Blessed Be His Name

Fall came and went.

I thought life might become much clearer with the changing of the seasons.
Much like this picture of berries, the short term is clear, beyond that is fuzzy.


Carter had his MRI a few weeks ago, and as usual, his tumor didn't change.
I have had to step back from the situation. Things are moving along, with more tests planned for this winter. Our doctors have different opinions on what we should do with him. More tests is really a blessing. We got further along at his last appointment than we ever have. An answer, but certainly not the "get the right answers NOW" I asked for.


It has been a struggle to ask daily with a "wait" answer. I will keep giving my requests to HIM, and daily work at surrendering to His will for our family. I am thankful for His blessings; medical insurance (especially since this year there has been major appointments and medicinal expenses for everyone in our house but Addison), parents/in-laws to watch our children, a boy who only has a benign tumor instead of a malignant one. I am always encouraged by Ed and Carol McNiece. I know how hard they must have prayed for Matt after his fall and how hard it was to hear such a grim prognosis for his life. Yet they kept praying. Our Father answered and Matt's life became a miracle. I must remember that it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Learning things over, tests and more tests, setbacks - all things a majority of us never witnessed. I know they hold us up as well. It means a great deal to us to know they understand. Most days I am amazed at their faith in that situation.

Carter constantly sings "Blessed Be Your Name"

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

This song is my prayer. When it's painful and when it's easy, we will praise our Father. May this song be your prayer as well.

~Ash

On our knees

What crazy times at our house past two weeks. The next two weeks have filled up to be more than what we could ever expect. The is only one way we will get through this month; prayer. When I pictured being a mom, I never would have thought it would be like this!! Early October Carter became a different kid. Screaming, hitting, kicking, and hysterics became part of the routine. We went to Sioux Falls to the neurologist. He didn't seem to think it was a medication problem, but changed his medicine as he felt they were not helping him enough.
It got better for a few days, and then reverted again.

This is the events of the last two weeks:

Tuesday the 21st: Carter feels like singing into my turkey baster. Trips and jabs the small end under his tongue. Blood. Trip to after hours doc.
No stitches, just checking for major damage.

Thursday the 23rd: Addison is crabby all day. Finally at 4:30, she gets a fever. Bring her in....strep throat.

27th - 30th: Carter becomes very angry. Who is this kid? I had to call Chad out of the field to come help me one day, as he became more angry than I have ever seen him before. Chase and Addison were scared.
I am not sure what the real problem is, most likely a combination of medication, fear of his headaches/dizzy spells, and being four.
31st: Go to Spencer for Halloween. Lunch time notice spots on Addison's entire body. Bring her into Spencer....spend and hour and half waiting to be seen.
Penicillin reaction rash.
Dr gives OTC med instructions. Also gives us a script for steroid, only if she gets bad.
1st: She gets bad. Go to town to get meds.
Addison spends the day laying on the floor saying "me is ouchies".
Wednesday: Lead MOPS. Notice Chase wheezing. Take him in. Mild walking pneumonia. Do Ex rays......notice some stomach issues that could need surgery in the future. Get home at 4. Carter gets home at 4:30 with a fever of 103. Have to take him in after hours. In the process of getting ready to go, notice Addison getting warm. Decide to take her in too. Both have very mild bronchitis. UHHH.
Tears from everyone.

6 doctor visits..... and counting......

These next two weeks are also looking to be long.

The kids will go in on Monday for Flu shots and check up for Chase.

Thursday the 13th: Carter has scheduled EEG in Worthington. Very nervous about the cooperation on this since he is having "issues".
Friday the 14th: Another possible Dr visit for Carter.
Monday the 17th: Pre-Op physical in town, including full blood work.
Also nervous about this.

Tuesday the 18th: Head up to St. Paul for a unscheduled MRI. Carter was supposed to go up in December, but his oncologist thinks he needs to come up sooner with everything that's going on.

Wednesday the 19th: Carter has 8am MRI. This is at a different hospital than we are used to, since they were booked at MRI. Hopefully all procedures are the same. It is a different location, but the same hospital group. At 1pm we will meet with our team of doctors. I am not sure what this time will bring. Carter's neuro-oncologist said they "may change their minds about how much he is being affected".
Chad was supposed to have a meeting with a new Cardiologist in Sioux Falls on this day, and we obviously had to cancel. He will not be able to get in until next year, which is disappointing for us.

We would very much covet your prayers. We are in the middle of a crazy season anyway, and with three munchkins it is getting overwhelming! We appreciate all of you who care for us and have stood next to us during our struggles.

Pistol Pete's Pumpkin Patch

Last Friday, Ashley and the kids spent the night in Spencer at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Uncle B.J. was home for MEA week and Daddy was working late in the field. On Saturday afternoon we headed southeast of Spencer to Pistol Pete's pumpkin patch! It was a great place for the kids to play. It started out as a way for siblings to earn money for college and turned into a full blown fun fall business. The family's house was a stage coach stop, hence the western theme. They had a corn maze, panning for "gold", a haunted woods, a hot fire for roasting marshmallows, a restaurant, and lots more! Sadly, we discovered Pistol Pete's a little too late, as they will close for good after the season. Here is Chase doing what he always does; just tagging along, minding his own business and taking in the surroundings! Doesn't he look cute!



