Long, long week

Hey all, it has been a long, long LOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNG week. Did I mention it has been a long week?

I will spare you all the details but the most important one, the one that makes my head hurt and my heart break.

Miss Pear was at the cardiologist this week. About a year after her open heart surgery.

The good news is that the surgery did exactly what it was supposed to - it removed a subaortic membrane and it has not grown back.

The bad news is that there is still narrowing there. Basically, that portion of her heart is just narrower than it should be.

They have a fancy name for it. A name I hate, and refuse to type here tonight because it makes me cry.

But the doctor basically said that at this point we wait and see. Eventually he expects that some medical intervention will be required, but right now it is not impacting her life or causing damage, so we wait.

The best case scenario is that the narrowing would widen, but the doctor says that never happens.

I think that is great, because that is exactly what we are asking God to do, to widen that area of her heart to the perfect width. This way when it happens God will get all the credit.

The doctor says that now we wait.

I disagree.

Now we pray.

Learning To Say Yes

It seems like by the time I was old enough to be out on my own for university I had gained the expectation that if I asked I was going to be told no. And that made me hesitant to say yes when I was asked things.

Now I am a mom, and I long to be a great mom, a terrific mom, the mom of Proverbs whose children rise up and call her blessed! For me, growing as a mom means learning to say yes.

While I have a ways to go, I think that I am on the right track, and this track is fun!

Sunday night Miss Pear asked if she could make pizza for lunch Monday, and I have to admit, my first thought was to say no, knowing how our morning looked. But I gave myself my check and asked myself, "Why not?" With there being no good answer to that question I said, "Yes!"

Was it easy neat and clean? No, but it also was not hard and horribly messy.

Would it have been quicker to do it myself? Maybe, but that is not the point!

Would it have been as much fun if I had done it myself? Absolutely NOT!

Miss Pear was so proud to have a job, and not just any job, the important job of feeding our family!

She even let her sister pull up her stool and watch.

When the pizzas were ready for the oven I made a huge deal of this and ran for the camera to capture the moment. The pizzas were so pretty:

Once they were out of the oven I took another picture:

Miss Pear was so happy when lunch was served, and we took the leftovers for lunch this morning to Classical Conversations. When it was lunch time she had to tell everyone that she had made the pizza, and everyone made a huge deal out of!

She was so proud of herself and her accomplishment!

And that is an excellent reason to say yes.

Beaming Mama Moment

This morning we went to Classical Conversations, our homeschooling group. It was Miss Pear's first trip out of the house with her cast on because of the yuck in our house.

I am thrilled to announce that she did not accidentally whollop any other children! (Hey, the thing goes from her fingers up past her elbow, this was a concern!)

But the beaming mama moment was one that had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with God.

During the presentation time when they practice speaking in front of the other 7 children and practice being good listeners the children where to share something about history. Either their favorite historical event, some historical fact we had studied etc. (Keeping in mind we cheer wildly for everyone, even the ones that get up there and hug the tutor and mumble into her shoulder and sit down. The goal is that by the end of the year they can stand up and speak to their friends, not exactly high pressure).

So yesterday I asked Miss what her favorite historical event was, and after I explained what I meant by event she said, "That Jesus died and rose again for your sins and my sins."

She just went with that this morning. No coaching on my part. Just a happy heart for what God is doing! Thank you, Lord!

Reading Princess Party

The reading princess kind of sprang her reading on us, and so we had a small party last night. Daddy brought home supper, and then when we were at Costco (we needed milk) we let Miss Pear pick out a package of early readers - 6 pack of Curious George for $9.99!

Tonight is the real celebration.

I am making Chicken Parmesan - one of Miss Pear's favorites, and we are making homemade pasta just for fun.

A cake is waiting to be decorated, and I am going to see if I can make it look like book with white pages and a chocolate cover and white lettering. Not sure if I can pull it off, but I will certainly try!

And then we have 2 early reader books that I have been hanging on to waiting for this for a gift.

Then we are making a trip the quilting store to get fabric to make a baby quilt for some friends. Miss Pear loves a trip to the quilt store, especially because she can help! Plus I am looking for some fabric for Christmas napkins and furoshiki (square of fabric used to wrap gifts or other assorted things).

