Once again!

Ok...lets review...
*Alabama ranked #8
*Georgia ranked #3
*at Georgia Bulldogs home field
*Georgia favored to win
*score? 41-30
*ahem...yes that would be Alabama 41...and Georgia 30!!

As the announcer said last night..."folks what you are seeing is a perfect good ole' fashioned, country butt kickin' "!! I almost couldn't come up for air! Hysterical!!

Georgia Black out?? Wrong...more like left out in the dark!!

Have I ever mentioned that I'm from Alabama and LOVE Alabama football??

Just checking.

Roll Tide Roll!!

My Grandfathers "lunch"

I am writing this post Thursday evening, knowing that tomorrow it will be too difficult to write.

On September 26, 2007 my last living Grandfather passed from this life into his eternal life in Heaven.

I've thought about a million things to write...funny stories of my college days when he lived not far from my university, sweet things he did just to make my life easier, stories he would tell, the things he grew in his garden (and ate), things he fixed with a paper clip and rubber bands, how he couldn't carry a tune worth a lick but he sang those hymns anyways, the number of times he sat with me in the hospital either from being sick or having had a car accident,etc.

But I couldn't figure out which one was the best, which one I loved the most...which one was funnier. They were all hysterical. Things that only my Grandfather would think to do!

I've thought about sharing all his educational accomplishments...how many degrees he had...that he was a "Rev. Dr. Leroy.....". I've thought about including the people who he had met and furthermore, those who loved him enough to come to his funeral!! The Native Americans that drove day and night just to be at his side during his burial.

But, you know...I couldn't decide which one would describe him the best. Which one he would have cherished the most.

So...I'm not going to share any of those things.

Instead, I want to share the story from the Bible in John 6...its when Jesus feeds the five thousand. Here's the very paraphrased version:

Jesus had been teaching a crowd of people all day and it came time to eat. Jesus tells his disciples to go and feed the people. The disciples tell Jesus that there were far too many people there for them to feed... "eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite". But, one of the disciples found a young boy with a lunch...it contained 5 small barley loves and 2 small fish, and he gave it to Jesus to use. Jesus then told the people to sit out on the lawns as He took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and began to feed the five thousand people. After everyone had been fed and was full...they began to collect the left overs, not wanting any to waste. (They had left overs...from 5 loaves and 2 fish??!! Somethings very wrong at my house!!)

I'm sure the point here was the miraculous miracle that occurred...feeding that many people on hardly anything is quite the miracle. I see something else.

It may be easy to over look...but what I see in this passage is the little boy! How many little boys do you know that would give up their lunch?? Mine wouldn't. But this boy did. And the deal is...God blessed it abundantly. It fed thousands and thousands of hungry men, women and children...with left overs!! I hope those five thousand people used their manners and gave that boy a "hi five"!! The Bible didn't make mention of that!! :)

If I could tell you anything about my Grandfather, it would be that he was like that little boy with a lunch.

He was an Indian...born and raised on an Indian Allotment land. May not have looked like much to many...but through Divine appointment, my Grandfather came to know the Lord (not so common on an Indian Reservation, I might add!!).

He gave his life to Christ and made himself available to whatever the Lord needed. He willingly gave the Lord his "lunch", all he had, and allowed Him to use it!! And the Lord did...abundantly!!

He took one life, one simple Indian man...and fed thousands!!

That is how I think my Grandfather would love for his story to be told! And I'm proud to tell it!!

May the Lord be with my family today.

Since "patience" isn't my middle name!

Picked up a devotional book this morning...needing some focus in the midst of chaos...here's what it said:

Patience is more than waiting for an answer or for the receipt of blessing.
Patience is deeper than struggling with the passage of time.
Patience is the practice of trusting even when we cannot see.
Patience forces us to focus on doing our part, while we wait for God to do His.
Patience pinpoints areas where we must grow in order to receive.
Patience evokes a spirit of humility because we recognize that we are not in charge.
Patience involves seeking the Source instead of the solution.
Patience is maturity revealed.
Patience is the art of waiting, expectantly, joyfully, and quietly, when you have no idea what you are waiting for.
Patience is the ability to stand perfectly still in the vortex of chaos, and be totally content to hang out until further notice simply because you have no intention or desire to move foreword without His instruction.

Now that, my friends, is no coincidence! That is my God...knowing my needs. Every word, every line is absolutely at the core of where I find myself today! I love it when He softens my spirit like that!!

The best Saturday.

I'm thinking yesterday must be considered for the "best Saturday" award.

