WOW! I hadn't updated the look of my blog in so long that it still had prayer requests from John's dad who passed away over a year ago. So sad! Anyway, I am going to try to blog more regularly and do less Facebook. Blogging takes WAY less time. Nice, grammar, huh? I do like the interactive part of Facebook, but with all these kiddos, I really need to limit my time on the computer. Today, I turned it off and just took it upstairs. Well, that certainly helped because as much as I like to work out, I surprisingly detest going up and down the stairs 1,000 times a day. Anyway, it's almost midnight and I need to get some sleep.
Just 2 more weeks until we are in America. I REALLY need the spiritual encouragment as well as some Target and Cracker Barrel! :)
My thoughts are always so scattered and random. I'm like that in real life, too!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Weigh in Day
Every Tuesday is the dreadful, I mean, much anticipated weigh-in day for the Online Weight Watcher's program that I have been doing. I am trying to get this baby weight off. It was so much fun putting it on, but shedding it isn't so delightful! I gained 31 lbs. during pregnancy and now I am down 30 lbs! WOOHOO! 1 more pound to go and I will have hit my pre-pregnancy weight. The sad thing is that my pre-pregnancy weight was still 10 lbs. more that what I normally weigh, so I have a ways to go still. And honestly, I certainly don't look like what I looked like before I got pregnant with the 5th baby. My gut still hangs over my jeans when I sit down. My arms are flabby and the back fat hangs over my sports bra. Nice images, huh?! So...I am working really hard to stick with the Weight Watcher's plan. It is perfect for nursing and also for marathon training. I am definitely eating enough and still losing weight. And Miles....well, the 12.5 lbs. he weighs speaks for itself.
I started WW on October 19th and have been doing it for 6 weeks now. I have lost a total of 8.5 lbs. on the plan (12.5 since I started trying to lose weight), which averages to be 1.4 lbs. per week. It is definitely a MUCH slower process than I would like, but most research shows that the slower you lose it, the better your chances of keeping it off are. And to be honest, I feel extremely satisfied and am rarely ravenous on this plan. Last week, I hit the milestone of losing 5% of my body weight and now I am aiming for another 5% to get me to a place where I feel comfortable and so that ALL the clothes in my closet will fit me once again.
I wish it were as easy to lose weight as it is to gain weight! Anyway, it is a process that definitely takes time, but will be so worth it in the long run. I didn't think I would have much success with WW online and doing it overseas. But honestly, it has been a lot easier doing it here in Peru because there are so few food choices as compared to the United States. I am pretty much in a rhythm of eating the same 15 things and not constantly thinking of what I'm going to conjure up next to fulfill a craving. I am just eating to be satisfied and stay within the points system.
Okay, so that was probably WEIGH more (get it) than you wanted to know! So this week I am going to keep plugging away (the Holidays kind of got me off track) and I am shooting for my next goal!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A new friend, a new treasure
Well...the much anticipated "first" lunch came at the home of my new friend, Rosita. I think I have found my new best friend here in Peru! She is a solid Christian woman, with a SUPER out-going personality. She is determined, motivated, driven, excited and all around fun to be with; all great qualities. I enjoyed our conversation and her stories. I love to tell stories, too! She corrected my Spanish (another first), was very patient with me as I tried to share with her and was incredibly hospitable. She even ironed Avery's panties (no clothes dryer) when Avery accidentally messed them in the bathroom because she was sitting on the toilet the wrong way. :)
Next week we are having the party, here at our house, for the people from Oasis. Well, Rosita INSISTS that we not buy pre-cooked food from a supermarket. She is going to do all the shopping for me and then she will follow us home from church next week and we will cook the meal together. Since she is extremely reliable, I consented and am really looking forward to it. It will save us a lot of money as well. Praise God!
Rosita is a single mother of two young men, 16 and 18. Her boys are incredibly polite and sweet. Of course, my kids had a great time with them.
