And Then There Were 4.....: April 2008

My name is Sheila and I am 45 years old. I married my High school sweetheart at the tender age of 17. We had our first son 9 months later. 14 months after that son number two was born. 22 months later we had our little girl. So there I was, 22 years old, with three wonderful children and the love of my life.I loved being a Mom and I enjoyed it more than I ever thought possible. I would hold them and watch them sleep never wanting to put them down. Clint and I were very young and I'm sure some thought we were crazy, but I wouldn't trade it!As my children grew and we bought our land and built our home I began to miss having a little one. My babies weren't babies anymore. I decided it would be fun to have little ones around and approached my husband, then the kiddos about becoming a foster family. I thought it sounded like a great idea and it would be wonderful for the kids to be involved in helping those that needed us. Everyone agreed, I made some phone calls, and we began our journey.....We went to foster parent training and did our paper work, back ground checks, home visits and then we waited. I was a little surprised that we didn't get a child immediately. Then it happened on March 18, 1998 while I was shopping with my friend Chris I received the phone call that would change my life forever. The social worker wanted to know if we would take a little boy who was 18 months old and his 3 month old baby sister. I was so excited I couldn't wait to get home.Richard and Katy came into our lives that very evening. They were beautiful but they didn't smell so pretty! My daughter Ashley and I gave them baths and fed them. Ashley read Richard a story while I rocked Katy. They stayed with us for 15 months and then the dreaded phone call came. Richard and Katy were going home. I know I am supposed to be happy and that the goal from the very beginning was reunification. I had watched the parents with Richard and Katy and I truly felt in my heart that they were not ready for the responsibility. Katy was so frail when she came to us she was failing to thrive, she spit up all the time, had frequent diarrhea and many ear infections. She was just beginning to blossom. I feared for her safety. There was nothing I could do but pray to God to watch over these children and keep them safe. I was not prepared for how difficult it would be to let go. I loved these children and I didn't know if I would ever see them again. With a broken heart and tears streaming down my face I stood next to Clint as we said our goodbyes. I will never forget the looks on their faces. I felt as if they were asking me why they had to go away.Three weeks had passed since our sweet little babies had gone away. My heart ached and I thought of them constantly. The second week in July I received a phone call from D.H.S asking me if I minded speaking with Katy's doctor. The worker informed me that Katy had been found unconscious in her crib and rushed to the hospital. She had suffered a metabolic crises and because of a lack of oxygen she had brain damage. When she awoke from the coma she was unable to speak, sit up, stand or walk. The doctors needed to speak to someone that knew when Katy had attained each milestone such as walking and how well she talked. They had nothing to compare her current condition with. I asked if we could come to the hospital and be with her. When we saw her tiny little body in that big hospital bed with all the tubes coming out of her I couldn't believe it was the same child. I stayed with her night and day. I took her to the play room and coaxed her into taking tiny little steps with help. I got her to take small bites of food. I bathed her and brushed her tangled hair.The doctors explained that Katy had a rare metabolic disorder called Medium Chain acyl CoA Dehydrogenase. Medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, or 'MCAD,' is a disorder in which your body is unable to breakdown fats to make energy. Normally, fat is broken down into energy by "enzymes." This energy keeps your body running whenever it runs out of its main source of energy, a sugar called 'glucose.' In MCAD, a very important enzyme for breaking down fat, the medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase enzyme (MCAD) is missing or does not work correctly. This means that people with MCAD can't break down fat for energy when they run out of glucose. When people with MCAD fast, they can experience a range of serious life threatening symptoms or even death. Persons with MCAD cannot use this fat to make energy, consequently, the body begins to fail and malfunction once the food the person has eaten runs out. The main treatment is to avoid going without food for very long periods. Children should eat high carbohydrate meals like sugar-containing drinks, cereals, and pastas when they are ill. Children with MCAD should follow a low fat diet. If not detected and treated appropriately, MCAD can result in death. Untreated MCAD can lead to mental retardation and death.Katy was released from the hospital into our care. Richard went to another foster home due to all the therapies and constant care Katy needed at this time. Richard never made it back to us. He was adopted by a family that fell in love with him while we helped Katy with her long journey back. We spent everyday working with Katy encouraging her to walk and talk.On April 27, 2001 when she was 3 1/2 years old Kaitlin Elizabeth Kimble became our daughter. She was officially ours. When the Judge announced her new name and put her in my arms I felt the same joy I felt when my biological children were born. The same feelings overwhelmed me and I knew that God had brought us to Katy and that she was supposed to be with us and never have to say good bye again.Now it is December 2, 2007 and Katy will be 10 years old on the 24th. She is in the third grade. She is truly a gift from God. She brings us so much joy. I will admit though that it isn't always easy. Katy has developmental delays and ADHD do to the metobolic crises. She goes to speech, occupational and physical therapy twice a week. She has a Para professional that helps her because Katy has not learned to read. She needs constant supervision as she does not think things through. She is very revved up and is on medication to help her sleep. I was very much against giving her any medication in the beginning but after being up until 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning trying to get her to sleep and regularly being late for school, I soon realized that this was a good choice for Katy. It slows her down enough to be able to go to sleep and she is able to wake up in the morning feeling rested and ready to go to school.Katy has three older siblings Chris her oldest brother is 27. Randy her brother is 26 and her sister Ashley is 24. She has a niece Brooklynn who is 6 and a nephew Hayden that is 3. She has another nephew Peyton that is 3 1/2. Join me as you peek into my life and all that it entails as a Mom to three grown children and Katy a 10 year old who keeps me on my toes. I'm Nana to three beautiful grandchildren and wife to the love of my life. The journey continues......

