They blew us away ... and then we blew them away... and then they blew us away...

Oh what a night weekend!
I have to tell you that I am Tired... that's tired with a capital T!  I am also very excited and a bit overwhelmed!  For those of you who are wondering what in the heck I'm typing about well did you ever miss out!  I am returning home from Chicago after spending the weekend at the At Home America Independence Forum!  It was my understanding that I was going to conference to network and to learn how to "grow" my business.  I had been at the home office back in October and had met the co-owners Becky and Lisa and knew that while we were going to be getting some valuable advice I also knew that it wouldn't be short on fun!
Now I know that most of you don't want to hear about the valuable business advice.  You don't care to hear about the 5, that's FIVE, things that I need to remember about bookings or mentoring...
So here's what I will share.  The conference was started with Lisa Brandau praying for God's blessing on the conference and she didn't just pray to anyone she prayed in the name of Christ.  I seriously was in tears.  Mostly because she prayed for those of us with sick ones at home and I of course missed Jack immediately.  But, I was still absolutely blown away about a "secular" business who made it a priority to pray.  Love that.

Some of the fun things that they announced was the opportunity to earn a 2011 Jeep Patriot.  Don't you love that they picked a name like "Patriot" ... perfect for AtHome America!

Not quite big enough for a family of seven... but still would be wonderful to have for HomeShows!  And really who's going to complain about earning a Blackberry Pearl Jeep Patriot?  It's also going to come with a personalized AtHome America logo on it!  So you'll see me coming! :)

You may remember reading on Facebook when I completed Levels 1,2 & 3 of New Kids on the Block which was apparently getting confused with these guys...

and so they switched the name The FasTrack.  Not only did they change the name they included some amazing benefits to it.  Which includes earning a flip video camera!!  Are you kidding me??  How great is that?  I could use one of those so I'm considering quitting and starting up in 6 months just so I can earn it! ;)  I know some of you are thinking ... does that mean that we'll have 6 months of not hearing about how much love you have for AtHome America??  Fat chance!!!

I also won a fabulous red AtHome America hoodie!!  If you know me then you know how much I love hoodies!!!!  I just had to come up with some creative ideas about how to use a business card!  I had 2 pages of ideas, no one else stood a chance! :)

Is anyone else having a hard time concentrating on what I'm writing because you can't rip your eyes away from The New Kid's hair?  It's like a train wreck... you don't want to look, but you can't take your eyes off of it!  I used to think the one in the red and black coat was so hot!  Ugh...

So now is the time that you've been waiting for!!  How in the world did we (Julayne and I) blow away everyone at the convention?  Well, it all started on a "field trip" to Michigan City, Indiana.  The company took us to the event center for dinner and had a DJ... it was loud and Julayne had a headache.  A large crowd was on the dance floor dancing in a relatively mild manner.  When the music is on I have a really hard time not shaking my groove thang, but I didn't want to ditch Julayne either.  As the night was coming to a close I was egging Julayne on to dance.  She disgustedly replied that if I wanted to dance I could, but she wasn't going to "Because I don't dance..."  That's when a wonderful idea bloomed in my mind and as soon as I whispered it into Julayne's ear she chuckled and couldn't resist...

Much to the surprise of those already on the dance floor we bounded onto the scene in a display unknown to mankind.  In a mad mixture of the "Running Man" the "Sprinkler" and of "Dropping it like it's hot" and to joy of those in attendance we broke out moves never seen before and never to be repeated this side of heaven.  Apparently before either of us knew what was happening half the dance floor belonged to us.  Yes, people were in awe and perhaps for their safety they were forming a half circle around us.  With no time to be embarrassed, the laughter and cheers of the crowd pushed us on to new heights of dancedom.  Soon, Tim Curry, Vice President of AtHome America joined us in the Running Man!  It.was.amazing.  So amazing in fact, that the next morning as we walked past our peers the nicknamed us "The Headbangers" and laughed and shook their heads as we passed by... yes, we indeed took their breath away and left an impression in their heads that they will never forget!  Hopefully, the videos of our dance performance won't make it onto YouTube... but if it does, you'll find the link here... :)

New Kids On The Block should take some lessons from us!

Tim's got moves... how much do I love it?!?!?!?!  I love my face in this picture!