Is it weird to be so excited because I am really excited.

Reading

We have a reader in the house!

Miss Pear asked to learn to read at the age of 4 because she wanted to read her Bible for herself. So we started working on it. It was slow going because she was a bit too young, but we just kept working on letter sounds because she really wanted to learn.

As she was getting better at sounding things out we picked a book, an early reader from Veritas Press called Bad Meg. I looked at it carefully again this morning and was confident that after working with Alphaphonics and Rod and Staff Phonics and Reading for Grade 1 that she could read it.

So I pulled it out.

She painstakingly sounded out each word, needing the occasional correction, and occasionally getting on a roll and saying a whole line without having to stop and sound out words.

But here is the most important thing.

SHE READ THE WHOLE BOOK!

So she is our Reading Princess.

And tonight we are going to celebrate!

Miss Pear at the Cardiologist

Yesterday was the 6 month check up after surgery for Miss Pear, at a new hospital with a new cardiologist. We love the cardiologist and the hospital.

The appointment itself went well, somethings were upsetting to Miss Pear, and somethings were fascinating.

As for the results, the are conflicting.

The aortic valve itself, to make a long and complicated story short is functioning normally, which is a miracle! Normal was never a word used to describe the best case scenario of how her valve could function. That is a miracle. There are no other words for it.

The disappointing news is that there is a narrowing before her valve again. That could be a number of things from nothing to the membrane growing back. That is last one is deeply frustrating and concerning because there really is, right now, only one way to deal with a membrane in the heart, and that is to remove it.

So on one hand we feel like shouting praises from the roof tops, and on the other hand we feel like throwing a temper tantrum that would put a 2 year old to shame.

So what do we do. It is too early to know anything about the narrowing. We will go back in 6 months and pray that things are clearer.

In the mean time we will pray, trust God, and live each day.

Special Day

Today is a very special day in our house. It is Miss Pear's 5th birthday!

In January before her open heart surgery it seemed a lifetime away, and I knew that it would have to be a special day once it arrived. And it is.

Last night we decorated with a penguin theme - black white and pink balloons, a homemade penguin birthday banner, streamers.

For breakfast we had Blueberry Overnight French Toast and then opened presents. The morning was spent playing and watching a penguin themed movie because it was raining.

For lunch we had cheesy noodles and chicken fingers, strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries and cake...with chocolate milk.

This afternoon after naps will be scootering on the new 3 wheel scooter, playing with toys, and be topped off with Chinese food - Miss Pear's favorite.

All her favorite foods, presents carefully chosen to delight her and lots of fun.

A perfect way to celebrate!

But the best gift is a healthy Miss Pear - that is a miracle that never gets old and I just cannot seem to get over! We are so thankful.

Children's Hospitals' Child Life Programs

Tonight I was interviewed on tape about our experience with the Children's Hospital and the network of doctors. Our story is a long and varied one, and it is a great story! The Lord healed our girls, and He use the hospital and doctors to do it.

As we were preparing and then talking after I was struck again by how incredibly grateful they were for our help, which was not a huge deal to us. We told them our story and gave them permission to use it. For us it was a way to say thanks.

Like a lot of hospitals and charities, Children's Hospitals feel the effect of the economy just like the rest, but their little patients don't stop getting sick.

This is not a request to ask you to write a check to your children's hospital, so don't click away! (Although if you can and would like to, I assure you that even the smallest donation makes a difference).

It got me to thinking, Children's Hospitals have Child Life departments, and they have unusual needs for hospitals. They use things like character band-aids, box after box of crayons, coloring books, Play-doh and small toys. Once these things are given to a patient and are opened they cannot be reused for fear of sharing germs between patients, so you can just imagine the need!

I am reading all over the blogosphere about people decluttering, and I might have an idea of what you could do with some of that stuff.

If you have new little toys in your gift box/shelf/closet you are clearing out, or fresh boxes of crayons that need a home because you got too enthusiastic at the back to school sales that is the kind of donations they can use. Your Children's Hospital can help you understand what kinds of items they need the most and can accept. (Because of the germ issue the items do have to be new, and unused.)

