Cloud dough!

I tried this folks. It was SUPER EASY. I just poured in a bag of flour and then added baby oil and we had the softest most awesome smelling sand to play with! It's fantastic. The directions call for: 8 cups of flour and 1 cup of baby oil.

DO THIS! You'll LOVE it!

P.S. we play with it outside.

Chores for Kids

Murphy's Law

I don't believe in Murphy's Law.

I don't believe in Fate.

I don't believe in Jinxing someone.

But you know, gosh darn it, sometimes I have to wonder if there isn't something conspiring against military wives. Your husband goes TDY (tour of duty) or deploys and BOOM ... everything goes wrong at once.

What is WITH that?

I left Hannah home with Joni when we took JB to board his flight for America on Sunday. I left her home because she has hand-foot-mouth-disease. And no joke, while we are waiting for him to board his flight, Isaac starts acting very lethargic. And shortly thereafter, Abigail has crawled into my arms. By the time we got home and an additional two hours had passed, Sidge was sporting the same 102+ fever that they were.

So now I have four sick kids.

But that's not all.

Houses here in the Azores have these propane gas tanks outside of them. (They look sorta like the ones in the picture above except they are green. I should have taken a picture of our's to be more accurate but that would require more work than I currently want to put forth.)

Anyways ... these tanks ...

It's how we get hot water and gas. You are only supposed to have one turned on at a time. This way, when it runs out, you switch it to the other tank and you call your local "gas man" who comes by and replaces the empty tank while you still have hot water out of the other tank.

Only, for some reason, both tanks were on. This meant that they were both being worn down equally which meant we completely ran out of hot water and "gas man" Fernando couldn't come until the next day.

This happened on Sunday. Same day JB left.

Today, we returned Joni to the airport. Not a happy time for us. I left the two sickest kids (the girls) home with my Mom. On our way to the Commissary to pick up some diapers ...

... oh .... I must digress to tell you that I went to buy Hannah diapers last week but they were completely out of her size at the Commissary. I nearly had a mini break-down. Joni was with me, and I said out loud, "That's it. I'm done. I just want to go back to America NOW." A few moments later we went to the deli which was currently deli-meat-less and then tried to buy some garbage bags which didn't exist.

Creamy peanut butter? Nada.

Jelly? Forget it.

I kid you not.

Okay but back to my story.

I'm on my way to get diapers when the passenger window of the van just goes down. All ... the ... way ... down. Thank goodness it wasn't raining. And thank goodness it wasn't totally freezing.

But hubby is gone and window is broken.

I drove to good ol' Sam at the Auto Shop on Base. He managed to get window to stay up with a pencil and a piece of wood and told me to come back tomorrow so he could permanently raise the window and hold it in place until we get back to America and can get the parts needed to fix it.

It would take him longer to get the parts then we have time left on the island.

So I drove home with my pencil and piece of wood, walked into my house, and the phone rang.

It was my great friend Rebekah. She had knocked on her own window above her kitchen sink to get her boys' attention outside and broke the window. And cut her hand. And she needed stitches.

I told her I'd be right over.

Left the kids with my mom and went outside only to discover that our front gate was open. I know I had closed it and since this was the third time in two days that this happened, I admitted that the gate probably had something wrong with it that was causing it to open randomly.

Put that on my list of things I had to try to figure out while hubby was gone.

Along with the door handle on the sunroom door that is totally broken.

But an open gate meant a missing dog ... again.

Not to fear. Whenever I leave the gate open Scrubs goes across the street and gets his buddy Sky. Sky is a one year old Husky who can jump the gate to his house at will. Whenever he gets bored, he jumps his gate, jumps our gate, and comes into our yard to poop and play with Scrubs and then leave whenever the action at our house dies down. (I've talked to his "Mom" about this, but so far, nothing has changed, and quite honestly, it wears Scrubs out so I've decided to just let Sky visit when the spirit moves him.)

Anyways, anytime our can't-jump-the-gate-dog-Scrubs sees our gate open, he gets his buddy Sky and they go to Buzius together around the corner where they pee on everything in sight and just smell everything and anything they can until I find him and shoo him home.

Scrubs was gone again.

Shooed him home.

Went to Rebekah's. Took her oldest three back to my house. She took baby, we wrapped her wound, and she went to the Base for four stitches.

And that's where I'll stop ...

Did I mention I only managed four hours of sleep last night?

