tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14873185570835048642024-02-07T11:37:26.873-08:00Scorched Places"And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places... and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:11Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-30963711515699395482017-07-11T06:59:00.001-07:002017-07-11T06:59:55.900-07:00Charis Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have started a new blog! You can find it here - <a href="http://charisroad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charis Road</a>.</span><br />
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13pt; margin: 0px;">Janel</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b></b></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-2758782986279237902016-01-10T19:01:00.000-08:002019-06-17T10:57:16.913-07:00Charis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you found a purpose for your life that you're passionate about? A desire that's so strong you feel it could burn a hole straight through your heart?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">When I was younger, I just knew I was going to be a missionary doctor to Africa. Over time, I was drawn to teaching, and through the years, that calling has come into even greater focus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The fall after finishing college and marrying my Sweetheart, I began teaching first grade at a local Christian school. I was there for six years before spending the next six years at home with my kids, and eventually returning to teach at the public school they both attend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It was during my first few years of teaching that the initial glimpses of my ultimate calling began to unfold. My heart was broken for students in the private school where I taught - those with needs that were not being addressed. I did all I could to help, often working with them after school to try to help them catch up. But even when I was able to help them make it through first grade, they often left within a year or two in order to get the services they needed from another school. It was heartbreaking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And it was in those moments that God placed a vision on my heart. For many years, I thought that I would one day start my own school - a private school with the resources to help students with a wide range of abilities - and not just those students who fit into "the mold." Over time, this dream has developed into the idea of non-profit that would assist churches, schools, and other Christian organizations in better ministering to individuals with special needs and their families. This would allow for a wider reach, more families being served.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">As you can see, it was long before I had children of my own - children with a range of health and other needs - that this vision was born. However, it is the needs of my own children that have made this calling personal. When it was time for me to decide where they would attend school, my heart was torn. The challenges they face were not severe enough that private school was totally out of the question. However, I was faced with the option of enrolling them in a Christian school - where none of their other, "extra" needs would be met - or placing them in a public school - where there were speech, PT, nursing, and other resources available as we needed them. It was such a difficult choice! I had grown up in a Christian school and gone back to teach there for 6 years. The majority of my life was invested in this place. However, I knew they were not ready to meet the needs of my own children. And, no, the problem is not an isolated one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Yes, they all have a long list of reasons - some financial, some not. However, when I look through the Scriptures, "It's just too hard or too expensive," was never an acceptable reason for not doing the right thing. Public schools have, for some time now, realized their obligation to help students with special needs. Should this not be even more true for our Christian schools, churches, and other ministries? When Christ walked this earth, He did not limit his service to those who conformed to a certain image. In fact, He spent the majority of His time ministering to those rejected by society: fishermen, tax collectors, the hurting, the sick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The ultimate problem is that when we exclude (or fail to reach out to) individuals with special needs and their families, we not only lose that individual, we lose the entire family - mom, dad, other siblings. There is an entire group of people that we are not reaching with the gospel. There's not enough time here to discuss the wide range of needs that exist. I will add, though, that with the growing emphasis on foster care and adoption, Christian families are taking in more and more children with a wide range of needs that Christian ministries have hardly begun to address.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">At this point, I have no idea when all of this will come together. All I know is that I've been called to work toward this end and have recently felt the urgency to share my story with a wider range of people. So, this is what I ask of you, my friends, right now...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">1. Please be in prayer with me about this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">2. Share my story with anyone you know may be interested. I would love to start hearing stories from others who could benefit from this type of ministry as well as others with a similar passion for reaching these families.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">For those who made it this far, I am blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for reading. Charis (from the title) is the Greek work for grace. It has been on my heart for some time now and will be included in the name of the non-profit once it's established.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span></span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-41314180455031069212015-12-31T14:37:00.001-08:002015-12-31T14:37:06.978-08:00Living Life By Degrees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we approach the New Year, many will reflect on the past while planning for what they hope to be an even better future. They contemplate the highs, the lows, the moments that will never be forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For those whose lives are touched by chronic medical challenges, reflection can be bitter sweet. Woven amongst all of the good memories are reminders of illness and other health challenges. Numerous doctor visits, therapies, medicine trials, hospital stays, possible brushes with death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've seen many analogies for those living life with medical and other challenges. There's always <a href="http://dsnetworkaz.org/holland/" target="_blank">Holland</a>, and many have used the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory" target="_blank">Spoon Theory</a> to explain their lives to others. For me, I think of our lives as living by degrees. It's rare that we find something that drastically changes the course of our lives for the better. However, over the years, we've found various treatments, interventions, medication, supplements, and the like that have added greater quality to our lives - sometimes by the smallest of degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A supplement that made her fall less than before. Another that steadies her gait. An intervention that lessens the sensory overload. A tube that allows him to grow. An oil that keeps his stomach settled. A block the eases back pain. A conversation with a old friend who helps me keep my sanity through it all. New friends made in the midst of the pain. An understanding smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the other hand, we've lost ground in some areas as well. Another favorite food lost. The return of a symptom we thought we were leaving behind. A needed medication with side effects too difficult to handle. A doctor who doesn't understand. Another who admits for the first time that we may never outgrow this. A stabbing comment, a judgmental glance, friends lost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, as I reflect on the past year, we've gained a few degrees in some areas while losing degrees in others. Some days it's easier to handle than others - and some degrees are more difficult to lose than others. However, as I look back this past year, I choose to be grateful for smallest of victories, each small degree gained. Because there have been years with little to no victories. And because I've learned to take nothing in this life for granted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And in the midst of it all, I'm most thankful for a God who never changes - even by the smallest of degrees. One who is sufficient. One who if full of strength when mine is gone. One Whose mercies are new every morning (not just every New Year). One who never fails. He is my portion. He is enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And even if today is the best my life ever gets, my soul is at peace. He has already met my greatest need in Christ. My eternity is secure. Everything else pales in comparison.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The steadfast love of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> never ceases; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Lam-3-22">his mercies never come to an end; </span></span><span class="text Lam-3-23" id="en-ESV-20378">they are new <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-20378C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-20378C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>every morning; </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Lam-3-23">great is your faithfulness. </span></span><span class="text Lam-3-24" id="en-ESV-20379">“The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my portion,” says my soul, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Lam-3-24">“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24</span></span></span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-14057100716601347972015-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:002015-12-27T20:45:42.818-08:00On the Edge of Normal<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Did you ever watch the movie, A Walk
to Remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main character had a
list of things she wanted to do during her lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the items on her list was to be in two
places at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend helped her to
mark this item from the list by taking her to the state line – to stand with
each foot in a different state.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">I think that’s a pretty good analogy
for my life right now – living in two places at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one hand, our life can seem pretty “normal”
to most folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just glancing at the
surface, you may not notice anything out of the ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The standard family of four – mom, dad, two
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, I can almost forget it
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve found our new normal,
developed our routines, adjusted our lives to meet the cards we’ve been dealt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">However, it doesn’t take much for us
to be suddenly be jerked back to reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every holiday or special occasion really – because they always revolve
around food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The look on his face when
