The Joy and the Sorrow.....

 Earlier this week I posted about Drew's amazing win at the indoor meet a month a go and said how "Lord willing" we would be heading down to to Stanford on Friday to watch him race an outdoor 5000 M

 Yesterday, while shopping for treats to bring him when we saw him on Friday, we got the call.

So David sat in a comfortable chair at Costco and listened, encouraged and advised with our son facing a decision he did not want to make.

They were able to finish the conversation knowing that this was not their plan for the season, but God plans the steps of man.

So fast forward to the 10:30 call last night.  An orthopedic surgeon met with them at 9:30 pm to go over all the x-rays and MRI's taken yesterday.

His very firm advise---Get off your foot---NOW!

Drew's Navicular bone in his foot has what we are hoping is a stress reaction, and not a stress fracture.  The CAT scans today should be able to firm this up for him.

A stress reaction is the bone marrow very inflamed but not broken yet.

A fracture would require surgery and would be a career ending surgery for him..

The big problem being is that this bone in your foot is the top of the arch of bones, so it receives the abundance of pressure in the foot.  It is a key player in your foot.

Drew has been running with this pain for quite a while and it just got so severe that there was a question as to whether racing at the level he is would be good this weekend.

The doctor believes that one more race would have broken this bone and he would have most likely never have run competitively again.

We are so thankful for great medical care, great coaches, and great trainers who have stood with our son through this.

Running is not his life, but running is part of what gives him amazing joy in this life.  When he runs you can see his joy.

It makes me think of the Eric Liddell quote,  
 "God made me fast.  And when I run, I feel His pleasure."


So though we feel great joy in the fact that it was caught before it broke, we sorrow with Drew over the loss of a season when he was running so well.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Be Still....

Now the thought of being still and quiet is not real high on my list of priorities.

I am a mom after all, of 5 kids of a great variance of needs and ages.

And being quiet requires me to focus on keeping my mind still and in places of peace.

It is much easier to be busy.

You know the challenge of being a Mary in a Martha world---I am reading that book right now by the way!

So part of my challenge being layed up with my bum knee is keeping my normally busy self from going stir crazy sitting around with my leg up.

This mornings run to Walmart ended with a two hour stretch down on the couch.

All this laying around has caused sleepless nights too.

So what have I been learning through this trial of rest....

TV is bad company after a show or two--LOL

God's perfect timing---the two books that had been delayed reaching me, both got here, one the day before and one the day after my surgery.  The other one is Follow Me by David Platt---great book.

As I had the time to really digest the Follow Me book and think on it, it became clear that the timing was perfect for one of my children and the struggles they were having.  Me being down allowed the time to read, reflect, and train.

I have been working on memorizing the book of Colossians and have been doing it while I have been walking.  With that option out right now, I have been doing lots of review while laying sleepless in bed at nights!  Though I may be reviewing it a little incorrectly in the dark--LOL

I am so thankful to have a husband who loves to cook--and a son who is extremely interested in learning--especially this vegan thing we are doing.

And on the humorous side, guys really do think a kitchen is clean when it is very questionable whether it is!

And I am so very thankful for my husband's great job with good insurance that allows me to have this surgery done so that I can keep up with my family again without the constant pain.

God is good.

Lessons learned are good.

And I am learning that being still can be good.

MPSF Indoor Championships 2013

 A while back, while on our way to Palm Springs Drew was racing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Championships in Seattle.  This is the Pac 12 Championships plus a few more schools. 

He was racing the 5000M on a 300M indoor track.

We were hoping to stream it live as we were driving, but David's IPad would not allow live streaming.  We were truly bummed and did not have much time to figure out a back up plan.

David quickly called Danielle and told her to get it online and give us a play-by-play over the phone. 

Poor girl was home alone with Harrison trying to get him down for the night!  LOL

She did get him down and we were off.

I was driving through the middle of downtown Sacramento at rush hour when all this was happening at dusk.  What a hilarious combination.

