Praying for Leah!

While in seminary, we had the privilege of getting to know a wonderful couple Katie and Ross. After we graduated seminary, I kept up with them through her blog, and every since Jackson could talk, we have been daily praying for their daughter Leah.

Leah got a new heart this week. God is so amazing and faithful. I am completely emotional being pregnant and every morning, I check her blog first thing. Please pray that her lungs do well with the new heart, and that she is in as little pain as possible. Also, pray for strength for Katie as she is pregnant with her third little one right now. Thank you so much!

Keeping up with the Parker Family

Donating to her new heart

Tuesday's Tip: The Kids' Favorite Book Right Now Is...

One Duck Stuck (Root)

Just thought I would share that with yall. This was one of Jackson's Preschool books of the month he did in speech and one that is definitely worth buying. Abigail is loving this book, and we are reading it every day before her nap.

What is your Preschooler's favorite book right now?

Also, this week is the Letter "S" in Preschool and we are working with him writing the letter S and the theme is Dr. Seuss. I heart Preschool.

For the Month of March:
Next week is Circus week
Week of March 13th they will work on the Letter G
Week of March 20th is the Letter U (Outer Space Theme)
Week of March 27th is the Letter K (Weather Theme)

Jackson is in a 3k Preschool Class two days a week, and next year he will go four days a week to a 4K Class. Email me if you would like to know what Preschool he goes to (emilywallace80@hotmail.com). I really have been pleased with all they have taught him and it is VERY affordable (it also helps that his best bud is in his class)! Abigail will not go next year. I am not going to put her in one until she is in a 3k class.

Please also keep us in your prayers. Saturday night a TV feel on Jackson (somehow he only got a cut on his knee). Monday night a class bowl broke on me and I have a cut on my thumb, and then tonight a class bowl broke on Abigail (she is fine). This is a new type of demonic attack that we are experiencing. However, any suffering we have for His name sake, is so worth it. Living for eternity, is so worth it. Jesus is so worth it.

David Baptist Church will be voting March 13th on going to two Sunday Schools and two services. Every since the expansion committee has met we have gone through spiritual warfare for sure. David Baptist church has never gone to two worship services (and Sunday school hours) in the entire 70 years of its existence, so this is pretty major. Click here to see Charlie's great post on why 2 services on his blog. Thank you for praying. and just continue to pray that our family and our church will be all about Jesus and reaching/discipling people for Him!

This week marks our one year anniversary at David Baptist. We are loving it here, and love the people so much!

Prayer Request for Our House

This Sunday we are having an Open House for our house from 2-5pm. It would be great if you could pray right now and on Sunday, that this month will be the month that our house sells. Also, if you could ask anyone else who you know who prays to pray as well that the perfect person will come on Sunday and want to buy our house.

We have lowered the price a good deal, and we have a professional photographer coming to take pictures of the house tomorrow to put online. He was recommended by a friend, and is charging us a VERY minimal price to take these pictures. We are thankful, and we are hopeful that our house will sell very soon.

Also, if you know anyone interested in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath one story house, pass this link onto them: http://www.trulia.com/property/3003132066-209-Gardenwalk-Drive-West-Columbia-SC-29170

Update on our House: Having Faith

I talked to our Realtor yesterday and he informed me that our house is the last house in our new neighborhood for sale (which is good) by Realtor. When we were in Columbia last month, I laid hands on the house and prayed in Jesus' name that it would sale soon. Literally two minutes later, a couple was in our driveway and I showed our house to them. I have never had a prayer answered so quickly! This definitely increased my faith.

But, we never heard back from this couple, and a house in our neighborhood did sell in November. Yesterday we lowered the price again, to a Biblical number ending in 7 (this is only the second time we have lowered the price). I also put our house on Craigslist.The market in Columbia is down 40 percent from the year before, and the year before that is was down 40 percent as well. Please pray with me that our house will sell by March (in February house will have been on the market for a year)! Let me know if you have any other suggestions on selling our house. http://www.realestatebook.com/homes/listing/101-3000234304/209-Gardenwalk-Dr-West-Columbia-SC-29170/

This week in Bible Study a verse that really hit me hard was Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

I think many times I think the worse is going to happen to protect myself from getting hurt. This action, however, is NOT acting as a woman of faith and confidence in the Lord. I trust the Lord and know He has reasons for our house not selling yet. His reasons are for His glory and my good.

