Wednesday, 16 April 2014
April
We celebrate. A year of healing, a year of eating anything and everything. No holding back. We celebrate Jesus in all of His glory and His supernatural. He is our superhero. That is what we celebrate. April. The more I look back.. its pretty significant in our life. April 2010.... Levi was only a month old, and he was already in the ER for severe acid reflux... it was the beginning. April 2011... we were hospitalized after a very "dark" winter of him being very ill, and a sip of apple juice pushed us over the top. His little body couldn't keep up anymore. We spent 5 days in the London Children's Hospital... from apple juice. April 2012... He was eating for the first time ever..... He was 2 years old and we had 5 broths, one meat, and one veggie. It took us, 4 months to get those... but we got them!! It was also the start of my "1000 gifts" journey.... it began to set my soul free. April 2013. Miraculous Healing. April 2014.... celebration.... and on the greatest day ever. Good Friday. The day that Jesus died to set us free. The greatest gift in all of history. A gift of love and grace. In a way that we will never truly be able to comprehend, but can so easily accept. FREEDOM people. Freedom, only found in Him. Don't stay "stuck", He is not a God of "stuck". He is a God of new. Who doesn't like new? The beauty of it, the smell of it, the excitement of it. New is fresh. I love how God choreographed it so beautifully. The month of April in all 4 years of our journey of "Finding Peace In Every Situation". Even placing our healing anniversary on the day where it all can begin, and end. The cross. Good Friday. The power of that day, the power of the cross, who hung on it. Died on it.... so I ... You... can be washed with His blood. Redeemed. It is not a coincidence.... it is a statement. A statement of who Jesus is. The author of perfection. The author of my story, the author of yours. He created us all for a purpose, a beautiful part of His story called life. It is not perfect. But it is filled with promises. Promises that He will use ALL things, even the HARD things for our good, and His glory (Romans 8:28) and those hard things become beautiful. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) I hope this Good Friday, is a beautiful day for you, a day of laying it all at the cross. A day of accepting His great gift. A day of celebration. A day of new. Levi is a testimony of it. You have walked it with us. You are part of it. Celebrate it with us. Jesus is a God of light, deliverance, restoration, redemption, setting free, healing, love, grace, NEW.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Hello again...
Almost a year ago I wrote this........
I stand corrected.... TWO years ago I wrote this... March of 2012.
Fear
It has taken so much. I can continue to let it take more or I can choose to believe. Believe that God is going to heal Levi. I know that to be true. The healing bit. Without a doubt in my mind. I KNOW it, but I still have a hard time releasing myself to completely rest in it. In my devotions this week, fear has been coming up a lot. I am the first to admit, I am very fearful when I feed Levi. I make a conscious note of the time. I watch the clock and when the 2 hour mark hits and he is still good, I breathe a little easier. When the 3 hour mark hits its like a wave of relief flows though me. "It is hard to walk where we can't see" is what Max Lucado wrote. (the dude who writes the devotion I read every morning) He (Max) also pointed me to the bible story of Jairus in Mark 5. Jairus' daughter was sick, on her death bed to be exact. He left her side and went to Jesus with the belief that if he could just get Jesus to just come with him, and touch his daughter, she would be healed. While Jesus and Jairus were walking to the house someone came and said his daughter had died. Here is where the story gets good ...... Jesus paid NO attention to the news. Wanna know why? Because He is the unseen. He kept walking and went into the house and healed Jairus' daughter. Jesus walks ahead of every persons "story". When we can't see, and it's hard to just keep walking, because it so dark and unknown..... Jesus is just ahead, pleading for us to just believe.
"Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; only believe". Mark 5:36
I have this feeling that I am suppose to come here, and continue to write. About what I am not sure, I am sure the words will come when they are suppose to.... so know that if you have come to read.... He guided you here. These words are for you. He loves you, He sees your fear. He is with you. He is ahead of you, just as He was ahead of me. He is pleading for you to believe. I knew back then He was going to heal Levi..... how I didn't know, I assumed diet. But instead I got a miracle. He restored my life. I pray everyday that I will never forget it. The glory of it. The glory of God.
Psalm 40: 2-3
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
Food no longer holds any fear in this house, and if I sometimes feel it sneaking into my soul. I fight it with truth. God's truth. Scripture. So many words He spoke of victory in Him.
Duet 20:4
For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!
Start claiming your victory in Him..... you can't do it on your own, but He can. With Him you always win. Maybe you just have start fighting a different way. His kingdom is not about earning and deserving; its about believing and receiving.
Friday, 21 June 2013
I Looked at it as Story book
The Bible. I will honestly tell you that. I read it like it was past tense. Stories of old. Stories. Also of promises. Like promises that were yet to come, once we were back with Jesus. Promises of Heaven... when pain, and sickness would be no more. Once I got there. Heaven. Once I was back with Jesus. But that is not true. Once I gained that KNOWLEDGE our lives changed. This post is me, trying to explain what exactly has happened over the past 3 months. It was not magic. It was purely Jesus. And His word. HEARING it. Believing it, not just in it.
The Bible is God's word. It is TRUTH. It never changes. It is still the same. Just like Jesus. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ IS the same yesterday, today, and forever. There it is folks. NEVER CHANGING. Jesus and His word. Knowledge. John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This has been life changing for me. Weird you may think, since I have grown up in church. April 18, 2013. We took that knowledge, and then stepped out in faith. We read the Book of Mark out loud (because HEARING the word is different than just reading it) over and over. Reading on how Jesus healed ALL. Not some, but ALL. How you have to walk in faith.... and faith is hard, because sometimes you don't see it or feel it. Pastor Greg taught us so much over skype, and then again when he stayed with us for 2 weeks. He started reading the Bible to us. Yes folks, that is it. He read us the Bible in a way that I have NEVER read it before. Romans 10:17 So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. He taught me that what is in the Bible is what I am suppose to be doing. Now, today, because it does not change. That is all.
I urge you to pick up that book. The book that has never come off of the best sellers list. I urge you to read it with new eyes. So that you can see the life HE has meant for you. How He calls and says your name and how your name, it lingers on His tongue. As if you are the only thing that matters in that moment. Its Breathtaking. I wish you could witness how He looks at you, and sees you. Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Yes. That. That is what He does. It makes my heart pound fast, and my breath slow, and tears spring to my eyes. HE. The MIGHTY one. LOVES me.... YOU like that. One that is weak, and scared, and sinful by nature. Sometimes I have no words to explain to you all what we have experienced in the last few months. So I stay quiet, so I don't scare you off, or ruin it with my words that are so small. I know I have said it before, but I have to say it again...... Jesus' name is Holy. It is powerful.
Esphesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work WITHIN US, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout ALL generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Just do life the Bible way, it is full of "SHALL, and already" never "maybe and pleading". Praying and believing works. Praying and a hoping doesn't.
If you have joined us on this journey, and have read our story. It is not a mistake. It is a fine detail in your story, that God has planned for you. Know that.
The Bible is God's word. It is TRUTH. It never changes. It is still the same. Just like Jesus. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ IS the same yesterday, today, and forever. There it is folks. NEVER CHANGING. Jesus and His word. Knowledge. John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This has been life changing for me. Weird you may think, since I have grown up in church. April 18, 2013. We took that knowledge, and then stepped out in faith. We read the Book of Mark out loud (because HEARING the word is different than just reading it) over and over. Reading on how Jesus healed ALL. Not some, but ALL. How you have to walk in faith.... and faith is hard, because sometimes you don't see it or feel it. Pastor Greg taught us so much over skype, and then again when he stayed with us for 2 weeks. He started reading the Bible to us. Yes folks, that is it. He read us the Bible in a way that I have NEVER read it before. Romans 10:17 So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. He taught me that what is in the Bible is what I am suppose to be doing. Now, today, because it does not change. That is all.
I urge you to pick up that book. The book that has never come off of the best sellers list. I urge you to read it with new eyes. So that you can see the life HE has meant for you. How He calls and says your name and how your name, it lingers on His tongue. As if you are the only thing that matters in that moment. Its Breathtaking. I wish you could witness how He looks at you, and sees you. Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Yes. That. That is what He does. It makes my heart pound fast, and my breath slow, and tears spring to my eyes. HE. The MIGHTY one. LOVES me.... YOU like that. One that is weak, and scared, and sinful by nature. Sometimes I have no words to explain to you all what we have experienced in the last few months. So I stay quiet, so I don't scare you off, or ruin it with my words that are so small. I know I have said it before, but I have to say it again...... Jesus' name is Holy. It is powerful.
Esphesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work WITHIN US, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout ALL generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Just do life the Bible way, it is full of "SHALL, and already" never "maybe and pleading". Praying and believing works. Praying and a hoping doesn't.
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| Pastor Greg and Levi eating Oatmeal...... one of Levi's biggest shock foods. |
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| Ice Cream!! |
If you have joined us on this journey, and have read our story. It is not a mistake. It is a fine detail in your story, that God has planned for you. Know that.
Sunday, 28 April 2013
truths.... its a little long, but it has an amazing ending!
I know I wrote "FPIES over and out" back in January. It was kind of a way of letting myself out of blogging, as it isn't something I truly enjoy. I also wrote it because it was true. Sort of. Back in January I knew we would never see another FPIES reaction that would land us in the ER again. I didn't fear another hospital visit, or another shock reaction ever. But we still saw "stuff". The mucous stuff, that gave us a horrible cough. The waking up a lot in the night stuff. The really loose diaper stuff. You know the stuff that people would think you were crazy to mention. The stuff that every FPIES mama completely understands. The fear of pushing through the stuff and making it worse.... cause it can get worse, and really quickly, and then all the work you just poured into those months seemed to be washed away and you would have to start all over again. That stuff. The stuff that makes you feel kind of crazy. Truth be told. Even with how far we had come in a year, I still wasn't brave. Food still consumed me. I would never take Levi to a play group, because it would break my heart that he couldn't eat whatever every other little kid was eating. Especially when he would look at me with those eyes and say "Me?" and I would gently say, not today, some day when your tummy is all better...... deep down thinking I'm not sure you'll ever be able to eat those things. Truth be told, FPIES was still very much of our everyday life.
Truth be told, I took more food to Florida, then I took clothes, because I could buy clothes easier than I could buy food. I also took, his frying pan, his frying pan flipper, and his vitamix (a really expensive blender). Levi had all of his own kitchen utensils. I cooked for 3 weeks non stop, before we left so that we had enough, of "Levi's food". All of his "cookies, muffins, and pancakes" were made from the same ingredients. We just called them different things, so it felt like he could eat some of the same things we were eating. We travelled with doctors notes.
Truth be told I was still very happy with were we were. It felt awesome. We felt normal. We went on a family holiday out of the country!!! Away from all of our doctors that knew us. Because Levi was healthy!! It was joy. Pure joy. I was a little nervous, had to talk myself out of a few minor panic attacks, and he was awesome. It was fun. And did I mention joy?!?!?
I now imagine God was smiling in heaven, and saying "Jocelyn, if you think this is joy, then you haven't seen ANYTHING yet." I also imagined He laughed, and maybe even a lot. When I came home from Florida, I got some really crazy emails. Little babies who were just starting the GAPS diet, because they too were as sick as Levi. Some still only eating one or two things. They were HEALED. Supernaturally healed. Miracle healed. Now before you quit reading, please stick around. I wasn't really into "healers". Honestly I still don't understand everything about healing. I was very skeptical. I did know one thing...... I knew that even if I had a "healer" pray for Levi, I would NEVER be brave enough to just start feeding him. EVER. That honestly blew me out of the water. I was in AWE of those mamas. I dropped them a few notes, and asked them just that. They asked me to connect with Pastor G. I still wasn't so sure, so I asked them to pray for me. They gave Pastor G my email address. What happened next has changed our lives. Our faith has been blown out of the water. Pastor G wrote me a note that asked me to read the book of Mark and to pray for a "child like faith". To pray Mark 9:24 "I do believe, but help me not to doubt". Because I had a lot of it. Doubt. and Fear. I still can struggle with them. He asked us to fast and pray. So we did that. It was a very emotional few days for me. I was exhausted. I was nervous. I didn't want to tell anyone, for fear that they would think I was crazy. Maybe I am. All I know is that I am crazy happy. We talked with Pastor G. (He is really nice, and normal!!) We studied the word together. The Bible has become more real to me than it ever has before. A love letter written just for me. And you. Filled with promises that He never breaks. Every ugly thing that God changes to beautiful, He is the only one able to do just that. Take something that is ugly, painful, and turn it into something breathtaking.
Levi is healed. No joke. In the last week we have offered him one thing after another. Peanut Butter. Strawberry Jam. Almond flour Chocolate Chip cookies. Bacon..... from a farm I DIDN'T source!!! Yogurt. Butter. Cheese. Goat Milk. Watermelon. Strawberries. MANY other things. Oh yeah and APPLES, Apple Sauce..... remember them? Hospital stay. 5 days. Homemade Oatmeal Muffins?!?! Oats had us in the ER and then rushed to another hospital. Rice. Another ER trip. ALL OF THOSE THINGS He is eating. Everyday. I could also tell you how he has given up napping in the day, his energy has increased. His laughter is often. When we ask him who healed his belly he answers with "Amen". He knows. He knew before we even prayed with Pastor G. He would bring me food, and point to his belly and say "Ya....Me". God is real. He loves you. No... adores you. He wants all of those "chains that weigh you down" and He wants to break them. He wants you to live in His FREEDOM. Glorious Freedom. He already looks at you as perfect and whole. He already paid the price for everything on that Beautiful Scandalous Night. "He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
Truth be told. I am still in awe, maybe I always will be. We have been blessed with a huge MIRACLE. I still can be swamped with doubt, but it is leaving everyday. Jesus' name is Holy. It is powerful. It is a name I love.
