Christmas from the Lazy Boy

Well it all started on Dec 16, when I went in for a simple procedure. I was having trouble with a cyst on an ovary. They would remove the cyst and ovary through a simple procedure, with two small incisions. There was a chance the surgeon would have to open me up but it was only a chance. If that happened we discussed the possibilities and if anything looked funny they would take everything out, rather than chance another surgery in a few years.
I came out of surgery with everything out. There was endometriosis again. The cyst was two large to take out with the laparoscope, so they had to open me up. So instead of the oophorectomy, I had a hysterical-ectomy(LOL). Thus the 3 night hospital stay. I came home on the 19th.
We were to have Christmas with my family on Sunday. So we moved Christmas to my house, I viewed it all from the Lazy Boy. We didn't know if Christmas was to be held that day because my brother's family was snowed in. My folks made it to my house but sustained $5,000 damage to their vehicle on the way to my house. They were just so thankful that they did not get hurt. At 4 pm, Steve called and said someone broke through the snow by their neighbor, so they could come. My parents and Glenn rushed into action because nothing was done! They cut the 10 lb. ham into three pieces and cooked it in 1/3 the time! I laughed so hard at my nephew that my stomach hurt. My sister-in-law was telling the story of the BB gun he got for Christmas! It was a great evening.
My parents stayed overnight and they made my potatoes for Christmas eve and Glenn's family's Christmas. This too was moved to my sister-in-law's house, 10 minutes away rather than an hour away, so that I could attend. My first outing -- I was tireder than I thought could be possible after I got home.
Christmas day my folks came down again, my brother and family went to California. We grilled steaks and had baked potatoes. We played games and opened presents with the kids. What a fun day.
I am a little tired of viewing life from the lazy boy. I try to accomplish some stuff around the house and just end up tired! I am gaining, I can see progress, patience is not one of my better qualities. But I have been blessed this Christmas Season, because I have seen and felt the hands and feet of Jesus through this time:
---through flowers sent to me in the hospital
---through elves that came to clean my house while in the hospital
---through surprise visitors in the hospital
---through the outpouring of food for me and my family
---through the moving of parties
---through prayers that went up on my behalf for healing
---through my mom coming to stay with my family when I couldn't
---through the patience of my husband

Lord, you have blessed me so. You have slowed me down through this season and have blessed me so. I thank you for all that you have shown me and done for me. I thank you for a patient husband, who is putting up with all the hormones. I thank you for my friends and family, who have helped me so much. I thank you for caring for each hair on our heads. I ask for complete healing, Lord. Thank you, In your Son's Name. Amen.

The Zoo in December!

Friday I went to the zoo! Yes the Talking Animal Zoo at our school. The first graders study an animal, write a report, learn about the habitat and then make costumes for their animal (or the parents do). Cole choose a rhinoceros. I didn't think know how we were going to make the costume but it all came together. It is fun for the first graders. Then they put on a zoo. They make the habitat that their animal lives in and wear a button. The visitors of the zoo press the button and the animals tell a fact about their animal. It is super fun for the kids and all who go through the zoo. Oh, and you take small treats to "feed" the animals! Here are some pictures!

Rhino's have three toes on each foot.

The name Rhinoceros means "nose horn."

They weigh about 3,000lbs. Cole also liked to say, "Rhinos are high- tempered." Not sure if he knew what that meant but it sounded good to him - that he was fierce!

Cole John is 7

Happy Birthday Cole! You are a sunshine in my day. You love the Lord and you have a gift of intercession that is so very evident in your prayers. Cole always choose to love God and never lose your passionate heart or your ability to have fun! I love you and Happy 7th Birthday!

10 Thanksgivings

I'm not sure how this will work--- but I would like to pose a challenge to all readers of this blog and I am hoping you will post the challenge on your blog and so on. I would challenge you to make a list of ten blessings, or ten thanksgivings. (I'm just thinking if 10 people to do this, we will have 100 thanksgivings, then if each person gets ten more people ...... I'm not so good at math.)

So here are my 10 Thanksgivings:
1. My God is a big God and can do anything!
2. My husband, my best friend and partner.
3. My kids - they are a blessing - sometimes it's hard to remember when they are fighting!
4. My extended family - they inspire me, and make me laugh
5. My friends - they keep me honest
6. My home - it's very warm, and 'sheltery' on cold, rainy days.
7. My part-time jobs - they keep me busy and my mind active
8. My mom teaching me to cook - I like doing it, especially if I know what I am making.
9. My health
10. My blueprint for life - my Bible

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Big 10

Tomorrow is Grant's birthday. He will be into the double digits! I can't believe that 10 years ago he was born! He was so tiny - 6 lbs. 3 oz. He was so cute the very first time we saw him. We were invited to the hospital and got to spend some time with him. The next day was a snow storm so we were worried about getting him on placement day. But we took the pick up which was 4 wheel drive to bring him home. Nothing was going to stop us from getting him! Happy Birthday Grant! I pray for God's richest blessing to fall on you and that you will always love Him! I love being your mom!

Election

I pray for our nation. I see so many whose views are contrary to the Bible. I will pray for our new leader, especially for discernment and wisdom. So many freedoms we take for granted. I pray that those freedoms are always preserved.
The kids had an election at school on Monday. The vote was 100% for John McCain. Cole wanted to come with us to vote. I picked him up yesterday and he 'helped' me vote. We had to fill out the ballot by hand and he actually did mine. I want to show my kids that even though the election did not go the way we voted, God is ultimately in control. He has us in the palm of His hand.

Fall

Fall is in the air, not winter but fall. How do you describe it? I love this time of year. The trees show off their brilliance before they lose their leaves. It seems like they sleep all of winter before they wake up again in the spring. Fields proudly give up their bounty to the combines. The patchwork quilt of the landscape changes once again.
For me, foods change too. I make more soups, and I pull out my pumpkin recipes. I would like to share with you a hot fruit salad made with apples. It is so yummy, I can't keep it to myself.
1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
4 apples, sliced
1 can chunk or crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

Layer fruit, cheese, nuts, and flour mixture. Top with 1/4 c. melted butter and 3/4 c. pineapple juice. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Hope you like it -- Happy Fall!