"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this, How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another." Isaiah 28:10-11

Pictures from Last Weekend

It has been a long time since we have been this busy! We were basically out of town for 4 days last week. We got to spend some precious time with Charlie's parents, and Mimi got an ipad that Jackson and Abigail loved (she downloaded one Toy Story book). But, one of the most exciting things that has happened in the last week was that on Sunday I showed our house to a couple that seemed very interested!

I actually laid hands on the house and prayed in Jesus powerful name that it would sell, and literally 1 minute later went to the garage to get Abigail's stroller and there was a couple with their window rolled down. I do not think I have ever had a prayer answered so quickly! God gets all the glory. Please pray that it works out for this couple to buy our house in the powerful name of Jesus. Even if they do not buy it, it gives us hope that one day our house will sell.

I did not weigh in this week because I went to Spartanburg on Monday for the day to see KK who had a dentist appointment. The week before I gained 1 pound, but I have been doing really well and think I have lost 4 or 5 pounds in these last two weeks (I have been too busy to eat!). I will have a Weight Watchers post on Monday after I weigh in.

Thank you so much for praying! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Keep Praying

for our house to sell!

Click here for the link:

http://www.realestatebook.com/homes/listing/101-3000234304/209-Gardenwalk-Dr-West-Columbia-SC-29170/

If you would like more info feel free to email me at emilywallace80@hotmail.com

If you have a minute right now please pray in Jesus' powerful name that our house will sell. Thank yall so much for your support and prayers!

First Weekly Weigh in at Weight Watchers

I did not lose any weight this week with my first week back from WeightWatchers (after losing my 10 percent back in April).

It is important for me to become a lifetime member at WeightWatchers so I can lose the weight and keep it off (by weighing monthly). I hope to accomplish this by next summer.

The week before this week, I ate everything in sight so I am probably still paying for that and that is the reason I believe I did not lose any weight this week. I did not overeat this week or go over my points.

Victories this Week:

1. Worked out three times at home this week for the first time in a long time doing Jillian Micheals 30 day shred, and Last Chance workout by her (free on exercise on demand with Time Warner).
2. Went to Harris Teeter in Shelby to get Jolly Time popcorn that is the snack size which is only 1 point for the entire bag. I had a mommy friend tell me that this popcorn is what got her through at first (she is 4 weeks away from being a lifetime member!).
   
3. I felt better all week, and was down at all.
4. Ate WeightWatchers brownie (2 points) and heated it up in the microwave for 10 seconds and put light whip cream on top, and that helped my craving for chocolate. I also REALLY enjoy the WeightWatchers Chicken Alfredo (in the freezer section) meal. The new cheeseburger meal is excellent as well.
   

The hardest time I had was when my children do not finish their plates. I have a VERY hard time throwing away their food and "wasting" it. I actually had to pray through not eating their leftovers and there is power in prayer, the Holy Spirit, and in Jesus' precious name. I prayed to the Holy Spirit that he would give me supernatural strengthen. Please keep me in your prayers that I can lose this weight, and not be overweight and unhealthy. Let me know what helps you stay healthy and not overeat!

30 Years Old Today and Sentimental

Wow, today I turn 30.

I feel like I have been thirty for a while considering I have two kids already, but to actually turn 30 is crazy.

Crazy, because when I was in college time went by not to fast and not too slow, just right. Now, after having babies time is just flying by so quickly, too quickly.

Maybe because I do not sit in a class room praying the time will go by faster. Now, some days it is 5:00 and dinner time, and I do not even know where the day went.

The next 30 years I want to be committed to enjoying life, and not be so concerned with what all I have to do. I am very thankful to be a part of Community Bible Study this year (teaching 1 year old babies), which is actually helping me getting my priorities back in order.