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Bargains

I picked Katy up after school and we headed to OKC to meet Ashley. Chris goes to school at Southwestern Christian University on Tuesday nights. Ashley sometimes goes with him to do a little shopping. She has been wanting me to go so Katy and I met her and Peyton. We found so many good deals and had a blast! Yes I did get home a little late and I certainly wouldn’t want to do it every week, but I am very glad we went. Ashley and I both found several items for our kiddo’s winter wardrobe next year at wonderful prices. We were so excited about the prices and when we went to pay some of the items rang up even cheaper than we thought! We found great bargains at The Children’s Place, Gymboree and The Disney Store. Ashley bought a really cute pair of tennis shoes for herself with some of her birthday money. They were a good deal too! Ashley is a natural born bargain shopper. She can spot a bargain from a mile away! I love to go to garage sales with her because she finds things I don’t even see. This weekend is our town’s annual town wide garage sales and Ashley is planning to come. I can’t wait!!! Oh I almost forgot the best part of the trip! Peyton came home with us. He snuggled with Nana and Poppa last night. We are having so much fun!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Happy Birthday Ashley

Today is my daughter Ashley's birthday! She is 24 years old. She is just as sweet today as she was the day she was born. She is the wife of a youth pastor and Mommy to a very special little boy, our Grandson Peyton Kimble Walker. I am so blessed to have a daughter like her. Clint and I drove to Kingfisher today to give Ashley her gift and wish her a Happy Birthday.

Katy

I was looking at Katy's scrap book today and wanted to share these pictures.

And Then There Were 4..... April 27, 2001

Today is a very special day! Seven years ago today Kaitlin Elizabeth became our forever daughter through adoption. God blessed us with another beautiful child. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful family. Memaw took us out to eat after church today to celebrate this special day!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

A Play Ground For The Children

If you have been reading my blog very long you have heard me talk about Poppa (Clint’s Dad) and how we miss him so. Before he passed away he was working on a project at our church. He was trying to get the approval and funds for a play ground for the children. He had drawn up some plans, priced and compared play ground equipment and brought it up to our then Pastor. I think Poppa only sat in on one church service with our new pastor. Well we thought it would be neat to continue this project in his memory. Memaw (Clint’s Mom, Rita) has talked to the church board and just recently got approval for the play ground! I am so excited about this. I know Poppa would be pleased. It will be a very nice addition to our church. It will also be nice for Christ Kids as the children only have a basket ball goal at this time. I will keep you updated as the project begins to take place.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Honest Ash

