A Cold

G started back to school last Monday.

Today it's definite - he's coming down with a cold.

We have 2 weeks to get him healthy so that he can have his next procedure (a "peek" under anesthesia).

I've got the sleep, water & vitamins flowing.

Are you up for some more praying?

Two Years

(And - yes - I know the cake says 2 year_.  That was after I made the bakery re-do it for misspelling G's name.  His name where I walked them slowly multiple times through the whole "G like Goat" etc.  And where they spelled his name with a J.  You know - "J like Joat.")
Happy 2 Year, J!

Loose

This one right here.

Oh - the excitement!

Does anyone have an idea for celebrating the coming milestone without bringing in the Tooth Fairy?

Learning to Read

This is an S.  S says ssssssssssssssss.  Can you say sssssssssssss?  Yes, ssssssssssssssss.  S says sssssssssssssss.  Good job.  Look - this book is called ssssssssssssSam sssssssssssssSat Down.  That has 2 Ses!  ssssssssssssssSam and ssssssssssssssSat.  S.  S.  Sam Sat Down.

Repeat
Repeat
Repeat

G is not getting it yet.

He has a repertoire of about 10 letters that he can name.  He understands that from left to right the letters make words.  And that's about it.

But still I try.

Yesterday I came to a perfect practice opportunity.

What a disaster, eh?  You have to remember how the picture looks, with cars smashed every which way, so you'll understand the following "reading experience."

Can you see the first words on the page?  It says "OH NO!"  We've practiced NO lots of times.  NO is perfect since G does know both the letters N & O, and because O conveniently makes the sound O.  A reader's dream, right?  Or...

"Look at this G.  These two words say (I'm pointing) 'Oh.... ____."

(blank look)

"(pointing to Oh) Oh.... (and pointing to No) this is an N.  It says nnnnnnnnnnn.... ."

'nnnnnnnnn...."

"Yep.  And which letter is this (pointing to the O, a letter that he does know)?  nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...."

"nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...."

"It says (pointing to Oh) 'Oh' (pointing to No) 'nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn....'"

"Oh. NnnnnnnnnnnnnnnCRAP."

Ha!

I hope that story works in print because I almost died laughing.  Except, of course, I had to hide it because I didn't want to encourage "crap."

But seriously.  N-O.  Two letters that he knows.  And he sounds out NnnnnnnnnnnnnCrap.  Are you kidding me?!?

This reading thing might take a while.

G's Doctor Report

Last week we saw the cataract surgeon.  He said things looked fine, but we'd have to wait to see the retina surgeon.

Yesterday we saw the retina surgeon.  She said things looked fine, but we'd have to wait to see the other eye doctor (opthamologist?).

What I want to know is: When do I get to actually celebrate?

Cause I'm ready now.

The doctors' mild response confuses me.  G's retina seems to be attached.  There are no signs that debris fell through onto his retina.  His eye seems to be healing well.  This all sounds good to me.  Like: "jump up & down" good.

Do you wanna jump with me?

Alternately, you can wait until next week when we see the opthamologist.  And the week after when we see the cataract surgeon.  And later when G has another examination under anesthesia.

But at some point - we are going to jump.

Yesterday

If you've been around a while, you may know that after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I began fasting from coffee.  I calculated how much money I might spend on coffee each year.  I was able to survive without coffee for a year, and then I got to donate that money to a ministry that's doing smart work in Haiti. 

I also got to have a crazy, all-out, coffee-guzzling 40-day JUBILEE at the end of that year.  

After my beloved Jubilee, I began my 2011 fast.  That was a hard one.  Surprisingly, it got more difficult as the year went on.  You may notice that I didn't write about this one.  I wanted coffee. 

Anyway, I made it.  The fast ended Friday.  I was finally able to break out my amazing birthday present

For real.  My friend obviously loves me.  Tortured me for 4 long months.  But loves me.

And I love coffee.

The gift was extra terrific since G was recovering from surgery on Friday, and I wasn't able to get out to a true Jubilee location. 

(Starbuck$: Did you miss me?)

That all changed yesterday.

Time to return to work. 
The babysitter arrived early. 
Our local coffee shop has a drive through. 
It was meant to be.

Oh - steamy cup of wonderfulness!  Into my cupholder you go.

I pull out & through the parking lot &

"He's gonna..."  CRASH

SERIOUSLY ... MR. I-GOTTA-ZIP-OUT-OF-THE-DRY-CLEANER ... WAS IT WORTH THE RUSH?!?!?

Which concludes the story of yesterday's car accident.

But still leaves the bigger spiritual questions hanging.  Does God not want me to drink coffee?  Or is it a sign that I should have taken the time to walk into Starbuck$?  Or that I should have been content with my fabulous home brew?  So many deep questions to ponder.

One moral I'm sure of: Coffee tastes good, even while at the police station.

Welcome to Jubilee 2012.

Helpful Hints from Heidi

Today's topic is Unexciting Usage of Vacation Time

Q: What can one do when they're using up all of their vacation time on eye surgeries?

A: They could get into a car accident on the way to work.  Using vacation time while waiting for the police provides a different way to get rid of lots of vacation time.  And it can be quite exciting.

I hope you've enjoyed today's topic.  Come back soon for more helpful hints.  I seem to have a way with them, don't I?

Disclaimer for my mother: No persons were injured in the development of this helpful hint.  G was not in the vehicle.  My car is perfectly driveable, although the police officer assures me that there's over $1,500 damage.  And - most importantly - it was not my fault!

