Lab Work

As we began the high school years of home schooling, some asked (ourselves included), how we would teach such things as biology.  Fortunately many have forged the road ahead of us and there are plenty of materials and resources available. 

Michaela has been studying biology this year.  We invested in a very nice microscope with great slides and tools.  We also purchased kits for dissection, the first of which Michaela cut into last night.  No, we don't normally do school at night, but I saved this for Chris to supervise.  Actually, Michaela doesn't require much supervision with her school work and works quite independently, but dissection is another story!  Dad was glad to help and our science-loving boys were excited to jump in on the action, too.

Michaela was less than impressed with the inside of a worm, as quite evidenced by her face throughout.  I can only imagine what it's going to be like when we pull out the frog dissection kit.  :)

Snow Boarding!

In the past the boys have found old boards and literally snow-boarded down our back hill.  Well, I hit the jackpot one day at our local Goodwill store and found two real snowboards for only $5 each.  The boys were thrilled!

Today was finally their first chance to try them out.  Unfortunately I didn't get outside while they were flying down the hill, but they had a blast.  I love how excited the kids get whenever it snows, especially Benjamin.  He was done in record time with his school work this morning so that he could get outside. 

We also braved the snowy roads today to get to the hospital for Benjamin's CT scan.  We may hear something in the next couple of days from the oncologist, but otherwise we'll have to wait until we meet in STL on Friday.  Benjamin is such a trooper and is taking it all in stride.  We're doing well, but then there are moments that hit hard, like seeing him lying down on the CT scan table.  Those moments slap me in the face with the fact that our son has cancer, he's vulnerable, we're at a hospital, this is a new and very different chapter of life that we're in.  I take a deep breath and try not to let my eyes leak in front of the staff or in front of my brave son, who is quickly becoming a hero to me.  It's been one more day that God has seen us through, the faithful prayers of friends and family have lifted us up, and we're going to keep right on trusting in Him.

Other Happenings

Yesterday we had another reason to celebrate.  Elijah went in for his regular heart check-up, got stuck, slimed, and wired, and passed with flying colors!  His cardiologist is pleased with how his complex heart surgery of four years ago has restored him to full health.  Elijah is cleared for another two years, and the doc will continue to monitor as he grows through the next few years.  It felt so good to walk away with high fives and GOOD news from a doctor.

Ami got to celebrate her birthday with her homeschool friends at Far Above Rubies earlier in the week.  She was honored with a certificate of character for her joyful spirit.  We love this character quality in her!

We've been studying Medieval Times in history recently and decided to take on building a castle.  I thought this project would much more simple, but it ended up taking a couple of weeks to complete.  I guess that's not bad compared to a couple of decades, but still, it was a test of patience, accuracy, diligence, and determination!  The pictures don't seem to do it justice after all of our efforts.  :)

Ami is not shown, but she worked very hard cutting out tiny pieces, too.  And the teacher had to get a bit more involved in this one, too.  (Just making sure I give credit where credit is due.  Ha!)

Happy Birthday to Ami!

Today was a day of celebration, a day to stop and savor the treasure we call Ami.  This beautiful little girl, not bone of our bones, nor flesh of our flesh, but very much part of our hearts, turned six today.  It has been a privilege to call her ours, to be blessed with the smiles and laughter that she brings, to be on the receiving end of her hugs, kisses, and words of affection. 

Ami woke up bleary eyed this morning, yet so excited to begin this special day.  She had chosen donuts for breakfast, so we had been to the donut store yesterday to carefully pick out donuts for each family member.  Then it was present time, with lots of squeals and excitement.  For lunch, she got to go on Daddy and Mommy's lunch date, choosing McDonald's.  Then for dinner she chose Sloppy Joes, fruit salad, and green salad.  Her cake request strawberry with strawberry frosting.  I love that she loves pink.  :)

Ami enjoyed her day playing with new toys and getting some extra attention.  We all love this girl dearly and it was so nice to focus on some joyful things today.  Happy Birthday, dear Ami!

Here We Go Again

So the pendulum swung again today, and our hearts are aching.  Benjamin's tumor has turned out to be cancerous after all, not benign as we and the doctor had been told by the pathologist.

When we went for Benjamin's first post op visit the doctor told us that the pathologist in STL said the tumor was benign, but that they had sent it on to a world renown pathologist for a second opinion.  He did not want us to be concerned at all, it really was just a matter of them giving it one of two names of benign nerve sheath tumors.  It was a bit unsettling not to have a final report, but we went away with the confidence that the doctor had given us and pleased with a benign report.

We waited four more weeks and no news of the final report.  We were to go in last Friday for a final wound check and to get the report, but the office cancelled our appointment because they were still waiting on the report.  At that point we knew that further investigation had shown some rare cells and abnormalities and we waited through the weekend for more news.

This morning that phone call came and was not the news we were hoping for.  At this point we know it is a low grade sarcoma and that it is a very rare cancer.  Benjamin is scheduled for a CT scan next week to make sure his lungs are clear and then we'll visit with the oncologist in STL.  If that looks good, we'll just follow up with a CT scan every three months for a year.  Then we'll move to every six months for the next five years.  If the CT scans show anything irregular, of course the plan will change. 