"Woman", Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed. Matthew 16:28
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:29
Truth be told, I took more food to Florida, then I took clothes, because I could buy clothes easier than I could buy food. I also took, his frying pan, his frying pan flipper, and his vitamix (a really expensive blender). Levi had all of his own kitchen utensils. I cooked for 3 weeks non stop, before we left so that we had enough, of "Levi's food". All of his "cookies, muffins, and pancakes" were made from the same ingredients. We just called them different things, so it felt like he could eat some of the same things we were eating. We travelled with doctors notes.
Truth be told I was still very happy with were we were. It felt awesome. We felt normal. We went on a family holiday out of the country!!! Away from all of our doctors that knew us. Because Levi was healthy!! It was joy. Pure joy. I was a little nervous, had to talk myself out of a few minor panic attacks, and he was awesome. It was fun. And did I mention joy?!?!?
I now imagine God was smiling in heaven, and saying "Jocelyn, if you think this is joy, then you haven't seen ANYTHING yet." I also imagined He laughed, and maybe even a lot. When I came home from Florida, I got some really crazy emails. Little babies who were just starting the GAPS diet, because they too were as sick as Levi. Some still only eating one or two things. They were HEALED. Supernaturally healed. Miracle healed. Now before you quit reading, please stick around. I wasn't really into "healers". Honestly I still don't understand everything about healing. I was very skeptical. I did know one thing...... I knew that even if I had a "healer" pray for Levi, I would NEVER be brave enough to just start feeding him. EVER. That honestly blew me out of the water. I was in AWE of those mamas. I dropped them a few notes, and asked them just that. They asked me to connect with Pastor G. I still wasn't so sure, so I asked them to pray for me. They gave Pastor G my email address. What happened next has changed our lives. Our faith has been blown out of the water. Pastor G wrote me a note that asked me to read the book of Mark and to pray for a "child like faith". To pray Mark 9:24 "I do believe, but help me not to doubt". Because I had a lot of it. Doubt. and Fear. I still can struggle with them. He asked us to fast and pray. So we did that. It was a very emotional few days for me. I was exhausted. I was nervous. I didn't want to tell anyone, for fear that they would think I was crazy. Maybe I am. All I know is that I am crazy happy. We talked with Pastor G. (He is really nice, and normal!!) We studied the word together. The Bible has become more real to me than it ever has before. A love letter written just for me. And you. Filled with promises that He never breaks. Every ugly thing that God changes to beautiful, He is the only one able to do just that. Take something that is ugly, painful, and turn it into something breathtaking.
Levi is healed. No joke. In the last week we have offered him one thing after another. Peanut Butter. Strawberry Jam. Almond flour Chocolate Chip cookies. Bacon..... from a farm I DIDN'T source!!! Yogurt. Butter. Cheese. Goat Milk. Watermelon. Strawberries. MANY other things. Oh yeah and APPLES, Apple Sauce..... remember them? Hospital stay. 5 days. Homemade Oatmeal Muffins?!?! Oats had us in the ER and then rushed to another hospital. Rice. Another ER trip. ALL OF THOSE THINGS He is eating. Everyday. I could also tell you how he has given up napping in the day, his energy has increased. His laughter is often. When we ask him who healed his belly he answers with "Amen". He knows. He knew before we even prayed with Pastor G. He would bring me food, and point to his belly and say "Ya....Me". God is real. He loves you. No... adores you. He wants all of those "chains that weigh you down" and He wants to break them. He wants you to live in His FREEDOM. Glorious Freedom. He already looks at you as perfect and whole. He already paid the price for everything on that Beautiful Scandalous Night. "He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
Truth be told. I am still in awe, maybe I always will be. We have been blessed with a huge MIRACLE. I still can be swamped with doubt, but it is leaving everyday. Jesus' name is Holy. It is powerful. It is a name I love.
"Woman", Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed. Matthew 16:28
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:29
Friday, 15 March 2013
Three.
This is it, we made it. We made it till 3. 3 years old was when, doctors told me you would "outgrow FPIES" back in the days when you were so very sick. Without Jesus my dear one, we wouldn't have made it out....... better. I also don't believe we would have "just outgrown" it either. But here we are at our magic year. How for the last 3 years I have longed for this year. How I wished many of your baby days away, praying for 3 to come fast, so we could "begin" our life. Little did I know that life, in its true beauty had already begun. What I didn't realize is all the things that I would gain in these past 3 years. Like how I know, Miracles happen every day. I have witnessed more in the last 3 years than my 32 before. Or maybe my eyes have just been more open to them, as I have walked closer with God in the last 3 years then my 32 before as well. For that I can never thank you...... words will never be enough. My soul has changed, it is more thankful. You have taught me thankfulness. To search it out and because of that, I can taste joy. That my son is what you have given me, joy. I am blessed to be your mom. If I had to do it all over again, I would. One thing I want you to carry all the rest of your days is "We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength". 3 cheers to strength, and the beauty that comes with it. Happy Birthday Sweet boy of mine. Now lets go eat a cupcake!!
Sunday, 20 January 2013
FPIES... Over and Out
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| Our FPIES souvenir |
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| No longer fits! |
FPIES stretched me, and grew me in ways that I never imagined. It brought me to Holy ground, as that was the only place I could fall, and fall I did. Many, many times, each time to be picked up with a new little sign that healing was taking place in my little boy's body.
Last January I came to you, over the world wide web, and asked you to join me in praying for 5 things that Levi would be able to eat before he turned 2. Five things in 2 short months. It seemed impossible to me. Impossible was where I was at last January, a time when fear was beating at my door everyday, and "darkness felt like winning" but yet,
Laura Story
I think I can say that I am VERY close to 1000 sleepless nights, and that I have witnessed the healing in the tears. 2013, is different. I can feel it in my soul. I am beginning it with joy, dreams of vacations, and making beautiful memories with my family. We are beginning it with a little boy who is eating and who's iron levels are no longer a HUGE concern. He is talking and laughing more, and doing more "normal" 2 and half year old things, like bugging his big brother and sister. We are entering a whole new stage of life. It has been a bit of a blur, these FPIES years. I am happy that I have written down our journey, so that I may always look back and see where God literally carried me through. I will always count it a blessing to have witnessed this amount of His immeasurable love. But that is that. FPIES is no longer in our house, don't get me wrong, we still have issues with food, but they are not all consuming. Levi has a LONG, beautiful menu. This is our new family theme song.....
