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?