A little update about Andrew

Thank you all for your comments and cards! We have been overwhelmed with the love, care, and support shown to us. Andrew continues to do well and at the doctor's office this afternoon showed signs of improvement compared to last week. The bones in his ear are healing and there is a good chance that the slight hearing loss he has now will be restored in a few weeks time. Andrew still tires easy but that will just take some time for the effects of the concussion to go away.

I asked Andrew what he thought of all of the people praying for him. He had the perfect word that summed it up: "impressive." We pray that this impression of God's children praying and caring for one another will have a lasting effect on Andrew's life.

Road Trip Part #1 - Andrew's story

Instead of starting at the beginning of our trip, I will write about the last part - Andrew's story.

During the spring break we left on a 2 week road trip driving through 5 different states in a rented RV.

By last Friday we had been through four states and had spent three days exploring the grand landscape of Utah. We met up with Adam's brother and his family during the last part of the trip in Utah. We had a great time spending time with them and going on gorgeous hikes. Our plan was to part ways on Saturday morning with our family going on to Colorado. On Friday night we had a hard time finding a place to park our RVs and ended up way outside of town, in the middle of no-where in a cow field - but it was a beautiful field under the numerous stars and the mountains in the distance. There were a number of other RVs parked there, all brave drivers who drove along a narrow, gravel road in order to get to the camp site. That night we decided to have a camp fire and climbed up these huge rocks that were all lumped together. It seemed like the perfect spot to have a campfire, away from the wind and it didn't even seem that high compared to the major canyons and mountains we had seen so far. While we were roasting our marshmallows and hotdogs around the fire, our oldest nephew came running to us holding a very limp and bloodied Andrew. Some of the kids had heard him scream and found him. Andrew doesn't remember if he stumbled down the rock which was about 10ft or if he was climbing up the side and fell down but as soon as we got him we knew that this was serious.

During the months we were planning for this trip, I had continual nightmares of our boys falling into a deep canyon and during the two weeks on the road my nightmares continued except they were worse. The canyons were much deeper than I'd imagined and during the nights my nightmares haunted me. When we first saw Andrew and realized how serious this was, I kept on thinking, my nightmare had come true.

We carried Andrew back to the RV while my sister-in-law assessed him and called 911. We quickly packed the kids up and flew down the road we had so cautiously driven on before. Soon we met up with the sheriff and he led the way until we met up with the ambulance. I jumped in the back of the ambulance with Andrew and it was a race to the hospital. The sheriff was kind and continued to lead Adam in the RV until he reached the hospital.

 During this time Andrew moaned and was in obvious pain. Blood continued to drain from his ear but he never lost consciousness. When we got to the hospital there were Dr's and nurses waiting for him. When Andrew's vitals were more stable they did a cat scan and this revealed that there was a possible fracture in his skull. Through out this time,  there was a nurse that took really good care of us. She was already three hours past her 12 hour shift but she did not leave our side.

 The doctor decided it would be best for Andrew to be airlifted to a children's hospital where he could receive better care. I really don't care for flying and now we would be flying on a little 5 seater plane just over the mountains into snowy Colorado. I was in a complete fog, just trying to remain positive and comforting for Andrew so I tried not to think about this airflight we would be taking. The airplane ride was none too smooth and got hit with some bouts of turbulence while crossing over the mountainous border.

 I do remember the paramedics trying hard to keep Andrew awake. I heard them ask, "Andrew, do you have any siblings?" Andrew replied with a nod and then said, "Four brothers."

There was silence and then they tried again, "Andrew, do you have any siblings?" "Yes" Andrew said, "four brothers." Silence again. By then I had their attention and nodded that Andrew was right. He had four brothers.

When we arrived in Denver, Colorado we landed in a small private airport. It was pitch black outside except for the ambulance lights turning at the end of the runway. When I got off of the plane, I felt like I was walking on a movie set with the snow swirling around us. It was so surreal!

Once again we were back on the ambulance, this time headed for the children's hospital. When we reached the hospital there was a whole team of doctors and nurses waiting for us in the trauma unit. It was unbelievable. By this time it was in the middle of the night, Andrew was exhausted and this nightmare feeling just kept on pressing. In the meantime Adam spent the night driving the RV with  the rest of the boys through the rocky mountains to meet us in Denver.

