all i got in me

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven
Give us this day, our daily bread
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us, from the evil one

For Thine is the kingdom of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Now and ever and unto the ages of ages
Amen

*sighs*

Tests Galore!

Well, we are off to Jay's neurology tests first thing in the morning! Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray that we get some much needed answers after such a long, bumpy ride. There is not much left to check and if they don't come up with anything I would be shocked...they've poked and prodded every other part of him, thus far, and the head/brain is all that is left. Well, off to bed for an early bus, will update a bit later, perhaps after we hear back from the Doc about the results, hopefully by week's end, but maybe early next week if the technicians take holiday ;o)
XOXO, til then!

Update on Jay

Today was Jay's neurology appointment, the long awaited, WHEW! After a few questions and basic tests, the doctor's preliminary diagnosis is ataxia with blurred vision. On wednesday next week he will have long hours of tests at the hospital which include Visual evoked potential test (strobe lights and brain waves, YIKES!), EEG and MRI, ew! Poor guy. At least we have a place to start. There is a routine 4 week follow up and we will be in touch with the office after the results are in. The doctor said that Jay is severely handicapped and should not drive or do too much that requires a lot of hand-eye coordination in general. Our nutritionist advised him to not take any of his supplements before the appointment so there would be an accurate reading so things would not be masked somehow. So, that is what is going on here...a little more waiting and a possibility of answers. =)

There I Go Thinking Again...

I was just thinking, is hell really a hot place? Seriously, though, is it really hot? I would think that the most agreeable place would be with God, a warm inviting place that we would wish to be. Could the burning be more like the burning of passions and burning desires only likened to burning like a fire that consumes a body. Could you die and your soul sits there looking at the comfort of God and burn with a desire to be there. I know, I am really quite crazy. I am being more than serious, is it possible that the flames of Hell are those which we ignite and further continue to kindle through our worldly passions and then must live with for eternity? The evil one is the master there, but what sort of control does he really have? He is the master of temptation, deceit, lies, envy, gluttony, hatred, grudges, love of money...you get the point, but really no master at all, he still must answer to God as do we all. Huh, I was just thinking...

Life, Lessons and Love

Meh, random post about life and such...
Currently reading Northanger Abbey...while it sometimes seems as if it will drag on and never get to the point, somehow it draws you in and you become a part of their lives, particularly our 'heroin'. I want to go to the Lower Rooms and the Pump-room and wander the streets of Bath. The chapters are short and endearing, situation by situation, you are pulled through each meeting. I rather like it...part 2 of this edition I checked out is, 'Persuasion', hopefully that will be as enveloping...
The bus and train are proving to be rather efficient, granted the bus does not stall the meeting of the train, but another is along 15 minutes later anyhow. Katherine is adapting quite well to it all, she has always been good about it, but when she found out we were selling our vehicles, she was not really sure what to think. I am glad to have it available to us, not everyone has such opportunity, I am grateful for ours.
There were 3 babies and a big brother of one of those babies 'churched' today...*sighs*...I LOVE when babies are churched, so sweet, reminds me of when Katherine was churched all those years ago...2 of the babies were so tiny, you'd think they were barely out of the womb, oh how my mommy heart yearns to love and hold one. Fr Boris' big hands accentuate how tiny those little peanuts are. There is that little part of me that has been fighting the urge to want a baby...no point in wanting what is not in our hands anyway, but still, can't help but imagine what it would be like with another baby in the house. I know if is to be, it would be perfect regardless of our wants and hopes...*sighs*...I have reconciled myself to having twins, a boy and a girl. I know, I am crazy, but it could happen and I am ready for it, well, that is the idea anyway =) Only time will tell I suppose...pray for me...
We have been finding the focus, time and energy to dig into our house...it was suppose to happen a couple weeks ago, but between a cold and life, things did not work out as we had 'planned' ;o) Lotta good that does, planning. Things are coming along and we will see how we do. Jay has been more than supportive and helpful around here, sometimes I just like when they go out and about for a bit while I dive in.
I will have to say that in our situation we have had quite a bit of help and love from people in our lives, particularly from our church family. We have had more than our share it seems and we feel so loved. I am sure there are others more deserving of all this sort of help and it leads me to think of how, although things are tight these days with the rest unknown, what little we do have is tons more than a lot of people have and makes me want to give more than I ever did when we were in excess. What a blessing to feel this way, I think. I am unworthy of these blessings and yet, God sees fit for us to have them. Infinite love and mercy...eternal struggles to the betterment, let's hope I do not pass up my chances =)

We are gettin' Euro up in here

Well, it's official, we are now using the bus, train, walking, biking and dancing (that one's for Iona). It will be quite an adventure, so we shall see how it goes. We are actually looking forward to our fun trips. We are very much having to prioritize things that we do...'is it REALLY that important to do this...or go here...can it wait?' You get the idea, it is going to help with all of that, already has. Yes, this is by choice. We have made many a trip in the past and now is a good time to lay low and just be, simple as that. Our goal is to make our home an inviting place for people to come visit, as much work as that is proving to be, we will get there. So, check back in to hear some adventures! Love to all!

Katherine's Drawings =)

Here is a picture of the Nativity, according to Katherine. There is the baby Jesus, on the left, the Mother of God with a chair, to the right, St Nicholas just above the 2 donkey's and a sheep. Man, I love her little drawings =)





This one is a bit more obvious, Christ on the cross, Theotokos to the left and she says it is Simon on the right. Although her letter sets are a bit backward, she is so sweet with her drawings, I LOVE them...not just because I am her mom. She is SOOOOO excited about St nicholas day, she keeps asking about it and wants to make sure that we are ready, good thing she is on top of it =)
Anyway, just wanted to share.