I need a nap.

Don't Waste Your Infertility

I recently read a fantastic article about what God has taught one woman about HIS character during HER journey with infertility. It paralleled a lot of what I discovered about myself during our infertility journey, and I wanted to share some things from this article (which you can read in its entirety by clicking here.)

I believe that I allowed God to use my infertility. (The picture at right was taken soon after my fourth failed IVF.) This does not mean that I was always full of faith. It instead meant that I tried to keep the big picture in mind. If you are at the start or middle or even nearing the end of your own journey, how do you do that?

Not wasting your infertility ...

• starts with a deep and abiding trust in the God who knows the end of your infertility. I attempted as much as I humanly could, to remember that God was in control and that while what happened might not be good, he would use this not-good thing for His good.
• means you worship even when your heart is breaking. While I often had to skip church or worship opportunities because of pain, I continued to go to church. I continued to go to Bible Studies. I continued to worship the Lord even when it hurt.
• means praying boldly. I begged God for what I wanted. I prayed hard for the opportunity to be a mom.
• doesn't mean you can avoid grieving and pain. Far from it. I grieved openly. I was in pain and didn't try to hide it.
• means taking your thoughts and emotions captive to the obedience of Christ. I strived (and JB helped me) to not allow myself to be bitter during those five long years of pleading. I wrote an entire blog post on this topic which you can read here.

Another great article on this same topic can be read by clicking here. Written by a husband, his words greatly resonated with me and the journey my husband and I found ourselves on from 2003 until 2008.

"...I discovered that we lived under many false assumptions. We lived as if we were under “Plan B.” Plan A was interrupted by infertility, or so we felt. We believed we were to suffer under Plan B until God saw it fit to give us children. What we did had little significance for our future, it was what we were doing 'in the meantime.'”

I hope I can encourage you not to see this struggle you are going through as Plan B. I believe that our infertility pain was actually A. I believe that it was God's design for my life that I travel this difficult road so that I can be where I am today.

Where am I today? Today, I am a mom who is passionate about infertility and adoption. My ministry has become the journey I travelled.

A quick update of what's going on:

So Grama Di is here. Scrubby has been in HEAVEN -- just putting his head on her lap whenever he gets the chance:

Joni and my Mom's visit will overlap a few days. Joni will soon head home, but my Mom is here another week. I'm not sure there can be anything better than two Gramas in the Azores for Scrubby to love on:

Joni and I did manage to finish our third puzzle (this one 500 pieces). We are starting a fourth, but I'm not sure we can get it done before Joni leaves early next week:

We said good bye this morning to our amazing Daddy. He is headed back to the States for three weeks to begin looking for a job and house for us and to take a class and to speak at a Permaculture Conference. As he was getting ready to board the flight, Isaac and Abigail both said they weren't feeling good. And by the time we got home, Sidge had fallen out too. We are pretty sure they have the hand/foot/mouth that Hannah has (which in older kids can just present itself as a bad cold):

I'm pretty sure that every single time the kids have had a bad illness, JB either gets it too and is incapacitated, or he is out of town. How's that for bad luck!? :)

K.I.S.S.: Is it really dirty?

I have been trying to think a lot more before I throw things in the dirty clothes. Is that really dirty? Obviously underwear and socks go in all the time. But pajamas and jeans and shirts and shorts -- we have been doing a lot more "wear that tomorrow" in our home.

One of the things that has caused me to really think about this is my itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny washing machine and my more-expensive-than-it-is-worth-to-use dryer. I hang dry almost everything because dryers over here cause the utility bill to jump so much. (In fact, both in Turkey and here in Portugal, driers are seen as much more of a luxury item. Very few people I know use them. They just hang dry.)

Try to save yourself extra money and extra time and instead, let your kids wear their clothes again the next day ... especially on rainy days when they haven't been outside!

P.S. have a K.I.S.S idea? Please email them to me at wendi@wendikitsteiner.com!

Not a good idea Miley

So firstly, this girl, Miley, spelled there wrong in this sentence. Not a good start in proving her point.

Secondly, I don't think she understands that approximately 17% of those in the military are officers. Officers are military members with a college degree.

(My husband for instance).

Hmmmm Miley. Not going so good for you right now.

Thirdly, I am not sure she is aware that some individuals with a college degree still choose to enter the military as an enlisted individual. 

Another point against her.

