Look what I've done Lately!

The walls were white to begin with. It's still not done, yet, but I hope to get somewhat finished by next week, since it is my last week off before school starts.

This is our nursery at Z-hills FA. It needed some definite upgrades. Nursery is called tiny town.


It's been a long process, but I'm really proud of what I have accomplished. I've had a little help along the way, but most of it was all me. Super-excited to see the "finished" product.

Car Conversation with Daddy & his Boys

Malachi: "I was the first baby. That's why I was 4, now I'm 5."
Ezekiel: "I the second baby."
Daddy: "Who's going to be the third baby?"
Malachi: "I don't know. Mommy has to get fat for that."

How sad :)

Things I've overheard lately

Malachi to Z while playing with Lego people..."Z, can I have your baby, please?" (repeated, again, in case Z didn't hear) "Z, can I have your baby, please? I want to take him to the park."...Oh, now I get it. :)

Z to Malachi in the car on the way home from the movies..."Be careful when you drop popcorn on the floor. Be careful you don't eat it."

Dear Malachi,

We just got back from visiting NC for 2 weeks. While we were there, you had your 5th birthday. Last year, you had your 4th birthday in Florida while we were visiting and interviewing for the job. The last 2 birthdays have been spent away from "home." I'm sorry, buddy. Thankfully, you've had the "month of your birthday" and have enjoyed it.
I love you sooooo much, sweet boy. You are sweet, most of the time. You listen pretty well and LOVE to learn new things. You ask about 100 questions a day. Not always do the questions make sense or need to be asked, but I'm glad that you are learning from your surroundings. I know that you will do well in kindergarten next month. I'm looking forward to seeing you begin to read and spell. You haven't made all the phonics connections yet, but your phonemic awareness is awesome!!! (I know, I'm a dork. I learned the difference in my reading courses I have to take).

More and more, I desire to homeschool and stay home with you (and your brother). Malachi, because you learn so much from your surroundings, you often pick up bad habits/choices from friends and family. I want you to make the right choices. You are soooooo stubborn and try to throw fits, something you rarely did until the past year. You stomp your feet and make noises and try to be upset. I know you do this to get your way and not because you are truly mad, because I can easily get you laughing to change your mood. You would probably learn best from someone else in a school-setting, but I would love to try to teach you. I'm not totally sure how efficient the teachers are at your school, but I hope you will get a good one who likes you for who you are.

You can be cuddly and affectionate when you want to be. Sometimes you are a little too touchy. I'm trying to work with you on that. You will understand why later, but more than that you just need to listen and be less clingy with things that are new. You can be a great helper, when you want to be. Other times you are the biggest hindrance to progress. Overall, you are an INCREDIBLE child. I'm am soooo thankful for God sending you to us. I love to see you grow and learn.

Even though you were fully tongue-tied at birth. Your little "surgery" has seemed to help. I don't detect any speech problems. There are a few words/sounds that we are working on now, but they are not problematic and repetitive. You can use every sound in the English language. We just have to break some bad habits.

You've also been through a lot this past year with your little brother being so sick. You missed out on a lot of attention because our efforts had to be focused on Z. You were jealous at times, which is totally warranted, but, overall, you handled it well. I try to spend special time with you only, now. Usually, though, you want Z around. He's your buddy. I'm thankful for how well the 2 of you are friends and play together. We hope to add some little ones to our family later that would be close together like you and Z. Because you are so gracious with your brother, I know that you will be gracious with little brothers/sisters. I worry more about Z than you when it comes to this issue.

Responsible can also be another word to describe you. You know your allergies. You know what you can eat and what you can't. If you want to try something new, and I say know because I'm not sure how you will react, you accept the answer and move on. You will tell people who forget about your allergies or what you can't eat. How great you handle it!!! I am so thankful that So Delicious makes soy ice cream! At VBS a few weeks ago, you had your first soda float with vanilla ice cream! Every kid should be able to have vanilla ice cream! You were excited, and I was excited for you that you could be like every other kid and have a float. That doesn't always happen. You have your own cheese, too. Veggie cheese (made from tofu, I guess) is a wonderful thing to have. We can make you cheeseburger mac or just plain mac n cheese, now. You adore it!
I love you, Malachi James! I can't wait to take you to your first day of school and, then, receive my middle schooler (teary-eyed). You are a wonderful child and young man. I'm looking forward to seeing you grow even more. Love you!!!