We finally got some test results and Andrew had fractured parts of his skull, broke his ear drum, had a concussion, and broke some of the bones in his ear. We were not sure where the bleeding was coming from but they gave him a vaccine for meningitis in case he had cerebral fluid draining. The doctors gave me worse case scenarios of how this could effect his learning, his hearing, his movements and his memory. Through out this tense time, Andrew and I had some very tender moments together. I also got in a chuckle when he asked the Dr. if he had broken his hammer bone in his ear. I think he wanted that bone to be the broken one.

All day Saturday, Andrew threw up and was extremely nauseated. This was a very hard day for him. The only thing that would help comfort him was singing to him. Adam had reached Colorado safely but was unable to come into the hospital because the other boys were not allowed in. This was a long day for both of us and I felt like I was plopped in a strange city with a very sick boy, all alone. But through all of this God had sent the right people at the right time and He continued to do so. My parents had acquaintances, Mark and Jody, living just outside of Denver. When Mark called me, I just felt huge relief. They offered to pick up our boys and do whatever it took to help. After church on Sunday, Adam came to the hospital with the boys and we met in the family room. The boys were so happy to see one another especially since it had been traumatizing for the boys to watch their brother suffering and their parents fighting the urge to panic. Andrew managed to talk a little with them but it was too hard for him to stay sitting, he needed to lay down. The boys headed off to Mark and Jody's for an Easter dinner and spent the night there. It was a huge relief to have Adam near by, for both me and Andrew.

By Monday Andrew was feeling that much better and was determined to get out of the hospital. He still couldn't walk but could sit for longer periods of time and was starting to show interest in food again. The doctors told us healing would just take a lot of time and that was something we could do at home. We had airplane tickets to leave out of Denver for the next day. The doctors also said that air pressure could possibly aid in the recovery. That was good because we had two stop-overs on our way home.

On Tuesday we began the long journey home and it took forever. We were so eager to be in our own home, surrounded by family and friends. When we landed my parents were waiting for us and I just felt the biggest, best relief. Andrew broke out into a wide grin and the boys were ready for some good hugging. When we got home at midnight, we walked into the door and were blown away. Welcome home posters covered the walls, balloons strung up, and a "home sweet home" sign sat on my counter. That saying is so true! Our home seemed huge, clean, and wonderful after living in the RV and hospital room for two weeks. We were so thankful to be back home. 

Yesterday, Andrew started walking again. He is making remarkable recovery every day. We have some appointments booked with the doctor for his ear. His ear and brain will need time to heal. He is a happy, cheerful boy to have around so we don't mind that he is here at home and not in school while he continues to heal. We are just all so happy and I haven't stopped smiling. This accident could have been so much worse. Instead God saved Andrew's life. God provided for us through every step of the accident. When Mark and Jody opened their home to four boys for the weekend and took such good care of them, God provided. Mark told me that when you are part of Christ's family, this would be something anyone would do, but I think there are times we know what is right and choose not to do it. They chose to obey and they went the second mile for our family. God also showed me that he would take us through something we fear the most. He would be our Jehovah Jirah- our Provider. We had a great team of doctors and nurses in the children's hospital and received top notch care. We were flooded with calls, texts, emails from our family and friends and just marveled at the love and care they shared with our family. Today Andrew received a huge card from his classmates and the staff at our school. He just smiled and smiled. I hope this smiling keeps up when we have to tell him over and over again to take it easy and continue resting!

The boys were thrilled to see Andrew again after his fall. Andrew was happy at first but then wanted to lay down.

Talking on the phone with his friends, Johnny and Olivia cheered Andrew up.

So happy to be home again!

Books

This book is right up there with my favourites. It sat in our bookshelf for many years and now reading it for the first time, I wish I had read it earlier. Chuck Colson writes of his life after his prison sentence and the start up of prison ministries. A man of deep thoughts and eager to serve the Lord, he was influential to many.

Here are two good books on raising boys. The authors explain what to expect as your sons grow older. They include statistics and research surveys, advice, teaching about hormones and more.

Although these books were helpful, both authors have one son to devote all of their energy on. I would like to read a book by an author who has multiple sons and see what that looks like. Would their advice/ suggestions change? The books were still worth reading.

Its not too often I can't finish a book but this was one of them. Do not buy it. The book could of been great showing how books influence, shape, encourage, and teach, especially for the men fighting in war. Instead the book got into lengthy history lessons and lacked heart and feelings. 

I am in the middle of this book right now and I'm really enjoying it. The author is capable of relaying history, giving many facts, and yet writing simply. She writes with the right amount of tension so that you want to skim to the end of the book to see how the crazy of adventure of Roosevelt turns out.

