It's Finished!!!!

The book..all 174 typed pages....

Now, for one last bit of editing...a couple of friends are proofreading and offering revision suggestions.

I have done some research and plan to begin sending some queries...starting tomorrow!!!

Please be in prayer.

And just for fun!!!

My Boys would make a Robbie-Sandwich when they were both at home. They would sometimes go to kiss me and lick me instead...so when I tried to have my photo with my boys at the wedding...it took some time.




Finally......

Miracles for Ellie and Other Family News

In this edition:
Computer Update

Miracles for Ellie

Josie-Tatum Going for Gold

Surprise Visit

Robbie's Project

Computer Update

Finally the new computer has been set up and protected. I haven't been posting because I didn't have a Memory Card Reader. As brilliant as I thought my technological skills were, I didn't know laptops were manufactured anymore without card readers built in. The card reader feature on my old printer didn't seem to be compatible with new computer. An old data reader I used after I purchased my first laptop wouldn't load properly.....So, had I known that a new card reader was only $8.00 at Wal-Mart, I wouldn't have wasted all that time with other solutions. I have added more computer knowledge this week. ;)

Miracles for Ellie
Okay, I know that's what most of you want to read, so I won't make you wait like the late night news shows who tease you with a story line, and then never get to THAT story until the end of the program.



Look at that photo of Ellie.

Do you see what she's wearing?

No, not the dress..........

PANTI*S!!!!

Ellie is thrilled to be wearing panti*s in the afternoons after school. She wore them all day on Saturday.

Since the salmonella infection in her bladder, the antibiotics, and the irrigation, we also began an prophylactic treatment of antibiotics. Ellie takes a low dose of antibiotics everyday now. I hestitated to start such treatment; however, her frequent infections and the fact that she has only one kidney prompted her doctor and me to decide it was needed.

Now, I wonder if we were never able to keep her completely dry between caths because she always had bacteria in her urine. I don't know...being a little less medically brilliant than I am technolically brilliant.

All I know is: Ellie has stayed dry between caths for an entire week...for the first time EVER!

She is wearing panti*s with a Poise pad everyday when we come home from school. I want to wait a couple of weeks longer before we try that at school, as I don't want her to have an embarassing accident. She has, though, already had a little girl make fun of her because she wears Pull-Ups. So, Mother Bear is more determined to help her make the transtion.

Josie-Tatum Going for Gold



Josie-Tatum is preparing for her first EVER gymnastics competition. She has been taking lessons since just before she turned four. Mama really wasn't quite ready for competitions, but her coach has BEGGED me. When I shared with her that furloughs for state employees had done too much damage to our family budget to increase any of our spending, her coach went out and found a sponsor for her.

I'm thinking she must be thinking that the judges will be thinking....THIS GIRL is AWESOME!

She goes to the gym 4 days a week. While I worried that she would grow weary of all that work, she is LOVING it. She comes home excited everday, sharing with me the progress she has made. She is currently working on her round-off, back tuck. (For those of you who have as much gymnsatics knowledge as I have computer knowledge, she is running into her round off, then immediately flipping backwards IN THE AIR.)
She can already complete a round-off, back hand spring, back hand spring.

You Go GIRL!


Surprise VISIT
You've seen this face before...my great-niece Maddison. She can make her Aunt Robbie smile like no other. To see her face beam yesterday when she came in our home and caught site of Josie-Tatum and Ellie warmed my heart. Forget the housework, I'm playing with baby!!!!!!!!!!



Robbie's Project

And, for the few of you who haven't yet grown weary of reading this LONG post, I have a matter I would like for you to pray over.

I've been writing a book.

I know, I know, so many others write books, too.

But, I believe the LORD would have me share Ellie's story. I want the world to know GOD's HEART for adoption. I want to spread the message that a child with special needs is just a child. I want everyone to know the blessings that abound and that GOD gives the strength on the tough days.

I have revised twice and finally have a thought for the last chapter.

So, this week, I plan to begin the search for a publisher.

Would you pray for God to get glory?

Would you pray that He would make the crooked paths straight to THE publishing company that is the RIGHT fit for Ellie's story?

