This has been a good week to be a grandparent in our family. Adrey spent a very fun day with Joanne's parents at Cherry Creek State Park. She went boating, did a little fishing and ended up in the water fully dressed! She returned home with a great attitude, a smile on her face, and a killer sunburn! All signs of a good time. And she thought she didn't like camping.
Emma spent the day with my parents yesterday. They ran errands and then Emma got to go to the dealership with my dad to pick up his new Honda CRV. She was very proud to be the first official passenger in his new car. Then they came up for dinner and my sister Bethany took them swimming. After wards a great classic American dinner--baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green been casserole, and stuffing. Oh, and cranberry sauce. What a treat!
After that Audrey decided she would go down to the Springs for a sleep over. We'll get her back sometime today.
Family is so important! As I look back over the last year and a half since Joanne's stroke I am profoundly struck that the experience would have been totally unmanageable without the support of our families. I literally have no idea how we would have survived without them. And here is the blessing--we still all love each other! With the stress and strain and constant presence many families go after each other and fall apart somewhere along the way. But we have managed to stick together with just a few bumps and bruises along the way. God is good! We will keep praying for his blessing and thanking him for keeping us all together.
Other news: Looks like we are getting a new roof after the hail and wind storm that passed through a coupe of weeks ago. It;s not a done deal but the insurance adjuster is recommending us for a replacement roof. What a blessing that would be! We need a new roof, no question, but to have insurance cover it would be amazing!
School update: For a number of reasons Audrey has decided to go to Cherry Creek (public) next year. She really came to the decision on her own but it is a really great thing as there is no way we were going to be able to afford to send her and Emma back to Denver Christian. On the DC side the news has been disappointing. There isn't much financial aid for Emma. We need to come up with about $4000 to cover her tuition. I have to admit that I have been discouraged over this situation. We have given so much to the school of our time and energy that I really thought they would make a better effort to keep us there. And Emma is a kid that really NEEDS a Christian middle school. She has such a tender heart. So we are in the process of figuring out what to do and calling out to the Lord for guidance. The cool thing is that Sister Kristen had a garage sale for Emma's tuition fund and made almost $1300! That's great! But we still need to find more money. Pray that God opens doors and shows us a path to keep Emma at DC! I feel like making bumper stickers: "Keep Emma at DC!"
Joanne news: We went to the podiatrist this week. Joanne's toes on her left side have been causing her pain and curling under. They don't hurt as badly as they did a few weeks ago but they are still bothering her. The podiatrist, who is also a surgeon suggested clipping the tendons and fusing Joanne's toe joints together to keep them straight. But this would be in violation of Joanne's New Years resolution: No surgeries in 2012! The podiatrist said no problem and to keep an eye on things to make sure nothing gets worse and we'll take it from there.
Other News: Living Proof Live is next weekend and everyone will be headed down to that. Joanne is really looking forward to that She has seats reserved in the front row!
Audrey saw a pediatric psychiatrist this week and is starting on a mild anti-depressant. She has really struggled with sever mood swings and he thinks this might help. He also gave her something to help regulate her sleep. She was going to bed at 9 some nights and at 3 on others. She was all over the place. He says regular sleep will help set things right for her.
Emma is a delight. Not sure what else to say about her. She shows such love and care for her mom that it breaks my heart. She is precious. I do worry about her taking too much responsibility but I think she has hit a good balance of being attentive to Joanne but still being a good, healthy 11 year old.
Wow this post has gotten LONG!
Prayer requests:
1. Please pray that Joanne has a BLAST at Livign Proof Live. This could be a real spiritual pick-me-up for Joanne. Please pray for all the logistics from getting her in and out to availabilty of handicapped restrooms, etc.
2. Please pray for Audrey and her meds that they would work wonders and help even out Audrey's mood swings. Also pray that she doesn't have some of the negative side effects that can accompany such meds.
