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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Great Therapy Day

Emma had a great day at therapy yesterday! She was showing them how she's been walking around lately. The physical therapist was impressed at how she was balancing while standing still. Emma even caught herself one time as she was beginning to fall backward, and remained standing! She's such a tough little cookie! The occupational therapist said she wasn't chewing well, but that she was still chewing, and her jaw felt a little stronger than the week before last. When I asked the OT a week or so ago what the deal was with Emma spitting up lately, she wasn't sure. Yesterday she told me she researched a little bit and found it was part of Emma's disease. I'm hoping it's just related to foods that don't completely agree with her tummy. The PT also commented that Emma's movements didn't seem so erratic. So, little steps of improvement or lack of regression is a very good thing! We will definitely be thankful for the small things! What a blessing!


Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Good Napkins

Just to clarify, the following story is not actually about me personally, but it totally sounds like something that would happen around my house now. :) Be careful. This one is so funny, you might pee your pants!

The joys of having girls...

My mother taught me to read when I was four years old (her first mistake).

One day, I was in the bathroom and noticed one of the cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in the cabinet. I then asked my mother why she was keeping "napkins" in the bathroom. Didn't they belong in the kitchen?

Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she told me that those were for 'special occasions' (her second mistake).

Now fast forward a few months...
It's Thanksgiving Day, and my folks are leaving to pick up my uncle and his wife for dinner.

Mom had assignments for all of us while they were gone. Mine was to set the table.

When they returned, my uncle came in first and immediately burst into laughter. Next came his wife who gasped, then began giggling.

Next came my father, who roared with laughter. Then came Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when she saw each place setting on the table with a 'special occasion' Kotex napkin at each plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top. I had even tucked the little tail in so they didn't hang off the edge!!

My mother asked me why I used these and, of course, my response sent the other adults into further fits of laughter. 'But, Mom, you said they were for special occasions!!!'

Life is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly....and for heavens sake, use the good napkins whenever you can!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Monday, November 24, 2008

Not Me! Monday

Ugh! It's Monday. I woke up this morning at 4 o' clock to Emma's little bear grunting with a headache...hate it when that happens. Anyway, it's time for Not Me!, so I'll rack my pregnant brain to try and recall everything that didn't happen this week...

I didn't hear my son make up the cutest song about wanting a "baby boy brother" but loved all of his sisters anyway. He didn't come to me after his song was over and ask when he would get a baby brother, and I didn't tell him "never, you're the one and only boy!" He is just too cute sometimes! I didn't think about making the appointment for Kelvin at that very moment.

Carleigh did not make a mean face at me and growl the other day. She is much too sweet to do something like that when she doesn't hear what she wants to hear or doesn't get her way. She is only six, and six year old little girls don't do that kind of thing, right? What in the tarnation (is that how the word is spelled?) will she not do when she is in junior high!?

Emma didn't walk around the den and kitchen (kinda) all week long! She hasn't been strong enough for that lately, so it must have been some other cutie pie little darling!

I am not already in "nesting" mode around the house trying to get everything cleaned out and organized. I'm only 21 weeks along. That's not over half way there!

I was not almost totally out of breath the other day, (and the day after that and every other time I climb the stairs) when I was trying to carry on a conversation with my friend on the phone! I'm not that out of shape for crying out loud!

When our good friend who happens to cut and style hair for a living came by very generously after work the other night to cut Luke's hair, our conversation did not sound anything like...

Me: Luke do you like your hair cut?

Luke: NO!

Me: Why not?

Luke: Because!

Me: Because why?

Luke: Because all my hair is gone!

If that would have happened I would have been totally embarrassed!

Luke did not come to me later asking if he looked like the same boy and if his hair would grow back. He was not completely consumed with is hair for the next several days...he's a boy for goodness sake!

Kelvin did not blame Emma twice this week when he was the one stinking up the room! He wouldn't blame such a sweet little doll for something so foul!

We didn't get a call from the genetic counselor with the most wonderful news about baby Cora being totally fine and all her tests coming back normal! That didn't make my day, week, weekend, month! (Oh, yes we did! Thank you Jesus!)
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OK, it's your turn. I hope you'll join in the fun. Follow the link for instructions, and if you don't have a blog, at least comment so we can see what you didn't do! Have fun! Check out the blog that has the rules (click on the picture in my sidebar) and original Not Me! Monday post. (Click on the highlighted words.)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

We are thrilled to let you know the genetic counselor called this morning with good news of great joy! For unto us will be born a healthy, normal (for a Dunnam anyway) baby girl around April 5, 2009!!! All the enzyme tests which they use to test for Batten Disease came back normal. We are so elated with this news. What a load off our backs! God is good, no matter the circumstance. He would have been just as good had the results not been normal, but I sure am glad they are!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Pretty in pink with piggy tails! Gotta love it!

