Jacob's middle name was given to him in rememberance of Mark's grandfather, Oliver. Our neice, Lydia, was given Mark's grandmothers name as her middle name, Elsie. We took this picture when we visited the cemetary during our trip to the hills.




Today is filled with lots of activity. Erin and Sam march in the parade. It's Erin's last activity with the band. I wish I could be there, but Elizabeth just isn't doing great today. She has caught a pretty good cold which is playing tricks on our night time sleep. She is pretty miserable at night. The coughing is very painful and wakes her up which reminds her of the pain in her throat...which causes for a long night. We have had 3 rough nights. Today is day 6. The discharge papers say that the pain will worsen up to the 7th day. The bleeding that may occur will occur between the 7-10 day. So I am asking for prayer during this time. She is taking medicine to control the bleeding but I have ended up missing 1 dose and being late for 2. God is in control, though... not the medicine. I have to keep reminding myself of that. All in all, Elizabeth has done incredible! I am truly thankful. I will be glad when we have reached the 10th day mark.

As for other things going on today.... I lose my little (well.. not so little) girl again today. She is off for camp where she is going to be a counselor all summer. I am so excited for her. She is a bundle of nerves. It cracks me up. She is the sweetest, most welcoming person I know. She can talk to anyone and make them feel special... but deep down, she is a wreck at the thought of meeting new people. It is TOTALLY out of her comfort zone. She is going into camp not knowing anyone. It is definitely something that can make the strongest "social bird" a little uneasy. To further her fears, she is so afraid of failing any of the girls. She has taken this responsibility very seriously. She knows that much of a kids experience is effected by their relationship with their counselor. I was able to have a couple of hours with her (shopping for camp) yesterday. We spent a lot of time reminiscing about her experience at Skyview and about Erin's, Sam's and Jacob's experiences. She has that in the back of her mind and I am pretty confident that is why she feels so much pressure. She doesn't want a child to walk away from camp not having been touched by God through her hands. She doesn't want a child never wanting to come back because of something she has done. It has been 5 years since Jacob attended Skyview. The very thought of going there makes him uncomfortable... all because of his experience with one counselor. Erin, on the other hand, had a very poor counselor as well... but she is very tough and is able to adjust and adapt despite some circumstances. As a parent, I looked at both kids and evaluated it. With Jacob, I was crushed because I knew that I would never have an opportunity to send him back again. I knew that his experience was burned into his mind and effected him. I also knew that God would heal that and would give us other opportunities... just probably not Skyview. With Erin, as a parent I was crushed for different reasons. I had hoped to see Erin grow and develop in the Lord. I had visions of her coming home changed and on fire for the Lord. I had watched Emily come home so excited and changed. I knew that her counselor (s) had each invested their life into Emily's. They had taken opportunities to talk about the Lord and the messages she had heard. And they were FUN. With Erin, her counselor seemed to dislike kids. Everything seemed like a chore for her. And Erin came home, having loved camp, but having been impacted very little spiritually. So for Emily... who is going away to work with kids all summer... the responsibility is weighing heavy on her shoulders.

And so I ask all of you who know and love the Lord... will you pray for her? Will you pray that she is so enveloped with the presence of the Lord that she becomes His hands and his voice to all the kids that she comes in contact with? Will you pray that He will work through her in the lives of these kids. There will be kids of all backgrounds coming. Kids who are from Christian homes who know and love the Lord. Kids from Christian homes who could care a less about the Lord. Kids who have professed to be saved, but truly aren't. Kids who are saved. Kids who are saved but not walking with the Lord. Kids making horrible choices, kids on the fence about Christ, kids who are hurting and kids who are loving every aspect of life. There will be strong willed kids, insecure kids, "know-it-all" kids, spoiled kids, less fortunate kids, clingy kids, kids who keep a distance, kids who are impossible to break their wall down, and kids who know all the right things to say. Do you get my point? She is facing so many different circumstances and situations. She needs wisdom for each and every child. The only way she can gain that wisdom is through Christ. In James, the bible says this: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. I think this is one of my all-time favorite verses in the bible! So pray for my little girl as she begins to serve the Lord. And, if you wouldn't mind, pray that God speaks to her about her future. She is not sure where He is leading her. She is hoping to draw near to Him as she serves Him and hopefully find some affirmation in her future.