We went to the late service today instead of the early morning service since I was going to her house directly after church. Normally we are there from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. but the 2nd service starts at 11 a.m. and didn't get over until 1:30 p.m. OUCH! And John wasn't with me because he has to work in Oasis. So there I was, the only gringo there with 5 kids in tow alone. I could just feel that all eyes were on me. All that to say, I think I will stick with the first service that is short and sweet and will always have hubby with me.
Anyway, John and I are just praising God for the sweet fellowship and the new friend. :)
I also met another woman named, Isabelle, at church today and she lives very close and said that we should get together. WOW! I am constantly amazed at God's provision of friends and so very thankful that since we started this church that things are coming together for me and I am integrating into the culture more and more.
AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE FOOD, THE PANCHAMANCA, WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!
Next week we are having the party, here at our house, for the people from Oasis. Well, Rosita INSISTS that we not buy pre-cooked food from a supermarket. She is going to do all the shopping for me and then she will follow us home from church next week and we will cook the meal together. Since she is extremely reliable, I consented and am really looking forward to it. It will save us a lot of money as well. Praise God!
Rosita is a single mother of two young men, 16 and 18. Her boys are incredibly polite and sweet. Of course, my kids had a great time with them.
We went to the late service today instead of the early morning service since I was going to her house directly after church. Normally we are there from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. but the 2nd service starts at 11 a.m. and didn't get over until 1:30 p.m. OUCH! And John wasn't with me because he has to work in Oasis. So there I was, the only gringo there with 5 kids in tow alone. I could just feel that all eyes were on me. All that to say, I think I will stick with the first service that is short and sweet and will always have hubby with me.
Anyway, John and I are just praising God for the sweet fellowship and the new friend. :)
I also met another woman named, Isabelle, at church today and she lives very close and said that we should get together. WOW! I am constantly amazed at God's provision of friends and so very thankful that since we started this church that things are coming together for me and I am integrating into the culture more and more.
AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE FOOD, THE PANCHAMANCA, WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Loving Life in Lima
A picture update and an update on Miles!
Miles now weighs 12.6 lbs! Can you believe it? The doctor was a little concerned about his rapid weight gain, but I told him not to be because Parker was 27 lbs at one year. That comforted him. Miles is now in the 75th percentile for his weight. The pediatrician said that he thinks his neck strength is improving.
The baby rolled over today for the first time. He almost did it in the doctor's office on Wednesday and the doctor said he would be doing it very soon. He rolled from his belly to his back. Honestly, I think he is my earliest kid to do this - 8 1/2 weeks. Doesn't seem like he is going to have problems developmentally - if you ask me!!
3 of my kids came down ill on Thanksgiving Eve so we stayed home yesterday and had a quiet family feast! It was a great day. John came down sick today. Hopefully this will be the end of it. Tomorrow is our big neighborhood Thanksgiving feast.
Also, here is a link to the food I will be eating with the lady from our church. I have been told it is very delicious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachamanca
Enjoy the pictures!
Miles now weighs 12.6 lbs! Can you believe it? The doctor was a little concerned about his rapid weight gain, but I told him not to be because Parker was 27 lbs at one year. That comforted him. Miles is now in the 75th percentile for his weight. The pediatrician said that he thinks his neck strength is improving.
The baby rolled over today for the first time. He almost did it in the doctor's office on Wednesday and the doctor said he would be doing it very soon. He rolled from his belly to his back. Honestly, I think he is my earliest kid to do this - 8 1/2 weeks. Doesn't seem like he is going to have problems developmentally - if you ask me!!
3 of my kids came down ill on Thanksgiving Eve so we stayed home yesterday and had a quiet family feast! It was a great day. John came down sick today. Hopefully this will be the end of it. Tomorrow is our big neighborhood Thanksgiving feast.
Also, here is a link to the food I will be eating with the lady from our church. I have been told it is very delicious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachamanca
Enjoy the pictures!
This is Miles' favorite position. What would I do without this Hot Sling?
This is the 2nd time he rolled over today. I had to take a picture of it. He had been crying for awhile and I wasn't sure why until I saw that he was on his back. He rolled over! WOOHOOO!
Taking care of Miles!!! Jaxson took this picture, too!