I ran 8 miles with ease, at the crack of dawn!
Dakota's basketball team won.
Ramiro's basketball team won.
Alabama kicked Arkansas tush.
Gators creamed Tennessee.
and... LSU beat AUBURN!!!
Does it get any better than that??
Nope!!

Roll Tide!!

Just being kids!!

Don't you miss those days?? When life was about finding the next "fun" thing to do??

I do.

I've thought lately about how fun it really should be to just be a kid...to enjoy playing and not having a care in the world!! The kids are growing up fast...I think I need to help them slow down and just enjoy these days.

The holidays are coming...I can't let them fly on by this year...getting too busy to enjoy the fun that this time of year brings!

Therefore, I'm already planning things for October, November and December...crafts, cooking, fun music, silliness outside (when it cools off), and so on!!

I love this time of year...and this year my kids will too!!

Dear running...

Dear running,
I must confess, this love affair with you has worked out nicely. Our time in the evenings has been wonderful! A great way to end the day. We've been on this kick together now since the first of the year and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Unfortunately, my dear, the time has come... this relationship will be put to the test. It's time for some stretching and it might create some discomfort. I'm sure our commitment to one another will withstand this "season of change"!! But for now, dear running, I will no longer be available in the evening. We must start meeting at the crack of dawn. I know change is hard, I kick and scream too...not wanting to rearrange my sleep for yet another thing. We will begin a new chapter as we will now watch the moon set and the sun rise together! I hope you don't mind!! Mr. "Day-Light Saving Time" is to blame...I'm so sorry!! I hope you understand!

Maybe this will add a new dimension to our relationship, new roads to venture down, giving a new perspective on things!! Sometimes change is good...keeps things from getting boring!! I never want this to get "stale", dreading the time together. So, I will look for you...bright and early! Maybe not fully awake yet, probably a little slower than usual...give me a few weeks, I'll adjust!!

Thanks for understanding...you are good like that!! Thank you for being the easiest thing to be committed to. No strings attached. No hidden motives. Always willing to accommodate my schedule and being content to allow me to call the shots!! I wish all relationships were this easy!! So glad I found you! You're the best!!

Love, Jill

P.S.-I do love this "love affair" with you!! I'm here for the long haul!!

One Way

Remember my post about the "arrow pointing this way"?? Here is it if not...

http://ineedthee.blogspot.com/2008/07/arrow-pointing-this-way.html

I'm not fancy enough to figure out how to link that post to a word like "here" for you to just click on...sorry!! But hopefully it works like this!!

This picture reminded me of that! It's one of those shots that could mean a number of things to a number of people.

I also thought that it was a perfect way to express that there is "one way" to Christ...and that is to embrace the cross!! The cross of death and resurrection!!

Pictures of the big 5 day!!

His big day was fun...can't you tell??

We had him draw a picture of what he looked like the day he turned 5!! Too funny!!

Spiderman skateboard. Flag football set. Field goal kit. Alabama football outfits (pics soon to come of the team and cheering squad!!). Running shirt. Indoor basketball goal. I want to be 5 too!!

This would be one of the gifts from Grandma and Papa (in Alabama)...yes, its a bike horn!! Ugh!! Ramiro called it a "honky horn" and somehow has thought it would make a great way to wake up the house in the morning!! All I can say is...thanks Grandma and Papa, how did you know we needed one of these??

Spiderman laptop. Spiderman Pj's.

The day was a success and Ramiro was very proud to finally be 5!! This picture is of Ramiro trying to get the paper off his cupcake without getting icing on his hands...he wanted to try the icing, we had to revert back to scraping it off...oh well!! More for me!! Hee Hee!!

Thanks to Grandma, Papa, Aunt Carrie, Granny, Great Grandma Falling!! Ramiro had a wonderful day!!

5 years ago!!

5 years ago, today...what a day it was!
Ramiro made his grand entrance into this world! And things have never been the same since!


Here's the history:(and by the way, yes, that's Ramiro sleeping with his at the time favorite sleeping attire...goggles tightly strapped to his head, stickers on his skin and his "lovie" blanket made of satin!!)

