Children, Animals, NLO, and Babies!

I have so missed blogging and promise to get back to it! 

It has been a whirlwind around here the last four weeks!

Kayla was home visiting for two weeks, kids had therapy appointments, and we started our THIRD set of rescue pups!   SouthBARK has been FANTASTIC at providing financially for these pups and continue to take care of Momma Dog's expenses as well.  She had to have emergency surgery for a rotten uterus while Kayla was here also!  Then we had another pup with a hernia the size of a golf ball that had to have emergency surgery this last week and NOW, we have two precious puppies with the dreaded Parvo.  I am praying the other five do not catch it. 

I hated to see Kayla go, but I know she will come back when she can.  She calls regularly and texting is always a plus!  She has an interview tomorrow for a job; please pray for her that the Lord would have His way.

Christopher developed full body tics last week; horrible to see it.  We believe they were triggered by a very bad emotional and embarrassing experience that morning; won't get in to it, but it was devastating for my little guy.  Because of Christopher's aggression issues, we are weaning him off of several of his meds.  The number one side effect on all of his meds is aggression.  We are weaning him because they are unfortunately addictive drugs.  We are trying some natural oil supplements that I purchased last year and never did anything with; I will share more about that later, but am trusting the Lord will provide for them.  Insurance doesn't cover them, and lets face it, we are below the poverty level with no income for 19 months now.

Several people have asked me about my involvement, or lack of recently, in Nothing Lost Outreach.  For months God allowed me to be an active part of providing clothing for the homeless.  When my daughter's sensory and anxiety problems became more and more of an issue, I had to make some cuts.  My prayer began that God would show me what to cut and what to keep and grace to walk through the tough choices.  Not only did He make it clear that I needed to reduce my AVON customer load, but that my time at home was what was needed.  My first thought, well, argument with God was, "I am home SIX days a week, what's the BIG DEAL about Sunday afternoons!"  So I went in disobedience.  My heart wanted to be there so bad, that I disobeyed God and put others before my family.  My heart still yearns to be involved; and while I don't have a huge room full of clothes for the homeless anymore, I do still have items on hand to distribute when I can, and still play an active roll in praying for this phenomenal ministry.  I do not know why God put this ministry on my heart, just to yank it out from under me, but what I do know, is that God gives us scriptural references that our priorities are to be Him, family, and then others.  My family needs me more than anything right now, so my hope, my prayer, is that God would honor this momma's heart in trying to be obedient to the calling He has given me, my family.

Thanks for stopping by today, and will add lots of pics soon!

OH!  OH!  OH!   My sister had her babies also!  She had them while Kayla was here!  They were four weeks EARLY, but are wonderful and are ALL HOME NOW!  I am adding a picture of her with both babies!

Congratulations to my beautiful, beautiful sister, Michelle, and brother in law, Ron on the birth of these beautiful baby girls!



Good Stress vs Bad Stress

I've said it before and I'll say it again, good stress is just as bad for Christopher as bad stress.

Tuesday afternoon was  horrible and it has continued through the week.

He had his first melt down in public after going months without one.

We were in Wal-Mart. 

It started on the ice cream aisle.  Something that normally wouldn't be an issue, became a HUGE issue which resulted in him running away and hiding from me.  Very scary.  Several moments later it resulted in him just sitting right down in the aisle and sobbing.

With everyone looking.

The remainder of this week, we have had emotional outburst and rages of aggression and violence.

I started seeing his medicine not working so well a few weeks ago in regards to his impulsiveness, and even mentioned it to his psychiatrist, who just swept it under the rug.

Would appreciate your prayers for him (and us) over the coming days, especially next Saturday when Kayla returns to San Diego.

Thanks!

Stacey

Kayla Visits From San Diego!

My daughter told me Friday she might be able to come home while Jacob is on two weeks of pre-deployment exercises.

Sunday she calls and confirms.

While she was bumped on Monday's flight; she was still able to be home Tuesday morning. 

We didn't tell the kids, or anyone else for that fact, just in case it fell through.

Tuesday morning, I sent Kaitlyn to school, as usual.  I then told Christopher we were going to the airport for a field trip.

The following are two videos.  The first one is of Christopher realizing why we were REALLY at the airport and the second one, is of Kaitlyn being checked out from school. 

I wish I had started recording Kaitlyn a few seconds earlier.  As she was walking down the hallway, she (Kaitlyn and I), made eye contact.  She then began throwing her hands in the air, mouthing, "What are you doing?  What are you doing?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

She then opens the door . . . . 