The Child Life team made Miss Pear's stay at the hospital something fun. It went from something to be endured to "the cruise for children that doesn't go anywhere." (to quote my husband). Little things like this make a tremendous difference to their little patients, and most people don't know about this need.

So please spread the word...your Children's Hospital will think you are a hero!

P.S. Most Child Life departments will also accept gift cards to places like Target, Amazon etc. so they can fill the gaps in their toy chests...just in case you had a garage sale to get rid of your clutter and want to share! :-)

School Mascot

Note to self: Never ask Miss Pear what our school mascot should be after she has been given a Zhu Zhu pet for Easter. If you do, she will suggest hamsters.

You will suggest something more ferocious.

She will suggest the obvious: the ferocious hamsters.

You will laugh so hard you cannot talk and she will take that as agreement and you will have the school mascot of ferocious hamsters.

The ferocious hamsters will be named Nugget and Winkie.

Family Language

Each family has their own language, their own collection of words that are used almost exclusively within that family.

Some come from the books we read, such as "you are being a grumpus" from Winnie the Pooh.

Some books come from our families' previous generations and their languages such as "foo come ba-lah!"

But the sweetest ones come from children's misuse of words or mispronunciations. Those are the best.

Miss Pear is sick with a bad cold and asked for her fertilizer in her room.

No, she is not asking for gardening supplies, she is asking for a vaporizer.

Miss Pear's Summary

After we read a chapter of the Gospels at breakfast I am trying to remember to ask Miss Pear what she learned. Today's answer will encourage me to remember.

We read John 6.

She learned that Jesus would be handed over to his enemies.

And that Jesus takes a little lunch and makes it a big lunch.

Happy Friday

And might I say that I am thrilled it is Friday. It has been a long week. It is also the first week since the middle of December I have been home with both girls by myself with my MIL coming for Christmas and my husband working from home last week. (Yup, I was spoiled). Therefore Baby naturally decided to pick this week to drop her morning nap, which resulted in her waking up during the night again.

But, while I wait for afternoon nap time to officially kick in (i.e. both girls asleep, so far just Baby is) I thought I would pop in and update you on Wednesday's visit to the cardiothoracic surgeon.

Wednesday's appointment went well, even the drive there and back went well, especially considering it is on one of the freeways most like to become log jammed for no apparent reason. The surgeon was very please with how Miss Pear's heart sounded and our answers to his questions, so he went ahead and removed the steri-strip from the incision. It looked really good and was completely closed up into a fine line. He gave permission to go back to baths, and not be quite so paranoid about germs. The germ things translates into you may now go to church again, but no trips to the mall. While any illness now will not be more serious for Miss Pear than any other child, coughing or throwing up will be a lot more painful, so be careful. He also said that things are looking so good that as long as we are following up with Miss Pear's cardiologist there is no reason to see him again unless we are concerned about something. (one less doctor on our list! I am back to being able to count our girls' doctors on one hand!)

In the interest of venting my frustration over something I had heard before but also again more recently and vehemently (not at my church), might I just say that if I hear someone say, "Oh, we cannot do that, it is too (insert denomination here)" I will scream. How about we just worry about that God's word says and not if other denominations do it too. It would be nice if we could try a little harder to get along.

And while I am on the topic (and you will probably laugh at me), can I just say that a shoot out is not way to end a hockey game in the NHL? It is nothing but a skills competition! At that point you might as well just admit it and add fastest skater and trick shot and at least give us a laugh.

Yeah, it might have been a long week.

Quick question, I need a few vegetarian recipes (milk, cheese, eggs okay, just no meat), can you point me to any great ones? I am also on the hunt for a couple good lentil recipes.

Have a wonderful, restful weekend.

Thursday...Already?

Some how this week is zooming along. It could be because we fall into bed exhausted every night. No, not from carefully nursing a semi-invalid Miss Pear to full health, rather from running behind her saying some version of, "You may not run, jump, or launch yourself!" or "That is really dangerous, if you slip, which is likely, you will bang your chest and that will really hurt!"

Probably not what you were expecting, but keep in mind, her heart was working 25% harder than it should have to and now it is not. Which translates into an energy boost, for an already high energy 4 year old...let's just say I am exceedingly grateful for the meals our church has offered, they have helped so much!