nearly every gift he received at a party was something he couldn’t eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any overnight event – because most kids don’t
have to take along an assortment of medications, bags of their own food, and
various other items needed to survive time away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we’re all gone more than one night,
you better not forget to check “the list” or you’re sure to forget something
extremely important that can’t be picked up last minute at your local
supermarket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I can’t even imagine what
will happen if I ever have to get it all onto an airplane!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, there are the common, everyday illnesses
that always have the possibility of putting one of them in the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will there come a time when her body decides
not to bounce back?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">And there are other affairs –
concerts, recitals, awards ceremonies, field days, and the list goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this be the moment that the other kids
notice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this be the time someone
says something unkind and breaks their fragile little hearts forever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">A few weeks ago in Sunday School, our
lesson started out with this question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When have you felt like you belonged?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While I never shared my answers aloud, there were several moments that
came to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top of the list are
Magic Moments Family Camp and Give Kids the World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s because while we generally manage to
travel undetected in the population often referred to as “general” or “normal,”
the kids’ long-term health issues also identify us with the world labeled as “special
needs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And honestly, this is where I
generally feel most at ease, most at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">It’s when we’re with this group that
we don’t have to explain the tubes, the gait disturbances, the special foods,
the medications, and need to stop a while to give your body time to
recover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staring eyes are filled with
understanding and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your child
becomes irritable or difficult to manage, they don’t automatically assume he or
she is a behavior problem and just throwing a fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they know - they really know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they’ve been there too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while our lives and situations are all
very different, there is a common pain, a common loss, and common understanding
that the other side of our life - the “normal” side - may never get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">All of this reminds me of another
struggle, a spiritual one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my body
is here on earth, my spirit longs for the day when I will take residence in my
eternal home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, I have one
foot here on earth and another standing on His promises (2 Corinthians 5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because only then will my soul be at
rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then will I feel completely
accepted, completely at peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more
struggles, no more tears, no more pain, no more “normal,” no more “special.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just an eternity with my Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but
then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Corinthians 13:12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-85790290959796820082015-05-10T17:33:00.000-07:002015-12-27T17:34:18.668-08:00What Mother's Day Means to Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>I shared this on Facebook in May. I wanted to make sure I went back and added it here too.</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mother’s
Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it’s all the “normal” things
like little handprint poems and flowerpots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Homemade cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feet pattering
down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family movie nights
snuggled together on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mud
puddles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jumping in leaves gathered in
piles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hand-picked bouquets from the
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love you, Mommy!”</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s also
years of being foster parents to children who touched our lives for only short
moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are they now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has become of their lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The twins who attended Christmas parties with
us that year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adorable
African-American baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those
wondering faces – my blonde hair, his dark skin – could he really be hers?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
miscarriage, broken hearts, a child we were never able to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little shoe that still hangs in my room,
engraved with the name “Micah.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the one
little foster child that changed our lives forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therapies, walkers, home visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could one little heart already be so
wounded by life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snuggles that took
years to earn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one birthed in a
judge’s courtroom.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the one
I nurtured from the womb – yet was still unable to shield from life’s
harshness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The years spent in agonizing
pain, hospital stays, numerous tests, doctor visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moments I pray I never have to
revisit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tube in his stomach that
provides relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s “Mommy, when I get
to heaven, I’m going to eat pizza!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
seeing him wish he were rid of this contraption, this hole in his body – yet
bearing it all with a strength well beyond his years.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s 9 years
of children that I cared for just for a school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones with loving mothers of their own –
and the ones looking to fill that deep place in their hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s seeing them with tears in their eyes as
we do Mother’s Day activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they
even get to see her this year?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s one
more year to celebrate with my own mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankful for the two Mother’s Days we spent together on borrowed
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t think she’d make it
for these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s unlikely she’ll be here
for the next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And for many
today, it’s the longings of motherhood yet unmet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s waiting on the call from a system or
agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an unexpected bundle on the
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sitting at the hospital with
those you love, praying for more time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s longing for loved ones that left this earth too soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the
days when I handle all of these things with gentleness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When wisdom abounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When love flows unconditional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s also the days when my words are not so
kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I want to hide in the closet
with a bag of chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it’s all I
can do to put one foot in front of the other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s knowing
that God has and will continue to sustain me through it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nowhere I can flee from His
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Him, there are no
surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a child of the
King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, my faith will be made
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever
Mother’s Day means to you this year, I pray you will feel surrounded by His
everlasting love, upheld by His never ending grace, and filled with His mercies
that are new every morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no
compassion on the son of her womb? </span><span class="text">Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text">Behold, I have engraved you
on the palms of my hands.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah
49:15-16</span></span></div>
Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-86562898432272203512014-02-02T18:20:00.000-08:002014-02-02T18:24:59.334-08:00Snow Days ~ Jan. 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winter Gridlock 2014... Snowmageddon... Whatever you decide to call it, it's been an interesting week for many people around here. I'll start out with the fun stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On Wednesday, the kids and I enjoyed playing in the snow together. (Criss was still at Home Depot, but I'll get to that later.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">They thought it was great fun jumping on the snow-covered trampoline - and throwing snow at each other.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX_hrpZlhyphenhyphen50cPK8WS6JE4X5i57VTQls2opNJ5-MMd_B_wSkBSBElr0-lI4my7hSQ1qBuNj6kUKWxyvXp717L_F5YguCqpI1XSY2VNtav5jRg05a_RwjJYoS-21srhLtpVtV1ikuEDBE/s1600/2014_01_Snow_04_tramp_jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX_hrpZlhyphenhyphen50cPK8WS6JE4X5i57VTQls2opNJ5-MMd_B_wSkBSBElr0-lI4my7hSQ1qBuNj6kUKWxyvXp717L_F5YguCqpI1XSY2VNtav5jRg05a_RwjJYoS-21srhLtpVtV1ikuEDBE/s1600/2014_01_Snow_04_tramp_jump.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We tried making a snowman, but the snow was too powdery. We made snowballs the best we could, and enjoyed a family snowball fight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back to Tuesday, the day it all started... The meteorologists had forecast a light dusting for our area - with no travel problems expected. When Criss texted a little after 9 and said that they were going to send them home early, I checked the weather blog and saw that they had moved the line on the map. They were now saying we could get about an inch of snow. And once it started snowing, you could tell we were in a heap of trouble.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By 11:00, Criss was headed home. Little did he know he would be in his work truck for another 16 hours, and not make it home until the afternoon of the following day. He got stuck in a "parking lot" of cars on 65N between Valleydale and 459. The roads everywhere had iced over less than an hour after the snow started falling. Early the next morning (at 3 AM), he made it to Home Depot where the employees let him crash for the night (and part of the next day).