Well, we are back from Portland, and the proof is in the pictures! Now that I see the old eye next to the new one, I'm sorry we didn't do it sooner! but, thankfully, Miles could care less. He was actually disappointed that both his eyes would look the same. He was hoping for a compass or an American flag on the new shell! He's a pretty secure fellow! My sister is always joking that when Miles leaves the room, all the kids are left wishing they had a "bad eye" too!

 

It was a pretty amazing process to see them paint the shell. The doctor just sat Miles down and started painting, using the good eye as his model. I guess I expected him to take a photograph and computer generate it somehow! It is complete with tiny red blood vessels - made by applying bits of unravelled red silk thread, no less! Is that amazing, or what?!

 

We also got to visit the Oregon Zoo. That was great for Kates and Miles. We have plans to go back this summer and take the other kids too. Maybe the cousins too! I did post a few pictures, but unfortunately my battery died three animals into the tour! Auntie has all the other pictures, so I will have to figure out how to get them from her.

 

gotta hit the sack - it's been a long week away from home!

Hugs,

Kerrie

Today I am the mother of nine children. I have my sister's kids in addition to mine. I know, you think I'm crazy, but to be honest, it's not that hard. The kids play so well together that it is more like I added four babysitters. No squabbles, no fights, no requests for my participation - I should be able to accomplish loads today! (I am blogging after all, aren't I?!) I plan on rounding them up in a little bit and going outside to rake leaves. Hey, why waste this many helpers? Last night we had pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns for dinner and I delegated almost every task. All I did was mix up the batter. Kids were peeling and grating potatoes, cracking and scrambling eggs, flipping pancakes, and setting the table. When I told Josh everything they had done to help, he decided we needed to have more. So don't be surprised if we suddenly send out an annoucement saying we are heading for 10 kids!

 

I am contemplating thankfulness today (ok, so I'm a week late, but it's never too late to change, right?!). It started by trying to brainstorm ways to add grace to our home. Robert Wolgemuth recommends more gratefulness. I was trying to come up with more specific ways to be thankful, when I came across all these verses on thankfulness. I think God edited the Bible yesterday, because I'm sure that these weren't there yesterday! Here they are:

 

 20They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed." 21When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, "Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." 22When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

 

23"He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
         And to him who orders his way aright
      I shall show the salvation of God."

 

2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

 

Ephesians 5:4
and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

 

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Hebrews 13:15
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 

Deuteronomy 8:10
When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.

 

Psalm 107:22
Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.

 

Ungratefulness is a sin; conversely, thankful praise to God for His deeds is the very purpose of our existence. So, if I am focusing on being thankful to Him and letting others know of His excellencies, I will not be focused on the hurts I am receiving and I will see more things from a grateful heart instead of an attitude of expectation. I know, a rather "duh" statement, but I guess I had never thought about it in quite that way. I've heard it said I should be focusing on Christ, but that doesn't always translate into real life. Focusing on being thankful and looking for ways to praise Him to my children and others gives me a tangible action to go home with. And so, giving thanks for you all, I go to my expanded brood.

 (and me! )

Kerrie  (just cause I said it wasn't as much work as you think, doesn't mean it's EASY!)