Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I belong to a HUGE family :)

Family-1 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household
2 a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clan b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race
3 a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation :

My family, by definition #1 is a very important and vital part of my life. We are the glue that holds one another together.
My family, by definition #2, is also very important to me and has been a tremendous support over the past few weeks. 
But it's my family #3 that has shown their love for us in ways that I never thought possible or necessary. And this family goes beyond the four walls of the church we attend or that our parents attend. It's a wonderful thing to belong to. I had a message from a woman I've never met but she happened to see a comment about our situation on Facebook. She reminded me of God's faithfulness and that she would be praying for us. 
It's this "family" that God has provided us with that I can't imagine ever not living for Him and being a part of a church. My life is made more rich because of them.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

tick tock...tick tock...

Time flies when you are having.....okay well, time just flies.

Colby is 2 months old!

Noah will be 5 in two weeks!

Ty still hasn't grown all of his teeth!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

They're gonna make him go to rehab and we say, "Go, go, go!"

Tomorrow we get to move Donny to a rehabilitation hospital for some much needed physical and occupational therapy. We are looking forward to this move even though we know the real work is about to begin for Donny.

3 hours of PT a day, 6 days a week is going to be hard work but I know that he can do it.

When I told the boys they will get to see him soon they were so excited!

I know that Donny is where he is today because the hand of God has been on him through all of this and I trust that those hands will hold him when he is tired. Bring peace to his mind when he feels weary. They will strengthen his will and resolve when he feels he can't go on.

Thanks for all your prayers. We have a long road still to go so please don't stop now!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Always something to learn.

In every circumstance there is a lesson to be learned.

Through this time in my life I have sat many times and just prayed. I've not asked why us. I've not doubted God a bit. I just pray that we learn whatever lessons God is trying to teach us.

I heard this song for the first time this past week and it seems like every time I turn the radio on I hear it. I think it's God's reminder to just listen for His voice in the madness. The chorus just touches my heart and gives me so much encouragement.

I want to share it with you and I pray that you are encouraged by the words. I pray that whatever trial you may be facing that God's love surrounds you and that you rest in His fullness, trusting His strong hands to hold you as He carries you through this time. I know it's the only way for me to be...

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Consider it joy.

When you go through hard times, how do you handle them?

Do you remain strong in the face of adversity? Are you the type to cling to your faith? Do you surround yourself with a hedge of support like family and friends? Do you panic? Do you run for the hills screaming? Do you react in more than one way?


James 1:2-4 says:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It's so easy to fall apart when you face trials. We don't always understand why we go through things.
I am sitting here this morning, frustrated with the hospital at the moment and searching my brain for how to handle this. The one thing I know is that God is in control. When I stop trying to figure things out on my own and take that to heart, I find myself relaxing in His presence. I find myself resting in His arms.
And that's all I need to get through. I remember the old song, "My God is big. My God is mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do."

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Some funnies

I forgot to tell you that although we have all of this "stuff" going on, my children have still been their quirky selves.

Ty and Noah were arguing with their Aunt Marcia on Thursday about what day it was. She told them it was Thursday but they kept saying it was Wednesday. Finally Marcia told them one more time that it was Thursday. Ty responded with "Aunt Marcia, sometimes you get confused."

On last Sunday, my dad was giving my mom a hard time and answered a question she asked with  "Because we WAS eating." Ty said, "Pappy, that doesn't make sense. It's we WERE eating."

Kids are kids regardless of circumstance :) Glad to have family to step in right now.

Faith and Trust

The boys and I are at home for the first time since the accident...sleeping in our own beds. I am a wreck!

I didn't think it would be a big deal. Donny's not home with us at night anyway but somehow just being here without him is...not right.

The boys and I went to Wal-Mart to get some groceries before we got home and on the way back they fell asleep. I was trying to listen to Air1 but it kept cutting out so I reluctantly put the radio on WIBI. I like WIBI but Air1 plays more my type of Christian music. But anyway, I put it on WIBI and an old song was playing and as soon as I heard one note I knew what it was and realized that God scrambled Air1 because I needed to hear this.

Anyone remember Scott Kripayne? He had a popular song about 10 years ago I guess. It was on the radio tonight. Thank you God. I really needed this reminder!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Life

I really don't know what I would if I didn't include God in my life. The only thing that gets me through each day is Him. I am blessed beyond measure.

Donny really seemed to have a much better sirit today. He's in pain but with meds he has relief.
We found out that surgery #4 could be thursday. This surgery will Close the one fasciotomy still open. Then hopefully we will begin the trek to get the bones done.

Spoke with an attorney...that was a first.

We have such a long road ahead. It isn't going to be easy but we are clinging to our Heavenly father.

Overwhelmed

"Ty, do you miss Daddy?" Noah said the other day. Ty responded, "Yeah I miss Daddy." Sort of sums everything up right now.

We miss him being home. Miss being able to jump on the trampoline, go to the Zoo, ride bikes and all the other stuff Dad's do with their kids.

We are grateful though that he is only injured. Things are going okay. Recovery is a long road. Surgeries are going to be a part of life for right now.

