Season Opener

 It was a chilly season opener for Jr. Pee Wee baseball on Tuesday night! 

 Landen played first base, outfield, and did well hitting off the pitch.  We are looking forward to the season, but we hope the next game is warmer!

The Bee's Knees

 The bumble bees love our perennial flower bed!  I played around with my camera's focus a little bit this afternoon and tried to capture them in action.

Craniosynostosis (No--I don't know how to spell that without looking.)

Thank you all for your prayers for Rachel!  She is doing just great--loving the new veggies on the menu and making noises with her little mouth.
I need to share another little miracle from God today.  On Tuesday, I was Googling how to prepare to send an infant into surgery at Mayo Clinic.  I was NOT searching for craniosynostosis surgery because 1)I couldn't remember the procedure's name in the first place and 2)I didn't want to have the pants scared off of me again.  This informational YouTube video was one of the results.  Here's the crazy part.  This isn't just a video on Rachel's condition--it is the actual doctor she will have when she is a patient at Mayo! 
The reason I really consider this a little miracle is that we really hadn't heard about the endoscopic option before.  The doctor in Sioux Falls glossed over it, since he doesn't do that there, and he assumed we wouldn't be interested in putting our baby in a helmet for awhile.  Well, he was wrong.
My prayer now is that Rachel is a candidate for this less invasive procedure.  Both the traditional and endoscopic procedures are considered safe, and some parents even prefer the traditional because it gives immediate results, but the word "endoscopic" has helped me sleep better at night.  The trade off with the endoscopic procedure is that the babies often wear a helmet for several months.  I've asked around (online and in person) and have actually found quite a few people with helmet experience.  The overwhelming majority say that their kids didn't even notice them.  If this is an option, we will take it.  Pray, pray, pray, everyone!
Thanks. :o)

Planting Zinnias

 Today was the day to get our front flower bed planted.  These are the zinnias that were just tiny seedlings a couple of months ago.  After I got the boys going hauling in some fresh dirt and mixing in some potting soil, they wanted to plant it for me, too!  Landen even got the ruler so they could space the plants correctly.  I'm so thankful for my little helpers!

green beans

 Last night we alerted the local media.

 It was finally time for big sister to feed little sister her first green beans!

She really did like them, even if she doesn't look too sure here. :o)

Friday

Oh, what a week!
We are still transitioning into summer, but things seem to be clicking along a bit better now.  Landen has spent lots of hours in the field, which doesn't bother him at all!
I am happy to report that the math/reading work and job bucket have been a success.  With every job they pull out, I say, "That's a good one!" (They don't always think so.)  We have had a clean entry twice this week, the front cement swept off, my kitchen shelf dusted, the living room picked up, the flowers watered, and a few other things I didn't have to do!  Just having three little things done for me each morning has been a big help.
I took a photography class yesterday.  I thought I retained a lot, but I've had some trouble remembering my shutter speed/ISO combinations.  Thankfully I took some good notes.  It was a fun day and I even got to play around with the professional photographer's huge expensive lens (yeah, the one my camera will never see again).  :o) 
Tomorrow is WalkMS.  It looks like our team will reach the $1000 mark!  We are very thankful and hope for a nice day to walk, but it sounds like it might rain.  Rain or shine, the walk will go on!
We also found out that our first appointments in Rochester will be July 10 and 11.  Since the doctors don't consider this to be an emergency, it is time for me to put it on my mind's back burner as well and enjoy the summer as it comes.  Rachel's happy as a clam and doing great.  We know she will be in good hands.
Enjoy the weekend!

Little Miracles

There are two ways to live your life.  One is to believe that nothing is a miracle.  The other is to believe EVERYTHING is a miracle.--Albert Einstein

