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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

One BIG Dream and one BIG Prayer Request!

Every girl has hopes and dreams. Growing up, it was SO much fun to sit and dream about what I was wishing for. I will just say that many of my dreams have come true!  Now that I have grown up "a little," my dreams have turned into prayers. I have seen God say, yes to some, wait, and no to some!
But I have had one very special prayer request since 2006. I am in the midst of seeing this dream/prayer coming true! However, God is answering it in a way that I would have never dreamed! It involves a very,very dear friend! I can honestly call her a "best friend". She has been my support, encouragement, confidant, listening ear etc. you get what type of friend I am talking about!

Meet my dear friend, Lorelei!



                       Let me share her story, her dream  and even mine that we have been praying for.
Lorelei and her husband, Rick  have had a desire to be parents for a short time! 
Ah not true...actually they have been trying to be parents for a LONG 7years!  
Their journey to parenthood has not been the "normal" journey. They found out about 6 years ago that there were some fertility problems. They were told the best way for them to have a  baby was through In vitro Fertilisation. They only had a 1-5% chance of ever conceiving naturally. So, their journey with fertility treatment began.
In 2006 they signed up for 3 tries with In-vetro. Their first try was in the winter of 2006 and it was exciting and shocking news!  "Congratulations! You are pregnant... with TRIPLETS!"
YIKES! WOW! WHAT???!
About the time that the realization had sunk in that they would be parents of 3 babies, tragedy occurred!  At just 20 weeks-God took the triplet boys home. As any parent can imagine it was devastating! And yes, this long awaited dream was shattered...and continued to grow heavier on their hearts!
They grieved and grieved and grieved. But they dealt with the loss of the boys amazingly well. They participated in a support group, reached out to others in the same situation, shared their story with others and pressed on! Yet, never once have we forgotten their boys. We still have moments where we talk about them and wonder what they would be like. We look forward to meeting them in Heaven again.
Their second try for a baby took place last year and there was no success. (sigh).
They were planning to try for their 3rd and final try in the spring of this year.
BUT God did the "IMPOSSIBLE!"
(Do you have goose bumps yet? You know what I am about to write?!)
 They got pregnant on their own in Feb!
 God IS the God of Miracles. Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." This is just one way I think God shows his power by answering this BIG prayer!  This has been my "other" dream/ prayer since we became friends in 2006! I have longed for her to be a mommy (and Rick a daddy).
 Lorelei is my friend that is: so self sacrificing, drops her plans to help me when she can, nurtures my own boys when the are in her care, accepts  them almost as her own, spoils them like CRAZY, and loves them. Never once has she shown resentment toward me for having babies. Often friends can get so envious of what the other has. Not Lorelei!
Her love and care for our boys has been so special to us! Not having family around has been easier on us because they have filled that gap.
Well, there is MORE News!
Here is the BIG Prayer Request:
They just had their 20 week visit and it is a BOY due on 10/31!
BUT-they got some devastating news at what was suppose to be "perfect 20 week check-up."
Little Baby Boy, Hoeye has Spina Bifida
What? A medical illness?
OK! Rewind~Didn't I just share that this is my dream for my friend to just be a mommy and finally have a baby? I did! And I have been praying for this prayer for 4 years! I guess I wasn't clear with God! I meant a Healthy, Perfect baby!
 Ah-God heard my prayers. I know he did! He answered in HIS time!
Jeremiah 33:3  'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
This is all part of HIS plan!
Oh-right. God's ways are not always our ways!
(Easier to hear then often to live).
Wow~this is a little angel that is perfect in God's eyes!
Baby Hoeye has been knit perfectly together in his mommy's belly. God already has his whole life planned. ~Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
He does not no any other life. His life is perfect and  in God's eyes he IS perfect!
Psalm 145 talks about the Lord being good to all he has created; and the passage ALSO talks about the Lord hearing our cry.
It is a very comforting passage to me at this time. I am just her friend, and though I am not going through it-I am still on this journey and want to be of support to her!
Well, their 20 week appointment did not give them the news that they or anyone would want to hear!

Lorelei posted an article on her FB page that talks about what it is like to have a child with special needs!This is somewhat what is happening to their dream...and they are accepting it, getting ready to move on and give Baby Hoeye the best world that they can give him!
(Here is the article)
 Welcome to Holland

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this…
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!" you say. "What do you mean, Holland?" I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy.
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to some horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy a new guidebook. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
The pain of that will never, ever, go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.
But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.
Written by Emily Perl Kingsley

I feel SO inadequate at times, because my life does seem so perfect (yet it is far from it) compared to her world!   Lorelei reassures me that I am doing everything I can do for her. It is just a healing process and a waiting window now.
Today, they are seeing the neurosurgeon who will be performing surgery on their little boy! I am praying that the news is not more severe then last week!
Will you please sign up here and commit to pray for Baby Hoeye and his family?