Yes, we are thrilled to have Kayla for two weeks!

Please be praying for Jacob while he is in training.

Thanks!

. .

Our First Fur-Foster

For the last eleven days, we have had the joy of fostering a momma dog and her eleven puppies.

Momma Dog was found wandering some one's property.  She had been wandering for thirty days. 

I do not know when she had her puppies; but I know this past Friday, the 17th they were 5 weeks old.

She was in the Mobile County Animal Shelter for 30 days.

When she was in the shelter, she was thin.  When she left the shelter after those 30 days, she was emaciated.


She, and her puppies were due to be euthanized on Thursday, February 16th, at 4:00 if they were not adopted/rescued by someone, or an agency.

We love dogs and want one desperately, especially for Christopher. 


We have researched and heard how dogs are calming for children with Asperger's; so we have remained optimistic for a pup when employment comes our way. 

I received a link to "Momma Dog" from a friend that knows how desperately we want a dog. The link took us to SouthBARK Animal Rescue.

After a few quick emails explaining our financial situation, and how we would love to help but that we are not able to accept the financial responsibility of a dog, it was done.

Momma Dog, "January" and her eleven puppies were at our house by 1:00 on Friday afternoon.

 



Not sure why this is posting sideways, it's upright in my files; nonetheless, the purpose of this particular picture is for you to see the puncture wounds on the sides of her spine.  There are at least four of them.  There are also two scars around her neck from a chain that was embedded.  This pup has been through hell; yet she has the sweetest temperament.














This picture shows pure exhaustion on this momma dog's face. 

She slept for four hours ;)

Momma Dog has taken a likin' to my husband ;)



He's hooked ;)

Momma Dog has made herself at home ;)

The puppies left us Monday morning at 5:50.  :( 

While we have missed them, I know they are in good hands! 

They were delivered safely to Puppy Pleaser's in Orlando.  SO, if you are in the Orlando area, and are looking for a puppy; I can assure you, these eleven puppies are precious!  Our hearts melted over the baby runt, that we called Natalie.  We almost lost her when momma stopped nursing.  She's a fighter and a lover though!  We are very thankful for Safe Harbor Animal Hospital going above and beyond to see her through!

Overall, our first fur-fostering experience was a great success!  Having puppy breath to greet us every morning was precious!  It was worth all the poop and pee that came with ELEVEN puppies!

Momma Dog is still at our home.  While she is much better than she was, she is still a sick puppy.  She had kennel cough (which she is still being treated for), has a uterine infection from afterbirth that has not passed and also will be getting treated for heart worms. 

She has become VERY protective of our family!  We have four cats.  She has done GREAT with two of the cats, but has tried to chow down on the other two on a regular basis.  To say the least, we do not leave them alone together!

I will update more on Momma Dog!  Below is a picture from today.  She is curled up on the couch, but she has put on several pounds in the last many days!

OH, in case you are wondering, SouthBark carries all the financial burdens of their animals.  I have added a ticker to the top left of my blog for anyone that is interested in donating to help cover the expenses of Momma Dog and her pups.  They acquired several vet bills while here.  As I mentioned earlier, Momma Dog has many more visits yet to come.  Pray about your part.  $1 makes a huge difference in this agency! 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Stacey


P.S.  I have been trying to post this blog for several days; but have been having blogger problems I guess?  Nonetheless, today we picked up our second set of puppies to foster!  We have four more puppies for the next few weeks!  I will post pics when I get a chance!

Homeschool Give-A-Way

Check out this great give-a-way of  homeschool curriculum!

Many ways to enter! 

Good luck!

Jesus Loves Me

At Christopher's therapy appointment today, his therapist asked him, "Christopher, who loves you?"

He said, "My mom and dad."

She then asked him, "Who loves you the most Christopher?"

To that he answered, "Jesus."

I experienced a comfort, a peace, a thrill, in knowng my son, a chld with so many "issues," gets it. 

So I ask you, "Who loves you?" 

If you can't say, "Jesus," then I pray, today, you will know and receive these words.

You are valuable.  You were made with a purpose.  You are loved.  He knows not only your  name, but the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7)!

When I first came to have a one on one relationship with the Lord, I was an adult. 

I didn't know the songs, didn't know the Bible, nothing.

But the one thing I did know, was the song, "Jesus Loves Me."  That song has gotten me through nightmares, fear, questions . . . when I didn't know anything else, the one thing I did know, was a man named Jesus, and that He loved me. 

You can know Him today.

For God so loved the world (that's you), that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but will have eternal life.  John 3:16.