Day 1, 42 Degrees Beyond Normal

There was a Keurig + green tea + Stevia in the Raw.  This was my kind of place, already.

I was second to arrive, out of an eventual small group of 5 of us.  Kim (13) and her mom were first to arrive, and I waited while they checked in.  

I picked up the word, "hotel" in Kim's mom's dialogue with the receptionist.  I hadn't thought about it yet today, but at that moment I was reminded how fortunate I am to not be traveling far from home for this treatment!  Kim was from IL, and so she and her mom will be staying in town all week - home for the weekend, and then back again for the week, next week.

I noticed this framed article on the wall.  It's from 2009, when Dr. D's research and work was first gaining notice.  Not sure if this image will be zoom-able in this blog, or not... 

My first impression of Dr. D. is that he is someone who likes to get to work.  He seemed confident, but not arrogant, and very genuine.  

I met Andi and Amy, Dr. D's very kind assistants, and then it was time for consult.  I blabbered about my hopes and dreams for treatment outcomes, and Dr. D. remained optimistic for change, as he had when we'd spoken on the phone, previously.  He explained that the location of my main curve (just below my rib cage) made it particularly vulnerable to the force of running that it's been put under, in recent years.  

After our discussion, mutual agreement for goals is as follows:

1.  Stabilization of my curve(s) (measured today, with scolio xrays, at 42 degrees).  Halting progression, thus saving me any type of surgery and/or complications that would not improve my quality of life, is definitely Numero Uno.

2. Functionality,improved mobility (which is currently quite limited, especially in my right hip), and feeling better! Decreased pain and curve reduction (which will likely go hand-in-hand), is a superveryclose goal, second only to stabilization.

3.  The return to regular, and vigorous EXERCISE! I desperately need to find an activity that I can do on a regular basis.  Not working out = not me.

This entire process is built on the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute's, "Mix, Fix, & Set" model of care.  Read more, here! http://clear-institute.org/TheCLEARTreatmentProcess/tabid/396/Default.aspx

The CLEAR Scoliosis Institute's mission statement: 

CLEAR^TM Institute is a non-profit organization formed to empower the chiropractic and medical community with the mission of implementing an effective chiropractic system of scoliosis treatment and care.  It is the goal of CLEAR^TM Institute to effectively treat the condition of scoliosis without the use of bracing or by performing surgery.  Through seminars and lectures presented at chiropractic colleges, conferences, and symposiums, CLEAR^TM Institute educates and equips chiropractors and other medical professionals to effectively treat the condition of scoliosis by implementing our proven methodology.

Our mission is to implement an effective chiropractic s stem of scoliosis care to help people worldwide through research and spinal rehabilitation. 

This is the "MIX" stage. I'm faced down on a table that moves the lower half of my body up and down in a cyclical motion.  My body is strapped on the table.  I guess that's so I don't launch? :D I'm told that it's the cyclical, repetitive motion that warms up the spine, allowing more fluid to bathe the discs, etc., and improve range of motion, making the discs susceptible to movement and change.

When I first got started with this, it felt too aggressive.  It was moving me at a speed and angle not typical for me.  Duh.  That's exactly what needs to happen, just a very odd feeling.  I felt VERY stiff.  I was on this table for 15 minutes, the first time. After just a few minutes, it wouldn't have taken much convincing at all, for me to stay put for much longer than that!  

When the table stopped moving, Amy held up the device below(washed up drill?), and said that she was going to give my glutes and paraspinal muscles a "nice little massage".  Ummmmm yesss please!! I can't wait for that again tomorrow morning!

I sent the pic of me on the table, in a group text to Tony and the kids.  Note Gressa's response.  

That's great, kid.  

He IS awesome...  

How do I respond to that? 

Merry Christmas?

Only 30 minutes into the first day and I'm already giggling to myself in front of others.  

Totally normal.

So then, they get out this gadget, and all I can think, is, 

"SILENCE OF THE LAAAAAAMBBBBS!!!" 

And so I say that.

Now, it's not just me giggling.  