This journey with Rachel we have found ourselves on is all for God's glory, so I must share how He has worked in our lives already. 
First of all, it is a blessing that our family doctor even noticed a difference in Rachel's skull and ordered a CT scan.  The neurosurgeon looked her over really well and still said her head shape did not look that severe yet.
Last Monday, David and I made an appointment with our family doctor just to get a few answers.  His niece had this surgery 18 years ago, so we were hoping to get a little insight.  All I had found online was very encouraging and said this is overall a safe and effective surgery, but it is so rare that no one I actually knew could offer any experience. 
I put Rachel down for her morning nap and then I curled up on my own bed, hoping to get at least a few minutes' rest.  Not even a minute had passed when the phone rang.  It was our dental hygienist (and family friend) calling to remind us of our upcoming cleanings later this month.  She asked about Rachel since she hasn't met her yet and I was pretty vague since we hadn't really told anyone about her surgery yet (we didn't know WHAT to tell)!  But, she persisted in asking about her until I said, "Well, actually, we are going to see about her head today."  She immediately answered, "Oh, we had that." 
Her son's soft spots had closed early, but did not require surgery.  However, her husband's cousin's daughter had to have this surgery at 6 months old (as Rachel will be) and said the surgery went just fine, as well as her quick recovery.  She is about 3 years old now and has done fine ever since. 
I told her God had HER call me on THAT morning.  I cannot tell you what comfort that encouraging phone call has been in the past week.  I truly consider it a miracle.  I have told this story to a few people, who said it gave them chills, too!  As it turned out, our family doctor really didn't have much more to tell us that afternoon, so it was that phone call that got me through until yesterday.
The next miracle is that our doctor was so honest with us yesterday and led us to the best place for our baby.  He could have just as easily made us believe Sioux Falls had the best pediatric medical team and set up the surgery there.  How would we have known the difference? 
And yet another comes through Facebook.  After Rachel's diagnosis, I put a prayer request on our Catholic Moms group wall.  We are a group mostly from the mid west, but we have moms from all over the country who offer prayer and support for one another.  One of the moms responded, saying her 4 month old son had recently had hip dysplasia surgery at Mayo, so she totally understood my anxiety with sending my baby into surgery.  Guess what else?  She lives in Rochester with her family and is a nurse at Mayo.  She has already given me some insight on what to expect (great things) when we arrive.  I will probably get to meet this new "Facebook friend" during our stay. 
I keep repeating to myself, "Do not LET your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid."  John 14:27
That is more easily said than done for a worry wart like myself, but I am trying and I AM thankful for all the ways God has shown Himself in this journey already!

Upcoming Surgery

We found out shortly after Rachel's 4 month check up that something very rare happened.  The top of her skull has already fused.  This doesn't threaten her life or anything, but it will need to be reopened to allow her skull to have normal growth as she grows.  This is the most common suture to close early, but like I said, it very rarely happens.
Yesterday we met with a general neurosurgeon in Sioux Falls.  He said he could do it, and has done it, but not often.  The main problem is that Sioux Falls doesn't have a team of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, etc. to handle any difficulities that might come up. 
He assured me this isn't considered a big deal; it's not a tumor, there is a covering protecting the brain and they will only be working on her skull . . . all things I knew, but still good to be reminded. 
We decided, given the lack of a peds team in Sioux Falls, to be referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  They are considered the best of the best.  We will find out in the next couple of days when our appointment will be.  The best time to do this surgery is by 6 months of age or so and Rachel just turned 5 months. 
After leaving the neurosurgeon's office yesterday, we both felt really confident about things and we thankful that the surgeon was so honest with us so that we could follow God's path for us to the best possible team of doctors.  We are going somewhere where they perform this surgery on infants quite often and I kept reminding myself of what he told us.
But, this morning at 3:30am when I got up to feed Rachel, I could help but feel a bit of panic.  They're going to do WHAT to my baby??? 
I AM so thankful that this is a treatable condition and that they have been performing this type of surgery for decades.  I AM thankful that it isn't her heart or kidney or brain or something that isn't treatable.
Back in January, I posted that we have to "enjoy or endure" because nothing lasts too long.  Since then, it seems most of life has been enduring.  It's been rough.  I just want to get to the other side of this.  The side where these doctors (and people who have gone through this) tell me it's going to be OK and that we won't have to do this again.  The side where I don't have to think about sending my baby in for surgery, no matter if it is considered rather minor or not.  The side where I'm not fighting back fear every day.
But, then again, maybe that won't ever completely go away.
I AM a Mom, after all.
Thank you all for your prayers!

