Things like this happen to five year old little girls who hang out with 13 and 11 year old big sisters all day long every day.

I love this Lord so....the One who brings me to tears and to my knees....then causes me to laugh out loud in the very next breath. The One. My One and only. He crushes me....then He swoops in and rescues me. He causes me to smile when I don't necessarily feel like smiling. He reminds me of something private....shared just between He and I. He softens my heart. He renews my mind. And my strength.

If You did not take that precious baby to Heaven...we would not have Zion Evangeline. Thank You, Lord....for our baby in Heaven and thank You, Lord, for Zion Evangeline.

Your choices are trustworthy. You give and take away and You are so good to us. Help us to know this in our wounded hearts. Help us to feel your presence despite our wounded hearts. Help us to trust You with our wounded hearts.

Oh...to have a glimpse of the masterful tapestry when all we seem to notice are the snarls and knots beneath the work-table.

UPDATE:

Just got the results. His heart is fine :)


So Mcabearooni was complaining of chest pains ("it feels like someone is pulling on my heart") for three days....before dear old Mom and Dad decided to do something about it. On Monday....we went to the pediatrician....who weighed him, took his temperature....checked his blood pressure....listened with a stethoscope for a while...and sent us to the hospital for a chest x-ray and an EKG. That night we were told that his EKG showed abnormalities and an appointment was made with a pediatric cardiologist. On Wednesday...he was examined by two very nice but VERY serious doctors for two very long hours and given another EKG. This one showed no signs of abnormalities. An innocent heart murmur was detected and an echo cardiogram was scheduled for the next day...Thursday. We still have not gotten the results. I hate waiting for medical report week-ends.

Oh yea, Bradley also had a doctor's visit due to chest heaviness & pain. He had a hospital visit this week also. Chest x-ray...echocardiogram. Awaiting his results too.

They do not think Brad's mitral valve and tri cuspid valve regurge's have anything to do w/ Mcabe's pain. Hopefully....it's nothing more than muscular skeletal growing pains in the rib cage area...or a strain.

I'm sure we will know tomorrow. If not, Mama's gonna be tempted to lose it on someone.

I'm not the best with medical stuff. I'm one of the ones who needs a brown paper bag to breath into while her head is between her knees....which have turned into jello. Especccciiiiaaaalllllyyyyyyy when it involves one of the kids.

I've been somewhat stuck. Stuck? At a standstill? In a daze. Foggy? Going through the motions?

Titus Solomon has rocked my world. He has had me me at a standstill. Be still......and know that I AM God.

I was not expecting to grieve the loss of our babies at this time in this way. Wow, what a surprise. That sweet little fella has continued to move me to deal with the Lord in ways that I couldn't see coming. Thank you, Titus. For the stuff you brought up. For the urging to go deeper. For urging me to climb into Abba Father's lap. For urging me to stay there for a while. Receiving comfort. And for urging me to trust the One who loves me with an everlasting love.

http://www.cjbergmenmusic.com/wordpress/

How weird is this?
http://www.moviefone.com/insidemovies/2009/03/23/stand-by-me-cast-where-are-they-now/

Bria's Film

Beneath The Weeping Willow

http://www.cjbergmenmusic.com/wordpress/

Oh, Lord.

Some kids get to explore city streets. Others.... swamps. Some chase butterflies and fireflies in the woods and collect seashells at the shore. Some tromps through the desert...oblivious to the majesty and glory all around them. Oh, that these childhood years would turn to beautiful and nostalgic recollections.


I love Spring Break because it reminds me that the academic year...is coming to a close. Co-op and weekly lessons will be ending soon...7-8 weeks?????? And although we never really stop learning....our schedules do lighten up and things become more relaxed than they already are. For hippie home-educating moms....this is welcome news. I'm not sure how highly structured and super organized home-educators feel about drifting into lazy summer days....because I am not one of those. I am really looking forward to it.

Zoo Field Trip

Pilgrim's Progress

I'm not quite sure what the Lord is teaching Mcabe through our study of Pilgrim's Progress....but I know what he is impressing upon me.

Another (3 hr long????) pre-production meeting on Coming Out. I've not seen anything like it....this crew is SERIOUSLY serious about their work. I went to USC Film School and from what I remember.....my classmates and I were waaaaaaaay more flighty and lacksadazical about our assignments (maybe with the exception of John Singleton.) I am completely and utterly impressed w/this bunch of filmmakers. That's why I instructed Mcabe to shadow their every move.




