tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288535268642517132024-03-13T16:12:51.765-04:00Mathew MeanderingsA little glimpse into the everyday life of the Mathew family.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052189766589941832noreply@blogger.comBlogger484125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-45992532052461031252019-09-11T12:41:00.001-04:002019-09-11T12:41:28.082-04:00First post of the year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blogging has taken a back seat to a lot of life for me, and that is okay. There is no possible way to try and sum up the last year until now, so I thought I would just do a little sharing of August and September.</div>
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Jonah was asked to be a ring bearer in our friends Jake and Isabelle's wedding. Josh officiated the ceremony too. I didn't get a good picture of that, as I was in the back with Jonah making sure he would go down the aisle! It was a beautiful time with some very special people, and we were honored to be a part of it!</div>
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This new school year has been a good one for the kids. Emma is a junior, and Josie is a freshman. They are both doing well in school and are part of the school musical this year. Seussical will be performed the first weekend in November! Emma has been driving them to and from school each morning, and it is fun to see their friendship grow even more. </div>
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Addie is in 7th grade and Isaac is in 1st. They are enjoying another year at their school, and we are very proud of their accomplishments.</div>
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Jonah turned THREE on September 1st! He is such a big boy. No pacifier. No sippy cups. Totally potty trained. The only thing that is still "baby" is his crib. He likes it and doesn't want to move into a bed right now, and since he doesn't climb out, we are ok with that too!</div>
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The best this month has brought us was a good visit to the oncologist for Josh. His scan showed the nodules in his lungs and lesion on his kidney have not grown at all. I believe the term was "too small to deal with, but two big to ignore". This is good news for sure. He will keep getting checkups, and blood work every three months, and scans every six months. We are very happy!</div>
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So much more has happened. Josh and Emma's trip to the Philippines, our week at Blue Gable, and a bunch of ministry things to share, but that will have to wait until another time.</div>
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Little adorable ring bearer Jonah!</div>
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First day for this 11th, 9th, 7th, and 1st grader!</div>
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Happy 3rd birthday!</div>
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One year down!</div>
<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-29138137404086511802018-11-08T11:41:00.000-05:002018-11-08T11:41:10.146-05:00Fall Family Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This fall has been a busy one. Aren't they all though?</div>
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We had a great time with EBI's fall tribal cup. Emma played for the women's team for the third year in a row. They won! Actually, Jackson took the tribal cup this fall! That always makes it more fun to sit in the cold. Go Jackson!</div>
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Seriously it was a lot of fun to see Emma play. She really played well, and we were proud!</div>
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Emma right after the win! </div>
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I wish I knew who took this pic to give them credit. It's always fun to cheer with the students. Jonah looks unhappy because I made him wear a blanket. It was cold!</div>
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Emma had a fall choral performance as well. Her choir is so good, and it reminds me of being in choir myself back in the day. She also was invited to go to Michigan State University earlier this fall to be a part of a Choral Leadership Workshop. It was a fantastic opportunity for her, and she loved all she learned!</div>
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What a cutie!</div>
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We had fun in the neighborhood this Halloween. While our party was a smaller one than years past, we still had a great time. The weather was warmer, and the neighbors were great as usual. We love being able to get to know our neighbors this way. It's fun handing out candy to the kids that come to our house too!</div>
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We have a Storm trooper, a lion, a rooster, The Cat in the Hat, a mime, and Wednesday Adams.</div>
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The grownups dressed up this year too!</div>
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At Josie, Addie, and Isaac's school they have a spirit week full of fun dress up days, and fun activities for the kids like a staff vs. student volleyball game, and decorating boxes to collect food for their annual food drive. </div>
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Crazy hair and socks day!</div>
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The kindergarten celebrated the 50th day of school with a sock hop! Here is Isaac, one cool Daddy-o!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-36405903060163704632018-10-19T11:31:00.001-04:002018-10-19T11:31:33.403-04:00Life's Unexpected Twists <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last time I blogged I asked for prayer for Addie's orthodontist bill. I am happy to report that God supplied the whole amount through two generous gifts from others. Praise the Lord!</div>
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Life continues to keep us on our toes. This summer, less than a week after I shared about Addie's braces, Josh was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had surgery on July 30th, and has been recovering well. He had some scans that we were hoping would be completely clear. They were not. They showed two nodules on his lungs, and a lesion on his kidney. The good news is that the two nodules on his lungs are small. The doctor said if he were a healthy man and they showed up on an x-ray, he wouldn't be too concerned. As a cancer patient though, they were something to keep and eye on. The lesion on his kidney is most likely benign (the doctor said he is 95% sure) but again, we care keeping a close watch on it. This coming Monday he will have repeat scans, and Thursday we will know more about what they find. Won't you pray with us?</div>
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Now, we just keep busy with normal, everyday life. Josh has switched back into the Student Life Department from The Buildings and Grounds department here at the Bible school. I continue to plug away with updating information in the database here at the school. Soccer season has just ended for Josie's team. Josh coaches for the school's team, and Emma was the assistant coach this year.</div>
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We have many late summer and fall birthdays that have been a lot of fun. Everyone is growing up so fast!</div>
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Josh and I at one of his appointments. Even though it is a doctor's appointment, it is still good to get some one on one time together. A doctor appointment date! </div>
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Josie turned 13 and we celebrated with a fun sleep over!</div>
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Jonah turned TWO! Where did my baby go? Jony loves running around and keeping up with his brothers.</div>
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Happy birthday to this guy! What a year 40 was. He had meningitis and cancer diagnosis in one year. Here is for a less exciting 41!</div>
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Ezra turned 4. We went camping the weekend of his birthday which made for an extra fun celebration!</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-31887177428489290472018-07-21T18:37:00.000-04:002018-07-21T18:37:16.280-04:00Those Pearly Whites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Addie is the third born child in our home. Even though she is third, she is the first to have curly hair. First to play the violin. Now she is first in another thing. We had hoped by the time adult teeth showed up, the problem would self correct, but it hasn't. </div>
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What is she the first at this time, you ask?</div>
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BRACES!!!</div>
