Christmas 2007

These 2 kids are the best gifts any mom could ever ask for!

Family Shot (Honey too!)

Stockings

Christmas Devotion

Santa Gifts

Spaghetti Dinner

Our Miracle Boy

On November 16, 2006 we did not know that our lives would be changed forever.
I still can hear the sirens, see the flashing lights, remember our uncontrollable crying out, and then the sound of the chopper taking him from us. "He's in your hands now Lord we prayed."

(For more details of that night read my letter to Nathaniel.)

Well, here we are now 1 year later to tell WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US!

Nathaniel suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. One major opperation he underwent and overcame was a Ventriculostomy. It is a neurological surgical procedure. It is done by surgically placing a tube through the skull such that it terminates in the ventricle of the brain. Ventriculostomy is done primarily to monitor the intracranial pressure as well as to drain CSF (primarily) or blood to relieve pressure from the CNS.

Here are some photos of our journey in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit:

While he was in coma Aunt Nancy wrote us a poem.
Nathaniel...
Now I lay me down to sleep
And Jesus, He is with me.
Tenderly His mighty power,
Heals me more each passing hour.
Angels are all around my bed
Now I can rest my little head.
In Jesus' name my loved ones pray,
Entrusting me to Him each day.
Live by faith each moment, and God will lead the way!

Jeremiah 30:17
"For I will restore you to health and heal you of you wounds," declares the LORD...
Love, Aunt Nancy November 18, 2006

Pop Pop came up with this:
Pray
Until
Nat-E
Comes
Home

With all the prayers Nathaniel began to improve little by little. Here are photos of our experience in the regular pediatric unit:


December 15, 2006 we were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Jackson is the #1 Hospital in the country for patients with Brain and Spinal Cord Injury. It was a Miracle we lived so close. We were told we would be inpatients for at least 6months to a year...Little did they know, God had a better idea! They also told us he might never walk again?!?!? Nathaniel recovered so quickly. We were only there for about a month. Note: It felt like the longest month ever, but we made it! We were allowed to take him out on "day passes" on the weekends. One weekend he was able to go to church and sing his Christmas special on stage. Still blind, Kayla his little sister was a Big Helper. Then we were able to take him home for Christmas (just for the day), yet another Miracle! Below you will find pictures of rehab, singing on stage, and Christmas at home. But what you will not see pictured is our Christmas Day Miracle. Christmas Eve we were laying alone on our hospital bed. Just me, Nathaniel, and Jesus. We had a time of singing praises, praying for a miracle, it was a very special Christmas Eve. Well, God heard us praying that night. When he opened his eyes Christmas morning the BEST Christmas gift ever was revealed. He pointed to objects in the room, naming them. "Light, TV, Vent" What does this mean? My son can see? Lord! Thank You! Of course their were tears and unexplainable excitement. We took a walk in the hallway, I wanted to see if he could see other things. And Yes! You saw the tree in the hallway! Just one week prior I was told he would most likely NEVER regain his sight back. We were so thankful that the Lord spared your life and healed him. We were ready to raise a blind son! But God had different plans! We had the best Christmas of our lives:


One last event. Their was a circus coming in town January 2007. Prior to the accident Nathaniel had asked to go. When they told me we would be in rehab for a year, I was sad that now he would not be able to go. Well, Once again another Miracle...Instead of a Year in rehab we were in for 1 month! We were discharged just in time for the circus. It was called "The Greatest Show on Earth." But we think the miracle we experienced was "The Greatest Show on Earth!"


Here are some pictures of some of the people who came to visit you. There were many others, that I don't have a picture of. (sorry) There were 2 weeks that visitors could not even come in your room, they had to visit us in the waiting room.


Here is a slide show to sum it all up:

My name is Nat and I'm here to say
That I'm a living miracle, Hey, Hey
You see last Novemba, I fell on my head
They thought that I was surely dead
But God had better plans ahead
What we learned from this ordeal
Is it's not just how you really feel
We serve a living God whose Power is real
You see I was in a coma for what seemed for-ev-a
While God and the Angels would leave me neva
I had wires and tubes comin out of me
While people everywhere loved and prayed for me
My Pop Pop said let's give Satan a punch
We're gonna send the Devil out to lunch
P.ray U.ntil N.at C.omes H.ome they cried
We want him to live and not to die
Well in Round 1 Satan thought he had won
I was on the ropes they thought I was done
But God showed up strong in Round numba 2
And turned the Devil all black and blue.

