Please pray

You may not know them, but Paul and Rachel Michal just had a baby boy a two weeks ago. He was born without the left side of his heart and although his surgery went well, he flatlined yesterday evening for a brief period of time. Their treatment solutions are limited and he isn't doing well. This is their first child, the result of years of trying. Please lift them up in prayer today and pray that God would heal this little baby boy. They are in Egleston (sp?) Hospital in Atlanta.

Then... dog update

So far so good with the new doggy. Clara and Bailey are best friends and double trouble. Clara loves to boss her around, pretend to take her for walks, sit on her head, and hook her up with forbidden goodies. Bailey very patiently puts up with all of the above, I guess in the hopes that she'll eventually get hooked up with the forbidden goodies. We really need to fence in the yard so she can run around and spend some puppy energy, but for now all is well. We love having her with us.

Life with Bailey

First... house progress

Despite many exhausting trips to Porter Paint with kids in tow, this week has been very encouraging. Every day the house looks better than it did the day before. If we finish this soon, this project will be the first project on our house that has ever been finished. Every other job we've done has some annoying details left hanging. We're hoping to see this one through.

Here is the house as it is this morning. I'll post another picture or two later today. The railings, pictured are the railings that Matt built, using salvaged wood from the old porch. They'll be pretty swanky looking when they're painted. The pillars will eventually (today?) all be the white/blue combo that you see below. What do you think?

Another Bailey

God seems to have a sense of humor about all of this. I've been searching for another dog each morning, knowing the chances are slim and knowing that after what we spent last week, our options are limited. I found another chocolate labradoodle named Bailey. She's in Kentucky, not so far away and she's exactly what we're looking for. When we pick her up on Saturday she will be spayed (neutered?), microchipped, dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks, and up to date on her shots--all for only $85, less than the cost to do all of that. Even if we got a free dog, we'd pay more than that just for the first vet visit.

Bailey was a stray, who a very nice lady took in. The lady who took her in said that Bailey is a very sweet dog and she's almost completely trained already. She's 6 months old and very smart and obedient. I wish I had been more patient last week. I would have adopted this Bailey in the first place. What's the saying about experience being a hard teacher?

Anyway, here she is. We'll pick her up on Saturday and we'll make a much-needed family trip out of it. We all need a small break from the house and this will accomplish that too.



Thanks to all of you for your prayers, emails, and phone calls. Yesterday was simultaneously my worst and best day in awhile. Your encouragement means so much to me and to Matt.

bad news

The vet's office called tonight, as I was putting the kids to bed. Bailey died tonight. So I paid my bill over the phone and cried, and I feel very foolish.

Lessons:

1- don't drive 6 hours away for a puppy again
2- don't buy a puppy without it's shots
3- don't get attached to puppy with parvo and no shots
4- don't do any of the above while already stressed out

Bailey

I did something crazy last Friday. I loaded the kids up at 4am on Friday morning and we drove to Bishopville, SC to get a labradoodle puppy at a shelter there. I don't even have the emotional energy to relay all of the details, but here are the pluses and minuses.

Plus- kids did well on the trip, beautiful chocolate labradoodle with sweet temperment (temperament?) named Bailey, I had no allergies to her whatsoever, we absolutely adore her, she's very smart and has good instincts about where to go potty (training should be easy)

Minus- she was in a nasty shelter, she has parvo, she's been hospitalized at the vet for two days, she's coming home tomorrow even if she's not better b/c of $, she has worms, we really really don't want her to die

All by itself, this whole experience would have been hard enough, but as it is, this is just the capstone to a lousy summer. I'm really venting. I'm sorry for being so negative. There's just a very long, whiny list of things that are weighing me down and I don't see an end in sight yet. I keep saying, "Once we get through _____________, everything will be fine." The truth is that sometimes, this life just stinks and that's where the Gospel really begins to sink in. I know that for the next month, life is probably going to be hard (still), but I'm hoping and praying that in my weakness, I'll see my God's strength more clearly. Please pray for us. It's not just a dog-thing. Matt and I are both very discouraged.

I love Craigslist!

Tonight Matt is going to Knoxville to pick up a washer and dryer that I found on Craigslist. I just happened to check it yesterday, just to see if anything else was available and I found a Bosch front-loading, stackable washer/dryer pair for sale for $400. They're like-new, in great shape, but the lady's moving and needs them out of there. Afte emailing her yesterday, she lowered her price to $350, because we are driving from Chattanooga to pick it up. I'm so excited. Matt's mom has this same set and she loves them. They're super fast, quiet, and water and energy efficient, and in our case they're cheap too.

I'll have to post a picture soon. For now, you can see them at Boschappliances.com. They're the axxis model. ;)

Washers and dryers

Our washing machine isn't at it's best right now. It isn't totally broken, but we know it's a matter of time before it's unusable. It appears to be rusting from the inside out and the agitator is clinging on for dear life. This is no surprise, because every washer and dryer we've ever owned were used and ancient-looking, but I am curious to see what you all know about certain brands and types.

I looked at some really cool, all-in-one machines that wash and dry in the same drum. They're supposedly very popular in Europe and they're developed enough now to be reliable. They run about $500 to $1600, depending on the brand and size. Most of them are fairly small, but water and energy efficient.