Even old moms can have fun. This is me bobbing for apples on Thanksgiving day! We had a blast. I got 10 in 59 seconds for the Phamily record. It is A LOT harder than it looks!
This is Parker working really hard to break my record. It was hysterical to watch him! We all had to back up about 5 feet.
Were you this cute?
PRINCE SMILES!
The 5 Ragamuffins. John said they look a little homely in this picture. I still think they are so cute!
Check out this omelet I made the other day. I flipped it over and it had a heart in the middle of it. One of the kids noticed it first. How beautiful! A nice reminder of LOVE!
Sleeping Prince Miles! Say Prince Smiles 5x fast and it sounds like Prince Smiles!
Miles and Ally. He is laying on her chest. Jaxson Dean took this picture!
Mommy and her kids enjoying our Thanksgiving feast! We cooked lots of yummy food from scratch. Daddy took this picture and that's why he is not in it.
Miles and his First Thanksgiving! Check out the cute bib over the Gator colored outfit!
Prince Miles on his throne!
This pigeon, and her dear hubby, have decided to make a nest over our laundry room. They are constantly dragging in branches and leaving a mess. And then they lay the eggs and the eggs fall from this ledge. So, John took a piece of wood and covered it with nails to keep the birds away. If you look closely, you can see that she is sitting on top of the nails and trying to build another nest. She waits there while her hubby gets her some sticks. He brings her 1 stick about every 2 minutes. It is very entertaining to watch, but nonetheless the birds have GOT to go. Can't believe they are nesting on nails. Oh, the things we will do for our babies.Sunday, November 22, 2009
What's happening around here?
Well, yesterday I completed 16 miles in my marathon training. Towards the end of the run I was asking myself WHY? in the world I am doing this. I really don't have an answer except that I paid for the race, it's helping me to lose weight and I get to run it with Jenn. Other than that, I think I'm just nuts! :) I crashed and burned yesterday afternoon and was absolutely exhausted and took a 2 1/2 hour nap and then was still in bed by 10 p.m. And, I probably ate more calories than I burned off b/c I was so hungry.
Today, we went to church again and the people there are just extraordinarly (is that a word?) kind to us. They all love the baby and our kids. So many people talk to us each week after the service. We love it! Today, a woman named Rosita invited us to her house after church next week to eat a typical Peruvian dish that they make in the jungle. John won't be able to make it, but I will take all 5 kids and enjoy some Christian fellowship with her. Can you believe that we have been here for 15 months and this is our first "dinner" invite from a Peruvian? It takes a long time to make friends here, I guess. The culture is extremely different than Costa Rica.
In about an hour, we are ALL heading out the door to Oasis for an afternoon of ministry and showing off the baby. This is the first time he has been out there since he was born and ALL of our friends that live out there have been asking for him. In fact, 2 women who haven't been attending are going to come today just to see Miles. Isn't that sweet? Although, I do wish they would come regularly. Anyway, we are praying that the fleas do not get him or the rest of us. We are all looking forward to seeing people and attending the service in Oasis.
We have decided that we are going to have a Christmas party in our home for the church leaders in Oasis. There are about 7 extremely faithful attendees (as well as their families) that we would like to bless. These are the ones that are taking the evangelism course and have helped with all the construction on the building. We have decided we are going to make sure that not one person leaves our home without a present and that we fill their bellies with typical Peruvian food and typical American Deserts. There should be about 20 people coming. I am so excited to be doing this for them. I hope it is an evening where they feel very loved and blessed. We just want to let them know how thankful we are for their commitment and service to God and the church.
On the homefront, this week we will have a very "light" schooling week since it is Thanksgiving and I also need to refresh and recharge. We have lots of plans. Tomorrow our new friends that came over last week will be coming over again (but this time with all 4 of her kids). Tuesday I have a lunch date with another missionary that is my good friend and like a mom to me. Wednesday we have Mile's 8 week check-up. Thursday is Thanksgiving and we will be celebrating with a missionary family that works for another organization and they have 5 kids as well. They have a pool so we are so excited to get to go swimming! :) And Saturday I have another long run of 16 miles with my German/Peruvian friend, Isabelle, and Sunday I have the luncheon with Rosita. So, it should be a good mix of cultural activities as well as with other missionaries. I am really feeling MUCH more connected to Peru since we started attending this church. I have even been dreaming in Spanish again. :)
Well, off to start round 2 of the day.