Yowzers, this thing was interesting.  This is also part of the "MIX" stage, loosening up my neck and preparing it for change. There is a weight attached to the band, and hanging off of the end of the table.  What you can't see is the accompanying, incredible vibrations that suddenly had me stop guessing why 'mouthguard' was listed under "items to bring to treatment" on my pre-visit paperwork...  Fortunately, it really wasn't all that uncomfortable for me, although a few of the others did find this part of treatment unfriendly. What you also cannot see, is that I had sandbag weights on my legs to stretch my hip flexors, simultaneously, while my neck was being treated. 10" total.

Next, more weights.  They were added to one ankle at a time, while I pulled the opposite ankle to my chest.  More hip flexor stretching.

While all of this mixing was taking place, I learned that this was the time that Dr. D was reviewing my xrays taken when I'd arrived, in order to design an even more specific treatment plan, as far as traction, chiropractic adjustments, and the... dun dun dun...: cantilever.  Cantilever is the buzz word.  More on that in a bit. 

Up next was some chiro adjustments by Dr. D.  One word: wonderful.  This is the "FIX" part of treatment.  I don't really know how else to explain much of this, except that I truly feel as though I'm being unraveled and untwisted, and that this is truly what I need! 

Then, it was on to the scoliosis traction chair.  I don't have a pic of this one, yet.  I'll try for one, tomorrow.  However, it's pretty much designed the way it sounds; my neck is in traction and the entire chair vibrates while I sit in it.  A lot.  A whole lot.  Enough to make me think I needed to run to Walgreens during lunch break, for some Zyrtec.  This is because in the traction chair room, I started having an impossibly itchy nose.  I'm talking, raw from itching.  Seriously. For a brief second, I thought of asking if the vibrating could cause this.  I then quickly decided against bringing it up.  I'd already laughed out loud to myself, I didn't need to be asking crazy questions, too. At least not on the first day.  Ha. I spent 20" in this chair, the first time. 

I was glad to break free from the pulsating and itching.

The final station of treatment is the scoliosis cantilever.  Dr. D. is actually the one who developed this!  It is part of the "SET" portion of treatment (as is the traction chair).  The cantilever is a neuro-muscular retraining device, customed for each patient. This study, re: the effectiveness of the cantilever, published in Pubmed, is worth the quick read!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14595163

" Satisfactory correction was achieved in all patients and without anterior release in all but one patient. Regardless of the etiology of their deformities, all patients were very satisfied with their outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

The cantilever bending technique is an effective procedure for the management of large and rigid scoliosis regardless of etiology. The clinical value of the procedure was demonstrated by reduced need for anterior release, fewer complications, and high rates of patient satisfaction." 

 I was to stand on the blue disc. It then began to vibrate (like everything else at this joint, apparently!)The foam roll under my left arm is purposely positioned right above my level of curve. I am also holding a 10lb weight in my left hand.  The foam roll on my right is positioned right at hip level.  There is a 12lb weight hanging off of that end of the cantilever.  

During this part of treatment, I was thinking about how I would describe the cantilever circus act (for that's what I surely resembled).  

I've settled on the idea that, the cantilever shenanigan can be likened to the attempt to stand on one foot (for 20")... in 100mph winds...after a few glasses of wine.  Remember, I'm on a wobbly, inflatable disc, and holding a weight.  Yeah.  That was work.  Believe it!

The cantilever completes the treatment cycle.  I had a quick 10" break, and then repeated all steps (minus the chiro adjustments this round): the table, the Silence of the Lambs, the hip flexor exercises, the traction chair, and the cantilever.  

Lunch time! I cleaned out my van and then stopped at Chipotle for a chicken burrito bowl.  Yum. As I mentioned earlier, I also bought and took some Zyrtec.

I was feeling pretty tired after lunch.  But I also felt increased range of motion and decreased pain, and I was looking forward to the treatment after lunch, as most of it felt really great - like a fantastic stretch, a relief.

At 2pm, we resumed; it was one more round of all stations (adjustments included, this round).  

The Zyrtec did not help! Gah!  And then...!  Another patient started the nose-itching!  That was it.  I had to say something.  Sure enough, Andi didn't act surprised.

"Oh... yep.  That's the vibration.  The frequency is so high that it does that."

???

"It causes the little nose hairs to get irritated, or something."

Seriously??

