Dec 10th, 2010 by LeslieN
While this site has been down, I’ve been testing another one. Not sure if I’ll make the move or remain here. I have 4 years of history here and don’t want to lose that. I do like some of the features though of the new blog.
Here it is if you want to take a peek. I’d LOVE to have some company over there. 
http://joyfulmotherofsixchildren.blogspot.com/
Blessings
Leslie
Dec 6th, 2010 by LeslieN
Ever have a time when things that you thought were one way, were suddenly revealed to be another? As if your eyes were opened in a different way? It reminds me of the Bible verse about how we see through a glass dimly now, but one day we shall see face to face.
I think there is much in this life that we don’t see like He does. I often pray for God to give me His eyes. I sometimes wonder if or how He might answer that prayer. For me, I want to be more compassionate and more understanding. I want to view people like He does and not through a distorted or judgemental lens. What I didn’t realize when I first asked was that this was not something that was just given, but rather had to be learned.
It is when I walk through difficulties that often my vision is changed. I’m able to see more or see things differently. I can look back on the hard times in my life and see how God used those to open my eyes a bit more. To teach me and challenge me. Hopefully to mold me into someone that is more like Him. I still have a long way to go.
I love it though when there are times when you know it is God opening your eyes to see something He wants you to see. It is a glimpse I think of what heaven must be like.
Thank you Father for trials for they cause me to turn to you. Thank you for the challenges that face me as it helps me to realize how very much I need you. Thank you for difficult times as it helps me to be more understanding of others. Thank you for holding me and carrying me when I don’t have the strength to walk. Thank you for loving me when I did not deserve it. Thank you for your promises to be with me always. Thank you that your ways are good and perfect and that when I walk in them it gives me an opportunity to bring you glory. What an amazing and humbling thing! To think that the Creator of the Universe could use me. I thank you and praise you.
In His Love,
Leslie
Dec 1st, 2010 by LeslieN
I have a lot of things to post about – Thanksgiving, Rebecca’s birthday and more. Hopefully, I’ll catch up soon. This week is crazy busy though, so we’ll see. I had something though that couldn’t wait.
Eliana had her regular well child appointment yesterday. It was long. We met with her beloved ped who reviewed the results from her cardio visit. I asked if they had also noted that she was unhappy with everything and did not want to be there. She laughed and said the note was “unable to examine”. Thankfully our Dr L is wonderful and was able to do a full exam on Eliana – even though she was NOT thrilled with it. Ears are fine. Small murmer and leak in her heart – though nothing to worry about now. Height and weight – on the small side.
I’m going to digress here for a moment. For those of you with children that have Down syndrome (Ds), you know about the height/weight chart for kids with Ds. Since kids with Ds don’t grow at the same rate as kids without the extra chromosome, a growth chart to match their growth was developed. I liked this and found it really helpful. Well, turns out the governing bodies (not sure which one) decided this wasn’t necessary, so now they will be measured on a typical chart. Umm, well great. I know she is tiny – and likely always will be. She is at the 1st percentile for height and weight. I looked her up on the Ds chart though and she is 25th for weight and 60th for height.
Back to the exam. We have missed our appt at the local Ds Clinic due to them changing our appointments in the summer. Its on the ONE day during the week that I can’t go – our field trip/co-op day. We are scheduled there for next summer. Since we haven’t been able to go, we decided to go ahead and do the necessary lab work. I know too she needs to get a neck/spinal x-ray. Dr L wrote a script for her to have that asap – though after examining her she changed it to “during the next year”. LOL She would not be sedated for this and given her extreme anxiety with doctors, I don’t think she would cooperate at all! Not really sure how to change or help this and if you have suggestions – I’m open to hearing them!
So, she had blood drawn. Don’t you know that this helped greatly with her fear of being at the doctor’s office?! I held her down while she cried and cried. I hate doing that. I sang to her and tried to make it better, but not sure I helped at all. The blood drawn would be checked for a number of things including leukemia, thyroid problems, celiac, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. That’s all that I remember. She told me the results would be in by the end of the week.
When I got a phone call this morning – I knew. I knew that something was wrong. Dr. L (who came in on her day off to go over the results and talk with me) told me the good news first. She does not have leukemia. Praise God! This is still something she will be tested for yearly, but for now it’s clear. Her thyroid looks good too. All of these screens are done because children with Ds are at a higher risk of having complications in a variety of areas. Can you guess what is coming next? I really didn’t think she would have this.
Celiac disease.