-Momma

What we've been up to...

Since Malachi's VPK graduation we have been very busy. Grammy and Grandpa came to visit. We went to the beach. We had VBS at church. We've been painting the nursery at church. Malachi, Ezekiel, and I traveled to NC to visit family and friends. Malachi had a birthday. Malachi still hasn't had his official birthday party yet, but we've got one in the works for when we get back. We are in the midst of the "month of Malach's birthday."

My 2 favorite little buddies

Hangin' in the gulf waters

Our beach set-up and Daniel's nap spot

"Delmar Roamer" & tour guide during Route 254 VBS

Handy Manny's power saw

Lightning McQueen backpack for starting real school (sniff, sniff)

Buzz Lightyear & Woody pajamas

Buzz Lightyear & Woody

This is made out of Legos!
Yay, for taking 3 hours to put it together with a 5 year old.

Pre-Kindergarten Graduation

Tonight Malachi had his VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) graduation. He was supposed to deliver the opening prayer. He didn't. He didn't participate in singing. He wouldn't even walk to get his "diploma." His teacher said he did it perfectly in practice, but he was the one kid who did NOTHING but stand there. Poor guy was mortified to be in front of strangers.

Malachi saying the prayer in the microphone :)

Malachi singing "this little light of mine"

Malachi repeating how to spell Tiny Treasures :)

Z-isms

• "back birds" - back wards
• "I love you a big much!"
• "Bu-bite-ear" - Buzz Lightyear
• "Toodles can't talk. He's a dog like Kiev." - that was a good analogy but don't know where that came from, other than a conversation about Toodles talking on an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Z's Surgery

On Wednesday, May 5, Ezekiel went under anesthesia again. The first time was for tubes in his ears. It was June of 2008. This time was for tubes in his ears, again, tonsils and adenoids out, and his tongue clipped. He is partially tongue-tied. I wasn't worried about the anesthesia but the fact that he was going to be cut up in his head. The dr. had already said that his tonsils were huge.

The surgery went fine. He was scheduled to go back at 11:15am. We had to arrive at 9:15am but got there at 9. He wasn't taken back to surgery until noon---long morning. I didn't eat breakfast since he couldn't eat. I didn't eat lunch while we were waiting on him. I had some pretzels. He was out of surgery by about 1. He did NOT wake up well. He cried for an hour. Once they stopped poking him and let him lay down, he went right to sleep on me for about an hour. When he woke up, he wasn't crying. That night he ate about 4-5 popsicles and a small thing of ice cream. He fell asleep about 8:30pm and was ready to be up the next morning around 7:30am. Of course, he woke up a few times and was awakened by the nurses a few times to check vitals or the IV machine going off, but he ate all his eggs for breakfast and had another popsicle before the eggs. The dr. came by about 9am, and we left by about 10.

Ezekiel wanted Malachi, so I took a shower and we picked up Malachi at noon. We went to Sonny's b/c Z had been begging before the surgery for their mac n cheese. So, we had a special lunch with the boys. Then we all took a long nap (except for Malachi who watched tv). He's done pretty well sleeping and hasn't awakened a bunch in the middle of the night. We keep lortab in Z every 4 hours, and he's ok.

Here are some pictures of him at the hospital (before & after) and a video of him with the medicine to relax him.

Apparantly, my kitchen is a dance floor!

The boys had a good time showing off their dance skills tonight.

A Restaurant Maker

On the way home from the doctor, Malachi began asking about school and grades (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) I told him that 12th was the last grade, and then you could go to college. He asked me what you did after college. My response: get a job. He said he didn't want to get a job. I told him that he couldn't live with mom and dad forever and eventually had to make money. He said he didn't want to make money, but then sat for about 15 seconds thinking about what I had said.

"Mommy, what job should I have?"