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, the kids and I were still at school. By the time we dismissed at 12:30, the roads were too icy for the buses to leave, and we still had about 300 kids. Thankfully, the other half had already been picked up earlier by their parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fast forward to later that afternoon. It was obvious that it was too late for me to drive home (in the dark) on our windy back roads and hills in a minivan with two children. Besides that, 216 (the main road between the school and our house) was closing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The problem was that I did not have everything I would need for the kids to stay for an extended period of time at the school. I had several problems... no purified water for Silas (to drink and for his feeding tube formula), not enough of their "allergy-free" foods, feeding tube issues, none of Silas' medicines, and the mental list went on and on - </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">like one giant, unsolvable logic problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thankfully, the police officer that was at our school went to work to try and find us a way home - we were considered a medical priority. One of the dads from the school, who (I believe) is also an EMT, helped get us home. He and a relative drove us most of the way and then walked with us the rest. For their help, we are forever grateful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On Thursday, the snow was wet enough to build a snowman, and Criss and the kids enjoyed building a snowman and sledding down the hill in our back yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While Tuesday's weather event caught most of us unprepared, it reminds me of another event that will come unexpectedly.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." I Thessalonians 5:2</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:36</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's one thing to be caught unprepared in the snow & ice - and another to be caught unprepared for the Lord's return. Are you ready?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel</span></div>
Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-66728299686706940822013-04-15T16:59:00.002-07:002013-04-15T16:59:39.355-07:00Autumn ~ Spring 2013<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the things that have been going on with Autumn lately...</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She's in second grade this year and is reading well. She loves school, and I enjoy seeing her gradually becoming more social each year. Organization is not her strongsuit. She often reminds me of Pigpen (from the Peanuts cartoon) - with a cloud of dust around her everywhere she goes. But, she's creative, and I enjoy reading the stories and songs she sometimes writes. She also loves music, and the ipod she got for Christmas might as well be her third arm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last August, we had a follow-up with her doctor in Atlanta that has been trying to decide if the problems with Autumn's mitochondria are primary or secondary. Some new tests were due to come out within a few weeks of our visit. The testing is finally complete, and we're scheduled to return to June to hear the results and see if they were able to find any new information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day after we returned from our trip to Atlanta, Autumn had surgery to have her ear tubes removed. They were taking a long time to heal, but they were finally closed back up at our last visit, and we were able to avoid another surgery. Yeah!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much of this school year has been focused on trying to find her an ADHD medication that worked without causing any unbearable side effects. FIVE medications later - we still haven't found anything. Here a few of the issues we're having. First, when she first moved in with us, she had some pretty severe anxiety issues. So far, any of the stimulants we've tried have brought back her anxiety (along with many other problems) and there was no way we could continue those. Second, Autumn cannot swallow pills. Anything we try must come in a small tablet (that I can put inside a raisin) or we can't get it in her. Third, some of the non-stimulants completely knocked her out. She was barely awake all the time. Fourth, one of the medications made her heart rate/blood pressure drop, and we had to discontinue. Finally, all of the ADHD medications interfere with her eating and weight gain. At the advice of the GI doctor, we have had to quit trying new meds in order to try to get her weight back up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her weight issues are pretty bad right now - bad enough that the GI doctor has mentioned a feeding tube a couple times - to get extra calories in her overnight. I just can't end up with two kids on a feeding tube! How crazy is that - when they are not even biologically related? I knew Silas needed one, but I'm not convinced it's the best thing for Autumn. For now, we will try to increase the amount of fat and calories in her diet. We'll see the GI again this summer to see if it's helped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the ADHD medications, she barely hangs onto the growth chart. With the meds, she falls completely off the chart. And so, our medication trials are on hold for now. She's very fidgety and has to be told at least 10-15 times to find her shoes and brush her teeth every morning, but she's managing to make it through second grade. Overall, it could be worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After stopping the meds, we had problems getting rid of the all of the irritability. I'm in the process of going through anything new we've started this year to find the culprit. Hopefully, I will have that figured out soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her walking has not been as good lately either. I'm hoping that whatever is causing her irritability is also affecting her walking. They have said that her muscle problems could become degenerative, and I'm hoping that's not what's happening. I've come across several things lately that talk about how some kids allergic-like reactions can result in inflammation in the brain. Very interesting stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll update on Silas next time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-13715615121428906052013-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:002013-04-06T11:15:48.672-07:00Where We've Been<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much to say, so little time to write these days...</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life just gets busier and busier. I think all the time about writing, but other things get in the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been teaching college classes on and off for nearly seven years now. I was teaching one course (as well as a couple independent studies) in the fall, and they had hoped to have me teach several more this spring. However, there weren't enough students that needed the classes this time around, and that left me desperately needing another source of income.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been mostly living on one income since I was pregnant with Silas - along with the occasional money from the college classes. We were making it somehow, even with the large number of medical expenses we have. However, with the addition of the feeding tube last summer, I had to find a more steady income source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, God provided. A job opened up at the kids' school - and it was the one position that I absolutely LOVE - intervention. I spend half the day as a Tier III teacher, giving extra help to students who are struggling. I am working with kids in 1st - 5th grades. I enjoy the pace and variety. The second half of the day, I work just with second graders. Their classes are very full, but it was too late in the year to split the classes. So, I pull out small groups during the afternoons. Autumn loves the fact that my classroom is on her hallway, so she sees me several times during the day. Silas gives me big hugs when I see him in the lunchroom, and grins when we run into each other in the hallway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond the additional income, it has provided us with supplemental insurance that has been covering all of our deductables, copays, coinsurance, prescription copays, etc. For most people this isn't much. For us, it's saving us hundreds and hundreds of dollars every month. Yeah!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thus...the reason there's so little time to write. But, I will try to do better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another reason is related to our camera. The camera we'd been using was on it's last leg, so we bought a new one with some of our Christmas money. Our computer is also on it's last leg, an we're afraid that downloading a new program for the camera as well as all the new pictures will be more than our poor computer can handle. Hopefully we'll have a new one soon. Since I've been working full time, we're going down the list of everything that's been broken and slowly fixing or replacing everything. Other things (like the oven) were just higher on the list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then, I'll will try to send a few more (pictureless) updates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Belated Easter! He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-43303105457767668282012-12-28T07:24:00.000-08:002012-12-28T16:46:03.446-08:00The Leaf Pile<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids love it every year when Criss rakes up a few leaves and makes a huge leaf pile for them to play in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to try to post short video clips of the experience below... (They're just a few second each - taken from our camera.)</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx47HO3fzte2e263i0Q-gaPnJv_jxqy6q95hRrrxcA2dEubcqzJ-YH0WbDB1jrPamARoFIIUmk8ikankr5CJw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, they had a blast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is the first time I've tried to add video, so hopefully it works. For those receiving this by email, you may have to go directly to the blog if it doesn't work in the email.</i></span></span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-8085409397944482392012-12-27T07:45:00.000-08:002012-12-27T07:45:00.041-08:00Tubie Tidbits<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who are interested in a little more information about feeding tubes, I thought I would share a few things that I've found to be very helpful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once Silas' feeding tube surgery was scheduled, we stumbled across <a href="http://www.tubiefriends.com/">Tubie