So being a runner herself, Danielle was able to give us good play-by-play as the race was progressing because she is knowledgeable.

David kept interrupting her to tell her who the other runners were--it was kind of fun listening to the way they were bantering back and forth.

Then as things progressed they both were getting so excited and David kept grabbing my arm.  I had to keep reminding him I was still trying to drive!

Then as Drew passes everyone Danielle just starts screaming he is in the lead, he is in the lead---David is hanging on every word.

Then Danielle says they are coming, they are coming.

Then just yelling....

David is about to pass out in the car, because Danielle is so excited she forgets to tell us who wins!!!!

Wow, what a way to hear about an amazing race.

So Congratulations Drew on being the 2013 MPSF Indoor 5000M Champion!

We are very excited for you.

Oh and we did get to see it about an hour down the road when it was posted online.

So here it is if you would like to see it.

 http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250020-2013-MPSF-Indoor-championships/video/695636-m-5k-f01-drew-jordan-upsets-stanford-contingent-2013-mpsf

Three......

What a whirlwind of a morning!

Mostly done with schooling, due to kids excited about their afternoons.

Laundry almost done.

Dinner made and in the crock pot.

Cornbread in fridge waiting for dinner.

Veggies cut up for weekend.

Kitchen cleaned, just waiting to empty the dishwasher when it is finished.

Emails responded to.

And had to run to the store to pick up some comfy clothes for after my knee surgery.......

This afternoon I am in for my third knee surgery since my bungled attempt to learn to ski!

Never did I say I was coordinated or athletic :(

So I am sitting here taking my last few minutes to think of all my blessings.

I have a group of ladies praying, plus my wonderful family and I have had very little anxiety---Praise God.

Hannah has a wonderful friend to spend the day with--Thank you Robin and Bethany!

Caleb is excited for some quiet time alone before heading out to track practice and wonderful friends that have offered to bring him home.  Thanks Murphy's.

The wonderful country we live in that I can have this done and hopefully be able to be back to full capacity with my family soon, without my constant pain.

God is good!

So here is to hoping we are at THREE'S A CHARM  and not three strikes you are out!  HaHa!

The Importance of Friendship

 Our sweet Hannah Charlesetta turned 10 last month!  

An amazing milestone for my precious one, who without the opportunity of adoption would have become another African statistic.  Did you know her birth country is ranked in the top 5 for infant mortality?  One in 15 children never reach their 5th birthday.  Hannah most likely would have been one of them.

 

 Through God's wonderful mercy, our treasure came home very ill and malnourished at 2 3/4 weighing a mere 21 pounds with little energy but lots of determination.

 As many know our Hannah "Belle", as we call her, suffers from a variety of developmental delays due to her rough start.  Did we know when we adopted her?  No, but it has no bearing on the fact that God wonderfully chose her for us!!!  We have learned so much about ourselves and the grace and mercy of God through the blessing of parenting a child with developmental challenges.  I am so thankful we did not miss  it!

 Up to this point in Hannah's life she has seemed fairly content with not having lots of friends.  She has always preferred playing alone, or in one on one situations, or with younger children.  Her speech delays have made groups intimidating so she stayed on the edges of them.

 Well this year before her birthday as we were talking about what to do, instead of naming all the kids she wanted to come, she started naming all the kids who don't talk to her.  I was shocked and in such pain for my precious treasure.  Her innocence is lost.  She knows she is different.  It hurts.  We cried. Talked.  Comforted. 

 And made special plans with her best friend, Bethany.  I call her "Hannah's special gift"  the friend who accepts and loves Hannah for who she is.

 A few days before her birthday Hannah had her first ever breakdown with anger.  If you know Hannah, you know anger is not a part of who she is.  But we have seen it a couple of times now.  As we work through the anger it is stemming from not being accepted.  She feels alone.  It breaks a mom's heart.

 We are working diligently with her speech therapist is social communication right now and she is making great progress.  We are also working with some things from the therapist and from big sister Erinn on understanding our  feelings and finding proper outlet, and not letting it build up.  She is doing great and I am so thankful for all the amazing resources to help our little one find her voice. 