I will keep you posted on their journey.
Feel free to share this prayer with others and Link them to this sign up list!
 I would love to have 24 prayer warriors for the 24 hours in the day. 
She is in the midst of working on a blog, but is still going through the emotions and shocking news.
In the meantime, you can look her and Rick up on FB *(Lorelei-Lori Oates Hoeye/Rick Hoeye) or send her and Rick a card.
 If you want their address or email please contact me and I will get it to you!
I only know that God wants me to be a comfort and support for her. It is my job to pray and I am seeking some special prayer warriors for them! I know that some of you have been in their shoes!

Thank you in advance to those of you who have been praying for them.
I will continue to keep you updated on their journey.
Thanks for letting me share a dream and a BIG Prayer request.
Keep following our blog for an update on Baby Hoeye!
Seeking Him,
Jenn
( and the Hoeyes  too!)

BBQ Chicken Pizza (Monday Meals)

We LOVE pizza and what family doesn't? I love Pizza even more when I know it is healthy!
Here is what we had last night for our Monday Meals dinner :)
(My battery was dead on our family camera-so my apologies-these are photos from my cell phone!)
BBQ Chicken Pizza was HUGE success with Parker. I am sure because it was called "PIZZA" he happily ate it!
Here is my long awaited secret! I have homemade Cal zones that everyone LOVES! It is the dough that is the key. This dough is used in our house for homemade pizza too! So here is my secret recipe below-but not everyone wants to slave over homemade dough! (The key is a Kitchen-Aid Mixer!)
It really makes the process easy and I love homemade dough-it is healthier!
I have made this dough since Mike and I were first married.
The crust calls for 2 & 1/2 Cups of All Purpose flour. I know that there is NOTHING nutritious about white flour. So, I experimented last night and used 1 cup of whole wheat flour and the dough raised and it tasted fabulously "healthy!"

I use the weight watchers BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe as the main recipe for this pizza.
  • The only thing I do differently is I add beans on the pizza. I would love to use black beans, but Parker won't eat Black beans.
  •  I cook the onion with my chicken
  • Instead of buying the recommended crust I made mine.
 I think I will continue to make homemade wheat dough for this recipe.


I had a happy little helper last night. Anytime Parker sees me get out my grandmother's rolling pin he gets curious. I love this rolling pin.
There are sweet memories (or shall I say yummy pies), that were made with this rolling pin! My Grandma Clark was a fabulous cook and baker. I had 2 fabulous grandmothers and each one were excellent bakers. I think I may have inherited their love of baking and cooking from them :) Therefore, I am thrilled to have grandma's rolling pin. Thanks mom for passing it on to me :)

A special note: If you have a Kitchen-Aid Mixer this will be an easy and nutritious crust for homemade pizza! I LOVE my Kitchen-Aid Mixer. It is one of my sweetest possessions that I own. Mike got it for me our first Christmas after we were married. It is still the best gift he has ever gotten me! (I think!?) I use it at least 3-4 times a week. So, that is why my friends call me -"Jenny Crocker!"


So, here is the long awaited secret recipe for my homemade pizza dough!
Jenn's Homemade Pizza Crust
2&1/2 -3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
*(or 1 Cup of Whole Wheat flour and 1&1/2 -2 Cups of All-Purpose)
1TBSP Sugar
1tsp salt
2 tsp Mrs. Dash (Garlic & Herb Seasoning) (MY SECRET)
1pkg Rapid Rise Yeast
3TBSP Olive Oil
1 Cup very warm water (about 120 degrees)
Directions:
  • In large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of flour, sugar, seasoning, salt and yeast.
  • Add oil and warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently.
  • Stir in enough remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves the sides of the bowl.
  • Place dough on lightly floured surface.
  • Knead 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy.
  • Cover loosely with plastic with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
  • Prepare crust in 2 pans for thin crust or 1 large sheet pan for thicker crust.
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes
  • Add sauce and toppings and bake for additional 7-10 minutes or until crust is lightly brown on edges.
  • (I did add green peppers to this-Parker doesn't mind them:)
  • ENJOY
Feel free to join us on the Monday Meals adventure! What did your family have for dinner last night?
Sign up here to share and gain some great recipes.
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_link_entry_form.aspx?id=30590


Jenn :)

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day; Dad, Mike and Dad R!

