Post surgery visit to Dr Elwood

Well, it has been a few weeks and Doctor Elwood wanted to see Savannah again to see how she is doing and he is happy with her healing.  Told us to keep it moist so it won't dry out.  He is such a humble man that even when we kept praising him he would not even shutter a movement.  I do believe he has God skilled hands.  I mean the man did something wonderful for a little girl who lived too long with a facial deformity and became strong with it.  It amazes me how those people who struggle the most in life are the ones who usually stand out the strongest.  It amazes me when people forget where these strong people came from.  I will promise you as I look at my beautiful daughter I will forever rmember how she became strong and how she had to learn early on what it means to have pain.......physical and emotional but to keep her head up high and be proud of who she is.

Sunday of delight

It was wonderful to go to Mass this morning because Billy was finally with us again.  He works so much that usually is not able to attend.  It was neat to see how even the family of St. Ann just light up because Billy was back.  After church we went to get him fitted for his tux.  Wow is he going to look sharp!!!  His girlfriend Alex went with us.  I am glad because if she did not make the decision then we would of been there a long time.  Billy just did not care as long as Alex was happy.........super sweet!!  I know if she was not there I probably have him dressing in a tux that should of came out of the 80s...:)...

Mike has been working very hard to get the bathroom done down stairs.  All we need to do now is wait for the grout to dry and then we can install the bathtub, toilet, sink, and then door!!!!  I will be so glad to get that done.  Next will be to paint the family/playroom.  After that we need to find some permant flooring.......yes I am still looking on Craigslist...........my entire new basement will be done by Craigslist.  I wish there was a contest because I think we would win it!!  I love to find bargins!!  It can be in anything and I get a high off of it.   After we get the basement done we will be painting the rest of the house beginning with the main level.  Believe it or not I have the colors already picked out.  No we do not buy our paint off of Craigslist.  I will not go that way with paint.

I worked hard on getting the workshops assigned for me on the China Mission trip done yesterday.   After I started it followed easily.  I do give that grace from God.  I am so thankful that he is trusting me on this journey.  I just wish I had that much faith in myself.......but that is where he comes in.  So glad about that.  To think I could do a journey like this without him is just crazy.  I remember when I was little I struggled in school.  I struggled having friends.  I struggled even who I was....still struggling on that.   Anyway I think it is amazing how God took those struggles and made them into my deep love of children especially the forgotten, alone, and those in pain.  It really has liften much of that old pain and given me so much compassion for others.  I think God is great about that.   

Only God take such darkness and light the world of others!!

Time has gone by too fast...

We have been very busy family since I last post........One big thing is Savannah had her cleft lip/nose surgery.  Inspite of the picture with Brandon she is very happy with her new smile.  She had more difficult time with this surgery.  It was more painful and the medicine made her "out of it".  She has bounced back and is very smiley funny girl as always. 

At the beginning of April we went up to Minnesota to visit Brandon and to go to the Mall of America.  It was a great weekend with my sister, Chris and my niece and nephew, Nadya and Alek.  The girls enjoyed going on the rides in the middle of the mall...........it was Savannah's first time and her face said all!!  The last ride she went on was the swing and she came off that saying..."I will NEVER ride that again!!"  I just giggled. 

I don't know if you remember but Savannah had a difficult time driving when we were in China and for a while after we got home.  Well, she made it up to Minnesota and back with no issues!!  She actually did better than her sister.  No complaining and just enjoyed the toys, music, videos and games on the way up and back.  So glad because when we head up to Door County this summer it will just as long if not longer ride!!

Well in three weeks my baby boy........yes I still call him that even though he is 18.  He is an adult and his own person but in my brain...he is still...well if you are a mom you will understand.  Anyway in three weeks he will take the walk across the stage to be given his high school diploma.  Yes, he is already in College but because he graduated mid year he is still given the option of walking and I am so glad that he is doing that!!!!  Next weekend Billy is also going to his first prom.  He is going with his girlfriend Alex to Norte Dame prom.  I promise to have pictures to show you later!!

Well, I learned a hard lesson for myself since the last time I have posted.  It is hard to swallow and it saddens me too.  I know that we all have our crosses but I thought mine were mainly outside of myself.  I don't mean I am perfect but I never thought of my sins as crosses but things I did wrong and needed to ask for forgiveness for.  This new realization goes very deep and it causes me to sin in a way I hate and see the ugliness in myself.  A cross that does affect who I am and who I don't want to be.  This cross because I did not want to carry it anymore took my family down an ugly road the last few weeks.  So ugly that I realize now I cannot ever put this cross down again.  I cannot think it will go away.  I cannot think I am ok...I am cool......I can do this.......BECAUSE I cannot and I praise God for the wisdom of those in my life that have such love that they don't walk away......... they look at me.......straight in my eyes and tell me........STOP.  It is those people I am thankful for.  It is those people I cannot live one day without because I would not be me without them......not the me I am today.  So thank you.......and you know who you are!!  Love ya and I am sorry for all the crap you had to go through to get it through my thick skull that you only care....just care and love!!!