Friends</a>. They sew feeding tube buttons into Build-A-Bear stuffed animals and make them available for kids with feeding tubes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We contacted them before Silas' surgery, and they rushed our order so he could get it as soon as possible. It arrived the day of his surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was nice for him to have a stuffed animal with a "button" like his that he could play with and get used to. (He liked learning how the different tubes and extensions hook and unhook.) We named ours Fudge. We took Fudge to school, and the school counselor used him to tell the other kids in Silas' class about his feeding tube.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll notice that Fudge has a piece of cloth around his button. We eventually bought Silas something like this from <a href="http://www.mybuttonbuddies.com/">B</a><a href="http://www.mybuttonbuddies.com/">utton Buddies</a>. Feeding tubes can "leak" throughout the day. Some people prefer to leave it open to the air. We tried this, but the leakage was irritating Silas' skin. It was also making his granulation tissue worse. (Granulation tissue is a red, fleshy tissue that often develops around feeding tube incisions.) At first, we tried using gauze, but the strings would often stick to him and become very difficult (and painful) to get off. The Button Buddies have been wonderful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another great resource that I found was the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation. (That's their logo at the beginning of the post.) Here are a few of their pages that you might find helpful:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.feedingtubeawareness.com/about-feeding-tubes.html">About Feeding Tubes</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.feedingtubeawareness.com/different-types-of-feeding-tubes.html">Different Types of Feeding Tubes</a> - Silas had a NG tube over the summer and then transitioned to a G-tube button.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.feedingtubeawareness.com/for-friends-family.html">For Friends and Family</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://feedingtubeawareness.bigcartel.com/products#.UNtLw-RIgaw">Products</a> - I just love their logo. I'm planning to buy something from their store soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Note: You can click on any of the highlighted words above to follow the links.</i></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-47268632059488643592012-12-26T07:09:00.001-08:002012-12-26T07:10:24.428-08:00Fall Festival ~ 2012<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't had time to post in a while. I'll try to catch up over Christmas break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Halloween, we attend the Fall Festival at our church each year. This year, Autumn decided to dress as Rapunzel from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tangled</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (in her wedding dress). Since she already has short, brown hair, it fit perfectly with Rapunzel's post-haircut look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silas went as Buzz Lightyear. To infinity and beyond...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmvsAgP-DRLDmeAymCgmi7i2yoT0RP5HHD8g4rLYHevZ3XRIYCYftXyk_mne_GMUl3b5gYlGXCCby0LbBuIPMBiipfb5ewqWKbfgNhzaOJNv6dlJwhFzngHT-iYwCmpJHNe68I62_3vQ/s1600/FF_Silas_costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmvsAgP-DRLDmeAymCgmi7i2yoT0RP5HHD8g4rLYHevZ3XRIYCYftXyk_mne_GMUl3b5gYlGXCCby0LbBuIPMBiipfb5ewqWKbfgNhzaOJNv6dlJwhFzngHT-iYwCmpJHNe68I62_3vQ/s400/FF_Silas_costume.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween (and every other holiday) is tricky for those with food allergies or intolerances. I'll share what I do in case it helps anyone else out there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our church has a Trunk-or-Treat at their Fall Festival. Each year, I contact the Children's Pastor to see about how many cars will be there. Then, I assemble sandwich-size Ziploc baggies with non-food prizes for each car. (I usually have enough for my kids plus a few extras.) I tape a note to the bag that explains that the items can be used for anyone that has food allergies or other medical issues that prevent them from having candy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the kids play in another area (with Criss and all of the grandparents), I go around and give the bags to all of the cars. Most of them know what I'm doing by now, and I can just hand them the bag. For any newcomers, I stop for a moment and explain to them what I'm doing. It's a lot of work for me, but it allows the kids to participate - and get things they can actually enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-1338461968604204542012-11-05T11:18:00.000-08:002012-11-05T11:18:54.528-08:00...BUT GOD...<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of
my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. (2 Samuel
22:2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...restores my soul. (Psalm 23:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews
13:8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...renews my strength. He gives me wings like the
eagles'. He makes me walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...gives me songs in the night. (Psalm 42:8, 77:6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...is a mighty one who will save. (Zeph. 3:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...will quiet me with His love. (Zeph. 3:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...is interceding for me. (Romans 8:26, 27, 34)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...came so I could have life, and have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...is my salvation. (Ps. 62:7, Isaiah 12:2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My flesh and my heart
may fail, BUT GOD...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be
afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation." Isaiah 12:</i>2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-42912153154523150942012-10-03T23:38:00.000-07:002012-10-03T23:38:00.626-07:00Wild Animal Safari<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After packing up our campsite Sunday morning, we headed further south to Wild Animal Safari Park in Pine Mountain, GA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were thrilled to learn that our Passport included a free van rental. (You have the option to ride in their bus with a tour guide, take your own vehicle, or rent one of their vehicles.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlZAA5xqJMIz2_4RbLxY8VV16DzBuvU15KNENgOVRED-EYvR6PziySBe7lgzstjGoOwkqUAMp-bTOWp4gnHMCD8rT4_teOmrym9r-EE5ao0GujEskjk-20QPq7ztRywVMSb3repCV-Uk/s1600/Safari_Van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlZAA5xqJMIz2_4RbLxY8VV16DzBuvU15KNENgOVRED-EYvR6PziySBe7lgzstjGoOwkqUAMp-bTOWp4gnHMCD8rT4_teOmrym9r-EE5ao0GujEskjk-20QPq7ztRywVMSb3repCV-Uk/s400/Safari_Van.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was raining on and off, but it worked out to our advantage. Fewer visitors to the park meant the animals were still hungry when we got there. Many of the animals would come running to the vehicle when they saw us approaching. It was rather humorous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The front windows roll up and down like normal. The back windows have been taken out and replaced with a few bars so that those riding in the back can reach their hands out to pet and feed the animals. Problem was that the control for my window wasn't working on my side; Criss had to control it from his side. I would be turned around taking pictures of the kids, realize something was breathing down my neck, and turn to see this coming through my window...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynMcDjjFDw4bXQlEVotohNGtv2XVAw2X7csIO6mGiEMdNdqZgJVfqnS3JL_zpaprRNYyK185uEbMKZ6zQaO5m6s0LmQOtR8PIu4_L_NBg8S7aZuAyGgOJNfLmOAq2HM_izkS9uk7ZldA/s1600/Safari_tongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynMcDjjFDw4bXQlEVotohNGtv2XVAw2X7csIO6mGiEMdNdqZgJVfqnS3JL_zpaprRNYyK185uEbMKZ6zQaO5m6s0LmQOtR8PIu4_L_NBg8S7aZuAyGgOJNfLmOAq2HM_izkS9uk7ZldA/s400/Safari_tongue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsHA9bKJLWCnScdPT0XdHeYIxmYTZr9IfIoMtEcTFHwWkvcwRZ-Jb0VsH_fVEfQhfBUb1jgewmyWTfCM_F7EzpMd52XGgPXxzd6C-x7zu5318vH8VmBCd2NT6x-cZCiQgIPw0LWStstI/s1600/Safari_Ox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsHA9bKJLWCnScdPT0XdHeYIxmYTZr9IfIoMtEcTFHwWkvcwRZ-Jb0VsH_fVEfQhfBUb1jgewmyWTfCM_F7EzpMd52XGgPXxzd6C-x7zu5318vH8VmBCd2NT6x-cZCiQgIPw0LWStstI/s400/Safari_Ox.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Criss, of course, thought this was very funny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took Autumn a little while to get used to the animals coming at us. She started out running to the back of the vehicle. Eventually, she would stretch her hand, just barely reaching the window.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOmlHCFQQ1bphe5UI-93DfFLNJbGdSoFKJAH2YWlPggLGUmuIYxyoj_h7q5FClmWZSbS8MExZTQqL9JuJ6QwWmRB-qI4yxVc5F7sUfsFTOTIgZa0x36ctI4oGsAPZrbQD8YjrMYRVONc/s1600/Safari_A_arm_hiding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOmlHCFQQ1bphe5UI-93DfFLNJbGdSoFKJAH2YWlPggLGUmuIYxyoj_h7q5FClmWZSbS8MExZTQqL9JuJ6QwWmRB-qI4yxVc5F7sUfsFTOTIgZa0x36ctI4oGsAPZrbQD8YjrMYRVONc/s400/Safari_A_arm_hiding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slowly, she started warming up to them. Still a little scared - but smiling at the same time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4EHSLKpHa47Jo0wzGBWCwSIRZhXI1FP0RjdskD_fP3uyy7gJHVZzxI-stTTpUMoP4d58ooAFv8TFjk4aus6wn8TMp6Fc-iURO5BNzOUtAej5tXEWLfTMj1ZPSCVUpuN_R_lWswgR0HI/s1600/Safari_A_smiling_leaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4EHSLKpHa47Jo0wzGBWCwSIRZhXI1FP0RjdskD_fP3uyy7gJHVZzxI-stTTpUMoP4d58ooAFv8TFjk4aus6wn8TMp6Fc-iURO5BNzOUtAej5tXEWLfTMj1ZPSCVUpuN_R_lWswgR0HI/s400/Safari_A_smiling_leaning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end, she embraced the experience.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fvwMkKjQJphyphenhyphenV43C60cmER44IKDvI-2qpHBX-L7mwsRxJvfBSAogWMLfYccBuCo3AD6BCHxklbfqMcF6M21lX7kgH5vzkiangu7g2CnzjTnLk81dDzhOSIVGAuTaj-CyRDzWcXBbPko/s1600/Safari_A_pet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fvwMkKjQJphyphenhyphenV43C60cmER44IKDvI-2qpHBX-L7mwsRxJvfBSAogWMLfYccBuCo3AD6BCHxklbfqMcF6M21lX7kgH5vzkiangu7g2CnzjTnLk81dDzhOSIVGAuTaj-CyRDzWcXBbPko/s400/Safari_A_pet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silas, on the other hand, was thrilled from the start. I wish I had video of him giggling as the animals "attacked" our van.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6xbXLqIGGQvK4XiZTwn1xt7lHAXzg6V4_miQS-6hGJvKTDP2AVWRyM1izjMNJ3mkgABHmRAlW4V4epgp_3jl49Wo1MTFQXZDHhY0avt5UBWbi1FrhrunKjW0xjJ0mALk0R2ZJffSzwU/s1600/Safari_s3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6xbXLqIGGQvK4XiZTwn1xt7lHAXzg6V4_miQS-6hGJvKTDP2AVWRyM1izjMNJ3mkgABHmRAlW4V4epgp_3jl49Wo1MTFQXZDHhY0avt5UBWbi1FrhrunKjW0xjJ0mALk0R2ZJffSzwU/s400/Safari_s3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Criss thoroughly enjoyed himself as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For me, the highlight was getting to pet and feed the giraffes - two of them actually.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QkBY3C9T59El1ryDePxcnY_zCUz_u8dxslI3SkNsca-ym2e0tBmqnf3cLN3WNC-OaW-lqlStLeqB6eem3YxSMVaMwX-WoVGooIEDKkih7kJCjg8067a5t5IN7rZCvzsi4t9qSAkkQ5k/s1600/Safari_giraffe_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QkBY3C9T59El1ryDePxcnY_zCUz_u8dxslI3SkNsca-ym2e0tBmqnf3cLN3WNC-OaW-lqlStLeqB6eem3YxSMVaMwX-WoVGooIEDKkih7kJCjg8067a5t5IN7rZCvzsi4t9qSAkkQ5k/s400/Safari_giraffe_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such fun!!! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended with the Walk-About - a small zoo-like area. No pictures, my battery ran out...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsRxZoGV86FbC7zjMGlyfLQnuFcS80pYCOZo8WIAn4ZF7mOZkiQnnexxMIoGcmmtZ52OgUobU05up3nNPPBotrr1a_hbcjBNy6Gx2zCzK0Wq46nvpKYSMFpgc_F1oxuff1xA39x2QlIM/s1600/Safari_Kids_Van_Smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsRxZoGV86FbC7zjMGlyfLQnuFcS80pYCOZo8WIAn4ZF7mOZkiQnnexxMIoGcmmtZ52OgUobU05up3nNPPBotrr1a_hbcjBNy6Gx2zCzK0Wq46nvpKYSMFpgc_F1oxuff1xA39x2QlIM/s400/Safari_Kids_Van_Smiling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-38680644279530668472012-10-02T12:06:00.002-07:002012-10-02T12:08:57.090-07:00Camping at Stone Mountain<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Give Kids the World Passport expires this month, so we're trying to squeeze in a few more trips before it's gone. We wanted to stay the night, so we could visit one attraction on Saturday and another on Sunday. We didn't have much money to spend on lodging, so we decided to CAMP! Yes, this was REAL camping - in a tent.