I Will Trust

I will trust in my knowledge of you
That you're perfect, mighty, faithful and true
You hasten to perform what you said you'd do
So I will trust in my knowledge of you

The world may wonder and gawk and laugh
But wherever I go, I have no lack
I just know what your Word said you'd do
And I will trust in my knowledge of you

When troubles start to come and knock on my door
I say, "I know the SON, don't come 'round here no more..
You've got no right, I'm covered by the blood
So step back and feel His wrath like a flood!"

I will trust in my knowledge of you
That you're perfect, mighty, faithful and true
You hasten to perform what you said you'd do
So I will trust in my knowledge of you

Things might look bad, in a worldly way
but I've got the book and I know what to say
Just put His words to use in my mouth
And watch his precious mercy pour out.

When I get scared or want to run
I remind myself of what He's done
And what I know has only begun
In the perfect, redemptive work of His Son.

I will trust in my knowledge of you
That you're perfect, mighty, faithful and true
You hasten to perform what you said you'd do
So I will trust in my knowledge of you.

Brittany's Last night in Hawaii - a Luau

Thank you for prayers

Thank you, all, for your mighty prayers! Michael doesn't think the interview went well, in fact, he thinks it went worst of all his interviews. Michael just wasn't "on his game."

However, this just gives God a lot of room to move FOR US! I KNOW that God has opened doors for us that no man has shut! He spoke to us last year telling us that we would move and that it was in his perfect will. From the start we have prayed that He will put us in the perfect place...the place where He most needs us! If it is Houston, I know that He will get us there!

I am so thankful to have wonderful, praying friends! Thank you so much!!

Quick Prayer Request please

Just a quick prayer request....Michael has an interview with Houston tomorrow at 2pm. We would REALLY REALLY REALLY like this store. Please pray for him! Thank you

Doily for Lisa

I made this doily for my friend Lisa. She has a wonderful cookbook and wonderful blog for people trying to watch their carbs. I didn't have any idea it would be this big! It was all crumpled up while I was making it and didn't really "un-fold" to this size until I blocked it! It was my first doily, so I am especially proud of it!

Haekelbeutel done

It is with a sad heart that I parted with this item. I LOVE it!! It came out so cute, a great size and I even lined it!!!! I really hope my mom loves it as much as I do! (I will find out tomorrow when I call for her birthday) The only thing I would have done is put some pockets in, but I was already testing my skills just by lining it! Hopefully everytime I make one, I will be able to improve.If you click on this one, you can see the cute button.

My closet

One of my 101/1001 things was to clean my closet. I had no intention of doing that today and it wasn't even hitting my radar of things I would do soon. But today, after I got my clothes put away, while waiting for Emily to get done with her clothes, I had extra time. I decided to clean my closet! WOOHOO!!

I didn't take any before pics, but my closet wasn't messy at all....it just had clothes that I didn't like and didn't fit me. I wanted to go through and get rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit or that I don't like and reorganize what I did have. So here are the finished pics:

This is my dressy side...aka the church or date side. :-) The box on the bottom left has clothes that are one size smaller, just my favorite ones. The shelf holds winter jammies and sweats and the stuffed animal Michael bought me on our honeymoon. It also has Emily's guitar because the kids were getting into it.

This dress hangs up as incentive to lose weight. It is a beautiful dress with a large bow in the back. Would be beautiful for Christmas.

This side has my everyday clothes and my shoe rack. The shelf holds my journals and sentimental items.



So, you're wondering how much I got rid of????

101/1001 update week 1

Key
Working on
Completed
the fractions are how many I have done/out of how many I have to do
* things I want to work on this week

God

• Memorize 1 Corinthians 13
• *Read through and annotate my new Bible
• *Finish prayer journal
• Consistently use prayer journal
• Do at least one intense Bible study
• Download and listen to at least one message a week (when not attending church)
  
• *Work up to praying an hour per day

Marriage

• *cubby time once a week
• Complete the love dare
• Go on one date with Cubby a month

Personal

• Learn something new at least every other month - this month learned how to do a double crochet foundation (1/16)
  
• Lose 75 lbs
• *Read 32 non fiction books - read Mistaken Identity (very good book! Great faith and God's kind of love shown) (1/32)
  
• Make wills
• *Stretch back daily
• *make a list of 7 to dos everyday and do them before any fun time (above and beyond daily lists) - not consistent
  
• Give myself a Jefferson Education
• *Take vitamins everyday - been sporadic
  
• Learn basic geography (countries and capitals)
• Read Epicenter (and/or rent movie) and research to understand *looking to buy/rent movie
  
• Make a nature notebook
• *pick a journal, write something in it everyday until finished
• *keep gratitude journal
• Take 10 one-day breaks from electronics.
• Pick one habit to break each month (keep up with and review)
• Pick one habit to start each month (keep up with and review)
• Read On Prayer by Andrew Murray
• get Mammogram
• exercise at least 4 times a week
• go in pool at least 4 times a week, when open
  
• get a cat
• get a Paul Potts CD (my birthday?)
  