***The following is part of a newsletter from our church library***

~PARENTING~

“Every Day Talk” – Talking Freely and Naturally about God with Your Children by John A. Younts   Everyday talk is talk that happens in the unplanned moments. It happens in causal, unguarded moments. The most powerful personal influence in your child’s life is everyday talk. The author practically points out how listening and communicating with your child are essential features of biblical parenting.

“Engaging Today’s Prodigal” – Clear Thinking, New Approaches, and Reasons for Hope. Author Carol Barnier writes of understanding prodigals children and gives ideas to maintain a connection with them. This connection may be a bridge home. She shares of lessons she learned firsthand; writes what the church can do to assist; and offers hope.

“Instructing a Child’s Heart” and “Shepherding a Childs Heart” by Tedd Tripp. Solid, biblical help are found on the pages of these books for parents.  The books teach how to speak to the heart of your child.  Parents with children of any age will benefit from reading them.

“Disciplines of a Godly Family”  Kent and Barbara Hughes write on topics such as establishing a solid family heritage, promoting affection between family members, encouraging godliness in children, using appropriate discipline and much more.

“Loving the Little Years” – Motherhood in the Trenches ; “Fit to Burst” – Abundance, mayhem, and the joys of motherhood. These two books by Rachel Jankovic are delightful, encouraging books to help equip moms with young ones in the home. She is honest, humorous, and shares the hope of the gospel.

“What He Must Be…if he wants to marry my daughter” Voddie Baucham Jr. breaks this picture down into ten desirable qualities. Not only should parents of young women seek these qualities in a son-in-law, but parents of young men should strive to cultivate these qualities in their sons.

“Give Them Grace” – Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thomspon.   “Bringing up Boys” & “Bringing up Girls” by Dr. James Dobson give practical advice and encouragement for those shaping the next generation. “Your Boy”- Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World & “Your Girl” – Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney. “Growing Appetites for God” by Carrie Ward. “Parenting With Scripture” a topical guide for teachable moments.

Taxidermy Attempt....if you have a weak stomach - do not read this post!

A few weeks ago, our older boys found a dead bufflehead duck on the side of the road. They carried it home and for some strange reason we just kept it in a box in our screened-in-porch. When our bible study group came over, we showed some of the avid hunting guys our duck and asked for their opinion. They thought the duck was worth stuffing. 

Now there is a girl in our group that is adventuresome and daring. I am not sure if it was Rachel's youthful zeal or my late-night thinking, but before I knew it, Rachel and I had made a date to get together and stuff this duck. How hard could it be to be a taxidermist?

Yesterday morning I took the duck out of the freezer (yes, he moved into the freezer) to thaw. By the afternoon, Bob the bufflehead duck was still frozen solid so last night he sat on top of the freezer in his box-coffin for the night. 

Rachel came over this afternoon and we put our gloves on and got to work.

We had you-tubed duck taxidermy and it didn't look too hard. 

What the video doesn't give you is the smell. The horrible, wretched smell when you make the first cut. Absolutely disgusting. The video doesn't give you the sound of the bones crunching when you have to cut the bones. The video also doesn't tell you how you will be scared when you cut near the jugular in case you nick it and blood squirts all over. 

This was one of the most difficult afternoons I have ever endured. We have never skinned, or cut open any animals ever before so the cutting seemed to take forever.

And yet, we kept on sawing, chopping, and grossing ourselves out, because once you get started, you're not sure when to stop. 

That is a forced smile you see. The smell; the blood. Brutal, brutal.

The next two images, I toned down the colour so that your stomachs won't squirm as much as ours did,  but on the first one we were yanking on its tongue. It was never ending and we were afraid it would just pop out and hit us in the face or something.

On the other picture are its eyes. Gross, Gross.

Well, we have given up on our duck for now. He is all cleaned out and back in his coffin-box. 

We got stuck on how to pin it's feet and what to do with the skull, so if any of you have suggestions, we're open to advice!

Taxidermy is expensive, but believe me, its worth the money!

when to call a hobby quits

Back in the fall, I asked my bird-friend to come over and tell me if my coop was ready for the winter. I wanted to make sure that my prized birds would be safe, warm, and hopefully ready to breed in the early spring. After experiencing bad bird-luck during the summer, I felt that I had finally crossed the hurdle and looked forward to gazing on a beautiful show in my coop during the next summer.