This one should really be towards the beginning because I still have my sweatshirt on... but I love this because you think that Julayne is being timid... when in fact she is doing a major "Push The Cow" move here!  Ali behind me is also a little dismayed at my close closeness to her! :)

Answers at last...

Today was the day!  After 10 months of almost constant wheezing Jack finally got into University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics to see a Pediatric Pulmonary Specialist.
We were told that the University would send us a letter with instructions as to how to get to the clinic.  We already had a pretty good idea that it would be on the 2nd floor (since that's where we would go to visit Neela Waddell when she was hospitalized).  We never did get the letter but a quick phone call to the hospital proved that we were in fact, right.
For the first time in Driscoll history we were actually early.  Very early.  Almost an hour early.  It proved to be a sweet time.  The four oldest Turkey Bottoms were with Miss Beckie which meant that Daddy, Mommy and Jack had close to an hour to ourselves...  well, and the fifty or so other people waiting to be seen.  Jack proved to be quite entertaining... true of his name Jack was Joyful.
A nurse, Jessica, took vitals almost as soon as we arrived.  Jack weighs 24.8 lbs and has perfect blood pressure. He's also 31 inches tall at least we think that's what she said.  And then she gave us a pager like you would get if you were waiting for a table at a restaurant and told us that we could wait in the waiting room.
Having an afternoon appointment at such a busy clinic can mean only one thing... you're not going to see the doctor on time.  Fortunately Jack slept all the way to the hospital so he continued in great spirits while we waited.
At last we meet Dr. Richard Ahrens.

Dr. Ahrens, great dresser, fabulous doctor! :)

Isn't he a nice looking man?  He was also wearing super cool grayish green cords with a silver chain that I assume was attached to a pocket watch.  And he had great slip-on milk chocolate shoes.  You know all the qualifications that you want in a Pediatric Pulmonary Specialist! :)
Beyond that he's nice.  He listened.  It seemed like he trusted our observations.  He also answered our questions.  When I didn't understand what he was trying to explain, he explained it again without making me feel dumb.  Love, love, loved it!!
He's a specialist in Cystic Fibrosis and other lung/pulmonary diseases.  He didn't find it necessary to test Jack for Cystic Fibrosis! Love, love, love that!  Instead he believes that Jack's symptoms are consistent with Asthma.  Most likely Chronic Asthma.  We will spend the next 3 months charting Jack's symptoms to make sure that his symptoms line up with Asthma.  He also gave us a Vortex inhaler which means no more nebulizer treatments!  It will take about a minute to give him relief instead of 30 minutes.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!
Also Dr. Ahrens also gave us a script for steroids.  So when the inhaler isn't working we will have the steroids on hand.  And if the steroids don't work after 5 days we know to have Jack seen by a doctor.  No more guessing games.  We also have a phone number for 24 hour help from a doctor at the clinic!  Seriously, love it.
Oh, the relief of answers.  And a plan.  God be praised!

Praying that friends of ours will also find the answers they are looking for too...join me in praying for Wesley.

Roscoe teaches me a hard lesson in parenting.

Hannah, Benjamin, Emma with Roscoe and Sally

 

We said goodbye to our dog, Roscoe, today.

We know that it will be a good thing for Jack... so that he won't have to deal with allergies on top of his other ailments.

Gabriel and Roscoe

We know that it will save us some money and it will save me some time... see ya dog hair!
We know that it will be nice for Roscoe to be on a farm again.

This is about how much Roscoe cares about your personal bubble!

We're so so so happy that he didn't have to go to the Humane Society.  We're also very thankful that his new family said that we can stop by for visits when we visit Grandma Cyndee and Papa Larry.

Emma and "Fatscoe"

But, it's hard to say goodbye.  Especially for Emma.  She wept.  It brings tears to my eyes even now. While doing what was best for Jack Henry we had to break the heart of our Emmy Lou.  When it was a choice between the dog and our baby boy it wasn't even a choice... Jack wins.  The sacrifice for Jack effects everyone.  Some more than others.
Hannah said that she might be a little sad.
Benjamin and Gabe seemed relatively oblivious.
Ben wasn't exactly emotional.
I cried.
Yet, I cried because behind me in the van a little girl was sobbing.

Emma and Hannah with Roscoe!

I know that Emma will heal from this... I wonder if I will.

I already love spray paint... so excited!

