Are We In America?

If you know me at all, you know that I pay very little attention to sports. Today, however, my husband informed me of a controversy surrounding a football player and a Super Bowl advertisement that caught my attention. I preface by stating that even I realize the distinct honor that goes along with receiving the Heisman Trophy. Yes, it's shocking! After being married to a man who loves football for closing in on a decade, I have become a novice at the language of sports.

Apparently, some folks think that Tim Tebow, America's first sophomore Heisman Trophy recipient, and his mother shouldn't be allowed to share their story on Super Bowl Sunday! What?!?!? He is a football player, right? His story is likely to be of interest to most sports-loving Americans. It's not like their asking for free air time during the Super Bowl....they aren't even asking for a discounted rate! Focus on the Family is willing to pay millions of dollars for this 30 seconds of ad time.

Women's groups are apparently afraid that the ad might contain an anti-abortion message. Are you kidding me? Aren't these women's groups supposed to support choice? Well, Tim's mom made a choice.

In reference to the advertisement, The National Organization for Women president, Terry O'Neill, said that, "it's offensive to hold one way out as being superior over anybody elses." (Associated Press) I guess that means no Coca-Cola ad is acceptable. It must be offensive to those whose livelihood is dependent on the profits of Pepsi to see a commercial that might lead people to think that choosing Coca-Cola is superior to choosing Pepsi. This may seem like a ridiculous comparison, but is it not true that EVERY ad shown during the Super Bowl supports one way of thinking over another? In fact, the ads support products and choices that impact a lot of people. That's the point, right?

Tim's mother apparently took some medication, while pregnant with Tim, in an effort to treat an illness. The doctors were sure that this medication would have negative consequences for her and her pregnancy, so they recommended abortion. While it is true that Focus on the Family is a firmly pro-life organization, I understand that the ad is simply a personal story of the birth and life of Tim Tebow which, since he is alive, brings attention to the fact that his mother chose not to abort him as the doctors advised.

What I do not understand is why, in a country with legalized abortion, the pro-abortion movement feels the need to justify a squashing of any story that MIGHT support an opinion other than their own. My stomach turns at the thought of abortion, but if the pro-abortion movement wants to pony up and pay for their own Super Bowl ad, I can always change the channel. This is America, for crying out loud! Lately, I find myself a little confused. We do still believe in free speech and capitalism, right?

A Man Who Keeps His Promise

It was a little while into our marriage when I began to wonder about what kind of father my husband would be. One can't really know exactly how their spouse will fare as a parent...until the kids come along. For some reason the phrase "tried by fire" is coming to mind.

Admittedly, John and I have had some growing pains as our family has expanded from two to five. I figure that most families do.

What I have found is that I have such a treasure. John and I do not parent exactly the same way, but we try to be on the same page. We do not do things perfectly, but I know that we both pray for wisdom about how to raise our boys.

Pictured above are John Isaac, Jeffery, and John. This picture was taken last week at about 8:15 p.m. We had put the boys to bed, but Jeffery remembered that Daddy had promised to paint with him that evening. What does my husband do? He says, "I'll get the boys, if you'll get out the paints." As a man who currently works three jobs, I know that he had to be tired, but I know this about him...he strives to be a Daddy who keeps his word. So, they painted pictures and spent quality time together.

I know that it made the boys' day! It made me smile!

What An Amazing Journey We're On...

Yesterday, I had my first real parent-teacher conference. The boys' teacher, Mrs. Wilson, is such a kind lady. You can tell that she has a wonderful way with children, and it is evident that she really loves the Lord.

I had called this meeting so that we could talk, specifically, about John Isaac's progress throughout the first semester of the school year.

At the beginning of the year, John and I thought very seriously about whether or not we were going to tell the teachers upfront about John Isaac's previous medical history. All of the required paperwork was appropriately filled out, but we determined that we wanted to see how well he would do in a classroom setting, with other children, under the instruction of a teacher, without the teacher's opinions or assessments being influenced by this prior knowledge.

When looking back over the last four years, it is difficult for me to remember with belief the prognosis given to us at Kosair Children's Hospital in May of 2006. I was significantly pregnant, my child was facing a major difficulty, and I, for the first time in my whole life, felt completely out of control. I remember praying for John Isaac in the hospital chapel very early on the morning that we were to find out the results of his MRI. I had never in my life wanted anything so badly. I had never petitioned God with such fervency. My heart ached. My stomach was knotted. I cried hundreds of warm, salty tears. Oh, I knew that we'd be ok regardless of the outcome. I knew that we would love him no matter what the prognosis, but I remember thinking about what the doctors had said the day before. He may not run with other children, he may not talk, and we could never dare to expect that he would develop socially or physically at a rate that would be considered age appropriate. In fact, we were informed that a portion of his brain was possibly underdeveloped or missing all together. Either way, eight weeks of ACTH injections would be the course of treatment in an effort to bring his seizures to a halt.