Before getting pregnant with Ramiro, I had just recently lost a baby (we call Baby Jaydan) in my second trimester. It was a very difficult time and one of crazy emotions, as you could imagine. So finding out that I was pregnant again had its own set of uncertainties and fears. In the second month, we discovered that this road was not going to be easy either. I had Placenta Previa and was put on modified bed rest. We were moving soon (into our current house) and things were stressful with selling our then house, and trying to get details finalized to be in this house. Around month 4, things began to quickly change for sweet Ramiro. His kidneys were no longer producing fluid (which makes the amniotic fluid) and therefore this pregnancy got very complicated. When a baby has very little amniotic fluid, they don't move much (can cause physical development issues), they many of times go into fetal distress (he did) and most of them develop lung issues b/c there is nothing to inhale while in utero. You must have amniotic fluid for a smooth delivery as well. Oh and not to mention, you need at least one good kidney to survive in this life!! All of these issues became my focus for the next many months. If you are familiar with Angie and Todd Smiths story, you will know that these complications are what took the life of their precious baby girl, Audrey. Ramiro was one of the luck ones and I count my blessings!!

I was on complete bed rest. I had tests done every week, labor and delivery became my home away from home. We watched Ramiro via ultrasound in utero barely move to stimuli and rarely saw his lungs inhale. I went into labor twice and both times had to start the series of shots. I then had to take the steroid shots for Ramiro's lungs to quickly grow being that it was apparent that he was coming early and he physically wasn't ready yet! It was a scary time and I constantly worried b/c I really felt no baby movement.

They had decided to induce me, for they wanted a "controlled" delivery so they could be prepared for problems. Deliveries with no fluid can get serious very quickly as the baby can get stuck. And we weren't sure of his lung/kidney functions and how they were going to do once born. But he was in distress and had been far too long. So the day was scheduled.


Around midnight, of the morning/day of induction...I began to hemorrhage here at home and was suddenly in a lot of pain, I was delivering. Thankfully, my mother was here to watch after Dakota and Dan rushed me to the hospital. Ramiro was almost born in the front seat of our Honda as Dan frantically drove through every stop sign and red light (did I mention that the hospital is 45 minutes away??). But thankfully, I delivered moments after getting into the hospital. I think Dan lost a few years!! I remember asking for my epidural an hour after he had been born!! It was quite the delivery process I must say, and one none of us would want to try again!! So much for "controlled" delivery. But that's Ramiro for ya'!!
Ramiro over all was ok. He broke his left collar bone (which caused damage to the left arm Brachial plexus nerve) and his respiration's were very low, so they put him in the "special needs" nursery for a day...he did great and we came home the next day!! Complete blessing!!

Ramiro's life had just started and now he had many things he had to overcome. He "failed to thrive" for the first 6-7 weeks and wasn't at his birth weight until 7 weeks old (6 lbs). He spent the next 13 months in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy for his head, neck and arm that muscularly didn't develop well (called Torticollis), plus the broken collar bone had its issues. They taught him to hold his head up, use his arms, crawl and walk. It was sometimes a very tough ordeal for him and us...we had to stretch his head and arms many times a day and poor Ramiro would scream like we were pulling his head off!
At 13 months old, I knew there were more issues that were creeping up. Things weren't right, he was not acting appropriate, so we began testing for Neurological disorders. Our pediatrician was concerned we were looking at a diagnosis of Autism. But at such a young age, it was tough to get enough information from him for this diagnosis. He was behind in his cognitive skills, so he had therapy for that. He needed speech, so we got therapy for that too!! We learned to sign in order to communicate with him!! That was a huge relief for us to finally at 2 years old be able interact with him and understand simple things like that he was wanting a drink!! Thank You Erica!! You were a huge part of this process!! Those early years for Ramiro were very tough. He was very frustrated and had "self destructive" melt downs hourly!!
To make a long story....well, long...Ramiro is not Autistic. At 3 1/2, huge progress began to take place. I believe that the Lord really worked out some things here for him. He began to interact better, he was communicating wonderfully and things really made a turn, this time for the best! Of course, I must say that I think we had the best therapists that one could ever want!! Tracey(PT/OT), Tasha (Cognitive dev.), Erika (speech), Dana (OT/sensory therapy), Rebecca (horse therapy) were his main gals!!

As it turns out, Ramiro has a Sensory Integration Dysfunction and ADHD. Most Autistic children also have this SI Dysfunction so you may be familiar with the complications they have with stimulation, textures, food and anything that is unfamiliar or unexpected!! Ramiro craves motion, vibrations and music! Therefore, he was riding his bicycle WITHOUT training wheels at 2 1/2. His mission in life is to do everything the fastest! He "plays" the piano...and I mean "plays"!! And would spend hours doing so if we would let him. Its the only thing I have seen him sit and do for this amount of time. It's really amazing!!
Ramiro is in a special program at the elementary school that has been wonderful...he should be able to mainstream into Kindergarten next year!! I'm praying that goes well!! He is doing fantastic and today he is excited to have cupcakes for his birthday at school...of course his will have no icing on it, but hey who likes that stuff anyways??!!