So tonight, Tony and I have been trying to come up with an attack plan for this curveball... I'm thinking of just lining my nares with an ointment to make any and all nose hairs (which have never spoken up before this?) behave and lay flat?!  Tony thinks I should use a clothespin...

Ok, off to bed!  I am achy, but no more than I would be, otherwise, and I feel that it's an important ache.  Also, my lower back and hip areas continue to have improved range of motion and less pain. 

During the last round of the cantilever, I could really feel the muscles and ligaments inside my curve working - for the first time.  They better be ready for tomorrow, because I'm expecting a solid effort from those atrophied things.

Thanking Jesus all day today, friends.  

Twistedly Hopeful, Bootcamp Eve

I can't, not record this journey.  This will be such an upside-down, crazy, not-my-life kind of 2 weeks.  The thinking out loud - it's just going to be happening.  Here.

Random and wandering cerebrations, tidaling through my thinker, on this - the night before scoliosis treatment starts...

1.  Tired.  The majority of the weekend included me prepping to take myself out of my daily life, for the next 5 days, x2. 

I'm not sure how a person is supposed to do this, exactly? What I came up with, looked to me, an awful lot like a person who has no idea what they are doing.  

I meandered through Pinterest and cookbooks for a grocery list yesterday, and then aimlessly traipsed through Aldi's and Woodman's for the listed items needed to prepare meals for the week. I bought some not-so-healthy snacks for the kids that they typically never get, because when Mom's gone, that helps?!  Annddd the tiny bloodhounds already discovered and devoured most of them. Obviously.  Fail. 

I spent 2 hours in the playroom, de-cluttering and organizing my mind and the closet.   What else do you do when you don't know what to do?  Bake!  After church today, I made a few things to try and keep a step ahead of the ever-ravaging bellies.

2. Of course, outlining the kids' school work for the week, topped the list of to-dos. I made them binders to hold their daily schedules and assignments and did adapt some of the oral work to written. 

I recently discovered that I could find and order comprehension questions to correlate with a variety of books.  I ordered and downloaded the comp q's for the corresponding pages of, "Wonder", which Ava is currently reading.  I'm thankful that she is mostly independent in her work; not much of her productivity will be interrupted by my being gone.  

3.  Happy. Seven-and-a-half year olds are a bunch of fun sweetness.  Most of the time.

4.  Sick.  

Though I'm directly responsible for the near-total consumption of this 2lb jar of honey over just the past week... it definitely hasn't been in vain.  My cough still sounds a bit like a "dying cow" (Ava's words), but between the green tea + honey, eucalyptus oil, Mucinex, nebs, and finally an antibiotic (bummer), I do believe Bronchitis: Round 2 is on its way out. Let's hope I can refrain from mooing at the doc tomorrow.

5.  Excitedd! More than tired, or sick, I'm am pretty darn thrilled.  So excited to have this opportunity.  

I'm reviewing my itinerary for Day 1:

I think that the 1st step (after xrays and review of my history/case, of course), is vibration and heat to try and loosen up the soft tissue rigidity associated with the vertebral rotation of my spine/curve.  'Kay, this is honest-to-goodness, a thought that gives me chills.  Oh, in such a good way.  Thinking about being stretched and heated in a direction opposite of my tired, posturally-collapsed muscles, sounds absolutely heavenly.  It's pretty much a dream come true, just that.

This is part of the paperwork I was to fill out, prior to tomorrow. 

6. Thankful.  I'm beyond grateful for:

A. Tony.  He's working from home these 2 weeks (which any parent who's "worked" from home knows, is no simple task).  I will drive to and from Green Bay, daily, so will be home in the eves, but it will be all him, coordinating the school of life, with all of its ups and downs.  

Go, Tony!  So happy I married YOU - someone I know is totally capable of this :) You Can Do It! ( And I love you for it!) <said in Schwarzenegger voice>

B.  Friends and Family! Goodness, I have some generous friends!  Friends and family disrupting their own busy lives to incorporate my kids into their own happenings.  So thankful for this! Thank you all for your kind notes, texts, phone calls, and just generally encouraging words.  It's so heartwarming.

C. Jesus.

I'm praying that I was led to this juncture in order to receive some pain relief. Most importantly, I long for curve reduction, or even "mere" stabilization! Regardless, it's so very comforting to feel the truth, inside; to KNOW, without a doubt, that my loving Savior is along on this ride.  No matter what this trip brings (or doesn't), I'm gonna be ok.  And this... it makes all the difference in the world.  