• *Make a chart to record progress on this list
• *update blog weekly on progress on this list (1/143)
  

Family

• Camp in the backyard at least once
• *date with each child at least once a month - Brittany down, 3 to go
  
• Do one family read aloud per month
• Go camping at least 3 times
• *Kids outside everyday (9/1001)
• Find new VEPTR doctor - talked to San Antonio, in the works to have papers sent down there.
  
• Get Brittany drum lessons
• Potty Train Ethan
• *Spend quality time with kids each day (not including school) (7/1001)
  
• Spend at least 2 evenings starwatching and catching fireflies with kids
• Train freckles
• Update Kaedra's history
• *Get my kids to obey me right away
• take a CPR refresher course with family
• Make sure Emily and Brittany can read music
• Get family photos made
• play at least one game a week with the kids
• take at least 5 nature walks with kids
• take kids fishing at least once
• read Child's Garden of verses and Mother Goose to Emily and Kaedra
• Karaokie with family at least once a month
• find new speech therapist for Kaedra (to teach her to eat)
• watch Star Trek movies with Brittany

Home

• decorate for each holiday (kids' projects)
  
• *Clean out my closet, donate - closet is cleaned out, just need to donate!
  
• collect crosses and make a cross wall
• Everything but one car and house paid
• *Fill bird feeders including hummingbird feeder during proper seasons
• Get all our music onto computer/hard drive
• Get files cleaned out and organized
• Get library thing and catalog books
• Plant an herb garden
• Re organize Kaedra's closet
• Refinish coffee table in den
• Refinish coffee table in attic
• Paint Kelley's crib and return
• Move -heehee, working on it in the spiritual realm right now! And Michael has an interview on Friday at 2pm with Houston
  
• *Pack two boxes everyday until move (or declutter)
• Make backyard habitat at new house
• Sell ebay stuff
• keep car clean and vacuum at least once a month
• get photos printed from computer
• put photos into some sort of system
• Put newer photos in frames and display
• create organization system for books
• frame Brittany's paintings
• frame cross stitch
• make menu plan for at least 4 weeks
• *make pantry list and put in iphone- got an iphone program thanks to pantry
  
• *rate all songs in itunes

School

• Do 100 easy lessons with Kaedra
• *Read with Emily everyday until mastery- hasn't been everyday
  
• Write TATW curriculum
• Make Folders for TATW
• Make Plans for Brittany's high school
  

Social

• *Bless someone at least once a month - made doily for Lisa, finishing Tarry's b'day present. (1.5/33)
  
• Get to know at least one neighbor
• Join a church - well we found one!
  
• See Brandi and her family
• *Make interactive contact with all comitatus at least every other week
  
• *get Ergo back from Anita - asked for it
  

Creative

• *Blog at least once a week (1/143)
  
• Write rough draft for my novel
• Make Mom Afghan
• Make Dad Afghan
• *Write one poem a week (2/143)
  
• *Read at least 1001 poems (3/1001)
  
• Write down my songs and the music for them

Do you KNOW it??

Poison Ivy Blues

Creeping over my four limbs
I've got a yucky rash
It's swollen, red, crusty and gross
And even has the ability to make my teeth gnash.

In case you don't know
I've got the poison ivy blues
it's all over me
from my head down to my shoes.

I'm off to the doctor
to get meds and a shot
I've been trying not to go
but it is bugging me a lot.

Silly that we both come from dust
from the very same ground
and yet it attacks me
However, no matter what, my praises will abound!

And I know I am healed
of this icky sticky mess
So I will keep my mind on him
And not on any distress!

Hallelujah, Thank you Lord
That you provided my healing
and I believe I have it
No matter what I am feeling!

Funky Hawaiian flower

Brittany sent me this picture of a beautiful Hawaiian flower. I've never seen anything like it, but I love it! For those wondering how she is doing....she is doing great. She has been swimming everyday and went snorkeling yesterday. She had dinner last night at Benihana's and sent a picture of the plate.
She is having a wonderful time and seeing a lot of wonderful sites!! We can't wait to see all the pictures, and most of all, our sunshiney girl!!