Fourthly, I wonder if Miley knows that many people join the military in order to pay for college. Several hundred military personnel do this every year. They earn their college degree while working full-time.

I am sure, to Miley's defense, that there are some dumb people in the military.

But there are also dumb people named Miley. 

So let's call it even and move on.

Around our house

Trying to capture some of the images of around our home before we leave here in May.

 

This is the view as we round the corner from Josh & Rebekah's (formerly Nick and Kristy's house). That's our house up ahead on the right (brown one). We make the walk around this circular block many, many times each week.

 



From that same spot, a turn to the right is Carla's former house. It has sat vacant since they left last Summer. This house holds many wonderful memories for me as well.

 



Here's our house from the outside street.

 



A look up at the three stories we have lived in for nearly two years.

 

Our front gate.

Prayer Request for Caleb and Caden

Updated March 7

Long day, but so worth it in the end. I got to hold Caleb again. He responds so well to his mommy time. I wish I could have held Caden too, but right now he's showing that he'd rather be left alone. He did stay awake the whole time I held his brother, so maybe the sibling rivalry has begun (if you zoom in on the first picture, you might notice him in the background). I've gone back to work now too.

 

Updated March 9

The boys had a good day. They're both gaining weight. Caden is now 2 lbs 10 ozs and Caleb is 2 lbs 8 ozs. They still drop their heart rate and forget to breathe at times, but overall they're doing so much better. Keep it up boys. Mommy is counting down the days until discharge��

 

Updated February 21

Caleb has been extubated! Praying for everyone to be infection free so that they can move on from IV's and antibiotics. February 21 was a good day for both boys with no bad news.

 

Update February 11

Good news...the brain bleeds are resolving on both boys. The doctor said we won't know the effects until they are school age, but I believe they will be fine. Caleb still has his heart problem (called a PDA if you want to look it up) so he will be getting some medication for 3 days and then a repeat echo. Praying that will also resolve and he will be joining his brother in feeding and breathing with a CPAP. The most exciting news of the day is that I get to do kangaroo care with Caden sometime soon. The doctor ordered it so we need to figure out a day that's best for the baby. I'll finally get to hold one of my sons...so overwhelmed. Thanks once again for the prayers. God is doing great things in these little boys.

Update February 10

Good news...the brain bleeds are resolving on both boys. The doctor said we won't know the effects until they are school age, but I believe they will be fine. Caleb still has his heart problem (called a PDA if you want to look it up) so he will be getting some medication for 3 days and then a repeat echo. Praying that will also resolve and he will be joining his brother in feeding and breathing with a CPAP. The most exciting news of the day is that I get to do kangaroo care with Caden sometime soon. The doctor ordered it so we need to figure out a day that's best for the baby. I'll finally get to hold one of my sons...so overwhelmed. Thanks once again for the prayers. God is doing great things in these little boys.

Update February 7

I just got home from seeing the boys. They are doing so well. I already shared about Caden's big day, but Caleb made some progress as well. He had another echo done today and the results showed improvement (for now that means no new medicine and no surgery!). He also started feeds like his brother. It's only 1 mL of breastmilk every 3 hours, but the milk coma that takes place after the feed is priceless.
Thank you for being so supportive and so faithful in your prayers. It is appreciated more than you know.

Update February 4

The boys had a great day. They got their umbilical lines removed and had a PICC line placed. Their vent settings were decreased..there's a little competition going on there since I report to each what the other is doing

Their labs, vitals, and blood gases all came back ok. I got to lift both boys while their blankets were changed (that's a hold in my book).

Their diagnosis is still hanging over my head, but I am trusting that they'll be fine. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for them. They are very lucky little men who are already loved by so many.

Update February 3

I received the results of the boys' ultrasounds and Caleb's echo. I'll start with the positive. Caleb will have another echo on Friday, but it looks like they will just monitor him for the time being. Now for the ultrasounds. A lot of this doesn't make sense, so I'll just give a basic explanation. There are 4 grades of bleeds with 1 being the mildest and 4 being the most severe. Caden had a bleed on both sides of his brain..a grade 3 on one side and a grade 4 on the other side. This can cause conditions like cerebral palsy or hydrocephaly. Caleb had a grade 2-3 on one side only. 

While the news crushed my spirit, I know I serve an awesome God who is capable of healing both of these boys. They have beaten every obstacle that has been thrown in their path. I know they are special and have touched many lives in the week they've been alive. 

