhere between the 1st and 3rd push the his heart rate dropped drastically, the doc had to make a huge incision (class 4 episiotomy) and said if he doesn't come this time we'll have to use the vacuum.... thank God! I just remember before going in, my friend Meg, my aunt Carol and a couple others said, just Push like heck... as soon as the baby is out the pain stops... so I kept that in mind...<br />
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Anyway, deliriously exhausted as I was, sooo happy... they put Oliver on my chest, and I told him "I love you". <br />
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A few hours later MY doctor came to visit. She told me "I am sorry I wasn't there, and I am also so glad that you got to have the natural birth you desired. Quite frankly with the way the check ups were going I thought you'd be a cesarian." Ugh! Well, leave it to God to show up when there is no possible way you can give the credit or glory to any other source. His timing is always perfect. From Oliver's conception where we were called to a 14 day fast that we put off for years, and in our obedience Oliver was conceived on that 14th day, to his arrival; God has been un-mistake-ably in this every step of the way, something we need to remind ourselves of daily on our journey as parents. It's all for him.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-66318050050400589802011-10-06T13:31:00.000-05:002011-10-06T13:32:27.331-05:00Evolution/Darwinism DebunkedThis semester we are going throug Lee Strobel's book "A Case for Faith" with our small group. The book basically takes a hard look at the world's critical questions to Christianity through interviews between the author and several of today's renowned scientists, professors, and theologians. Our current chapter addresses the creation vs. evolution debate... we put toghther these sort-of "cliff notes" to help guide our group through this meaty chapter.... It's not entirely referenced as far as scientists names and sources... but all of that info is in the book if you want to see for yourself, I encourage you to pick up a copy. It's a great book, and the info is thouroughly 'backed' in the book for the analytical and scientific minds :)<br />Anyways, I thought I'd share the short-hand version of the chapter with those of you who are intrigued by this debate:<br /> <br /><br /><strong>Evolution/Darwinism</strong> : Basically states that the origin of life started by non-living chemicals on the earth, [if given enough time which is scientifically unlikely] were combined to create living cells.<br /><br />** In order for this to be possible the exact 20 out of 80 types of amino acids (Much more complex than 1 or 2-sided cells) had to have linked together in exactly the right sequence to form proteins which are the building blocks of life. (this is not even taking into consideration the complexity of DNA and RNA, the ability to store info, reproduce and process energy)<br /><br /><strong>Theory 1:</strong> Random Chance<br /><br />Hypothesis: That the right combination of 100 Amino Acids found each other and linked together in exactly the right order/sequence by chance to form a protein. <br /><br />Conclusion: Odds are nearly impossible 1 in 110 w/ 60 zero’s after it. “Scientists simply don’t believe it anymore”<br /><br /><strong>Theory 2:</strong> Chemical Affinity<br /><br />Hypothesis: Amino acids are “biochemically pre-destined” inherently attracted to each other in a way that would cause them to link up in the right sequence to make a protein.<br /><br />Conclusion: Debunked – Not just 10, but 250 proteins tested. Results demonstrate no chemical preference in sequence. Even author, Kenyon, has repudiated the idea.<br /><br /><strong>Theory 3: </strong>Self-Ordering Tendencies<br /><br />Hypothesis: If energy is passed through a system at a fairly high rate, the system becomes unstable and will actually rearrange itself into an alternate and somewhat complicated form.<br /><br />Conclusion: High level of information required to order the amino acids to create protein molecules. There is a significant difference between the “order” found in some nonliving things and the “specified complexity” of living cells.<br /><br /><strong>Theory 4:</strong> Seeding from Space<br /><br />Hypothesis: Building Blocks of life came from somewhere else in space, either sent by extra-terrestrials or Amino Acids were in a meteorite that fell to earth over 3.8 billion years ago.<br /><br />Conclusion: 1) At these velocities, at least 10 to 15 miles per second the temperatures you reach on impact are so high that you end up frying just about anything. 