Kj's "Excitement"

I'm a bit emotional tonight...  Here's the story...  Kevin said I should start writing it down, this is an especially good idea since I forget many details.  For instance...  Wait, let me back up. 

Kj has a lump on her leg.  It bulges when she flexes her foot and lays down when she relaxes.  It took me about a month after finding it to finally get her to the doctor.  We'd often forget about it because it didn't hurt and if she was wearing pants of any kind it wasn't seen. 

So, we went to the doctor, she ordered an ultrasound.  We got an ultrasound, they ordered an MRI.  The MRI was denied because Kj didn't also get an x-ray.  We waited.  We were referred to a surgeon.  We saw the surgeon, she reordered the MRI (a different way), the order was accepted.  The next day we had an MRI.  Two days later we waited for a call.  We waited by the wrong phone.  We arrived home two days after that to find two messages from that surgeon.  She referred us to an orthopedic surgeon, so we'll make an appointment for that meeting tomorrow (Monday). 

So, about my lack of detailed remembering...  The doctor comes into the room and asks when we first saw the lump.  First of all, it was a weekend with Nana at which it was discovered, but then a couple weeks went by before deciding that we should probably get this check out.  So, I tell the doctor, "Umm, a couple months ago, I suppose."  Then, I look at Kj.  She nods and says, "Yeah, probably two months or one."  Haha... 

Well, I'm ready for bed...maybe another post soon.  

Repeat paragraph with dates:

So, we went to the doctor (10/10), she ordered an ultrasound.  We got an ultrasound (10/13), they ordered an MRI.  The MRI was denied because Kj didn't also get an x-ray.  We waited.  We were referred to a surgeon.  We saw the surgeon (11/23), she reordered the MRI (a different way), the order was accepted (11/23).  The next day we had an MRI (11/24).  Two days later we waited for a call (11/26).  We waited by the wrong phone.  We arrived home two days after that to find two messages from that surgeon (11/28).  She referred us to an orthopedic surgeon, so we'll make an appointment for that meeting tomorrow (Monday 11/29). 

We Were Blessed

As Nana watched out the window last night, 

Upon our empty streets, 

She saw a mob of people coming, 

To which we could give some treats.

We all rushed to the window because we had yet to pass out any of our carefully decorated "love bags".  I looked down the street and at the next corner I saw a large group, adult height, standing very still, appearing to wear lots of black with a bit of red and white.  Oh, no, Kevin will be answering the door for them.  But still they didn't move.  Then after many long moments of all of us squinting out at them, they started to cross the street.  Wheelchairs!  Over a dozen children in wheelchairs coming down the street being pushed by their "friends".

They were heading down the other side of the street past our house.  "Quick girls, get on your shoes and coats, we'll bring some to them!"  But they were passing us by...  Then, Nana calls out, "Are you coming over here?"  "Yes," was the reply.  Ok, back in and wait a moment.

A few minutes later, we had the dozen plus wheelchairs in our driveway and we were able to bring out our treat bags to them!  I got a little emotional while they were here, thinking of how wrong I was, seeing them from a distance.  They were no scary crew, these were beautiful, sweet, wheelchair bound children!  Then, I remembered to talk to them, not just observe my girls and their aunt passing out their bags.  I talked with the leader of the crew and touched her hand, asked her where she was headed next.  Next a serene-faced ladybug, who's name was E, and I commented that one of the girls had her name as a middle name. 

My heart overflows (into my eyes most of the time) and I am so glad we made the decision to light up our house and share of our bounty!  Usually we turn off the lights, go somewhere else, or just ignore that Halloween even exists.  Here are some others' thoughts that we considered this year:

The Evolution of Halloween in Our Home

Our Pets Don’t Need a Halloween Costume and Other Important Truths

The Light Shines on All Hallows’ Eve

The LORD is good and His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations!  Psalm 100:5  (On one of the bags Kj wrote the whole of Psalm 100!  She opened up her Bible and started copying it.)

Apple Pie Filling

Have you ever tried canning apple pie filling?  Do you have ideas or recipes on how to do it?  I tried this one:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Canned-Apple-Pie-Filling/

I did add more cinnamon, and skipped the peeling part, and haven't tried it.  I guess I'll have to make a pie soon!  It does seem to be counter productive to use one of your canned items so soon though.  Let me know if you have a better recipe or a tested recipe!