You may be wondering why I have shared all this (and believe it or not, I have left out some things due to trying to keep this shorter). The reason is this...I am totally in love this child (as I am with all of my babies!!)! I am so proud of what Ramiro has overcome. His personality has worked in his favor. Ramiro is a fighter. It's just who he is...his drive to work hard and do things the best has served to be a blessing for him. He doesn't give up and eventually he will "conquer" the situation. I have carried this child, worried that he wouldn't make it. Watched him scream "his head off" in PT, week after week! Sat in front of physicians who told me things I didn't want to hear, that he was falling farther and farther behind. I have watched him bury his face in dirt and beat his head against our tile floor in frustration, Ive almost joined him on a few occasions. I have seen him learn to sign...which is too funny when he would be sitting in time out signing "no no no" b/c he was very mad! And I am thrilled to now watch Ramiro play with friends, function in a classroom, say most anything that comes to mind (ahem...did we teach him all that??) and have a very normal life now. Occasionally we will have some issues, but we will take it! This is by far a different child than we had 2 years ago!!
I must say this too...I remember having moments in which I wondered what Ramiro's life would be like. Would he be able to be out in public without melt downs or shrieking fits?? Would he be able to play normally with other kids? Would other people ever stop looking at us when things weren't "going well"?? Would he be able to understand that God loves him?? Would he be able to pray, asking Jesus into his heart??
One day last week, Ramiro was sent to bed for some time out (he still does need those). I walked by his room a few minutes later and heard him singing...and this is what I heard, "Jesus loves me this I know, for his Bible tells me so, little one's to Him belong, He is weak but I am strong". Now, I know he's got some things confused here!! I need to help him understand that he may have big muscles, but "God" is strong, not weak!! But, it was music to my ears. I knew in that moment that Ramiro will come to know the love of the Lord. I know he will understand who God is, and why he needs Him.








This may be a boring blog post for most of you and this pic is sooo not in focus...I'm sorry. But for those of you who know Ramiro, most of you didn't know him back in these early days. And therefore, you have no idea what God has done in this childs life...that's too why I wanted to share these things. But I also want Ramiro to one day see this and know that his mother absolutely loves and adores him. I want him to understand what awesome things he did before he was ever 5!! Even though these early days were very difficult, I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'd do it all over again in a heart beat!! I can't hardly see the screen anymore b/c I'm overwhelmed with tears of love and joy for my precious child. Ramiro lives life in a big way! He sees to it that he misses nothing and experiences everything...good and bad! That's how it goes when you have absolutely no fear, no concept of "maybe this might not be a good idea". You end up experiencing ALL that life has to over!! (Hence, the missing front tooth!)

My dear child, I don't know what the future holds for you. I don't know what struggles will come, what other challenges you may have to face. Life is sometimes that way. But I do know that God clearly has a big plan for you, for He has brought you through so much in 5 years. You have been wonderfully made, perfect for His plan! I consider it a privilege to walk this journey with you and to be your mother!! I wouldn't have it any other way!! You are the best Ramiro I could ever have hoped for!! You have brought laughter and joy into my life in ways I could have never imagined!! I love you as big as the ocean AND sky!! Happy 5th Birthday, silly goose!!


(this picture is of Ramiro last night at 10pm...he was unable to sleep b/c he couldn't stop giggling about turning 5 today!! I, for once, didn't mind...I wanted to love on those dimples for as long as I could!!)

Come again tomorrow

No post today except for this note...come check it out tomorrow! I have worked today on a post for tomorrow...it will be a special day...one I love to tell the story of (I'm trying to keep it abbreviated, but you know that's hard for me!!)!! And I can already feel my computer throwing out some "choice words"...there are some pictures involved!! :)

See you tomorrow....

Roll Tide Roll

It's that time of year again!! The days us football fans live for!! Especially when your from Alabama!! The history is rich, you can feel it in the air, and the excitement is contagious!! Alabama Football...it just doesn't get any better!




Nick Saben has what it takes...this team will be awesome!! You can count on it!! Take it to the bank. Mark my words. This is OUR year to make it happen!!




I'm working on Madelyn...she's getting ready...she's practicing her "Roll Tide Roll". The boys are working on their "John Parker" arms. We almost have our own football team and cheer leading squad!!