My beautiful Hawaiian girl!

Her Triumphant Health

One of the things on my 101/1001 list was to write at least one poem a week. I haven't written any poetry in a long time so I decided I needed a little help. I got a refrigerator-magnet-esque program for my iphone called Poetik and wrote my first poem yesterday.

Here it is:

Her Triumphant Health

disease hunted her
strained us til withering.
forgoing my compass to fly into proof in the Utmost.
we praised when all still not well-
a novel meditation
to describe love's debtor.
and how my terms are not His.
that Love's remedy can be maddening
but winter grace-fully vanished
into our borrowed treasure.

101 in 1001 Days

I don't remember when I first read about the Day Zero Project: 101 things in 1001 days list, but I have been lurking on Kristy's blog for a few months and watching her work on her list. I have been really feeling compass-less lately, in need of direction and felt convicted to make one of these. I began with my happy list and my passion list and got many of my ideas from those. I have been working on this list for about two weeks.

Here are the guidelines, found at the Day Zero Getting Started Site.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

So here is my list.
I will be working on this list until Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (coincidentally, Valentine's Day)

God

• Memorize 1 Corinthians 13
• Read through and annotate my new Bible
• Finish prayer journal
• Consistently use prayer journal
• Do at least one intense Bible study
• Download and listen to at least one message a week (when not attending church)
• Work up to praying an hour per day

Marriage

• cubby time once a week
• Complete the love dare
• Go on one date with Cubby a month

Personal

• Learn something new at least every other month
• Lose 75 lbs
• Read 32 non fiction books
• Make wills
• Stretch back daily
• make a list of 7 to dos everyday and do them before any fun time (above and beyond daily lists)
• Give myself a Jefferson Education
• Take vitamins everyday
• Learn basic geography (countries and capitals)
• Read Epicenter (and/or rent movie) and research to understand
• Make a nature notebook
• pick a journal, write something in it everyday until finished
• keep gratitude journal
• Take 10 one-day breaks from electronics.
• Pick one habit to break each month (keep up with and review)
• Pick one habit to start each month (keep up with and review)
• Read On Prayer by Andrew Murray
• get Mammogram
• exercise at least 4 times a week
• go in pool at least 4 times a week, when open
  
• get a cat
• get a Paul Potts CD
• Make a chart to record progress on this list
• update blog weekly on progress on this list
  

Family

• Camp in the backyard at least once
• date with each child at least once a month
• Do one family read aloud per month
• Go camping at least 3 times
• Kids outside everyday
• Find new VEPTR doctor
• Get Brittany drum lessons
• Potty Train Ethan
• Spend quality time with kids each day (not including school)
• Spend at least 2 evenings starwatching and catching fireflies with kids
• Train freckles
• Update Kaedra's history
• Get my kids to obey me right away
• take a CPR refresher course with family
• Make sure Emily and Brittany can read music
• Get family photos made
• play at least one game a week with the kids
• take at least 5 nature walks with kids
• take kids fishing at least once
• read Child's Garden of verses and Mother Goose to Emily and Kaedra
• Karaokie with family at least once a month
• find new speech therapist for Kaedra (to teach her to eat)
• watch Star Trek movies with Brittany

Home

• decorate for each holiday (kids' projects)
  
• Clean out my closet, donate
• collect crosses and make a cross wall
• Everything but one car and house paid
• Fill bird feeders including hummingbird feeder during proper seasons
• Get all our music onto computer/hard drive
• Get files cleaned out and organized
• Get library thing and catalog books
• Plant an herb garden
• Re organize Kaedra's closet
• Refinish coffee table in den
• Refinish coffee table in attic
• Paint Kelley's crib and return
• Move
• Pack two boxes everyday until move (or declutter)
• Make backyard habitat at new house
• Sell ebay stuff
• keep car clean and vacuum at least once a month
• get photos printed from computer
• put photos into some sort of system
• Put newer photos in frames and display
• create organization system for books
• frame Brittany's paintings
• frame cross stitch
• make menu plan for at least 4 weeks
• make pantry list and put in iphone
• rate all songs in itunes

School

• Do 100 easy lessons with Kaedra
• Read with Emily everyday until mastery
• Write TATW curriculum
• Make Folders for TATW
• Make Plans for Brittany's high school
  

Social

• Bless someone at least once a month
• Get to know at least one neighbor
• Join a church
• See Brandi and her family
• Make interactive contact with all comitatus at least once a week
• get Ergo back from Anita

Creative

• Blog at least once a week
• Write rough draft for my novel
• Make Mom Afghan
• Make Dad Afghan
• Write one poem a week
• Read at least 1001 poems
• Write down my songs and the music for them

What I Hold In The Palm of my Hand

As you know we took a trip to Kansas City this week for an appointment with one of Kaedra's doctors. Since Michael was on vacation, we decided to make it into an overnight trip and take the kids to do something fun. (not quite as good as Hawaii, but hey, we do what we can do! LOL!)