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSieMIKKCOnci2BSbUZrPVwjxFugjASAt93ceJ5RshjM3Dg0u_L8t6c9fZ4tNsKLu3rWEpqfDAlPfndl_aAp4l9W-2nXFXnLr7uqbu6m_mdSpAoFD1C3vcdX4tH3_MJhEp-vCi5Z7IPQI/s1600/Stone_A_tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSieMIKKCOnci2BSbUZrPVwjxFugjASAt93ceJ5RshjM3Dg0u_L8t6c9fZ4tNsKLu3rWEpqfDAlPfndl_aAp4l9W-2nXFXnLr7uqbu6m_mdSpAoFD1C3vcdX4tH3_MJhEp-vCi5Z7IPQI/s400/Stone_A_tent.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After our 3-4 hour trip to Stone Mountain Park (just east of Atlanta, GA), we checked in and set up camp for the night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfoX_s4O-3MN3gKYpF1is8M2b56esABJbowVyFqvuaEcEOl05tDuxcQ8_MJpKhCnXlQFeNRWJCgagyab8lORXa514RRk3qmttpDf_h_JSs9dP9tZXj5aayzNcasg7DVctithCofDNV3M/s1600/Stone_S_tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfoX_s4O-3MN3gKYpF1is8M2b56esABJbowVyFqvuaEcEOl05tDuxcQ8_MJpKhCnXlQFeNRWJCgagyab8lORXa514RRk3qmttpDf_h_JSs9dP9tZXj5aayzNcasg7DVctithCofDNV3M/s400/Stone_S_tent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From there, we headed over to the Crossroads Area where the paid attractions are located. They had provided us with free parking going into the park, and we each received wristbands that got us into almost all of the paid attractions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids had a blast at the Camp Highland Outpost - a low ropes course with a zip line.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBX5MLYfoSMmSSTBlGiovD8H_gK3ArbxUT1bEF77ZA2-DwrpHEddzBue2ApFZ9prg1jk5ioUOMpYtXjrPLRLtAjzyQXyEiWQclyp8ucGOZcJZn1xttBxB0EXa5KEUF0LgT0FLkKod-lk/s1600/Stone_obstacle_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBX5MLYfoSMmSSTBlGiovD8H_gK3ArbxUT1bEF77ZA2-DwrpHEddzBue2ApFZ9prg1jk5ioUOMpYtXjrPLRLtAjzyQXyEiWQclyp8ucGOZcJZn1xttBxB0EXa5KEUF0LgT0FLkKod-lk/s400/Stone_obstacle_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee5pNe6D6woMN7JZBCU3bwcxrhPXGoeYQXs3J2QoOAOebnjx1Lx4VdwKY05Zg1utBQQpj3yJHw4MgzYZb1-RgT_H8W-Tk2Zph-W8UOQyrjX0lkGVugDgFyhLIKPIGp-KrTwrb5cUanUI/s1600/Stone_A_glider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee5pNe6D6woMN7JZBCU3bwcxrhPXGoeYQXs3J2QoOAOebnjx1Lx4VdwKY05Zg1utBQQpj3yJHw4MgzYZb1-RgT_H8W-Tk2Zph-W8UOQyrjX0lkGVugDgFyhLIKPIGp-KrTwrb5cUanUI/s400/Stone_A_glider.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eMZMJuEp4TW0qCIN2LG_W-AKfSvZanmq6qCjRkBA0Vc__Hn8b6RMP9h6f4hM8uS3p04mWlXkyw1pHMrgnV2MLGjmTjibcZluvG-x79iLXO8urfCD74q7TzfdnZGQ2AIbnj-cSfMZifE/s1600/Stone_S_glider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eMZMJuEp4TW0qCIN2LG_W-AKfSvZanmq6qCjRkBA0Vc__Hn8b6RMP9h6f4hM8uS3p04mWlXkyw1pHMrgnV2MLGjmTjibcZluvG-x79iLXO8urfCD74q7TzfdnZGQ2AIbnj-cSfMZifE/s400/Stone_S_glider.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a great time riding the Summit Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_4pvkKE0WVLAaeuQ5DCWQ6xHW9ctKtG4TGOM8UBO-jztzo20F2FyS8s61g216vAEnRYqljd09ZpUuKFbXTFUUQfpgrFkGpo8d6m4gkn9SNACvgV8UBh4QlAtWl6OjyRTWmiUSn0LVCc/s1600/Stone_ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_4pvkKE0WVLAaeuQ5DCWQ6xHW9ctKtG4TGOM8UBO-jztzo20F2FyS8s61g216vAEnRYqljd09ZpUuKFbXTFUUQfpgrFkGpo8d6m4gkn9SNACvgV8UBh4QlAtWl6OjyRTWmiUSn0LVCc/s400/Stone_ride.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWCONJJzr0lbPMabmnaa2OxjgeZGrwDqU6wrIv5gCsMQS-zv9pdY7S6nVDJxkJ8t2hH31DK-WaI_d6aqxiyg_0h8S7ZxqeST2_XXCZvzHnPONfl1qmw8PmBXxK0HpaIcGzRE8KwTJM6g/s1600/Stone_ride_in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWCONJJzr0lbPMabmnaa2OxjgeZGrwDqU6wrIv5gCsMQS-zv9pdY7S6nVDJxkJ8t2hH31DK-WaI_d6aqxiyg_0h8S7ZxqeST2_XXCZvzHnPONfl1qmw8PmBXxK0HpaIcGzRE8KwTJM6g/s400/Stone_ride_in.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K2h4ycHTmICawaGyMbFbhgMKMs5dFDI92bIpy16MWk0eneyVuzMYkotkhglh_TACBNKwwMXtoqsJla482CI-Azc3nCJcBixPUpyRS5QO1RwmbrFcsYRsprc5LyDByCfu6mtWVZBLnqA/s1600/Stone_A_Top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K2h4ycHTmICawaGyMbFbhgMKMs5dFDI92bIpy16MWk0eneyVuzMYkotkhglh_TACBNKwwMXtoqsJla482CI-Azc3nCJcBixPUpyRS5QO1RwmbrFcsYRsprc5LyDByCfu6mtWVZBLnqA/s400/Stone_A_Top.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was gorgeous up there. Wish we'd had more time to just sit and take in the view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their Pumpkin Festival was underway, so the kids had fun "dressing" pumpkins and making fall crafts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhujDFDlq1gjeJyWL-QAQRBwszGESuYWSYmm_-4d-6MIdL5OW5rT77vDsJyHSgM4N9xf9DG93rFbWsp-baOXUh02Xa1NJxZs1ka7f7rPk93mO3XpVARcsPKG0vbjCY0OFX5MgLCH0hFsU/s1600/Stone_S_Pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhujDFDlq1gjeJyWL-QAQRBwszGESuYWSYmm_-4d-6MIdL5OW5rT77vDsJyHSgM4N9xf9DG93rFbWsp-baOXUh02Xa1NJxZs1ka7f7rPk93mO3XpVARcsPKG0vbjCY0OFX5MgLCH0hFsU/s400/Stone_S_Pumpkin.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVe-hYszEglj13xTLXVlzBASUT7V2uf7QsVfQNBzFe4QF1ahtZ2gLCNXz1KR5JEXt7uHIMHvoW1Y652awMRbnUZ1jyRd38LlEDgivcagSCBg7547rac5z_8XeFVaXUJ02WO9tlM9oZ7I/s1600/Stone_A_Pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVe-hYszEglj13xTLXVlzBASUT7V2uf7QsVfQNBzFe4QF1ahtZ2gLCNXz1KR5JEXt7uHIMHvoW1Y652awMRbnUZ1jyRd38LlEDgivcagSCBg7547rac5z_8XeFVaXUJ02WO9tlM9oZ7I/s400/Stone_A_Pumpkin.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other things we enjoyed: Geyser Towers, The Great Barn, and the Scenic Railroad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our day of fun ended with the Lasershow Spectacular - a laser light show with a few fireworks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wM8OArqRr6kYf7KSBMIoXvibyyOw8NdLNs5eGB5RmUntI6kEo0iS0XZNWODze-LOc-yXLP2PZUbEXCWFiFMo5MeKrE7OLQyt21LfrN8SdSGl_uzckDlEnd_YLs7vjnbGEsEbvQPqDxM/s1600/Stone_Fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wM8OArqRr6kYf7KSBMIoXvibyyOw8NdLNs5eGB5RmUntI6kEo0iS0XZNWODze-LOc-yXLP2PZUbEXCWFiFMo5MeKrE7OLQyt21LfrN8SdSGl_uzckDlEnd_YLs7vjnbGEsEbvQPqDxM/s400/Stone_Fireworks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, how did we make it camping with two kids with multiple food allergies & intolerances - one of whom is on a feeding tube - and all with no electricity or frig?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We packed lots of millet bread, rice cakes, rice cereal, etc. Then, we figured out how we could charge Silas' feeding pump overnight. We have a battery charger (for a car). It has a cigarette-type outlet on it. We plugged in an adapter that converts from the cigarette outlet to a regular outlet. Then, we could plug the charger for the feeding pump into that. It worked even better then we'd hoped!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHZ8wn4r1gjmSlVCThtZgIPqhDMI39PJQH1WQddK6_bxRmAxZju6bRo7vvjehK9GprEOjE7B9fyCu5gVqgEk26_zBMP-8djfaZBYI38p9zofVYVot2ydTaO40G-ZPWbptwPz-JymNwo/s1600/Stone_PumpSetup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHZ8wn4r1gjmSlVCThtZgIPqhDMI39PJQH1WQddK6_bxRmAxZju6bRo7vvjehK9GprEOjE7B9fyCu5gVqgEk26_zBMP-8djfaZBYI38p9zofVYVot2ydTaO40G-ZPWbptwPz-JymNwo/s400/Stone_PumpSetup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>car charger to left, followed by adapter, then charger, then pump...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next morning, the kids played by the lake and fed the ducks while Criss an I tried to pack everything back up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPxR_9rr6ET1yo_kiHUv5694CJ-se-S5DuHQIY4nsw9rj_Ff_1u72QXZN9rqGq32drSaKqabiWHklfJPdZ6OGqVl0OI-YzUzzVjvcCr9IKcrdW5Zw8PRVpR248aVCYCV9i34_X9zXNMU/s1600/Stone_B_CampLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPxR_9rr6ET1yo_kiHUv5694CJ-se-S5DuHQIY4nsw9rj_Ff_1u72QXZN9rqGq32drSaKqabiWHklfJPdZ6OGqVl0OI-YzUzzVjvcCr9IKcrdW5Zw8PRVpR248aVCYCV9i34_X9zXNMU/s400/Stone_B_CampLake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We had a great spot. See Stone Mountain in the background?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I learned a lot of neat information about the monadnock (yes, it's not technically a mountain) while visiting the park. It's a five mile walk around the base, and there's one trail you can take to the top that's about 1 mile long. It's nearly 600 acres in size. The carving itself covers 3 acres (larger than 2 football fields) - with Robert E. Lee being 9 stories high. Wow! Even when you're standing there looking at it, it's hard to fathom how massive it is.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCJuHlsmWVN-2Fcf3R0-OVmEc83d1zSvtEJRc5ID94DKtGTcbwgnfniz4wsDBtWAC7sRiC9CTzLMxTXUPTI_2Z4G1rFMZ6sTbGTcX7k63vYw3bNBppvIzFNG3Q8rjpfVUJwmZ6DjGSXg/s1600/Stone_carving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCJuHlsmWVN-2Fcf3R0-OVmEc83d1zSvtEJRc5ID94DKtGTcbwgnfniz4wsDBtWAC7sRiC9CTzLMxTXUPTI_2Z4G1rFMZ6sTbGTcX7k63vYw3bNBppvIzFNG3Q8rjpfVUJwmZ6DjGSXg/s400/Stone_carving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beyond this, there is much more underground. One of the tour guides mentioned that what we see is just 10% of what's there. 90% of it is underground!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It made me think of the greatness of God. How the little we can see can be so difficult for us to comprehend at times, and there's SO much more that we can't even "see" yet. So much more to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." I Corinthians 13:12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Our Great God...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-91418904782991611182012-09-25T12:02:00.000-07:002012-09-25T12:02:06.239-07:00More Surgeries<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silas has been recovering VERY slowly since his G-tube surgery. It was about 3 weeks before he really started playing again, and it's still sore to the touch. He's been at school, and the year's off to a good start.</span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcfQHpMnSoF-wRrElXCtdAWpgDjC7OlecjgBRo1Axt7i54t1qWIJUixmb7j7R7vz4oGNPjXjTgz6EAUxPrCnbnwStvgGnEtCpeQAi7mIWcpcJpz6I_1EBhBr4TJL4sSQEDSboWY5xe4/s1600/Park_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcfQHpMnSoF-wRrElXCtdAWpgDjC7OlecjgBRo1Axt7i54t1qWIJUixmb7j7R7vz4oGNPjXjTgz6EAUxPrCnbnwStvgGnEtCpeQAi7mIWcpcJpz6I_1EBhBr4TJL4sSQEDSboWY5xe4/s400/Park_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>from a few months back...