As for graduation... it is next Sunday! Wow.. we will be the proud parents of 2 kids who have graduated from high school (not to mention we are the proud parents of 4 who have not). I am feeling very old! I am so excited for Erin. She has such a wonderful future ahead of her. She is starting training this week for soccer. She recieved a very rigourous training program in the mail from the coach. She also needs to sign up for classes. We are in the midst of trying to plan her graduation party. I need to really focus! I am so busy trying to get her book completed. I have had many set backs with it... but I think I am finally in the final stages (though probably far more hours then I wish to think about!). If I can get Elizabeth under control, I can start to focus on the party and book a little more.

Well, I have to go. Have a blessed day!

We are finally home. Not that we were there a long time, but for tonsils it was a long time. Most tonsilectomies are done outpatient. I was thankful for being in the hospital. Last night she woke up around midnight coughing and in a LOT Of pain. I think she was an hour over due for pain meds. She started crying a lot and finally decided that she wanted me to take her for a walk. I got her up and out of bed and she just cried and cried. She started coughing because hte crying was working things up. Then she threw up all over me. Unfortunately, it was intensely painful and she somehow started choking on it. She couldn't get air at first, which freaked me out. It happened just as the nurse had come in because she heard Elizabeth crying. I was thankful she was there. Instantly, another nurse came by our sides. Elizabeth was able to get air (much relief for me!). Then she cried more (probably because of pain and fear). In the midst of that, she threw up again. Then she started crying hard saying "mommy, I'm scared". It tore me apart. We knew we needed to get some pain meds in her, but she would have NOTHING to do with it. She was terrified to swallow. She was also terrified of coughing. She would start to cry and I would remind her that she would end up throwing up again. That really got her to stop screaming and crying. At one point, she started sobbing quietly with tears coming down her face. She told me that she had to cough and she was scared. It took us a good hour before we could get her to even attempt to swallow. Then we oculd get the pain meds in. WE had to wait a good 1/2 hour longer til we could get the bleeding medicine in her. Finally, 3 hours later, she fell back to sleep and slept well (until woke up by the doctor with a very intense flashlight on his head ... shining in her eyes ... saying ... wake up Elizabeth and open up). It was not a great awakening. She cried and open her mouth as wide as she could (not wide enough). He shined the flashlight on his head (several times in her eyes) and stuck a tongue depressor in her mouth and forces her to open wider. Soon after the forced awakening, she fell back to sleep only to be woke up 10 minutes later to get medicine shoved down. But... after all that, she ended up having a good morning. We were given the ok to leave as long as her bloodwork came back ok (it did) and she drank 8 ounces of liquid (which took her 5 hours to do!!!).

So.. we are home. She is doing well. I just gave her tylenol with codeine in order to help her sleep easier and her bleeding meds. Pray they do not make her sick! I will update more tomorrow. I am tired.

We are at Childrens Hospital right now. Elizabeth had surgery at 9:00 this morning. It was completed within 30 minutes (we were told to expect an hour). She did great. The doctor was very pleased. He took her adenoids as well stating that they were causing 60-70% of the obstruction. She is now resting in her room, but is very uncomfortable. They gave her morphine during surgery, so I have a feeling that it may be a "not so fun" next few days.

There is something so precious in the way that God works. Tonight, Emily took Ri and Jacob to Mamaw's because Elizabeth's surgery is at 9:00 in the morning. We have to be there at 6:15, so we decided it would be easier on Ri if we took him to Mamaw's now rather then wake him up at 5:00am. Sam was studying in his room, Erin was visiting Jacob, so it was just Mark, Elizabeth and I. We were just about to settle down when our pastor showed up at our door. What a precious man of God! The trip from our house to his is not a small one. He made it just so he could encourage us and pray with us. It was a BLESSING! I have been so hesitant despite how much I keep feeling like I have left this surgery in God's hand. It was precious of God to send His servant to remind us of verses and of God's love. We had a very sweet time of fellowship and a sweet, tender prayer time.