A Productive Kitchen (and Progress)

Well, I think I alleviate stress in the kitchen...in a few different ways:

~ I recently loaded my plastic-ware in my dishwasher and put away all the random dishes that our family needed to make it to a full load.  I have been doing dishes after each meal.  The girls often help.  I'll fill up the sink with soapy water, then load it up and have one girl wash those, then the next girl gets the next load and I finish up with all the large or sharp items.  After supper, I usually just do them.  It has given me a chance to get away (but not too far) from all the kids and the clatter that they make.  And also gives Kevin some time with them, with me just a room away.  

~ The destressing doesn't always come in cleaning though...but with other little extras.  We have gotten a couple coop loads of fruits and vegetables.  I spend a lot of time prepping that for meals and snacks, so that I can quickly fill a plate with these at snacks or lunch.

~ Tonight, I canned spaghetti sauce for the first time (technically pizza sauce).  It was easy, and I could read books to L in between each step, but I did.  Another day, I canned applesauce. 

There has also been other happenings in our kitchen.  Kevin and our dads came on my birthday and installed the first section of new cabinets.  I am about ready to order the island cabinets too.  I just have to decide whether I want drawers or shelves, or one of each.  Then I have to haul 4 kids to the store to drop off the check for half price.  That is the challenge that I am stuck at.  Maybe I can call ahead and have them meet me at the door so I can just pass the check through the door.  Hehe...

Bent Out of Shape

My life has been a little hectic lately.  In the middle of one Friday night, we accepted the call to take 2 foster kids for the weekend.  Well, that weekend turned into a week and that week turned into two.  Baby gates were needed, extra hands were needed, another pack and play, and three sizes of diapers.  My response has been roller-coaster-ish.  There has been laughter and tears.  I have tried to plan, but don't know the plan to plan around.  I am living in the moment.  Most afternoons are filled with two crying boys (one child that we took in moved on after a few days, so we are down to 2 sizes of diapers), and most evenings have been filled with less than loving responses to my husband's attempts to help.  I have had many broken moments, just crying out to God.  I can't do this!  Is that my selfish response or a right/normal/good response?  After the tears does come a peace though!!  Amazing how God works.  I broke, I told Him, He can fill me!  He can help me moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.  My attitude and outlook is being adjusted (slowly).  After a impromptu fall break from homeschool, we are getting our school schedule adjusted and fitting it all in.  I still don't know the plan and what I do know makes me think that the weekend might run into yet another week.  I have had little encouraging things come at just the right moment: 

~At church on Sunday a verse was read in Second Corinthians 6 that mentioned "sleepless nights"...my response - God knows what I'm going through!!
~The sermon talked about all things giving God the glory, and are we doing any of this for our glory or for God's...my response - praying that this all is for the right reasons.
~A friend setting up meals for us (our family and another foster family)...my response - extreme gratitude!  It is getting easier, but it is amazing how little you can get done with 2 under 2.  
~This sweet face of our Mn:

 

So, after all that (hopefully it made sense), if I seem a little bent out of shape, forgive me!  I'm getting refined!  And hopefully my ring will be get the kink out soon too.  If you see that I'm not wearing it, don't assume that something is wrong between Kevin and I...I just felt securely claustrophobic!  He knows and he is very understanding!  Pray for us, would you!?  There are many scenarios that could play out and some of them require us to make a decision about the care of sweet boy (not pictured). 

Zucchini Galore

**I didn't finish this post, but wanted to get the links out anyway.

Zucchini Bread:

Zucchini Cookies

Make in to bars - double batch makes 9x13 pan!  Yum

Seedless Raspberry Jam

Oops, only put 3 oz, could do 5 c instead of 6 c sugar for double batch

Zucchini Lime Jam

Dehydrated Zucchini

Zucchini Cake

Zucchini Tots

Heed advice to dry out zuc. a bit on cloth...I did but not enough...

Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes (in a jar)

In the wide mouth 1-quart jar - packing down each layer before adding another:

2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup dry milk
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Making 10 servings combine:

1 jar
2/3 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups water

Cook pancakes and enjoy!

Recipe found in "Gifts in a Jar - One Dish Meals" ISBN 1-56383-136-8