Way back 4 houses ago (the one that the Turkey Bottoms call the White House) we were given a buffet from Ben's parents... really from his mom.  Back at the White House it was in our eat-in kitchen.  When we moved into the Yellow House it was in the sitting room/computer room and at Ted and Roxy's House (not the Blue/Gray House, because that would be too obvious) it was in the entry way/sitting room.  Today at Our Home it's in the dining room.  I believe it still has milk stains on it from the White House.  And for whatever reason I cannot get it cleaned.  I don't want to try to do anything too harsh or chemically (I'm sure that's not an appropriate use of the word chemically... but you get the picture) so for 4 houses now we have moved the buffet milk splatter stains and all.
I love the buffet.  I love that it's a family heirloom.  But, I do not love the dark stain or light milk stains.  I also do not like the old out dated knobs that are the size of my arm.  I'm not sure if it can be called a knob if it's the size of your arm... and really I'm exaggerating.  The unknobs are the size of Jack Henry's arm.  I wish I had a camera so I could show you.
In discussing these unloves with Ben he has told me not to alter the appearance of it at all...EVER Translated... do not think of touching it until my mom dies.  *Sigh*.  *Deep Sigh*.  Well, at least we live a half block away from her so I could always do it without her noticing... er...maybe not.
On top of that Ben's parents also gave us a lightly stained Victorian style table and chairs.  It sits right next to the dark milky buffet.  Ach!  It has fruit painted on it which is pretty, but also pretty much not me.  In my dining room there is another buffet that is a green with a dark glaze over it... this piece of furniture we bought ourselves and is very much my style.  I would love to have the furniture in the dining room a little more matchy matchy without it being matchy matchy.  Somewhere between an outfit that I would wear and one that Emma would wear.  Feeling me?
So I did something absolutely radical.

I actually asked my mother-in-law if she thought it would be ok if I painted or stripped the furniture to more of my liking.  *GASP*.
Turns out that she's a perfectly reasonable person.  She might have even looked at me like I was looney tones for asking her if I could paint my own furniture.  She granted permission and I had a witness so now Julayne has verified with my hubs that I have the go ahead.

So I did something very me.


I started scanning all of my favorite decorating websites and hopped from one to the next to the next to see how exactly to go about painting and staining and glazing these precious pieces of furniture.  I started with my usual go-to-girl... The Thrifty Decor Chick at (http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com) because I love the word thrifty!  Turns out she lead me to 320 Sycamore (http://www.granvillehouse.blogspot.com) who somehow maybe? lead me to All Things Thrify by Brooke (http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/04/painting-furniture-101.html)  Ahhhh... there's that thrifty word again!!  Brooke also has great tips on glazing.  And now I believe that I can re-do my dining room furniture in a perfectly Mama D kind of way!  Well, once it's above 50 degrees I can.

When I finally get on this project I will take pictures as I go and I look forward to hearing you all ohhhh and ahhhhh over my awesomeness!

Downright outright ferhoodled!

I'm an avid reader... almost always of Christian fiction.  I love all things Karen Kingsbury and cannot wait to get my hands on her newest book "Unlocked" and I'm now doubly excited to see that she is going to be doing a Bailey Flanigan series!  Oh my word I'll be dancing in the streets soon... well if it wasn't so stinking cold out I would be!  Though as a completely random side note I would say that on the front of the book "Leaving" that Bailey does not look like that... I'm not a fan of when they put pictures of the characters on the covers because they never get it right...

Yet, that really isn't what this blog is about.  You see since the library doesn't have "Unlocked" so I've been reading some Beverly Lewis novels.  Beverly Lewis grew up in Pennsylvania Amish country and as far as I can tell writes the great majority of her books about the Amish.  I find this especially interesting since there are so many Amish near us.  I was telling Ben last night all that I've been learning about the Amish and how incredibly interesting it is to me.  I think it would be very hard to find a harder working people... especially in the United States where so many are prone to entitlement issues (which could start a political debate and that is not the focus of this blog either)  They also have a strong sense of family and usually have very large families... even bigger than mine!!  :)  They live a hard life and quite honestly its the life that they have chosen.