I remember learning how to give an injection. It seemed crazy and completely unreal to me that I would be learning on my six month old's leg. I had no idea how hard to press the needle into his delicate baby skin. It took me several tries to learn to do it correctly. I remember thinking, "I'm so sorry, sweet baby!" It was miserable! I was so thankful for my father-in-law. He rescued me a number of times from having to administer the daily injections. I remember thinking about mothers who had to endure far worse and more heart-wrenching circumstances than I did. I began to appreciate just how blessed I was.

In the days that followed, amazing, miraculous things happened. We learned that our son's brain was fully developed, and that the doctors were unable to determine the cause of his infantile spasms. The seizures did stop with the ACTH injections, and through occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and God's graciousness, John Isaac began to develop in ways that we, and the neurologists at Kosair's, could have never imagined.

Today, he can walk, run, climb, talk, sing, dance, jump! John Isaac has the absolute best imagination! He is caring and affectionate, and his memorization skills are excellent. His development is within the normal range for a child his age in a vast majority of areas. This is true so much of the time that it is easy for me to forget to be content with the goals that we've met so far. We have challenges to work through. On some days, I get terribly fixated on ways to conquer our challenges.

Meeting with Mrs. Wilson was such a good idea. I feel like it was helpful for her, for me, and, ultimately, for John Isaac. She expressed that he has progressed so much since the beginning of the school year, and that he is doing well in preschool. I know that he enjoys going.

Upon picking the boys up from school, Mrs. Lytle, their other teacher met me at the car. She thanked me for sharing about John Isaac's past experiences with them, and she said, "Now, it's so difficult to tell him to sit still." Isn't that the truth!

God, please, when I am overwhelmed with a wiggly, rambunctious child, help me to remember what could have been...how far we've come..., and thank You for this amazing little boy!

(Pictured above: John Isaac shortly after coming home from Guatemala, John Isaac learning to sit up just after the time that he was given injections, and John Isaac, last month, sitting at our kitchen table, "reading his book pen."--OOH, I love that kid!)

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,

Silver white winters that melt into springs,

These are a few of my favorite things...

Oh, I do love The Sound of Music! Since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed the songs, the story, and the drama of Maria and the Von Trapp children! Perhaps it is because my mom used to sing, "Do Re Mi...," to me as a child.

John was introduced to my love of this musical during our study abroad in Austria. He sacrificially escorted me on "The Official Sound of Music Tour." Now, while I think tours of Graceland and other such sites are a bit much, I was highly interested and impressed by "The Official Sound of Music Tour." We were able to see the pavilion where Rolfe and Liesl dance, the back of the house that served as the Von Trapp family home, and (my personal favorite) the road where Maria sings, "I Have Confidence." I actually skipped down that very road while singing that very song!

John was not as impressed by this wonderful, 3 hour tour. Poor guy...yes, he does truly love me. It is because he graciously accompanied me for this tour that he is continually and eternally forgiven for always falling asleep during network presentations of The Sound of Music.

Recently, I have made it my goal to lose 47 lbs. My eating habits have changed dramatically. In addition to sappy musicals, I also very much enjoy junk food, desserts, salt, and super-sweetened tea. Currently, I am eating many more fruits and vegetables, and I have a few new favorite things that are making this goal more attainable.

Pictured above are Sun Chips, Oreo Mini-Cakesters, Splenda with Fiber, and Sandwich Thins. Each of these items serves as a replacement for a high point food item that I have committed to no longer eat. The Sun Chips, for instance, satisfy salt cravings. Splenda works as an excellent substitute for sugar in my tea, and it has the added benefit of extra fiber. Since additional fiber lowers the point value assigned to many foods, I add in the fiber from the Splenda when I drink tea with a meal. Occasionally, it affects the total point value in a way that may allow me to eat more during the meal. Sandwich Thins have replaced bread, rolls, crackers, etc... They are wonderful, and they truly taste better than regular bread! Oreo Mini-Cakesters are my favorite find! I have tried many of the low calorie/point desserts on the market. While they all do help satisfy my sweet tooth, none that I have found tastes as close to the real thing as the Cakesters. I do LOVE my Oreos!

