We did it!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. Despite taking a decent amount of Xanax Noelle still had a lot of anxiety, and didn't sleep all day. However, they got everything in right the first time. And Noelle did not feel the line enter. And some other small things she was worried about worked out.

They did allow me to stay with Noelle. I was certain her anxiety could not handle it without me there. Honestly, not some god-complex...I am just her safety net:) The nurses were hesitant. Almost instantly I felt like passing out. I was begging God to take away the feeling. I made it through and instantly put my head between my legs. The nurses were helpful but I heard one of them say, "That's why we don't like family to stay." I just don't get the body's reaction. I did not watch anything. I did not think about what was happening. I just wanted to be there for Noelle. Why does that happen? Any science person know? Scott said it is a result of the built up anxiety about the event?! Certainly possible. Well, God didn't choose to take away the feeling until after they were done, but at least I didn't end up on the floor.

We have now done two infusions at home. I am not having any trouble with that. I think it makes Noelle a little uncomfortable, maybe quesy. Please continue to pray that she has no infections enter her line. Again, thanks for lifting us up.

Emotions running high!

First, the great news...Noelle was accepted to nursing camp! It begins June 10th. It is here in town at Allen Nursing School. It will be a lot for Noelle, physically, but she is so excited!

Along those lines, we need prayer tonight and tomorrow morning. Noelle is receiving a Picc line tomorrow. We decided the best way to really punch it to the Lyme this summer was to switch to IV antibiotics. The pharmacy just delivered her medication. She will receive a syringe of medications every 8 hours for about 8 weeks.

Our biggest prayer request is for Noelle's anxiety. It is absolutely raging!! Pray that the xanax that was prescribed will calm her sufficiently. Pray for super natural peace for both of us. Pray for a great nurse. Pray that everything goes perfectly! Pray that we have made a wise choice and the medicines work wonders. We so appreciate your prayers.

He said

Guilty Pleasures!!

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! It makes me smile! Can't wait for tonight.

Prom 2013!

Prom was great! Noelle went with a friend, Baylee. They had a great time dancing and then went to post prom. The theme for prom was "A Night in Paris". Noelle was particularly excited about the omelet bar at post prom! Thanks to a pain shot on Thursday afternoon, Noelle made it until 1:00 a.m. Much better than Homecoming!

Prayers needed

What a crazy world we live in. Please pray for those affected at the Boston Marathon yesterday. I think it feels personal because Scott's sister ran the marathon in a previous year. And Scott has a goal to qualify. He was less than two minutes off last time he did a marathon. It just makes the world feel so unsafe...again.



On the home front, Jake is trying to quit chewing. I think he is on day three. I really pray he can do it! Then I pray he motivates his dad to quit! It is such a disgusting habit and the long term effects are potentially awful! I always tell Scott that our marriage vows did not include self-inflicted mouth cancer! Go Jake!!



Noelle applied to nursing camp for this summer. Please pray with us that she is accepted. It is so important to her and since she is such a planner it is driving her crazy not to know!!

Education Dilemas

Throughout our parenting it has felt like almost every year we have had to make an educational choice. What school? What grade? Should we send our five year old or not. Both Jake and Noelle started Kindergarten at five, with May and June birthdays. They have both attended public and Christian schools. Noelle has home-schooled and used an online academy through the public schools. Sabrina is in a Christian school. We pondered and pondered whether to send her at five. Two schools tested her. One said no, and one said maybe. You would have thought this would have been a clear indication to wait. However, with Noelle's illness and other factors in our home we felt it was time for Sabrina to go to school full time. All of the other programs were half days. So we sent her. Now we struggle with, "Do we repeat Kindergarten or send her on?" I feel like if she had a less strong personality it would be an easier choice. Apparently she is bossy at school now. What would she do next year when she is the only one who has done all of this before?? I love her teacher. But would it be better to change schools so it is not so obvious that she is repeating. WOW!

Then there is Teme. Teme has attended school since October 2010. He is now in sixth grade. His ELL teacher says that he is still reading at a first grade level. He said that many of the new ELL students have come in with less skills than Teme and have now surpassed him. Students are beginning to question if there is something wrong with him. So we enter a new educational realm. He is being tested for learning disabilities. This was not really possible any early due to language difficulties. We will see the school social worker and have him tested at the University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development. We are considering having brain mapping done with a chiropractic neurologist. There are so many issues. Teme never really crawled or walked in a traditional way. He was malnourished. He may have experienced brain trauma. His mom may have drank. Obviously all of these things would affect his ability to learn.

But I so hate to see him relegated to the Special Education classes. He is social, athletic and strives to fit in. I am overwhelmed.

I pray so for wisdom in all these decisions. I pray that Noelle will continue to heal and pursue her academic plans. She is the girl with the plan. She is studying for the ACTs. Which no one else in this family has ever done. Scott, Jake and I all had the same score. She plans to beat us:) Then she will go to Hawkeye, then she will go to Allen Nursing school. We have already visited an apartment, though she won't move in until Fall 2014. I pray for wisdom for Jake. He is still on hiatus from college. He is working hard and has been promoted to Team Leader. He still has no idea what he wants to major in. He will most likely have to retake some classes at Hawkeye before returning to Iowa State.

Jake said to me yesterday, "Mamacita, it is a great day to be alive!" I love that boy!!