Addison finds a furry friend. It kinda looks like the Kitty Cat is trying to get away, but it actually found Addison very quickly. I love the joy on Addison's face in this picture. This was her favorite part. Nobody will be surprised if she has a animal sciences career!

A rare good photo, complete with matching sweatshirts!

Carter riding the awesome rubber-wheeled trikes. As you can imagine, this was a hit!

A Few Summer Highlights....

Chase learns to sit on his own. Here he is enoying his toys outside.

Camping at Cuttys and swimming! (or Huttys as Addison calls it)

Good ole Iowa sweet corn!

Auntie Dani and Uncle Vandenn. It is a sad, sad few weeks at our house after they leave! For one, the kids cant seem to figure out where they went and what they are doing. Two, their arrival means I dont have to cook for about three weeks! Three, they dont come back for yet another year!

On the plus side, next year they will bring a new cousin!

That poor kid has no idea what its in for.

Preschool

Pictures from Carter's first day of preschool. He is modeling his new watch and backpack.
I asked Carter after his first day if he wanted to go back. He said "Um, No Thanks!"

That day at lunch, Carter started laughing to himself. He exclaimed to us, "I tried to sneak to the other ladies classrooms!" He was very proud of himself.

We were not. It was funny though.

Even funnier is that we aren't sure if he actually did it or was imagining it!

He now likes school. He wont tell us much other than he went to the gym or the playground..

The Airplane

The past few weeks have been very exciting for Carter as there have been many crop dusters flying around our house. Carter was thrilled to watch them. He was even more thrilled when the plane in these pictures flew past him and Chad. The pilot flew by really low, tipped the wings and waved at Carter. Too bad the poor kid was standing in the grass going potty at the time!!!

5 years and 3 kids later.....

While on our Black Hills Vacation, we celebrated our 5th Anniversay! I would never have thought that in the last five years we would have so much happen!! Between Carter, Addison, and Chase, and Carter and Chads health its been crazy.

We are so thankful for our little family. Also for our many family and friends who have supported us these last five years!

Black Hills Vacation

We had a fun time on our little family vacation to the Black Hills with Ashley's family.
Here are a few highlights........

The family at Mt. Rushmore. We HAD to go there because Carter wanted to see "Rushmore" like Curious George did. He was very excited to see the same helicopter that George rode in fly past "Rushmore".

Tried to take artistic shot of Rushmore for Vandenn to see. This was about the best I could do.

Here is Chase on his first swing ride at Storybook Island, a large park with storybook themed play equipment. The kids loved playing here even though it was hot.

An afternoon at the community swimming pool. They have shallow water and all sorts of things that squirt water. It felt wonderful on a hot day. Carter was THRILLED with the water slide. Addison was too nervous to go down by herself, so Chad went with her. As you can guess, she still had a meltdown even with daddy along.

Camping

We went camping Sunday-Wednesday to celebrate Carter's 4th birthday. We had a good time. The weather was wonderful on Sunday, but the rest of the days were wet and cold.

Addison and Charlotte relaxing together.

Carter and his "big boy bike" he got last summer. He didn't want to ride it untill this spring when we hid his trike that he was WAY TOO BIG for!

Chase spent his time wishing he was big enough to ride any bike, let alone the big boy bike!

the 3 amigos

No, Chase is not scared for his life.....although it looks like it.

He actually is "talking" (a very raspy Ooohhhhhh sound)

that Addison and Carter find very funny.

Beauty Tips from Addison

If you missed it, this is the new way to apply lipstick...........

any shade is fine.........

but Addison prefers Coco................

Addison & Chase

Unfortunatly for Chase, he has been home with just Addison and I as Carter has been in the field with Chad quite a bit. Chase doesn't mind Addison if she is a foot or so away, but usually she is nose to nose with him. (or sitting on him) He tends to get very tense with her around.

Here are a few pictures of them together.

The Picnic

Today the electricity went off just before I planned to put something on for supper. We had a picnic on the sunroom floor! (Our kitchen is very dark!!) Our gourmet meal was hot dogs on the grill, green beans heated up in a foil pouch on the grill, and no picnic would be complete without chips and animal printed paper plates. The power was off for about an hour.

Chase enjoyed playing with his blankee and watching Carter and Addison be excited about the fun meal.

Mexico & Rock Climbing

On Friday we went to Spencer to celebrate Mother's Day with Grandma Sherry. We went out for mexican food. When we pulled into the parking lot, Carter shouted "Look, it's Mexico!"

Not quite, little buddy!

We then checked out a park close to my parent's house. It has lots of rock climbing walls for kids! Carter & Addison wasted no time in checking them out. Daddy and Jay should be proud!!

They were thrilled to be outside, and had a good time chasing through the tunnels!

Lightening Goals

Tuesday was one of the only days this week nice enough to play outside. So, the kids celebrated the nice weather by playing soccer. (One of the only activities they do together with minimal fighting!)

Carter learned all about soccer at MC Fitness Sports Dome this spring. Addison learned too, although was dissapointed she didnt get to play all the time as she was a tag-along!

Chase was curious about the new surroundings, and Carter and Addison fought over who could push his stroller. (Even though nobody was suppposed to touch the stroller!)