Today, we went to church again and the people there are just extraordinarly (is that a word?) kind to us. They all love the baby and our kids. So many people talk to us each week after the service. We love it! Today, a woman named Rosita invited us to her house after church next week to eat a typical Peruvian dish that they make in the jungle. John won't be able to make it, but I will take all 5 kids and enjoy some Christian fellowship with her. Can you believe that we have been here for 15 months and this is our first "dinner" invite from a Peruvian? It takes a long time to make friends here, I guess. The culture is extremely different than Costa Rica.
In about an hour, we are ALL heading out the door to Oasis for an afternoon of ministry and showing off the baby. This is the first time he has been out there since he was born and ALL of our friends that live out there have been asking for him. In fact, 2 women who haven't been attending are going to come today just to see Miles. Isn't that sweet? Although, I do wish they would come regularly. Anyway, we are praying that the fleas do not get him or the rest of us. We are all looking forward to seeing people and attending the service in Oasis.
We have decided that we are going to have a Christmas party in our home for the church leaders in Oasis. There are about 7 extremely faithful attendees (as well as their families) that we would like to bless. These are the ones that are taking the evangelism course and have helped with all the construction on the building. We have decided we are going to make sure that not one person leaves our home without a present and that we fill their bellies with typical Peruvian food and typical American Deserts. There should be about 20 people coming. I am so excited to be doing this for them. I hope it is an evening where they feel very loved and blessed. We just want to let them know how thankful we are for their commitment and service to God and the church.
On the homefront, this week we will have a very "light" schooling week since it is Thanksgiving and I also need to refresh and recharge. We have lots of plans. Tomorrow our new friends that came over last week will be coming over again (but this time with all 4 of her kids). Tuesday I have a lunch date with another missionary that is my good friend and like a mom to me. Wednesday we have Mile's 8 week check-up. Thursday is Thanksgiving and we will be celebrating with a missionary family that works for another organization and they have 5 kids as well. They have a pool so we are so excited to get to go swimming! :) And Saturday I have another long run of 16 miles with my German/Peruvian friend, Isabelle, and Sunday I have the luncheon with Rosita. So, it should be a good mix of cultural activities as well as with other missionaries. I am really feeling MUCH more connected to Peru since we started attending this church. I have even been dreaming in Spanish again. :)
Well, off to start round 2 of the day.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
YUMMY!!
Look what I'm going to make! It tastes better than it even looks. And I think it looks pretty good.
Here is the recipe (with MANY more from this great blogsite).....
http://wwwbunnysovencom.blogspot.com/2009/02/cherry-crumb-cream-cheese-bars-and.html
Friday, November 20, 2009
Pictures
I uploaded some pictures onto Facebook, but I could not figure out how to get the link to work properly so that you could just click on it and then look at the pictures (even without a Facebook account). Does anyone know how to do this? Anyway, if you hope on over to Facebook you can see the pictures. If you are John's friend, you should be able to find them on his page as well.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
If you can't say anything positive then don't say ANYTHING at all! Isn't this the old addage we have been taught since we were kids? Well, then.....I won't say anything about homeschooling. I will just ask that you pray for me and the children. PLEASE!!!!!
A new missionary to Lima came over today with her 4 year old. She and Avery became fast friends. She stayed for about 4 hours and we had great fellowship. I forgot what it was like to do something like "have" fellowship while hubby is working. It was definitely a nice time.