My bird-friend came on by and took one look at my male red-golden pheasant and nodded with approval. (This was my second pheasant after the first one flew right over my head and out of the coop) After the bird-friend gave a low whistle, I knew I had scored. He told me he had never before seen such a nice looking bird. Instantly my heart swelled up with pride and I determined that no matter how much money it cost, when this bird died, I would have it stuffed.  

The new pheasant I bought was truly spectacular to look at. He had a dark, rich colours. His comb was large, giving him a real unique look.

I was able to keep my breeding pair of pheasants, silkies, partridges, and one silly looking cross breed bird all in the same cage. This made caring for the birds through out the winter easier.

 During the first part of winter, it was simple taking the water out to the cage once a day and checking up on the birds but my heart sank when one day I discovered my partridge dead on the coop floor. It bothered me but there was comfort that I could buy a new one in the spring from my bird-guy who has a wonderful supply of birds for a decent price.

Then tragedy occurred a few weeks later. I checked in on the birds one late afternoon and was shocked to see all three of my silkies laying on the ground...dead. Their silky feathers were scattered all around. I quickly scanned the coop for my pheasant - it was no where to be seen. I turned on the light and checked the nesting boxes desperately hoping it was tucked safe inside but my beautiful red golden had totally disappeared. There wasn't a feather or any clue left behind. I checked the snow for foot prints because this bird would be worthy of theft. As I scoured the coop, desperately hoping that the red golden would make a sudden appearance, its female partner perched high on her roost, safe and sound. After our investigation, we did discover a tiny hole where a rodent must of crept up through to kill the silkies, but the hole was so small there would be no way a large pheasant could fit through it. 

This whole thing remains a mystery. An unsettling mystery.

But here is an important question: when is it time to call a hobby quits? When is enough, enough?

The cost, the hassle, the extra work...these issues all play into the decision.

 Right now I am thinking its time to say good-bye to the specialty birds and just stick with the practical, egg-laying hens. 

BUT when spring comes...it could be a different story...

red -golden male pheasant #1

The three docile, comical silkies - gone.

the 4 boy cousins

During our Christmas family get-together, story telling is strongly encouraged. Sometimes, "the well may run dry (Renee!)" but other times, the stories bring up a beautiful nostalgic feeling.

You can read about our tradition here.

Here is my Christmas story from December:

Family Story – Christmas 2015

It was a warm fall morning in 2009. I was feeding our three young sons their breakfast when Renee’s car sped into our driveway. She lept out of her car and ran to the back steps. The back door swung open and she ran; straight for the bathroom. She gave the door a slam and that’s when I heard her…throwing up. “Umm. Humm,” I thought. “This girl is pregnant.” Renee came out of the bathroom and sat down by the kitchen island with a sigh. After I asked her some probing questions, I confirmed my diagnosis. We figured out her due date and I wished her strength because there would probably be more weeks of this morning upheaval. After Renee left, I smiled to myself. I was almost 100% certain I was pregnant too. Rachel was pregnant and she and Erik were looking forward to a spring baby. However, the warm, fuzzy feelings of us sisters being pregnant together didn’t last because I began to worry about Heather. She was married for as long as Renee and not being able to share in this wonderful excitement of the family growing could be very hard for her. I thought of how we would handle all of this and the sensitivity we would need to show. The next afternoon, Heather stopped by after her work. She sat by the kitchen island and before I could start a conversation she told me she was pregnant. I whooped for joy. All four of us sisters pregnant at the same time! I asked her about her due date and smiled deep inside. I figured out she was due a day after me and Renee was due two weeks ahead of us. My excitement could not contain itself. I knew about everyone’s secret and they only knew about themselves and Rachel.

I convinced Heather and Renee to share their news at mom and dad’s when we would all be there for supper. I imagined the happy chaos when they found out about all of the pregnancies.  It would be a joke on them and these were peculiar circumstances would never be forgotten.

The special supper evening arrived. Renee had told Heather the night before so they had figured out their special news on their own. Renee had also told mom and dad.

During supper Heather and Renee had created their own cute ways to share their exciting news. First we all cheered with Renee and Dave’s news. Not long after their announcement Heather and Mark shared their exciting news. Supper time was filled with jovial joking and laughing. Dad and mom could not believe it- three of their daughters were pregnant. Adam and I just smiled and let everyone tease us that now it would be our turn.

Later that evening it was time to leave. Adam and I loaded our three boys in the van and as we sat down to go home we both had the same thought - we had to go back in the house and tell everyone about our own special news.