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I know many of you are intimately aware of all the ins and outs of these wonderful contraptions, but this is all new to us. After getting three different opinions, it has been decided that she needs 5 teeth pulled, and braces. This is not something we went into lightly. Braces are EXPENSIVE, especially when our heath insurance does not cover any dental. </div>
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God has been so good to us though. He knew she needed this long before we did. He has been her comfort, as she is nervous about having five teeth pulled. He didn't give her any wisdom teeth, so she won't need to have them pulled later! He laid it upon a family to generously give us almost half of the cost of the braces. We are blown away by their generosity, and God's goodness.</div>
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Would you pray with us as we trust the Lord to provide the $3,100 left that we need?</div>
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My brave girl.</div>
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She lost two baby teeth since this x-ray was taken.</div>
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Getting more comfortable with these visits. </div>
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A little glimpse of part of the problem.</div>
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This is just a picture of her at her awards ceremony at the end of the year. She is such a smarty pants, and we are very proud of her.</div>
<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-46271516173507322052018-07-20T15:04:00.000-04:002018-07-20T15:04:48.911-04:00Ain't No Party Like A Mathew Party...<div style="text-align: center;">
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Maybe "party" is too joyful a word for the rough year it was, but we do love to party!</div>
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It's been over a year since I have written. So much has happened, that a short recap is about all that will be possible at the time.</div>
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In March of last year, Addie's appendix ruptured making her very ill. She had emergency surgery, and even though recovery was a long one, she was able to recover, and for that we are certainly grateful.</div>
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Right after Addie got better, Jonah got sick. This was so hard to see. We had kept him under preemie quarantine just like we did when Ezra came early, but unfortunately Jonah got sick right away. He came down with RSV and Pneumonia and ended up spending 7 days in the hospital.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jonah's first Easter.</b></span></div>
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Jonah was discharged from the hospital on a Thursday. Friday I was able to go visit my parents. The next morning, my mom passed away from complications from sarcoidosis. Losing my mother has, by far, been the most difficult thing I have ever had to face. I am so thankful that God gave me that Friday to see her one last time. I am thankful that this isn't the end. My mom trusted in Christ and His death on the cross, and now is with our Savior, and I know I will get to see her again. That brings me comfort when all I want to do is call her on the phone and tell talk with her again.</div>
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We had a good summer last year, and made some good memories with extended family, and just us.</div>
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The fall brought new changes. Emma entered high school as a freshman, Josie a 7th grader, and Addie in 5th. I was back into the office learning some new things on Populi, a new program that was implemented at the Bible Institute, and Josh was plugging away with the building and grounds department. In October things came to a screeching halt. Josh got very sick with spinal meningitis. He was hospitalized (and now he was the one in quarantine!) and spent a a few weeks recovering. We are incredibly thankful he recovered so well. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>We are basically quarantine pros at this point.</b></span></div>
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In November, I needed to have surgery to repair some complications from my last c-section. It was a longer recovery than I expected, but am glad to be doing fine now.</div>
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Overall, 2017 was a bit rough, but there were good things too! Spending more time than usual with family, and so many celebrations. Two milestone birthdays were had in September, and we were blessed with the opportunity to continue to trust God through what seems like impossible circumstances. Isn't our God so good though? I don't know if I could have survived a year like last year without knowing that He was unsurprised by it all, and ultimately in control over what felt like chaos in my life.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Jonah turns ONE!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>A little surprise party for Josh who turned 40!</b></span></div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-673117252731534052017-03-20T21:55:00.001-04:002017-03-20T21:55:43.414-04:00Jonah's Life in the NICU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jonah spent a total of 40 days in the hospital before he came home. His first two weeks were in the NICU at St. Joseph Mercy. After I was discharged as a patient there, I was still able to stay in the hospital in what they refer to as "nesting rooms". It was such a blessing to be right down the hall from him, instead of 51 miles away. </div>
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The NICU at St. Joe's are full of wonderful doctors and nurses, and we received the best care, but we wanted to transfer him back to our hospital as soon as he could. I had five other kiddos that needed the stability of having mommy home. I missed them too.</div>
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Jonah really was making great strides at St. Joe's, and we are so thankful he had his first start there.</div>
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Someone sure loves his daddy!</div>
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Such a deep stare. My precious boy!</div>
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He was SO tiny. His whole head could fit in my hand.</div>
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Peek-a-boo mama!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-24156590282850642502017-03-20T21:46:00.000-04:002017-03-20T21:46:08.518-04:00My Son Jonah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Six months have passed since my sweet Jonah has come into the world, and many more since I have blogged. I do want to finally share about our latest addition. </div>
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Ezra's birth was very difficult and traumatic, which you can read about <a href="http://joshandtamara.blogspot.com/2014/12/drowning-in-storm.html">here</a> and <a href="http://joshandtamara.blogspot.com/2015/02/holding-on-to-truth.html">here</a>. When we found out we were expecting Jonah, the doctors monitored me very closely. I had bi-weekly appointments from the very beginning, and starting in August, I was 28 weeks along and placed on complete bed rest, as my blood pressure steadily began to rise. Josh was amazing as always, and took wonderful care of me and the house and kids. We had a lot of help with meals from friends which was a huge blessing. I eventually had to be hospitalized, and once that happened, Josh and I, in agreement with my obstetrician, decided I should be transferred to St. Joseph Mercy where Ezra spent his first few weeks of life. Eventually it was decided that my body could no longer safely keep baby inside, so Jonah Albert was delivered at 32 weeks. He was a week older than Ezra, but weighing 3lbs 6.5oz, he was a little tinier. He needed to be on oxygen longer as well, but overall was a very healthy baby. I never got deathly ill this time, and they took his c-section nice and slow, being sure I was unable to feel anything. It was a good birth, and I am thankful for the wisdom of my doctors on the whole pregnancy and delivery. </div>
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This was my view for many weeks. </div>
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My sweet boy, getting the best care for his early start.</div>
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First time holding the wee one, a few days after birth.</div>
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His hands were so small!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-82076127155676406822016-05-03T10:41:00.001-04:002016-05-03T10:41:55.376-04:00JOY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year has already brought so much joy. I can't hardly believe it is already May! I wanted to share some pictures that make me very happy.</div>
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My dear family. We were just enjoying a lazy Saturday in our jammies.</div>