I was on the mat and Jesus touched His boy Nat
I stood to my feet, there was no defeat
My loved ones cried and began to shout
Nat was really down but he sure ain't out
Jesus stepped in when they rang the bell
And sent the Devil right back to.....
( NAT ! ) OK, mom what else rhymes with bell

Well my name is Nat and I'm here today
Because God listens when his children pray
Hey, Hey what do you say
I'm outta here gotta run and play.....

TO: Nat love, Pop Pop

Going through a trial yourself?

Please remember our story of How Good God is!

God knows what's in your heart and what you need before you ask. Even when you don't know for sure, God knows, because He knows you. He knows the outcome of every situation and He's guiding you even when you might fell that you have lost your way. He knows how much you can bear, and He will give you strength and fill you with His grace and blessings as He walks with you every step of the way. He is surrounding you with His love and holding you gently in the palm of His hand.
- Sharon Valleau

God Understands the Pain!

This is a card that really encouraged us in difficult times.

God Understands the Pain
As your shepherd the Lord is always watching...always keeping...always providing...always defending...never forsaking. You are never forgotten and always LOVED.
- Roy Lessin

When there are no easy answers...When you are facing something you thought you would never have to face...When you wonder how you will ever pick up all the broken pieces...God is there for you!

HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH-
Not Somehow, But Triumphantly!

Decorating for Christmas 2007

We had alot of fun...decorating the tree, listening to Christmas music, decorating cookies, and then reading a book about the "True Meaning of Christmas" under the tree. I must say, you two make life so much more enjoyable. You are goofballs and keep us smiling!

Merry Christmas!!!

Mommy's Little Vase

Years ago my Aunt Nancy gave me this vase. Her suggestion was to only use it for flowers that the kids pick for me. I am so glad I took her suggestion. It is always sitting by my sink, waiting for a sweet child to fill it up with pretty flowers or even with weeds!

Wordless Wednesday

Kayla) "Will you play Barbies with me?"

Nathaniel) "Sure"

This is how boys play with Barbies!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

For more more Tiny Talk Holiday Edition visit Mary.

Why do we celebrate Christmas?
N) Cause it's Jesus' Birthday
K) Cause all the snow falls down and we bring presents

What is your favorite food/treat to eat at Christmas time?
N) Cookies melted in milk
K) Candy

What would you like for Christmas?
N) Went and got a catalog and pointed to almost everything...so I guess nothing specific
K) Barbies and a playhouse and more baby dolls

What is your favorite Christmas activity?
N) Doing Christmas Art
K) Art Projects

What is your favorite Christmas decoration in our house?
N) The Nutcrackers
K) All of them

What is the best part about Christmas?
N) Jesus' Birthday
K) It's Jesus' Birthday and cause it's fun when we get presents

Why do we give presents?
N) Cause it's a Birthday Party for Jesus and He wants to give us some presents.
K) Cause it's Christmas

Why do we have a tree to decorate?
N) I don't know
K) So we can celebrate Christmas

What songs do you like to sing at Christmas time? (sing some for me)
Rudolf the Red
N) Nose Reindeer
K) Frosty the Snowman

What are some of the special things we do during Christmastime?
N) Have Hot Chocolate and I hope we have a snowball fight.
K) Decorate the house

Where are some of the special places we during go Christmastime?
N) I hope Dollywood.
K) Church

Do you know where the presents are hidden? Did you peek?
N) Under the tree and in your bedroom. No
K) Under the tree. No

Tell me about your favorite ornament and why it is special.
N) My bell from the hospital and no one can touch it because it's special.
K) My bear cause I got it when I was a baby

What should daddy buy mommy?
N) Rings and Tulips
K) Tulips and Roses

What should mommy buy daddy?
N) New Slippers
K) A New Computer

Why was there no room at the inn?
N) Cause their was a crowd
K) There were so many people

What gifts did the wise men bring?
N) Jewelery box and little bottles of stuff.
K) Gold and presents

How does Santa get into our house? How does he find it?
N) Points to the fire place
K) He opens the door. He walks.

Do you think you've been good so Santa will bring you a present?
N) Yes
K) Yes
Mom) Define good.

