Friday, May 29, 2009

Back and better than ever!




Just in case you don't believe me. Luke REALLY is back to normal with no complications whatsoever! Again, we are just so thankful to the Lord for his life!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sound Mind

1Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." I memorized this as a highschooler. Its been in my heart, but I've never fully understood and clung to it as I have lately.

This is what I am continuing to meditate on since Luke's near drowning last weekend. Here are some of my thoughts.

We cannot live in fear because of this incident. We are still going to go swimming this summer. But with this SOUNDER mind, we are going to be far more careful around the pool. We've already gotten Luke and Hattie Ruth good swimming life vests. We got Silas a life vest too, although he knows how to swim now. And for Millie Grace, we got her one of those double ringed floating things.

We are going to change some things within our family. We are going to all learn how to be aware of the others. How to watch out and take care of the other family members, especially in group settings.

There are other areas where we have not been very careful and consistent, like in the parking lot. We will hold hands everytime now. We will NOT open the car door until another adult says its ok.

But God doesn't want us to live in fear. We can't stay holed up in our house all summer long. We can still be the fun-loving Jennings family. We are just going to implement some new changes and rules.

I also want to address something else. I believe with all of my heart that God has a plan for Luke Simon Jennings. He gave Luke to us TWICE now. I don't want to ever forget. I want to always remind him of this and pray this for him. Pray that he will be used by God. That the "voice that God gave me back" (his exact words) would be used to tell others what God has done. This is firm in my heart.

HOWEVER, I also believe that God has a plan for Silas, Hattie Ruth, and Millie Grace. I believe he has a plan for our family to be used by Him. I believe this about my mentally handicapped sister Joy. I believe this about every person. Jeremiah 29:11 says,"I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plan to prosper you and NOT to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." God loves each one of us. He has a plan for us all. Even those who don't know it yet. (I'm thinking of 2 people in particular who I don't believe know that God TRULY has a wonderful plan for their lives! I'm praying that we will be able to share this with them because of Luke's accident).

I'm holding each of my babies a little closer a little longer. I'm laughing with them more and trying to not be so grouchy when spills happen and messes take over the entry way. I'm praying harder for some families that I know that are going through some difficult days regarding their children. And I am continuing to "sing songs of Joy" like the Psalmist mentioned in my previous post because of what the Lord has done for us!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Unfailing Love

Psalm 107

19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.

20 He sent forth His Word and healed them;
He rescued them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for men.

22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of His works with songs of joy.

This is our new theme song.

The Lord has heard our cries as we found Luke at the bottom of a swimming pool at a birthday party. I believe he was there for under 3 minutes. The Lord sent His healing and rescued Luke from the grave.

When he was pulled out of the pool he was not breathing, he was limp. He was dead. Two nurses who were also at the party ran to Luke's side and began trying to administer CPR. His airway was VERY blocked. I was certain that we would not be bringing Luke home. Silas was screaming and crying in the background. I heard people around me SHOUTING to God, praying, begging for His mercy on Luke's life. A peace flooded my body. I told my friend I was as peace with whatever the situation. She told me later that at that moment she felt the peace of God. She left my side and took Hattie and Silas inside. 911 was on the line. EMS was there within 5 minutes. Just before they arrived, I saw my baby take a small breath. Then another. He was still not making eye contact. No talking, but some moaning.

I rode in the front of the ambulance, calling parents and others, Jody followed. Luke slipped in and out of consciousness on the way. He vomitted a lot. He would cry and fight. When we arrived at the ER, Luke made eye contact with me. He was crying. In the ER, he began to answer our questions with little "uh-huh's". Then a few words and names. Then he came back in full swing. Asking questions. Telling the doctor to take the thing off his finger. He said, "Mom, I love you."

He was moved to the PICU where Jody stayed the night with him. He was on oxygen. They were monitoring his oxygen levels and breathing. They did put a tube in his nose down to his stomache to pump out the air. He HATED that. At 2 am he pulled it out. They took him off oxygen. He began eating and was talking the nurses ears off by 6 am.

We are watching him for signs of pnuemonia. But I can tell you my son is Lazuras. It is as if it never happened as far as his health.

When I close my eyes its like a bad dream. I can see it all again. It makes me nauseous. The doctor told us this morning that we are very fortunate. Most cases like ours do not end this way. Most cases do not have people willing/qualified to do CPR at all. I would add that most people do not have people calling out to God, intervening in prayer.

Jody's parents came to be with us for a couple of days. My parents are far away. But I have experienced love and support from people and friends all over. The Lord has shown us his Unfailing Love. I felt like in the midst of it all, I was like the Hebrew boys in the furnace. I know My God can deliver us from this situation, BUT IF HE DOESN'T I will still trust Him. I can trust Him. I KNEW IT. As I thought we had lost our baby, I knew I could STILL TRUST Him. And then the Lord showed Himself to our family like I cannot ever experience again. He gave us Lukey back.

Tonight as we read books Luke gave his usual running commentary. Nothing has ever sounded more beautiful to me than his endless chatter.


Friday, May 22, 2009

New Products

I've had the opportunity to try out a few new things lately (for FREE I might add!).