Well, do you want to be a children's pastor like Daddy? "Nooo"

Do you want to be a teacher like Mommy? "Nooo"

Do you want to work with money and numbers like Grandpa? "Nooooo"

Police man? "no" Fireman? "no" Baker? "no" Chef and cook food for others? "no"

"How about a RESTAURANT MAKER, Mommy? I want to cook food for people."

You mean a chef, right? "No, a restaurant maker and MAKE food in a RESTAURANT."

Oooooohhhhh!!!! Now I get it.

God's Blessings

I know I should post about our recent cruise or how the boys are doing for family & entertainment value, but I first have to talk about God's goodness to us in the past year and a half.

Jan. 2009 - Grandpa Bill passed away. He was suffering and partly out of his mind. It is never fun to lose someone you love, but we are thankful he is definitely with you and out of total pain. It was a rough time for Daniel's side of the family (and still is), but God has been Matthew 11:28-30. He has brought rest and taken our yoke upon Him. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I'm sad that He is gone but so grateful that God has carried us through it. It was hard to explain it (for the first time) to little boys who had just been given life, but, again, God helped us through that.

Feb.-Mar 2009 - The doctor found a lump in my left breast. It wasn't a cyst like they hoped. I chose to do a biopsy and discovered it was a benign tumor. It may grow but would never be cancer. I went through a whirlwind of emotions at that point in time. It was then, that God taught me one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned---I have no control over my life. It took a bible study on a minor prophet brought by Pastor Derrick Ross, for me to see that whatever the outcome of the biopsy, God was in total control. I had no control over my life and it needed to be that way. I like to be in control, and I thought I had given God control many years ago, but at that time I realized, I had to give it up. I am so thankful for that lesson and the experience. Yes, I am thankful for a lump. It is a reminder, often, of how great our God truly is. It could have been cancer. God knew what I needed at that time. He was also prepping me for the next few months and the rest of the year. I don't know if the changes that came later would have happened, if He hadn't of brought this about.

April-May 2009 - I was desperate for change. Our finances were out of control. I wanted Daniel to quit the ministry but was praying and believing for a change. We didn't make enough money working our 2 jobs to make ends meet. We got further behind each week.

June 2009 - The day after my last day of teaching, Daniel submitted his resume to 3-4 churches. I had just completed my fourth and final year of teaching in an NC public school and had "paid off" my debt of service to the NC Teaching Fellows scholarship program. Daniel got 2 return contacts from 2 churches about bringing him on as a full-time children's pastor.

July 2009 (beginning) - We interviewed at Zephyrhills, First Assembly in Florida. Daniel accepted the job. We began to pack and renovate the house to get ready to sell. This was Daniel's first move out of the Concord area. This was my first move since we moved AWAY from Florida when I was 6.

July 30, 2009 - We moved to z-hills into a 2 bedroom, 1 bath rental single-wide trailer. It was cramped and small but a blessing. The rent was cheap, and it gave us time to look for a house to buy. We began our first full-time ministry to children.

August 20, 2009 (Wed)- I submitted my application to Hillsborough county (Tampa) and my resume to a few schools because Pasco had no jobs.

August 21, 2009 (Thur)- I was contacted and went in for an interview for a Reading position at Liberty. They said they would let me know. I felt the interview went well.

August 22, 2009 (Fri)- I was contacted and went in for a 2nd interview for this reading position at Liberty. I was informally offered the job. Since I would be teaching "out of field," I had to be approved by the assistant superintendent.

August 25, 2009 (Mon) - This was the first day back for teachers. I was called that afternoon and officially offered the job.

August 26, 2009 (Tues) - I began working at Liberty. Praise the Lord!

September 2009 - We put in an offer on a house in Z-hills and closed on our house in Concord in the same week! All that God had promised He would do, He did!

August 2009-April 2010 - Ezekiel has been very sick. He went to the ENT and was decided he needed tubes back in his ears, again, tonsils removed, adenoids removed, and his tongue-clipped. We waited to see if the insurance was going to cover it. It seems they will!