Tomorrow, a Peruvian woman, who lived in Melbourne, FL for 7 years that speaks perfect English, is coming to my home tomorrow to highlight, cut and style my hair. I seriously have been praying and hoping for a hairdresser that speaks English that I can trust. It is super hard to find someone who will do a good job, is affordable and that you can communicate EXACTLY what you want to. In fact, it is hard enough to communicate a hairstyle in English. With 5 kids and a nursing baby, it is even more convenient that she is coming to my home. She will do my hair and my neighbor's hair. I just love that Peruvians make house calls. And all that for a whopping $47. Now, I'm just hoping she does a great job since I'm super picky. :)
In other news, there are a TON of changes happening with the IMB. We are getting e-mails daily about financial changes. Money is definitely going to be MUCH tighter next year as we will have more expenses. I am just praising God for a job and his continual provision and blessings for our family.
Speaking of the IMB, I have to pat John on the back. He received an e-mail from the leadership of the "Americas" affinity group this week asking him to attend a "young leaders" conference in March. They are training up and developing new leaders for the future. Only 10 men, out of a big pool of missionaries, were invited in all of South and Central America so this is a huge honor for him. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see the plans God has for our family in the future. John is not so sure if he ever wants to be in leadership, but he is honored and will attend the conference.
I will put some pictures up of little Miley Smiley! He is a cutey pants. He is now going #2 after almost EVERY feeding. WOOHOOO! He is sleeping better as well. For 2 nights in a row he has slept for 7 hours straight. Come on, Miles, keep it up!
Thanks for checking in!
A new missionary to Lima came over today with her 4 year old. She and Avery became fast friends. She stayed for about 4 hours and we had great fellowship. I forgot what it was like to do something like "have" fellowship while hubby is working. It was definitely a nice time.
Tomorrow, a Peruvian woman, who lived in Melbourne, FL for 7 years that speaks perfect English, is coming to my home tomorrow to highlight, cut and style my hair. I seriously have been praying and hoping for a hairdresser that speaks English that I can trust. It is super hard to find someone who will do a good job, is affordable and that you can communicate EXACTLY what you want to. In fact, it is hard enough to communicate a hairstyle in English. With 5 kids and a nursing baby, it is even more convenient that she is coming to my home. She will do my hair and my neighbor's hair. I just love that Peruvians make house calls. And all that for a whopping $47. Now, I'm just hoping she does a great job since I'm super picky. :)
In other news, there are a TON of changes happening with the IMB. We are getting e-mails daily about financial changes. Money is definitely going to be MUCH tighter next year as we will have more expenses. I am just praising God for a job and his continual provision and blessings for our family.
Speaking of the IMB, I have to pat John on the back. He received an e-mail from the leadership of the "Americas" affinity group this week asking him to attend a "young leaders" conference in March. They are training up and developing new leaders for the future. Only 10 men, out of a big pool of missionaries, were invited in all of South and Central America so this is a huge honor for him. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see the plans God has for our family in the future. John is not so sure if he ever wants to be in leadership, but he is honored and will attend the conference.
I will put some pictures up of little Miley Smiley! He is a cutey pants. He is now going #2 after almost EVERY feeding. WOOHOOO! He is sleeping better as well. For 2 nights in a row he has slept for 7 hours straight. Come on, Miles, keep it up!
Thanks for checking in!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What's new on the Pham front???
Still battling fleas! What else? :)
A friend is going to let me use her BMW while I am in Florida so I don't have to rent a car after all and will save money. I'm very happy about that.
John's mom is going to help us with the rental van in California unless God provides another alternative. That is a blessing too.
The baby has gone #2 at least 3 times this week on his own. That is such an improvement from zero and we are thankful for that.
John and I have been running a lot recently. John is up to 9 miles and I am up to 14 and will run 16 next week in preparation for the Disney Marathon. We signed up for a half-marathon in December that we are going to run together. It is in Lima and starts at 9 a.m. Should be nice and toasty for us. I am enjoying running with him. I am very proud of his progress. When each one of us comes home from a run we immediately share our average pace, average heart rate and distance. It's so fun!! We also talk "race" strategies. I LOVE having a fellow runner in the house.
Well, I have something shocking to tell you. I actually LOVE living here now. If the IMB told us we had to leave Lima, I can honestly say that I would be very sad. We have a lot of friends in our neighborhood, ministry is progressing, we found a church that we love, and we are extremely settled. Our life is here now and I am so thankful! Boy, it was a rough start, but I am so glad to feel like this is home.