Jason Gray
We are leaving FPIES in 2012, we will continue to kick it in the butt for the rest of our days, as a gift from our Heavenly Father. This past year I have "Found Peace."
Friday, 28 December 2012
Picture Perfect
Christmas.
I love the holidays. Hanging with family and friends. Celebrating the most perfect gift of all. A gift for the TAKING, no gift exchange needed. Free of charge. Life Changing perfect GIFT! He has certainly changed our life, for the better. I am still in awe.
We hope your holiday season has been delightful, full of wonderful memories! Here are a few of ours.
I love the holidays. Hanging with family and friends. Celebrating the most perfect gift of all. A gift for the TAKING, no gift exchange needed. Free of charge. Life Changing perfect GIFT! He has certainly changed our life, for the better. I am still in awe.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Milk and Cookies
This happened. Today. In my kitchen. SO much has changed. Last year we had nothing. This year we have many. MANY. Including milk and cookies.
For those of you who don't have us on facebook, we also had fantastic news mid November. Levi's iron levels are UP again. Hemoglobin from 96 up to 110...... that is pretty much "normal". Ferritin levels up from 2.5 to 4. That's huge..... it means we finally have enough iron to start storing some!!
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance.
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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| Coconut Milk :) |
For those of you who don't have us on facebook, we also had fantastic news mid November. Levi's iron levels are UP again. Hemoglobin from 96 up to 110...... that is pretty much "normal". Ferritin levels up from 2.5 to 4. That's huge..... it means we finally have enough iron to start storing some!!
Sunday, 28 October 2012
10 000 Reasons for my heart to FIND....
I have sat to write this months post a few times. Always finding that my heart and mind never came together to get it out right. October has been a tough month. An emotional one. We have conquered some great feats, and experienced some pretty low, lows. It has been a month that I have had to fight to not let the joy leave, taking my strength along with it.
We found out that one of Adam's closest friends was having some health issues. We ended up loosing one of his closest buddies to a very quick and fierce battle with a rare brain tumor. Adam Lachance or Chancy as we called him had a fantastic way of living life, making everyone around him feel important. He was funny, sincere and a gentleman in its truest meaning. He was one of my Adam's first friends that I met when we were dating...... there was probably a reason for that ;) Thankfully my Adam had a chance to visit Adam in the hospital in the 2 short weeks that he was fighting the hardest. It is a visit that is cherished. The Wingham Boys have lost a very large part of them. This has truly left my heart shattered.
FPIES in its medical meaning also gave a few sucker punches this month. Levi had 2 mysterious reactions to "something". We really aren't sure of the culprit, and cannot pinpoint it to any food. Although they were really short lived, with him only suffering for about 45 mins, and getting "rid" of whatever it was with a few bouts of vomit. They still can drop me to my knees in panic, moments I have to remind myself to breathe. Admist these struggles we have had some pretty great moments. We have conquered some major milestones. We also have added chicken broth (which has been fed supplemental grain) and mango to Levi's ever growing menu.
Levi is potty trained. Our diaper days are nearly behind us! And now for the biggest announcement, the one I never knew when I would be able to write. We are DONE with nursing. That's right folks, you read it right. This Diary Queen is closed, and although I thought it would be filled with this overwhelming excitement (believe me, it IS there) its just lurking in the background, I'm still fighting with the anxiety of the leaving the "safe" behind.
Although there have been struggles and 911 calls (nothing serious, just Levi "looking" for Papa) this month, we have witnessed beauty, even if I had to really search it out some days. So in this month of October, when we celebrate Thanksgiving, and I look back at October 2012, I want it in hard copy the many reasons we have to be thankful. It would be an endless task typing them all out, truly our hearts are overflowing. FPIES really has taken on a new meaning for us. It is a journey that I know God gifted me, although ridiculously hard, and there are many moments I mourn the loss of "normal". It is journey that has softened my heart amidst the stress, taught me to search out the joy in hard. Its a life I long for you all to experience and know. Gods love and grace. His calm in the darkest storm. Its a life that in........ "whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me. Let me be singing when the evening comes" (Matt Redman)
We found out that one of Adam's closest friends was having some health issues. We ended up loosing one of his closest buddies to a very quick and fierce battle with a rare brain tumor. Adam Lachance or Chancy as we called him had a fantastic way of living life, making everyone around him feel important. He was funny, sincere and a gentleman in its truest meaning. He was one of my Adam's first friends that I met when we were dating...... there was probably a reason for that ;) Thankfully my Adam had a chance to visit Adam in the hospital in the 2 short weeks that he was fighting the hardest. It is a visit that is cherished. The Wingham Boys have lost a very large part of them. This has truly left my heart shattered.
FPIES in its medical meaning also gave a few sucker punches this month. Levi had 2 mysterious reactions to "something". We really aren't sure of the culprit, and cannot pinpoint it to any food. Although they were really short lived, with him only suffering for about 45 mins, and getting "rid" of whatever it was with a few bouts of vomit. They still can drop me to my knees in panic, moments I have to remind myself to breathe. Admist these struggles we have had some pretty great moments. We have conquered some major milestones. We also have added chicken broth (which has been fed supplemental grain) and mango to Levi's ever growing menu.
Levi is potty trained. Our diaper days are nearly behind us! And now for the biggest announcement, the one I never knew when I would be able to write. We are DONE with nursing. That's right folks, you read it right. This Diary Queen is closed, and although I thought it would be filled with this overwhelming excitement (believe me, it IS there) its just lurking in the background, I'm still fighting with the anxiety of the leaving the "safe" behind.
Although there have been struggles and 911 calls (nothing serious, just Levi "looking" for Papa) this month, we have witnessed beauty, even if I had to really search it out some days. So in this month of October, when we celebrate Thanksgiving, and I look back at October 2012, I want it in hard copy the many reasons we have to be thankful. It would be an endless task typing them all out, truly our hearts are overflowing. FPIES really has taken on a new meaning for us. It is a journey that I know God gifted me, although ridiculously hard, and there are many moments I mourn the loss of "normal". It is journey that has softened my heart amidst the stress, taught me to search out the joy in hard. Its a life I long for you all to experience and know. Gods love and grace. His calm in the darkest storm. Its a life that in........ "whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me. Let me be singing when the evening comes" (Matt Redman)
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
8 Months
Well the summer happened, and I went out to enjoy it. It happened so quickly, in just a blink of an eye it is gone, with memories and longing for the next.