As you can imagine, this has been tough.  The kids have been more affected this time and our concern is deeper.  Despite the pain, we do not question why.  We just cling all the more to His promise to be with us and we are so grateful that He carries us through these difficult times.  We will praise Him in the storm and walk with Him one step at a time.  Thank you for praying for Benjamin and our family once again.  The prayers of many are what got us through the last go-around in December.

The Cheerful Worker

Elijah was asked to go outside and pick up the hose that the boys had used earlier (trying to drown out a mole!).  A few minutes later I looked out my kitchen window to see Elijah doing just as I had told him to.

There he was, going round and round in circles, trying not to get his iPod shuffle tangled in between the hose rings.  So funny!  That's my Elijah, always getting the job done with a cheerful attitude.

Answered Prayer

Fifteen and a half years ago, our first treasure was born.  There were tears of joy on that day.  Chris and I prayed from that time on that the One who knit her together in my womb would work in her heart and become the desire of her heart.

Last night that prayer was answered, and there were once again tears of joy.  Michaela made the bold and well thought out decision that God needed to be the King of her life and that she wanted to always serve and love Him.  She said, "I want to be a Christian!"

It has felt like a long time coming for us as parents, especially considering the fact that two of her younger siblings made that decision at much younger ages.  But this we know, each child has to come to that decision in their own time, whether it's to accept or deny that God is their Creator and King.

Michaela has always loved Jesus.  She has never known life without Him.  From the first day of her life she heard "Jesus Loves Me" sung to her.  We read Bible stories together.  We took her to church when she was just three days old (crazy first time mom!).  She has been shown The Way all of her life.  Yet, there comes a time when that childhood faith has to become ones own.  We have every confidence that Michaela has made a sure and fast decision as a young adult.  

We are so very proud of Michaela's maturity.  She has always had a caring and sweet heart.  She is helpful beyond measure around the house and with her siblings.  She sees something that needs to be done, and does it.  She responsibly manages her time and works to accomplish her goals, whether big or small.  She has a God-given gift for serving others and we look forward to seeing how God uses her in the years ahead.  While Michaela's decision may not show a major change in her lifestyle (as she has always tried to obey Him), we know that the change of heart, giving herself totally to God, will result in even more growth and maturity.

Michaela expressed her desire to have Grandpa Clark baptize her, as he has had special influence in her life.  Unfortunately Grandpa won't be here in the States until June!  But this is important to her, so we will look forward to the day of her baptism and rejoice all the more.

Tonight we celebrated this most important decision of Michaela's life.  We are so very happy.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 4)  Michaela, Dad and Mom love you from the depths of our hearts, so much so that it hurts, but our love is like nothing compared to the Father's great love for you!  xoxo

Political Rally

Yesterday there was an event held at a local church here in town that had just been planned in the prior 24-hours.  James Dobson flew in to sit down and talk with presidential hopeful Rick Santorum!  It was really a neat opportunity and great educational experience for the kids.

We have been long time fans and supporters of James Dobson and Focus on the Family.  We have read many of his/their books and publications, the kids have enjoyed Adventures in Odyssey, we've listened to the radio programs, we have visited their campus in Colorado Springs a few times, and have benefited from their encouragement and advocacy for the family.  So yesterday we went as much to hear James Dobson as to hear Rick Santorum.

While we haven't delved much into the primary candidates, we were excited about what we heard from Mr. Santorum.  He definitely has morals and values that we share, and hopes for our country that encourage us.  The two men carried on a conversation for well over an hour that gave great insight into their convictions and dreams for our country.  It was a neat afternoon!

Puppets

Here are some cute faces from the puppet performance earlier in the week. 

This time we visited an Alzheimers residential home.  It's neat to see the smiles that come, the toes that start tapping to the music, and even a little bit of dancing going on in the seats.  Our kids are learning how to interact with others that can be difficult to communicate with, how to give with nothing expected in return, and how to work as a team with the other youth. 

Elijah is 13!

Yes, that makes three teenagers in the house now.  And it's much easier to say that "the boys are 13".  :)

Elijah raced up the stairs this morning before he was even quite awake and stumbled to me in the kitchen blinking from the bright light, but with arms wide open for his birthday hug.  He was quite excited to have a special day in his honor.  He had chosen cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then he got a super light day of school, and also got to go out on Daddy and Mommy's lunch date.  He then spent lots of time playing with birthday gifts and playing outside, then had his requested dinner meal:  spaghetti, French bread, fruit salad, and cherry cake with cherry frosting, and cherries on top.  He didn't care a bit that it was pink, it was the flavor that mattered!

We are very thankful for this bundle of energy that is a part of our family.  Elijah is rarely without a ready smile and is growing in maturity and confidence more every day.  He is gradually starting to assert himself in bits, feeling more comfortable with who he is and his place in our family.  We look forward to this next year ahead!