Heat

I awoke yesterday morning and, of course, walked straight to the kitchen for that first cup of stimulus called coffee. The initial sip of that hot libation always makes me sigh. Every day it invokes the same response from me. I taste, my eyes involuntarily close, I sigh. Aaaahhhh.

However, my bliss didn't last long. As I toured the house, making my morning survey of what must be done, I noted how chilly each room was. I was sure it was just that it was extra cold outside and the arctic air was making its way in through our old single pane windows. So, I decided to start the fireplace, turn up the thermostat, and enjoy the quiet morning. Well, what a surprise I had when I reached the thermostat and noticed the temperature was only 60 even though it should have been 69. I quickly put my hand in front of a vent and felt cold air blowing. Oh, no! I turned off the system at the thermostat, BUT, the cold air kept blowing! I was afraid that our HVAC system's name might be HAL (a reference to the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey for you younger people.)

Ok, I'll spare you all the details of an hour of trying to get the heater to quit blowing cold air and just leap to the end of the story. After several phone calls, none were able to travel to me and aid me in my distress, I decided I would just have to help myself. (Dad was iced in, Husband in Europe, and HVAC guy in Dallas.)

I climbed into the attic, found the on/off switch for the entire HVAC system and turned it off. YES! The cold air quit blowing. Now, how can I get the warm air to return to the leggy vent system that delivers warmth and comfort to our living quarters? In short, I rebooted the system by turning it back on. Miraculously, the heat began to blow.

Why comment on my pedestrian experience with my heater? Because these are the types of experiences that I would choose not to deal with, which is why I called others for answers before I began to really search for a solution myself. But, having been forced to do it myself, I know that sometimes my own ideas are worth trying and may be the solution I need. Maybe next time I will try to fix it myself first, before I send out distress calls, literally, around the world.

At Home, Love is the Theme

T1 and T2 will meet their brother and dog and become familiar with home today. What a wild three weeks it has been. But, now, the anticipated has truly arrived.

Home should be a safe haven for all inhabitants. Home is sometimes chaotic but should be comfortable. Home is a retreat where honor and respect are found, sympathy and grace are given, mercy and forgiveness are taught. Nuturing and caresses are frequent and playfulness the mood. Love is the theme.

Pretty lofty goals? Yes, and sometimes it seems impossible since home is where most conflict begins, many hearts are torn, and tears are spilt. We must always press on toward this objective: Love is the theme.

Remember the theme when exhaustion has set in. Recall love when quarrels arise. Keep in mind the goal when the din of the world overcomes the stillness of Truth.

I pray that all who go home today will find that Love is the Theme where they abide.

Timing

Timing will be an important component of the next few weeks. I have been trying to schedule my time so that I can do everything I deem important. A few things on my list:

*School - I begin a final semester at the university tomorrow.
*Work - I am still working part time while I attend school.
*24 and the twins -I want to be available when they come home
*Home - my time at home with 17, 19, and Husband

That is really what life is about, right? Timing. How we choose to spend our time. Who we spend it with. How we prioritize. In my life, since having children, I have scrutinized every day and how I spent my time. That is one of the reasons I haven't completed my college education until now, my children took priority over all things. That isn't to say I didn't do anything, on the contrary, I served in significant roles in ministries that impacted many people. But, the time I spent serving was well timed to cooincide with their schedules. My goal was to take care of their needs first. Did I succeed every day at this objective? I think I did on most days. Does it sound like I'm tooting my own horn? I hope not. But, my reality is that I would do it the same way if I had the chance to do it again.

(You may be recalling my "one regret", which was not earning my degree. That consists of time I squandered before I had children.)

So, how will this week play out? I have no idea. T1 and T2 are really doing well. They are eating better, gaining weight, and are stronger every day. That is why I must be intimate with my Lord every moment so that I can have an objective view of the world and discern what my priorities should be.

Lord, guide me to spend my time well each moment.

Young

Yesterday brought news from the neonatologist (? is that how you spell that? You know they are smart if you can't even spell what they do!), it seems that the twins are one week younger, gestationally, than originally thought. That means they were born at 34 weeks rather than 35 weeks. This was, in a way, good news for 24 and her husband. The babies are doing well for 34 weeks old. They have set their expectations on this age and expect to see them begin eating more from the bottle and have less supplemental formula from the feeding tube in the next week.

Just a thought: Each time we visit the babies we must scrub our hands to our elbows for a timed three minutes. We disinfect ourselves from the outside world and care for the twins with clean hands. Oh, if only we kept that picture for every day of our parenting lives. Metaphorically, everyday let's scrub ourselves clean before we start our parenting chores. Wash up, gas up, get ready for the day in the Word. That would "rock" this world and really give our kids what they need.

More news will follow as I get it. Thanks for keeping up with us. Your love, concern, and prayers are a necessary part of our existence. I thank God for you each time I think of you.

Feed Me

Today both babies have been given feeding tubes to supplement their eating. Neither is interested enough to eat a full meal. Both are in warmers. The chances that they will go home at the end of this week are quickly fading.

24 was released from the hospital yesterday and is enjoying the comfort and ease of her home. G2 is also thrilled to be in his own home. 24 and her husband are travelling twice a day to feed and hold the babies and this will take a toll in a few days.

Pray that the babies will begin to eat enough to gain weight, hold their body tempurature, and come out of the warmers. All this progress begins with their ability to want to eat more.

Today

Today, that is all we look at right now, today. If we look too far ahead the list of to do's is daunting. So, we look at today. Hey! That's biblical.

Today, 24 would love to go home, but, we are waiting on the doctor to come by. Her blood count is low and this fact could keep her from going home.