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Josie performed at solo and ensemble and received the highest score she could!</div>
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These two chuckleheads love each other so very much!</div>
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Josie and Emma showing their Art Prize entries. Josie got 4th place in the whole school!</div>
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My little warrior scaling the wall of the enemy fortress!</div>
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Our nature walk partners at MacCready Nature Reserve. </div>
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A beautiful bouquet I was surprised with just because he loves me.</div>
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Fishing for blue gill with daddy at the NTBI spring picnic.</div>
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Last, but certainly not least, our newest little squish. Due to make an appearance this October (and hopefully not any sooner!), we are so thrilled with this gift of life God has entrusted us with! Praise be to Him!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-86403416547949738572016-04-26T11:42:00.002-04:002016-04-26T11:42:42.738-04:00Enjoying the Last of Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I started this post a while ago, and just realized I never finished! We have been busy this spring, and I've had a lot on my mind.</div>
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I had to share some pictures of this fun time sledding on March 5th. It was Ezra's first time sledding. He had so much fun! I think he liked the snow more than the other kids did at his age.</div>
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The very next day, it all melted. </div>
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Ezra loved going down the hill!</div>
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Emma working on her spin move.</div>
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Addie missed the sled! Ha ha!</div>
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Josie, the dramatic one, after her wipe out.</div>
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I can't tell who is having more fun, Josh or Isaac?</div>
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We did this over and over again. He loved it! So did I!</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-29898413570847865822016-03-03T11:47:00.000-05:002016-03-03T11:47:05.385-05:00Another Stay at the Hospital for Ezra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a rough winter for our little guy. Ezra got RSV in December, and then was hospitalized for three days with pneumonia the same month. Last Sunday, he came down with pneumonia again, and had to be hospitalized again. What can just be a cold to you or me, can turn into something much worse for him. As a preemie, I knew this would be the case, but I thought maybe we were out of the woods since his first winter he was healthy.</div>
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It's hard for many (myself sometimes included) to see my healthy, tall, smart little boy, and remember he was born 9 weeks early. </div>
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He has a clean bill of health now. I am praying he will stay that way. Spring is almost here!</div>
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Ezra didn't want to be in the crib at all, so he liked to chill out on the big bed. </div>
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Although I hate that he had to be in the hospital, it wasn't all bad. I got sweet snuggles!</div>
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He was SO happy to see Daddy!</div>
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The day we were discharged, he got to go for a walk. He loved visiting the nurse's station for animal crackers. He never ate them, he just liked carrying them around.</div>
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Today Ezra got a clean bill of health from his pediatrician. We just need to get an x-ray of his lungs in a month to make sure they cleared up. </div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-25400695688417726912016-02-05T10:09:00.000-05:002016-02-05T10:09:14.510-05:00Adelaide is Nine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our youngest daughter, Addie, turned NINE last month! She is in my mind a perpetual six year old. I guess this birthday took me as a shock, that she is in fact, getting older! Last year of the single digits for her.</div>
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Her birthday was a full one. I had somewhere to be that morning, and she had dress rehearsal for her violin recital. In the evening we had her requested dinner of spaghetti and cupcakes for dessert. My parents were able to come out for the evening. It was a nice day.</div>
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Her violin recital was the next weekend. She did SO WELL!!! She is really driven to learn the violin. Never do I have to remind her to practice. Most often I have to say, "You've been practicing all afternoon. Time to get your homework and chores done!" </div>
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I am really proud of my sweet little (but not so little) musician. </div>
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Make a wish!</div>
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Cinnamon roll cupcakes, by request of the birthday girl!</div>
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It was a great performance.</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-51595707806638799832016-01-22T11:29:00.003-05:002016-01-22T11:29:45.774-05:00We have a Teenager!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Got to celebrate with almost everyone, and that does my heart so good.</div>
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The big news over here in our house now is that we now have a teenager under our roof!</div>
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Emma turned 13 earlier this month, and we are just starting to get used to the idea. ha ha!</div>
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We have had so many great years already with our sweet girl, and have enjoyed seeing her grow into the Godly young lady she is now. We both are so thankful for God's gift of her to us.</div>
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This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Emma as a baby. I think she is about 6 months old here.</div>
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Here is our little cutie on a camping trip. She is four.</div>
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My little spunky girl. This is how I often still think of her, and I am shocked when she walks into a room and seems so old.</div>
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My teenager. Oh, how I love her. </div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-28787138445469007632015-11-24T11:29:00.002-05:002016-01-22T11:30:54.039-05:00Lil' Dude Turns Three!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't believe my little man is three! So much of the last year was a blur (I barely remember him turning two) and here he is, THREE!</div>
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He has grown so much over the last year. He is officially day and night time potty trained. He has a vocabulary that is out of this world. He is a ball of energy and he continues to keep us on our toes! He is so often a sweet, and loving little boy. I am so thankful for Isaac!</div>
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We had a small celebration of just the 7 of us, but it was nice.</div>
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Eating his requested birthday dinner: Oatmeal! </div>
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Opening presents.</div>
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Serious business! (loving the tongue sticking out!)</div>
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Papa and Nana got him a Monster Truck!</div>
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He was so excited over the sword we got him. He had to go slay some dragons right away!</div>
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Even though he is such a big boy, he looks so tiny here to me! Make a wish birthday boy!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-47855709250912457432015-11-10T11:21:00.001-05:002016-01-22T11:31:25.727-05:00The Boys and their Buddies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my favorite parts of our ministry here at New Tribes Bible Institute is that it involves the whole family!</div>
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Isaac and Ezra really get to enjoy the students the most out of our five kiddos. While the girls are at school, they boys are with me over at the Bible School.</div>
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Both boys have made some pretty great friendships here. I wish I could get a picture with each of their friends, but I did want to share the ones I did have.</div>
