2 RED threads: You know you have a great husband when...

He tears up WITH you due to me rejoicing that I have the ability to wash my hair for the first time in 3 months! Well, I mean...yes, my hair has been washed many times in 3 months (!), but me, myself and I haven't been able to raise my arms and lather it up in 3 months. David has lovingly washed and rinsed my hair for....a few too many times than I am quite sure he desired. Thank you, baby. I love you so much! You do give a great head massage (and you're a pretty good fork lift, too!).

The past couple of days have been a huge turning point for me. Tonight, I can't stop tearing up (I know...shock, schock!). It's from complete thankfulness though.. God has turned my mourning into dancing! Tuesday was the first day I have been able to see and feel some improvements in my pain level and some renewed strength since this disease has attacked me. Yes, it's baby steps, but they're steps. Maybe I'm to the point of moving forward and no more status quo or regression. OH, I can't tell you how blessed I feel! When I think back to just last Friday nite when I was so incredibly discouraged to today....it's just amazing. A.M.A..Z.I.N.G.


So...while Abs was at a playdate with her sweet friend, Brittany, here's where AA, David and I went for an early dinner and....


dessert (yummo!)...coconut filled with coconut ice cream, peanuts, and dried fruit. Do you think we only ordered one???? Ummm, NO!


This afternoon my handsome motorbike driver and two other beautiful traveling companions hopped on the the bike and we went for a little drive to get momma bear out of her four walled "den". It was great...just what the doctor ordered! Of course, we went back for ice cream...just tried out a new cafe that was next door to the coconut place from Tuesday.

Wow...just don't even know where to start with the blessing of this week!
*Abigail's heart has been encouraged with skype calls and emails from back home, playdate/dinner with Brittany! Thank you, Ann, Russel & Brittany!

*We probably had one of our best school weeks since my illness began. Both girls were just rockin' and rollin'...yahoo!!!!! Abigail is just about finished with her work (which is completely amazing to me...SHE is amazing!!!). Audrey An has made some remarkable strides in her work- especially math. WOW...so impressed. It's great to begin to really see how her mind is computing things. She's actually doing quite a bit of first grade math...she couldn't speak a LICK of english 24 months ago!

*My sweet friend, Julie, has blessed us not only once, but twice this week with meals! Yes, this is my friend who has been ill herself, just a had a baby and has to take a taxi to our place in order to be so thoughtful. THANK YOU, Julie....what a help and encouragement you've been this week! Of course, my girls lovve playing with Carly and Kayla!

*My friend, Nancy, referred me to a name/number of a possible helper/cook. I interviewed her yesterday and we agreed on a trial period. David and I were quite pleased with her so maybe this will be the answer to our need in that area! She spoke fairly good english, cooked us two western meals today (which were awesome!), and had a very kind disposition. We'll see how this works out! Honestly, this is soooo bizarro for me! I can't imagine having someone come into my house to be a 'helper" for my family. I'm so independent. I like having control of my little domain, and I certainly don't feel comfortable with someone just watching every move I make in this tiny apartment while they cut, chop, and prepare meals for me while I do school with the girls...weird! I guess I might want to get used to it because it will be a blessing to to take a load off of David (and even the girls) with meal preparation and market runs. I guess I should sit back and enjoy!?!? It truly is a time in my life that I physically need someone else to work my domain! Well, let's say I have another adopted daughter....this one for only a season though.

*I have had a litttttttle bit better sleep this week (after begging for more help in that area!)....SURELY taking 2 kinds of "that" medicine would knock me out???? Well, not exactly knock me out, but you know I was excited about SOME sleep when I texted David Tuesday morning on his trip and said, "I slept from 12:30-5:30...like without waking up!!!"

*Girls have been invited to a slumber party this weekend. Can we say, "EXCITED!?!?" They are beyond thrilled, and I have to say I'm kind looking forward to a nite by myself to rest, not have pitter patter feet "needing" something from momma, etc. THANK YOU, Sherman & Becky! Wish I were up to go on David's trip with him....fooey! Maybe next time.


sweet sisters....although we've had some love/dislike/you're bugging me moments this week!

Remembering my sweet momma... She's back home recovering from her back surgery. She had a rough weekend with pain, but I just know it's going to get better! Mom, my sister, and I all teased tonight that we were going to fight over my new helper and that mom just needs to hop on a flight so we can go to physical therapy together! We can do it, yes, we can! Also, remembering my best friend, Kristina and Troy. Yesterday, was the first anniversary of losing their sweet baby boy, Rex. Oh, how I can't even imagine the pain, but am so thrilled their oldest child, Owen, is celebrating new life this weekend with his own baptism! Love you all so much and I know HE will continue to bind up your wounds.

Well, I told you I that I couldn't wait to begin posting my celebration songs....SO, here's the first one. The girls and I adore this song. We've always called it the "Happy Song" (not really the title, but we named it that because....it just makes us happy!). Well, wouldn't ya know it....can't find it on-line! FYI..It's "Bless the Lord at All Times" songs from the Prestonwood Choir "God Is Here" cd. I'll keep searching, but I'm headed to bed now...took "sleep aid" 3 hours ago. SURELY, it's going to kick in soon???? Please-oh-please : ) : ) :)

I'll leave you with some more of my fave quotes from my Priscilla Shirer, Jonah study...it's so blessed me these past few weeks!
"But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord," Jonah 2:9

"Whatever you are holding on to in this life hold it loosely so it won't hurt when the Lord has to pry your fingers open to take it away...Has the divine interruption the Lord has brought your way revealed some things that you are holding onto too tightly? have you been hurting as He's sought to pry your fingers away from the comfort, ambition, goal, or even the sin that you can barely release?" ouch...

""His goal is to revive so He can realign."

"The fish became the way to preserve Jonah for the future ministry God had for him."

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the paths of everlastinng life." Ps. 139:23-24

"The interrupted life is the privileged, challenging, accountable, and significant life."