But more importantly, the next thirty years I want to somehow be like Paul and count all but a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ my Lord. I want when people see me, to somehow see Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

What I daily strive for (this passage was read at our wedding), Hebrews 12:1-2:

"¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Lord help me to throw of the sin that so easily entangles me, and let me run the race fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Lord grant me the precious gift of faith. Faith that you will work out everything for your glory and my good. Faith that the Holy Spirit will give me supernatural strength not to overeat and do the many other sins that I do daily. Help us have the peace that surpasses all understanding that you have us exactly where you want us to be (especially me being a stay at home mom). Help us reach as many people as possible for Jesus and let us be instruments in the process of growing in the knowledge of Him. Lord, most of all help me and my family be all about Jesus period (for the next 30 years). Amen

Overal, I am very thankful to God for everything he has graciously given me at 30 years old. It is beyond my wildest dreams. Today, I am just very thankful to Jesus Christ our Risen Lord!

PS- Great article on "Why Gluttony is a Sin" by a pastor wife at Mars Hill Church here

So Proud of Jackson...Getting Rid of the Paci

I do not think I have ever been as proud of Jackson as I am today.

Nothing has come easy for Jackson, and for many crazy reasons we did not get rid of his pacifier when he turned 3 like originally planned (I really wanted to wait until he could understand why we were getting rid of it).

So, by his 4th birthday, we were determined. Almost every day for the last two months, we have been preparing him for when he turns 4, he is not allowed to have his pacifier anymore (the doctor says we are not allowed to give it to him when he sleeps).

So, this is how we did it.

• Monday, I let him cut his green pacifier. Jackson likes to be in control, so I knew if we said he gave to some baby, he would beg to go get it. He cut it, and he threw it in the trash can.
  
• All day Monday he did not have it, and then by 11:45 pm when he still would not go to sleep we gave him his last blue one because I had to get up at 6:45 am to teach 1 year olds at Bible Study (CBS), and he had Preschool the next morning.
• Tuesday, when we got back from Preschool, he cut his blue pacifier (the silicon part), and threw it in the trash. I explained to him that there were no more in the house, and we were not allowed to give it to him anymore. I was determined to not give it to him last night and to be up all night with him, since we had no where to go Wednesday morning.
  
• We replaced it, with stuffed Mickey Mouse that he has been chewing on.
• Last night, he went to sleep on his own in his bed by 11 pm. I laid hands on him and prayed in Jesus' powerful name that he would have the supernatural strength to get through the night. God gets all the glory! I cannot believe he did not wake up crying. When I slept with him last weekend, at 3 am when he could not find his pacifier he woke himself up until he could find it.
  
• If he goes seven nights without it, he will get a Caillou dvd (Aunt Sandi's suggestion).
• Keep praying for him, he is very tired and all over the place. Pray that he can keep it up and the God's glory can shine through him. I am determined to never give it to him again, so pray for us as well! I am emotional because no one cut off my thumb when I was 4 year old...haha!
  

Tuesday's Tip: Training a Preschooler

Pre-Kindergarten Class Goals (4 year olds)

Should be able to do by graduation:

Math Skills:

• Acts out a problem with objects
• Counts consecutively to 30 or above
• Identifies and matches number sets to 10
• Identifies 1st through 3rd positions
• Orders objects by length and size
• Creates an AB pattern

Not sure what creating a AB pattern is....

Language Arts skills I will try to post in a couple of weeks.

Jackson started Cubbies (AWANA) last night. We are so excited to have AWANA at our church. It just started last Sunday at our church and went great. We had 50 plus workers and kids. I would highly recommend sending your child to AWANA!

Our first verse is "God loves us....and sent His Son." We have been working on it all day and he can say it and is very excited to have it on his bathroom mirror.

Also, pray for us this week. This morning Jackson cut his pacificer. He has done pretty well all day, but at night time it is going to be hard for him. I slept with him the past weekend and when he could not find his pacifier he woke himself up until I could find it at 3 am. We have replaced it with Mickey that he has been chewing on (the one just like Luke's), but any other tips on getting rid of the pacifier, especially when you child is very attached, I would love to hear!

Faith

It has been a crazy couple of weeks and the Lord has been teaching me a lot about faith!

Last week, a good friend at church almost died after child birth. They could not get her to stop bleeding (her uterus would not stop bleeding),and she lost all her blood (doctor told Charlie he only sees this once every five years). We prayed so hard for her! God's power and glory were shown through her and after probably hundreds of people prayed for her she took a turn for the better. Charlie could not believe what a turn she took in just a few hours.

