Facing the storm

I am very cautiously composing this post. We have had some rough stretches in the past few days, but overall Elijah's sleep and behavior have improved since we started incorporating essential oils into our lives. I was a skeptic! I still am! Ha! Maybe it's just a fluke and his brain is finally catching up or maybe the oils really are helping or maybe all of the above. But check out last night's sleep record..

He slept from6:15p-4:30a with very little interruption. AMAZING! I can't even tell you the last time I've seen anything close to this. Today his demeanor was calmer and more agreeable overall. Again, we had our moments, but there was a notable change for the better. I am praying for more of this! Please, Lord!

We currently have an interim pastor stepping in at church and...I LOVE HIM. Ok, I don't really love him, but for the past three weeks his messages have spoken to me in a very unique and meaningful way. One of the things he said yesterday that struck a chord was that sometimes when we are in a storm we need to just stand firm. Face the storm head on. ENDURE it. Don't try to run. Understand that it is part of the journey. Don't complain. Pray, yes, but have faith that it will end and that much will be gained. I have a renewed perspective to do just that. I do believe that this journey we are on serves a greater purpose and that the timing I desire is NOT always what is best. So I have made a pact to myself and to God that I will embrace the struggles we are facing. They are shaping all of us into the people we are meant to be! This is one of my favorite Bible verses..

Romans 5:3-5  “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Dan didn't have school (uhh, work) today, so I was able to get out of the house alone for a bit and it was wonderful. I met a friend for coffee to start the day and I felt like a new woman! I brought Elijah to his second skills therapy session this afternoon and that went great. Homebound schooling (not to be confused with homeschooling) continues this week and next and hopefully after that he will be ready to return to school! Tomorrow morning I will bring E to an appointment with a NEW sleep doctor. I'm excited to hear his thoughts. Thanks for checking in!

Some disjointed thoughts on lessons and perspectives

Please don't call CPS on me! Would it help if I told you this photo was taken while the dads were in charge of the babies? :) Thanks Missy (well, Dennis, really), for the photo.



Elijah is still doing well on Tamiflu. He has a few more days of it and then he will be done. The H1N1 vaccinations are still not in. I am trying to be patient! I think PATIENCE is one of the Life Challenges written next to Megan Porta in my file that sits in a filing cabinet somewhere in God's office. I feel like I am constantly having my patience tested, which I guess I can't complain about. It is rewarding to know that I am in the process of learning the things I am supposed to learn.

Last Saturday was the three-year anniversary of the day we learned there was something wrong with Elijah's heart. I will NEVER NEVER NEVER forget that day. As I was thinking about it, I realized how much my perspective has changed since then. Three years later, after persevering through some pretty intense challenges, I feel that I am able to handle difficult situations much differently. I guess that is a part of maturing and experiencing life and experiencing the challenges God intends for me to face.

Despite some mildly worrisome things that have been going on for us lately, I feel more blessed than ever. Our experiences with Elijah have completely changed my views on what matters and what is worth worrying about. Three years ago I might have let certain things bring me down, but now? All I see are the amazing blessings I have in my life.

Dan and I recently made a goal to read through the entire New Testament before Christmas. I had a few days off work last week, so I read through the book of Matthew. There were a few things that really stood out to me:

1. Jesus' life on earth was pretty amazing and his passion for his Father was incredible! It really makes me think twice about how I treat people and about my relationship with God.

2. I love love love reading through the parables. I think my favorite is the one in Matthew 13 about the sower and the seed. It is such a good reminder for me about how I should be living my life. If you haven't read it in a while (or ever), go read it!

3. This is one of my new favorite verses and every time I start to worry about something, I say it in my head and suddenly I feel free and light and good. Matthew 6:34 - "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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Some of you asked about what will be done at Elijah's heart cath on 11/9 and also at his next OHS. I think this post answers both questions.

I will try to get video of Elijah taking steps soon. Usually when I get the video camera out lately all he wants to do is come over and steal it from me, so I'll see if I can trick him.