Transitions

We are slowly transitioning into summer vacation.  Nathan's last day was Wednesday and Landen will be home by 2pm today.  I am thankful for a respite from the early bus-catching mornings, but not so sure about the long open days.  Nathan already tells me his bored.  It is Day 2 and not even lunchtime yet!
We will begin our Job Bucket and Reading/Math work on Monday.  The kids have no idea!  Hahahahahaha (evil mom laugh).
I'd also like to share that I jogged a whole 1/2 mile at a time this morning.  I was able to do that once last spring and then I found out Rachel was on the way . . . and it's taken a few months to work back up to that.  Some day I may be ready to sign up for a 1K!  :o)
Have a good day!
Laura

New Blooms

 Today the girls and I visted our local greenhouse.  We picked up a couple of new perennials for the perennial bed.  What are they called?  Hmm . . . I do not remember!  That's not important, is it?  I just hope they come back again next year and are, indeed, perennial! :o)

 These I do remember!  Above we have a couple of shade coleus plants and a sweet potato vine.  I've had good luck with these sorts of leafy plants in this location before, so hopefully that will be the case again this year.

I decided to try succulents for the first time this year.  I may have to add something else to this pot (or replant them in a smaller pot).  I think they are cute.  Nathan has also requested a cactus, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea. :o)

Pray Big :o)

Today Nathan and I were looking at a poster at church which pictures all the popes from St. Peter up until John Paul II.  We went backwards through some Pauls, John Pauls, a Benedict, and then we came upon a Gregory.  There is a little boy named Gregory in Nathan's class.
"Are there any Nathans?" he asked.
No, I answered, but I told him that would be a great thing to work toward.
Pope Nathan? 
Who knows. 
Pope Benedict XVI (formerly Joseph Ratzinger) came from an "everyday" normal kind of family and I'm betting he's not the only one. 
Who knows what God has in store.  There is no prayer too large for Him! 
First we'll start with praying that Nathan pays better attention on Sundays.  Then the sky's the limit!  :o)

Big News

After weeks of drooling, chewing, gnawing, and doing her best puppy imitation, this little lady sprouted a new tooth!

More Treasures

Roxanne and I found time for a quick antiquing trip this past week and I came home with a few new-to-me treasures.  I have fallen into collecting old stools like this.  I have three now with the addition of these two.  I do plan to paint them brighter colors and keep them on our deck for extra summer seating. 

Then I found this Pepsi crate!  Coca-Cola crates are everywhere, but Pepsi memorabilia (David's drink of choice) is harder to find.  When I pulled it off the shelf, I found an additional happy surprise.  The wooden partitions were still in the inside!  I haven't decided quite what to do with this yet, but it will find a home somewhere. 

I'm still looking for a piece of furniture for my living room, but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for.  Let the treasure hunting continue!

Time's a Tickin'!

There are only 6 days of school left until summer vacation.
This means I better get my Summer Mom act together--and fast! 
I have some great little ideas that I hope to implement throughout the summer.  I hope by posting them HERE, it will make me more accountable for actually carrying them out.
Great idea #1:  Have Landen work on a bit of math and Nathan a bit of reading each morning.  Not much, just a few lines each day to keep their skills up.
Great idea #2:  Introduce the "Job Jar."  Each morning, the three older kiddos will choose a job from the jar (it will probably end up being an empty ice cream bucket, but you get the idea).  The job won't be too big--something like picking up the entry or putting the books back on the bookshelf.  THEN, and this is the best part, as soon as they gather around my ankles and start to whine, "We're SOOOO bored!"  (This will probably happen about 2 minutes after this first job of the day is completed.)  THEN, they will get to choose ANOTHER job!  This could be SO great!  Of course, I know there will be some wailing and grinding of teeth, especially at the beginning, but it has potential.  And my house could be a bit cleaner until they get used to keeping themselves busy. 
I REALLY need to start Landen on playing the piano, too.  School nights have just been too crazy.  Sure, I have time to give other parents' kids lessons, but not my own.  Isn't that always how it goes, though?  Maybe we can get that done . . . and I can add "Practice the piano" to his job possibilities!
Ahh, summer vacation.  Ready or not, here you come!

Great Grandma Donna

I've said it before, but when I married David almost 11 years ago, God also blessed me with two more sets of wonderful grandparents.  I really can't explain it, but I've always loved his grandparents as I do my own; it's as if I've also known them all my life.  Grandma & Grandpa Neises are still here with us and I always love their visits. 
This is Great Grandma Donna Neises (David's maternal grandma).  She is so full of life and love for her faith and family.  She and Rachel were having a great time when were were getting ready for lunch on Sunday!

Two more great granddaughters, Lily and Teresa, had to get in on this picture, too. 

(Thank you, sis-in-law Angela for taking these priceless photos!) :o)