On other good news, we found out that we will be able to live in St. Cloud, FL when we return to the states in September of next year. Originally, we were going to have to live in Orlando about 30 minutes away. Our home church now has a house that we can use in the center of town. We could not be more excited (especially me).
Please pray for my house helper's brother. He was in the hospital for like 10 days and needed an operation on his stomache. They sent him home to take antiobiotics before the surgery. He went in on Nov. 10th for the surgery, but he needed to pay $100 before they would do it. He didn't have the money and had to postpone the surgery. Now he is working really hard, WHILE he is sick and infected, to try to come up with the money. We have been having our empleada work extra so she can earn more money to help him, plus John gave her a cash advance, but her financial situation isn't very good either. She lives in a dirt shack and barely had enough money to get by (with 6 kids). If you could pray for their situation (her name is Maria and I don't know her brother's name), that would be wonderful. Can you imagine not being able to have a very NEEDED operation b/c of a lousy $100? That is like $1,000.00 or more to them. It breaks our hearts. We want to just give them the money, but we have been told countless times that it is not a good idea. UGH!
Still battling fleas! What else? :)
A friend is going to let me use her BMW while I am in Florida so I don't have to rent a car after all and will save money. I'm very happy about that.
John's mom is going to help us with the rental van in California unless God provides another alternative. That is a blessing too.
The baby has gone #2 at least 3 times this week on his own. That is such an improvement from zero and we are thankful for that.
John and I have been running a lot recently. John is up to 9 miles and I am up to 14 and will run 16 next week in preparation for the Disney Marathon. We signed up for a half-marathon in December that we are going to run together. It is in Lima and starts at 9 a.m. Should be nice and toasty for us. I am enjoying running with him. I am very proud of his progress. When each one of us comes home from a run we immediately share our average pace, average heart rate and distance. It's so fun!! We also talk "race" strategies. I LOVE having a fellow runner in the house.
Well, I have something shocking to tell you. I actually LOVE living here now. If the IMB told us we had to leave Lima, I can honestly say that I would be very sad. We have a lot of friends in our neighborhood, ministry is progressing, we found a church that we love, and we are extremely settled. Our life is here now and I am so thankful! Boy, it was a rough start, but I am so glad to feel like this is home.
On other good news, we found out that we will be able to live in St. Cloud, FL when we return to the states in September of next year. Originally, we were going to have to live in Orlando about 30 minutes away. Our home church now has a house that we can use in the center of town. We could not be more excited (especially me).
Please pray for my house helper's brother. He was in the hospital for like 10 days and needed an operation on his stomache. They sent him home to take antiobiotics before the surgery. He went in on Nov. 10th for the surgery, but he needed to pay $100 before they would do it. He didn't have the money and had to postpone the surgery. Now he is working really hard, WHILE he is sick and infected, to try to come up with the money. We have been having our empleada work extra so she can earn more money to help him, plus John gave her a cash advance, but her financial situation isn't very good either. She lives in a dirt shack and barely had enough money to get by (with 6 kids). If you could pray for their situation (her name is Maria and I don't know her brother's name), that would be wonderful. Can you imagine not being able to have a very NEEDED operation b/c of a lousy $100? That is like $1,000.00 or more to them. It breaks our hearts. We want to just give them the money, but we have been told countless times that it is not a good idea. UGH!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
I changed the date on my rental car search and just by moving it to Jan. 1st, the prices went down from $81 a day to $17. WOW! Affordable. So I will be able to rent a car in January while in Florida. And.....the IRS returned a check to us for about exactly the amount of money it will cost to rent the car. God provides!
The baby went to the bathroom (#2) on his own yesterday. I was shocked and completely happy. We were just about to have to take him to the gastroenterologist this week (the Ped. said we should). But now we can hold off on that. YEAH!!!