Now, off to unload that dishwasher for the 3rd time, today, before my noggin' hits the pillow.  This night owl's about to get a crash course in getting up and at 'em.

Content

This post has every chance of being as designless and driftless as my mind has felt, these past couple of weeks.  It's not necessarily a bad thing; in my carefree-ness, I'm less stressed, and happy. 

As I find myself engaged in the moment, talking with a friend, truly present, eventually the conversation naturally turns to something other than the current day... er, time.. er, minute...  

What am I doing tomorrow?

"Um... I... don't... know...?!  What day is tomorrow??"

Hmm. I have decided that my frequent, apparent inability to see past the current moment, is preferable than the alternative of continually flipping through my calendar, wildly, and scurrying from destination to destination, a few minutes late each time. (Oh, who am I kidding; the late part still happens.) 

I'm genuinely trying to live on purpose.  It's so much easier to let life happen to us!  I really want to use the moments I'm given to bless others, in ultimate service to Him.  I think the tranquil casualness that seems to surround me lately just may be the answer to my prayers for intentional living.  This is good, because I certainly am not too successful in this, on my own.

Relish the Charms...

You will never have this day with your children again.  Tomorrow, they'll be a little older than they were today.  

This day is a gift.  

Breathe and notice.

Smell and touch them.

Study their faces and little feet

and pay attention.

Relish the charms of the present.

Enjoy today, Mama.

It will be over before you know it.

-Jen Hatmaker

Gressa and Jo, crafting while the big kids play some bball

boys vs. girls!

We recently finished our unit of the Egyptians and plan to move on to Moses and the 10 Plagues, next.   

Soren's King Tut

We read this book, as sort of an intro to the first story of Moses.  We really enjoyed it.  Not a new story to any of the kids, but the way it's written, was appealing to all 3.  

Our current, daily read-aloud is
"Tuck Everlasting."

Last week, we had the opportunity to have some friends' boys stay with us from Saturday through Wednesday, while they were in Hawaii.  

The fridge was stocked, and the fun began!

Grayson, awaiting the start of FVL's performance of "Annie."  The two sickies (Ava and Gressa) were at home with a sleeping, recovering baby(Charlie.)

Another show we saw, while the boys were with us, was "Diavolo," at the PAC. Now.  Are you familiar? If not, youtube it. Apparently, diavolo means architecture in motion.  Um, yeah.  So there are props and then these dancers with all kinds of movement backrounds: hip hop, breakdancing, ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc.  They use their bodies and the props to tell a story.  
For me, this was an hour of laughing my head off, silently.  

The reason was because "Diavolo" was pretty reminiscent of the entire winter at our house: energetic kids flinging themselves onto pieces of furniture, to try and get out their wiggles.  You know, headstands, cartwheels, body flops, both into the chairs and each other... climbing walls and jumping off... where'd they say those "Diavolo" auditions were, again...?  

Carsten, teaching Soren how to play Checkers.

Fazoli's Kids' Night, before "Mr. Peabody and Sherman"!  Me, and the monkeys. Our entourage got some looks.  The kind of perusing, that heavily scrutinizes,as if trying to figure out just what kind of crazy you might be, with 6 kids.  Boy, people sure are nosy!

Pre-church hostages.
Present yourself, dressed, breakfast-ed, and brushed (both teeth & hair), and you may collect.

playing at the Y!

This was Day 1.  I believe it was Meal 1.  He's unsure of this whole thing, enough so, that he is not questioning Ava's bib, unearthed by Gressa. 

We took a fieldtrip to Buboltz Nature Preserve to learn about the maple syrup process.

I love this guy.  He deserved every minute of this rest (which probably only lasted a few minutes, anyway, before the Diavolo dancers found him - or the couch.)

On the second night the boys were here, the littlest guy came down with the stomach flu at bedtime.  Tony was so helpful, tag-teaming the entire event with me; washing sheets and sleepers and soothing baby.  The next day he was the one who stayed home while I went to work (because who can miss their only work day of the week?).  He never complained and even had dinner made when I got home. And the best thing... the next night... when our 13 year old dryer kicked the bucket during this flu incubation period, he helped calm me the frock, down.  What more could I ask for? Really.    