First of all, I was shocked to find a box for me in my mail box a few weeks ago. It had a stick of Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant in it with a bunch of coupons to share. I don't think I signed up to receive this! I certainly didn't pay for it. But I'm not complaining. I love Dove deodorant. This new product is supposed to reduce the underarm hair over time with use. We'll see how it works, but if you'd like a coupon, let me know! (I have no idea how much it is in the store)

Then my friend Megan also gave me a little bag of samples from a party she had. There was a Venus Breeze razor in it. Oh my gosh! Its AMAZING! No soap, no shaving cream. Its on either side of the blades and it works great! I don't have coupons to share for that one, but I can tell you its awesome.

Has anyone else tried any new product lately you'd care to share about?

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wiped Out!

I don't know what is wrong with poor Millie Grace! She has been very fussy lately. I say very fussy, but then I know compared to at least Silas its not bad really. But for herself, its been rough. She went for her 6month check-up today. The Dr found NOTHING wrong as to why she's being fussy. I'm thinking it is either allergies, teething or this little diaper rash she has. I don't know!! She's doing great developmentally.

Here are her stats:
height 26.5
weight 14.5 (18%, so not as small as big sister is on the charts!)

She is starting to eat foods. Rice cereal, bananas and carrots. She is VERY interested in food. Its pretty funny. She is in the beginning crawling stages. She gets up on all fours and lunges forward. She rolls all over the place and I caught her eating crumbs under the table once this week!

But I guess this is just one of the reasons I've been a bad blogger. I'm just TIRED! By the time she's down for the night, I'm beat. I'm only doing this now because Jody is out in the garden with the older 3 and I'm here waiting for Millie to cry herself to sleep.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Chores

We've always had them. We've always hated them. I mean, really, who enjoys chores?? (Don't answer that if you actually do like them, please) The word is awful even! Here's a few I've been thinking about today...

The Bathroom: little boys + toilet seats= nasty, never clean

The Laundry: Absolutely NEVER done! As soon as they are all washed the bin begins to fill. There are always dirty ones to wash, clean ones to put away and seasonal ones to switch out!

The Kitchen: Again, endless. One meal is over and its practically time to start again. The dishwasher is always in need of attention, the floor always need sweeping/mopping. (if it is clean I panic if anyone steps on it!)

Picking up: What do I even say? I get so mad when I walk in and there are toys and books on the floor. I find myself thinking (and even saying) that we are NEVER giving these children anymore presents, ever.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Call Me Crazy

My dad took me home from MOPS tonight. Ha!! I must admit it was more fun than I thought it was going to be. It didn't make me say, ooh, lets go get one or anything...like Jody hoped it would.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mother's Day

I have started a blog entry several times this week. I have had several ideas too...and now I cannot remember those good ideas! I can't guarantee this entry will be good. I'm SO tired, but I don't want to neglect this blog too bad!

Jody and I celebrated our 9th anniversary this week. My parents, grandmother and 2 nephews came over to our house for supper. It was great! Then Jody and I went up to the college, where we were married, and walked around the park. I wanted to post pictures, but I'm too lazy to scan them right now! The park is very different. The trees are so much bigger and the growth of the shrubbery is amazing.

I think Millie Grace must be teething. Either that or caffeine is affecting her. I don't know, but she's being so restless and waking up in the night unexpectedly.

Luke is being such a rotten 2yr old. Tonight Jody and I went on a date and the babysitter actually had to call us because he was being so mean to her! Isn't that awful?? Boy is he going to get it in the morning!!

Tomorrow we are going to Charlotte to Elevation Church. My sister Holly is speaking and we are excited to be there for her!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Extra Guests

So this week we have had a lot of extra guests! Jody has a leadership team or 9 students. In order to prepare for the fall term, they needed a few days of planning and this week is good because between the end of exams and graduation there were a few days.

I hated missing it all last year, as the group went to a place and planned. This year Jody and I decided to do it at our house. That way I could take care of the kids and get them to school and bed and such AND hang out and take care of the group.

Its been pretty fun! Its a great group. They love my kids. They are very helpful. I'm so glad we did it this way.

Meanwhile in another part of town...my sister Holly and her 2 boys came to visit since my grandmother is still here. The kids and I went over there today (while the group was planning at my house). Then as we were leaving I decided, what the heck? Elijah B, wanna sleep over too? So we brought my nephew home with us to play and sleep over. Everyone was pretty excited!

And by 8pm, all 5 kids were asleep! Yay! Jody and the group are playing putt putt or something and I had a few minutes to blog. How bout that?

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Weekend Run-down

We had such a wonderful weekend!

Friday we had FAMILY MOVIE night. I don't know why but my kids LOVE when the words, "Family movie night" come out of my mouth!

Saturday we had our first soccer game. Jody is coaching Silas and Hattie and 7 other kids. It was great! Hattie kept up with the ball the whole time, pearls and all. Silas scored 3 goals. Luke stayed off the field the whole time, except once. My 95 year old grama held Millie. I got a sore throat from cheering so much. It was GREAT!





Then in the afternoon, Hattie and I had a date to Cinderella at the Peace Center. It was so wonderful. Hattie LOVED it. I did too! Prince Charming was an NGU grad and one of the stepsisters was an old friend of mine. We got to meet them after the show. So fun!








Then we had a little cook out with some of the college students. The park ranger busted up our party a little sooner than we were expecting, but it was great!

Today we had a wonderful Sunday. Church was awesome! Hanging out with my parents and grama is always fun. Last night of AWANA, which means a party for the kids.

Everyone went to bed exhausted and happy tonight!