The fear of rejection for her is still a very big thing, so her steps can be tentative or on the other side awkward.  We are praying for some little hearts that are willing to hear her call for friendship.  For growth on her parts.  And for wisdom for this Mama who wants to help her little treasure blossom into all God is calling her to be.  Thank you God for my Precious Hannah, my gift from You!

Last Catch Up Post...Maybe...

 One of  our beautiful stops on our trip was to the Joshua Tree National Forest.

 I take great delight in seeing new place and things. 

 We saw these little guys all over the place.  From a distance they looked like a bunch of the little minions from Despicable Me running all over the desert!

 Isn't it amazing God's diversity in creation.  What would the world be with only one kind of cactus?

Hannah and I marveled over this bird's nest in the middle of all the thorns!  Yeah you really have to look it is well disguised.

 Then we talked of how it looked as though God was having fun with building blocks when he made these formations!

 And of course we had to discuss whether these stairs were man made or God made.  I have to remember that some things in life I do have to take the time and talk Hannah through, she is such a delight and has opened my eyes in so many ways.

 Here is our contrast picture of our beautiful rock formation pictures for you.

 Now you can see how big they are.

 An old gold mine back in the hills.

 This was the hike we went different directions on because the boys were going on a run---I was not kidding when I said they took every advantage of new running trails!

 See Caleb way up there!

 This was a big step for me too because I have lots of bad memories of trail runs and hikes, that I do not do to well on trails so much.  Yet God gave me peace and allowed me to enjoy the beauty of His creation with out fear!  Very major for me.

 Had to show you the cute little bunnies that were running all over the resort we stayed at.  So fun.  The first night we just kept seeing shadows racing across the paths--I was just praying they were not big rats!  I was very thankful to see these cute little guys the next morning--LOL

 Yes, we were blessed with a very lovely place in the middle of the dessert to refresh.

 Another  zoo visit.  The Living Desert in Palm Springs is beautiful if you ever get a chance.

 This wild cat was so much more obedient than our dog :/

 Beautiful animals in natural settings.

 More cactus.

 We loved the storks backwards knees!  And his long legs reminded me of Hannah's.

 Mr. Tortoise we enjoyed seeing because our friends, the Greens, have one that will get big too.

 The beautiful regalia on display.

 My family!  Caleb had just been saying it was too hot and he needed a place to refill his water bottle.  I was OK with the water bottle part, but after a winter in the Pacific Northwest I told him NO complaints about warm weather were allowed!

 Ok Ok  last couple of cactus!

Thank you Lord for your awesome creation for us to enjoy!

Busy

 While in Palm Springs we were privileged to go to a horse jumping competition.

 Now I will start with saying we are not familiar with this sport at all, nor the etiquette of being on the grounds, so it was a little intimidating.

 We had a great time.  Especially Hannah.  She loved every minute of it.

 Then of course there was lots and lots of pool time.

 And my bathing beauty wanted me to know she was getting tanned!  You go girl!

 And I bet you can tell what age Caleb has reached!  Get that camera out of my face Mom---Not again Mom!

 Putting my pride aside here---I sure do love this little guy!

 Nothing like burring your sister that makes a teenage heart glad.

 And of course our little man again!  Life is so very sweet.

 Hannah was trying to rub Harrison's tummy, butt this little teething drool bucket had a different idea for that hand.  It was very cute.

 And some lovin' from Justice.  I think he was feeling a little left out.

 Awe!

 Just found this one from the game.  Harrison was lovin' the game!

 My kids getting their first experience with an oasis.

 Of course if you live in our family that means a good place for a trail run.  Caleb was glad Dad was up to running and training with him for his 10 mile run in April.

 My beautiful treasure--Precious says it all!

 The stunning little oasis in the middle of the desert.

 And we will finish up with some Grandpa and Harrison time.  Working out those muscles and chewing on some shoes.  Lots of fun.