Ava also helped me give Charlie a bath that 2nd night.  We giggled at him admiring his toes in the water.  I realized that those adorable, fun moments I remember about her, and S and G FLEW.BY.  We laughed together and talked about how she used to do things like that and we'd all laugh and talk about how cute it was... after Charlie was all clean and re-diapered and dressed, Ava looks at me and says, "Sooo.... if he pukes again... do we have to repeat this whole process...??"
Oh, sweet, sweet girl!

Today (3.18.14), we took school to the library, as we frequently do.  It helps mix things up, there are less distractions, and hey, even on "breaks", they're inevitably immersed in learning.

I had prepared a review lesson for Ava for Math, as she has a test tomorrow.  She's been doing a great job of learning her lessons with the Saxon DVD, but I wanted to check in on concepts, once again, before her next test.  It took us an hour and half, but I was proud of her for sticking with it until the end.

Gressa is always happy to go to the library, but today she was especially excited, because she is halfway through her "Iditaread" (like Iditarod).  Reading about different things brings her across the state of Alaska.  She was able to collect a prize of gold (chocolate) coins today, and as you can plainly see, is pretty proud. :)

Licorice.
Because who doesn't need Math motivation?

There are still some really tough days around here.  I'm thinking there probably always will be, for any of us.  But what's really freeing and refreshing, is that even in the most trying moments, I am content.  I think it's the type of contentment you feel, in your heart of hearts, when you are doing what 

He made you to do.   

Twistedly Hopeful, Chapter 1

I have scheduled my scolio treatment with ScolioSmart Clinics! Dates are 3.31 - 4.11. CRAZZZZY HAPPY DANCE!!! Face hurts from smiling in eager anticipation.  Seriously, face hurts. 

"Idiopathic Scoliosis is not just a spinal condition.  If fact, it's not even primarily a spinal condition.  Scoliosis of the spine is primarily a neurological condition with its primary effects on the spine itself.  Essentially, the spinal curvature is really a symptom of the condition.  In fact, viewing the scoliosis spine on x-ray is similar to watching the wind out the window.  While you can't actually see the wind, you can assert your understanding of how hard it is blowing and in what direction by watching the effects it has on the trees, grass, leaves, etc.  That is why we feel scoliosis exercises are the best way to treat scoliosis." -ScolioSmart Clinics

To say I'm excited to give this a shot, would be the understatement of the century.  Just months ago, I had no idea that this treatment even existed, and now, it's about to become my own reality.  I am so nervoushopefulexcitedprayerful!  

In recent weeks, I've been in verbal and email discussions with Dr. Brian Dovorany of the Posture and Spine Center (division of ScolioSmart Clinics) in Green Bay, re: my own scolio situation.  The very idea that he's located in Green Bay, is to me, kind of unbelievable.  There are only 4 locations in the entire US to receive this treatment; one in PA, one in MI, one in NY... and one... in Green Bay.  Divine intervention?  I'm not ruling that out.

I first wrote about my scolio issues a few months ago, when the resulting issues caused me, finally, to surrender weight-bearing exercise for now. Those thoughts, here: http://primalpassionmama.blogspot.com/2013/11/this-is-me.html I still can't even BELIEVE I'm saying that.  Even after a few months, it's hard to believe I "gave" that up.  Exercising is who I am, but, I was forced, for now. Perspective is SUCH a friend.

Apparently there is a Scolio Specialty "think tank", which is where and how the idea for this treatment came about.  Until this research/treatment, there has been no "good" answer for scoliosis treatment.  We are told to "watch and wait" and when/if the curve is severe enough, a spinal fusion takes place.  ScolioSmart Clinics claims to have found a better way.

How is a spinal fusion for scoliosis done? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBIf4AQj5s0

As a person with an approximate 45 degree curve, it's quite disheartening to have absolutely no hope given, in regards to your current situation, and for the future, too.  Scoliosis typically progresses at 3-5 degrees/year.  Since my main curve is already at 45ish degrees (spinal fusions recommended around 45-50 degrees); doing the math could be pretty depressing!