April 2010 - Z was slapped with a pre-existing condition by the insurance company until Nov. of 2010 for asthma. I believe the Lord has promised that his surgery will be his healing, and this fact won't matter. His surgery will provide the means needed to keep his lungs healthy, too. I am looking forward to God doing another miracle in our lives!

May 5, 2010 - Z's surgery is scheduled, and God will "show off" in our lives again!

Thank you, Lord, for all your many blessings and all the things you have done for us. We can never repay you but are so incredibly thankful that You love us so much!

Fun with Sponge Animals

Grammy bought and brought the little capsules with animal sponges inside. Unfortunately, she didn't get to do them with the boys. So, since I took the day off to recooperate Ezekiel and rest; because I was exhausted, we got to do them this morning. The boys had a blast and spent about an hour just playing in the water. You can see that I got wise and gave them each a towel so there wouldn't be a massive water mess. My learning curve is a little slower than others but not too bad. It was a lot of fun for them and kept them quiet and entertained. Easy clean-up for me, too. What's easier than water?!?

Sick Boy

Grammy & Grandpa came to visit us for Easter. We were extremely busy, so they got to spend a lot of time with just the boys. I know that's what they came for, so it worked out.

I took Z to the doctor on Tuesday, last week. He got a strong antibiotic and a flu test (which came back negative). He had thrown up the night before and had a raging fever. He was diagnosed with a "bronchiole infection." It didn't seem to help much. He still had a fever and continued to have one until I took him to the Pediatric Urgent Care, last night (Easter). His fever did subside a little on Friday and Saturday but was pretty hot every other day.

Last night Grammy went with me to the Urgent Care to check on Z. Once there, he had a fever of 103. His pulse rate was pretty high, too. They took 2 sets of x-rays on his chest. They swabbed his nose for the flu test. It turns out he had a bad case of pneumonia & the flu (now). Thankfully, there was also 2 pharmacies open in Z-hills (24 hours). He got an antibiotic shot in his bottom before we left and a prescription for Tamiflu. Grammy & Grandpa then went to get it filled---an hour and a half later---we had the meds. He still didn't sleep great, but Z is on the mend, finally. The shot is always AWESOME at helping him. The Tamiflu seemed to help, too. He stayed cool the rest of the night and thus far, today. He has improved 10x what he was before (which was rough). I'm waiting for the full recovery. Poor guy spent a week just existing and not LIVING.

This is the second time he has had pneumonia. The last one was in November. Lord, help us get through these trying times.

Sharing

Conversation between Malachi and his Dad yesterday...

M: Why aren't we getting 2 basketball goals? One for me and one for Z.
D: Because they are expensive, and you can easily share that.
M: Oh, ok. We can share.


Conversation between Malachi and his Dad today...

M: What are you going to Wal-Mart for?
D: I'm going to get a basketball goal.
M: We already have one. Why do we need another one?
D: No, that's for you and Z. I'm going to get a big one for me and Mommy.
M: Can you and Mommy share?
D: Yes, I think we can share a basketball goal :)

Things I didn't know I needed to tell my 4 year old...

We decided we would go see a baseball game today. Ever since we decided last night, Malachi had been whining about not wanting to go. He literally whined and cried ALL MORNING! We decided to anyways, of course. As we were walking into the stadium, Malachi said the fireworks would be loud for his ears!?! We were going to a 1pm game! When, Daniel explained that it was daytime and there would be no fireworks, he was fine. What a goof! He enjoyed his time at the game. Go figure.

Now for the few and far between "Malachi-isms"

• "in-tra-string" - interesting
• Did he get a spare? - that's bowling, not baseball, but he did just earn a strike by swinging and missing the ball. Too cute!
  

A Day with the Family

Today we went to Lakeland for a Spring Training game between the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. We had a good time. It was finally nice to have some pleasant sunshine and little wind. Enjoy some pictures.

My 'Nole Boys

The awesome thing about it...living in Florida. I paid about $3 (total) for the shirts.

A Long Time Coming

There has been lots going on, but not too much to "report." Malachi is really struggling with listening and not throwing fits. Ezekiel had a horrible fit of asthma with ear infections, too (or vice versa) last weekend. His insurance doesn't want to pay for anything. I had a good evaluation with my principal today but have to do some reading endorsement class before August 19 to still be able to have a job.

