when there are changes, who do you trust?

Do you like your feathers ruffled?

I don't.

I'm not big on change....small or big.

How can butterflies do it...change absolutely EVERYTHING about them and do it with such beauty?

I guess they do it to survive..... and as a result they are able to SOAR!

Yes, change seems to be always hanging around...this time for me it was Jarrett's doctor.

We got the letter, she was retiring from private practice.  WHAT?  How could she...didn't she know we needed her?

We really loved our pediatrician.  When I was still pregnant with Jarrett, we interviewed several (I mean lots) of pediatricians.  I had a whole spreadsheet of questions, requirements, etc.  I was overprotective of him...even in the womb.

So now, the process started all over again.  Do I stick with the Doctor who was taking over the practice?  or search out to find a new one?  what about the issues we've been working with?  will a new doctor know what to do?  how to care for him?  love him as much as our last one has?  will he like her?  will he trust her?

When you think about it, it can be stressful.  That is when you have to realize that its all a matter of trust, and WHO you are trusting.

In this process, I found I was putting more trust in the pediatrician instead of the Great Physician.   I know that I have to find the best doctor for us, but my trust in my son's health must remain in Jesus - no one else.   After all, it is God who gives us our very breath.....breath.....breath.... so important to a kid who has struggled with breath over the years.  God gives us our breath, our life, our health.

So while we did find a great new pediatrician whom we both love, our TRUST is in HIM.

I know this is Thanksgiving week, and most blogs are posting on the fun recipes they are making, the things they are thankful for, and other *Holiday* related things.  I'm sure I will soon too.  But to me, I'm THANKFUL for placing my trust back in Jesus.  You see, even though change is all around us...big and little - HE NEVER CHANGES.

... God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. 

   ... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever

Hebrews 13:5-8

with love,

Tammy

Special Birthdays, Especially

Jarrett's 4th Birthday - 11-17-11

Birthdays are always special in the heart of kids...well, in the heart of adults too!  For me, November is very special.  Not only is it my birthday, but just 3 days later its the birthday to my son.  Nothing makes me happier than to make that day especially special (yes, I did just say that) for Jarrett.

This year was no exception.

Especially Special #1:  (this one is for me)

His last sleep of being 3

Especially Special #2:

Opening 1 gift before school (its so hard to open JUST ONE!)

Especially Special #3:

School on your birthday - mommy helping in class, your snack day, the kids singing to you, you are the line leader - birthdays are really special at school!

Especially Special #4:

Lunch with momma at McDonalds - I'm not sure if I should even admit this, but we realized that for EVERY birthday, we've done lunch at McDonalds.....

Especially Special #5:

Games at Chuck E Cheese  (gotta love the insane-ness of this place - thank goodness we just went for games and not dinner first!)

Especially Special #6:

Licking the frosting from your own birthday cake.  (yes, the frosting is from a can - please don't judge me!)

Especially Special #7:

The joy on my son's face when he opens the rest of his presents.  He gets almost shy and excited at the same time.... even a little embarrassed that the day is about him.  I also love that he loves to play with the same types of toys that his daddy did when he was a boy (Star Wars never gets old) - very nostalgic and heart warming.

Especially Special #8:

Telling him he can make a wish when we blows out the candle...I really want to know what he wished for.

Happy Birthday my Especially Special Big 4 Year Old!  You make the world a better place with everything you are......and, I love you higher than the moon......and back!

with love,

Tammy

Happy Birthday to Me - AND 5 NEW PUPPIES!

Today is my birthday...and I got the amazing opportunity to participate in the birthing of my friend's dog to her first litter of pups!  It was one of the most surreal things I have ever done.   It really leaves me speechless to think about how God designed the entire birthing process.  Every detail is not by chance; why the momma does each step is all part of God's perfect plan to give life.

This was a first for me as well as "Stella" (momma pup).  I must say, I was proud of her - she did an amazing job.  I was also proud of me (for not being completely grossed out).

We crammed our way into the bathroom where the birthing center was set up.  As you can see in the Polaroid, I was in the tub.  I was there, camera in hand, ready to do whatever I could to help.   There was so much to do and yet really so much that was just up to nature.  Even though I did very little and just asked a lot of questions and took a lot of pictures...I really felt like a Doggie Douala.  We did everything we could to help her and sometimes I wonder how animals do it on their own, without us.  The afternoon included:

• massaging the momma
• cheering her on and encouraging her to push
• times of worry or anxiousness - asking if its been too long between pups?  is she ok?
• times when we had to help keep the puppies from being stepped on or keep them warm, 
• there were umbilical cords to cut, 
• sacs to remove, 
• general "clean-up" 

I'll be honest, just like in childbirth, there are some really gross moments.  However, there were times when all you could do was stare at the tiny baby puppies and say, "aahhhh".

I mean really...look at this face!  Isn't he just adorable?!?

We laughed, we joked, and we loved.  Loved the puppies.  Loved the momma.  Just loved.  Dawn loved the tiny little girl - we named her Truffles.

So, "well done" momma Stella.  You have 5 new baby puppies to take care.  And I have one amazing experience that I got to celebrate on my birthday. 

After it was all said and done, Stella got to relax with her puppies.  Good Job Momma! 

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Baby Puppies

Happy Birthday to You!

with love,
Tammy