</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Tuesday, September 11, my mom had surgery to remove a mass from her abdomen. They originally found the cancer four years ago. It had started in her appendix and spread throughout her abdomen. She had surgery to remove it as well as chemo. The doctors said she would need to do this again every 3-4 years or so. This spring, the cancer had regrown to the point that they needed to operate again. She went through another round of chemo before having surgery. In August, she found out that is was growing again. They went back in to remove the largest of the growths. There are others that they were unable to remove. Please pray for her as she recovers from the surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week was Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. Ironically, Autumn had an appointment with her Mito doctor in Atlanta. They have never known whether Autumn's mitochondrial problems are primary or secondary. Some new tests are coming out in the next few weeks that could possible help us find out some of the answers we've been looking for. Keep your fingers crossed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day after our trip to Atlanta, Autumn had the surgery to remove her ear tubes. That went very smoothly, and it hasn't set her back a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-5527814376430846382012-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:002012-08-31T07:00:47.469-07:00The First Week of School<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our school's Open House was the Thursday before school started - just three days after Silas' surgery. He was in no mood to travel, but we thought it would do him some good to see a few friends. He's such a people person. So, we borrowed a wheelchair and rolled him in. We were right. He smiled as we ran into several familiar faces. But even though he was in the wheelchair, just riding around for an hour completely wore him out. We met the new teachers, left all the new school supplies, and headed home. Looks like it's going to be a good year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Friday, I had a meeting with the 504 Team in order to have Silas' 504 Plan in place before school started. It went really well, and I was relieved that they were so understanding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silas was no where near ready to go on Monday, so I didn't even try to wake him up. So, I was able to spend the first day with Autumn. Here she is before we left the house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJkwrYnYfjwvdQ1dSi5N1nP0c2ZtOa0I7-QRljVjnr4M-xAdXLUBUF9aiMrs6nsvSY8f8s2Xz64WlXInzhIKS7PipSrVXQM4wpj_YUX4SKSdbhIrwo4xWPDhd7QdxN1rl_JJ7NW9MxAo/s1600/School_A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJkwrYnYfjwvdQ1dSi5N1nP0c2ZtOa0I7-QRljVjnr4M-xAdXLUBUF9aiMrs6nsvSY8f8s2Xz64WlXInzhIKS7PipSrVXQM4wpj_YUX4SKSdbhIrwo4xWPDhd7QdxN1rl_JJ7NW9MxAo/s400/School_A1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyhgd1DaX0JYkckkgbQiGWUMKcIv6ujFuEOTfUHTl3Ft0KGZg5M81x4Uc785nuCkvCOn_ypMpj2DXV69Jy2EgTWPXzpvkOH_zrDPpNYO0Kh77ZxP3sgQdxJoEaoiGNuNGrPqQjp6iSBw/s1600/School_A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyhgd1DaX0JYkckkgbQiGWUMKcIv6ujFuEOTfUHTl3Ft0KGZg5M81x4Uc785nuCkvCOn_ypMpj2DXV69Jy2EgTWPXzpvkOH_zrDPpNYO0Kh77ZxP3sgQdxJoEaoiGNuNGrPqQjp6iSBw/s400/School_A2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here she is in her new classroom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FU3peNi9Ctq9krDZg9ouVIda1cJ-lNKTP1zEH0hw6DskXx4RPX0RlSM2AEG6m1DVPBikcYWUIFQX7YbMPrItpL3hQ8ljIwviZx1k2CPtvM3jf5gt4yEdh842Fa3_JBqYRcQPiqVwqKo/s1600/School_A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FU3peNi9Ctq9krDZg9ouVIda1cJ-lNKTP1zEH0hw6DskXx4RPX0RlSM2AEG6m1DVPBikcYWUIFQX7YbMPrItpL3hQ8ljIwviZx1k2CPtvM3jf5gt4yEdh842Fa3_JBqYRcQPiqVwqKo/s400/School_A3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The structure at school is good for her, and she loves being there. Sometimes when Criss takes her to school, he'll joke with her and try to get her to run away to the beach with him for the day - and she always refuses! She likes school that much. (Me on the other hand, I would go to the beach in a heartbeat.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday morning, we got Autumn to school on time while Silas was sleeping in. As soon as he woke up, he stated adamantly, "I want to go to school." He had yet to walk more than a few yards, but if he wanted to go, I'd help him get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was still irritable, and would not let me take his picture, so I snuck these of him from behind as we were leaving the house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR4GnVOD4ug_ylDAs_kbi1QD52Ozr77oGlAe0hPZlcQI_eIREbbtXhSDpMnPKZmL84F_3CENaAxEoY4hUKwmBoYedRiw7nUi9NB_8TcZNIg7s8fxCZHdDnN36AUTmX35xaP02qkATejQ/s1600/School_S1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR4GnVOD4ug_ylDAs_kbi1QD52Ozr77oGlAe0hPZlcQI_eIREbbtXhSDpMnPKZmL84F_3CENaAxEoY4hUKwmBoYedRiw7nUi9NB_8TcZNIg7s8fxCZHdDnN36AUTmX35xaP02qkATejQ/s400/School_S1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbSW8D0rJhGtmw5dedon9tX2S6JfLmif7w2uE6cxjkmLFY7I6977wlA_bgfO7ahMzp6N6e3-HgY_RFXwn0DhHF_h7j4XcNv5DL-lf7UttlZRs2YCgVyNdoPlTw_SsAUfkEmjge09DeQI/s1600/School_S2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbSW8D0rJhGtmw5dedon9tX2S6JfLmif7w2uE6cxjkmLFY7I6977wlA_bgfO7ahMzp6N6e3-HgY_RFXwn0DhHF_h7j4XcNv5DL-lf7UttlZRs2YCgVyNdoPlTw_SsAUfkEmjge09DeQI/s400/School_S2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wouldn't have won any races, but we VERY, VERY slowly made it down the long hallway to his classroom. I wasn't sure how long he'd make it. The goal was for him at least get to meet his new classmates. First, the counselor came in and talked to the class about Silas' tube - giving everyone time to ask questions. Then, they were going to read a book and make a craft - so he decided to stay for a bit. (Craft time is his new favorite thing.) He was still in such bad shape that I sat in a room down the hallway - just in case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He stayed a few hours before he needed to leave. He even let me get a picture (the front view this time) before we left his classroom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO4SepPazL0TyX5MRcHknz7G-Koa45wz1_YUsauN3GmsGZuxfRkXUfr_jMydQsh_OMbH06pGIvU8KCqsShLiwSJo1jdEVcodcWW50aRzTxzTEk3rgylElkmbDqKvS3zqDVCuHkDYPtKQ/s1600/School_S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO4SepPazL0TyX5MRcHknz7G-Koa45wz1_YUsauN3GmsGZuxfRkXUfr_jMydQsh_OMbH06pGIvU8KCqsShLiwSJo1jdEVcodcWW50aRzTxzTEk3rgylElkmbDqKvS3zqDVCuHkDYPtKQ/s400/School_S3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday and Thursday were about the same - he went for 2-3 hours each day. And on Friday, he made it <i>almost</i> the whole day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much for having the surgery done before school started so that he wouldn't miss any school... At least school was motivating him to move. When we got home on Tuesday he said, "Don't forget you owe me quarters for all that walking." </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt;">J</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-34782638247201256132012-08-27T07:43:00.000-07:002012-08-27T07:43:39.180-07:00G-Tube Surgery<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a busy two weeks it has been! Silas had his G-Tube surgery on Monday, August 13, and it's been crazy ever since.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the GI doctor originally wanted to do the surgery in September, I had commented that I hated for Silas to miss a lot of school once the new school year had started. The GI doctor said, "He'll only be in the hospital one night" - leading me to believe that recovery wouldn't take all that long. That was far from true.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RiM7iiGeLWZAEVCerI5J_pQtK-0evqgHWAXzojjimu8stjUCeFnrlpVg5jr4ZDesU35UWwf2hN1sI5e3IZHSbwzq4C4TdS2hZvKu1V2whOGFZEr5NEgp3lijmH3_oIzTZZ7_aseeCV0/s1600/G_tube_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RiM7iiGeLWZAEVCerI5J_pQtK-0evqgHWAXzojjimu8stjUCeFnrlpVg5jr4ZDesU35UWwf2hN1sI5e3IZHSbwzq4C4TdS2hZvKu1V2whOGFZEr5NEgp3lijmH3_oIzTZZ7_aseeCV0/s400/G_tube_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even before Silas left recovery, they had trouble managing his pain. The morphine they gave him didn't do the job, and they had to give him additional </span>meds<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Once he was out of recovery, the doctor only wanted him to have Tylenol, which did very little for the great amount of pain he was in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGcimfUYjKZQYhSS7jkVVguObDjLZoI0cHVkQL_tL_oQuj6NJMYu3nebQQ9o7U52EE_vdmCrRgK9u_d2p4-Bw3jvIvdtBsoOrtRN-4YZjyOScryvJrLeHZk5VnnQsCiUrWE5hBMX7Hao/s1600/G_tube_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGcimfUYjKZQYhSS7jkVVguObDjLZoI0cHVkQL_tL_oQuj6NJMYu3nebQQ9o7U52EE_vdmCrRgK9u_d2p4-Bw3jvIvdtBsoOrtRN-4YZjyOScryvJrLeHZk5VnnQsCiUrWE5hBMX7Hao/s400/G_tube_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During his time in the hospital, they gave him a few, small bolus feeds. He wasn't even back on continuous feeds (or walking more than a couple feet) before we were kicked out of the hospital. Silas reacts to so many things that I'm sure it was for the best. However, when he was discharged, I couldn't believe they were sending him home already. He was in no condition to leave. Just riding in the wheelchair was almost unbearable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good thing about leaving was that I was in control of everything that went into him again - and we could get rid of the IV. The sooner we stopped putting new things into him, the sooner his reactions would end. Thankfully he hasn't gotten to the point of those crazy screaming spells he gets when he's reacting to things. But his colon's messed up again, he ran a fever for a week and a half, his skin is all dry & itchy, he's having random pains, and he just hasn't felt well - not to mention the "standard" pain from the surgery.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA56PYVyDKq1t3g0BrwoktP4b6BOBwBdMBYq03l_1hr18pmEANH73hFj2r6wMxvnXW4ZLcBnq8JqdXG20PN2YBt9MlDk6JszBQf0DqUoXSnptwM9n0sITcREl5jfo_4-e2Uzx1rVFHs7E/s1600/G_tube_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA56PYVyDKq1t3g0BrwoktP4b6BOBwBdMBYq03l_1hr18pmEANH73hFj2r6wMxvnXW4ZLcBnq8JqdXG20PN2YBt9MlDk6JszBQf0DqUoXSnptwM9n0sITcREl5jfo_4-e2Uzx1rVFHs7E/s400/G_tube_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you convince a six year to walk when he's in terrible pain? (The doctor wanted him walking as soon as possible to work out the stiffness and pain.) $$$ That's right...bribery. He probably has more money than I do right now. We started offering him quarters (and sometimes nickels, dimes, or dollars) for walking. We were trying to get him to walk from his room to the living room (or vice </span>versa<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">), so we would leave them along the path. Once he made it to a coin, it was his to keep. And at one point, his grandmother was matching whatever we gave him. What a deal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He did make it to school some last week, and today's his first (hopefully) full day. My next post will have some of our "First Week of School Pictures."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5b</span></div>
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Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-66176047329110146432012-08-09T21:16:00.000-07:002012-08-10T11:42:24.944-07:00There's No Place Like...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…the doctor’s office waiting room. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Just when I think we’re
nearing the end, another appointment creeps up on us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example, Autumn had to follow up
with her neurologist this summer. The
neurologist wanted us to have Autumn’s hearing checked again (along with a
number of other things). The subsequent
visit to the audiologist led to today’s visit with the ENT. Today’s ENT visit now has us scheduled for
surgery in September. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It reminds me of the book, </span><i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If You Give A Mouse A Cookie</i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Autumn’s had ear tubes put in
twice. The second set of tubes has been
in 3 ½ years now, and they are long overdue to be removed. You see, they are supposed to eventually fall
out on their own, but there are a select few (like Autumn) who have to have
them surgically removed because the tubes decide not to come out on their
own. It’s not that I’m worried about the
surgery. (If I’m counting correctly,
this will be the 9<sup>th</sup> time she’s been put to sleep for a procedure.) It’s just that I would like to be one of those
“normal” people who <i>doesn’t</i> know all
of the nurses in One Day Surgery on a first name basis. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here’s a review of all the places we’ve
been just since May…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 1. Silas saw GI doctor. Tried Entocort. Think about NG tube.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 3. Autumn had to see Orthopedist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 10. Autumn & Silas supposed to go to the
dentist on the same day. Autumn had a
fever, so I had to reschedule her appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 21. Autumn goes to Dentist. Find out she has two cavities. (Maybe because she likes to eat the
toothpaste and not actually brush her teeth?