2) Even if meteorites did deliver amino acids to earth, you still have not solved the Origin of Life problem, how did these cells assemble into amino acids??<br /><br /><strong>Theory 5: </strong>Vents in the Ocean<br /><br />Hypothesis: Vents may have provided an environment where the beginning of life might have been nurtured from very simple molecules all the way to living cells and primitive bacteria.<br /><br />Conclusion: 1)“Granted, the vents might provide an unusual energy source that could prompt some chemicals to become reactive, but it never addresses the assembly problem.” 2) the high temperatures of these superheated vents would destroy rather than create complex organic compounds<br /><br /><strong>Theory 6:</strong> Life from Clay<br /><br />Hypothesis: “life somehow arose on clays whose crystalline structure had enough complexity to somehow encourage prebiotic chemicals to assemble together”<br /><br />Conclusion: 1)“crystal is nothing more than redundant information. It’s far, far short of the specified complexity that living matter needs. 2) “No one has been able to coax clay into something resembling evolution in a laboratory; nor has anyone found anything resembling a clay based organism in nature” <br /><br /><br />What's funny to me is that as I read through this chapter the second time with the intention of drawing this "highly scientific" information, I had to chuckle at how ridiculous these hypotheses sound... it almost humored me that supposedly super intelligent scientists even entertained these ideas.... <br /><br />The conclusion reached by the Walter L Bradley PHD, the scientist/researcher interviewed, and most of today's scientific community is well summed up in his statement "I think that people who believe that life emerged naturalistically need to have a great deal more faith than people who reasonably infer that there's an intelligent designer."<br /><br />So my question is... the folks out there claiming to be "darwinists": Have they really investigated what they "claim" to believe? ... or is it just another sorry excuse to deny faith???<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-67338660479635309962011-06-29T09:29:00.004-05:002011-06-29T11:15:04.520-05:00My GirlsOn my 19th birthday I was a freshman in college. My first Birthday away from home I drove up to Port Austin Michigan where my nearest realtives lived (Aunt Julie and family) with my room-mate and best friend, Meg for a home-cooked dinner. We took the 1.5 hour drive as an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and made a mini-road trip of it. We passed by a "yard sale" and little junk collectors as we were... we just HAD to stop! <br />As we were looking around, rummaging through someone else's junk, a blond lady (Probably in her late 20's early 30's) came to the door. She told us "every thing is for sale, even come inside, it all has to go" It led me to believe things were not going well in this woman's life. She had to sell all of her things and leave... maybe being evicted?? Anyways, just as she was telling us that, 2 kittens came at her feet and were just circling her feet. I couldn't help but ask "are the kittens for sale too??" <br />She replied "No, no, please. Take them we will give you food, whatever you need we have to leave and they cannot come with us". <br />I was in love. One problem though: I had a roommate that did not like cats... not really at all. I begged, she laughed... we also lived in college dorms where cats are not technically allowed... but there were aonly a handful of weeks til school let out for the year. We were planning on moving into a rent-house off campus.<br />So we continued on our journey had a nice dinner... on the way back passing the yard-sale again... Meg gave in to my pathetic begging. We stopped back and they were so suprised and happy to see us, this time there were 2 little blond girls (Probably about 3 and 5) loving on the kittens. They were crying and holding them not wanting to let go, at the same time thanking us for taking them to give them a good home. They told us their names were "Katie and Molly" ... well obviously the names had to be changed... but sweet.<br />So on we went, we stopped at a walmart for a litter pan and litter. When we arrived back at school we snuck them into the building (which wasn't very hard to do).