God is certainly holding our little girl in His hands. She knows it is tomorrow and she knows all that I can prepare her for. I don't hold back much simply because I don't ever want her to not trust me. She knows they will administer the IV when we get there. She knows I will be with her until it is time for surgery. I told her that I will be right outside the door.... then she got pretty upset. She questioned me as to why I wouldn't be in the room with her the WHOLE time. She does not want me to leave at any point. I told her I will be with her as long as I can and I will be with her as soon as she wakes up. I also told her that her throat will hurt a lot but that she will have special medicine to help her.

So.... please pray that all goes well; with no complications and very little pain or blood. I would also love for prayer for her not to have any major set backs emotionally. If the pain is intolerable for a few days, the set backs could be horrible. But.. as I was reminded tonight, God is in control. The same God that created the ehavens and the earth is the God that has promised that He will be there with us and that his loving hand will be holding us and giving us all that we need.

Well. I started a post last week when Elizabeth had her pin removed. I shared the details, but never actually finished the story. So... it is now 6 days later and I still haven't finished. To make a long story short - the pin is out. It was a 2 second ordeal. Elizabeth was very brave. She didn't cry until he pulled out the instrument (something that looked like pliars). She cried hard until is was removed. They say there is no pain, but Elizabeth would argue that. She said it hurt for a few minutes, but settled down. It was very painful to the touch for the first couple of days. After about 3 days, the skin peeled off of the tip; revealing fresh pink skin. Her finger looks great! It is shaped a little different where the stitches were but I am thinking it is more a scar look then an abnormality. She is down to just a normal bandage (well.... a princess and the frog bandage).

As for other news. Em is home and I am thoroughly enjoying her being around again. She has been very helpful and has made sure to spend time with everyone in the family. She heads to camp on May 31st for 2 weeks of training before beginning the summer chaos. Jacob is nearly done with school. Sam is enjoying having his license (a little too much - he hasn't quite settled into our rules yet).

Both Sam and Erin were awarded academic letters last week. It was Sam's first and Erin's third. Erin also was given a certificate/bond as the student chosen by our School Board for going into education Last night, she was awarded a scholarship through the community foundation and then given 2 more awards. One was the Marines Distinguished Athlete Award and the other was the Ohio High School Athletic Association Archie Griffen Sportsmanship Award. Sam just went through an election process for class officers. His group developed a very cool marketing campaign. They called themselves the BLT's and used images of Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches on their ad's throughout the school as well as took some very cool pictures of the group. BLT's stands for Ben, Lyndsey, Travis and Sam. He was elected as the class treasurer. He is very excited. We are very proud of both of their accomplishments.

Pictures are courtesy of Emily. I can't seem to download any of my pictures for now. I have lost all means of downloading. Once I get that replaced, Iwill be posting more pics.
















There is one thing I have noticed that just doesn't seem to change... time slips away far quicker then I want it too! I can't seem to get the things done that I need to get done these days. It is a little frustrating, but I guess that is part life; especially with 6 kids. Emily came home Friday. It is wonderful to have her home. I can hardly believe that she has already completed one year of college. Erin graduates in just 3 weeks. Boy am I feeling old! I am in the midst of planning graduation details right now. I haven't begun her book or her movie... so I am a little overwhelmed. I guess I am a little wrong; Jacob began her movie yesterday. I assigned it as part of his artwork for school. He is doing a GREAT job on it so far. He spent hours just coming up with the first 17 seconds! It is a pretty time consuming thing. I have worked on several different announcements. Unfortunately, I had not asked Erin until after the fact. She really wants to make it herself. I have given her until tonight to complete it. Otherwise, the 5 or 6 different ones I desiged are being used! We will be participating in 2 open houses. The first is one that we organized at our church. There are 16 graduates this year! That blows me away! Because there are several of our members who try hard to make it to every senior's graduation party, we decided that we would organize one open house. That is May 23rd. Then, after looking at our schedule.... well, more accurately, Erin's schedule. We came up with June 11th being just about the only day possible for her graduation party/open house (unless, of course, we wait until July... and she is not too keen on that idea). Graduation is Sunday, June 6th. Elizabeth gets her tonsils out on May 25th. I figure that life is going to be a bit overwhelming for a few weeks! :)