Yesterday was Jaxson Dean's 6th birthday. We had a wonderful time celebrating with our family. In the late afternoon, all of our neighbors came over to our patio and we had cake with them to celebrate. They all brought presents for Jaxson and the kids played very hard (pictures to come). It was a tremendous blessing to have them to help us celebrate.
I'm sure I could write a lot more, but the homeschooling day must now begin. Thanks for checkin in and for your prayers.
The baby went to the bathroom (#2) on his own yesterday. I was shocked and completely happy. We were just about to have to take him to the gastroenterologist this week (the Ped. said we should). But now we can hold off on that. YEAH!!!
Yesterday was Jaxson Dean's 6th birthday. We had a wonderful time celebrating with our family. In the late afternoon, all of our neighbors came over to our patio and we had cake with them to celebrate. They all brought presents for Jaxson and the kids played very hard (pictures to come). It was a tremendous blessing to have them to help us celebrate.
I'm sure I could write a lot more, but the homeschooling day must now begin. Thanks for checkin in and for your prayers.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A NEED
We will be in America for 1 month. A rental car for a mini-van for one month is $1,300.00 and a rental car for an economy car while I am in Florida is $1,200. If you know anyone who has a vehicle I could use while I am in Florida with the baby or while we are in California/Arizona, that would be a huge blessing. If you could put the feelers out to the WMU (Women's Missionary Union) in your area, to local churches or friends, that would be a huge blessing for us! Please let me know if you know anyone who has a vehicle we could use in either location. I will be in Florida from Dec. 30 - January 13th and that leg of the trip only requires and economy car. John will be in CA/Arizona from Dec. 15-Jan.15th and that leg definitely requires a minivan. Thank you!
Eight-things (AMY)
For those of you who read the blog of my dear friend, Amy, at http://www.eight-things.blogspot.com/, please pray for her as she is in labor and should be having the baby today. Please pray the labor goes quick and easy and without complications so that she doesn't have to have a c-section (a big dread of hers since she is a v-bac). The baby is 6 days past her 2nd due date. Thank you for your prayers! I will let you know when I get the call about her baby. :) Should be today!
UPDATE: Amy had her baby around 2ish without a c-section. I will let her fill you in on all the details and stats on her blog when she gets home in a few days. She is thankful for your prayers. :)
UPDATE: Amy had her baby around 2ish without a c-section. I will let her fill you in on all the details and stats on her blog when she gets home in a few days. She is thankful for your prayers. :)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Miles Praise!
We had an appointment with an English Speaking Pediatric Neurologist for Miles today. To make a very long story short.......
YEAH!!!!! :)
Okay, I'll give you a little more than that. She said there is cause for concern, but not cause to worry. She reviewed ALL of his previous tests and also did an extensive evaluation. She definitely agreed about his extremely weak and floppy head. But she wasn't super, duper concerned because she said sometimes it can be "familial." Parker had the same exact problem and grew out of it. Anyway, she is repeating a blood test that caught her attention and she is hoping it will come back fine. She wants to wait until he is 4 months old and then evaluate him again. She said if he cannot hold his head and is not reaching milestones, then she will do an MRI of his brain and some "muscle" tests. She rattled off some kinds of muscle enzyme problems that are possible, but like I said...she wasn't worried at all. She even thinks the EKG looked good for a 2 and half week old baby. And she commented that a mother's instinct is very often the best indicator for how the baby is doing. And personally, I think he is doing great. She also said that the tremors in his legs are completely normal for a baby and he should outgrow them by the next appointment. And she mentioned that his not "pooping" could be from weak muscles as well. If the muscles in his neck are weak, it is possible they are weak in his bowels as well. And ironically, Parker had the no-pooping issue too. Everything else about this baby is perfect and healthy in every single way and honestly I really think there is NOTHING wrong with him.
We are so glad for the 2nd opinion and all of your prayers! I am so relieved to be done with appointments. It was getting a bit much for a family with so many kids that is trying to homeschool.