Travelling with a two year old is challenging. I had forgotten about that. It was a bit rough here and there and I might have gotten a wee bit stressed once or twice. I might have even said I would never go on vacation with a two year old again.

Tonight (technically this morning), safely back at home and back to normal, Ethan woke up and cried out. I waited for a few minutes and he went back to sleep. About ten minutes later he cried out again. This time he stopped crying and started calling out for me. I went in to check on him. What follows is our conversation....

"hi bubba"
"hi mama"
"are you okay?"
"yes"
"what do you need?"
"mama cuddles"
"ok mama cuddles coming up"

I took him out of his bed (a playpen), organized his blankies, pillow and animals and we laid on the floor together.

"cuddle mama."
"okay bubba"
wrapped my arms around him
"sing mama"
"okay bubba"
Sang to him and rubbed his back
"cold mama"
"okay, I'll get your blankies"
When I laid back down, I cuddled with him and his head rested in the palm of my hand. I am amazed that all this wild boy who seems like such big stuff during the day can still fit his head into my hand.

After a little more singing....
"ready for bed, bubs?"
"yes"

I put him into bed, wrapped his blankies around him, wound up his musical bear and kissed him.

"night night Bubba."
"night night mama"
"love you bubba"
"love you mama"

And as I shut the door,
"thank you, mama"

All in the palm of my hand...

Kaedra's KC Appt

Okay, first of all, I didn't really like our surgeon already. He has always put Kaedra in a box with "these kids." He seems to forget that she doesn't have a syndrome and that she is basically healthy! He even referred to Kaedra as "terminal" once!

This time he told Michael, "she already has her trach out, what else do you expect out of her? She is already 90% better than most of "these kids!" You can't expect much more." ACK!!!! Plus when we said that we concerned about the deep "s" in her back and that her pulmonologist said she needed surgery he said "well if all you are concerned with is how she LOOKS you need to re-evaluate having a special-needs child." Basically his main point was that they don't do the surgeries as frequently anymore. He said he didn't even want to see her for another year. (which would be almost 2 years from her last surgery!!!) He said it was too much stress on her body to keep having surgeries and that she wasn't going to grow much anyway, so she doesn't need it. (she is already tall for her age!)

Anyway, we need a second opinion. The problem is...where? who? We are going to research where we can take her for another opinion! I may make an appointment with San Antonio (since they are probably booking months out) and then pray we get transferred sooner so we can see another dr somewhere soon.

This is not unusual with Kaedra. If we had listened to the doctors a little over 4 years ago we never even have had her trach'd because she "wasn't going to make it." It was also suggested that we put her in a "home" since she was never going to have any quality of life. We never gave up on her back then, we certainly aren't going to now!

Kaedra neck xrays

So we got a callback from the dr about kaedra's x-rays. It appears
that she has spina bifida occulta. That is the least problematic of
the spina bifidas so it shouldn't be a big deal and shouldn't affect
her neck movement. He wants an MRI on her neck to make sure and then
we will start physical therapy.

I am very happy that she should have full neck movement but not
thrilled to hear she has a new diagnosis of something. And you know
what?? I am positive Jesus took on spina bifida (of all sorts) from
the cross! So I know she is healed!

Blessings,
Kahri

Sent from my iPhone

Happy Mother's Day!!

Today has been a fabulous Mother's Day! Let me count the ways:
1. Slept in until 8!!!
2. Crepes for breakfast
3. Church with hubby
4. Not called out of service (left Ethan home with Britty)
5. Saw good friends at church
6. Home to put my feet in new foot spa
7. Yummy BBQ brisket sandwiches
8. Nap
9. To MIL's house and small nature walk in her backyard with kids
10. Talk with friend
11. Shrimp scampi and Caesar salad for dinner
12. Watched Emergency with family
13. Great presents including gorgeous roses, foot spa, iTunes card, chocolates, handmade cards, a ginger/peach candle from my mom and a stuffed animal still in process by Britt
14. Cuddles, hugs, kisses
15. Kaedra said I am twenty years old!