I've been doing a lot of my own research over the last 2 years or so, and have noticed that there seems to be "more" to scoliosis than simply, a crooked spine.  The brain controls posture.   As I researched, scolio resembled to me, a "disease", with the crooked spine as its main symptom.  I was amazed and encouraged - but skeptical, at first, to run across Dr. Dovorany and Dr. Stitzel's research and claims, which also supported these same ideas.  They referred to scoliosis as a "disease", and pointed to other contributing factors in curve progression and vertebral rotation.  They suggest that the brain needs re-training, with specialized, active and passive scolio-targeted exercises, as well as weighted-therapy.  To be clear, their treatment is personalized-to-the-curve-and-rotation of each patient.  This is not standard chiropractic care.  

Their research and claims also showed that by checking a person's neurotransmitters and supplementing those, where deficient, there would be benefits in curve stabilization.  I had found in my own research this idea of certain transmitters (specifically melatonin and serotonin) being at deficient levels in those with progressive scolio. http://www.treatingscoliosis.com/scoliosis-treatment-neurotransmitters.html  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847876/

I immediately sent for information about their treatment and results. 

I was bowled over, moved to tears, actually. I turned through page after page, of patients' stories, all with amazing results, CHANGING THEIR CURVES!  I've NEVER been told by anyone that curves can be changed.  Never. In fact, I've been told it's literally impossible, without surgery. To see the pictures, and read the stories, proving otherwise, was nothing less than heartwarming and inspiring for me.  Here's my favorite: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=633901186644968&set=vb.123777240990701&type=2&theater

Neither bracing, nor spinal fusion surgery/scolio rodding have ever proved to be very successful in curve maintenance/stability or curve reduction. Considering the treatment explained by Dr. Dovorany and his associates, this makes sense to me. Bracing, rodding, fusing the spine may, mechanically and physically hold the spine in place - for a time, but again, it's only addressing the symptom, not the cause.  I suspect this is why you often hear of adults' rods spontaneously "breaking", some time after a surgery; the postural control in the brain is still aiming for that crooked spine. The cause has not been addressed. The rates of both complications and general non-effective results concern me.  This article highlights the startling high rate of perioperative complications: 

"... greater than 40% incidence of perioperative adverse 

events."  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20192664  
   
A successful alternative to surgery would be life-changing. Spinal stabilization, on its own, would be phenomenal.  Decreased pain and fatigue, increased mobility would be icing on the cake.  An eventual return to somewhat "normal" body mechanics and weight-bearing exercise would, indeed, be an inexplicable gift and dream come true.

This treatment makes so much sense!   Can't.Wait.

~ Static neuro/spine reactive training

~ Dynamic spinal de-rotation training


~ Scoliosis Specific Neurotransmitter testing and nutritional 

support



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?

v=249386741907686&set=vb.153404574839237&type=2&t

heater

Little Moments

Saturday morning, reading online, to Soren, about the 1992 Dream Team, as he finds fascination with XBOX NBA 2K13.... witnessing the awesomeness that is Michael Jordan, for the very FIRST time... and me, tangentially mentioning (as I google) that he and his (much younger) wife just had twins a few weeks ago...  

Enjoying early morning Transfiguration Sunday worship, just Gressa and me.  I so cherish her warm wiggly-ness, tucked up and under my still-sweatered-in-March arm. Singing along to the hymns and proudly facing toward me while she speaks the Lord's Prayer and Apostles' Creed (intentionally nonchalantly, of course), demonstrating mastery, for her mama's benefit.

Giggling with a braces girl who is literally transforming right.before.these.eyes.of.mine.  And I'm not just talking about the teeth, either... both painfully and proudly witnessing all of her growth and change, and just, well... her, becoming... her. Sigh.

And then there was that time when she looked at her Dad and me, catching a quick kitchen embrace, and the look on her face startled all 3 of us.  None of the usual giggling and, "Ooohhhh Mom and Dad are LOVING!!!" type of comment from her, anymore.  Now it's gross.  Just like that.

Little Moments.

There have been so many Big Moments in the recent days, too.  