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This is Bekah. Isaac and Bekah eat lunch together almost every day. He really loves her. Bekah came to the Bible school because she wants to serve as a missionary to lost tribal people. She chose the Jackson location because it is closer to home than Wisconsin, so she can see her mom more often. </div>
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This is Leah. She blesses us with watching the boys from time to time when I have a staff meeting. Ezra loves to snuggle her ALL THE TIME. He has good taste. Leah has a sister who graduated here, and her brother attends now. She holds a very special place in my heart, and I feel as if she is one of my own daughters.</div>
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These two have a special bond. They share a name! Isaac loves shouting at Isaac from across the dining hall to have deep conversations about trucks and race cars. Isaac is from Jackson, and has known about New Tribes for a long time. He is interested in missions, and knew this was a great place to come study the Word.</div>
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Will you take a moment and pray for these special friends of our sons? I don't know where life will take them, but I know they each have a heart to serve the Lord, and I can't think of better role models for my children.</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-25842939528523040072015-11-04T11:27:00.002-05:002016-01-22T11:32:35.698-05:00The First Week in November Finds Us...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...enjoying unseasonably warm weather for starters! Yesterday was 79 degrees. We had many days this summer where it did not get that high!</div>
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Besides the warm weather, we are staying busy as usual. The kiddos keep growing like weeds, and learning new things every day. Here is what the fabulous five are up to this past month.</div>
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Emma broke her wrist on her last game of the soccer season. The crazy tough girl played the rest of the game! We obviously did not know she had broken her wrist, and I think once the shock wore off, she was VERY aware of the break. She broke her scaphoid bone, which is not a fun one to break. It is a pretty painful break that takes a long time to heal. It looks like she will be in a cast for twelve weeks! She had an MRI and we will hopefully know soon if she will need surgery.</div>
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Josie has been enjoying learning the flute this year. She is also continuing to work on her art. She was picked as artist of the week out of her whole school (700+ students), and we are very proud of her!</div>
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Adelaide has started violin lessons this year. This is something she has wanted to do since she was four, and this year, due to a few very generous grants, scholarships, and gifts, she can! It is so fun to see her excitement and determination.</div>
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Isaac is growing more each day. He will turn three this month! How can that be??? I signed him up for a mommy and me tumbling class for six weeks through the rec. center, and he is enjoying it. I mostly did it to have some good one on one time with him, but having a place to run and jump besides the living room is an added bonus!</div>
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Ezra decided he was going to surprise his mom and in the matter of about two weeks learned to pull himself up AND crawl! So proud of my super preemie. Now if he would just sleep through the night...</div>
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Pretty big cast for breaking a bone that is only the size of a cashew!</div>
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My little artist and her self portrait.</div>
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I am so happy to see her joy in learning how to play.</div>
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Took this kid downtown to look at all the construction. He was in heaven. </div>
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Hey mom! I crawled out of my pants and pulled up! Now quit doing laundry and get me outta here!</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-58602782434377513212015-10-30T10:12:00.000-04:002015-10-30T10:12:10.549-04:00Ezra Henry is ONE!<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I am beyond thrilled to write those words! My sweet baby is one, and he is healthy! Praise the Lord for He is good!</div>
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We celebrated Ezra's birthday by having a big party to thank everyone who helped us, prayed for us, and basically made it so we could survive this last year. While not <em>everyone </em>could come, we did have a good turn out of about 75! </div>
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I was so busy with the preparations of the whole thing I never got any pictures of how we decorated. It was a superhero theme, as he is our super preemie!</div>
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The day of his party was a Sunday, the day before his birthday. On his actual birthday I took the kids out of school and Josh and I didn't go to work. We took a family day to celebrate life. This time last year, I almost didn't make it, and we didn't know what the future held for little Ezra. So, we enjoyed the day with our family, my parents, and my sister and her kids at Spicer's orchard and the Howell nature center. It was such a nice day. </div>
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My little guy on the day he was born!</div>
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Trying out a cupcake at his party. He didn't really eat anything, but sure got messy!</div>
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Happy birthday sweet Ezra! Daddy and Mommy love you so much!</div>
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The first time I met him/held him was five days after his birth. Here he is one year after that day.</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-75800359363527422682015-10-09T11:14:00.000-04:002015-10-09T11:16:40.999-04:00This Time Last Year<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I have found myself saying that a lot these last few weeks.</div>
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Today marks the day one year ago that I was <a href="http://www.joshandtamara.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-storm-comin.html">hospitalized</a>. I didn't know when I went to the fourth floor that October day that I was going to be there for nine days. I didn't know that when I left I would no longer be pregnant. I did not know that I would be leaving to go visit my baby 51 miles away.</div>
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This whole year has held a lot of unknowns, as lets face it, every year does. That's okay though.</div>
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What DO I know? </div>
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I know God saw me through the most difficult year of my life. I know that these trials changed me. I know that even though it was not something I would have chose for myself, I can be thankful for them.</div>
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This week will be a lot of reflecting for me. There will be lots of tears and laughter. We will celebrate. Life is worth celebrating! </div>
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Snuggling momma's two boys. How can my tiny baby be almost one?</div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-35005931991266880942015-08-28T08:35:00.000-04:002015-08-28T08:35:35.909-04:00Teaching During Trials<div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend was registration weekend here at New Tribes Bible Institute. It is a time full of excitement and energy as new students arrive for the first time, and familiar faces of returning students fill the halls. I really love registration weekend. This year was going to look different than previous years as Josh was now running the bookstore here at the Bible school. I was excited to be helping him during this busy time. Unfortunately my day took a bit of a turn, and it quickly became clear that we were not going to be joining Josh over at the bookstore.</div>
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We attended a wedding that morning and dropped Josh off at the school. I was going to lay the boys down for some naps and then we would head over after they were rested. I was just going to get Isaac some milk first. I opened the refrigerator and was met with an overpowering waft of warm stench. </div>
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The night before I had mentioned to Josh that the water from the fridge (filtered) was not as cool as it usually is. Josh was up pretty late (2:30am!) fixing the problem...or so we thought. It seems as though it was still broke. The entire refrigerator was not working!</div>