One More Superman G Story

(from before surgery)

G has been off playing in imaginary Florida.

Hi Mama.  I just drove my car home.

Really?  I would've thought you'd fly.

He shoots me a look of sheer disbelief.

No.  Cause it's a long way and I would've had to fly on the highway.  I can't fly on the highway.

Riiight.

Surgery? What Surgery?

This kid could wear out the Energizer Bunny.

(Soon after returning home.  I've got him set up to lie down & watch movies.  Instead, he's bouncing around.)

Surgery was yesterday morning.  By evening I was back to singing my interminable chorus of "calm & still; please walk!"  Sheesh.

But since that's all I have to complain about, I won't complain!

Everything seems to be a miracle.

G was healthy for the procedure. 

The cataract came right out. 

There was a hole in the bag, but it was small.  The surgeons don't think any debris fell through it onto G's retina. 

The hospital had the correct lens in stock and they were able to install it straightaway. 

The retina seems to still be attached.  

The retina's attachment will (hopefully) be confirmed next week.  I'm told that everything hinges on the retina at this point.

For now - He seems to have some sort of vision from that eye!!!

I know many of you were praying.

Thank you God.

Preparation

Pumping this boy full of lots of goodness... attention, water, sleep, and spinach/blueberry smoothies.

And hoping that lots of friends are praying for his healing.

Remembering

Two years since Haiti's earthquake.

I've been on edge as we've approached this date. 

Memories flood, and cause a physical reaction. 

Tears come easily as I remember how God rescued my son.

I know that so many more have experienced so much more.

I'm remembering with you, and thinking of you, and praying for you.

Christmas Break

You gonna play with me Mama?

Sure G

Trucks is you favorite?

Well, G, I will play trucks with you, but they are not my favorite.

Ok Mama.  You can play cars.  I'll play trucks.

Surgery Bound

Our long-awaited surgery will happen this week.

If you are up for praying, here's the request:

- Healing for G's eye and full restoration of his vision

If you're up for some more praying, here are some other requests:

- G would stay healthy this week.  I've tried to keep him sheltered from illness.  Not Easy with a crawling-under-tables, hands-in-the-mouth boy.  He must be healthy to proceed with surgery.

- There to be no negative impact from the hole in the back of G's lens.  That it would miraculously close before surgery.  Or that debris would not fall through it back on to his retina.  Or whatever.

- G's retina would hold firm.  He had a normal (very scary) fall this weekend where he banged his chin.  Between that and the surgery.... We just need for that retina to stay attached.

- The new lens would be in stock at the hospital.  If they have it, they will be able to attach it straightaway and avoid another surgery.

- Wisdom for the medical team.

- Calm and peace for G during the recovery.

- G's brain to still be trying to connect with that eye.  We need to pray that the brain hasn't given up on it!

I know that's a lot.  Feel free to stick with:

- Healing for G's eye and full restoration of his vision

Thank you,
Heidi

Baby

I can't remember if I've mentioned this before.

G has a thing about Mamas & babies.  One of the ways that plays out is in our morning routine. 

Every morning he greets me: Hello Mama Zebra (or Monkey or Tiger or Giraffe or whatever) (Hello Mama Elephant not being my favorite)

And then I HAVE to respond: Hello Baby Zebra (or Monkey or Tiger or Giraffe or whatever).

Sometimes I also have to play my role for a while.  For example, if we're tigers then I may need to serve deer for breakfast.  blech.  (or was the "blech" superfluous?)

Anyway, this afternoon G came into the kitchen wearing his new SuperG cape. 

I said: Hi SuperG

He said: I SuperMAN G

Ok.  Go wash your hands for lunch Superman G.

Yes, Mama Superman.  (pause)  Say: Bye Bye Baby Superman G

Bye Bye Baby Superman G

...and soon I gonna be da GrowingUpSupermanG.  Bye Bye Mama Superman.

This is getting complicated.

Brothers

Mama, waz dat smell?

Uh - what does it smell like?

Yucky.

Where's it coming from?

Joseph.

G has worked on annoying his brother, but mostly he has just reveled in Joseph being home.  Joseph has been babysitting for us, and there have been no problems.  Well, no behavior problems.  There have been a few "why is my house a pigsty" problems.  I haven't been worrying while at work.  I've been able to ..(dramatic pause).. run errands.  Joseph has even run some errands for me.  Glory.

I asked Joseph to stay but he insists that he has to return to college.

Let the wailing & gnashing of teeth begin.

I gonna fly

There's another one?

Ooooohhhhh... Superman

I can do it!

You help me Mama?

I gonna fly!

Sight

I’ve realized that I am in denial.

I ask people to pray because G’s sight is in jeopardy.

But –inside- I don’t really believe that it’s in jeopardy. I believe that we’re praying and God has given us good doctors and He’s going to heal G.

At the very core of my being, the only outcome I can imagine, is that G’s vision will be restored.

And yet…

Last week I found myself driving long distances. And I was thinking:

What does G need to see now? What do I need to show him so that – if he loses his sight – he has that memory?

Mountains
Waterfall
Redwoods
Ocean (again)
Whale
Baseball game
Wedding
Major train station

I realized that I was thinking like a girl and added: Football game.

But, I’m just thinking like me. How do I know what G would want to have seen?

What would you put on the list?

It’s hard to wonder. It threatens my denial. I want my denial.

But what would you put on the list?