I have always liked the front loading stackers too, but they are even more expensive and I don't even begin to know what brand is the best.



There is also the smaller, stacked unit, made by several companies, with a top-loading washer on the bottom, and a front-loading dryer on top. They're a little awkward, but cheaper and they can be energy efficient.

I want to figure out what will be the best option for us, and either save to buy later or watch the paper and craigslist to find one sooner.

Any opinions?

Recent pictures

Day by day, we're starting to feel more settled after all of the tumult. My sister has requested some recent pictures, so here they are. I'll post more as I go. We (royal we) are making lots of progress on the outside of the house and are looking forward to seeing new paint very soon! In the meantime, we're staying indoors or away from the house and trying to keep surfaces clean. The kids are doing well and still growing like weeds, Janie especially. I apologize for any out of focus pictures or goofs, because I haven't had time to sort them yet.

Work on the house and time at Grami and Papi's condo

Visit with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma

Great News!

Everything's fine! Dr. Spraggins called me today from home (she's on vacation) and said that we should trust the second test results. I still don't know Matt's test results, but the kids are all well within what's considered normal and she said she'd call me to let me know his results. Whatever lead was picked up on the first test was just skin deep, maybe from putting their shoes on before leaving the house... I don't know. I feel sheepish about all of the help we've received, especially now that we know the kids have been fine the whole time, but I think we did the right thing.

This has been a really tough experience and I wouldn't care to repeat it. That aside, I've been so amazed by God's provision for us, through the prayers and fellowship of our friends and family. Thank you to all of you who have fed Matt and labored beside him over the past week. Thank you too for your words of encouragement and your shared experience. I feel like I have a moderate case of emotional whiplash, but all in all we're doing just fine. ;)

Confusing News

After a lot of calling and confusion today, here's the info. Dana and Janie's bloodwork came back and somehow it's clear of lead. Our pediatrician and her nurse are on vacation until next week, so all of this is coming second hand through another doctor in the practice. Second hand, she told me that the kids are fine and to take them home. I don't know whether to be excited or upset. I called a second time at lunch time and I've asked the nurse to call me back, so I can ask her more questions. A friend of ours, who is a doctor, recommended that we take new samples here in Atlanta in order to confirm the other samples. Obviously, one of the tests was wrong and I want to be sure that the kids are safe before I take them home. I wish Dr. Spraggins was in town, because she would take time to explain everything and I know she would be very thorough.

Anyway, due to the confusion, we will stay in Atlanta until we know more. If I can get the other doctor to order more blood samples for an Atlanta children's hospital, then we'll go down tomorrow morning and have blood drawn again. Hopefully, the blood will confirm the good results of the second test, in which case, we'll go home or at least back to Chattanooga. I'm still hesitant to stay in the house until the first coat of primer is up.

Thank you all for your prayers. This has been incredibly trying and exhausting, and yet the past few days have been strangely relaxing. I know God is answering your prayers for our comfort, because my normal hyperbolic (borrowed from Josh Green) anxiety has been hushed and quieted amidst all of the tumult. I'll update as soon as I know more.

kind of an update

I still don't have test results. I know that Dana and Jane, at least, will have to have chelation. Chelation is a process where the doctor introduces certain compounds into their blood that the lead will stick to and then the lead flushes out of their system with the compounds. I don't know much more about it, but I'm guessing that they will have to be hospitalized for at least part of this. Clara will stay with friends if that happens. In the meantime, we will be going back to Chattanooga on Monday, after a trip to Trader Joe's. We've been making use of their wholesome goodness in an attempt to detoxify the kids and me. They sell a 64 oz. bottle of juice similar to Odwalla's Superfood juice. They love it and it's jammed with fiber and vitamin C, both of which are great for lead poisoning. Lots of fruit and greens right now.

As for where we will stay, I have had multiple offers, but I just don't know what will be best for our family yet. Thank you all for your hospitality and generosity and thank you for your prayers. Our first day here was very trying, but yesterday was much better. God is at work in me and in our kids. Thanks for your faithfulness in prayer.

He Leadeth Me...

I haven't posted this yet, due to being completely overwhelmed, but we need your prayers. I'll explain more later, when and if I get the time, but our kids have lead poisoning. I asked our pediatrician to run a lead test on them at Clara's 18 month check up and all three tested positive. Clara has tested positive before for low amounts (not dangerous) and her levels haven't changed. However, Janie (who has never been tested) had such high levels that the nurse who ran the test ran it twice. Dana's lead levels were much higher, so high that his numbers were off of the scale they were measuring by. Our pediatrician tested me too and my levels are ever so slightly in the danger zone, much less than Dana and Jane. Dr. Spraggins sent us to T.C. Thompson's to have blood drawn and to get a more accurate look at the amounts of lead. Immediately after the trip to the hospital, I packed up our stuff at home and my mom and I took the kids to stay with my parents in Atlanta. We can't stay in our house until we know it's clear of lead, which may be a difficult thing. We need to get the last 10% of paint off of the house, put a coat of primer on, clean up the yard, filter the water, and wash the inside of the house and probably all of the linens and laundry too. Right now I am very impatiently waiting for the results of our blood tests, hoping that Matt's levels are low so he can continue to finish the house. The kids may be treated this next week, but more on that later. I am too emotionally exhausted to explain it all and I don't know how to spell most of it yet. So many of our friends and family have taken care of us and offered places for us to stay and we are so very thankful for your service to us and our Heavenly Father. What we need most are your prayers for our family. We know that in our weakness, He shows His strength and we learn to let Him lead and comfort us.