We went to see Miss Pear's cardiologist this morning, and he is most pleased. He even said we could quit taking the blecky medicine that Miss Pear loathes so much, only now that she is being rewarded with a small chocolate treat after the evening dosage she is not so sure she wants to stop. But, he was very pleased with the results of his examination and with Miss Pear's ability to explain what happened, how she is feeling, and what she can and cannot do.

Tomorrow we got see her pediatrician to just check in so that she can get a baseline after surgery and we can deliver a set of paperwork to her. Apparently the changes are so profound that this is necessary.

There is a fancy medical phrase for it, it escapes me for the moment. But that is okay, I prefer to use the term that God's people have always used...Miracle.

Home!

Just checking in tonight to let you know that Miss Pear was home this morning in time for lunch and a good nap. For those counting, she was released about 72 hours after they completed open heart surgery, or the technical term of subaortic membrane resection. While we still have a lot of restrictions and Daddy carries her a lot, she is really doing great, and is only taking Children's Tylenol for pain. She is still very tired, but there was no care they could give her at the hospital that we could not vie her at home, and children do better at home. (Have you ever tried to sleep with all the lights on, noise in the hallways and people checking on you every couple hours?)

It is so nice having our whole family home together. I was so conflicted trying to care for them when they were in two places!

Miss Pear really was too healthy to be there. Yesterday the ICU doctor said that a hospital was for sick people and she was not sick so they would be sending her home the next day. Shortly after he left Miss Pear asked my why she was there because she was not sick to start with...

She is very happy to be home, and is very happy to not be hooked up to things because she is not a machine and she is not a robot, so she should not be plugged in. (Yes, she is 4 and a half).

We will be housebound for a while avoiding crowds and germs, and no visitors. She will only be going out for follow up appointments next week.

Thank you for praying for us during this.

Miss Pear's Tuesday Update

Miss Pear continues to do great! She is drinking and eating now, she was up and walking and she is able to be wearing her own jammies, which is huge.

All the doctors are very pleased with how she is doing (and that is a lot of happy people, we almost need score cards to keep track of them all!)

The only rough patch today was when some lines came out, she was not happy. It seemed to be more emotional than physical hurt. She would not be distracted and she did not want to do it. She has all but one IV coming out tomorrow, so would really appreciate prayers for the various lines that need to be removed.

It sounds like she will be home Thursday or Friday.

It is such a miracle to watch her recovering, except for the line removal she is really doing wonderfully.

Thank you so much for praying for us and rejoicing in the Lord's goodness.

Miss Pear Update

She did GREAT!

According to the surgeon the procedure went great, she came off the by pass machine easily and the valve is in much better shape than originally thought, and it sounds like the membrane came out great, but then again, that would have been part of the procedure going great.

We were prepared for her to have her breathing tube until late tonight or even tomorrow morning, but it came out at 1:30 PM.

Truly, it was a day where the Lord was glorified, and His name was praised.

More later in the week.

Thanks for praying for us. Even though she has a lot of healing and recovering to do, the worst is over.

Miss Pear's Schedule - Updated

Our weekend is starting early this week, Mr. Pear took tomorrow off to escort us to Miss Pear's pre-op appointment and help us get our ducks in a row for next week.

So many have emailed or commented to say that they are praying for us, and I have to say, we appreciate it very much. Through this I have often said that prayer is our greatest need and the biggest gift. In light of this I wanted to share the plan.

Friday @ 1:00 Pre-op appointment and tests

Monday Morning
6:00 AM we must be at the hospital
7:30 AM surgery is scheduled. It is expected to take 2 hours (our pastor is planning to sit with us if permitted with the N1H1 restrictions).

That is all I know. The plan is that Monday morning I will wake Baby up to nurse before we leave and then put her back to bed. And I will be home for supper so that Baby has some mommy time before bedtime. Hopefully I will be able to log on at some point that evening to let you know the scoop, but assume that no news is good news, and that I will be mostly gone until next weekend as Miss Pear will likely be in the hospital until Friday, which will mean me shuffling back and forth caring for both girls while Mr. Pear stays at the hospital and his mom stays at the house with Baby, who is a mommy's girl.

