Monday, October 27, 2008

My thumb...

So, I tried to cut the top of my thumb off tonight at work!!! Not really on purpose, but I almost succeeded in this task I never set out to do.

I was cutting mat board for a student who was in a car wreck this week and has a broken collar bone. I don't know how I did it, but the exacto knife slipped somehow, and I cut into the inside of my left thumb; even cutting into a portion of my finger nail...OUCH!!!!!!!!!

No stitches though... The doctor at Redi-Med was Indian and very holistic, so he wanted to see if he could get the skin to adhere with a pressure bandage. I was so thankful for his philosophy of medicine, because I did not want a needle in the tip of my thumb to numb it! He would have had to stitch into my nail bed... OUCH--once again.

So, he got it to stop bleeding, even though he thinks that I cut through a small artery in my thumb. It is bandaged up, and has a funny looking splint on the top of it. I will take a pic and post it tomorrow.

I am off to take some advil and get some sleep!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Long Awaited Videos...

We finally bought another video camera: After the last one was stolen a couple months ago. Here are some videos of Jonas's therapy. He is doing AMAZING!!!!!!! He is not walking as good in these videos as he has been, but you will see a HUGE difference!

Luca was sooooooo tired when I was video taping this. He will make various appearances throughout the videos.

The lady working with him is Sue Tribolet: One of the best Physical Therapists around! She works with Jonas 3 times a week.

Another disclamer: Walmart was out of our favorite brand of diapers (White Cloud), so these are pampers and they are huge on him!!! It is a little wet, but not on the verge of bursting; like it looks! :-)

(Remember: turn off the blog music to get the full effect)







Wednesday, October 22, 2008

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month...


This is Micah and his cousin Darci. Darci just turned 7 years old on October 6. She is one of my sister's daughters, and she too has Spina Bifida. Darci is more involved physically than Micah is: she has full leg braces and can walk and get around a room with a walker, but when going places like the zoo/mall/park, etc., she uses her wheelchair. Fortunately, Darci has never had any shunt issues, where Micah is on his 3rd shunt. There are a lot of similarities from child to child, but each child is affected differently even if the lesion is located in the same spot. Medicine will tell you that Spina Bifida is not genetic, but what are the chances of two sisters having children with Spina Bifida? A lot of our ancestory is from Whales, and there is a higher incidence of Spina Bifida is Whales. We do know from genetic testing, that we do not absorb folic acid like the normal person. So, when I was pregnant with Luca, I was taking 10 times the amount of folic acid that one would take if they were pregnant.

Darci and Micah are the best of friends!!! My sister lives in Wisconsin, so we do not get to see them as much as we would like. Darci and Micah are inseparable when they are together, and they call each other 'Hun' and 'Babe'... :-) Darci is Hun, and Micah is Babe.


SPINA BIFIDA

What is Spina Bifida?

Spina Bifida literally means “split spine.” Spina Bifida happens when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not close all of the way. Spina Bifida is the most common birth defect that disables people for life. Every day, about eight babies born in the United States have Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine.

What causes Spina Bifida?


No one knows for sure. Scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors act together to cause the condition.

Are there different types of Spina Bifida?


Yes. They are:

Occult Spinal Dysraphism (OSD)

Infants with this have a dimple in their lower back. Because most babies with dimples do not have OSD, a doctor has to check using special tools and tests to be sure. Other signs are red marks, tufts of hair or small lumps. In OSD, the spinal cord may not grow the right way and can cause serious problems as a child grows up. Infants who might have OSD should be seen by a doctor, who will recommend tests.



Spina Bifida Occulta

It is often called “hidden Spina Bifida” because about 15 percent of healthy people have it and do not know it. Spina Bifida occulta does not cause harm, has no signs and the spinal cord and nerves are fine. People usually find out they have it after having an X-ray of their back.



Meningocele

It causes part of the spinal cord to come through the spine like a sac that is pushed out. Nerve fluid is in the sac, and there is usually no nerve damage. Individuals with this condition may have minor disabilities.

Myelomeningocele (Meningomyelocele)

This is the most severe form of Spina Bifida. It happens when parts of the spinal cord and nerves come through the open part of the spine. It causes nerve damage and other disabilities. Seventy to ninety percent of children with this condition also have too much fluid on their brains. This happens because fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord is unable to drain like it should. The fluid builds up, causing pressure and swelling. (This is known as Hydrocephalus.) Without treatment, a person’s head grows too big, and may have brain damage. Children who do not have Spina Bifida can also have this problem, so parents need to check with a doctor.
(Micah and Darci both have this type of Spina Bifida.)

How is Spina Bifida Treated?


A child with meningomyelocele usually is operated on within two to three days of birth. This prevents infections and helps save the spinal cord from more damage.