My daughter in law, Ashley and I were at Wal-Mart today buying laundry supplies and other essentials. We were going to eat lunch as soon as we finished shopping. Ashley wrote her check for 10.00 over her total so she would have cash. It was raining and we both had carts full of goodies that we were trying to get out of the rain. Ashley had her receipt and her money in her hand as she climbed in the front seat she went to put her money in her wallet. She saw that she had a 20.00 bill. She suddenly realized that she had been given too much money. She looked at me and in the sweetest voice she said I need to go back in and tell her so her drawer won’t be short tonight. She went out into the rain and headed back into Wal-Mart to give the cashier back the extra money. It took a while for her to come back and as I waited for her I couldn’t help but thank my heavenly father for such a sweet, honest daughter in law. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter in law or son in law. They are both very special.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Big Boy

Brooklynn rode the school bus home with Katy today. Randy and Hayden came out later to get her. They ate supper with us and Hayden brought his school pictures. Hayden will be three in May. Ashley was working at the Hospital. I just had to post so I could put Haydens pictures up.

Monday, April 21, 2008

A New Look!

I am so excited! I won a Blogger template from Lindsay Kwait at Splat Creative Designs. I entered the contest at http://www.themommiesunited.com/ during their blog party. Be sure and watch for my new look!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Happy Birthday!

Today is my oldest Son’s birthday! He is 27 years old. It does not seem possible! Ashley and Peyton spent Friday night and part of Saturday with us! It was a wonderful surprise! Ashley and I watched a movie after everyone else went to sleep. Well I should say I actually watched it because Ashley fell asleep about 30 minutes into the movie. I wish I would have taken a picture with her popcorn sitting on her while she slept! Clint made us breakfast. We had eggs, biscuits and gravy and sausage and bacon. Ashley, Peyton, Katy and I went to Garage sales while Clint and Chris went fishing. We ate and gave Chris his gifts before Ashley had to get back home. They had plans with their youth group tonight.
Happy Birthday Chris!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

New Again

"New Again" by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, with scenes from the movie "The Passion"

Thank You Lord for making me New Again! I am forever changed because of Your Amazing Love!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Friday

Foster baby left today. We enjoyed having her here. I hope things work out for her and her family. Brooklynn and Hayden were here after school. Randy and Ashley came out later in the evening. We had supper and played Rook. I talked to Ashley on the phone and she said Peyton wasn't felling well. I hope he is better! Everyone has gone home and it is pretty quiet here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Remember buying Training Bras?

It seems that trees aren’t the only thing budding this spring! Katy asked me if I would pick her up after school today so we could go into our neighboring town to buy her a bigger bra. I asked her why she needed a bigger bra as we had just recently bought her some training bras. She informed me that they were too small. I asked her if she really thought she had grown that much. She put her hand on her hip and said in a very serious tone “Mom you haven’t seen em in real life have you?” I thought I would lose it!! I didn’t want to laugh at her but I didn’t know if I could keep it in! In case you are wondering I did pick Katy up from school today and we did buy some more bras. I wouldn’t say bigger but different. She is happy and feels like she is very “big”

Friday, April 4, 2008

And Then There Were 4..... April 27, 2001

Tinker Bell

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Memories

I was reading Billies blog today about her son’s fishing trip with his Dad. It made me think about things we do with our children that our parents and grandparents did with us when we were children. I couldn’t help but think of Poppa’s (Clint’s Dad) famous animal pancakes. He would make any animal pancake that was requested. He actually made any pancake you requested but animals were his specialty. He did this for his children, his grandchildren and even three of his small great grandchildren before he passed away a year ago the 25th of March. My husband Clint has continued the art of animal pancakes for his children and grandchildren. Poppa and Clint both have a real knack for it. When I try it the batter all ends up running together and you can’t tell what it is supposed to be! You can read a poem my daughter Ashley wrote in honor of Poppa her grandfather on her blog by clicking on the red poppa's above.