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I could tell from the smell that things were bad. I asked my family for advice of what I could save and what I had to toss. They sent me a list from foodsafety.gov and unfortunately, there was a lot of tossing involved!</div>
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As Emma and I started throwing out the food, I wondered to myself: Why couldn't this have happened when our fridge was bare? Why did to have to be this weekend? Why after I <i>just </i>went shopping? </div>
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As I threw full containers of spoiled yogurt in the trash, on top of pounds of rotten ground turkey, on top of gallons of milk my tears started to flow. </div>
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Emma asked me why I was crying. We could just go to the store again, right? </div>
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I really hesitated using the word "trial" in my post title. Was this really a trial? I mean, hasn't the last year with Josie's accident and everything with myself and Ezra been the trial? </div>
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Well, those sure were trials, but in that moment, this felt like one too. Now I am crying and my daughter is looking at me like I have lost my mind, and I am faced with the fact that yes, this IS a big deal for our family, but NOT for our God! Hasn't he shown is that time and time again?</div>
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"You know what, Emma? I don't know why I am crying. I think I am just worrying about how we are going to handle all this. Worried about the repair bill and worried about what we will eat the rest of this month, but that is silly. I know God will provide. Doesn't He ALWAYS provide?"</div>
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Emma agrees, and my tears stop. We start to play "what's the grossest thing in the fridge" and giggle over how stinky something is, or how moldy strawberries can get in a short period of time.</div>
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Oh, and you know what? God has blessed (and continues to) our socks off. </div>
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The teaching part of the title? That wasn't me teaching Emma, it was God teaching me. Now if I would just be a quick learner...</div>
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What we could save. Yes that is a whole corner of ice cream toppings. </div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-8518120627594520812015-08-03T15:20:00.001-04:002015-08-03T15:20:43.571-04:00Loving My Full House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life with five kiddos sure keeps me busy! They also keep me so happy! It is so fun to snuggle and cuddle my little guy, and watch as he learns new things every day, like what pears taste like. It is also exciting to see my oldest get more independent. She loves working in the kitchen, and has enjoyed working for others helping clean their homes, and a little babysitting. Then there is all the stages in-between! The potty training, and teeth pulling, and chapter book reading, and it is so fun! What a blessed woman I am, to be able to see all these things through the eyes of my children. </div>
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Road trip to the Mathew Family Reunion.</div>
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My little baker. She is pretty much the cupcake queen!</div>
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She is always good for a laugh. Love my Jo Jo.</div>
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Addie and Ezra got to share a doctor appointment. Here ears are bothering her again. </div>
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Isaac sure loves his animals. I think Duchess should hate this, but she always comes back for more.</div>
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My sweet miracle. He is getting SO BIG!!!</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-11620210888253262162015-07-02T21:42:00.000-04:002015-07-02T21:42:08.578-04:00Guest Blogger<div style="text-align: center;">
Last month I was asked to be a guest blogger for preemie support and awareness. </div>
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I shared about our time of "quarantine" which I was originally going to write for my blog, so I decided I would just share the<a href="http://www.preemiesupportandawareness.com/#!How-I-Survived-Preemie-Quarantine/c1gdu/556cb1580cf2e4994fa5d7fe"> link</a> with you all if you haven't read it yet. </div>
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I hope to write more of just regular life again soon. I sure do keep busy as a mom of five though!</div>
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We are so very blessed!</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-64721422780295471202015-03-26T09:57:00.000-04:002015-03-26T09:57:07.757-04:00Feels Like Forever<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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There is a weird sensation that happens when you have a baby. They have been inside you for all of their existence, and then suddenly they are on the outside of you, and you feel you are not whole anymore. You want to be with the baby, and hold the baby, and just be near the baby at all times. It may be due to hormones, or just how God designed it, or maybe it is just me, and no one else feels like that, but this was a very real and powerful feeling.</div>
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When Emma was born, I remember just wanting to hold her all the time. The nurses would take her to get her hearing checked, or check her bilirubin levels, and it felt like an eternity until she was back.</div>
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Ezra was gone. He was in the best place he could be, with the best doctors and nurses making sure he would thrive in the world that came too soon for him. I knew this, but it didn't make the separation any easier. Josh was so good at sending me pictures and using FaceTime so I could see Ezra, and he updated me regularly on all that was going on with his progress. I in turn told all my nurses, as Ezra became quite the popular little guy over here!</div>
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We had friends who delivered their own little boy very early, and were super helpful with helping us navigate this new world of the NICU. They helped set up a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrayforEzra">page on Facebook</a> to update everyone on Ezra's progress so they could be praying for him. They even delivered my milk to Ezra at the other hospital! What a blessing!</div>
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When I was moved out of the ICU into the women and newborn unit, I was starting to feel better. I was a long ways from going home (I still couldn't even walk, or even stand up! That magnesium sulfate is brutal!) but definitely improving! I was so very thankful my twin sister Tomesia cold come stay with me.</div>
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That is actually a really cool part of this story. Tomesia's kids have year round school in the district they attend. About two months before any of this crazy stuff happened, Tomesia and I were talking. We had planned for her and the kids to come up for a visit in the middle of the week. They were off school then, and she took some time off work. It was going to be so fun! We planned all these fun fall activities to do, and she and the kids were going to spend time with us and with our parents.</div>
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Fast forward to Ezra's birth; she just happened to come up at the exact time I needed help. if she arrived a day before, I would have been in the ICU and not even known she was there. She came and stayed with me in the hospital, sleeping on those uncomfortable chairs, bringing me my pump parts and washing them after, walking my milk down to the fridge, reminding me to order my meals, listening to me cry over and over again, opening and closing the blinds, getting me blankets and fans when my hormones were surging, etc. Tomesia took great care of me, and my parents spend the days with her children. It definitely wasn't the visit we planned, but I was so thankful she was there.</div>
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While I was recovering in the hospital, and Josh was at St. Joe's with Ezra in the NICU, Josh's mom took care of the home front, along with many, many helpers. We had people bring us meals, come help with laundry and cleaning, running carpool for us, etc. There was no way we would have survived without all the help from our families and friends, and church family. I don't think I will ever know all that went on while I was gone, but I am so very thankful. There is something so special in knowing that no matter what happens to me, I know my family will be well cared for.</div>