There was a few great moments today...Caden came off the oscillating vent and back on the regular one. His swelling is almost completely gone. He held my hand and looked completely content.
Please pray for these boys. They are my heart and soul.

Update February 2 from Rachel

Babies are doing great, but mommy has a fever now. Please pray. Thanks. 

I just wanted to thank my friends and family for all you've done over the past two weeks. I've had people cook, clean the house, wash my clothes, pray with me/for me and the boys, post comments on Facebook, cry with me, and visit me in the hospital. You all have made the transition to my new normal as smooth as possible. I look forward to sharing our journey with all of you, and appreciate the support more than you can imagine. Love to all

Update February 1 from Rachel

The boys look amazing today. Thank you for all the prayers..they're working.

Update January 30 from Rachel

Caden made a little progress this afternoon. He is now on room air on his vent, he got rid of his insulin drip, and his blood count/gases looked good at 2 PM. It's still hour by hour, but my little man is fighting hard. Thanks for all the prayers for both of my sons. It is so appreciated. 

Update January 29 pm from Rachel

Last update for today: Caden is really struggling today. His vent settings were changed again, his belly is more distended, he's getting more new meds, and another blood transfusion tonight. It's so hard for me to see my baby struggling like that.

Caleb is doing pretty good, but is also getting a blood transfusion tonight.  I had a long talk with both of them, so hopefully they will listen to their mama. Thanks to all who have been praying for them. It is so appreciated 

Update January 29 from Rachel

Caden had a little setback overnight, but I'm trusting the Lord already has this figured out. The doctors think he may have a brain bleed, but won't know for sure until he has an ultrasound. He also had a ventilator change because he was showing signs of distress. I know this little guy is a fighter, plus I'm sure he's stubborn just like me.

Caleb was a rock star this morning. I got to take his temperature and change his diaper..it's the little things right now.

*****

My high school friend Rachel just gave birth to twin boys at 25 weeks and 6 days. (A "normal" pregnancy is 40 weeks.) Rachel and I played basketball and volleyball together and earned a State Runner-Up title as well. Rachel has always been amazing with children and always had a gift with them for as long as I have known her. I am so excited for her to get to be the mom of twin boys! Would you please lift both these boys up in your prayers and keep them there? I know Rachel and her family would appreciate all the prayers they can get! These little guys are fighters and are doing well. Let's ask the Lord to continue to give them the strength to go home healthy and strong!

Caleb Evan (1 pound, 11 ounces)

Caden Oliver (2 pounds, 1 ounce)

Golfing with the Joni

On Monday we decided to take Joni back to our new favorite place to go on this island -- miniature golfing! We had a fantastic time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a bit windy as you can tell from this picture -- but Joni still managed to help Abigail successfully miss her putt.



This hole caught all four balls up at the hole!

 

Joni tried to give her ball a hard hit to dislodge some other balls -- she ended up in the rough!

What face is this?

This is the face of a little girl that just got diagnosed with the running-rampant-on-Base-illness Hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Really hoping the other kiddos don't catch it! Joni and I went to the library's story time on Wednesday with all the kiddos. Hannah started acting really funny -- gagging and having trouble catching a breath. We brought her up to the Clinic where Dr. Storey decided to do a chest x-ray for the off chance that she had put something in her mouth that shouldn't be there. X-ray was fine, but she was running a fever and not looking good. A day later, the hand-foot-and-mouth reared it's head. Apparently, however, all these bumps are pretty mild according to Dr. Daddy. Supposed to avoid other kiddos for about a week!

Getting to hug Grama

Today, Grama Di made her debut on Terceira Island! Oh how wonderful it was for us to all get to hug her. I especially love that Sidge started singing this song once she had finally arrived.

A road trip

On Friday, Joni and I braved the elements and took a bit of a road trip. Since it's a very tiny island, road trips are, likewise, very tiny, but they are a road trip nonetheless. We went to the "Basketman" first. This is a Portuguese man who, for his entire life, has been making baskets by hand in his garage. The Americans are his only source of income, and he depends on them to buy his baskets. I went and ordered a ton of them -- wanting to have him finish them before we pack-out sometime in April. 

After that, we headed to Duck Pond/Lagoon/Lake. I gave all the kids some very old boxes of Cheerios. Sidge wanted to eat his more than give it to the ducks, but despite some bad weather, we managed to have a little picnic and spend some time feeding the ducks before heading home.