It's my understanding that they have a bishop and under him there are 2 preachers (perhaps more or less depending on the size of the district that they reside in.)  The bishop is the chosen one of God who determines just about everything "religious" at least in the Old Order Amish.  He determines what color of cloth can be used to make clothing out of, what Scripture can be read aloud (or at all) what topics will be preached on... he determines just about everything in the society.  He is divinely selected  by the choosing of lots.  And when he is chosen he and his family will mourn, just as the preachers when they are chosen will mourn.  Their chosen work is laid aside for those he will serve.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Amish aren't actually Dutch nor do they speak Dutch, but instead are from German heritage and speak a dialect of German.  All sermons though are preached in High German and the majority of those in attendance understand a few words and phrases but might miss concepts altogether.  Seems like if you're going to have a 3-hour preaching service every other Sunday in a packed house that you'd want to be able to understand what's going on!  But, I suppose that if you allow The People to read their Bibles and preach in a language that they understand something downright, outright ferhoodling could happen and they might understand that their good works might won't bring the hope of salvation to their lives.  For to say that one is saved among the Amish is a mighty proud thing to do and will bring the Bann on you.  When you're under the Bann you have 6 weeks to change your mind and repent (or bend your knee) in front of The People at a preaching service.  While under the Bann you are not allowed to eat at the same table of  The People, including your own family, you cannot sleep in the same bed as your spouse and you cannot give/receive services for the exchange of money among the brethren.  Also most everyone will not look at you let alone speak with you.  If you refuse to repent then you will be Shunned. You will never be allowed back amongst your family or friends and if your family or friends seek you out they face the Shunning also.  Such a hard life indeed.


I recently finished The Courtship of Nellie May Fisher series and have decided that of the series that I've read of Beverly Lewis including Abrams Daughters and Annie's People that it is probably my favorite.  But, that also could be because it's the one that is freshest in my mind.

I would encourage you if you have any desire in learning more about the Amish that these books are easy to read and very entertaining as well... not quite Karen Kingsbury quality, but that's just my biased opinion.  Make sure that when you read about the Amish that you have a friend read some along with you so that when you start saying things such as "ferhoodled", "ain't so", "for sure and for certain" and "bemuddled" that someone else will giggle and understand what you're saying!

Happy reading!

My heart yearns and God simply says, "Wait."

I have been blessed with 5 beautiful, wonderful, well-behaved, funny, smart, God and Jesus loving children.  Well, I can't say for certainty that Gabe and Jack are God and Jesus loving... but I can't say for sure that they aren't either! :O)
But I can say for certain that for at least 4 years now God has placed on my heart an overwhelming desire to adopt more children...  perhaps just one or if Ben decides than 3 more!
Perhaps we will adopt out of the foster care system here in the US, perhaps by the time we can adopt Haiti will allow families with more than 4 biological children to adopt or perhaps we fill find our children in Ethiopia or some other far off land!  The "where" isn't the thing that weighs on my mind nearly as heavily as the "when".
I fight guilty feelings all the time for women who yearn to have children and yet are barren... and here I am with 5 of my own precious ones.  But, I know in my mind that there are millions of children going to bed tonight without a family of their own...
Some of these numbers are years old and one might assume that they have increased but here is a small sampling of the number of orphans in the world:
Romania: 19,000 orphans in 2010
Kenya: 35,000 orphans in 1999
Rwanda: 400,000 orphans and only 5,000 in orphanges
Nigeria: there were about seven millions orphans in 2003 and that 800,000 more orphans were added during that same year. Out of this total number, about 1.8 million are orphaned by HIV/AIDS. With the spread of HIV/AIDS, the number of orphans is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years to 8.2 million by 2010.
Togo: an estimated 280,000 orphans under 18 years of age in 2005, 88,000 of them orphaned by AIDS
Sierra Leone: 340,000 orphans in 2005 (only a small percentage go to school).
China: 50,000 orphans... with no signs of slowing down.

Now prepare yourself for this...
India: over 25 million orphans.  
OVER 25 MILLION ORPHANS IN INDIA.

I am speechless.  I had to look it up a in a few different places just to make sure.   
Lord, I know I must wait for your perfect timing.  And I will.  But, please Father be with the millions upon millions of children who don't have a Mama or a Daddy.  In light of these numbers adopting 1 or 2 or even 3 seems like so little, but I know to the child that it means the world.  Please put it on the hearts of my friends and family to do what they can to impact the life of the fatherless...please open doors for them to adopt.  Please help me to be patient.  And thank you so much for Vani and Helen and for your perfect plans for their lives.