A child with meningocele usually has it treated with surgery, and more often than not, the child is not paralyzed. Most children with this condition grow up fine, but they should be checked by a doctor because they could have other serious problems, too.

A child with OSD should see a surgeon. Most experts think that surgery is needed early to keep nerves and the brain from becoming more damaged as the child grows.

Spina Bifida occulta does not need to be treated.

What Can You Do to Prevent Spina Bifida?

Women who are old enough to have babies should take folic acid before and during the first three months of pregnancy. Because half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the Spina Bifida Association asks women to take a vitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid each day during the years of their lives when they are possibly able to have children. Women who have a child or sibling with Spina Bifida, have had an affected pregnancy or have Spina Bifida themselves should take 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for one to three months before and during the first three months of pregnancy.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a vitamin that the body needs to grow and be healthy. It is found in many foods, but the man-made or synthetic form in pills is actually better absorbed by our bodies.

What Conditions are Associated with Spina Bifida?


Children and young adults with Spina Bifida can have mental and social problems. They also can have problems with walking and getting around or going to the bathroom, latex allergy, obesity, skin breakdown, gastrointestinal disorders, learning disabilities, depression, tendonitis and sexual issues.

What Physical Limitations Exist?


People with Spina Bifida must learn how to get around on their own without help, by using things like crutches, braces or wheelchairs. With help, it also is possible for children to learn how to go to the bathroom on their own. Doctors, nurses, teachers and parents should know what a child can and cannot do so they can help the child (within the limits of safety and health) be independent, play with kids that are not disabled and to take care of him or herself.

Can Spina Bifida be Detected Before Birth?

Yes. There are three tests.

1. A blood test during the 16th to 18th weeks of pregnancy. This is called the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP screening test). This test is higher in about 75–80 % of women who have a fetus with Spina Bifida.

2. An ultrasound of the fetus. This is also called a sonogram and can show signs of Spina Bifida such as the open spine.

3. A test where a small amount of the fluid from the womb is taken through a thin needle. This is called maternal amniocentesis and can be used to look at protein levels.

Parents should know that no medical test is perfect, and these tests are not always right.

Can Children with Spina Bifida Grow Up and Live a Full Life?


Yes. With help, children with Spina Bifida can lead full lives. Most do well in school, and many play in sports. Because of today’s medicine, about 90 percent of babies born with Spina Bifida now live to be adults, about 80 percent have normal intelligence and about 75 percent play sports and do other fun activities.

We thank God every day for Micah's health, and that he does not have a severe case of Spina Bifida. If you would meet Micah, you would not know that anything is even wrong with him. We went to the Spina Bifida clinic yesterday at Riley Children's Hospital. He is doing so well, and they do not have any concerns as far as learning dissabilities, etc., that we were told that he does not need to be seen for another year!!! PTL!!!!!!!!!

A new way to carve pumpkins...

I love this guy: Steve Spangler!!! I am going to have to show Micah some of his sights after school. This is right up his alley...

Here is a new way to carve pumpkins...

Monday, October 20, 2008

I want to do this with my kids...

Obviously not on this grand of a scale, but I want to do this with the kids...

I am such a kid, I might have more fun than they do... :-)

(Remember, as always: Turn off the blog music below before playing the video.)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Random photos from "The Street Fair"...

The Street Fair is a 1 week long fair in September, in Bluffton, Indiana, where I grew up. They close the downtown for the week, and turn it into a fair. I have been meaning to post these pics, and keep forgetting. Honestly, I wanted to do a whole post on "what not to where", but some of the photos would have been to rude and obvious to take. There was one that was 'killing' me not to take: a man with a huge mullet, and a woman about 50 yds. away sporting the same mullet. Who would have thought that in 2008 the mullet would still be a unisex hairdo... :-)

Here are some pics from that day...

Luca hated the rides...

The mouse game...


My Dad (Pop-Pop) & Luca...

Fish bowl game...


Pop-Pop, Luca, & Micah eating pancakes...


Lilly pad game...




Zum stick: best treat at the fair...



Street Fair band: Professional musicians from all over Indiana...


Hannah and Pop-Pop loving the big band music...



Bluffton courthouse...

Jonas loving the band music...

Hannah and I on the drop zone...

The crazier the ride, the better she likes it...

If you dropped your condom, I found it right below the "bowling" game... :-)

I hope she paid 1/2 price for her shorts... :-)

Crazy Luca and Daddy...


Hannah enjoying her first elephant ear...


Junk food alley at night...

Thursday, October 16, 2008

News from GLA...

Congratulations Ryan and Rebekah!

Your adoption of Wendylove has just been approved by IBESR. We are so happy that you have reached this important milestone in the Haitian adoption process. Next, we are preparing your dossier to enter Parquet and after you have Parquet approval, your adoption will enter the courts where Wendylove will legally become your child and take your family name of HUBLEY.