Today, T2 is not eating very well. He has a tube that is supplementing his feeding. This is very normal for a premie, but, we are praying for him to begin eating enough on his own not to need the tube.

Today, both babies are in warmers. They weren't keeping their temperatures up well enough, and so they are being helped by the warmers.

Today, their 2 year old brother(G2) is ready to go home to play with the dog and be nurtured by his mom and dad. Pray that he has a good day playing with husband.

Today, God is big enough to meet our needs and fully exceed our expectations. Glory to God our Caretaker for all we have already received.

Update on 24 - 1/11 p.m.

It's Sunday, the end of a good day. T1 is fabulous. He is no longer under the warmer and has been placed in a regular crib. He is eating well and we are anxious to see how soon he will begin to gain weight. He is a good burper and has had his eyes open, taking in his new world, each time we visited him today.

T2 is also gaining strength and health by the hour. He no longer requires oxygen from a tube in his nose and is eating about an ounce every three hours. He is still under the warmer but seems stronger and more alert each time we have seen him today.

I was overcome with true humility and thankfulness today as I worshiped my Creator. I have done nothing in my entire life that could have earned such blessings. Husband and I now have five grandchildren (which is entirely impossible in my own mind since I still feel 35.) Our children are becoming such delightful people that I love being with (and I sincerely had my doubts that this could occur at certain seasons of my life).

Lord, reveal Yourself to our grandchildren. Draw them to You. Save them, use them, bless them, fill them. Let each of them accept You as their personal Savior early in their lives. Lead their parents to teach Your Word to them, to live Your Word so they will see and understand Your character. Cover all of them with Your Loving, Strong, Caring hand. Amen

The Twins Are Here

Twin 1 arrived at 5:14, Twin 2 at 5:15 a.m. After a night with Ambien, 24's water broke and she was dilated to a 6 when she called the nurse and announced that she was feeling a lot of pressure and pain in her back. They quickly shuffled her to surgery and we are all waiting to see the babies.

Update at 8:11 a.m.: They are in the NICU at the moment. T1 is 3 lbs 14 oz. and quite loud. T2 weighs 5 lbs 3 oz. He, too, has a cry that will alert anyone of his discomfort for years to come.

T2 has been admitted into the NICU so he can have some help cleaning out his lungs. T1 has already had something to eat.

More details to follow!

Praise the Lord, we have babies.

Update on 24 - 1/09 p.m.

24 is doing really well tonight. She is fairly comfortable with contractions that are 10 to 15 minutes apart and not very intense. She has played cards with her husband and has had a fairly easy day. She saw he high risk doctor and he said the twins are doing well. We even have pictures of each of the twins' faces. They are beautiful.

Thank you, Lord, for easy days.

Update on 24 - 1/09 a.m.

This morning I awoke at 5 a.m. and couldn't get my mind off 24. Was she still besieged by contractions? Had she slept? Did she ever get any relief? So, I prayed, showered, prayed, dressed, prayed, got in the car and drove to the hospital to see for myself.

As I arrived I was so relieved to find both 24 and her husband sleeping soundly. So, this morning's update is that your prayers are appreciated and avail much. She is having a cup of hot chocolate and adequately handling the contractions that prevail. Thankfully, they are less frequent and intense.

Thank you, Lord, that your Word is true. "The prayers of a righteous man avails much."

Update on 24 - 1/08 p.m.

24 isn't doing so well this evening. Her contractions are about 2 to 3 minutes apart and difficult to bear. She has had some pain medication and will sleep for a while. She is looking forward to seeing her doctor (who has been on vacation since she has been here in the hospital) and the high risk doctor who will examine the babies tomorrow.

Pray for relief from the pain, healthy babies and rest.

24 Update for today, 1/8

24 is still having contractions every 10 minutes. They don't seem to be changing her cervix, so we will be here for a while. The only things that may force the doctors to decide to take the babies would be if her water broke, the babies were in distress, or she dilated to 6 or so.

So we will wait. That is really difficult, expecially for 24. She is tired and hurting from the constant contractions, but wants to do what is best for the twins.

Pray for 24 and her family. Request from the God of Giving health, patience, hope.

24 and the Twins

I am writing today from a cold hospital room. No, the babies have not been delivered yet. Although they are making every effort to make their entrance, all measures have been taken to stop their premiere for a few more days. 24 settled in here on Sunday afternoon and anxiously awaits information daily from doctors as to when the babies will be allowed to debut. They are still small, yet at 35 weeks they could hold their own in this world with a little help from the NICU. 24 is uncomfortable, and at times, even in pain. Her contractions have not completely ceased, but with medication have subsided a great deal.

I guess, if I had been realistic, I knew that a hospital stay in the last few weeks of her pregnancy would be inevitable. My job is to rub her back, massage her feet and legs, give emotional encouragement (You can do it! It will all be over soon! Rah, Rah, Rah!), and pray.

Her greatest concern, as she awaits the delivery, is for her 2 year old son. Each day she longs to care for him, yet she must trust others that love her and G2 (2 year old Grandchild) to give him a day of lovin' and fun. He is doing well, he is practically on holiday with nuturers that desire to meet his every whim.

Her husband is a great source of support and comfort, never leaving her side except to take care of unavoidable responsibility (his job) and attempting to fulfill her every need and notion.

It is a trying time, yet, we find God so faithful to meet our needs through others. Sweet people are praying, visiting, caring, doing.

Lord, give 24 physical relief from the pain and infuse her with patience,. Give her a look at the big picture and the stamina to endure the next few weeks with hope and confidence. Protect B1 and B2. Grow them, strengthen them, endow them with excellent health (inside and out of the womb).

Imagine what the future holds for 24 and her husband. All I can say is WOW!