Mother's Day 2008

Today our annual tradition of hiking Spencer's Butte did not occur. Katie woke up not feeling well and so today I get to be Nurse Mom. And I count it a privilege. I think back over the years to how often I have worn that 'nurse' hat. Katie was an extremely healthy baby, she hardly ever even had the sniffles. She blew through the toddler years fairly smoothly as well. It was however, shortly after Daniel was born that Katie started having some very serious stomach problems. What at first we believed to be nothing more than a stomach bug lingered for weeks. Her coloring was very pale and she often would find herself running to the bathroom after only a few bites of food. At what was probably her 4th doctor's visit she had a stomach x-ray. The pediatrician noticed something 'abnormal' and sent us immediately an hour north to the Children's Hospital. After weeks of tests that a 4 year old should not have to endure, Katie was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I knew the disease well, having seen my father suffer with it for years. Katie was the youngest case in the state of California. She had specialist all over the country conferring on treatments. It began with a strong dose of steroids and antiiflammatories. We noticed only minor changes. Mark and I began praying fervently over her every evening. Our pastor and elders prayed over her sprinkling her with oil. Katie's attitude was phenomenal. She smiled through every blood test which were weekly events. What was the most amazing about Katie however, was her faith. She had known Jesus since she was 3. She had no problem sharing the "Good News" with whomever would listen. Jesus lived in her heart and He was going to see her through. One morning about 6 months into treatments Katie woke and came to Mark and I in the kitchen. She wanted to know if we had come into her room in the middle of the night. We assured her we had not. She replied she didn't think it was us and began to relay the story of someone coming into her bedroom and touching her on the head. With complete certainty she said, "It was Jesus, He came in and touched me on the head. I know he healed me."
Our now 5 year old daughter was looking at us and proclaiming her healing. We smiled and hugged her, but really, how was a parent to respond? That day we noticed that Katie's symptoms were absent. A fluke we thought. Oh, we wanted to believe, but alas our faith was weaker than our child's. A week passed with no symptoms. Katie's appetite returned. A month...could it be? Her follow-up appt. with the specialist left us with a caution of "don't get your hopes up, it (the disease) has probably gone into remission".
Mark's job starting taking us to new destinations. Our first stop was in Los Angeles for 6 months. We met with the specialist at the re-known Long Beach Children's Hospital. The doctor was impressed with Katie's progress and without looking at her original testing would have thought she was a healthy 5 year old. He instructed us to continue with the medicines.
Our next move was to Kansas City. Katie met with the Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Children's Mercy Hospital. Again, the doctor was impressed with how well she was doing considering what a sick child she had been, but cautioned us that remission probably wouldn't last much longer. We continued with the high-doses of anti-inflammatories, but she was now off the steroids. Katie would just grin through it all. The medicine seemed so silly to her. She knew Jesus had healed her.
Virginia became home next. Katie was now 7. We were matched up with a specialist at Virginia Tech's Medical Hospital. This visit however was different. This time we were dealing with a specialist who also was a believer. He perused Katie's medical records then requested we run some tests. We returned for a second visit and the results of the testing. "On the record, your child," he said, was misdiagnosed." Then he began to tell us that unless he had it documented in her records that she was misdiagnosed, she would run the risk of health care coverage and life insurance in the future. But knowing the healing power of Jesus. He trusted Katie's diagnosis. She had been healed. He had seen her original tests, he knew how bad it was. "They don't like us to put 'healed' on the records."
Katie was taken off all her meds and Mark and I learned a humbling lesson. "Unless you have the faith of a child."

I would experience a similar lesson years later, this time through my son Daniel. But this time, I remembered how God had healed Katie and I held onto his promises. Not necessarily that God would heal Daniel, but that Jesus would indeed see him through. Daniel's story started around the same time as this blog began. In fact this blog has it's roots in a venue for us to keep family updated on his condition.(Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome) Today, Daniel is healthy non-symptomatic and has been for over 3 years.

Reflecting back on it all today. I am so grateful for the Grace that God has extended to this Mom during my times of unbelief.

Daniel's Album Cover

So, here is the boy with his new guitar. He is now taking lessons for both guitar and piano. We refer to him as a young "Barefoot Boy" which is the nickname Mark has for Keith Urban. Oh, and his Science Fair project won first place at his "school".

Forty....something???