This summer we dedicated the boys, thank you to all who made the trip it was truly a great day for us. Levi was in great form and cried, screamed and hit me a few times to be put down. Who wants to held back from running, playing and exploring? He grew up this summer. He became a little boy. We moved him into a big boy bed..... our crib days are over. It's so strange, as I write this, tears come to my eyes. Our baby is gone...... this is what I longed for, but now that its here, its weird. He is THRIVING. He no longer needs me to survive. Although I am still nursing him, it won't be long now until I cut off the latch :P His immune system is not crazy anymore. He got the flu and roseola this summer. I think our ND shed a few tears over that one. She told me, we would see him get normal childhood viruses once we had some healing...... well we got it!! We are becoming "normal" and its an amazing feeling.
And so I titled this 8 Months. It has been only a few short 8 months that we have started the GAPS diet with Levi. Trying to heal and seal his little gut. I just went back and re read the beginning posts, and it is sometimes hard to remember how crazy his little body fought off food back then. We still have these 15 wonderful foods
1. broth (5 different ones) 10. coconut oil
2. grass fed beef 11. egg yolk
3. fish (trout and salmon) 12. banana
4. sauerkraut 13. chayote squash
5. pumpkin 14. honey
6. celery 15. tea: yellow dock, nettle leaf, chamomile
7. cauliflower
8. zucchini
9. carrots
He is getting all of those foods in large amounts, not all of them everyday, but I no longer watch or care how much of these things he eats. He can eat his heart out :) I have even caught myself saying to a friend "This kid is driving me crazy always asking for food, and he has already ate so much this morning" eek...... how quickly our attitude changes :/ We also have added in butternut squash, dill pickles, spinach, egg whites and coconut milk!! Those are still in the beginning stages, meaning that he has had them 5 times each, but he still is getting them in limited amounts. Getting normal sick this summer, slowed down what I introduced, how the fear so quickly invades when he gets sick. It can consume me.
Also 8 months ago, he is gross motor skills were hugely lacking. He fell all.the.time. Banged into things, tripped etc. This summer?? He now can climb up a slide at the playground. I don't have to follow behind him on the playground equipment with fear of him tripping and falling. He goes up and down everything all by himself. His has gained freedom. He also is talking. Well, he lots to say, most uncomprehendable yet, but we have a list of words. Mom, Dad, swing, Papa, which he short formed to Pop, yeah, zae another short form for the name Isaiah, hi, bye, woof....... Fred has a new name. He has gotten taller, a lot taller. He can open doors now, his shorts no longer look like pants. I have to buy him new shoes, as the ones now just fit. I could go on. It has been amazing to watch.
All of these things in a few short 8 months...... oh to speed ahead and see what he is doing in another 8. Well okay, maybe I'll just slow down and enjoy. ENJOY.
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them. Psalm 126:2”
I tried to get the "same" picture. But that shirt no longer fits him, and it has been passed on to goodwill, the pants I no longer have to roll. He also doesn't like getting his picture taken..... so I MAY have bribed him with a banana!!
This summer we dedicated the boys, thank you to all who made the trip it was truly a great day for us. Levi was in great form and cried, screamed and hit me a few times to be put down. Who wants to held back from running, playing and exploring? He grew up this summer. He became a little boy. We moved him into a big boy bed..... our crib days are over. It's so strange, as I write this, tears come to my eyes. Our baby is gone...... this is what I longed for, but now that its here, its weird. He is THRIVING. He no longer needs me to survive. Although I am still nursing him, it won't be long now until I cut off the latch :P His immune system is not crazy anymore. He got the flu and roseola this summer. I think our ND shed a few tears over that one. She told me, we would see him get normal childhood viruses once we had some healing...... well we got it!! We are becoming "normal" and its an amazing feeling.
And so I titled this 8 Months. It has been only a few short 8 months that we have started the GAPS diet with Levi. Trying to heal and seal his little gut. I just went back and re read the beginning posts, and it is sometimes hard to remember how crazy his little body fought off food back then. We still have these 15 wonderful foods
1. broth (5 different ones) 10. coconut oil
2. grass fed beef 11. egg yolk
3. fish (trout and salmon) 12. banana
4. sauerkraut 13. chayote squash
5. pumpkin 14. honey
6. celery 15. tea: yellow dock, nettle leaf, chamomile
7. cauliflower
8. zucchini
9. carrots
He is getting all of those foods in large amounts, not all of them everyday, but I no longer watch or care how much of these things he eats. He can eat his heart out :) I have even caught myself saying to a friend "This kid is driving me crazy always asking for food, and he has already ate so much this morning" eek...... how quickly our attitude changes :/ We also have added in butternut squash, dill pickles, spinach, egg whites and coconut milk!! Those are still in the beginning stages, meaning that he has had them 5 times each, but he still is getting them in limited amounts. Getting normal sick this summer, slowed down what I introduced, how the fear so quickly invades when he gets sick. It can consume me.
Also 8 months ago, he is gross motor skills were hugely lacking. He fell all.the.time. Banged into things, tripped etc. This summer?? He now can climb up a slide at the playground. I don't have to follow behind him on the playground equipment with fear of him tripping and falling. He goes up and down everything all by himself. His has gained freedom. He also is talking. Well, he lots to say, most uncomprehendable yet, but we have a list of words. Mom, Dad, swing, Papa, which he short formed to Pop, yeah, zae another short form for the name Isaiah, hi, bye, woof....... Fred has a new name. He has gotten taller, a lot taller. He can open doors now, his shorts no longer look like pants. I have to buy him new shoes, as the ones now just fit. I could go on. It has been amazing to watch.
All of these things in a few short 8 months...... oh to speed ahead and see what he is doing in another 8. Well okay, maybe I'll just slow down and enjoy. ENJOY.
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them. Psalm 126:2”
I tried to get the "same" picture. But that shirt no longer fits him, and it has been passed on to goodwill, the pants I no longer have to roll. He also doesn't like getting his picture taken..... so I MAY have bribed him with a banana!!
 |
| January 2012 |
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| September 2012 |
Friday, 27 July 2012
Results are in
Here I am, writing you. Thanking you for coming along beside us. Lifting us up in prayer. I can taste joy. Completely satisfied with life, because He is holding us. Ann Voskamp wrote: "Sometimes letting go is how to find out He holds." Firm. That is how He holding us, and it feels great. Our hemoglobin levels are UP. In 4 months, from 79 to 96! (they would like to see it at 100/110) No meds. Only diet and prayer. No talk of IV iron or transfusion. SO much to be thankful for, so much to celebrate. Our littlest dude is on his way. Jesus is a healer, a healer of broken hearts, a healer of messy lives, a healer of sickness. So let go, and see how He holds!!!