I just couldn't stand it any longer yesterday, so I called the genetic counselor to see if she had received any news regarding Cora's results. She called Seattle and let me know we should know something on Friday. Please continue to pray. I'll let you know as soon as we do about the results.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Not Me! Monday

I can't believe it's Monday again! I thought about things I should have written down all week long to share with you on my Not Me! therapy session, and of course I didn't, so this might be short. If you've never read or participated in a Not Me! Monday, the directions will be at the bottom of this post. The precious and hilarious lady who invented this inviting blog therapy is truly blessed with an adorable family and a awesome miracle in her newest baby, Stellan. You can check out her blog for more details.

So anyway, here goes what I can remember for Not Me! Monday...

I have not threatened my oldest daughter with withdrawing her from school for her prissy pants attitude three or four times now to try to get her attention and change her attitude. That would be crazy psychology! I did not ask several friends and family members for recommendations for a boarding school to send her to for the next several years. Nope, not me! She's only six, so how bad could it be?

After losing his room privilege for over a week (I shut and locked the door), my son and I did not spend over an hour cleaning his room and making it walkable and playable only to have him dump on the floor every toy basket in his room two days later! I was not in tears after he did the dumping. Why would I waste my tears on something so trivial? Wasn't me!

I did not laugh hysterically again on Saturday when my knight in shining armor was giving our son a "talking to" and threatening the status of his bottom, when Luke decided to keep eye contact like he was listening, and then crack the slightest of smiles and start doing a little jig in the middle of the scolding! It was not me hiding my head in my husband's chest with my body trembling from laughter and tears rolling down my face!

I almost forgot...it's not me who has a terrible gnat investation in our kitchen! (ARGGG!) After reading that gnats don't like bay leaves, I did not get totally giddy after going to the backyard and breaking off some branches, then placing them in water all over the kitchen. When they seemed to have disappeared after only a couple of minutes, I didn't call my husband from shear excitement to tell him the good news only to have the gnats come back 100 fold within the hour! Nope, not me!

It's not me who is anxiously awaiting a phone call from our genetic counselor with good news regarding baby Cora. I'm not a nervous wreck and emotional basket case. Not me!

It's not me who would covet and appreciate any and every prayer lifted up for our adorable daughter, Emma and our baby-the-way, Cora for healing and good health...oh, wait, that would totally be me!

Thanks for praying. And as you pray, could you also say one for Carleigh and Luke and Kelvin and me too?

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OK, it's your turn. I hope you'll join in the fun. Follow the link for instructions, and if you don't have a blog or don't want to play along, at least comment so we can see what you didn't do! Have fun! Check out the blog that has the rules (click on the picture in my sidebar) and original Not Me! Monday post. (Click on the highlighted words.)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Ultrasound & Saturday stuff

The kids went to our check-up for the baby yesterday. They thought it was pretty neat to see the baby on the screen. We saw her kicking around and even yawn! Such a little miracle! Our midwife let Carleigh find the heartbeat with the doppler wand. She got a big thrill out of that! It seemed that even Emma was interested in what was going on in that new place. Our midwife said the measurements from the ultrasound looked perfect and was impressed at how little weight I had gained! (hee-hee) Of course, I'm feeling like my belly is growing at mach speed recently.

We had a great Saturday of cleaning and cooking. Our small group came over for an early Thanksgiving dinner...YUMMY! I think my favorite meal is turkey and dressing with all the sides. Chef Kel put it on the top shelf with his incredible turkey cooking skills. It was the best ever! I must say my dressing, his Nanny D's recipe, was pretty darn good too. As always, I ate too much and my stomach feels like it is about to pop! Here's a picture of the post dinner nap...



Emma's had a pretty good day. She made several steps today, and Kelvin was successful in getting some sweet giggles after blowing on her belly.

The weather is downright cold tonight, and I'm wanting to light the fireplace and drink hot chocolate or tea...or put on my pjs and go to bed early. It's only 8 o'clock, but the bed sure sounds inviting! What a party girl I've become!

Weekend blessings to you!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I hate Batten Disease

Can I just tell you I hate Batten Disease?! Last night as I was watching Emma struggle, and looking at the pictures around the house of her before her world was turned upside down, I realized Batten Disease and Alzheimer's are very similar...they are Satan's sicknesses! They totally strip people of their mind and body and who they are. Just last year Emma was laughing and clapping, dancing and climbing, and trying to keep up with her brother and sister. Today she can't feed herself, walk, tell you what she needs, or anything else a precious 2 1/2 year old should be able to do. I went to a meeting today to talk about transitioning her to school from the ECI program once she turns three in March. When questions are asked about what Emma can do, I hate saying "no" as most of the responses. I want my daughter back!! She is so sweet and so precious, and I hate watching her struggle and get so frustrated. I hate it that a lot of the time she looks like her school picture taken a few weeks ago with bumps and bruises and a sad face...

