Monday, April 20, 2009, Nashville, TN., 7:54 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Howdy!  This is your friend, Louisiana, writing; hope this finds y'all well or reasonably happy!  We are doing pretty good; can't complain (much)!

Just woke up not even fifteen minutes ago; felt good to sleep in for once.  I'm usually up way before the crack of dawn; if it isn't the kids, it's getting ready for work.  (I am usually out the door before six.  Get to work early most mornings to have my java juice or to see what's been going on with patients under my care.)

I did get up once to feed Ian and Isaiah; thankfully they went right back to sleep.  They are still sleeping as I write; hope they don't get up for a while yet.  They are so active; it's hard to believe that they were once tiny, helpless babies!

They'll be two in November. 

Ronee' is home from school.  Stomach flu.  Been throwing up all night, according to Bill.  He is going to take her to see Dr. Emmons in an hour, see if he can give her anything to settle the queasies.  She was fine yesterday; wonder what brought it on.  Maybe it was something she ate that didn't agree with her.

I don't understand it because we ate what she did and none of us have had any problems!  Hmmm....

Just as long as the others don't get it, I'll be happy!  The last thing I need is a housefull of sick, vomiting kids!  Ick!

In any event, she's miserable.  I don't blame her one bit; I don't know of anyone who enjoys throwing up their toenails!

Johnathon is fine.  He's still pluggin' away, as only he can.  He saw Dr. Emmons on Friday; Dr. Emmons still wants to put in a PICC line.  Poor Johnathon just isn't gaining the needed weight.  He weighs less than 70 pounds; a boy his age should weigh well over 100 pounds. 

He looks like a concentration camp survivor:  all skin and bones.

It's no wonder people think he's dying.  Well, he is, but he's NOT quite there yet; he still feels he has a lot of living left to do. 

I guess it's his stubborn nature that's keeping him going like this; that, or a miracle from God!  In any event, as long as Johnathon's still alive, we will take it!  We are blessed that he's still with us!

Heard from Steffi in Texas:  she fell Saturday at school, suffered a fracture in her hip.  No surgery needed, but she's in an awful lot of pain.  She's to be in a wheelchair up to six to eight weeks; no walking for her.  She's still in a lot of discomfort.  (Steffi was at school on Saturday because one of her classes is on Saturday.) 

I will have to alert our church, to have them pray for her, pray for a healing.  Not just for her, but for Johnathon and Ronee'!  And pray that Camey and Tammi find a new job!

She must have fallen hard to sustain a hip fracture!  I'm just glad it wasn't any more serious, to where she would need surgery; still, she's going to be out of commission for a while!

And once her hip heals, no doubt she will need a lot of physical and occupational therapy, just to get her back on her feet again!

Gemini has gotten another award for her gymnastic skills at her school; we are so proud of her!  She still wants to go for the Olympics; it's a dream she's had since she was little.  I hope she sees her dream realized; she's worked hard to get to the level she's at in her talents as a gymnast!

Porter is now working:  he is working five days a week at a local garage.  He loves working with his hands, and he's always loved working on cars; so his dreams have been realized.  He's had this job for a few months now, and he absolutely adores it! 

Of course, when he comes home, he looks like he fell into a grease pit, but he's making good money, so we are proud of him for becoming self sufficient!

Unfortunately, Camey and Tammi are no longer employed:  the restaurant where they were working has shut down, so now they have to go to apply for unemployment.  They have an appointment later today; I will take them to the unemployment office.  Hopefully we won't have to wait that long! 

Roberto is still acting up.  The other day he got mad at one of the little kids, and he bloodied Arjun's nose in anger.  He is getting harder and harder to manage; Bill and I are wondering if he should be placed in a group home for multiply disabled young adults.  It's looking more and more like an option.  The stress levels we feel when he's around are incredible!

We have been on our faces in prayer, regarding this matter. 

Well, Bill is calling, so I will run along now.  I will write in here again soon; just keep us in your prayers; we would greatly appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!  God bless!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :)