All the Mus

Weekend Fun

Just a little neighborhood trick or treating!! We’ve never really liked all the yuck of Halloween, and haven’t ever let our kids get into all that scary, creepy stuff, but we love dressing up in fun/funny costumes!! We love our neighborhood, it’s like when we were kids!! Everyone is out walking - parents and kids. Neighbors strolling the streets together, talking. A fun time of fellowship!! And thankfully, we live in a neighborhood with people who, for the most part, aren't into all the yuck either. Now to just stay out of the tons of candy we brought home!!

This year we had -

Adam as a Caveman!!

Isaac as a Disco Dude!!

Our granddaughter, Ella, as a Ladybug!!

Believing you will all have a fabulous week!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

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Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us. Remember JOY is contagious!!

I usually try to keep my JOY posts short and light, but I posted this late in the day Tuesday and then decided to repost it for my JOY post!!! I can't think of too many things more joyful than miracles!!

Four years ago today, my life changed!! The Lord blessed me with a precious granddaughter!! I had no idea what I was in for, but I was so excited!! I had no idea she would steal my heart like she has!! I had no idea she would love me like she does!!

It all started out rough!! She was sick when she was born and had way too many machines hooked up to her!! It just broke my heart. I remember standing at that nursery window, praying and crying like never before!! Begging Jesus for a miracle, her little body needed healing and I knew the man for the job!! In no time, she was well and able to go home.

Lindsey could only touch her feet!! Talk about breaking your heart!!

We finally got to cuddle her!!

Finally going home!!

Little did we know that two months later, we would be taking an ambulance ride back to the hospital. The diagnosis - seizures. What caused them, no one knew!! The doctors couldn’t explain it. The ran every test imaginable, poked her over and over, and in a Nanny’s mind just plain tortured her. We spent her first Christmas in the hospital, but that didn’t stop us from having fun, loving each other, and praying and believing for another miracle. Eventually we got to take her home again, but she continued to have unexplained seizures. Month after month, doctor appointment after doctor appointment, test after test, specialist after specialist, and still seizures with no answers.

Her entire head was covered with wires!!

Too many tubes, wires, and machines!!

Ella’s first Christmas!!

After a year of this, we took her to a specialist in Dallas at the Children’s Hospital and he finally gave us a diagnosis. Not what we wanted to hear, but it sure could have been worse. He said there was no cure for what she had and that she would probably get progressively get worse as she aged. But that it could be treated and maintained, so to speak. They wanted to do more testing, but the doctor was sure the diagnosis was correct. We all agreed we would wait on another seizure episode to start the new testing, which wasn’t going to be fun.

Ella’s 1!!

We came home and prayed for another miracle. We loved on her, played with her, cuddled her every chance we got!! And we continued to pray for a miracle.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

What JOY!!

Today Ella turned 4 years old, and she is healed!! She has been seizure free for 2 years. She never had those horrible tests because after we left Dallas, she never had another seizure episode!! You would never be able to tell she was ever sick!! Just like I said in the beginning, we knew the Man for the job and boy did He show up in a big way for Ella!!

Thank you Jesus for her precious life!!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful grandbaby girl!! Nanny loves you tons!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

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I am filled with JOY because Dan will land in China this morning and call me on Skype!!

I am filled with JOY because when I went to bed last night, exhausted from being mom and dad, I realized I hadn’t written my JOY post, the JOY, I can do it late and still be loved!!

I am filled with JOY because Adam and Isaac’s worst allergy/asthma season is just about over!!

I am filled with JOY because I am going to sit with Loren today!! She had surgery Friday and is at home healing!!

I am filled with JOY because when I was putting my kids to bed last night, Adam said, “Mom, you are awesome!!” I said, “Why do you say that!!” He said all the normal - you take care of us stuff, then he said, “You put up with all of us and you laugh and you don’t even have to be in a straight jacket!” (You know it’s crazy around your house when your kids even know a straight jacket might not be out of the question)

I am filled with JOY because I have a beautiful daughter who has grown into a beautiful wife, mom, and friend!!

I am filled with JOY because the leaves are finally BEGINNING to turn around here!! I just love all the Fall colors!!

I am filled with JOY because even though I have been married 20 years, I still miss Dan when he travels like I did when we were young and first married, and can’t wait for him to return!!

I am filled with JOY because Jesus is my JOY and strength!!

I am filled with JOY because some of you help me spread the JOY week after week!!

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

What’s filling you with JOY this week?

Counting it all JOY!!

A Day at the Patch!!

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Drew and I took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch last week. The Lord blessed us with a beautiful fall day and we really enjoyed it.

When we were leaving, I posed the kids for one last picture and a guy from one of our news channels walked up and talked to the kids for a minute. He wasn’t filming, so I just continued to take pictures. When we were leaving the kids told me that he took video of me taking pictures of them, I thought that was kind of weird. The next day we saw the news report and believe it or not, there I was!! A REALLY close up shot of the side of my face taking a picture, I was sad he didn’t get the kids on there.

How are you enjoying your Fall days?

Dan leaves today for the first leg of his trip to China. He will be flying all day tomorrow, please keep him in your prayers!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Friday Funnies - It's Me!!

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Today I am joining my sweet friend Kim at Homesteader’s Heart. If you like a good laugh, join her for Friday Funnies!!

Last weekend while shopping in Branson, we came across this mannequin.

She’s a pretty cool mannequin and at first glance we all agreed she resembled me. I think it was really just the hair, but the kids kind of got a laugh out of it. As with everything else in life, we took a picture of her.

Later in the week, I received this in an email from my sweet hubby!!

He highlighted her hair, lightened her eyebrows, and gave her my eyes and glasses, LOL!!

Hope you all have a FUN weekend!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

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I am filled with JOY because Jesus loves me and lifts me up and carries me when I don’t feel like walking.

I am filled with JOY because I got to go shopping in Branson last weekend to shop and I got some really good deals, and a start on Christmas shopping.

I am filled with JOY because Dan is home this week.

I am filled with JOY because this week is Fall Break and we are playing together.

I am filled with JOY because last week in the midst of dealing with the death of Aunt Vicki, I got to be present during the ultrasound for our new grandbaby! He is so cute and he will be here soon!!

I am filled with JOY because my kids, even the grown ones, like to hang out with me.

I am filled with JOY because I have had so many wonderful women pour into my life and help me become the mom, wife, and Nanny I am supposed to be.

I am filled with JOY because the evenings are getting cooler and there will be a fire in the fireplace in no time!!

I am filled with JOY because my kids have learned to find the JOY in situations that at face value don’t seem to be too JOYful, and have learned to enJOY the little things in life.

I am filled with JOY because week after week you guys come back and help me spread the JOY!!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

What is filling you with JOY this week?

Counting it all JOY!!