...and not like the sweetie pie I know she is and remember in pictures past...




So, I guess I will cling to the promise God has given that He will carry us through this. I'm glad He is strong and has big arms, because I don't feel like I'm handling very much of the load right now. I know He doesn't waste any of our hurts and trials. We have met so many wonderful helpful people since Emma has been diagnosed. I know He is using this ugly trial for His good. I hope people are drawn to Him who don't know Him because of what they see in our family. I know He knows each tear, and He loves us deeply. I look forward to the time when "There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears/There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face/But until that day, we'll hold on to You always"...
Jeremy Camp, "There Will be a Day"

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Happy Veteran's Day

Don't forget to wish a veteran Happy Veteran's Day today. What a blessing these men and women are to our great country! We love and miss you Marvin aka Pawtaw!



Veterans Day

Monday, November 10, 2008

Not Me! Monday

It was not me in the Hobby Lobby parking lot who scratched the car next to me while pulling in the parking place. I’m a wonderful driver, so I don’t know who you saw!

Carleigh did not look pitiful in her leotard and tights at ballet class with her arm in her sling. And she does not have a yucky looking knot on her collar bone that makes me want to gag, because it would be crazy to think she broke her collar bone!

My oldest daughter did not wake me up at 6 o'clock this morning to see if it would be possible to reschedule her follow-up appointment for her collar bone fracture for this afternoon so she wouldn't have to miss school! We haven't talked about that subject 10 or so times before, so she wouldn't know the answer to the question is NO! And I did not tell her I would pop her precious bottom if she mentioned it to me again, especially when I'm trying to sleep! That couldn't have happened. I was probably dreaming!

I did not almost throw up all over the men in my church small group last night when they kept talking about gross things like Vienna sausages and gross men stuff. My not pregnant stomach is stronger than that!

I did not almost pinch off the head of my sweet son last night after I cleaned the kitchen and was vaccuuming the den, when my daughter informed me that my darling son took a tea bag and busted it all over the kitchen cabinet and floor! He wouldn't do such a crazy thing as that! And I would not have explained to him (in the calmest of voices of course, if he would have done such a thing) that he was about to drive me right off a cliff with all the crazy messy boy things he has NOT been doing (refer to last Not Me! Monday)!!! At which point he did not smile and shake his head "yes" that he understood me, with all his bouncy blonde curls going everywhere!

Emma did not stay awake most of the day yesterday, skipping her nap, and cry most of the afternoon. She's too sweet to do such a thing. She didn't snuggle up and fall asleep on her daddy's chest at bedtime last night and look plum adorable either!

I did not challenge all who read my blog to do the 7X7 prayers for our kids as Angie suggested on her blog and then get too flustered yesterday morning to put it off until another day! Nope, not me! I never get flustered or frustrated or irritated! That's some other crazy woman living in my house. I'm as calm and cool as a cucumber!

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Ok, it's your turn. I hope you'll join in the fun. Follow the link for instructions, and if you don't have a blog or don't want to play along, at least comment so we can see what you didn't do! Have fun! Check out the blog that has the rules (click on the picture in my sidebar) and original Not Me! Monday post. (Click on the highlighted words.)

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fall Festival

Today was the fall festival at Carleigh's elementary school. It's the school's only fundraiser for the year...thank goodness! The kids had a good time playing all the games and eating the fall fest food. We'll have to detox for a week after all the cotton candy, ice cream, cookies, etc., etc.!! Even Emma had pizza and ice cream. Emma was such a trooper in her stroller for almost the entire time. I even saw her sweet, little grin a couple of times. We started out pretty early with the fun run which kicked off at 9 this morning. Kelvin ran around the track with Luke, while Carleigh darted out in front of them. When Luke was a bit disappointed he didn't get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place medal "necklace", I reminded him how fast he was, because after all, he was running with kids two years older than he is! I think it made him feel a little bit better. Carleigh's class sponsored the raffle booth. There were tons of good prizes from which to choose to buy tickets, and Carleigh won one of them! She was so thrilled! She won the cutest duffle bag with her school name and mascot embroidered on it. We played and ate and helped out at the raffle booth until we couldn't do anymore, and now we're resting.

I was reading a favorite blog today, and the writer challenged everyone to get serious about praying for their kids. I hope you will join me in the challenge.

Have a lovely weekend! I hope the weather is as beautiful in your neck of the woods as it is here.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fuss-eee

The past few days, if you looked up "fussy" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Emma for the definition. The poor little thing doesn't know what she wants. She has cried more the last week than in her whole life! She isn't napping well, and I think that has something to do with it. She hasn't been drinking a lot either, which might have her a little on the cloggy side. We're going to buy some prune juice tomorrow, if you get my drift.