Our family was overjoyed to share in the love of new little, Meredith Nolte, 4th-born baby girl to our good friends. Her 3rd day of life included and adventure to the ER (chauffeur/support person = moi) for concerns about her ability to maintain her body temperature. While all checked out a-ok, there were moments... Big Moments of lab draws, worries, visits with a Pediatric Hospitalist, urine cath collection, oxygen, and monitoring.  There were Little Moments there, too, though.  Ones of shared baby snuggles, and quiet minutes with my friend... unplanned minutes that don't otherwise come plentifully or easily, with 6 additional cherubs, between our 2 families. Gifted Little Moments of truly experiencing His grace, and overwhelming, perfect love!

A few of the  pictures I took of Meredith,  modeling the crocheted hat and blanket
I stitched together with love and prayers, just for her.

Basil, the long-awaited guinea pig has also arrived in all of her mass-production of cuteness and fecal production!   Blech.  And... yayyy.  (???) My girl does love her.  Ok, she is a bit cuter than what I envisioned over the past year and half, while she's been pleading and saving for her.

This week also kicked off our first WELS Homeschoolers' gathering, at FVL.  So thankful for ambitious and generous friends who made this happen, and for use of the room!  Pastor Ehlert has an amazing way of connecting with the kids of varied ages, and we sure did appreciate his devotional time, prior to our fun.

We learned about the poet, William Carlos Williams, and one of the work's of the artist, Charles Demuth. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704002104575291183951560378

Our masterpieces were created in likeness to Demuth's painting, "The Figure 5 in Gold", highlighting this unique and interesting relationship between paint and poetry.

Throughout the Big Moments of our days, it's those Little Moments  that remain in reflection, echoing their irreplaceable significance.  So yes, to be cliche, those Little Moments *are*, in essence, the big ones; and I'm filled with gratefulness for each and every fleeting one!

One morning this week, all 3 kids came barreling into my bed, each blurting out their personal, most-efficiently-laid-out plan for getting schoolwork done and out of the picture.  Gressa, her math clipboard in hand, and Ava pleading for read-aloud first.  Soren, bringing up the rear, unsuccessfully bargaining, all the while. We normally start off with a devotion, but my warm bed for a Science lesson (which can be lengthy) sounded appealing at the moment :) So I suggested we hit that right away.  I quickly - before I could register too much resistance - retrieved our Apologia Science text, "Exploring Creation with Astronomy", and we dug into Neptune and Uranus.  Indeed there WERE discussions on the 'best' pronunciation of Uranus, and Ava was making a big (hysterically ludicrous, laughing) case for her vote: (ur-AY-nus.)  Ahhhhhh... I won't mind if I never read about Uranus again, actually. There is just no way to win with that word.   

Astronomy has been especially fascinating lately, with the new information, just last week, in regards to NASA's additional planet discoveries. http://www.nasa.gov/ames/kepler/nasas-kepler-mission-announces-a-planet-bonanza/#.UxQvp_ldXeM  

The new findings have really opened discussions, critical thinking and an interest to learn more.

This link has been helpful to me, in helping the kids understand and make sense of the recent discoveries, as how it relates to "life" potentially ever found on Mars (or elsewhere, for that 'matter' - pun intended), all within the contextual truth of the biblical worldview :https://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=12&article=280

 "Evolutionists believe that this latest discovery might help them understand how life can come from nonliving chemicals. Certainly, from their perspective, if life can arise by purely natural means once, then it can arise many times. This would suggest that there are universal principles at work. Surely these should be so obvious, and so pervasive, that we would have some experience of life’s appearing from nonlife. But this is not the case, and there is no reason to think that life on Mars will solve this most intractable problem of materialistic evolution."

Apologia also does a fantastic job of illustrating the unlikeliness of ever finding life (specifically 'intelligent' life) anywhere other than on Earth.  Or, if found there, explaining that it would not be "life" as originated from its own source.  I love that it's worded in terms that the kids can all understand:

"It is likely that there are also pieces of the earth on Mars.  If a giant meteorite hit the earth, the force would be strong enough to send pieces of the earth up into our atmosphere and out into space.  Since there are also craters on the earth, we know this has happened before.  Now remember, there are not many craters on earth because earth's atmosphere protects us from most space rocks.  However, some space rocks are so large that the atmosphere cannot destroy them, and they land on the earth, making a huge crater.  Creation scientists believe that if anyone ever finds signs of life on Mars, it will not be Martian life they find, but earth life that made it to Mars.  After all, if a piece of earth left our atmosphere, it would take with it many cells and bacteria, which are living things.  If we do find life on Mars, then, it will most likely be life that traveled to Mars on space rocks." Exploring Creation with Astronomy, p81