Monday, 23 July 2012
I become a doubter.....
almost always after I have an appointment in the *medical* field. Levi is not a normal little dude, so he shouldn't have to fit in the norms. Right?! He is totally fantastic, and is eating a truck load now. Don't get me wrong, they are always happy that he is doing well, and that he looks so good, but then they get out their little charts and graphs and *normal* what-cha-ma-have-its, and then well, we fail. Bummer. In my head I don't really care, cause I know better and he is the picture of health. He is eating a stinkin roast beef BY HIMSELF in a week. That doesn't even include all the rest of the veggies, and egg yolks. But then the doctors, say things like "if his iron levels stay that low then he is going to have...... blah, blah, blah". My heart hurts, and I start second guessing if what I am doing is really enough. See what I mean..... a big ole doubter. I really don't even have a right to be. Because...... drum roll.......we did gain just over a pound and we grew an inch. Good eh? Actually great in my books. From 10 months old to 24 months old (that's 14 months if you can't do math in your head like myself) we grew nothing. In 4 months we grew! Awesome is what I say. But awesome isn't on the *normal* what-cha-ma-have-its chart. It still says he didn't grow enough, his line didn't move, so if his iron levels (we won't get back until Friday) aren't up, the whole IV iron thing gets put back up for discussion. Dude. I don't want that discussion. So I'm getting back on my knees to the greatest physician, start thanking Him for our growth (cause it really is great) and going to start praying the hemoglobin levels are on the up and up. If God can change water to wine, then I've got no reason to be a doubter. 
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Say Cheese
you probably thought I was going to tell you I gave that kid of mine some cheese. HA! Nope. Why say cheese then?!? Well I know some pretty great peeps. One lovely family defeats autism everyday with lots of hard work, and oodles of love. They also have set a family goal of raising 10 thousand dollars every year for Autism Speaks. They have reached and exceeded that goal 4 times. See what I mean by great? This year Exquisite Exposure helped them out by taking pictures all day long. We signed up, and we were not disappointed, she pretty much rocked the monkey, on one of the hottest days yet. It was oodles of fun. I may be a tad bias, but I think we're pretty cute.
We are dedicating our boys in a lovely service at Rotary Park in Kincardine at 6 p.m on July 29. From our little family to yours, we would love to have you come and celebrate with us all the amazing things God is doing for us. We would love to thank you for your all your support and prayers. I can not begin to tell you how you have held me up during some of my darkest days. But those days are behind us. I know we still may have our struggles, but I have never felt more at peace or had so much joy. FPIES has given me lots to be thankful for.
Monday, 18 June 2012
These are a few of my favorite things
Well, we've done it. We have worked in coconut oil, egg yolk, banana, and chayote squash into our growing menu. He has had each of them 3 times with hardly a symptom. No cough, and very little eye goop came with this rotation. A first for us. Our mucous overload hardly made an appearance, another beautiful sign of God's healing mercies. We are thrilled over here with our progress, remember January? I asked you to pray BIG with me. 5 foods by March, when he turned 2. We did it then with 5 broths and beef meat. Since then BIGGER things have happened. We slowly have a menu. Here are a few of our Favorite things:
1. broth (5 different ones) 10. coconut oil
2. grass fed beef 11. egg yolk
3. fish 12. banana
4. sauerkraut 13. chayote squash
5. pumpkin 14. honey
6. celery 15. tea: yellow dock, nettle leaf, chamomile
7. cauliflower
8. zucchini
9. carrots
A miraculous list of 15 items. With God's help we defeated our list of 5, three times over!!! I have 3 more items I want to add, before we just sit back and let him start eating larger portions of these items. Lamb, onion, and dill pickles. I'm planning to run through the last rotation this week once again, and then we'll start the 3 new foods early next week.
I'm going to ask you to join in prayer with me again. On July 23, we have another GI appt. Our iron levels have not been checked since our last appointment in March, when they were deemed transfusion worthy. He also hadn't grown or gained any weight at that appointment which is a concern. So this is what I am asking that you will join me in prayer from June 23 until July 23. A month of prayer. Prayer that Levi's iron levels will go up, that he will have gained weight, and have gotten a little taller. I would love to walk out of that appointment with the doctors as pleased as we are with his progress!
1. broth (5 different ones) 10. coconut oil
2. grass fed beef 11. egg yolk
3. fish 12. banana
4. sauerkraut 13. chayote squash
5. pumpkin 14. honey
6. celery 15. tea: yellow dock, nettle leaf, chamomile
7. cauliflower
8. zucchini
9. carrots
A miraculous list of 15 items. With God's help we defeated our list of 5, three times over!!! I have 3 more items I want to add, before we just sit back and let him start eating larger portions of these items. Lamb, onion, and dill pickles. I'm planning to run through the last rotation this week once again, and then we'll start the 3 new foods early next week.
I'm going to ask you to join in prayer with me again. On July 23, we have another GI appt. Our iron levels have not been checked since our last appointment in March, when they were deemed transfusion worthy. He also hadn't grown or gained any weight at that appointment which is a concern. So this is what I am asking that you will join me in prayer from June 23 until July 23. A month of prayer. Prayer that Levi's iron levels will go up, that he will have gained weight, and have gotten a little taller. I would love to walk out of that appointment with the doctors as pleased as we are with his progress!
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| 2 more of Levi's favorite things, Papa (his first word) and the cottage! |
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Oh WOW!!
This post is going to be a little scattered. Basically because I'm practically jumping out of my seat with excitement. Lets see if I can get it out, with it still making sense.
Over the weekend, we took the plunge and went in for the next rotation of coconut oil, egg yolk, and banana, then a friend found me some chayote squash, so we quickly added that in as well. This rotation was freaking me out. Mostly because I want coconut oil, and egg so badly, and also it feels like these are tougher foods to tackle (at least in my mind). I seriously had to talk myself out of a panic attack on Saturday, before giving him the coconut oil, and then Adam ever so nicely reminded me, that really the worse thing that could happen is that he would get sick, but God would help us through it, so really what did we have to lose? It's true, what did we have to loose? God loves Levi more than I do, so with that knowledge we can rest in His hands. And you know what? NOTHING happened. It was a teeny, tiny amount, but there was NOTHING!! There was also nothing with egg yolk (which he LOVED) and with banana today. 2 hours (almost to the minute) after the squash he woke up in the middle of his nap screaming, and I was preparing myself for the worst, but I went down, rocked him back to sleep, and he woke up an hour later happy as can be. But this my friends is only the beginning of my excitement, you see today after dinner Levi had his FIRST formed poop EVER in. his. life. I'm so sorry that you have to read about poop. But you see, this is HUGE. It means his body is working!! In the middle of my scariest rotation ever, God sends me a beautiful sign that He is healing his body. His promise of healing is coming true, we are seeing the signs!!! There may have been some tears tonight over poop. Happy, joyful tears, and I'm cool with that!!