What food should we leave for Santa?
N) Cookies and Milk
K) Cookies

Will you get to see Santa?
N) No
K) No

How does Santa make it to all of the houses?
N) His fast sled
K) Quick

How did Santa get so fat?
N) All the Cookies
K) Cause he eats lots of food

My Sweet Kayla

Look, Mommy! I got you flowers!

Long Lost Cousins

Nathaniel (6), Kayla (5), & Courtney (6)

After being apart for 3 months, we were

able to go visit for Thanksgiving!

The first thing Courtney said was:

"Finally, I almost forgot what you looked like!"

Our Big Show

Today at school we went on a field trip to see "The Nutcracker". It was a great performance. Then after dinner my kids kept showing me all the cool moves, so I suggested they put on a show for us, and they did. It was a great idea. Sometimes it makes the kids feel special to stop all your chores and just sit and watch them "play".

Thank God for the Fireplace!

(Photo shown is not a photo of the night described below.)

Last Saturday night we came home from our 8 day trip to Florida.

Guess what, we forgot to keep the heater on when we left.

When we came home and the house was 38 degree's.

It took all night for the house to warm up.

We moved the coffee table out of the way and all slept together on the living room floor. We were freezing, under 10 million blankets, unable to get up to get the camera.

And that is why I say "Thank God for the Fireplace!"

Wordless Wednesday

My Son.

Need I say more?

A Big Heart

Tonight we drove into Knoxville, for our monthly trip to Sam's and we decided to eat at Fudruckers...Kids eat free!!!

My son Nathaniel (6) was playing the claw machine, 25 cents let's you play until you win! Great Deal. Everyone's a winner! Well, he won the coolest Light Up Yo-Yo.

The kid behind him told him, "If you give me your yo-yo I will win you another one while you are eating." Note: there was only 1 or 2 yo yo's in the whole claw machine, plus the yo yo is heavy, so the chances of winning another seem pretty slim. But Nathaniel with his BIG HEART gave his yo-yo to the kid.

When he came to the table and told us what happened. Inside we were upset. We felt the child was "tricking" him. So we explained to Nathaniel "you are so nice to give your yo-yo to the kid. We don't care what you do with your things. If your heart wants to be kind and give your things away go ahead and do so. But we just don't want someone to take advantage of you, bully you, or trick you. Just so you know he probably won't be able to win another yo-yo, ok? That's a very hard thing to win. Plus if he knew he could win one, why didn't he just win one for him self instead of taking yours and then try to win you one?!?!? Well Nathaniel, no matter what, if he doesn't win, you know like in the past, somehow, someday, you will be BLESSED back in return, right?" N: "Right, I don't care if he can't win it, it's ok."

Well about 10 min. later the kid came to our table with 2 yo yo's how he won it, beats me. All I know is God decided to Bless Nathaniel since he wasn't selfish! This is not the first time something like this has happened, Nathaniel has a BIG HEART!!

8 Random Things

Mary tagged me for this meme.

1. I love Pickles
2. I love to sleep! I have no trouble sleeping. I can sleep anywhere, anytime! I could sleep everyday from 8pm - Noon the next day! AHHHH....every mothers dream!
3. I have naturally curley hair, but straighten it everyday of my life.
4. I am not a coffee drinker myself, my favorite thing at Starbucks is an Awake Hot Tea. Come to find out you can buy the tea bags at Walmart and most grocery stores!! Saves tons of money! Plus now the nearest anything is 30 min. away!
5. I hate to cook, but do cause I have to for my family. But I can say, I love our time around the dinner table!
6. My first job was the cashier at Fudruckers Resteraunt, and then off to working at Preschools, then I opened a preschool at our church, now I am an assistant at an Elementary school.
7. I am always cold, especially now that I am in Tennessee.
8. My husband Roy of almost 9 years, is my first and only boyfriend.

Yard Sale Shopping

This weekend we went Yard Sale Shopping. I saw a cabbage patch doll, like one I had when I was little. I thought how cute would that be for my daughter, Kayla (5). Price tag: $30, oh I should of saved one of mine for you, Kayla. Son Nathaniel (6) comments: "Yeah, you probably sold yours in a yard sale. Like you do with everything." I can't believe he said that!

Church Hunting

To make you laugh...

Well after visiting a church, we always ask the kids, so did you like it? Yes they replied. Then we asked, What did you like best about it?