A few minutes' worth of review, and all 3 realize, once again, that life did not just appear from a single-cell.  It did not come from, poof!, nothing.  There are so many factors that God wove together to create the earth so that it supports life.  If one of those things were missing, life could not exist:  Perfect distance from the sun for cold/warmth...  perfect mass so that we can walk around on this blessed earth... perfect rotation and tilt to keep the temperature and weather in balance, for our survival... perfect atmosphere, with OXYGEN for us to breathe...NO other planets have an atmosphere that would keep us alive.  

Science is amazing.  New discoveries in space are thrilling.  But, the solar system's design was not by chance; the bible clearly tells us this. 

"He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited." Isaiah 45:18.  

And the kids know this truth in their heart of hearts, which makes mine overflow with thankfulness for the Little Moments which continue to be graced upon on their learning and ever-strengthening inquisitiveness. 

The kids have Astronomy notebooking activities, which coordinate with the chapters, and they include review questions, copywork, projects, etc.  About half way through the reading in my cozy bed that morning, I noticed an excruciating look on my son's face.  

"What is going on? " I say.

"I just can't," he barely whispers.  And then, "I'm stuck in a room of SCIENCE NERDS!... and animals."

Two rodents were apparently also retrieved, when I made a dash for the Science text... 

Enter hysterics and laughter x3.  Heck, x4.

Little Moments.

Typically, our morning routine goes like this:  The kids are up around 6-6:30. They mosey around and eat breakfast. Maybe.  Some days they claim amnesia, and wait until I arrive downstairs for me to report what is available for the eating.  There may be a few mini-bonding sessions around Minecraft, Rainbow Loom, or painting nails.  I get up around 7:30 and shower.  Sometimes.  At 8am, the tv (if it's been on), and all electronics, go off and get put away.  I use the 8, to 9am hour to get the laundry going, make/prep a dinner plan, unload or load the dishwasher, and make COFFEEEEEE. Between 8 and 9am, the kids are responsible for cleaning up their bedroom floors and making their beds, eating breakfast, and taking care of their pets.  We're up to 6, now.  Pets, that is.  More pets than people, here.  Tony joked tonight, that he had a brilliant idea... we will have a "Pet Release" Day... one warm and sunny day this Spring, we will venture out to a field and 'release' the mouse... guinea pig... cat... fish... well, you get the idea.  The kids seemed a bit resistant to this!?  They did laugh, though.  It was likely out of sheer terror.  Still... 

Little Moments.

Last week, I noticed that the Riverview Book Club was holding book club on Thursday.  I told myself that if the book up for discussion, "The Glass Castle" (which came highly recommended), was available for checkout at the library, I'd try to get it read, and go join the group for fellowship and rich conversation.  In fact, there was one copy; I picked it up on Monday night.  I had yet another reason to stay up too late.  

I finished on Wednesday night, all the while placing sticky notes in the interesting places...

And then, about an hour prior to my leaving, Gressa 

announced a belly ache. 

"But Mama... you NEVER leave me when I'm sick... you are always here when I need you..."

"You're right, Gressa.  If you are telling me that you are feeling so badly, that you want and need the comfort of Mama, I will stay here.  But, you need to think about this, in your heart... is it that you just 'want' and 'prefer' me to stay? Or are you really feeling yucky?"

No book club for Mama.  

Extra hugs, containing a content, relieved, and comforted sigh 

of a 7 year old.  

The genuine expression of feeling truly loved, starin' right at me.

Little Moments.

Quite frankly, I had suspected constipation rather than any illness. And, the proof of that was delivered about 20 minutes later.  

Days like these, it seems I feel Jesus' very presence right behind me all the while, saying,

"Just keep going Mama.  Keep on going, and I will keep giving you these Little Moments."

Keep on going... even when it's been such a long winter, that I'm a sucker for giving these growing bodies a Nutella lunch?  Yep, even then. Especially then. 

 Deal.