What God Can Do: Happy Birthday Jonathan

Jonathan would have had his 6th birthday yesterday. So very many memories crammed into the last six years. Though I still battle the ugly memories of the tortuous ordeals he was forced to endure in attempts to save his life...those nightmares have eased some with time. More and more when I think of our "Jonnie" it is with peace and smiles to think of his quirky laugh and song singing. How he woke every morning with a total body molding hug around my neck and sweet whisper of "mama". How he was joy filled by all music and for some strange reason especially enjoyed country music?! No matter how many times nurses and doctors poked him and bled him, tied him down for radiation and chemo...he still always greeted them with smiles and hugs and a happy dance. More joy memories now than haunted nightmare memories. I love how God created time. How He uses it. He uses time as the great healer. He uses time to ripen us in knowledge. He uses time for second chances..He uses time for "seventy times seventy" chances. He uses time to allow the living hell of seeing your child die an agonizing death; to grow a heart in ways only extreme grief can grow it. He uses time to cause the worst things to become "good" things. Things for Him.

I miss Jonathan. Always will. But my life is wonderful. How could it not be when I have such a great God? God who can heal the biggest heartaches and forgive the biggest sins. Thank you God for bringing Jonathan into our family. It was awesome...all of it. Even the hardest parts because when it was hardest You showed Yourself the brightest. Thank you God that I know because of You I will see my Jonathan again. I love him so...and I love You more

A baby for Julee! What a glorious day!

The first time Jonathan went bald from chemo. He wasn't too upset about it as you can tell

Transplant was delayed a second time so we were blessed with a third Christmas and Hanukkah with Jonathan

Home away from home "Ronald McDonald House" in Seattle

With big brother Cody at BMT (bone marrow transplant) post radiation and chemo...last day with hair

What radiation, chemo poison and 17 other IV meds can make a person feel like

My poor sweet Jonnie losing the fight for life.

This is how I think of you little man! Happy and at home! Can't wait to be in our real home with you and someday!

Summer Spells Berries

Judah in moment of strawberry bliss





Blueberrie pancakes don't really even need syrup




Berries for pancakes from our very own little strawberry patch out back







I always make a lot of jam in the summer. We love freezer jam the best for it's fresh flavor and that it isn't made with as much sugar. Mike wanted me to make more cooked canned jam this year so as to not have to use up so much of our freezer space. Some days we use up a quart of jam a day. Yes, I said quart. That's a lot of jam in a year. I like making it myself as i can control amount of sugar added plus I know it is just fruit and sugar...not chemicals or preservatives. Tastes better too! Here is some strawberry, blackberry, and Strawberry/blueberry jam.

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day Honey...even though you are a stranger to me here....Right before Father's Day Mike shaved off his mustache and goatee. In the 22 years I have been with him he has always had hair on his face. Now...he is handsome with and without hair on face...it is just he didn't look like my husband with bare naked face. But Mike my guy I would adore you no matter what you did or what happened to your face.







Good coffee is always a winner




This was card on poster board written with Father's day sentiments where some words were words of candy attached to card. Nice thoughts on card and Dad alos got extra candy treats




I made a collage of black and white photos of the kids. The photos were taken one gorgeous spring evening when we had ice cream party outside in front yard. Nice memories...the collage turned out beautifully.

Long Blogless Summer

It has been 3 mos since I last posted! Why? I have no idea why I have dropped out of blogger land. Busy. Felt like there was nothing I wanted to share? Mostly just busy. I think blogging is a habit and once you get out of it...it seems like too much trouble. But i really want this blog to be something to share our lives and something for our children for memories sake.

I hate my blog design now. It looks kinda dark and depressing. First thing I wanna brighten it up. Make it more cheerful. I have of course forgotten everything i so painfully learned about blog design. Until I can re educate myself in blog design and redo it, I will at least post some updates and photos of our summer. It was a full one.

Mmmmm. Maybe I will pay someone to redesign my blog. The amount of hours i would need to relearn all the steps i have to make to do it myself would be better spent elsewhere. Anyone have any recommendations for blog designers...rather cheap and with trendy hip ideas and taste?

Julee

Fun Photo Collage Tool

I do not know how to "add link"...ya know how bloggers have a subject highlighted and if you click on it you will go to website? It seems beyond me to figure that out right now...but did want to share this fun photo tool...the
Shape Collage...Go to http://www.shapecollage.com/ to see how to download it and have fun with your photos. Her is one from Jarib's birthday cake photos..

Cuteness & Sugar Overload/Jarib's 2nd Birthday

There is tons of photos on this blog. "Little's" birthdays are so much fun simply must take tons of photos...just want to share the joy with you. If you can hold out to the end there is a surprise. A WONDERFUL blessing for Jarib and the culmination of months of paperwork and dealing with insurance. Praise the Lord!

















Judah showing how yummy the frosting is on his tongue





Daddy likes Mommy's cupcakes too






Solomon and Towabech





Miriam and Meseret





Job




Tamar MyHao





Happiness is the biggest ball..




Jarib loves balls. He also still calls everything "round" a ball...like an orange, globe,a Brussel sprout. But real balls are just the best all time toy. They roll, bounce are even mostly squishy and colorful. For Jarib's birthday we bought over a dozen balls of varying size and a small child wading pool to hold them. They a winner!




Any toy for any of the three little boys is a "shared" toy. Stress and screaming reigns unless there is at least three of any given play thing. So, the balls are shared; thrown at windows and each other; played with in pool and bath tub; and at times slept with like a favored "lovey".




The best is last here. A few weeks ago Jarib's new wheelchair was delivered. It is honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen. From the first time Jarib sat in it he knew exactly how to make it work. He can crawl up into chair himself and buckle his sea belt. It has changed his life! He gets ALL over in house. Though the hard wood floors are easier for speed,he does fine moving on the rug. He LOVES playing (speeding around) on the cement and sidewalks outside...though he isn't able to get far in grass. Jarib loves to "dance" to music in his chair and to play the "twirl around" game where he spins the chair faster and faster around in circle. We are so happy for him!

Meseret's May 27th Birthday

Meseret is such a sweet daughter. She was adopted at age 8 and is now a whopping 14 years old! "Messy" is a great helper and very hard worker at home. She is super social and loves her friends and youth group. Most lovely is she loves the Lord and seeks to follow Him. It shows...Happy 14th Birthday honey!



The after "Happy Birthday" song cheering



Towabech waiting to bless Meseret with the gift she spent many hours making..



Meseret with her beautiful birthday gift scarf from sister. Towabech came from Layla home in Ethiopia with master knitting skills.