P.S. So, that's where Jemima's zebra hat went to.

My sweet neighbor, Alex can't eat sugar. Bummer for her. Blessing for us. We inherited a nice surpirise.....six of her Sprinkles cupcakes. Sometimes....it's nice being known as the family in the neighborhood with all the kids. Especially when there are no complaints involved :)

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

To the CHRISTians who voted for this man..........first, repent.....then pray for a turning of his heart. And, I'm sorry but if you are an offended believer...tuff doo doo poop poop poop #2 crap dung poop.
___________________________________________


President Obama continued his attack today on life-saving policies instituted by previous Administrations by rescinding President George W.. Bush's 2001 ban on the use of Federal Money to fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

The process of harvesting stem cells for this research kills the tiny days-old human being from whom the cells are pillaged. President Obama's Order will allow the use of YOUR tax payer dollars to expand this "research" and further sanction the destruction of innocent human life by the Federal Government, and it places 400,000 frozen embryos in mortal danger.

Arizona Right to Life strongly denounces this horrific decision. In addition to killing the babies from whom the stem cells are harvested, and notwithstanding the President's misleading moniker that this research is "Promising," Embryonic Stem Cell Research has never cured a single disease, despite countless attempts in privately-funded research over the past decade. In fact, it has produced numerous tumors and cell mutations in test patients.

Conversely, Adult Stem Cell Research has yielded treatments for over 70 diseases including Type-1 Diabetes, spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease. Cord Blood Stem Cell Research and Pluripotent Stem Cell Research have shown rich potential as well. Regardless of the fact that these methods have been successful and are all non-fatal to the cell donor, and despite being in the worst recession in decades, the President has forged ahead with his morally and fiscally irresponsible insistence on the pursuit of life-ending and financially wasteful Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

Despite campaign promises to unite the country, this move comes just days after another anti-life attack in which President Obama overturned regulations protecting healthcare workers from being forced to perform procedures that violate their consciences, and in the shadows of the looming FOCA efforts. President Obama's radical policies have blatantly attacked pro-life policies and adherants, and have divided this country more than ever before.

Arizona Right to Life condemns this policy and the dangerous precipice on which it places this country. We call upon the President to carefully reevaluate the reports on previous Embryonic Stem Cell Research, the promising potential of other forms of Stem Cell Research, and the wishes of millions of concerned citizens nationwide.

Arizona Right to Life urges you to contact the White House and voice your concern over being positioned on this ominous slippery slope. We solicit your prayers and advocacy for the tinyest and most innocent among us, and for the President to adopt a radical change of heart and mind before additional lives are destroyed.

FEDERAL CONTACT INFORMATION

WHITE HOUSE (202) 456-1111 EMAIL

Senator Jon Kyl (602) 840-1891 EMAIL
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410 EMAIL

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, District 1 (928) 445-3434
Congressman Trent Franks, District 2 (623) 776-7911
Congressman John Shadegg, District 3 (602) 263-5300
Congressman Ed Pastor District 4 (602) 256-0551
Congressman Harry Mitchell, District 5 (480) 946-2411
Congressman Jeff Flake, District 6 (480) 833-0092
Congressman Raul Grijalva, District 7 (520) 622-6788
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, District 8 (520) 881-3588

Lest we be accused of having "perfect" children...I thought I'd share an image of a sheepish Bria on his way out the door for his first....and hopefully last court appearance. Speeding.

He tried to talk his way out of the ticket....asking the fuzz if he could get a break. The cop's wise response was, "This is your break."

He asked me to iron his shirt and I told him to look the judge in the eye and make sure he had a firm grip when giving handshakes. "Mom, I always have a firm grip," he assured me with a kiss and then drove away.



P.S. I want to know why my son wears the same shirt almost every day of his life???????? Go back a few posts....it's become a habit.

This pretty floral dress reminds me of a Betsey Johnson. Sorta flirty....sorta vintage 40's.
$5.99 at Savers.

Bradley and I had a date nite. You can tell we don't get out much because Zion had him wear a sport coat and boutonniere. Pretty fancy for a trip to the local movie theater. He took it off as soon as we hit the car :)

Coming Out

Bria is in pre-production on his short....Coming Out...the story of one man's victory over agoraphobia. That's Hugh....his D.P. (Director of Photography.) They had a late night meeting to plan out their shots.

Scott MacIntyre

My favorite part of this post:
Zion digging for gold and Nica reaching for the heavens??????