I am feeling extremely blessed, loved and adored tonight. What a wonderful day! My family did a fantastic job of making me feel appreciated!! Thank you guys so much!!!

I am so blessed to be a mother. Being a wife and having kids is the most wonderful thing I can imagine. Being the blessed mother of such adoring people makes it even more special! I am so very thankful for my family. Love you guys!!!!

Mary Janes

I did a Crochet-along with my neice, Sherria. We decided to make these Mary Jane slippers. I had a lot of fun Crocheting with her and I love my finished product! I will post pictures of hers when I can!

Haekelbeuteling

This afternoon I sewed three linings for my Haekelbeutels! I am so excited. I haven't gotten them sewed into the bags yet, but at least I got them all done! Now I have two bags to finish sewing up and then insert the linings into all three. I didn't delve into making pockets yet, although I do need to put some pockets on my mom's lining. I will try to add those next time! I can't wait to get these done! they are going to be awesome!

10 things I am passionate about

I am extremely passionate about God in general. He IS my passion.
These are the things that He causes me to be passionate about:

1. prayer
2. Titus 2:3-5
3. Homeschooling
4. My family
5. Being a good wife
6. Being a good mom
7. studying the Word
8. Crocheting
9. telling people about Kaedra's healing
10. my close friends

I also am passionate about cooking and organizing/time management.

These are my "ministries" if you will. :-) Now I am going to decide what to do about it.

100 things that make me happy

I am doing this in preparation for another big project coming soon. All part of my grand plan of getting my life back in order. Proverbs 4:26

I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, but these things make me happy!

1.John 3:16- Salvation
2.John 10:10- the promise of life more abundant
3.Healing- for by His stripes we are healed
4. The Holy Spirit who comes alongside me as my comforter and friend: my Parakletos
5. My family being saved
6. Praying
7. Confessing God's Word over our life
8. A good Bible-based message
9. singing my praise and worship to the Lord
10. Reading His Word and understanding more
11. Hearing God's clear direction
12. A Clean Car (inside)
13. A Clean House
14. A fire in the fireplace
15. A fresh skein of yarn
16. A talk with a friend
17. An intense Bible Study with a friend
18. A good turn of phrase
19. A long massage
20. A new outfit
21. A new pencil puzzle magazine
22. A new recipe
23. A night out with a friend
24. A productive day
25. A very cold glass of water without ice
26. Avocados
27. Being Blessed
28. Being Pampered or Spoiled for a day
29. Being silly
30. Big snowflakes
31. Bird watching
32. Blessing others
33. Boating
34. Cabins
35. Camping
36. Cats
37. Trees perfect for climbing
38. Creating music
39. Dancing in the rain
40. Dates with hubby
41. Eating outside
42. Emails or calls from my bff
43. Exercising
44. Family nights
45. finishing a crochet project
46. Fireflies
47. Cuddling
48. Flowers
49. Free things
50. Fresh starts
51. Frogs
52. Getting done with everything in a day of school
53. Getting things done
54. Going on dates with my kids
55. Going places with family
56. Good smells
57. Helping others
58. Hubby softly snoring next to me.
59. Hugs and Kisses
60. Large Trees
61. Laughing
62. Laundry done and put away
63. Learning new things
64. Less weight on the scale
65. Listening to my favorite music
66. Listening to Classical or opera LOUDLY
67. Manicure and/or Pedicure
68. My dog
69. My iphone
70. My kids laughing together
71. Nature
72. Nicknames
73. Organizing something new
74. Painting or doing art
75. People who like my quirkiness
76. Presents
77. Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino
78. Rainbows
79. Reading a good book
80. Researching and writing
81. Seeing a movie in the theater
82. Simplifying things
83. Sitting by water's edge
84. Surprises (of the good kind)
85. Swimming
86. Taking Pictures
87. The Change in seasons
88. The night sky
89. The sounds of nature
90. Vacations with hubby
91. Writing poetry
92. Making lists
93. checking things off of lists
94. good, clean humor
95. a brand new, sharpened pencil
96. being debt-free
97. Reading His Word and understanding more, like peeling the layers of an onion
98. Hearing God's clear direction
99. fountain pens
100. a brand new book

There will be a day

In response to my comments on my last blog, this song came to mind!! Hallelujah!!

Trading my Sorrows

Yesterday was Jacob's birthday, but Joy comes in the morning!! I am rejoicing he is awaiting us in heaven!

Triple Rainbow

Although you can't tell, this is actually a TRIPLE rainbow!! Most
beautiful rainbow I've ever seen!

Needle felting