Please keep praying for good reports from Seattle Children's Hospital on the genetic results for baby Cora. I'm getting kind of ansy.

I am pretty darn tired (kind of an understatement, really), so even though it's only 8:30, I think I'm going to bed!

Nighty, Night!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voted? & A little bit of Emma

Just a reminder to go exercise your American duty and privilege to vote! If you don't vote, you can't gripe, so go vote. The polls are open until 7 p.m. FYI: An election judge called in to the radio station I was listening to yesterday and said that if you have moved, you don't have to go back to your old precinct. All you have to do is take proof of your new address, like an electric bill, and your i.d., and sign an affidavit. She said sometimes the voting people don't like to go through all the trouble but that it can be done. You just can't vote in both precincts.
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Emma had speech therapy today. Michelle said she actually made some new vocalizations! Yay! Michelle also said Emma made some new sounds with the animal sounds cd and made noise when Michelle did the Indian tap thing on her lips. After she had worked for awhile, Michelle said she made her little bear grunting noise and laid her head down. She was done, thank you very much! She lets you know when she needs a break. She just lies down. She worked hard at physical therapy too, playing in the ball pit, going down the slide, and getting a foot massage (ok, maybe that wasn't such hard work), and took a little rest on the mats after she'd had enough.

She did really well last week walking around the den, but she's struggling this week. We're hanging in there.

Happy Voting!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Not Me! Monday & one down, one to go

Here's my second attempt at Not Me! Monday. I will learn to start writing stuff down during the week so that my feeble pregnant brain will remember all the crazy things that happened to me. Here's what I remember...

When my friends came by Thursday to clean my house (holy cow, what a blessing they are) it wasn't me who wouldn't let them but instead made them sit down on the couch and listen to me rant about how my children were driving me crazy! I wouldn't pass up the opportunity at a clean house, so that could not have been me.

I did not want to pinch my sweet son's head off this week for drawing on his door, stamping his walls, cracking confetti eggs all over his floor and dumping a perfectly good basket of clean, folded clothes on the floor. My sweet little boy who thanks Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins (seriously he prays this at bedtime) couldn't participate in such behavior, so nope, it wasn't me wanting to do some pinching!

You did not hear me yelling at my kids this weekend while my mighty deer slaying husband was out trying to fill our freezer. My children get along perfectly and never tattle or say ugly things to each other, so I would never have any reason to tell them to stop talking or looking at one another. If you would have been at our house this morning before church, you would not have heard me telling our eldest that she is not the mother, or the grown up, and may not boss her brother around. You would not have heard me explaining to her that if her attitude didn't change dramatically I would pull her little bottom out of school and teach her myself. I didn't say those things...nope, not me!

My hormones are completely normal, so there would absolutely be no reason for me to cry at the drop of a hat. So, you didn't see me doing that while taking the kids to school, reading a blog, getting Emma's medicine ready or any other time this week. It couldn't have been me. Nor would you see me eating a hamburger from the local greasy spoon. I really care about what I put into my not expanding body, so it wasn't me. At small group tonight, I did not eat the most delicious homemade lasagna and chocolate cake in the world. After eating pizza for lunch, I wouldn't have had room for such a big dinner, so it wasn't me!

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Ok, it's your turn. I hope you'll join in the fun. Follow the link for instructions, and if you don't have a blog or don't want to play along, at least comment so we can see what you didn't do! Have fun! Check out the blog that has the rules (click on the picture in my sidebar) and original Not Me! Monday post. (Click on the highlighted words.)
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Here's some good news for your Monday! Our genetic counselor called today and said all the chromosome tests came back normal...no Downs Syndrome! That's one good report down, and one to go. She said they would send off the cultured cells from the amnio mid week, and hopefully we'll hear wonderful news later in the week next week about the genetic test results for Batten Disease. Thanks for the prayers. Please keep them coming.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Happy Fall Y'all!

We had a fun night full of festivities! Carleigh dressed up as a cheerleader. We pretended the broken collar bone was a cheer injury. ;) Luke was Woody from Toy Story. He looked so cute in his get up! Emma was a cutie pie pumpkin. We started out the evening at Carleigh's classmate's birthday party before heading to our very good friends' annual party. The kids had a blast playing with all the other kiddos and especially loved the trick or treating hayride.

After a few days of being very fussy and tired, I think Emma had a fun night. She's probably getting really tired of having a runny nose. The whole not being able to breath thing has to be frustrating and tiresome. Hopefully the allergy air will clear up soon along with her nose. We're looking forward to a better weekend. You have yourself a good one too!
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