And, will you like always, continue to pray for OUR Ellie?

More Photos

Thank you for your prayers. I've had much more peace today. Maybe it was retail therapy. I bought a new computer today. ;)

But, here are some more precious memories from the wedding:




One of the closest times I came to tears was near the beginning of the ceremony. Our pastor shared with the guests that he had been Caleb's pastor his entire lift, even 9 months before he was born. Not many are blessed to have a pastor who has been so much a part of their lives.

Can you tell there were moments in the wedding that were just plain fun?


My sweet nephew Joshua....aka Moose...escorting my Grandma Tatum.












We've seen Casie everday this week, I think. It makes me feel closer to Caleb.

And, Whitney has been afraid you'll all forget that she's part of the family, so please take note. You will see her making a mad attempt at catching the bouquet and observing the bride and groom as they make their get away.

I'm Struggling

Just thought I'd tell you.

I've been good and strong....

Only teared up a time or two at the wedding. I was just sooooooo happy for Caleb and Casie.

I was okay at the airport...teared up some. But, I kept thinking....Casie will be with him soon. I will feel better knowing she is going to be with him soon.

Then, there was yesterday.

Stan had to work late.

Whitney was back at Armstrong.

Brandon was back at Athens.

Just the 2 little girls and me.

I grew mournful. I missed my BIG family. I missed all of the noise. I missed all of the excitement. I wished they were just gone to football practice, tennis, or drama. I wished I was preparing supper for all of them. I wished they were coming in soon and the noise at supper would drive me crazy.

Lift me up today, dear friends.

Robbie

Beautiful, Blessed, Bitter-Sweet

You see one of the beautiful, blessed moments!

This weekend has been a whirlwind. I sit here typing late tonight, my eyes brimming with tears, because I am saddened by the thought that it is over.

We began with much excitement on Thursday night. We left for the airport.

Twelve of us arrived at the airport to see Caleb. Aunt Bobbie, Uncle Shannon, Josh, Grandma and Grandpa had not seen him since February.

Silly Camera....I almost missed it, but here he comes...

And we got to take him home...the first time since February 16th.


And he slept on the couch, like old times. ;)


On Friday morning, he went with me to take the girls to school.



This was the day I fought back tears the most....A student in third grade passed by Caleb as he walked Josie-Tatum into her class. He walked up to Caleb and only said, "Thank you," and then he kept walking back to class. Somebody has taught their son well, I am certain, by example.

Caleb had not seen the new school where I am teaching, so we took a tour. We visited with both of the classes I teach, and they were thrilled to meet him. We surprised Aunt Melanie with a visit, too. AT the school, Caleb had his photo with his 5th grade teacher and Mrs. Shay. Mrs. Shay teaches Pre-K, and she taught Caleb in Sunday School when he was 5 years old. She remembers well when he regularly asked her if he could sit in her lap.





On Friday night, we held the rehearsal. It was such fun to be with Caleb surrounded by so many people who love him and love Casie. To hear his laughter with Brandon's and my nephew Joshua's...such music.





And, then there was the rehearsal dinner. Praise the LORD for my friends who agreed to serve and keep things running smoothly. And, Aunt Melanie, who came home from school, made MORE potatoe salad and stayed at the church the rest of the evening.






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On Sunday, we had a covered dish dinner/shower for families. The shower was hosted by our church, with friends and families invited. It was a special time that our family could all be together again, without the stressors of wedding rehearsal or preparations. One of Caleb and Brandon's close friends came with his family. Those boys had more fun than anyone I think. But, of course, they have always known how to have fun together. Oh, how I enjoyed the laughter.


And, then, today was the BIG Day..the day my son became a husband, the day I gained a new daughter. Well, Casie has been a part of our family for a long time.







There will be many more photos and special memories to share...as soon as I get my computer back and life slows down a little.

And, now the bitter sweet moment. Please, please be in prayer for us on Monday afternoon. Caleb has to catch a flight early in the evening, and Casie is not able to go with him right now. We shall all be quite saddened. I shall try to remember to praise the LORD and feast on the memories we've made this weekend.

It was beautiful. It was blessed.