<br />Those first several weeks they just slept on my head and went with me everywhere I went. Into the back pack and off visiting! <br />School let out... and we had a helluva summer. Our rental "lease" idea fell-through. Meg and I went our seperate ways crashing with different friends (looking for residnecy going to class and working) our stuff all stored in the garage of a house in the woods. A storm one night uprooted a 100yr old monster tree crashing through the roof of that garage... ugh... everything I owned, clothes etc had to be fished out removed from the garage and cleaned up... but where to take it?? <br />Anyways... me and the Girls "Iris and Lily" had to move on.. another friend let us crash for a couple weeks, thanks Yang :) And finally Melanie had a friend moving out of a one-bedroom on the other side of town. I decided to take it! Me and the girls moved in and loved it there! We planted Roses with the nieghbor ("Chick" Boggin from Tennessee a 75 yr old Shriner with a heck of a life-story) in the back cooked and did art projects all night long sometimes, cooked dinner for guests and danced while no one was watching... everyday! <br />Lily loved to hang out on top of the kitchen cabinets, Iris by the window. I had to be careful bringing in my groceries... if I brought the bread in first and went out for more I'd come back to kitty bites through the bread bag. Every night we locked ourselves into the bedroom... because that's somehow safer.. and we all snuggled up on my twin bed with a foulrescent rainbow striped quilt.<br />After that year, It was time to move back home. My dad said the girls couldn't come with and said I had to find another home for them. I called my cousin Brian and my Aunt Joyce asking them to say no to what I was about to ask them, but I had to make the call because I told my dad I would. Awe shucks, they said no. So they "Had to stay in my room" haha... I was home for less than a week and caught my DAD going in to visit with them! Guess that means they got approval :) They got free reign of the house with Misty and Spice. Everyone pretty much got along... Iris and Lily brought a lot of love and laughs. Although I had a brief 5 month stint living in Wrigleyville (Probably home half the time anyways 'cause I worked in the suburbs painting on my days off) when I first started with United, the girls stayed at my folks 'til I married Mike. <br />When they first met him... they must've known he'd be around for a while. We were at my folks watching a movie... Iris hopped right up on his lap... Lily sitting on the back of the couch by our heads... something they have NEVER done before with someone they just met! I got mono while we were dating, in bed for 6 weeks straight! My mom joked about my nurses... they were clearly taking shifts... one would leave, the other would come.. never leaving me alone. Day after day, week after week.<br />They came to South Elgin with us the day we got home form our honeymoon... we HAD to go get the girls! During our stay there... We thought we were going to lose Lily she was only about 5-6 yrs old she got a horrible stomach problem... several visits to the vet, we nursed her back and were so thankful. <br />We moved to Palos Heights shortly after that. They loved it there... it took a little getting used to but everyone picked their favorite spots. We put a cat door in and left the back door open all day... they had free reign of a "huge" yard and hardly left the patio. I would come home and the neighbor lady would tell me that she chatted with "the Girls" while I was away working all day... Cute :) During our time there we learned of my dad's illness... during the short time we had with him after that, I would go home and cry my eyes out every night... the girls taking their turns coming in to comfort me, I soaked their fur with tears. They knew.<br />Then on to Oklahoma! When we first moved in we would find Lily in the Laundry Room cabinets... then one day we found her in the kitchen.... in a brownie pan! Yes, I washed it before I made brownies again.<br />Last fall Lil's stomach issue came back. At first they said she had a tumor the size of a human fist in the intestines. A couple weeks of antibiotics and it was the size of a golfball. A couple more weeks of antibiotics and it was gone! It was a miracle, unexplained, but we were so glad and thankful. Again in April, she was getting sick again, losing weight... they took and image and it was back, and a different shape leading us (the doc) to believe it to be cancer. I was just heart broken, Mike too... they had a special bond. Thick as theives.