We had a wonderful weekend. I was woken to the sweet voice of my son, Jacob on Sunday morning. He had insisted on getting up early and making me breakfast. He was a wreck all night because he was afraid he would not get up and do it. Bless his heart. He is so tender, sensitive, sweet..... and he loves his mom!!!~ Yay! He came in, carrying a tray filled with a delicious breakfast and special coffee. He spent hours making me a very precious card. I will treasure it forever. He is 14, yet willing to do anything for me. I am so blessed.

I have been meaning to post a picture of her finger. It is looking good... at least that is what the doctor has stated. We should be able to have the pin removed in a week and a half. That will be very nice! She is a little nervous, but .. so far.. has accepted that he is going to remove the pin.


Please pray for Emily. She heads home on Friday. I am very excited to have her home. I can hardly believe she has finished her first year of college.

Erin and her boyfriend, Jacob, went to his prom this weekend. It was an exciting time and both seemed to have enjoyed themselves thoroughly! Oh the days and memories of high school. As for the rest of our crew, we are doing well. We are counting the days until Emily comes home. Her last final is Wednesday, but she has to work Thursday so she won't be home until Friday. We all are very excited to have her home.

Last Friday, we took Jacob, Elizabeth and Ri to a drive-in. It was a great time. We were able to see How to Train a Dragon. When Elizabeth was sedated, she had a dream of flying on a two headed dragon.... so our goal has been to make sure she got to see this movie! Watching it at ta drive-in was probably a bit of a mistake. They started the movie a little too early, so the first 20 minutes or so were very hard to see (especailly because the first scenes are all night scenes). Elizabeth isn't so sure she wants to go to a drive-in again because of how hard it was to see at first. But I think she really enjoyed the big screen and watching it outside cuddled on my lap, wrapped in blankets and eating popcorn. We are not sure of Ri's reaction... he got up in the middle of the movie, got in the van and grabbed his leapster and laid down and played it. Then he fell asleep.

Jacob has been working hard these days. He has been riding into town and back again nearly every day. Each trip in is 9 miles so that makes 18 miles a day. He has also riden to Johnstown twice (well.. he completed it once; the other time his bike broke down). That is a 20 mile trip one way. His initial incentive was so that he could golf this summer. Now he is golfing (by himself... which is a huge thing!) nearly everyday. We are very, very proud of him.

Sam just made a trip to Chicago with his youth pastor. God has truly used our youth pastor in the lives of our children. It has been so neat to watch. The mission trip that he will be going on in June had a leadership conference that our youth pastor had to attend. The day he was to meet, circumstances had it that Matt felt like he should ask if Sam could go with him. We were able to work out the details and let Sam go. On the way home, though, they had car trouble and ended up staying an extra night. I felt badly for Matt! But all in all, I think it was a good trip and Sam seems even more excited about the mission.

The best thing for Sam, recently, is that on Thursday.... he got his drivers license! Now we are dealing with a very independent, happy young man who has a hunger to take his friends places. It has become somewhat of a battle between him and I... though I am confident all the minor issues will be worked out. Right now, our policy is that he can not drive anyone other then family for at least 6 months.... but for some reason (ha ha) teens just don't seem to quite understand the logic behind it. It was a battle with Em, and then with Erin, and now with Sam. Anyway, we are excited for Sam that he can now drive (though not so excited to pay more insurance!).