Okay...so the cake candles give away my age. My children surprised me with a wonderful cake and homemade cards for my birthday. I am so blessed to have such selfless kids.
My day began with coffee being delivered to our room at the Cricketwood B & B in Bend, Oregon. www.cricketwood.com. Mark and I had been over in Redmond for a tradeshow on Thursday and decided to make a mini-vacation out of the trip. We stayed at our favorite Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of Bend surrounded by horse farms. The B&B boasts phenomenal views of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. The inn-keepers, Tracy and Jim, know how to spoil their guests. Warm cookies each evening with your choice of beverage is only the beginning. The cooked to order breakfasts are really the Pièce de résistance! My favorite is the Creme' Brulee' French Toast. I had mine with the fresh fruit of the day, strawberries and Kiwi. We chatted with our hosts and visited with the other couple who were staying at the Inn. Paul and Barbara were from the San Francisco area, but are moving to Bend in June. I can hardly blame them, the region is just so beautiful.
Back at the room Mark gave me my birthday present. A much desired running dress! This should provide me with the incentive to continue with my running.
We packed up our item, thanked our hosts and headed for home. The weather was perfect, with blue skies and white puffy clouds laid out in front of us. We enjoyed the sweeping road through the mountains that runs along side the McKenzie River.
We arrived home at 1 p.m. Where I was greeted by my children and birthday cake! I blew out the candles and each of us, forks in hand..dug in! (It was my birthday..so no dirty dishes allowed). At 3 p.m. we decided on an early dinner and visited one of our favorite pizza places, Pegasus Pizza by the university. We had our fill of BBQ chicken and Meatlovers pizza then returned home for some outside activity, namely spreading some mulch around my Blueberry bushes and then reclining on the patio!
A craving for pie somewhere around 6 had us visiting Marie Calendar's for a slice of Double Cream Lemon Pie, which we brought home and enjoyed as we watched October Sky.
We retired early as we had all had a somewhat exhausting day, but not before Mark and I made plans to recommit to our healthy eating the next day!

Painted Hills

Mark and I spent a perfectly beautiful day exploring the Painted Hills in Central Oregon. We were reminded of the world as God's canvas. The name "Painted Hills" is certainly an appropriate one. We were treated to a day of quiet solitude, as we were able to experience the wonder without intrusions. Although the tourists were scarce, a cougar paw-print reminded us that we were definitely not alone.

Daniel's Science Fair Project

After 3 weeks of very hard work, Daniel has at last finished his Science Fair Project. He chose to make a working model of the water cycle. The 'model' is in a fish tank on our back porch. We will be bringing it to his Science class tomorrow. I will take more pictures then. This is a picture of the board that goes with the project.

Katie girl

This is the photo that was used for the actors board during the Shakespeare's class performance of "Much Ado About Nothing."

Global Warming?

When we lived in Wisconsin this was not an unusual sight.  Snow at the end of April.  Here in Eugene, Oregon however, snow is definitely not the norm this time of year.  We are expecting precipitation in the form of a 'wintry mix' all day today.  Please, those of you in California, stop laughing!

P.T. = Physical Therapy????

Or does it stand for Physical "Torture"?  My orthopedic surgeon has dubbed me..."Woman with 'frozen shoulder'."  I have very limited mobility in my left shoulder.  While there may be a small tear it is really insignificant at this time, at least until we can restore mobility to the shoulder.  

So, just how does one go about restoring mobility?  Through P.T. of course.  Picture archaic torture chambers with prisoners strung out on wooden planks being stretched in two.

Okay...it's not that bad.  The Physical Therapist was actually very kind and understanding of my pain.  She still made me do the stretches, but she was sympathetic.  She demonstrated each stretch and then observed my technique as I attempted each awkward position. (Which really weren't awkward at all for someone with full use of their shoulder) I left the office with a printout of my homework; exercises to be done at least 3 times a day, as well as 5 follow-up sessions and a prescription for chocolate chip cookies whenever I feel pain- yes, I made that up.  

And so, my road to recovery has begun.    

Oh the Joys of Growing Old

"The linear signal abnormality involving the posterior labrum is strongly suspicious for a tear."

If you can understand the above, then you are doing better than I.  They are the results of my recent MRI on my shoulder.  Okay, so let me back up and tell you all a story. 

Sometime in early January our family decided to take an impromptu trip to Sunriver and enjoy a weekend in the snow. Two days prior to our departure I was tidying up the house to prepare for our being away. 

We own one of those central vacuum systems, which in and of themselves are not a danger, unless of course you happen to be vacuuming the stairs, and  your name is Mom/Deanna.  The hose was stretched from the bottom of the stairs to the top, as I turned to go down a step my foot landed on top of the hose which promptly caused my foot to roll off of the hose and proceed down the stairs.   I extended my left arm down and behind me to catch my fall.  My legs continued to slide down the stairs as my arm stayed behind secure on the step that I had put it on.  After sliding a few steps I came to a stop and anticipated the pain.  I very slowly pulled my arm around forward wincing with each little movement. I thought I had made quite a commotion, but alas, only the dog seemed to be aware of my circumstance.  

