My basement project

Our basement flooded this spring/summer, whenever the "every 15 year flood" hit the Des Moines area. So I tore out all the flooring and drywall that was yucky and mildewed but since then it has just been sitting there still pretty messy and very depressing. My neighbor just recently moved their master to the basement to give more room upstairs for the kiddos. Which has always been our plan as well. Now that she has hers done I'm ready to do ours. It can't be that hard right? Well I probably won't actually do anything but I'm at least in the very seriously thinking about it stage. Ever since Daddy has been sick Jake just screams whenever I put him in bed and I think Caleb is ready to move out because of it. So if we moved the bedrooms Jake could stay put in the boys room and we could just put the computer etc. in with him until he is big enough to sleep in a big boy bed in Caleb's new room. See it's a great plan. All I need now is to learn a few trades like plumbing, drywall, electric....just minor details and wallah I'll have a new bedroom. We'll see how far this goes.

Getting better

We went to the Dr yesterday to retest Andy's blood levels and just make sure he is doing better overall. We had Jocee and Jake with us so we didn't wait for the results of the blood tests but the Dr said they would call if anything was elevated and if not just mail us a copy of the results to take with us to the other Dr we are following up with. So far no call so I'm taking that as a good sign. He went in to the office for a couple hours yesterday and ended up staying about 5 which I was not very happy about...men! Last night he was absolutely exhausted and even this morning he is already napping again. I know he is so ready to get back to things and have normal life but I think he now realizes he has to take it slow. I'm just sooooo thankful he is home and recovering. Keep praying for him and patience as he recovers. Thanks again for all the prayers and help from everyone. To God be the glory!

getting better

Today the liver Dr came in. Andy's liver enzyme levels are in the 400s (they can get as high as 10,000+) so in the grand scheme of things his really aren't that bad. Yes they are elevated but not enough that we need to be doing anything additional and he won't be needing a biopsy. The Dr said it is most likely related to whatever virus he has. I felt like he had some forgetfulness but that appears to be just exhaustion. They are going to let him come home hopefully this afternoon. He also was having some puffiness in his abdomen and his legs, but this morning his IV came out and so he hasn't had IV fluids for 4.5 hours and he is already starting to improve. So that says his body was probably just overloaded with IV fluids and now his body is starting to flush them out. They liver Dr also said he isn't sure why he is still here. Most likely they are trying to put a name with the virus which is something they may never be able to figure out and in the end we don't need to know the exact strain of virus that he had. They wouldn't be able to treat him differently even if they did know. I'm very thankful for all the help we have had and most importantly the prayers. Keep praying as it sounds like he still has weeks ahead of him in recovering.

Still sick

Today the fever is back and Andy is just very out of it. We are praying they will find something soon! There was some concern about him having pneumonia but on his chest x-ray it was clear. He does have some sort of bronchial something that is giving him coughing fits. They are just baffled as to what is wrong with him which is frustrating but I'm trying to just trust God and learn what I can. If he isn't doing any better by Thursday they will do a liver biopsy but even with that they have no idea what if anything that will tell us. I'm waiting to get a call back about whether or not we need to seek treatment elsewhere or what I need to be watching for. Just pray for strength for me as of right now Andy has little to no ability to make decisions and its hard for him to concentrate even when I just try to run things by him. The kids are getting frustrated with going places so just prayer that they will have strength and I will have extra patience. Thanks for the help and prayers! I should put a disclaimer for any sentences that don't make sense...I'm totally sleep deprived!

Fever Free!!!!

Andy has been fever free for 24 hrs! YEAH this is very exciting! He ate lunch and dinner yesterday and kept them both down. That is also very exciting and very much needed. Hopefully he will continue to improve and we will be able to bring him home by the middle to end of the week at the latest. They still have no clue as to what it is and we are waiting for more tests to come back today or sometime this week. We appreciate all your prayers and everything everyone is helping with. Thanks!

Just a little update

Andy is still in the hospital, and they still have no idea of what is wrong with him. They are going to run a few more tests on Monday but they really don't have any clue. They have ruled out most of the really scary things, and keep saying that they think is just some sort of virus. Right now he is at least getting fluids through his IV, and today ate a tiny bit of food. He is still having a really high fever and throwing up several times. We really appreciate everyone who is helping out with everything and praying!! I would just ask that you would just keep praying for him and also for the kids and me. It is really tough not having Daddy here! Thanks again!

This is an e-mail.....

I got today that I thought very much applies to my life and many of my friends lives as well and was a huge encouragement to me.



"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Devotion:
Good Mom? Bad Mom? Good Mom? Bad Mom? Do you ever feel as though you are the ping-pong ball in a heated match bouncing constantly between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
One minute I have a great discussion where my child finally gets it... GOOD MOM!

The next I get an e-mail from a teacher that lists the three parents who have yet to turn in that permission slip and I am on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM!

I calmly handle the stresses of the morning routine... GOOD MOM!

But then during the afternoon homework session, my child's irresponsibility over a last minute project just about sends me over the edge. I find my neck muscles tensing and my voice rising... BAD MOM!

I make sure they pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM!

The schedule falls apart in the late afternoon and I wind up feeding them sugar cereal for dinner... BAD MOM!

Sometimes I feel like that ping-pong ball mom bouncing from feeling good to bad. Yesterday morning I sat down at the kitchen table after getting everyone where they needed to be and cried. Sometimes having kids is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. Other days I feel like the task of parenting little people is driving me to the brink of craziness. Just the other day I was processing some recent family things with my friend, Renee, over the phone. Suddenly a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that so many of my days seemed to tell the same kind of story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent time with Jesus and He made things better. Renee quipped back to me, "Well, isn't that where most of us live every day?" Not that we are on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know as a mom, I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience, and grace. Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength and slap wearing myself out. That's where grace steps in. And I need lots of grace. God's grace steps in and says, “Lysa, you are doing better than you think. Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank me. In the not so good times, call out to me quickly." And suddenly it occurred to me; with God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me. Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there.
You are a good mom my friend even if, like me, you’ve had a few bad moments... you is the exact mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today.

Dear Lord, being a mom is a great privilege but one that can be so challenging at times. Teach me how to lean on You with every action and every reaction. And when I mess up, please help me to not define myself by my mommy failures. Help me to only be defined by Your love that assures me and Your grace that covers me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.