I will share more information with you as we proceed through these steps but currently Parquet is taking 3 to 6 months to approve adoptions. We continue to pray that they improve this timeline.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Stuck...

Have you ever had a day like this? Everything seems to be crazy and out of control... Only to realize later, that the situation was not that complicated... I think sometimes we are like this... Trying to do everything on our own, and not using the the 'stairs' (ie-prayer, God, wisdom) to walk out of our seemingly 'stuck' situation!!!!!!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Do you need a laugh???

I love the Bob Newhart show! This is the funniest clip ever, and it makes me nearly pee my pants everytime I see it!!! For those of you that just need a laugh today, I hope that this works!

Remember to turn off the blog music, by clicking on the 'pause' button below...

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Al...This is for you... :-)

Before playing the video, remember to mute the 'blog music'.

Allison Garwood lives in California, and is adopting a little, chubby, smoochy, lion from the orphanage where Jonas lived: God's Littlest Angels Orphanage.

After reading Al's post today, I knew we needed to do something special for her! Al loves Hannah's videos, and so we decided to cheer her and Reed up with a little "Hannah humor"... Al, I know this will not fix anything, but hopefully it will make you and Reed laugh!?

Sorry that the video is dark, we just used the MAC camera mounted in the computer...

Friday, October 10, 2008

"Things Unseen"

Next Thursday, I am a part of our faculty art show at Huntington University. There are seven art faculty participating. Here is what I am contributing to the show. These photos were taken at a wedding that I photographed this summer. "Things Unseen" is what I entitled the series of photos. I love to find the small details and make them grand. If I can make you see something beautiful and aestetic, out of something so ordinary, then I have done my job as an artist.












Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Holding on to Summer...



Yes, Fall has "officially" been here since September 22nd. I am totally in denial about this, as I LOVE summer!!! I love EVERYTHING about summer: swimming, vacations, grilling, not bundling up the kids, vacations, 80-85 degree days, warm summer nights, more hours of daylight, did I say vacations :-), popsicles, ice-cream, playing outside all day long, wearing less clothing, sunlight, festivals, parades, the great feeling of the sun on my skin.... I really could go on and on!!! I will not bore you though... :-)

In honor of Summer, I put a new song on my playlist. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with my blog! :-) It just always makes me feel happy when I hear it on the radio, and I always want to roll my windows down when it comes on. So, in the middle of winter, if you are ever feeling like you cannot take another grey, freezing, cold day: Just pop over to my blog, and hopefully this song will put you in a warm sandy place! :-)

God is "working with me" this week: tomorrow should be in the high 60's, and Thursday and Friday will be in the low to mid 70's. I will be soaking in all of these warm days, because I know that colder days are just around the corner. And, if you are from Indiana, you know that weather can change with the drop of a hat.

Here are some memories from this summer. I wanted to add more, but photobucket limited me to 50 images... :-)

Monday, October 6, 2008

Cooking Slump...

I have been in a cooking slump for quite some time now! I am not sure why. We did so much grilling this summer that maybe I got lazy with recipes.

Well, I am calling on you now to help me, and anyone else out there that feels this way right now!

Please post a recipe for me that you love to cook! I am not a gourmet chef, so it can't be too fussy of a recipe! :-)


–Tortilla Soup–

2 cans of chicken (or 2-4 cooked and diced chicken breasts)
2 cans of corn–one drained (I have used fresh sweet corn too)
2 cans of chicken broth
2 cans of refried beans
2 cans of black beans–drained and rinsed
2 cups of salsa–any kind–

Directions: Open, dump, stir, and heat… (easy, huh…)

Top with Sour cream, shredded cheese, avocados, or tortilla chips.
(we use low-fat sc, low-fat shredded cheese, and baked tortilla chips)

My kids LOVE this soup, and they are so excited when this is for dinner!
If you are vegetarian, just do not add chicken, or the chicken substitute. (I can’t think of what that stuff is called???)
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I can't wait to see what you have to share! My husband and kids will be forever grateful!!! lol...

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Micah...


(I love this pic from 2 summers ago!)

I am shouting this from the rooftops... I just got a call today that Micah has been qualified for Make a Wish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't be alarmed...He is NOT dying!!! To qualify, you do not have to be terminal anymore, you have to have a life threatening illness. Spina Bifida is not life threatening, but a shunt can be. You never know if it will malfunction, get infected, etc. Micah is on shunt #3. He has a shunt because of his hydrocephalus, which is a result from having Spina Bifida.

I am soooooooooo excited for him, and I can't wait to tell him when he gets off the bus!

His Wish, you might ask... DISNEY WORLD...