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Josh's mom took the girls to see Ezra. I asked them all what they thought of the whole experience. They said they just couldn't believe how small he was, and they wanted to hold him. Those were my thoughts too! I am glad they got to see him, and I was hoping to be able to see him myself!</div>
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The day arrived for me to finally be discharged. I loved those nurses so much, but I couldn't think of anything better than leaving! </div>
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During my nine day stay in the hospital, on top of all my exciting medical problems, I got a horrendous stiff neck. It made me so miserable, that there was a point I was taking my pain killers for my neck, and not my c-section! So on the day that I had been waiting for, the day I could make a break for it and go see my baby, I first had to head to the chiropractor. I wanted to be able to hold him if they would let me, and with the pain I was in, I knew that wouldn't be possible.</div>
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With all the forms signed, my parents came to pick me up, and I was a free woman! They took me to the chiropractor, and swing by subway for food, and the pharmacy for all the blood pressure meds I would be on. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication between the hospital and the pharmacy, and they did not have all the pills I needed. This normally wouldn't phase me, I would just skip it for a day, and if it was just pain meds, I would have. They had me on 300mg of Labatelol 4x's daily and 25 mg Hydralazine 4x's daily! The sheer amount of blood pressure pills they had me on just so I could leave the hospital was necessary though, so we had to wait some more! AHHH! I just wanted to see my baby boy!</div>
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The hang up at the pharmacy along with a strict pumping schedule I had to adhere to, and Friday night traffic heading towards Ann Arbor made for the longest day ever, but we finally arrived at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, my Ezra's first home.</div>
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I knew I missed Josh, but I didn't realize how very much until I saw him on the curb waiting for us to pull up, wheelchair in hand. There was my darling, my love, and I held onto him and didn't want to let go! A sweep of emotions took me, and I sobbed, and ugly cried, right at the front entrance of this hospital, and I didn't care. I am sure I was a mess.</div>
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Josh wheeled me to the fourth floor, and after getting my picture taken for a badge, and some paperwork filled out to prove I was indeed the mother, they buzzed me in.</div>
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I was suddenly very aware of how little I really knew. Josh was a pro already, showing me the sink, and how to scrub in, where to wash my phone, where our son's isolette was located.</div>
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Josh wheeled me over and Nurse Bethie was there. She said they held off doing "six o'clock cares" for me. I didn't even know what that was. Josh helped me up and I stood looking into this plastic box that was my son's whole world. I had no idea he was this small. All the pictures Josh took were nice and close up, so I didn't get an idea of how very tiny he was.</div>
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"Do you want to do kangaroo care?" Bethie asked. </div>
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You mean I can hold him?!?!?</div>
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"YES!!!" I said emphatically.</div>
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This was the moment I was waiting for! They brought me warm blankets, as I took off my top, and they placed this tiny little human on my chest. So many wires were hanging off this little one who weighed less than 1/3 of a gallon of milk!</div>
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He was so warm, and as he lay in my arms, I instantly felt calm, and right where I needed to be.</div>
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"He's never done that, Tamara!" Josh said.</div>
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"What is he doing?"</div>
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"He is still, and he has a smile on his face."</div>
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Mommy is here, Ezra. Mommy's got you.</div>
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The girls' first glimpse of their tiny brother.</div>
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Josh said they squealed with delight!<br />
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This rainbow was outside my window when I was moved to the women and newborn floor. God used a rainbow as a reminder He would never flood the earth again, and He used it that day to remind me that He was in control of this, and He never lost control. He was not surprised by any of this, and I can trust Him through this storm in my life, no matter the outcome.<br />
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Ezra getting a tan! He needed some phototherapy to help his bilirubin levels improve.</div>
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Josh sent me this picture and I couldn't stop looking at it! He looked SO big and healthy all dressed up in clothes. He was SWIMMING in those preemie clothes. ha ha!</div>
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I'm getting discharged from the hospital!!!</div>
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Holding my baby boy!</div>
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Ezra the first time I held him. He was happy to see me. </div>
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Seriously, the cutest little peanut!</div>
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Josh took me to see a floor on the hospital he would frequent as he prayed. Quite the view!</div>
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This is the way Ezra grew. So many little things to pump into his tiny body, as he was not ready to enter the world so early. Not as good as the womb, but they sure helped him grow!</div>
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This was Ezra's first home, and Josh and I both grew to love that hospital, and the amazing staff in the NICU.</div>
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He's so tiny and fuzzy!</div>
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His perfect little hands.</div>
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"Hi momma. I am glad you finally got here. I've got so much to tell you! Daddy and I have had an exciting time here!"</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-85126042939140272532015-02-21T23:13:00.000-05:002015-02-21T23:13:01.355-05:00Holding on to Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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When I came to, I was in recovery in what felt like a dark basement. A doctor was putting in an arterial line in so they could measure my blood pressure in real-time (rather than by intermittent measurement). I was really groggy, and I just wanted to see my baby. I needed to see him and know he was okay. I have to admit that is part of my story I don't remember. I relied on what my nurse Linda ( now a dear friend) and Josh recalled of this time. It is still very hard for me to not be able to remember Ezra's birth (because I wasn't awake!) or even the first time I saw him. These are moments I treasure with each of my children, and hold them dear to my heart. I am so thankful for a husband and Linda who have helped me peace the story together.</div>
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While I was coming to in the recovery room, Josh was with our tiny little boy. </div>
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Our little boy came out crying! This is something that is a miracle in itself. He took his first breath! I am so thankful God protected his tiny lungs, and gave wisdom to my doctor to know to give the steroid shots to me to help mature his lungs. The shots worked. My boy could breathe! </div>
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Josh cut the cord. "What's his name?" they asked.</div>
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We had not come up with a name yet. We still had nine weeks, or so we thought. Josh knew how important it was to me that he had a name before he left the hospital, and he knew which names I liked, so he named him. Our little tiny life was now Ezra Henry. Ezra means help. We needed help if we were going to get through this. Very fitting indeed. Henry means strong leader in the home. From the moment he was born he started taking the lead, directing our lives in ways we never imagined. Turns out, Ezra Henry is the perfect name for him.</div>