<br />We went ahead with surgery. She opened her up, got what she could and closed her up as quick as possible... the cancer was everywhere, the intestines scarred together :( Things not looking good for Lil, we brought her home and spoiled her for 6 weeks. I prayed that God let me know exactly when was her time so I could take her in before she suffered for any length of time. Last friday I woke to hear her sick, rushed out of bed to check her out... maybe she just ate some grass. I let her outside and she was sick, falling over, I picked her up and ran in with her, cleaned her up and tried to give her medicine... she couldn't keep anything down. I was panicking but knew it was time. God answered my prayer. Thursday she was rolling around in the sun, Friday it was time.<br />Mike cam home from work early, we loved on her 'til it was time to go. We brought her in and said good bye. It was really really heard. I knew 13 years ago these girls would break my heart. Lily did. But she was a gift. A gift that brought me joy and I cherished for 13 1/2 years.<br />At bed time and in the morning Iris cals for her. I woke monday morning at 6:07 to her calling for her sis, again at 6:07 on tuesday. Today she was with me. She spends every moment I am home within a couple feet of me. She's my girl, we been mourning our loss together. All 3 of us miss the heck out of Lil, she was "always under our feet" as Mike accurately put it.<br />Some folks don't take too much to animals some get attached. What I do know is that they are a gift. Iris and Lily were a gift just for Me, and 3 years later for Mike too and God knew Mike was going to come along :) . They have been a constant source of joy and unconditional love in our home.<br />Lily will be greatly missed by all 3 of us and Iris will be loved by the both of us, hopefully for years to come. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-65996587403661448042011-03-24T13:24:00.002-05:002011-03-24T13:36:04.743-05:003.24.11Ha! Barely over a week later and I had to bust out the maternity clothes... aye aye what am I in for? I hope it's not that I am eating too much... I feel like I need to make sure I get a good balance in... plus sweets :)<br />We finished up a fabulous job yesterday... this one I will definately post pics of.. it was one of our favorites in quite a while! Glad about it 'cause it was also one of my last... at least for a while. We'll see what the future brings... in the mean time I have no lack of things to keep me busy.<br />We have our last floor to lay on saturday... PRAISE GOD. Then there will be plenty of wall repair cleaning etc to do before the Adkins gang comes for easter.<br />After easter is a mad crazy month of prep for Clean Slate which is May 19th. Clean Slate is our church's version of Extreme Makeover... and it IS EXTREME! Super excited and blessed to be a project leader in this life changing ministry for the second year in a row!<br />Throughout the summer I will have my garden and yard to tinker in while preparing for Baby and a couple visits to Chicago and one to Tucson. The time will fly! I have no doubt that Kustom Kate will keep me busy... just in different ways than climbing ladders and busting butt. Hoping to move into more custom artwork type stuff... I've been lucky to have inquiry already :)) And my new studio will be ready within the month! YAY. That's it for now I have to go shop for art for a client before the day runs out...Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-46084965387778169592011-03-17T10:55:00.004-05:002011-03-17T11:09:18.687-05:0010 WeeksWell, I haven't checked in since my initial announcement so I thought I'd talk about how the journey is going... Probably not a superr exciting post for most, but I thought it would be nice to have a couple notes anyway.<br />I remember when this whole thing started I'd call Holly [my sister] regularly and ask... is this normal? Or should I expect this? yada yada She always said, I don't know or I can't remember... I'd think DUH? How do you not remember? You have 4 kids and the youngest is not even 3 yet? Haha... now I understand.... <br />Everything has been pretty normal so far. No nausea... not suprised because I decided early on not to go there... mind over matter; that's how I deal with flu season too.<br />Not super tired unless I tire myself out. Everything fits just fine... for the next couple weeks anyways. I really do enjoy getting out of pants and into sweats if I am out on appointments, working or running around all day. No strong aversions or cravings to foods. That could still be yet to come.<br />My only complaint: the first several weeks I had insomnia. That was annoying! <br />I do however really enjoy reading about the development of our baby though... I have an app for my phone that tells what organs/body parts are forming. I think it was like week 7 or 8 the baby already and fingers and toes developing! Not even an inch long and already fingers, toes and now teeth budding! Crazy! The books also say that the sex has already been decided we just won't know for a while yet!