3. Please pray that God provides for Emma's tuition gap. Very rarely in life have I been forced to my knees to plead with God for something like this, but that's the position that we are in. Simply, we need God's provision!
4. Praise! Through all the trial of the last year Joanne and I have a stronger marriage than ever! We have pulled so much closer together and we are in sync like never before. I love the opportunity to help her and care for her and she knows now beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am crazy about her.
5. Finally, a big praise for family, without whom we would be up a creek without a paddle. Praise God for loving, Godly parents who have surrounded us with love and support.
Toben
It is an honor to pray for you!
Posted by: Dee McCollum | June 23, 2012 at 08:02 AM
Thanks for the update, Toben! I've spent 7 weeks in the Springs this year and just wish one of them would have been this next weekend! I would've loved to go to lunch with Joanne and our other Siestas that will be there Friday!! Give her a hug for me and know that your family remains in our prayers. You're a beautiful family with love for a lot of people...We all love y'all, too!
Posted by: Bobbie | June 23, 2012 at 08:40 AM
We will continue to lift your prayer requests before God. He is well able.
You are a good man Toben.
Your family is so blessed to have you as husband and Dad . . .
Posted by: Maryellen | June 23, 2012 at 09:18 AM
I think so often of your family and keep you all in prayer. God delights in answering when we plead with Him. He'll do what is best and in perfect time. He knows what Emma needs and will care for her as her Heavenly Father! God bless your huge heart for these dear girls He's given to you and Joanne.
Posted by: Margie Smallman | June 24, 2012 at 08:04 PM
What a great post Toben I will pray for your family God bless your family
Posted by: Eveline | June 25, 2012 at 12:13 AM
Will be praying specifically for those requests. Soooooooooo excited for Joanne and LPL. And so, so thrilled to hear you talk about loving her so much. You guys have been through so much (SO MUCH) are such an inspiration. Thank you!!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | June 25, 2012 at 04:27 AM
Thanks for the family update... I will keep you all in my prayers.
Posted by: julie | June 26, 2012 at 08:42 AM
Dear Joanne,
This hello and hug is from another Joanne (and fellow Siesta!)... I'm in California. I have been praying for you this past year and following your "season" (there's just NOT enough chocolate in the world, eh?!). I was looking forward to meeting up with you and giving you a big hog at the LPL Conference this weekend, but too many of our reservations got cancelled as of tonight (fire evacuations), so our group just made the sad decision to cancel. So disappointed - but it has us all praying for all of you in the Springs area! Joanne, I will continue praying for you and want you to know that God has deliberately placed you on so many of our hearts... AND He is using you and your precious family as we see you all walk this time out in faith - and also together! (I read about your parents and am sooo touched!). You're in His grip Joanne... May you sense His love over you! Love, Jo
Posted by: Joanne | June 26, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Continuing to pray, friends...
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | June 27, 2012 at 07:44 AM
Hi Toben & Joanne,
I am sitting here thinking and praying for you and wondering if you are effected by the wild fires in Colorado Springs.
Praying all is fine.
<><
Posted by: Child of God | June 27, 2012 at 11:59 AM
I have been a faithful reader, but have not commented. However, I wanted to let you know, I wrote an email to the CEO/President of Denver Christian on behalf of Emma. I felt strongly, I needed to fight for her. Keep Emma in DC. I too have a child that needed to be homeschooled and Christian schooling on order to protect her precious heart. Denver Christian will benefit from having Emma as a student. We must make them see this and perhaps they will choose wisdom and see what a mistake it would be for them to lose out on such a dynamic young woman.
Posted by: Leticia | June 27, 2012 at 08:15 PM
I'm wondering about the wildfires too!?
Posted by: Judey | June 27, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Be really careful about meds. for kids. A really good book" your Brain on Joy" was recommended to me by a therapist and has helped without drugs. You can google on Amazon. All kinds of ideas about supplements and foods for mood swings and sleeping. Please check it out for your daughter. Prayers are with you all!
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