Also...... today Levi started saying "Oh wow". Yes little buddy "OH WOW"!!
Tomorrow I give him coconut oil a little braver. Oh wow, what a day!
Over the weekend, we took the plunge and went in for the next rotation of coconut oil, egg yolk, and banana, then a friend found me some chayote squash, so we quickly added that in as well. This rotation was freaking me out. Mostly because I want coconut oil, and egg so badly, and also it feels like these are tougher foods to tackle (at least in my mind). I seriously had to talk myself out of a panic attack on Saturday, before giving him the coconut oil, and then Adam ever so nicely reminded me, that really the worse thing that could happen is that he would get sick, but God would help us through it, so really what did we have to lose? It's true, what did we have to loose? God loves Levi more than I do, so with that knowledge we can rest in His hands. And you know what? NOTHING happened. It was a teeny, tiny amount, but there was NOTHING!! There was also nothing with egg yolk (which he LOVED) and with banana today. 2 hours (almost to the minute) after the squash he woke up in the middle of his nap screaming, and I was preparing myself for the worst, but I went down, rocked him back to sleep, and he woke up an hour later happy as can be. But this my friends is only the beginning of my excitement, you see today after dinner Levi had his FIRST formed poop EVER in. his. life. I'm so sorry that you have to read about poop. But you see, this is HUGE. It means his body is working!! In the middle of my scariest rotation ever, God sends me a beautiful sign that He is healing his body. His promise of healing is coming true, we are seeing the signs!!! There may have been some tears tonight over poop. Happy, joyful tears, and I'm cool with that!!
Also...... today Levi started saying "Oh wow". Yes little buddy "OH WOW"!!
Tomorrow I give him coconut oil a little braver. Oh wow, what a day!
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Choices
Last week, 2 people I know were taken from this earth far to quickly, way before their time. One was a well love high school teacher who made everyone feel equal and truly cared about. She was killed in a car accident leaving 3 children and a husband. Another was my cousin's husband. He died of a massive heart attack, with no known heart disease in the family. He left 2 sons and a wife behind. These families had their lives completely shaken last week, leaving all of us the never ending questions of "why?" Life certainly has a way of dealing us things far different from what we want or request. I know that God will give you as much strength as you need to walk through these dark seasons. BUT you have to allow Him to, you have to ask Him in. Jesus answered "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 Life passes by so quickly. People, ask Him in, cling to Him in the bad. Praise Him always. Live and Love fearlessly. You can die fearlessly as well.
3 little people who give me great joy,
ALSO:
Our next food rotation is coming up, we are keeping all 5 veggies!! Next up are:
Egg yolk, Banana, Coconut Oil. Not exactly when we'll start, sooner than later. I'm still working on giving up my fear!
3 little people who give me great joy,
ALSO:
Our next food rotation is coming up, we are keeping all 5 veggies!! Next up are:
Egg yolk, Banana, Coconut Oil. Not exactly when we'll start, sooner than later. I'm still working on giving up my fear!
Friday, 18 May 2012
Slowly but surely
We are still trucking along in veggie land. We still have all 5 veggies, and he is eating almost half an ice cube of puree each! And while we have lost some sleep (waking every 45 mins or so for 4 days in row) the last 2 nights, we have fell back into our routine of every 2 hours, which I'm very thankful for. I'm praying this continues, his cough seems to be clearing up, he is still rattly in his chest, but it is loose and he can cough on command so we are coughing up the last of it I hope, or at least until we start something new!
Anything good is worth fighting for, and God is beyond good. I know that God has amazing things in-store for Levi so we will continue to fight!
"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours."
Mark 11:24
We are believing in full healing, and until we get there God's grace is enough!!
Anything good is worth fighting for, and God is beyond good. I know that God has amazing things in-store for Levi so we will continue to fight!
"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours."
Mark 11:24
We are believing in full healing, and until we get there God's grace is enough!!
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| A smorgasbord of nettel tea, beef soup, and kraut |
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| Loving his tea |
Monday, 7 May 2012
REcalculating and a LIST
We've been out and about a lot lately.
We went and celebrated the life of my grandma last week. If a funeral can be beautiful, this was the one. My grandmother left a legacy of love and kindness. Over and over we were told of how she touched peoples lives in love. She lived 95 years and it was not an easy life by any means at all. A diary of hers was found. She ended many entries with a line from a hymn, or a bible verse, or something she was thankful for. She choose to be thankful in everything, and love everyone, no matter the circumstance. She was a wonderful woman, one I'm very proud to say was my Grandmother. I want to be just like her when I grow up, and hopefully walking this journey of FPIES has got me started.
And so back to FPIES we go. We did nine days of pumpkin, and it was deemed a past. We did however see some stuff. Stuff that will surely make me seem or go crazy. The stuff we saw, was a red cheek that looked like he was running a fever about 2 hours after he ate it..... I would have taken it, if that was all we saw, but around Day 6 he started waking up every 40 mins. ALL NIGHT LONG. sigh. This happened 3 nights in a row, then I, in my semi conscious brain, decided (mostly because I forgot to thaw some out) to give pumpkin a day off. Well if I didn't get a 3 hour stretch of zzzzz's that night. Dang Pumpkin..... couldn't just be an easy pass. And so we quit pumpkin for a few days while I tried to figure out our next move. I didn't want to pull it completely, but I also didn't want to keep giving it to him IF these were the beginning signs that maybe his little body couldn't really tolerate it so many days in a row. I don't blame his little gut, I mean I get it. WHO really wants to eat pumpkin every single day in a row (or any)? But I keep telling Levi. Beggars can not be choosers, and we be the beggars. Thus the recalculating began. I went back to our rotation days. NOW you may call me crazy. 5 veggies. Yes peeps, you read that right. 5. Here goes the list. Pumpkin, celery, cauliflower, zucchini, and carrots. We have done one bite of each of those in a row. Then he got a runny nose and really mucous y cough, BUT so did Silas. Sometimes I think God kinda lets someone else get cold symptoms before Levi does. Cause you see. I become a doubter when Levi gets sick. He perfectly healthy before we give him food and most often (well kinda like ALWAYS) by Day 5 he is either sick or showing signs of becoming sick. So I get scared and panicky and quit, falling back on MY safe, nursing. But lets get real, I can't nurse the dude till he's 5 (or longer) eek. Not gonna lie, even as unpleasant as that sounds, I am tempted to DO just that. But that isn't what God has planned for us, so I will keep on, keeping on, and most often when we do that, we get over that hurdle, unnerving as it is, and find something great on the other side, like a list. A list of things Levi can eat. Even if it is one bite a day. Cause that one bite builds to 2 then 3 and before you know it becomes 3 whole ice cube sized portions a day..... like we have with beef. So today I would like to share our list of things that Levi is eating.