My sweet baby has celiac disease. She tested positive for the antibodies. (For those in the know, her IGA was normal so there is a lesser chance of this being a “false positive”.) The next step is a biopsy of her intestines. This may take several months to schedule. We’ll just wait and see. Until then, we aren’t to change anything in regards to diet so that they can get accurate results.
This is an autoimmune disease. Since we already have one child with an autoimmune disease (diabetes), there is a risk for all our children and Dr L wants all of them tested for celiac. (Needless to say they were not thrilled to hear that!)
Dr L told me to stay calm and not panic. This isn’t as bad as some of the things we have dealt with. I know I will try not to think about it. It will be a big change though – big. And I’m guessing expensive? Just seems like one more loss of normal when it comes to food.
So, it looks like I’m still in continuing education when it comes to getting the medical degree. (Just kidding here!) More to learn and process and manage. More reason to fall to my knees and lean on the only One who can give us the strength to deal with this. This is no surprise to God and I know He will use it for His good and His glory – if I will let Him. He is the giver of all good things. While I don’t view this as a good thing, I know that He can use to for good in my life, in my family’s life and in the lives of those around us.
Please pray for us as we walk yet another new path. If you have advice or suggestions – please share.
With love
Leslie
Nov 24th, 2010 by LeslieN
Just a few updates. This is a sticky post so scroll down for newer posts.
Pampered Chef party at my house TODAY – December 3rd at 7pm.
Please come and bring a friend if you want!
If you would like to order online, go to this site. Please make sure that I’m listed as the hostess. We will close this show on Monday 6 Dec
www.pamperedchef.biz/30mintdinr
Thank you for your help! If you have questions, please ask!
Blessings
Leslie
This has been a hard post for me to write. I’ve been working on it for days. I think sometimes I feel like it’s not really something I should be talking about – adoption. Its not like I’ve adopted, so who am I to talk? I figure too though that there are probably a lot of people in the same position as me. Even though I’m not adopting, I can still make a difference. And so can you!
It’s National Adoption Month. Its being talked about in a lot of places now. Adoption. What does the word conjure up for you? For many it is a word filled with emotion – exciting, frightening and overwhelming. I think the sheer numbers alone overwhelm us. 147 million orphans. Can you even wrap your head around that number? I know I can’t.
It hurts my heart to think of so many children without a mom and dad. With no family. I can’t imagine how hard that must be. I look at my own life and know how very much my own family has blessed me and helped to shape who I am. They have given me hope, encouragement, courage and lots of love. I’ve always been thankful for my family. Learning about orphans though has given my thankfulness a whole new dimension.
I have learned recently that some people think we adopted Eliana. (These are obviously new friends.) I wasn’t sure why until one friend said it was the bumper sticker on my car. (One for Reece’s Rainbow.) Another friend said it was because I had talked about it. (I love to advocate for Reece’s Rainbow.) In case anyone reading wonders – she isn’t adopted. As a sweet friends says, she is “home-grown”.
Though Eliana isn’t adopted, it was her life that opened my eyes to so many things - including the need for parents to adopt special needs kids.
I found Reece’s Rainbow after Eliana was born. We participated in the first Angel Tree the year she turned 1. That was 3 years ago. I’ve seen this ministry grow and flourish in that time. It’s truly exciting.
Still there is such great need. For many families, money is all that stands in the way of them adopting. Will you join me in praying for these children and the families working to bring them home? If you are interested in finding out more, you can visit the Reece’s Rainbow website. Over the next month, I’m advocating for Anya. If you would like to donate to her fund, you can do so by clicking on the chip-in button in the right side-bar. Any gift is tax deductible.
I truly want more people to know the joy of having a child with Down syndrome in their lives. I remember being so scared of the diagnosis at first. I wish I had known then what I know now.
I know though that I had to learn it myself – and some of it through great trials. Her first year was filled with so many challenges. And yet, the joy is also unmistakable. I’ve learned to slow down and to let go. I’ve learned to look at things differently. I know I have much yet to learn.
Her eyes. It was that feature that first told me that my daughter had Down syndrome. I didn’t know when I first gazed at her eyes, that mine would be changed. I didn’t know all that was in store for me. I had no way to know of the joy that was to come.
If you want to read a poignant and stirring blog post on adoption, please visit No Greater Joy Mom and her post called Reckless Abandon.
I want these children around the world to know the joy of a home. Of a family. Of kisses from a mom as she tucks them in bed. Of hugs from a Daddy that help them feel secure. Every child needs to be loved. Every child has gifts to give. Every child is a blessing. Please join me in praying for these children that need a family.
Blessings
Leslie
Joyful Mother of 6 Children
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