<br />Pretty neat stuff! God is Great! We just keep praying for healthy development of a healthy baby!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-49719144061558853802011-02-25T09:37:00.008-06:002011-02-25T11:00:20.608-06:00"Crazy Love" Compelling Thoughts from Chapter 1For the last couple of weeks now, we have been discussing a book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan with our beloved "Group 38". I'd heard of the book and been meaning to read it for the last handful of years... What a thought provoking adventure so far!<br /> <br /> Anyways, kind of a re-curring theme lately especially in our culture, there is one particular concept that I really feel led to <strong>hone</strong> in on. Well, let me pre-cede that with this: In the first chapter [partucularly] of the book Chan gives his best human effort to try and draw a picture for you of who God really is.... his omnipotence, his massiveness, his absolute eternal and timeless existance. To get a glimpse (when you have 17mins) check out the 2 videos @ <a href="http://www.crazylovebook.com ">www.crazylovebook.com</a> : "Awe Factor"[2min] "Just Stop and Think" [15min] <br /> <br />A quote from the book:<br /><blockquote>A lot of people say that whatever you believe about God is fine, so long as you are sincere. But that is comarable to describing your friend in one instance as a 300lb sumo wrestler and in another as a 5'2" 90lb gymnast. No matter how sincere you are in your explanations, both descriptions of your friend simply cannot be true</blockquote><br /><br /> This concept points me to ponder a very false belief that has infected our society. Does this one sound familiar?<br /> <blockquote>"I am a good person, I don't have anything to worry about, I believe that as long as I am generally good, nice to people and give to charity, I should have no problem getting into heaven"</blockquote> <br /> <br /> The truth my friends is this: <strong>Us HUMANS don't get to set the standards</strong>. God does, He has made the standards very clear and if you live in the US you are extremely priveleged to have access. All you have to do is go to the book store, library, or stay home and turn on your computer. What are you searching for?<br /> <br /> My husband re-tweeted a priceless piece of wisdom from one of our previous pastor's this morning: "If you have given up on seeking God, don't blame Him that you have also ceased to find Him." But let me add to that... If you've given up on seeking God, you've given up on <strong>the</strong> most envigorating, exciting, unpredictable, compelling and fulfilling adventure of your life! From this view: things make sense, have a purpose, change lives and shape the future more than money, or power ever could.<br /> <br />I don't condemn anyone for having that weak point of view I highlighted above I just want you to have more purpose, hope, and flavor in your life! <br /><br />Let me leave you with 2 thoughts:<br /><br />Saying that just being a good person will get you into heaven is basically saying that Jesus died in vain. (Wait, don't roll your eyes, even the world's most "intelligent" Athiests don't deny Jesus, his innocence, OR His death. They only dispute his resurrection and His origin. Again, everything you need to know is acccessable) <br /><br />The second thought is a piece of scripture to ponder:<br />You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demon's believe that - and shudder. -James 2:19<br /><br />The Gospel is not about condemnation or guilt. But the very truth of it should compell you to thirst for more... So Relax, enjoy the ride, and always check your sources :) <br />(see Luke 13:24)Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2231279365554375380.post-69467090067661253582011-02-11T09:20:00.005-06:002011-02-11T10:30:58.849-06:00New Chapter...Okay, it's been a while... I've been formulating this post for several days now 'cause it's kinda a big deal.... you'll have to read the whole thing to find out why though :)<br />Throughout my adult years [18+ish], I am extremely grateful to have such a diverse variety of experiences... Character building, I'm sure, but more importantly chapters of a story that in the end will show how they all come together to Glorify Him. <br />Near the end of my second year away at college... I woke one morning with a voice shouting "It's over, time to go". Funny how these things are ALWAYS preceded with a way to deepen my roots in each particular phase. Ironically, I had spent the several days leading up to that morning looking for housing with my "roomy" for the next year, Melissia. Both of us excited about the year-to-come. <br />But there was that voice. A voice I knew only as unavoidable and true. It's always accompanied by a stirring in the gut almost a wieghtless stirring if I could describe it. Like a bird about to take it's first jump out of the tree... a little nervous, at the same time knowing there is NOT another option and it's really for the best.