Today is a day that I celebrate three very special men in my life!
1. My Dad
He is a godly, loving, compassionate, tender-hearted, trustworthy, hardworking, discerning, husband, father Grandpa and Pastor! My dad has been a pastor my whole life. I am so proud to be his daughter and blessed to have him to look up to! I will never forget the day my Kindergarten teacher asked what my daddy did. I told my teacher, in front of the whole class, that my daddy was a pastor. She then asked me to explain what a pastor did! I made it very clear that "he spoke to people in church, visited people from the church, and talked on the phone all day!" LOL ~my view and appreciation of my dad's role as a Pastor has definitely changed since Kindergarten! Today, if I was asked what my dad did as a pastor, my answer would probably be this; to train, teach and preach the Gospel to a lost world; while mentoring, counseling and supporting the body of Christ. :) I know it is NOT a job that any man can do. It is very humbling and self-sacrificing to be in full time ministry. Yet, I have seen God bless our family above and beyond because my dad continued to stay faithful and serve the Lord even in the toughest times! (Trust me~ we went through many trials!) I am so proud to be one of my dad's 4 girls. I have never taken it for granted but have grown to appreciate it more and more. Above all-thank you for Dad, for being a great role model to your four son-in-laws, 5 grandsons and your sweet little grand-daughter Grace! Happy Father's Day -We all love you!


                                   

2. My Husband

He is a godly, fun, loving, energetic, outgoing, FRUGAL, FRUGAL, trustworthy, optimistic, excitable, VERBAL, patient, son, husband and daddy! I do not thank him enough for choosing me to be his wife! I am working on this! As I reflect on the past 8 years of marriage (and 2 & 1/2 years of dating), I have seen him blossom from YOUNG, free-spirited, enthusiastic, to the list above! WOW~I am really blown away! (Mike.I know you don't like me buying you gifts-but I know how much you love gifts that come from my heart so here it goes! And all my blogging friends get to hear it on this special day!)


"Dear Mike,
I am so proud of your accomplishments the last 8 years. You have worked SO hard to be a strong supporter for us spiritually, emotionally and your favorite ...financially! I think the other two roles (spiritual and emotional) come naturally since you take finances very seriously! You know what God's word says about it, you work with finances every day in the corporate world, and you and I have experienced the tough times in finances! God is continuing to bless us because of your lead and guidance in this area! I know how much you long to see us debt free and I am excited for that day! Thank you for all that you are teaching Parker and Kaden already! I know you have a passion to help others financially and we all know you can't wait to meet your hero-Dave Ramsey! We are half -way through the Financial Peace University Class-and I am glad we are taking it! I can't wait to see the debt fade away so we can really "live" and serve the Lord later with all that he has blessed us with!

The last 3 years you have taken on one of the biggest roles and that is, Dad! After a hard day at work, you walk in the door and perform “DAD 110% "! Seldom do we get to reflect on your work day, because P and K are demanding of your time and you give it! Thank you for being a great example to me and never complaining! Thank you for never giving up on me and never cheating out on your role and not wanting to be "Dad!" I know Parker and Kaden really love you! I really LOVE you and I am proud to be your wife and have you as the daddy of our boys!"
Happy Father's Day!
XO~
(Your Sweetlips, Parker and Kaden)

                                    



(Father's Day -6/20/2010)

I would not have my dear husband if he had not had his role model growing up, his Dad!
3. My Father-In-Law / (Dad R. a.k.a. as Cowboy and Papa)

He is a godly, fun, energetic, excitable, hardworking, patient (worrier of his kids (in a good way)-sorry I had to say that), trusting, personable, compassionate son, husband and father to 3 great sons, and grandpa!
I find it a great honor to be his daughter-in-law! He treats me just like his own. (My in-laws were blessed with 3 boys-and no daughters. So that is why I think we get such royal treatment!) There is never a dull moment whenever we visit with my -in-laws or vice/ versa. My Father-in-law, spoke at our wedding and gave a charge to Mike and me. I will never forget his last sentence..."I am as proud as a peacock!" And we can say that we are "proud as peacocks" to have you as our Dad, and Papa, to Parker and Kaden! We are excited for your visit the end of the week and can't wait for many more memories! Happy Father's Day~ we all love you!