Please pray that God would give me strength to be a single mom while Matt and I are separated, that I would be patient and loving, despite being emotionally spent, that Matt would be able to do all of the work before him, that the inspection of our home would go well, that God would protect my children from the lead in their bodies, that God would heal them and help their bodies to filter this out, that I would get good sleep and preach the Gospel to myself instead of blaming the whole thing on me, and that above all else, we would praise our Heavenly Father and He would be glorified in all of this.

I will post more later. I'm sorry this isn't very lovely or well-spoken. Please pray.

He's all grown up

In March, Matt brought home about 50 or more frog eggs that he found in a pond, while he was fishing. We eagerly watched them as they doubled in size and popped out of their jelly eggs. Every day they grew bigger. The kids loved it. A month ago, Matt and the kids returned all but two of them to the pond. Now, four months after the eggs came home, we have our first frog. The other tadpole is pretty fat, but still no legs. This week Matt will take them to the pond to join the other froggies. Our froglet isn't eating well and he'll probably do better there. We didn't take as many pictures as we should have, but here are a few.

trying out a new look

Tell me what you think. Matt has trouble reading the white letters, so we'll try this for a week and see how we like it.

my fisher-man strikes again

Matt brought home the biggest bass he's ever caught the other day. He and Pam (mother-in-law) took the kids fishing up at a pond on Lookout and caught about 15 fish. Dana even caught two all by himself--casting, reeling and all. The big one was so big, Matt could fit his fist in it. I don't think they were all that big. Some of them were probably crappie and small "smallies". We should try to set up some group family fishing for those of you who are close by and like to fish. It's cheap, clean food and lots of fun. ;)

I feel like I'm...

sinking into myself today. I started the day pumped, because after gaining weight and feeling depressed, I've joined Curves. Gasp. I know. I'm against this stuff. Why pay someone for the privilege of wearing yourself out, when we chose to pay extra for our chores not to wear us out. Our society is so backwards. This is one reason why I bake bread and use cloth diapers (1/2 of the time at least). Yes, aren't I perceptive and good at sensing foolishness? The problem is that I'm putting on weight and I'm tired and grumpy most of the time, so although I would like to give gym mega-chains the finger, I'm joining with a 2-YEAR CONTRACT!!!!

This isn't why I'm sinking into myself though. It's like 6th grade, when book reports were due, and everyone else had their book report done and in, but I was sinking into my chair. Why? If I happened to remember to do it, it was at home buried under my junk on the floor of my room, or it was fully written in my head and forgotten about. Today is a day when I feel that way, only this time I'm disappointing my husband, and making stupid financial brain farts that make me want to dig a hole and hide in it. BTW- the financial brain farts have nothing to do with Curves. The hard part is that this isn't just one isolated incident. It's a chain of stupid moves and forgotten responsibilities that makes my stomach sick and gives me a headache. I'm clinging to the cross, thankful for grace, and begging for change in me. As a people pleaser, it's really stinking hard to make a post like this. It's hard to call your sin for what it is and do it out in the open. I don't even know why I'm doing this. If you think of me, will you pray for my humility and diligence?

porch pics

porch rebuild

playground conversation

Setting: St. Elmo Playground, under the rings
Characters: 4 1/2 year old Dana Flynn Monahan, 3 year old Jane Elizabeth Monahan, and 2(?)year old Fuller Crumley

Dana: Hey, what's your name? I'm Dana.

Fuller: (looking at his shoes) I'm Fuwer.

Jane: (in a singsongy voice reminiscent of G.G.'s Minnesota accent) O, that's nice. My brother Dana is four too! What's your name?

Fuller: (perplexed) I'm Fuwer.


Director's note: Coversation goes on like this for awhile, but eventually names don't matter and they just play ;)

ode to Matt

This won't be poetry. I'm not that brave, but I do need to speak out in honor of my incredibly wonderful hubby. He gave me the weekend off and I went to Atlanta to be with my parents for the weekend and to get away. It felt weird to be alone with my parents again, but it was so nice to sleep past 6:30am and putz around with my mom, without worrying about potty stops or naptimes. I got to go to Trader Joe's, Ikea, and Tuesday Morning. I'm not normally a shopping nut, but I had so much fun picking up things that we needed (groceries, summer blankets, etc). I wasn't stressed out or worried about anyone or anything, especially because Matt was doing such a great job at home. He took them out in the Jeep to do all kinds of fun things together and when they were home, he even managed to keep the dishes done and the house clean. He's wiped out and so are the kids, but I'm so thankful that they sacrificed so I could get a break. Below are a few pictures of the weekend.