This week, Charlie's mom went for her mammogram and they discovered a small lump and the test came back and she has been diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Charlie writes: "The doctor told my mom that if she was going to get cancer, this would be the type to get. If caught early enough, it can be easily defeated. She is scheduled to have surgery to remove it next Friday at noon in Columbia. Continue to pray that the cancer will not or has not spread. She'll also likely have to have a couple of rounds of radiation after the surgery. We are praying for God's complete healing. Thank you for your prayers - they have worked and they mean a lot."

Both Charlie and his mom are very positive and know that God is in control and is going to work this out for her good and His glory.

Faith is a gift from God, so no man can boast. I often forget this. I think I have to do it all on my own, which is against God's plan for my life. He wants us to die to ourselves and depend on Him, and many hard situations cause us to do just that.

I am asking God to give me faith. Faith to believe that He is going to work all situations out for the best interest of that person. It might not be easy, but it is for our holiness, and for us to depend completely on Him. I am daily asking God for faith in all areas of my life.

Two areas I am always working on are glorifying God with my speech and with my eating. These two areas are hard because we have to speak and we have to eat. One reason I am not able to overcome overeating is because I do not pray to the Holy Spirit for supernatural help, and I do not have faith that God can really help me overcome this silly little thing: overeating.

I found a great website on overcoming sin: http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/how-to-overcome-sin

"Unbelief also, is the root of much sin. If we really believed in God's goodness, wisdom and love, what motive would remain for not doing things God's way? These attitudes hurt the heart of God and often cause insensitivity to others as well, resulting in us saying and doing things that were better not said or done."

I am praying to the Holy Spirit, that he will be able to supernaturally help me overcome overeating, and not pleasing the Lord with my words. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will give me the gift of faith.

Thursday's Tip: Overcoming Feeling Defeated

"He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything . . . . No name and no power [are] exempt from his rule (Eph. 1:21-22)."

Last Sunday, Charlie challenged us to pray 10 minutes a day for one week (it has taken some getting used to with my husband being my pastor too...he is an unbelievable teacher and pastor).

As I was praying, I just cried out to God in my prayer that I just have felt so defeated in two areas of my life: finances and overeating.

So, after praying, God and His Spirit showed me some ways to overcome feeling defeated. Have a plan!

With finances there have been many expenses that have occurred that are out of our control - keeping up with two houses, Charlie having his gallbladder out and then those bills pouring in. But one thing I can control is how much we spend on groceries and out to eat and I really do not feel like we have been good stewards in this area at all. It takes some time to figure out how much it is going to cost to live in a new town as well as adjusting to a different type of pay schedule.

So here has been our challenge this last week and only by God's power and His provision have we been able to only spend $200 on groceries and out to eat.

1. We got $200 in cash out for last week. Spent $50 at Ingels, $50 at Walmart, $20 at CVS, $15 church meal and had the rest left over. We went out to eat one time at Ham's where the kids ate for .99 (Monday night).
2. No matter what, we eat at the table and try our best to cook on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. Charlie enjoys cooking and I do not mind cleaning it up! I am planning out our meals one week in advance.
   
3. During my Walmart trip I could not believe how I got 30 items for $50. I totally felt not defeated, I was a conqueror. Going out to eat is not a desire but for one time a week when I could get so many groceries for $20.
4. I love having cash in my wallet and I have hardly had to use my debit card.
   

With overeating:

• I write down everything I eat in my 3 month Weight Watchers journal.
• I weigh in every Monday with Charlie for accountability. (trying to lose 2 pounds a week).
• My goal is to have this 15-20 pounds (I am that much more heavier since my wedding day Jan 2004) off by next summer. I am going to join back Weight Watchers when I get 10 pounds away from my target weight and hopefully become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.
• There is nothing I can get at Zaxby's under 20 WW points, so I just do not get anything!
  
• Just always trying to lose weight is frustrating, but giving myself a big goal and specific time limits has really helped my attitude!

What about you? Do you feel defeated with your fiances or overeating? What has helped you?