After three weeks of "pointing", I have noticed that my pants are fitting better! That in itself is a victory. I weighed in last night to see how much these substitutions and healthier choices were changing things. Over the past three weeks, I have lost a total of 10 lbs.!!! The last time that I counted points in an effort to lose weight, I found that over time I continued to lose 2-3 lbs. a week. Hopefully, that will be true this time as well.

I have decided to write a new stanza for the timeless Sound of Music song, "My Favorite Things." The lyrics follow below...

Splenda with fiber that sweetens my tea,

Oreo Cakesters taste so chocolaty,

Sun Chips that curb all my salty cravings,

Theses are a few of my new favorite things... :)

Oh, and, yes, I am completely ok with being a dork!

What God Has Joined Together, Let No Man Separate

We are a society of people who change our minds. For the most part we are over-stimulated and grow tired of things easily. We are always seeking the newest technology, the most efficient methods, the best deal. Those things aren't bad.

In a world where we are constantly striving for new and improved, I find weddings refreshing.

This weekend, John and I attended a wedding. I very much love going to weddings. I enjoy the music, the flowers, the dresses, the formality, the verbage...I love it all! These things speak of a serious commitment...a sacred covenant. Weddings are beautiful times, set apart, for a couple to convey to their family and friends, in the sight of God, their intention to join as one...until death do us part.

Looking back on my wedding day, I can honestly say I had little clue as to the things to come. I thought of John as a truly tender, caring man. His patience with me was outstanding. He was, after all, my very best friend. It was easy to love John. He exhibited the protective, caring, loving, selfless qualities of a husband long before we were married...long before we ever went on our first date.

Weddings always remind me of the way that I felt on my wedding day...truly blessed to have this husband of mine. Over the years, regardless of circumstance, a wedding has been like a salve that soothes any sore spots in my heart. It is a reminder that we aren't perfect, but that we have committed to love, honor, and cherish one another as long as we both shall live.

Over the years John and I have unfortunately shown our imperfections on numerous occasions. After all, I married a sinner, you know...and he did too.

Weddings cause me to thank the Lord for forgiveness. In marriage, we experience a forgiveness that allows the bond between husband and wife to grow sweeter and stronger with time.

I used to think that a wedding was simply an event in which the bride and groom would make public their commitment in a functional effort at accountability. Though that sounds terribly unromantic, it is mostly true. I now see weddings as beneficial for both the couple being married as well as couples who are already married. What a beautiful reminder of the forgiving love of our Father and His second-best gift to us...our spouse..

Jeffery's Cambera

Today Jeffery found the camera that Gigi and Pop purchased for John Isaac's third birthday in our toy closet. After I replaced the batteries, he proceeded to take about 110 pictures of feet. It was hilarious! He would line up to take a picture of someone's face, but he would have to hold the camera down to find the button to actually snap the picture, resulting in many feet shots. When he would occasionally capture a picture of someone's head, he would smile from ear to ear and shout with excitement, "I did it, Momma! I taked a picture of Greggy!" Looking back, I think it was easier to get Greg's face in the shot as he is several inches shorter than Jeffery.

Later in the afternoon a disagreement broke out between John Isaac and Jeffery concerning the ownership of the "cambera". I reminded Jeffery that it was actually a present given to John Isaac by Gigi and Pop. Since he could not possibly believe me, as Daddy walked through the door, he asked John if it was his cambera. John, not remembering, said that it was. Jeffery was very excited until I reminded John about John Isaac receiving it as a gift.

Once Jeffery learned that the cambera was not really his, he was terribly disappointed. He told us that he wanted an orange one just like John Isaac's. I had no intention of rushing to the store to purchase another toddler camera, but my soft-hearted husband had other thoughts on the matter. John told Jeffery that if he was a very good boy at dinner and at church this evening he would purchase for Jeffery an orange camera like John Isaac's on the way home from church.

At this point I thought my husband was nuts! Jeffery remembers EVERYTHING. For one thing, toddler cameras aren't all that inexpensive. Secondly, whose to say that Wal-Mart (the only store open after church) will carry toddler cameras? Thirdly, if they do carry toddler cameras, what are the chances that they'll have an orange one?

After church, as expected, Jeffery asked about his orange cambera. Specifically, he inquired as to whether or not we were going to buy one on the way home. John then turns to me and asks if I want to take Jeffery into the store to purchase his camera. Honestly, I was thinking, "yeah, I want to take him into the store...I want to be the one to explain that there are no cameras...or that the camera is red, honey, it doesn't come in the color that Daddy promised."

Somewhat reluctantly, I escorted Jeffery into Wal-Mart. As we walked toward the toy section in the back, I began to explain to Jeffery that there may not be a cambera at the store tonight, and that if there is one, it may not be orange. He responded, "let's see...I want an orange one, Momma."