Vani, Reb and Ella!  Love this picture so much!!

Serenity and Helen... how precious is this!! :)

   I leave you with this verse... the prayer of my heart...
Isaiah 60:1-5a (New Living Translation)

1 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
3 All nations will come to your light;
mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

4 “Look and see, for everyone is coming home!
Your sons are coming from distant lands;
your little daughters will be carried home.
5 Your eyes will shine,
and your heart will thrill with joy,

New Background!

I have long been searching for a blog background with a turkey on it... that doesn't say "Happy Thanksgiving" and isn't ugly.  Something fun, but not so wild that it makes it hard to concentrate on my amazing blogging skills!  I was pretty sure that an actual "turkey bottom" wouldn't be something that I would like to look at on a weekly basis.
So in short I'm pretty pleased with this new look!  Let me know what you think... that is if you have figured out how to leave comments!  Isn't that right Danielle!! :)

A way in the wilderness... streams in the wasteland

 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”

  This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Isaiah 43:15-21


As we have been put on hold with Jack's Cystic Fibrosis test I am finding myself with a peace that transcends all understanding... a comfort in knowing that my God is making a way in the wilderness, streams in the wasteland that we might proclaim His praise.  As I wonder what the outcome be I find that one of the most exciting things of this trial is that I am forced to rely on The One who formed my Jack Henry in my womb... The One who knit him together (curls and all) and knows exactly what is going on with my beautiful beautiful baby boy!

We shall wait until the 26th... neither anxious or worried, but trusting and peaceful.  And no matter what comes as a result of the tests we know that He will hold us up with His mighty right hand.

As I told my dear friend Angie... Jack's breathing problems have revived my relationship with my Savior and in that I rejoice.  Please continue to pray for our boy and if you don't understand the hope that is within us... the peace that we carry and the joy that we have know that we are here to share our hearts with you.

So Ben can find this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=civOdWxd4Kc&feature=related

The Diet Diaries - Day #1

Well, everyone has the same resolution(s) as I do right?  I need to lose some weight, stop being lazy, be a better wife, mom, keeper of the home, do my devotions more consistently, spend more time in prayer, win a trip to Cancun, be top in sales on my At Home America team every month this year... you know we're all thinking the same things.

So today I start my diary.  Well, sorta start my diet.  Last year on the same day I started a weight challenge with my mom, sister, brother-in-law and husband.  Krista won... though I swear if the boys didn't end up in the hospital for the last 10 days of the diet I would have been a real contender.  I lost 19lbs.  I have them all back this year... maybe even plus a few extras.  I think Ma is the only one who really kept the weight off and lost more after the challenge was over.  So I declare her the true winner... hope that stings Krista! ;)

I don't want to keep doing this every year.  You know start off with a bang and then when Easter rolls around and those evil Cadbury Cream Eggs start sprouting up I fall to their temptation.  As a matter-of-fact Ben brought me home one today... Really?  It's January 1st you bawking bunny rabbit... give a girl a chance to start her diet before you destroy it!!!

I spent some time reflecting on what got me to the state that I'm in... not that I think I'm Gianormacon or anything... put I got me some blubber I could rid myself of...

So how did I get here?

First, here is my before picture... I'm 2nd on the right.  This was taken while at college about a year or so before I married Ben.

Ok, so here are a few theories as to why I've increased in girthiness...

2003

2004

2005

2008

2009

 So perhaps those mostly adorable faces have something to do with why I'm a little rounder in the middle...
Or perhaps it had something to do with...

I got 5 boxes of these for Christmas!!

I love this man... well, his food any how.

I honestly bought a whole box of these either last year or the year before.  It was not cheap.

I wish I could blame this addiction on Ben...

 

 

 So here's what I'm thinking... If I cut out the pregnancies and one of my biggest temptations I'll do a lot better.  I'm sure I should also exercise, but let's not get too ridiculous!

Actually I should exercise more and eat less... but not like last time where I was so obsessive that I counted every little calorie, starved and exercised 3 times a day... weighed myself a ton and stressed out if I didn't lose anything... no I'm pretty sure that's what caused me to fail.  I could only do that for a few months before I fell off the wagon.  I would love to make a "lifestyle" change, but really I don't need to be a twig.  I would like to lose the third chin and the belly... but if not I have full assurance that my hubs thinks I'm one hot mama and that's what really counts in my book!