Just guessing.</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)
Of course, they’re on two different sides of her mouth, so they can’t be
done at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June 5. Autumn goes back to Dentist for cavity #1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June 18-19. Silas sees GI doctor that morning then is
admitted to hospital to get NG tube. We
stay overnight at hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June 21. Autumn goes to Dentist (yet again) for cavity
#2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June 27. Autumn sees her Neurologist. Had to go to Children’s for lab work
afterward. Doctor had us schedule
follow-up appointments for the heart doctor, audiologist, and doctor in Atlanta
who did Autumn’s testing for mito.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">June 28. Autumn follows up with GI doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 3. Autumn sees Pediatrician about ADHD
medication. (The ones we tried last year
made her CRAZY! Have to find something
different for the new school year.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 9. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Autumn sees Audiologist in AM. She finds some abnormalities. Have to see ENT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have Silas’ arm x-rayed at
doc-in-the-box. Buckle fracture. They don’t have anything waterproof or
removable. Have to see Orthopedist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 11. Silas sees Orthopedist and gets brace for
arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 12. Silas sees GI doctor. Gained 5 pounds with NG tube.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 23. Autumn sees cardiologist. Everything still looks good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 24. Appointment about Autumn’s ADHD medication.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 9 (today). Autumn sees ENT. Has to have surgery to remove ear tubes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In case you lost count, that was 18
appointments. And still to come…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In August<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silas’ G-tube surgery. Will stay overnight in hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meetings with Silas’ school about
starting school with a feeding tube.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Autumn has follow-up apt. about new ADHD
medication.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In September<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Autumn sees Mito doctor in Atlanta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Autumn’s surgery to remove old ear
tubes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Makes me tired all over again just
thinking about it. But one day...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor
crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” Revelation 21:4. (In other words, no more doctor’s office
waiting rooms. Yeah!!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-12068164798143654502012-08-06T16:34:00.000-07:002012-08-06T16:34:15.930-07:00Follow By EmailI've added a "Follow By Email" link for those who are interested in receiving an email when I've updated the blog. If any of you were using the old "Subscribe To" link, I'll likely delete it soon. Let me know if you have any problems or if you prefer that I not delete the other link.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-68756549964030211692012-08-03T13:35:00.000-07:002012-08-03T13:35:46.602-07:00Tube Time<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The last time I wrote about Silas,
the doctor had just scheduled him for an NG tube. We had talked with him a lot about what was
going to happen – and thank goodness, he didn’t remember his first NG tube
experience (when he was 2). To give him
something fun to think about, I promised him a trip to the hospital’s gift shop
after it was over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We were admitted to the hospital,
and all-to-soon the nurse came to take him for the tube placement. It’s done in a center room on the same
hallway as his room. The room’s not very
big, and they asked that only one of us go with him. I (very quickly) voted that Criss go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although Silas returned to the room
with a look of pure shock still on his face (trying to take in all that had
just happened), they praised him for doing such a good job. After he had a moment to gather his thoughts,
he said, “I want to go to the gift shop,” and off we went. His eyes landed on a large, plush, Spider Man
ball, and his mind was made up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is Silas leaving the hospital
with his new supplies the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Three weeks after the tube was
placed, we had another appointment with the GI doctor.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In just three weeks, Silas had gained 5
pounds and grown 1/3 of an inch!</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
doctor was very pleased, and I was happy with how much healthier he looked with
a little more meat on him (not that he was horribly underweight, but he had not
gained any weight in nearly a year).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our local Children’s Hospital has
been in the middle of computer system changes as well as constructing a new
building. The GI doctor wanted us to see
him again in two months (Sept.) and talk about G-tube surgery at that time –
after the hospital had finished moving into the new building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our initial feelings were relief at
having a little more time to process all of this. But, as the days dragged on, Silas would
comment on how uncomfortable the NG tube was and how he was growing tired of
having something taped to his face all the time. He also preferred not to have to start school
with the NG tube – since it’s so much more conspicuous than the G-tube. So, I eventually called to see if there was any
way we could get it done sooner. Why
postpone the inevitable?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At first there were no openings
until September, but just this week they called because there was a
cancellation. We go in a little over a
week. It’s the week before school
starts, so that is good. Besides not
having to start school with the NG tube, he won’t have to miss school to have
it done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the midst of all of this (a few
weeks ago), Silas was complaining of arm pain.
We’re still not exactly sure when he hurt it. We went to a local doc-in-the-box who said
Silas had a buckle fracture and wanted to put his arm in a splint. When I found out it could not be taken off
and was not waterproof, I decided that was just a little more than I could
handle at the time, and we left with it in a sling. We then saw an orthopedist who said it wasn’t
too bad, and he let me choose between a waterproof cast or a (removable)
brace. Of course, by this time, Silas
was all excited about getting a yellow cast (his favorite color) that all of
his friends could sign. I talked him
into the brace, and the doctor found a gray one that people could still
sign. (Yeah! Problem solved.) The brace also helped us avoid another
appointment to have a cast removed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the day, Silas wears the
backpack that holds his feeding pump and other supplies. At night, he has a pole that everything hooks
to. It’s very cute to watch him roll his
pole down the hallway after he wakes up each morning. I smile every time I hear those little wheels
rumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting'; font-size: 13pt;">Janel</span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-28502287736342400612012-08-02T09:59:00.000-07:002012-08-02T09:59:00.142-07:00Georgia Aquarium - 7/28/12<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our second trip (using our GKTW
Pass) was to the Georgia Aquarium. Criss
and I had been to the ones in Chattanooga and Gatlinburg but not Atlanta. It’s the world’s largest aquarium, and boy
was it busy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s a 1 hour time difference
between here and Atlanta, plus a three hour drive. Thankfully, we left on time because by the
time we had to pull over several times (for Silas’ feeding pump alarm going off),
find the parking deck, walk to the aquarium, and stand in the Will Call line
(for about 20 minutes), we barely made it in time. (I had to give them our arrival time when I
called, and they only give you one hour of “grace.”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The hassle of getting there and into
to the building was worth it. Everyone
was feeling good for most of the day, and we had a great time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There were massive tanks…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And places where the kids could pet
some of the animals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They had an amazing dolphin show
(no pictures allowed). We also
watched a fun 3D movie. Silas wasn’t
thrilled about going in (he was getting tired) but was glad he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And soon, it was time to leave…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Olympic Park was just across the
road, and the kids begged to play on the playground before we left.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">They did a little rolling around in the grass
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was good day, and the kids fell
fast asleep on the drive home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-16909534598551147292012-08-01T09:15:00.001-07:002012-08-01T09:15:57.161-07:00DeSoto Caverns - 6/9/12<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last October, Autumn was granted a “wish”
from Magic Moments. We were able to
spend a never-to-be-forgotten week in Orlando staying at the Give Kids the
World Village, and visiting Disney World and other local attractions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we checked out of The Village,
we were given a special pass. For up to
one year, we can get into a long list of parks across the country (one visit at
each park). With the kids in school and
me student teaching, we didn’t get to start visiting any of the parks until
just recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our first stop was DeSoto Caverns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They have added so many new attractions
since I was last there many years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can dig for “precious stones.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can pan for “gold” (and more of
those “precious stones” – just in case you didn’t find enough of them in the
sand box). </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt;">J</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And there’s SO much more…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The people at DeSoto Caverns were so
great. They gave each of us an armband
(normally $50 each) that let us into all of the attractions for as many times
as we wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the time we made it to the bubbles,
it started raining, but that didn’t stop us.
We just kept on going. Although I
didn’t get the camera out in the rain, we have a water balloon fight, shot
arrows, battled with “guns” that shot plastic balls, and more. We also toured the cavern earlier in the day –
those pictures just didn’t turn out as well.
(We really need to get a new camera.