We are scared but we know that God is good and He will go before us in  all this and will supply all our needs according to His riches!

Just keep praying for Donny. It's gotta be hard sitting in a hospital bed all day long and not be able to move. Just as much his healing, pray for his mind. Pray that he has a peace about it all.

We are SO thankful for all of the blessings that are being poured out on us through our friends and family every day.

We love you so much!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Thankful!

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (New American Standard Bible)

 24(A)Faithful is He who (B)calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

And this is the promise I cling to! I know full well that Donny has a special calling on his life. His testimony is of great redemption and I have watched him grow so much over the past 10 years. God has something for Donny still to do.

All these things that we go through are to make us stronger. We go through trials so that one day when our friends or family go through a rough time we can be of help.

I can't ask why us. I can't wonder about what if's. I can only put all of my faith and trust in my God! He is faithful and will bring this to pass.

Donny has another surgery tomorrow. They will go in and remove the vacuum pumps that have been removing drainage from his leg and close the incisions they made that were to help keep swelling down. We have been told that in a bout a week to a week and a half the bone doctors will start that repair and then it's physical therapy.

We have such a long road but I am glad that God goes before us and prepares a way. I just cling to His mighty hand and walk along the road that has been paved for me.

There is a newer song out that is just beautiful and right now it seems so fitting for me and Donny. Here are the words:

Dave Barnes - God Gave Me You
From the album What We Want, What We Get

I've been a walking heartache
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

There's more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
& I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

On my own I'm only
Half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

Lyrics may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.


Hug your husband, wife, kids, mom, dad, brother, sister, friends. God gave us each person in our lives for a reason. I am so glad He did!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

My God is good but He's the best in the darkest times!

Looking back at my post on Tuesday it seems so trivial.

As you know Donny was in a bad motorcycle accident on Tuesday. It's been a really rough few days and the days ahead look long as well.

He almost lost his right leg below the knee but God is a God who heals and the doctors were able to restore blood flow in surgery and Donny's leg is a keeper!

We have such a long road ahead of us but I know that by your prayers and your support we will get through. I just live minute to minute right now and can do nothing but put my whole faith and trust in God. I can do nothing else. I can only trust in Him.

I will do my best to keep you all updated. There is no internet access for patients and families at SLU Hospital and by the time I get home I am exhausted.

Be patient and just keep praying!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

June means strawberries

I love strawberries! Since I love them so much I wanted to share the love with you! Check out this recipe for Strawberry Amaretto Pastries!

Dainty and delectable, these petite pastries are embellished with sliced strawberries and orange zest.
½ pkg (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry sheets (1 sheet), thawed
½ cup sliced almonds, divided
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp almond extract
1½ cups thawed frozen whipped topping
12 large strawberries, sliced
1 orange

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold pastry dough onto Large Bar Pan. Finely chop half of the almonds using Food Chopper. Combine chopped almonds and granulated sugar in (1-cup) Prep Bowl; sprinkle evenly over surface of dough. Lightly

press almond mixture into dough using Small Mix ’N Scraper®.

2. Using Pizza Cutter, cut dough lengthwise into three strips; cut strips crosswise into four squares for a total of 12 squares. Using Mini-Serving Spatula, separate squares evenly over surface of bar pan. Bake 16-18 minutes or until puffed and

golden brown. Remove from bar pan to Stackable Cooling Rack; cool completely.

3. Meanwhile, place remaining almonds in (8-in.) Sauté Pan. Cook over medium-high heat 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally; remove from heat and cool completely. Coarsely chop using Food Chopper and set aside.


4. Whisk sour cream, powdered sugar and almond extract in Classic Batter Bowl using Stainless Whisk. Fold in whipped topping using Small Mix ’N Scraper®. Slice strawberries using Utility Knife. Split open each pastry square; arrange half

of the strawberries into bottom of each shell. Top each with about 2 heaping tablespoons of the filling and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Top with remaining sliced strawberries. Zest orange over strawberries using Microplane® Adjustable
Grater. Place tops of pastry shells over filling. Serve immediately.

Yield: 12 pastries

Nutrients per serving (1 pastry): Calories 230, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 23 g, Protein 4 g, Sodium 75 mg, Fiber 3 g
Cook’s Tip: Sliced peaches or nectarines can be substituted for the strawberries, if desired.

© 2009 The Pampered Chef used under license. 10/09
 
I think those sound yummy! Now how about a bonus? You may want something really good to drink while you are sitting outside or entertaining your friends. This beverage will do the trick!

Strawberry Lemonade Quencher

Ingredients:
10  cups cold water
can (10 ounces) frozen non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri mix, thawed
cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (4 to 5 large lemons)
3/4  cup sugar
Whole strawberries (optional)
Directions:
  1. Place all ingredients except strawberries in Family-Size Quick-Stir® Pitcher.
  2. Plunge until contents are thoroughly mixed.
  3. Garnish each glass with a strawberry, if desired. Serve chilled.
Yield: 12 (1-cup) servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 120, Total Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrate 31 g, Protein 0 g, Sodium 5 mg, Fiber 0 g