All of the below is given everyday with no concerns:
Broth: Beef, Pork, Fish, Buffalo, Deer
Grass Fed Beef meat (up to 3 ice cubes of puree in a day)
Sauerkraut, mostly the juice, but some tiny pieces of kraut as well. (you may think this is bizarre, and that I may be a slightly silly mom giving him kraut juice, but I would like you to know that Levi is obsessed with it. It is by far his FAVORITE thing, and he begs for it.)
Tea: Nettel with a touch of honey
Yellow Dock
One full capsule of a pro biotic
Homeopathic remedies that are helping with heavy metal detox, and iron absorption
Here is what we are just in the beginning stages of, but have seen no major reactions:
Peppermint tea with a touch of honey
Veggies: Pumpkin, celery, cauliflower, zucchini, carrot
Isn't this AWESOME?!?! In January we had NOTHING! Whoop! God is forever faithful!!
I do ask for a prayer request though,
Levi is having a very hard time (he can't) swallow anything that is not in liquid form. Could you please pray that this may be a concern that we can cross off our list soon!
We went and celebrated the life of my grandma last week. If a funeral can be beautiful, this was the one. My grandmother left a legacy of love and kindness. Over and over we were told of how she touched peoples lives in love. She lived 95 years and it was not an easy life by any means at all. A diary of hers was found. She ended many entries with a line from a hymn, or a bible verse, or something she was thankful for. She choose to be thankful in everything, and love everyone, no matter the circumstance. She was a wonderful woman, one I'm very proud to say was my Grandmother. I want to be just like her when I grow up, and hopefully walking this journey of FPIES has got me started.
And so back to FPIES we go. We did nine days of pumpkin, and it was deemed a past. We did however see some stuff. Stuff that will surely make me seem or go crazy. The stuff we saw, was a red cheek that looked like he was running a fever about 2 hours after he ate it..... I would have taken it, if that was all we saw, but around Day 6 he started waking up every 40 mins. ALL NIGHT LONG. sigh. This happened 3 nights in a row, then I, in my semi conscious brain, decided (mostly because I forgot to thaw some out) to give pumpkin a day off. Well if I didn't get a 3 hour stretch of zzzzz's that night. Dang Pumpkin..... couldn't just be an easy pass. And so we quit pumpkin for a few days while I tried to figure out our next move. I didn't want to pull it completely, but I also didn't want to keep giving it to him IF these were the beginning signs that maybe his little body couldn't really tolerate it so many days in a row. I don't blame his little gut, I mean I get it. WHO really wants to eat pumpkin every single day in a row (or any)? But I keep telling Levi. Beggars can not be choosers, and we be the beggars. Thus the recalculating began. I went back to our rotation days. NOW you may call me crazy. 5 veggies. Yes peeps, you read that right. 5. Here goes the list. Pumpkin, celery, cauliflower, zucchini, and carrots. We have done one bite of each of those in a row. Then he got a runny nose and really mucous y cough, BUT so did Silas. Sometimes I think God kinda lets someone else get cold symptoms before Levi does. Cause you see. I become a doubter when Levi gets sick. He perfectly healthy before we give him food and most often (well kinda like ALWAYS) by Day 5 he is either sick or showing signs of becoming sick. So I get scared and panicky and quit, falling back on MY safe, nursing. But lets get real, I can't nurse the dude till he's 5 (or longer) eek. Not gonna lie, even as unpleasant as that sounds, I am tempted to DO just that. But that isn't what God has planned for us, so I will keep on, keeping on, and most often when we do that, we get over that hurdle, unnerving as it is, and find something great on the other side, like a list. A list of things Levi can eat. Even if it is one bite a day. Cause that one bite builds to 2 then 3 and before you know it becomes 3 whole ice cube sized portions a day..... like we have with beef. So today I would like to share our list of things that Levi is eating.
All of the below is given everyday with no concerns:
Broth: Beef, Pork, Fish, Buffalo, Deer
Grass Fed Beef meat (up to 3 ice cubes of puree in a day)
Sauerkraut, mostly the juice, but some tiny pieces of kraut as well. (you may think this is bizarre, and that I may be a slightly silly mom giving him kraut juice, but I would like you to know that Levi is obsessed with it. It is by far his FAVORITE thing, and he begs for it.)
Tea: Nettel with a touch of honey
Yellow Dock
One full capsule of a pro biotic
Homeopathic remedies that are helping with heavy metal detox, and iron absorption
Here is what we are just in the beginning stages of, but have seen no major reactions:
Peppermint tea with a touch of honey
Veggies: Pumpkin, celery, cauliflower, zucchini, carrot
Isn't this AWESOME?!?! In January we had NOTHING! Whoop! God is forever faithful!!
I do ask for a prayer request though,
Levi is having a very hard time (he can't) swallow anything that is not in liquid form. Could you please pray that this may be a concern that we can cross off our list soon!
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Grandma
All Heaven Stands today.
Today they welcome another one home. My Grandma. Today she is free from all pain, all sorrow, all heartache. Today she rejoices. She dances. She sings with angels. Her eyes get to feast on colors that we have never witnessed. She gets to hug those who have gone before her. A husband. Siblings. Friends. She is meeting people like Adam and Eve. Job. Daniel. Ruth, and Naomi. What a glorious day! But not only that she gets to do it again tomorrow and the day after. She is in Heaven. All Heaven stands today as Jesus gently cups her face in His hands and looks adoringly in her eyes and says "Welcome Home my daughter". You have won the race Grandma. You did it with beauty, and grace and forgiveness. Welcome Home!!
Today they welcome another one home. My Grandma. Today she is free from all pain, all sorrow, all heartache. Today she rejoices. She dances. She sings with angels. Her eyes get to feast on colors that we have never witnessed. She gets to hug those who have gone before her. A husband. Siblings. Friends. She is meeting people like Adam and Eve. Job. Daniel. Ruth, and Naomi. What a glorious day! But not only that she gets to do it again tomorrow and the day after. She is in Heaven. All Heaven stands today as Jesus gently cups her face in His hands and looks adoringly in her eyes and says "Welcome Home my daughter". You have won the race Grandma. You did it with beauty, and grace and forgiveness. Welcome Home!!
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Peter, Peter....
Pumpkin eater. That's right folks, I think we did it. Passed pumpkin. Day 6 today, one bite everyday. Yellow Dock tea is going down just as good. Can I get a little happy dance?
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them. Psalm 126:2”
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them. Psalm 126:2”
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