We ran back into the house and I shouted, “I’m pregnant too!”

Mom literally felt for a chair and sat down. The house erupted in cheers. What news to celebrate and share! That weekend my parents found out three of their daughters were pregnant and they already had a daughter who was pregnant.

There is something so special about being pregnant with sisters. There is a familial wholeness and the beautiful wonder of God’s timing.

After the nausea and fatigue subsided we had fun talking about our growing babies. We speculated what it would be like when the babies arrived. There were baby showers for Heather and Renee. We guessed what we would be having. I was totally convinced I would be having another boy and I really hoped that at least one of them would have a boy too for two reasons. First, so that our little boy would have someone to play with and secondly, so my sisters would understand the way I parent. Coming from a houseful of sisters to having one or more sons is a real learning curb.

Finally a few months later, my mom and I were at a wedding shower when the phone rang. Rachel and Erik had a baby boy. I remember sinking down into the couch with the most relieved feeling. A boy. Phew. A boy cousin! Immediately mom and I left the shower, picked up dad and headed to the hospital. There we met the most wide-eyed newborn we had ever seen. Kentin looked like he was going to start up a conversation with us.

Seven weeks later it was my turn to be induced. We were thrilled to meet our new son, Tyler. He was such a small little baby, but had lungs that could fire away.

A week later Dave called me early one morning -they had a boy! A boy – I couldn’t believe it. Three boys! Sweet Josh slept and slept during his first few months.  His content disposition made parenting look easy.

And then two weeks later, on a warm summer afternoon, Heather made the phone call. She too, had a boy.  I couldn’t get over it. Four boy cousins! Unfortunately for Mark and Heather, James was colicky and fussy. James and Tyler made a good pair with all of their crying.

Going to dad and mom’s that summer of 2010 was like walking into Babyland. Littered across the living room were diapers, nursing pads, nursing blankets, creams and lotions, baby wipes, car seats, and tired looking moms- probably a bit on the hormonal side.

Our cousin Jeanette, also had a boy a few months after us. Kyle is just like one of these little boy cousins, interested in how things work, trucks, tractors, and loves things that go fast. Now those little babies are 5.5 years old. All of these boys have a zest for life and each have their own unique character.

It will be interesting to see these boys grow up. We think there will be a lot of fun and pranks. There might be some trouble – I picture cars racing down our road. We do pray though, that they will be true, caring friends; spurring one another to live their lives in a way that glorifies and honours God.

Three of us were at the comfortable stage of our pregnancies. Thankfully Rachel only had 2 weeks to go!

This was our first time altogether after the boys were born.

                                         
                                          At the cottage over the years...

1 YEARS OLD: The first summer up north. Strollers, diapers, smiles, crying, crawling...lots of memories.

2 YEARS OLD! 

At THREE years old, some of them showed their fearlessness and others

showed their caution. Okay, only one showed their fearlessness.

He's the crazy guy doing cartwheels out of the wagon.

At age FOUR, these guys are great buds, enjoying their time more

at their cousins' homes than their own home.

Now at FIVE years old, these boys were able to organize their own

boy-fun while up north. Their imaginations took them on great journeys, they shared their exaggerated fishing stories, and searched for the best treasures. 

Just Show Up! - book review plus 2 more

"Just Show Up" by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn should be in the hands of every Christian. Practical, full of wisdom and advice, this book is most helpful. These two friends wrote of their journey together as Kara suffered from cancer. The book gives advice on helping, receiving help, what to say and what not to say. In one chapter they write about, "comfort In and dump Out." Those who are in the inner circle of the sufferer should only receive comfort. What you are feeling in the midst of your friend or family member's suffering should not be dumped out on them. They write about just showing up and being there in silence, not agonizing over the uncomfortable silence. I had only read the forward and thought that the book was worth buying just for that! I cannot stress enough of the helpfulness of this book. At the end of each chapter there are discussion and reflection questions.  

This is the third book in a series of stories about Spurgeon written for children. All three of these books have been well received by our whole family. This book is informative, creative, and well written.

*It wasn't until we were almost done the book that our five year old voiced his question and on-going thought in his head, "Is Spurgeon a mosquito?!"

I have been reading this book to our eight year old and it's been perfect for his age. This book tells of four men: William Tyndale, John Newton, David Brainerd, and Eric Liddell. The stories are a good length with the perfect amount of detail. Illustrations are included to keep their attention!