Upon reaching the toy section, Jeffery and I began to look for cameras. We weren't having any luck when I heard what I assumed to be a sales associate stocking boxes on the next aisle over. I explained to Jeffery that we would ask the salesperson if there were any camberas for us to buy. The lady looked unsure when asked about the cameras, but said, "if we have any, they be over here." She lead us down the next aisle away. Right there, on the bottom shelf, the only toddler camera available was an orange vtech camera. Jeffery spotted it immediately, and was so proud of his new cambera just like John Isaac's. I couldn't believe it!

I am currently thanking the Lord that He is in the "small stuff"!

New camera...$43...Jeffery's joy at finding an orange cambera...priceless!

The Boys

I thought I would post a few pictures of the boys playing with their Christmas presents.

At left, is Greg showing me his Build-A-Bear's (Sugums) eyes. Good job sweet baby!

At top right, is Jeffery chalking on their new easel, and baby Greg playing hide-and-seek. What a multifunctional toy!

At bottom right are John Isaac and Jeffery playing with their "book pens" in our seriously messy playroom. They think they are so funny with their tongues stuck out!

I'm In Love (with my iPhone)

Ok, so I'm also in love with my husband, but that's not the point of this post!

I love my iPhone! I am not a tech junkie. I do not have a "need" or even a desire for the hippest, coolest, most expensive thing. In fact, I am often excited at the opportunity to make something old, and useless to most, workable for my family. The iPhone is not one of these things!

A little over a year ago, when the iPhone 3G was fresh out, John suggested it to me. At the time I was using a phone that he and I nicknamed the "war horse". No, it wasn't shaped like a trapezoid with a pull out antenna, but it was close in function. It worked fine as a phone, and I saw no need for an "upgrade".

On the day that the "war horse" died, I told John that I would look at the iPhone. I remember thinking, "How great can this phone be? Honestly!"

After 15 minutes in the store, I was fully convinced that the iPhone was not just a replacement phone, it would be my own mini-computer. It had a phone, of course, but it also allowed me to quickly check and respond to e-mail.

One of the very most convenient features was the extremely user-friendly calendar with a pleasant alert tone for events that I would choose to be alerted about. At the time, I was really having difficulty juggling all of the doctor appointments, church functions, family events, etc... In fact, I actually showed up for a well-baby check one week late during that time because I simply wrote the appointment in on the wrong date on the paper calendar that I was using. Today, I enter events, times, dates, numbers, reminders on the calendar immediately. I don't have to remember to write it on the calendar once I get home.

Of course, completely deserving it's own paragraph, is the iPod application!!! AAAAAHHH! If you love music, you know what I mean...no explanation needed!

Among the other features that I love are the endless applications that I am able to download to my phone. A few of my favorites are All Recipes, Tetris, Pandora, White Pages, Fandango, Facebook, and The Weather Channel. I have quick access to thousands of recipes for yummy meals and I can check the weather, all while listening to my favorite music.

My Newest Application...

The day before yesterday, I found a point counter application for iPhone. It is called Pocket Points, and cost $.99. I am so excited! For about a year I have been thinking, "I would feel so much better if I would lose several pounds." Ok, let's be honest...I'd feel better if I lost a significant number of pounds. It's hard work this process of weight loss. After delivering Jeffery Thomas, it took me the entire next summer of counting points and walking, walking, walking to lose 30 lbs. Now I have three children. Walking outdoors with them is no longer an option. Calculating points is something that takes a bit of time. I used to have to check the points book. Half of the time foods weren't listed in a way that made any sense, or an item that I would be looking for was not listed at all. Time, time, time...Extra time is not something that I have much of these days. Healthful meal preparation, self control, exercise...these things sound about as fun to me as poking myself in the eye with a fork!

The discovery and ease of my newest application has taken away a significant barrier to my weight loss aspirations. I simply put in the calories, fat, and fiber amounts, and the application quickly alerts me concerning the number of points in the food item. I actually used it on the sly at the grocery store the other day. It's just another reason that I love the iPhone. Now in addition to helping me keep my appointments, stay in contact via e-mail, and order movie tickets, it will also assist me in my quest to shrink.

In the past three days I have lost .9 lbs. That may not seem like much, but my goal is 2 lbs. per week. I am going to post on this blog for the additional assistance of accountability. Ole Girl is seriously short, and being a two-time large baby incubator has not helped the situation much. I wouldn't trade those sweet babies for anything in the whole world, but it is time for me to get to work. No New Year's resolution...just a much needed change in my mode of operation.

.9 lbs. down, 46.1 lbs. to go!