Prayer

"reminds you that life is not about you. Prayer reminds you that the center of your universe is a place reserved for God and God alone. Prayer reminds you that real peace, satisfaction, and contentment come when you live for a greater glory than your own. Prayer reminds you that the hope of marriage is not found in a husband and wife conspiring to build their own kingdom but in submitting together to the wisdom and rule of a better King. Prayer calls you away from the kingdom of self, which is so destructive to everything a marriage is intended to be, and welcomes you to the kingdom of God, where a God of love rules in love."

Tripp, "What Did You Expect?" (265).

"Shopping for Time: How to So it All and Not Be Overwhlemed" Did I Really Just Buy a Book Talking about a 5 am Club?

I am pretty sure I picked this book out from the Westminster Bookstore because I love time management books.

The book starts off great with Bible verse Ephesians 5:15-16:

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Then they (Mahaney, Whitacre, Chesemore, and Bradshaw) give 5 Tips

1) Rise early.
2) Sit still.
3) Sit and plan
4) Consider people
5) Plan to depend

Then Chapter Two is about joing the 5 am club!

Ah! 5 am? Really?

I am really struggling with our schedule here and not letting Jackson take a nap anymore. Most nights he stays up till 11 pm sometimes even 12 am!

She goes on to say that there is biblical encouragement for rising early to seek the Savior.

I have always said what you do first is where you heart is.

John Piper states,

"Entering the day without a serious meeting with God over his Word and in prayer, is like entering the battle without tending to your weapons, The human heart does not replenish itself with sleep. The body does, but not the heart...We replenish our hearts not with sleep, but with the Word of God and prayer."

Martha Peace states:

"I have heard of women who pride themselves on being "night people." That means they have trouble getting up in the morning because they come alive at night. They may stay up till all hours reading, watching television, or pursuring some sort of interest. The next morning they are too tired to get up and care for their family...These women are not "night people." They are lazy and selfish. Who would not rather stay up late to do whatever they please and sleep late the next day?

Once a young wife begins getting up earlier than her children and husband, she will cease to be a "night person." She will be tired at night and go to bed at a reasonable hour so she will be there to serve her family the next morning."

Ouch!

Yes I know that early morning time is ofter more profitable than late-night hours, and I praying for the grace to start getting up before my family.

5 am tips

• Do not hit the snooze button
• Proceed directly to the coffee pot or caffeinated drink of choice
• Be prepared to feel absolutely miserable for the first 15 minutes, but then you will have gladness as you experience the delight of meeting with God

I am planning on starting to get up early to have 30-45 minutes in my Bible Reading and quiet time with the Lord. My family has a new terrible schedule and I do not have to be ready for my family till late so I am still praying about when this time will be.

What about you? Do you wake up before your family to read your Bible and prayer? How does this work for you?

Thursday's Tip: Recommendations for Three Year Olds

For School:

The Book for March that they are doing every week at his school is, Big Red Barn (Brown).

A game they work on is Hi Ho Cherry-O. We got to this game recently to work on at home.

Also got worksheets entitled Preschool Scholar at Walmart. He is doing so great circling object, but is still have a hard time writing letters. He wants to write out his name so badly, and he gets easily frustrated that he cannot do it, so I did also get him Scribble and Write by Leap Frog. I really would not be pushing him to do this at all, but he loves to go through worksheets and really has a strong desire to write at least the letter J.

I would love to hear any advice on how I can help him draw letters!

He is doing great though on knowing what letter most words start with. He got 10 in a row the other day in a workbook, and I got all emotional thinking about how far he is has come. God gets all the glory!

For Spiritual Life:

Ordered Day By Day: One Year Devotional For Young Children by Betty Free (Ashley J recommended).

Update on Us:

• We are doing great, just extremely busy! I am in Columbia for Jackson's speech that he has on Thursday morning for just one night (Wednesday night). I think someone is going to look at the house on Saturday, so keep praying!
• Our first day at David Baptist was great. Everyone was so welcoming. I think it was surreal for Charlie and I that he is the pastor of this wonderful church!
• Jackson loved his class and his teacher. He learning a Bible Verse (Do not be afraid Acts 27), and then she made an phenomenal craft with a toilet paper role and had the Bible verse taped on it and they made it into a door handle. Anytime I see a great craft for little ones, I am blown away because I have a hard time with arts & crafts. He is doing really well with all the changes which is a huge answer to prayer, but he is not sleeping a whole lot. It seems like every night we have been in Spartanburg he has not really gotten down till 11:00 at night. This of course is making us more tired, so please pray that he starts sleeping more!
  

