Yay

Mama is home, the last TB test came back negative and they released her a day earlier than we thought they would.  Along those lines, everybody needs to encourage her to stay off her feet and rest as she still has pneumonia.  The adage (true though it may be) that a "Mother's work is never done" doesn't cut it.  If she's to get better she needs to let me, the older kids, and our friends help more while her body heals itself.

Alina is now drinking 3-4 pediasures a day in addition to juice and other drinks; while she's not gaining weight, she's no longer losing weight like she was.  We've got a slew of Drs appts for her (and Tolly) over the next couple of months.

We finally had to tell Tolly no, the boy was eating himself sick, literally, he was putting it in faster than his body could process it, and it was starting to come back out in not so nice ways (this was about the time I told Mary she had to get better because I couldn't handle the poopy diapers).  Although last night he actually pushed his dinner plate away with some food still on it.  I hope he's learning that we will not let him go hungry...

Enough of that, Ethan's football is going well, he's off to BSA summer camp this week and we were able to make arrangements that he can still go to football practice for the week.

Phoebe and Lee both got to go to B-day parties this last week and had a great time; I just need to get the other girls out sometime and let them know how much I love them all.

Let me end with a question for the guys.  Men, are we too hard on our sons?  Is it because the mindset for boys and girls is different?  Are we trying to toughen them up unnecesarily?  Let me know what you think.

Thanks again for all the Love and Prayers!

Prayer Works

So, 2 of 3 tests have come back negative, praying that the third is good to go so Mary can come home soon.  (Tom's tired of changing poopie diapers)  Love you all, thanks for your prayers!

We're still here...

Unfortunately, here is the hospital.  Mary was admitted Monday evening and won't be coming home for a few days yet.  While technically they're treating her for pneumonia, they are concerned that it might be TB so they are running more tests.


Here are a couple of the promised photos:

Alina last weekend.

Cool Dude on his way to get big brother from football practice.

We serve a Mighty God.  While I'm tired, we've got lot's of help from family, friends, and church (which technically counts as both family and friends,)  They've helped to clean the basement and house, brought us dinner every night this week, and are visiting and helping with the kids. Special thanks to Nana Judith and Pappa Ross, they are all the way out from Michigan to see their adopted (all 8) grandchildren.

We've also had the first of many trips to doctors in order to get the kids evaluated.  They say that John's Hopkins is one of the best, I hope they prove it. Work is most cooperative with my taking the kids to their appointments while Mary's recuperating.

Thanks so very much to everyone.  Please keep praying for Mary.

We've been...

Sick.  Alina spent 3 days in the hospital, pneumonia among other things.  She has some scarring in her lungs, possibly from chronic bronchitis that wasn't treated over the years.  They did a bunch of tests and took some xrays to create a baseline of her condition.  She still doesn't eat much, which is probably why she's in the bottom 5th percentile for height/weight at her age (even for DS she's small.)  We have more appointments scheduled with some specialists and need to get additional referrals when we complete her physical and work up a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Sorry for not posting but Dad has had his hands full with work and the other kids.  We brought her home only to have to take Mary to the ER this morning because she has pneumonia in both lungs.  She's on 3 days bedrest in addition to the antibiotics and other medicine she's supposed to take.  Any bets on how much time she'll actually spend in bed resting?  I've threatened her with bodily harm if she chases any of the kids, but I think it was the threat of no chocolate that finally got her into bed.

More later and I promise; pictures this weekend.

Tom