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They brought Ezra to me right before they left on the ambulance. I couldn't really see him. He was in a little traveling box (Josh called the pizza oven. ha ha) and I couldn't sit up yet after the surgery. My eyesight was poor. Everything was so blurry. I reached in and touched a foot. At least I think I did. I don't remember.</div>
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They were off, and I was moved to the ICU. </div>
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Linda had taken pictures of Ezra and printed them out for me. She taped them up along my bed rails, and this was a huge source of strength for me in the days ahead. She may never know how much that meant to me. </div>
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The time spent in the ICU was the hardest in my life. I felt so sick and alone. I was still on magnesium sulfate, as well as hefty doses of hydralazine and labetelol. It was like time was going in slow motion. I felt like the whole hospital was vibrating, and there was a constant pounding in my ears. I couldn't see well at all, and was attached to so many things. I had pressure cuffs on both my legs so I wouldn't get blood clots, a blood pressure cuff on my arm going off every five minutes, and a breast pump attached to me every few hours (I could not hold it on my own) so my milk would come in.</div>
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I remember begging God to heal me so I could see my son, and to keep him safe. </div>
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As I was lying in the bed all alone, my uterus empty, my arms empty, feeling so utterly betrayed by my own body, my faith was being tested. </div>
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All these questions kept coming, and then the answers. It was like a battle in my mind to hold onto the truth I knew.</div>
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How could God allow this to happen?</div>
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Why wouldn't He just heal my body so I could see my baby?</div>
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Didn't we go through enough with Josie?</div>
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I love you, Tamara. I am so much bigger than this. You just can't see it.</div>
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Do I owe you an explanation for what I allow and don't allow?</div>
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Don't you know Me at all yet?</div>
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Then I just felt shame.</div>
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I thought of a very dear friend of mine who just lost her baby. How dare I take the gift of Ezra's life with anything but gratitude. Haven't I learned anything from the four we lost?</div>
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I thought of Job in the Bible, and remembered how God in chapter 38 where He says "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them." I always imagined God yelling at Job in sort of a "How DARE you!" sort of way. It was not like that for me. It was more of a gentle reminder. </div>
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I am so thankful for His Word, and His faithfulness to speak to me through it. Being reminded of my loving Heavenly Father is the only thing that got me through these dark days. </div>
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I had an amazing nurse in the ICU. Honestly, all my nurses were wonderful. I felt at times as though angels were ministering to me, as they helped bathe me, and give me little sponges of water to suck on. Debbie was a nurse who stayed with me at all times. I was her only patient and anytime I was awake, she was right there next to me. She read to me the cards my children made me (I couldn't get my eyes to focus enough to read) and she would help hold my phone so I could talk to Josh who was with Ezra. Of course I probably made no sense at all! Debbie hugged me as I sobbed and would tell me how the weather was outside, and if I had any visitors. She was amazing, and made my days bearable. I was sad to leave her when I transferred to the mother and newborn unit a few days later, but I was happy to be getting better!</div>
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Josh has shared his journey through this time on our ministry blog <a href="http://blogs.ntm.org/joshua-mathew/?view=all">here</a>. I encourage you to check out the posts (I think there are 7!), as he had the more exciting part of the story: Ezra! </div>
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Very soon (but not soon enough!) I would get to be with my son!</div>
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Ezra is born! This is his first picture. He cried for everyone. Had to show off those working lungs!</div>
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This is the first time I saw his face, in this picture. I am so thankful Linda took these! I thought he looked like a tiny kitten or a baby squirrel.</div>
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Ezra was intubated, but not for long!</div>
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The doctors and nurses took great care of our baby as they prepared him for his first road trip!</div>
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Ezra was SO tiny. Look at the size of Josh's hand next to him. Our little miracle!</div>
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This is the first time I "saw" him. Ezra is in the "pizza oven" and I am reaching in to touch him. A few things come to mind when I see this picture. First, I am sad that this was the only time I touched him for five days. Second, I wish I could remember this more. Third, look how very swollen my hand and arm was! Severe swelling is another symptom of pre-eclampsia.</div>
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Ezra in his new "home" at the NICU of St. Joseph Mercy in Ypsilanti, MI. Daddy is learning how to care for his tiny little guy while mommy gets better.</div>
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-49603874261346833702014-12-29T20:07:00.000-05:002014-12-29T20:07:00.568-05:00Drowning in the Storm<div style="text-align: center;">
Throughout my weekend of bed rest in the hospital, I got progressively worse. My blood pressure continued to climb. They now wouldn't even let me move from my left side at all. I still was doing the urine test to check my protein levels, but was forced to use a bedpan now. </div>
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My doctor made a very wise decision at this moment that I feel was one of the factors in saving Ezra's life. He gave me a shot of steroids to help develop baby's lungs "just in case". I got one on Friday, and 24 hours later a second one. He wasn't on call this weekend, and I would miss him. He has delivered three of my other four kiddos, and knows me and my case well. </div>
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The weekend was a very long one for myself. I missed Emma and Addie's soccer games. There was a game night we planned at our house that we had to cancel. I was still not seeing the seriousness of it all, and was irritated that my schedule had to keep changing. </div>
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Sunday morning Josh sent me a text as they were getting ready to go to church of cute little Isaac all dressed up. I made some joke to him about keeping his phone on in case I needed him. I didn't actually think I would. </div>
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Not long after I was talking with Josh the doctor came in. </div>
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"We have the results of your urine<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> test. You have 600 grams of protein in your urine, and your blood pressure is not responding to medications. We need to transfer you to a hospital that is equipped to deliver this baby."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wait, what??? I am only 31 weeks and 3 days along? That is TOO early! I need to stay pregnant! I need my husband!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I called Josh but the phone just rang and rang. I left a voicemail. I texted him to call me ASAP. I called again and again. The nurses are now asking me what hospital I wanted to be transferred to, and I couldn't even get a hold of Josh. I learned later that it was praise and worship music at church that was too loud he couldn't hear his phone ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I texted four people at church and asked them to find Josh and tell him to call me. When the song was over, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Josh looked down from his phone and saw he had six missed calls from me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He finally called back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Honey, get here now! They want to transfer me!