Lots of changes have been generally happening with the boys. Nothing big, though. I got done with the FCAT last week and can now breathe a little easier. Daniel is busy planning the big Easter egg hunt and service for Easter Sunday. We miss family terribly.

We need a relatively big riding lawnmower, new refrigerator, and new dishwasher (in order of importance). Malachi needs new shoes, and we haven't been able to find any that we like that would be durable, yet.

Daniel kept the boys home from school today, so they could hang out. They visited the Detroit Tigers spring training ballpark and had some Zaxby's (because, as I mentioned before, Zephyrhills has NO WHERE to eat).

I'm looking forward to Z's surgery and visiting family and friends in NC this summer. I'm super busy at being a mom, a quality teacher, children's pastor's wife and chief helper, and worship team member. Plus, I do my monthly time in the nursery. Ezekiel really likes being a big boy and likes to be apart of the services (even if he is a little young).

I'll try to post some pictures soon. I got a new cell phone and number (Daniel's old cell number) b/c Daniel got a church phone. I'm figuring it all out.

I'm beat. Good night.

Oh, ya, my poor sister-in-law is now a few days past her due date and can't wait to meet their first little BOY!

Now, good night!!!

Ezekiel's Favorite Food is

SCRAMBLED EGGS!

On our way home from the ENT this week (Mon.), Ezekiel had decided that he wanted "muppins" (muffins) for dinner. I kept telling him that I would would make some for breakfast (and I kept that promise, too). Thankfully, he finally understood. Then, when asked what HE wanted for dinner, it was eggs. I had just scrambled him 2 eggs for breakfast that morning (and he didn't eat them all, either). Since we couldn't convince Z that he needed to pick something else to eat and neither of his parents were in the mood to cook (after the long dr. visit and the news of surgery), we opted for Cracker Barrel. Thankfully, there is one not too far away from our house (about 20 min.) You see in Zephyrhills, there are about 6 chain "restaurants" where you sit down (Sonny's, Pizza Hut, Chili's, Beef O Brady's, and Ruby Tuesday). Not much to chose from.

The boy ended up with 2 scrambled eggs (since Malachi is allergic). He scarfed them both down and was asking for more before I could eat more than 4 bites of my food. Daddy made eggs for him on Friday morning, too. The boy loves his "yeggs!" I'm glad he is eating and eating PROTEIN. Sometimes it is so hard to get him to eat anything. Not that he needs more energy, but his body definitely needs it to grow.

According to Publix's scales (on Thursday), Z was 29 lbs. His weight had been stagnant for months, fluctuating between 23-25 lbs. I hope this sticks! Maybe after his surgery this summer, and he gains a little more weight, he can move up to a booster seat and seat belt. That would be nice. I am beliving that God will provide a healthy boy through this surgery and am looking forward to a good 2nd half of the summer (watching him grow, really and truly).

Ezekiel's Upcoming Surgery

We took Ezekiel to the Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor yesterday. He's just been sick for so long. The specialist suggests that we have his tonsils removed (they are huge and cause him to snore), adenoids removed (to help with drainage issues and clearing the head), tubes replaced in ears (originally put in June of 2008), AND his tongue clipped.

We noticed at birth that Ezekiel was a little tongue-tied. We didn't think it was too bad. The doc feels it could cause some speech issues later and will be easy to do now. He will be in too much pain from having his tonsils gone, so he won't even notice. Malachi was fully tongue-tied. He had a simple outpatient surgery when he was a little over 6 months. Once they get over 9 months, they have to be sedated. He might be all right, but he may have speech problems. Why not do it now, too.

The scheduled recovery time is about 2 weeks. Daniel & I are going on a cruise for spring break, so I think we decided it would be best to wait until summer. Then, he can have my undivided attention and I will not have to worry about sub plans. I don't want to wait 4 months and deal with the maintenance of a sick kid, but we both feel that will be the best time.

I am thankful for a doctor who will do a good job and am praying that this will be the "healing" that I have been praying for. June 23rd is the tentative date. Please pray.