It's been a LONG time since I've blogged, tweeted, facebooked… our lives have been SO crazy that I have not taken the time to do it. Also…we have been dealing with so many health issues, and we've had so little information to share that was certain that it's been easier just to walk the road alone as a family. We sometimes wonder if people get tired of hearing the latest medical issues!
Since I last blogged…
Matthew has had his 11 root canals and 16 crowns (was to be 14 but turned into 16). Of course, right now, it's 15 because one fell off and will be put back on in January (we found it!) He did great with this and never missed a beat. He seems happier now (not that he was unhappy before). Probably his teeth were in constant pain before so he should feel great! We also got him in to an ENT because of the constant sinus infection and horrible smell that constantly emanates from him. The doctor thought for sure that something was stuck up there in his nose, but when he scoped him, it turned out that he had a tumor in his sinus cavity. So an MRI was ordered and he had that on November 8. He went to the ENT today for us to find out what the MIR showed. Well…it showed nothing. No tumor, no blockage… So we are thanking God. We have the picture of the tumor that is now non-existent. So…no surgery needed. No nothing. The doc did suggest we test him for allergies (since he still has a runny nose and is not sick). So we'll do that soon.
Eli…
Suffered a stomach flu week before last that kept him out of school for the whole week. That was no fun. BUT…none of the rest of us got it and that is a miracle! He is becoming a bit more verbal these days. He does say EAT now. It was cute at first…now that's what he says anytime he gets near the kitchen or his high chair. The cute factor is gone. 🙂 He's still thriving and we hope he will get into a growth cycle. It's hard to believe he's a five-year-old since he is the size of a 3 year old at most.
Micah…
continues to improve in his behavior. He's had a few slip ups in the last couple of weeks but all in all he has done so well. Last week, he spit in his teacher's face because she wanted him to do something that he didn't want to do. Needless to say, he was in trouble when he got home. Since that day he's been a little ANGEL! He was obviously testing the boundaries to see if they were still there. Guess what, buddy… THEY ARE!
Blake…
Has completed marching band and is glad it's over but really enjoyed it this year. He made "A" band as a rotating member (for some reason only 2 in his section are permanent members…the other 4 will rotate in and out). He's glad to be included, but of course wishes he was one of the permanent members. He continues to play the piano (not taking lessons this fall, but doing very well on his own). He is really growing in his relationship with God for which we are very grateful and very happy about.
Hannah…
is growing up into a very beautiful young woman, inside and out. She is daily striving to have a stronger relationship with the Lord and really strives to please Him. She is such a huge help with the little boys and just jumps in to help without being asked.
Bethany & Seth…
are both doing well in their lives. They are in love with the newest Malones and enjoy being around them and playing with them and teaching them things. Some good…some questionable. 🙂 They are both excelling in school and are both active in things at church. They both play in the children's handbell ensemble, both sing in children's choir…
Mary is doing well. Tired a lot, but that's the new normal so I guess we are getting used to it. She's the best mom around and the most beautiful wife on the planet.
As I write this, I'm laying in bed with pneumonia but hope to be better quickly. I started a high powered antibiotic today…
ELI PROJECT…
continues to move forward. We've been doing a lot of local ground work before we go "online" in a big way. We have several new people on board to help and have 2 major opportunities this weekend to fundraise for our christmas project and get off the ground by getting our name out. January 1, we will begin actively searching for families to host children this summer and of course for families to give forever families to children in need. Also…we have a trip planned for this spring to do some "service projects" at a few of the orphanages we are working with. We are taking slightly different path to launch the ministry that we originally planned, but we are following God and taking it a step at a time. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. We currently have a donor who is MATCHING GIFTS up to $5,000 so NOW is the time give if you can. Contact me about how you can donate.
We thank you for your interest in our lives and your consistent prayers for us!
Blessed be the Name of the LORD!