Time. . . S L O W Down

Today reality hit me. ... my baby is growing up to fast. Being a special needs kiddo I guess I expected Jacob to stay "little". Yes it was hard having the two oldest boys grow up but it feels different with Jacob.
Last week he designed his class ring and today we checked out cap and gowns.He'll be going to Prom next week that's sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation so shopping we will go.
Next will be college visits,which kinda makes Momma nervous but I know God has it all planned for us.
Love those babies and keep them small as long as you can.
👶👪💓

3 Days Post Op

    Well we survived nose/sinus surgery and he seems to  be doing pretty well.Jacob's main complaint....I can't blow my nose and I need to.
    I was expecting him to come home with bandages on his face and bruising by Saturday but neither one.A little swelling of his nose(not noticeable) and he's noticed some dark circles under his eyes(again not noticeable to me).He can't bend over or lift anything heavy so Mom has to pick up anything he drops and he tried getting me to carry his pack of cookies because he couldn't lift anything.LOL!!Glad to see he's still got his sense of humor.By yesterday he was getting a little stir crazy so I walked with him down to his Grandma's.While we were there he said he had a meeting at church to go to(Children,Youth and Parents) but it was already time for the meeting.Maybe next meeting.
    He asked me why he was sleeping so much so a learning moment was seized.This has been a learning surgery for him from pre-op thru the healing process.He maybe almost 18 but he has kept him mommy close the last three days.Thankful for all the prayers,messages and text....put a BIG smile on my baby's face. 

Eve of Surgery

   This is the eve of Jacob's next surgery.He's no stranger to surgeries,having his first one at seven months for Hydrocephalous and his ninth one two years ago for Hydrocephalous.I think as a parent no matter how many surgeries you've gone through with your children there's always worries and stress.Jacob was able to help make the decision for this surgery he'll be having in the morning.He has had reoccurring sinus infections and serious throat clearing issues for about the last year and a half.After exhausting every antibiotic and several other meds thinking it was acid reflux his ENT did CT # 2 and saw that Jacob's crooked septum had gotten worse and a polyp had grown bigger.So Friday January 20,2017 hopefully will be the end of his infections and throat clearing issues.
   Tonight his grandmother and I took him to The Carolina Gospel Associations concert with The Carolina Quartet,The Pine Ridge Boys and The LeFevres .His love for Gospel music, Southern and Contemporary,makes this Mamma a happy person. It was a great concert and it helped take his mind off the surgery for a brief time.Afterwards we hit the grocery store because he's hungry and only has a couple hours to eat(typical teenage boy).
   We are home,his belly full and watching some T.V. So as I close this post on the eve of surgery I ask for prayers as we travel up and down the mountain tomorrow,prayers for Dr.Rheney,Jacob and a speedy recovery.Thanks to all and goodnight.

First Snow of The Year

So excited for the first snow of the year and my best friend from Florida came up.This is the first snow of the year and the first time my friend and her daughter and grandsons first time seeing snow. I can't get out and play with them in the snow but to watch their faces while playing makes it all worth while.

When I Grow Up Review

                              When I Grow Up, I Want To Be a Missionary Review
     My youngest son has been a Believer for years but recently this year he has felt the Lord calling him into the Ministry. Trying to help show him the many different areas of ministry is why I was excited to have the opportunity to review “When I Grow Up I Want To Be a Missionary” from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine ( http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/shop/ ) for the Schoolhouse Review Crew ( www.SchoolhouseReviewCrew.com ) . I thought this study would show him there are different ways people are missionaries throughout the world.
     For this review I received a 93 page PDF that I was able to download and print the pages I needed to do the study with my son ( WannaBe™-When I Grow Up I Want to be a Missionary) . The age range suggested for this is 4-10 but I used it for my 17 year old as well as my 6 year old grandson. Included in this download are experiments, vocabulary, copy work, memory verses, activities, games and party themes. I was able to print what I needed as we did the study.
    I read the stories about different missionaries out loud to both of them. I printed the science activities, vocabulary and math and set up a folder for each child. I also was able to include “Fill in the Blank” and crossword puzzles in my sons folder and handwriting practice and coloring sheets in my grandsons folder. The activities include a list of needed supplies such as Bible, construction paper, pony beads.etc.We’ve made the Witness bracelets before so we used the directions and made Witness pins which were easy and fun for both boys.
    I have been incorporating the study into our lessons at least once a week and then working on memory verses and or activities included in the product. I was excited to see a page on sign language since Jacob is deaf and we’re teaching Hunter sign language. The page has how to fingerspell some words but it would be great to include the full alphabet in sign language.
    I was really impressed with the different types of Missionaries that were featured in this study. Each was given such detail so my son and I both could understand the differences. A plus was “How to prepare” sections because many know they want to go into missions but don’t know the steps to take. The sample budget is a great way to teach “Budgeting” as a missionary.
    I would highly recommend this study for those wanting to learn and educate their children of who, what, where, when and how on becoming and being a Missionary. This is a great study to be used by a home school family, children or youth group at church. There are websites at the end of the study that direct you to related occupations to check out. We will continue to utilize the activities and recipes even after the study is complete.

Gingerbread House Fun

   We live close enough to Asheville, NC that we go every year to The  Grove Park Inn to see the  National Gingerbread House Competition and this was Hunter's first time going. Jacob had put this on his list of Christmas things to do list so it was a must we go. It was crazy busy but there were some awesome pieces. You look at many and wonder how it was made since everything has to be edible on the pieces so with that being said Hunter's response was, "Can we eat them?"

   The Inn is decorated so beautifully and the lobby has two huge fireplaces with rocking chairs to enjoy. We even found a couple of Elf's on the Trees in the lobby and an old car on display.

    Hunter had his hands on the metal of the windows and thought he'd warm them up on Grandma.

    Watch out Hunter's driving the sleigh. We ended our Asheville adventure eating at Fuddruckers and stopping for Dunkin Donuts.I asked Hunter if he liked the Gingerbread Houses and he said,"No, we couldn't eat them "That was one of many laughs from the day. Jacob is a Florida Gator fan big time and as we got off the elevator two women were sitting in the hall. One was wearing a Gator hat so Jacob told her he really liked her hat. The younger woman asked if we were fans so we told her our house was divided and she told us her brother played for them. OH Jacob got really EXCITED!!!!!Small world.

Countdown to Christmas

   Our December and countdown to Christmas has kept all in our family busy.So many questions from Hunter and Jacob has really stepped up trying to help answer those questions.
   Jacob decorated our tree by himself this year using all our ornaments we've gotten from Hospice every year since my dad passed and a few homemade ones he and his older brothers made over the years.Hunter has since added a few he made this month.

   Jacob and I got an early present to ourselves....new recliners.He can kick back,enjoy looking at his Hydro Bear hanging out in the tree and watch Christmas shows.

   God has given us some beautiful sights to remind us of Him and be awed.

   Battled the cold weather to go see Christmas lights and yes Santa.

   Yes we even have Elves at our house but they definitely DON'T stay on the shelf.They leave things for the boys but they also leave notes for them to "give extra hugs", "do an extra chore",etc.The excitement of watching both boys looking the house over is great.

    Still a few days to go so the fun continues.