Let the games begin...Roll Tide Roll Baby!!

On the roads in this small town!!

Hope you can stand another "running experience"...another moment when somehow the most clear pictures and perfect voice from God come together.

For the past few days, I have been reading this book I recently got. Matter of fact...lets state it how it is...I'm devouring it!! Page by page, line by line...sometimes word by word. It is huge...the impact it is making and will make. I think this was no surprise...this book was for me, at this time, this week in my life. Anyways...I will discuss that all later. But, I have been "chewing" on things from this book at almost every moment of the day. Therefore running is just simply the mechanism to allow my "internal self" to really work through some things!! No book, no words to read, no notes to take...just allowing it all to sink in. To mull around a bit in the midst of this foggy place called my brain!! (No comments needed, thanks!!) :)

Ok...so I am getting off the point here... I was anxious to go running yesterday evening. Desperately wanting to get out the door to go hide in myself and further understand what God is teaching me. Towards the end of my run, I was finishing up in my neighborhood. Spending my last mile around the lake I live on, which happens to be a busy part of town. I passed these 4 kids (ages around 15-16 years old) walking smack in the middle of the road. Sidewalks were available on both sides for them of course. The thing here is that there were 2 guys and 2 girls...holding hands. I mean...the 2 guys were holding hands and the 2 girls were holding hands. I didn't get the "just friends" feeling, if you know what I mean. I did a double take not because I had never seen this before, but because in this small town in which we live...this is just not something I have seen much of. At least not right in the middle of town, my neighborhood! I want to be careful here and say that I do not want to pass undo judgement on these kids. Maybe this was only for show. I will never know. But I will say that it was uncomfortable to see, awkward to pass them head on, and I felt so very sad for each of them. Regardless of what is truly going on in their personal lives, there was a shocking moment for me and a fear for my 4 children. What they will be exposed to and what others make seem so normal! My heart was heavy and I haven't stopped thinking about the many pressures that the "evil one" wants to use to destroy our children!!

Then today, just about an hour ago, I put Madelyn in her jogger and Andre on his bike for a walk. About 5 minutes into the walk I happened upon 3 older men standing on the sidewalk holding hands. This time however, they were in a circle...heads bowed and one was praying out loud. It was one of the most tender moments I have seen in awhile. I wanted to run over to them and offer my hands to join in the circle. I didn't, but I wanted to. I was suddenly very encouraged and thankful that these men were comfortable enough to pray with each other right then and there (I think they had run into each other while out walking), and to do so in public.

Beyond the wonderful sense of hope I suddenly felt, I was proud of these men. If the world can display "their" opinions and preferences in the middle of the road...thank heavens we have Christians who will still stand on the sidewalks and do the same...joining together in prayer!!

I was thankful that my sweet children were with me today instead. I was blessed to tell my 3 year old that they were praying when he asked what those guys were doing!!

Too funny!!

Just had to share this funny.

Yesterday afternoon I happen to be in the bathroom preparing for our Wednesday night Awana's program. Actually, that sounded funny, let me clarify. I wasn't really preparing for the Awana's program while IN the bathroom...I was just doing my hair/makeup in preparation for GOING to the Awana's program. Whew! Ok, anyways...I had decided that since I have still not gotten my hair cut (and it needs it badly)...I was going to be pulling out my ever so handy "velcro" rollers...you know what I'm talking about?? Those mumbo, jumbo big ole' fat things?? Yes, I own them too! And occasionally, I must revert back to them.

Apparently though I haven't done so in quite some time. Ramiro bolted into the bathroom as I was working on my face, letting those rollers do their "magic" up on the top of my head for a few minutes (they were lined up in a row like a "roller coaster"...haha!! No pun intended there...but that was funny! How do things just pop up into my head like that?) Anyhoo...back to Ramiro...he came into the bathroom with a mission. To tattle on his younger brother. As he flew through the bathroom door, his mouth was already in "tattle mode", he took one look at me and suddenly stopped. Mouth wide open and eyes even bigger. Without skipping a beat he says "and mom your hair looks very badly". I had forgotten about my "roller coaster" doo...so I had to look in the mirror to see what was so "badly". I cracked up. Yes, it was.

The funny part is that he then turns around and goes to his older brother and says, "Dakota, you should see what momma is wearing in her hair to church". Sadly, Dakota did come and look. As if I usually wear weird things in my hair to go anywhere!! I guess Ramiro thought since I had moved on to my makeup, I must have been done with my hair!! Oh...so much to learn!! So little time!!