YEAH!!!!! :)
Okay, I'll give you a little more than that. She said there is cause for concern, but not cause to worry. She reviewed ALL of his previous tests and also did an extensive evaluation. She definitely agreed about his extremely weak and floppy head. But she wasn't super, duper concerned because she said sometimes it can be "familial." Parker had the same exact problem and grew out of it. Anyway, she is repeating a blood test that caught her attention and she is hoping it will come back fine. She wants to wait until he is 4 months old and then evaluate him again. She said if he cannot hold his head and is not reaching milestones, then she will do an MRI of his brain and some "muscle" tests. She rattled off some kinds of muscle enzyme problems that are possible, but like I said...she wasn't worried at all. She even thinks the EKG looked good for a 2 and half week old baby. And she commented that a mother's instinct is very often the best indicator for how the baby is doing. And personally, I think he is doing great. She also said that the tremors in his legs are completely normal for a baby and he should outgrow them by the next appointment. And she mentioned that his not "pooping" could be from weak muscles as well. If the muscles in his neck are weak, it is possible they are weak in his bowels as well. And ironically, Parker had the no-pooping issue too. Everything else about this baby is perfect and healthy in every single way and honestly I really think there is NOTHING wrong with him.
We are so glad for the 2nd opinion and all of your prayers! I am so relieved to be done with appointments. It was getting a bit much for a family with so many kids that is trying to homeschool.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Update
The Lord has allowed me to catch up on some sleep this morning. I am so thankful. I need to be sleeping right now, so I need to make this quick.
John worked with 7 people from the church plant yesterday and they laid the entire concrete floor in 13 hours. He is going to go on Wednesday and fumigate the inside. Please pray the fleas are gone so they can start meeting there again. I would like to start going once in awhile as well. I haven't been able to show the baby off since he was born. But more importantly, we need the space for ministry.
We are looking at a ministry car, but a car that would cost $500 in America (like a 1998 Nissan Sentra) costs $2,500-$3,000 here. That is insane. It's a 20 year old car. We just need a separate car because of the flea issue and also because of the difficulty with me being here with 5 kids and no car many days a week.
Miles' follow-up appointment with the neurologist is scheduled for this Friday. We think he is doing really well. His head is getting stronger and his leg is not tremoring nearly as much. He is following us with his eyes, is very alert and today was smiling at all of us many different times. He doesn't seem delayed to me. However, he does NOT have any bowel movements on his own. This makes him very uncomfortable and fussy. Please pray he will start going. :)
Tomorrow we are going to the U.S. Embassy to get Mile's American Passport and Social Security card. We are hoping things going smoothly. We already have his Peruvian Passport, resident card and Birth Certificate. :)
We have had 2-3 appointments each week between the doctor's visits and paperwork stuff. This week should be the last of it and that should help things to get back to normal quite a bit. We are looking forward to it.
Keep Friday's appointment in your prayers please! Thank you!!!!
John worked with 7 people from the church plant yesterday and they laid the entire concrete floor in 13 hours. He is going to go on Wednesday and fumigate the inside. Please pray the fleas are gone so they can start meeting there again. I would like to start going once in awhile as well. I haven't been able to show the baby off since he was born. But more importantly, we need the space for ministry.
We are looking at a ministry car, but a car that would cost $500 in America (like a 1998 Nissan Sentra) costs $2,500-$3,000 here. That is insane. It's a 20 year old car. We just need a separate car because of the flea issue and also because of the difficulty with me being here with 5 kids and no car many days a week.
Miles' follow-up appointment with the neurologist is scheduled for this Friday. We think he is doing really well. His head is getting stronger and his leg is not tremoring nearly as much. He is following us with his eyes, is very alert and today was smiling at all of us many different times. He doesn't seem delayed to me. However, he does NOT have any bowel movements on his own. This makes him very uncomfortable and fussy. Please pray he will start going. :)
Tomorrow we are going to the U.S. Embassy to get Mile's American Passport and Social Security card. We are hoping things going smoothly. We already have his Peruvian Passport, resident card and Birth Certificate. :)
We have had 2-3 appointments each week between the doctor's visits and paperwork stuff. This week should be the last of it and that should help things to get back to normal quite a bit. We are looking forward to it.
Keep Friday's appointment in your prayers please! Thank you!!!!
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