Our current one is 7 years old, and it’s not always focusing like it
needs to.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had a WONDERFUL time, and we look
forward to visiting some of the other places on our list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last Saturday, we headed to Atlanta
to visit the Georgia Aquarium. More on
that next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel<o:p></o:p></span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-39539863926900720202012-07-13T07:40:00.000-07:002012-07-13T07:40:51.717-07:00Silas - Late Spring & Summer 2012<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After our many failed attempts to find a medication or other treatment that would relieve Silas’ symptoms, we went back to see our GI here in Alabama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had not seen him since last August – prior to our trip to SC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I brought up how concerned I was about Silas being malnourished for so long (as determined by his pre-albumin levels).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said we could put in an NG tube (that goes through the nose and into the stomach) to see if Silas still tolerated Elecare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elecare is the one thing that Silas always did really well on (if he wasn’t eating anything else with it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem was that he refused to drink it any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smells bad and tastes even worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he quit drinking it four years ago, he ended up in the hospital for 2 ½ weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wasn’t surprised that the GI doctor mentioned some type of feeding tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never mentioned it before (other than having it in the hospital), but it’s something I always knew was a strong possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What really caught me off guard is that he wanted to put in an NG tube first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silas had an NG tube during that 2 ½ week hospital stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the single most horrific experience of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They take this long tube and shove it down your nose – all while you are awake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve mentioned before that it took FOUR adults to hold him down and a FIFTH to put in the tube – and it had to be reinserted multiple times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had promised myself that we would never do that again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The second thing that that surprised me was that he said we would put Silas on continuous feeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entails Silas either being hooked to a pole or wearing a backpack (that holds the feeding pump) almost 24/7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely wasn’t expecting this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with the amount of inflammation and problems in his digestive system, this would provide the best chance of him absorbing the most nutrients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also asked the GI about other medicine options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew there were supposed to be options that were stronger than the anti-inflammatories he’d been taking but less problematic than systemic steroids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said we could try Entocort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a steroid, but it stays in the digestive system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The GI said it’s only recently been out long enough for a generic to come out and people to actually be able to afford it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, the plan was to first see if Silas would drink vanilla flavored Elecare (slightly flavored nastiness).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, try the Entocort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, consider NG tube.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, he refused to drink the Vanilla Elecare, so we had a talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He’s really good about things sometimes if you try to explain it to him.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him he had a choice (not meanly but matter-of-factly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could learn to drink the Elecare, or we could put in a tube that put it into his tummy for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve met someone with a G-tube and backpack before, so he knew what I was talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked at pictures of tubes on the Internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later that day, he said, “Mommy, I think I would rather have a tube.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who could blame him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I could drink large amounts of it every day either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We moved on to the Entocort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second day he took it, he spiked a fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what he does when he’s reacting to something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Found out it contains sucrose – which he’s never done well with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since this was our last hope before a tube, I wasn’t giving up easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried again, this time we started with one (he was supposed to take 3 each morning), then worked our way to two, and finally back to three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First day on three, he ran a fever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went back to two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did make it on two for three weeks (which is the amount of time they say it can take to kick in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it caused all kinds of issues, and we had to quit at that point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After talking to the nurse, we were scheduled to drop by the GI office and then be admitted to the hospital to get the NG tube.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel</span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-15256277634432474572012-07-11T08:44:00.000-07:002012-07-11T08:44:22.818-07:00Silas - Spring 2012<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s time I caught you up on all that’s happened with Silas (and I’ll warn you now that it’s a lot of information).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From our week-long trip to see Dr. M in South Carolina, we found out that Silas has inflammation in his colon and small intestine consistent with Crohn’s disease, a disaccharidase deficiency, fructose malabsorption, bacterial overgrowth, and multiple food/environmental allergies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The question I had from this point was – Which is primary?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Generally, you don’t have this many unrelated things going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are likely related somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be that Crohn’s is primary, and the inflammation in his intestines has caused all of these other things to go wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that Crohn’s disease in young kids is rare, and it would be extremely unusual to see Crohn’s in an infant – which is when all of his problems began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be that the disaccharidase deficiency is primary, and that his inability to digest sugars caused the inflammation, which caused all of the other problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Or, there could still be a different problem (that we haven't found yet) causing everything. </span>No one seems to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The problem is that unless we figure out what his primary problem is, we may not be able to treat it effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And nothing we’ve tried so far has made that much of a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are some of the things we've tried these past few months…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First, we had to <u>eliminate the new food allergies</u> they found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This is the one thing that’s actually been helpful.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eliminating foods is the one thing that always works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That’s why we’re down to about 3 foods).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we were already avoiding all forms of sugar, he was eating a lot of meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the allergy testing, we had to eliminate beef and pork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beef was the one he was eating the most, we could see a definite difference when we removed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The testing confirmed a suspicion I had that hamburger patties were bothering him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any time he had one, it was nearly impossible to get him up and out the door for school the next morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second, they had us <u>swap his anti-inflammatory</u> from Balsalazide Disodium (Colazal) to Apriso, which is supposed to be more effective in the small intestine (where is inflammation is still active).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We first tried it in the capsules (since he is good at swallowing things).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had problems with the capsules increasing symptoms, so we finally had to open the capsules and give him just the granules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t any worse this way, but we didn’t see any improvements either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They then had us try <u>Sucraid</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If his primary problem is the disaccharidase deficiency, there is something called Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency (CSID).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People with CSID take Sucraid with every meal to help them digest sucrose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was screaming after taking it for just two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Continuing with the CSID theory, we tried another <u>digestive enzyme from Kirkman Labs.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It increased his symptoms as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During this time, I came across some very detailed information about the <u>CSID diet</u> and the foods that contain the smallest amounts of sucrose and starch (the primary problems in CSID).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fed him a couple foods from this diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threw up for NINE HOURS that night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I called the doctor in SC again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the one thing we hadn’t tried was an <u>antibiotic</u> to get rid of the bacterial overgrowth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silas took it for a couple weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might</i> have helped slightly while he was on it, but it was nothing to write home about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blessed <u>Springtime</u>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silas always feels better in the spring and summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great relief when the warmer air began to move in, and he at least had some relief from the cold temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even his teacher commented on the difference in his behavior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At this point, I wasn’t sure what to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our GI doctor here in town (though super friendly) has been very slow to act and keeps saying that he still hopes Silas will outgrow this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s been 6 ½ years already, and he keeps getting worse – not better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting around and doing nothing just isn’t an option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had gone to see the doctor in South Carolina because he sees a lot of patients with eosinophilic disorders – which is what we were looking into at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure if continuing to drive to SC will be helpful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the middle of trying to decide what our next step should be, I decided to go ahead and visit our GI doctor here in town to see if all of these new findings would give him any new ideas – or at least inspire him to be more proactive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was that visit that lead us to this…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I haven’t even gotten to this yet…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel</span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487318557083504864.post-54311492861011600682012-07-08T14:47:00.000-07:002012-07-08T15:07:32.506-07:00Special Education & Student Teaching<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of you may be wondering why I decided to student teach a second time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I would like to share that story with you…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WARNING:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may turn into a soap box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My undergraduate degree was from Southeastern Bible College, so I graduated with a double major in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After graduating, I taught first grade for six years at a Christian school, later leaving to stay home with my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While teaching, I went back to school to earn my Master’s Degree (also in Elementary Education).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was during those years of teaching in a Christian school and working on my Master’s degree that I began to have a great burden for students with special needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Christian schools do not receive government funding, they are not required to serve these students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, those with learning disabilities, attention disorders, and other “less severe” problems still make it into the classrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I taught first grade, I could generally “get them through” to second grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would help them during the school day or sometimes provide one-on-one help after school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by the time these kids got to third grade or later, many of them just couldn’t keep up any more without extra services, and many would leave our school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some would even leave midway through first grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke my heart to see them go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved them dearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “unwritten rule” that I observed was:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As long as you can keep up, feel free to stay, but don’t expect us to give you any special treatment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you would never hear anyone say it like that, but that’s the way it was for the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there was one special program that families could use – but doing so doubled their tuition, and it was only intended for students with learning disabilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This bothered me greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For a while now, the public school system has realized their obligation to reach these students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can those who call themselves Christians refuse to help them?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many of those who work in Christian education have been trained to object at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would say that the cost is too great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would argue that the cost is too great if we don’t help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And beyond this, if money is the ONLY reason, that is not a good enough reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you look at Jesus’ life, who did He spend the majority of His time with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It generally was not with those who “had it all together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people He spent His life serving were the sick, the hopeless, those rejected or looked down upon by society – like the tax collectors and fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, what are we teaching the kids in our Christian schools if they never come in contact with those who are different than they are?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those schools that have realized the great need and begun to reach out to these students, the cost is often not as great as they feared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen various reports where schools discovered that while taking student with special needs into their schools, the other siblings in the family followed – thus filling the classrooms and offsetting the extra “cost.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Skip ahead a few months/years…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criss and I take in (and eventually adopt) a foster child with delays and medical issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We work through years of Early Intervention, physical therapy, speech, occupational therapy, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes time for her to attend school, and I have a great choice to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I graduated from a Christian school (and went back to teach at that same school for six years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can send her to this school or one like it – where she will be surrounded by the Christian influences I believe in - but not receive any help with her individual needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, I can send her to the public school system who is required to meet her needs but looses much of the Christian influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No parent should have to make this choice.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not about arguing over what’s best – public school, private school, or homeschooling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about allowing parents to have the choice about what best meets their families needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Families of children with special needs often have no choice.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also I have a son with chronic digestive/allergic problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is currently on an NG tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we move to a permanent feeding tube, would I be able to find a Christian school to meet his needs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highly doubtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You see, it’s not just about kids with “severe” disabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the kids who may just need speech, PT, or OT services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about the kids with feeding tubes, diabetes, etc. that just need a nurse on the campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about the kids who just need some help in a small group setting 30 minutes to an hour (or less) each day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, this is the reason that I decided to add the Endorsement in Special Education to my current teaching certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to do that, I had to student teach again since none of my experience was in an “official” special education setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My ultimate vision would be to open my own Christian school where NO ONE was turned away for any reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how or when this will come about – and I may never see it fully come to pass in my lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now, I can share my passion on this subject with you and others I come in contact with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could go on forever about this subject, but I will stop here for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had been home long enough that it was time for my teaching certificate to expire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I had not been teaching and had no CEU’s, I needed to take 2 classes to renew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only needed 4 classes to add the Special Education Endorsement, so it was a good time to do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I appreciate anyone who’s stayed with this post ‘til the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll move on to lighter topics in the coming days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you did it to me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Matthew 25:40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janel</span></div>Janelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038061532138753823noreply@blogger.com0