<br />SO I called my Dad. We were closest at that time... normal I think for a Gal @ 19... not saying my mom and I butt heads 'cause we really didn't. I just talked to my dad more. I let him know... "After finals, I want you guys to come and pick me up, it's over". [Sounding relieved 'cause they hated Northwood for me] He said okay, no questions asked.. just call your mom. So I did.<br />I went home did my internship at my Dad's shop that summer (for my Associates) and interviewed with United Airlines and got hired. That was great! I traveled the world, lived in Wrigleyville for a stint, met many many people and had great fun.. Met Mike in 2000 married 2 yrs later.<br />After being furloughed and called back a couple times after 9/11 I had a harder time going back. I wanted to paint, and not be away for unpredictable amounts of time anymore. Then came the voice "it's time to move".. preceeded by the "huge" 5-yr pay raise and accompanied by that gut thing. I thought ... well I gotta keep at it 'til I get a cleintelle built up. NOPE. After weeks/months of horrible anxiety attacks I decided to do a PalmSprings turn... "it's only one day" [one VERY long day]. I never went back.<br />Married a couple years, we had a Townhome/Condo in South Elgin IL at the time. This is about the time we started going to Church... it was a tiny little Methodist church, avg attendance less than 50. The female preacher, Pastor Mary's words pierced our hearts. Forever changed. Around this time we started talking about starting a family.. we were READY! lol. <br />I was standing out on our little deck one morning after Mike left for work and that Voice had something to say to me. A 14 day abstinance from my worst vices, and we can start a family.... I know what they are, so did that voice... no further dialogue was necessary.<br />We moved about a year later to Palos Heights experienced great spiritual growth, God put the most amazing people in our lives at the Stone Church. I get choked up thinking about you guys :) Thank you!<br />Anyways ... a couple years later came the voice, and the stirring. Roots being the church... but it was our faith now that gave us wings. We ended up in Broken Arrow OK. (There are of course many many details.. but, this is a blogpost..)<br />Anyways... this is now our 3rd year here. MY how time flies... the family thing seeming unreachable ... we've had times of hope and times of hopelessness... never yet the strength to make my "14 days". The voice would remind me regularly... and my response became "Lord why do you ask me to do something that you know I cant". (I knew now that voice is the Holy Spirit) We began to see a doctor. Diagnosis: "I see nothing wrong with you two, but let's try a few things"<br />Anyways, I think this just added more frustration and emotion to the mix because we had this hope in medicine.... (which, I don't discredit)<br />In the fall, I started working with another woman, Lisa. Became fast friends, we were staying busy, making money... what I had been hoping for since moving here.... a few weeks before Christmas... though... I got that stirring again... I thought.. I know that feeling well... it's time for change again.... Here we go! But I wasn't entirely sure what.... do I need to change careers? Things were just starting to get good! Typical.<br />Meanwhile, that voice wasn't going to go away and I knew what I had to do. Mike and I did joined together in a 14 day fast starting at the beginning of this year. I had no doubt in my mind we would have good news. After all.... Given the strength by Christ... I MADE MY 14 DAYS! I started taking home tests more than a week early.... in great anticipation... all the while repeating in my head any time doubt tried to enter my mind "God is Faithful".<br />After years and years of prayer "Father please bless us with a child that we promise to raise to reflect your light" <br />We are finally going to be given that chance! <br />GOD IS FAITHFUL. <br />Moral of the story: All the Glory be given to God. We are thankful. Looking forward to my new "career" :)<br /><a href="http://www.kustomkate.com/index.htm">Visit KustomKate.com</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681162539690198177noreply@blogger.com4