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am a little unclear on the details, but I know that Josh was able to get the kids and come to the hospital. He made arrangements with our dear friend Esther to watch the kids so he could come to Ann Arbor with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I know that my church family stopped the service to pray for me and my unborn son. We surely needed it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My blood pressure was 226/146! The doctors in Ann Arbor needed it to get lower before I traveled. They put me of magnesium sulfate and apresoline because my blood pressure had to be down to 160 before I could travel. They got it down to 153/80, and they started to load me onto the ambulance. This is when I started having pulmonary edema. I was literally drowning in my own fluid! I don't know if it was from the very high blood pressure or from the magnesium sulfate but my pulse ox went down to 84%! My lungs were filling with fluid! They now declared me too unstable to travel and wheeled me back in the hospital to have an emergency C-section. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The nurse had to call Josh who was already on his way to Ann Arbor, and he turned around as fast as he could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They gave me Lasix and a breathing treatment. I put out 2400cc of fluid before the c-section and another 800 as well on the operating table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They quickly prepped me for surgery. The doctor said a spinal would be fine, which meant that Josh could be there for the birth of our son. As the anesthesiologist put the needle in my back, I tried to remain calm. Something didn't seem right. This was my fifth c-section and I always had to have someone help me scoot back on the table but this time I could do it on my own. I I lay down and was strapped down and the doctor started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I can feel you!" I said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"It's not pressure, I feel you cutting into me!" I said, with a little more panic in my voice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"We have to get this baby out now!" the doctor said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The last thing I remember was screaming "It hurts!!!" through the mask and hearing Josh say "Oh no, Tamara. Oh no, honey!" Then I was asleep. </span></div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-15791044462574119062014-12-11T22:08:00.001-05:002014-12-11T23:40:33.569-05:00The Storm's A Comin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On a Wednesday night back in early October I had a headache. Dinner was just on the table, and the girls were extra chatty as they are every Wednesday evening, excited to go to AWANA that night. I took some Tylenol and was out the door, chauffeuring them and having a coffee date with my friend Mindy. Once everyone was home and tucked in bed, I noticed my head was still throbbing. I was hoping a good night sleep would help. </div>
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I woke up Thursday morning with my headache still there, but significantly better, so I took some more Tylenol and was off to the office. I was feeling a little behind in my work with all the time I missed with Josie out of school because of her burn, so I dove right in. After staring at a computer screen for a few hours, my headache was much worse. I decided I would call the doctor to be on the safe side. The office was closed for lunch and so I decided I would eat some lunch too. The dining hall was probably not the best option (with all the noise) so I had a quick lunch and went home to put Isaac down for a nap. </div>
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I told Josh at lunch that I was going to call the doctor again after I put Ike down, and to be on alert that I may need to go in for an appointment, so he should try and keep his schedule a little loose. He was heading into a meeting at that time, and told me to just let him know. </div>
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When I got ahold of the doctor, they told me to go into labor and delivery to get checked out. I felt so foolish. It was just a headache. It wasn't horrible. It didn't effect my vision, and I wasn't having contractions or anything. I called Josh to let him know he would have to cut the meeting short. He came home to be with Isaac and I walked out the door. "I'm sure it's nothing honey. I just want to be careful. I will be back before dinner."</div>
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I walked into the triage room on the fourth floor. They asked me why I was there as they took my vitals. I told them of my headache that wouldn't go away. That no, I wasn't seeing spots, and no, I didn't have any abnormal swelling. The cuff stops squeezing my arm. "Um, you aren't going anywhere until we get this BP down." My blood pressure when I checked in was 227/127. Yikes!</div>
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They hooked me up to a monitor for the baby's heartrate, one to measure contractions (I wasn't having any), and a blood pressure cuff that was going off every 30 minutes. One nurse had me lie on my side, another said it was more accurate to have me sitting up. Nothing was actually bringing it down though. </div>
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"We are going to have to admit you. We will run some blood tests and a urine test and see how you are doing."</div>
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I snapped a picture of my belly all hooked up to monitors and sent it to Josh. "I may be here a while. Can you get dinner going and get Emma a ride home from soccer?"</div>
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During this whole time, I really am pretty clueless as to how bad things were. I knew they said my blood pressure was high, but I didn't realize that it was dangerously high. I heard of preeclampsia before, but didn't really know much about it. Anyways, I felt fine everywhere except this headache. </div>
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They place me in a room with a nice bed directly across from the nurses station. Even though this is baby number 5, I had them all by csection. I had never been in a labor room. My bed had these big blue pads being strapped to the rails. Was this standard? I didn't know they were putting the pads on my bed to protect me if I had a seizure. </div>
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I really don't know why I was so unaware of how serious this was. Maybe the nurses were trying to protect me by not letting me stress and worry. Maybe my brain wasn't working at full capacity because of how sick I was. I just know that as I was lying there in bed, I was worried they may put me on bedrest. I don't know how we would handle bedrest! We still have burn clinic appointments every other day for Josie, plus two girls in soccer, and a toddler! Little did I know that bedrest is something I would look back at and long for. I had no idea what lied ahead. </div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2dZr1QNYvmI/VIpcF1zSpiI/AAAAAAAAEao/-3_JSPYmta4/s640/blogger-image-1163538676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2dZr1QNYvmI/VIpcF1zSpiI/AAAAAAAAEao/-3_JSPYmta4/s400/blogger-image-1163538676.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the picture I texted Josh, and incidentally the last picture I have of me pregnant. </div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628853526864251713.post-12398165350132416972014-10-25T22:03:00.001-04:002014-10-26T10:01:52.277-04:00Welcome Ezra Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have been trying for a while now to write a post on the birth of my newest son, Ezra. I just haven't been able to put it into words yet. It was pretty traumatic for me, and I am still processing some of it.</div>
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In the meantime though, I want to shout to the world that he is here!</div>
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Arriving at 31 weeks and 3 days, little Ezra Henry Mathew was born on October 12th, weighing 3lbs 8oz and 16 inches long.</div>
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He has a long road to go before he can come home, but he is a fighter!</div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hXkN4PJr218/VExPMgZuv3I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/peYUneHDAWc/s640/blogger-image--775779433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hXkN4PJr218/VExPMgZuv3I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/peYUneHDAWc/s640/blogger-image--775779433.jpg"></a></div>
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Here is the moment when I first got to hold my sweet, tiny little boy, five days after his birth.</div>
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I am so thankful for God's protection for my life, and the life of my son. Praise be to God!</div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487469598374065938noreply@blogger.com0