Thanks again for all your prayers!

Pray for My Babies and Their Ears!

February has been ear infection month at the Wallace household.

Let me break it down quickly:

• On February 3rd Abigail was diagnosed with an ear infection and given antibiotics (amoxicillin)
• 12 days later, Jackson is diagnosed with an ear infection and given antibiotics (amoxicillin)
  
• The day before Jackson got on medicine, Abigail climbed herself up on Jackson's bed and started sucking one of his pacifiers.
  
• Last Friday, I took Abigail to the Ped. After Hour clinic here in Spartanburg (we moved up Firday...spent the week boxing up closets) and she was diagnosed with yet another ear infection (last Saturday she was checked for her last ear infection and she was all clear).
  

Right now, please pray that Jackson does not get back Abigail's ear infection! I know if I do not pray right when I hear a request, I forget to pray. This month there has only been four days where I have not had to give one of my babies antibiotics.

She coughed a lot the last few days and has been really congested. She is on Omnicef now, and will not be contagious by Sunday. Praise God she has stopped coughing! Thank you for your prayers... they just keep on giving it back to each other!

Revelation 19:6-9

"I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and the sound a mighty peals of thunder saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready? And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invitied to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
Revelation 19:6-9

This is how Love to Eat, Hate to Eat (Fitzpatrick) ended. I am so glad I finished this book. So far, new goal for this year of reading 15 pages a day (Monday-Friday) has been such a huge blessing for me. Next book is my last Fitzpatrick book for a while, Idols of the Heart.

Another goal for this year is also going well, loosing the last 10-15 pounds from Abigail. Fourth week on Weight Watchers and I have lost 5.2 pounds! Feel free to ask any questions about Weight Watchers here.

Things are pretty crazy this week. We now have a "for sale" sign in our yard. If anyone is interested in a one story, 1400 sq house, with garage and fence, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, email me at emilywallace80@hotmail.com (house is in West Columbia, zoned for White Knoll).

Also, I found out today that it is going to take 4-6 weeks for us to be completely covered health insurance wise, so pray that nothing major happens in these weeks for us!

But I know God is in control of all of these things and he will work them out for our good and His glory.

Believe it or not, none of these issues are really "stressing" me. However, what is bothering me right now is that we have noticed that Abigail is not regressing with her speech, but not really progressing either. Today, I had another speech therapist friend look at her top lip frenulum, and she said it was really really tight up there, and this has been really bothering Charlie and I a lot recently. I was able to talk to our doctor today and she has referred us to go see Dr. Anna Bouknight soon for Abigail. We know she is going to have to have it clipped, so might as well do it now so she will never remember it, and to make sure it does not affect her speech. It was just last March we had Jackson's double frenulum surgery, and I cannot believe we might be doing it again this March. Just pray for the doctors to have wisdom in what is best for my baby girl in the long run. She is getting in all her molars right now as well, so that could also affect her speech as well. Unfortunately, these frenulum issues are hereditary.

Update on Our Illnesses---Doctors Think it was just Bad Stomach Flu, not the Swine Flu

• Charlie got the stomach flu really bat Saturday night starting at 11:30 am. It was not pretty.
• Abigail continued to be really congested so yesterday I took her in to the doctor to see if she has ear infections, sinus infections, or the swine flu. The doctor said that she just had a virus, and she really does not believe that we had the swine flu.
• If we all had the swine flu, we would have had fevers for days and very high fevers. Charlie did have a fever of 101.8 on Sunday, but it was within the 24 hours of getting the stomach flu. He never ran a fever again. She said that she has heard of no cases where children have had to go to the ER because of extreme dehydrated like Jackson did with having the swine flu. She just believes it was a nasty stomach flu.
• The reason why hospitals are starting to refuse to test for the swine flu is because the test is only 70 percent accurate. I think lawsuits are already happening, especially against hospitals.
  