I breathed a few, "Please God, don't let it be broken" and stood up.  So far so good.  Lots of pain, but I could still move my arm so I concluded that nothing was broke.  

Later, I relayed the story to my husband who sympathetically hugged me as he tried his best to assess the damage.  I assured him I was okay to go our trip.  

With a good dose of Aleve in my system I was able to enjoy the snow and even did some sledding.  My husband did all the lifting, and took on the task of helping me to dress myself, as I couldn't lift my arm above my waist.  

After several weeks the mobility returned to my arm, but I still found some movements very painful.  With much fuss and resentment I called my Doctor,  who upon seeing me, scolded me for a good 5 minutes for waiting so long to go in.  An X-ray at the office revealed no break.  ( I was impressed with my self-diagnosis, I knew it wasn't broken).  The next step was an MRI which was done yesterday morning.  The results..(see above) were delivered to me today by my doctor along with a referral notice to an Orthopedic surgeon.  

What???!!!!  Okay fine, so next week I get to once again venture into the belly of the MRI machine, only this time with some kind of dye injected into my arm to determine if in fact there really is a tear.  After that..who knows?  I'll keep you posted. Until then, Mark continues to take in stride the unfortunate job of having to dress his wife.

Is it Spring Yet?

Another Driver on the roads of Eugene

At last the day arrived yesterday!  Katie passed her Driver's license exam.  She made her first solo drive home from her classes yesterday. (I followed behind her in the truck, threatening to push anyone who got too close 'into the wall') Daniel was laughing hysterically.  Why is it so hard to let go?  

Our family is excited about this conference!!!

Katie's 60's Look!

Rain Rain...GO AWAY!!!!!

What is the most frustrating about living in the Northwest is that somehow the rains know when it's the weekend. We have had some glorious weather all week and now as we head into Friday night the clouds have turned dark and the rains are once again coming down! We had hoped to have a beautiful 60 degree tomorrow as it was yesterday. We had yard work planned, walls to move, dirt to dig. Now it looks as if we shall wake to very cold wet weather in the morning without much of a reprieve until Monday, just in time to go back to work. Ahhh the joy.
Daniel has been fighting very unsuccessfully against a cold all week. We have rented the move "Underdog" for tonight and hope to catch a few lines of the film between his coughing. ((((Daniel))))
Katie is primping for the dance. Tonight's dance theme is "Through the decades" Katie found a 60's looking dress and is making her hair as 'big' as possible! What a blast. We tried in vain to find white go-go boots.
I'll try to post some more pictures soon. I've got 3 rolls waiting to be developed. If only I can find the time!

Do you Bird Count?

Beginning today through Monday the 18th one can participate in the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. www.birdcount.org.
I have followed the Bird Count somewhat in the past, but this year, armed with my National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds, my F100 complete with a new 300 zoom lens, and a checklist, I am ready to add my totals to the Count! My children stand at the ready to assist in flipping through the guide and identifying the birds by their markings.

We are being treated to another day of sunshine and if the weather experts are on target we may have sunshine all weekend.

Valentine's Day

Alas..the sun shines in Eugene! Such a glorious sight. Especially when one is a fair weather runner. Although, I have learned that a little moisture will not melt my running shoes, no matter how much I try to convince my dog to the contrary. But today, I shall gladly lace up and head outdoors and reap the benefits of increased Vitamin D!

As I write I am being serenaded by our son playing Fur Elise on his piano. Our daughter is engrossed in her Advanced Mathematics lesson. Just another day in the life of a homeschooling family.

We have enjoyed an impromptu visit by my parents, who stopped by to drop off a few Valentine goodies for the kids. Mark was home for lunch as is common. On the menu today? The ever popular peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with tortilla chips and salsa on the side. Funny how even at our ages (Mark and myself) we still find a little joy in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Tonight we shall huddle on the couch for a movie night. Undoubtedly there will be a little chocolate involved. I believe we may watch 10 Angry Men. I am preparing for my role in our upcoming Easter play at church entitled "Twelve Angry Jurors". Hopefully the movie will give me some motivation.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Vacation shots

More Cambodia pics by my niece Danielle

Rene in Cambodia

My brother Rene, his wife, Kristi and their children Danielle and Rene Roy just returned from their trip to Cambodia. Every year following Christmas they go to Cambodia to work at an orphanage there. Here is my brother Rene, no doubt teaching the Cambodian children some kind of trick! LOL!

19 years and counting!

We celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Monday!