Updated Saturday: As Miss Pear is the first patient of the morning they will likely take her closer to 7, and we will not see her until around noon. Our pastors will be permitted to sit with us in the hospital's main lobby where our surgeon likes his families to wait. Otherwise no visitors at all due to the N1H1 virus (Except for Daddy and Mommy of course).

Pre-op went well for Miss Pear, she was a trooper and charmed all the nurses, especially the one from CVICU. Hearing what to expect to see when we are taken to her after surgery in regards to lines, wires and a breathing tube was heart breaking.

God is sovereign and He loves our daughter more than we can imagine, and it is in Him that we put our trust. May He be glorified in this and His name be praised.

Yet another reason I love hockey...

...they love kids and are generous.

One thing I have been trying very hard to find Miss Pear for her recovery is a hockey coloring book. She is a fan of both hockey and coloring, so it seems like a natural fit! But as far as I am concerned, it does not exist.

But I hate to be defeated! After all, I have a reputation to uphold! I was a professional buyer before I came home to be a wife and mom, my profession was actually "supply chain" which is planning and procuring materials for manufacturing. So surely I could find a hockey coloring book.

Nope.

Struck out.

As a last ditch effort I emailed the local NHL team for Southern California, the Anaheim Ducks - of which we are fans - and asked if they could either point me in the right direction or confirm such a thing does not exist so I can stop looking. Seriously, that is all I asked.

They confirmed that such a thing does not exist but would like to send my daughter this instead...as a gift. A kids pack loaded with goodies. How cool and sweet is that?

There is going to be one very excited hockey fan when she gets this.

Definitely better than a coloring book...

Although I am somewhat concerned about what she will do with the mini hockey stick and puck...I might have to crochet a mini net!

Getting Ready

This week is mostly dedicated to getting ready for next week. In exactly 1 week from now Miss Pear should be out of surgery. Praise the Lord. On one hand it is so helpful to think in those terms. On the other hand I am looking for my fast forward button for life. (Some how I was not issued one.)

We are planning on keeping a regular routine through Thursday complete with schooling (not that it is hard, math is basically games, writing is fun with the coloring page on the flip side and reading is clicking nicely and is rewarded with a scratch and sniff sticker). Friday is pre-op day at the hospital.

Amongst that, in my regular baking and cooking times, I am stocking up, preparing, doing what women for generations have done before me...stocking the pantry, cupboards, freezer and wherever else I can stick stuff!

Today I made 2 of the small batches of Baking Mix from More With Less, and the Apple Crunch Granola from the same book, also in a double batch. The kitchen looks like something exploded, but my MIL sent us upstairs for naps while she cleans it. When she visits it is like having kitchen fairies! (She says it is because I make yummy meals and she likes to help).

I alternate between being the model of efficiency and the model of a flood. Yesterday was terrible as I was on the verge of tears all day. Today is better.

And for those wondering, I am on track for the Bible in 90 Days challenge with just 2 chapters left in today's reading. Praise the Lord!

Bible in 90 Days - Day 1

Day 1 and we are on track! Today's reading was the first 16 chapters of Genesis and it took approximately 45 minutes to finish it, which was excellent in my opinion, I expected it to take over an hour, but the shorter time could be due to being very familiar with the material. While this is not my first time reading the Bible cover to cover, it is the first time over such a short time period, and some parts are always more familiar than others.

One of our questions in the email today was to consider what Eve's sin really was. My first thought was that she disobeyed, but it went deeper than that. I think her biggest sin was doubting God's love for her. I think I commit the same sin, but often in the form of, "I am rock confident that God can do it, but doubt that He would do it for me." I confess this as sin, and have sought the Lord on it.

It helped that the Lord was clearly showing His love for us. We told Miss Pear about her surgery today, and while it was very hard, she handled it better than anyone so far. Her biggest concern was if she could take her teddy with her and if we would be there with her (yes, yes). Afterward, when I was struggling to keep it together God gave me this huge sense of peace.

So, yes, He can do it.

And yes, He will do it for me too, I am not excluded from His blessings.

If you would like to join in the Bible in 90 Days head over to Mom's Toolbox, and on this post there is a link to download the reading schedule.