• So we are still getting our flu shots next Tuesday and praying that Jackson does not catch everything like he did two years ago. He still has a mild cough, but he is full of energy and begging for me to take him to the zoo. The house is beyond a disaster, and I know soon I will have it somewhat under control, and we just might go to the zoo this week. The zoo is so great.
• Thank you all so much for praying for us, it really means so much to us!
  

Flu...Pray for my babies... Jackson's First Trip to the ER

It has been a rough week.

Tuesday night I got very sick to my stomach and just thought that it was going to be a 24 hour stomach bug.

Thursday morning (very early) my babies got sick. Jackson woke up first, and I got his bed all cleaned and then Abigail woke up and we had to get her in the bath to clean her up and I had to get her bed cleaned as well.

Later on Thursday morning, Jackson did okay and drank some and ate a little. Abigail bounced right back and started to drink her bottle and eat like nothing ever happened.

Thursday afternoon Jackson stopped drinking and started fussing non-stop. I could not get him to drink anything. He woke up at 12 am with fever still and then again at 6 am sick. He slept till 10, but then had not urinated since Thursday night at 8 pm. He finally drank something around 11 am and used the restroom. However, his lips were so dry and his mouth was so dry that I could not understand what he was saying when he tried to talk.

I called the nurse, still debating on even if I should take him to the doctor at all, and she was very concerned that he went almost 12 hours without urinating. She got my doctor on the phone and told me that we need to go to the children's hospital and get him an IV. What? I did not even think we were going to be going to the doctor! Needless to say I was very emotional, but still could not get him to drink anything else so I knew that the doctor knew best. The doctor at the children's hospital ER said that many doctor's offices will give IV's early in the morning but not usually in the afternoon. Jackson's appointment was for 3:30.

Jackson and I got to the hospital and it was so wonderful to be at a children's-only ER. They knew exactly how to get the IV in, and it was really not as bad as I thought it was going to be. They were so kid-friendly. They took his blood to see exactly how dehydrated he was and his reading was a 17 and usually anything under 24 they have to treat. He needed two bags of IV's. They said it was the flu since he still had a fever.

Praise God that he felt so much better after the IV and received some anti-nausea medicine in his IV. He drank after that and ate a Popsicle and they released us. They said that there is a good chance that he could get dehydrated again. We have anti-nausea medicine, Tamiflu, and Motrin all in him and he is doing so much better.

Please pray that:

• Jackson does not get dehydrated again and God heals him quickly for His glory.
• Abigail does not get this flu. Her nose was running non-stop tonight. Who knows? She might have already had it.
  

Thank you so much for your prayers. The regular flu is so hard on Jackson! He has such a hard time fighting off illnesses once he gets something.

It was so sad before he went to bed tonight, he said, "I'm so sick, so sick, so sick."

Wednesday's Word: Date Night

Trying to make time for date night is challenging with two babies under the age of 3 right now.

Ideally, it would be great to have weekly date nights but many weekends we have stuff going on at the church and that is just not a realistic goal for us right now.

Instead, we have monthly date night. Every month I pick a Friday night out and call Lynn and go ahead and schedule it weeks in advance. On date night, we usually go to a restaurant (sometimes even one without a waiter like Moe's) and usually go shopping for clothes for us or for picture frames or something to buy for the house. We really cannot go shopping together with two babies. If we do it is rushed, and usually pretty hectic.

On date night we try to tell each other our favorite memories that we have had in the last 3-6 months. We also try to talk about our goals and what goals we have met recently or goals that we are working on. We really try to make memories and have a meaningful conversation at dinner when we have our date night.

Making time for your marriage is so important!

Do you have any tips or suggestions on what has worked with making your marriage a priority while raising small children?

Prayer:

• I forgot to mention on last week's post that if you have a girl friend who wants you to pray about something, if it is not too awkward, pray with her right then about it. Many times I just pull my friend into a room that is empty or a place that does not have many people around, and we pray right then and there for my friend. I always feel the Holy Spirit working in both of our lives whenever I do this. I challenge you to do the same with your girlfriends!