Church #1 we liked it cause it was short.
Church #2 we liked it cause all we did was watch a movie!
Church #3 we liked the pink walls!
Church #4 can we go back there for the yummy blueberry muffins!

I guess we can't go by what they think, huh?!?

Nathaniel Saves the Day!

I really don't want to go into detail on how the fire started, so to make a long story short. One night while cooking dinner a grease fire started in our oven. Luckily I noticed it and opened the oven soon enough. I stood there the trying to remember which tip on putting out fires should I use, actually me an my husband were both there contemplating this together...when all of a sudden Nathaniel comes running in between us and literally throws an entire glass full of water into the oven. What first ran through my mind was, "Never throw water on a grease fire" But his brave act put the fire out and all me and my husband could say is "Nathaniel you saved the day!!!"

Halloween 2007

2 Different Events 2 Sets of Costumes
(Thanks to Aunt Nancy)

Our Mummy Cookies

My children found this idea in a magazine

and insisted we make them for their school party.

We enjoyed the yummy project!

Good idea kids!

Tip to Save Money

I read this in Woman's World, July Issue and thought I would share it with you.

Cut your water bill by 40%

Amazing but true: $4 out of every $10 of your water bill goes toward toilet flushing! Conserve water and save money by filling a plastic bottle with water and placing it inside thae tank. The extra space it takes saves up to two gallons per flush! A 16 oz. bottle is too small, so try to find something alittle larger! We found the Propel water bottle to work well.

Pray More

Charles Spurgeon wrote: "Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom. Ask, and ye shall receive. It is a rule that never will be altered in anybody's case. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the elder brother of the family, but God has not relaxed the rule for Him."

"If the Royal and Divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that he may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be? What reason can be pleaded why we should be exempted from prayer? What argument can there be why we should be deprived of the privilege and delivered from the necessity of supplication? I can see none: can you?"

"If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it."

Our provision comes from asking God. Our wisdom, strength, understanding, and perseverance comes from asking God! His continued hand on our lives comes from asking! The welfare of our families and the needs of our friends comes from asking! James 4:2 says: "You do not have because you do not ask God."

Hope this encourages you to Pray More!!!

Homework Fun

Last night Nathaniel's homework assignment was to find items around the house to sort and classify into different groups. I was thinking for a while of what items to choose, then I remembered saving all my buttons from clothes, dresses, and even saving some from my mom's clothing. I had a ton of buttons in my little sowing box. I got those out and one little boys homework assignment turned into an entire family project that lasted about 45 min. We had different groups going on, buttons with out holes, buttons with 4 holes, 2 holes, buttons made with material, and so on... It was so much fun! Start saving your buttons now!!! I lie not, while I am typing this my daughter Kayla just walked in this room and asked, "Mommy, where's the buttons, please mommy I want to play the button game with you again." I can not believe it!!! She read my mind. Too bad I loaned the buttons to Nathaniel's teacher to use as a class sorting game.

Another Reason

Reason # 2 for starting my new adventure out into the blogging world. Lately, I have been reading some things that have been so encouraging. I sat and prayed "Lord thank you for sending these people my way, you sure know how to speak through others." Then I thought Why Not Join??? So here I am a "blogger" (lol)

Thank you for your wonderful ideas and encouraging words. I loved the cleaning tips! Thanks Mary, I am going to come up with a weekly calendar for myself. I loved the one about Praying for your Children!!!!! Somthing I have started to do more of since reading that blog!! Thank You!!!

Hello

I don't know who will be reading this, but I wanted to take my first blog and introduce myself.
I am 27 years old. I am happily married to my handsome husband Roy. We have been married since June 4th, 1999. (you do the math...lol...) I have two children, Nathaniel age 6 and Kayla age 5. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, then moved to South Florida, where I lived with my family for 23 years. Just about one month ago, we moved to Tennessee. I have been a Christian since I was 5, but am still growing in the Lord everyday. I think the reason I am starting to "blog" is so that I can journal things that have happened in our lives as a family. I want to leave something for my children to read later on in life. I want them to know all the cool things God has done. I may send daily clips of what we've done that day, like a photo album of memories, or I might go back to past things in my life. For example, how did I come to know the Lord at the age of 5. It is a cute story, I can't believe I still remember it...lol...But it is a story I think my kids would enjoy reading about. So there may be no date order to my blogs and at times it may be something that doesn't even interest you. That's ok, skip it and maybe the next blog will be right up your alley.