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Life up till now.

06.24.11

Well.. I can not believe it, but June is coming to an end. Lola is doing well. She started a new part of her treatment last week, that is pretty tough. But as long as it does what it’s supposed to do, I can live with it. She is back onto steroids, which is really tough for her. Last time she was on them she totally stopped talking, and TOTALLY stopped sleeping. Like didn’t sleep for days. It was not fun. She is not reacting that badly this time, but still seems a bit depressed and having some trouble sleeping. Thankfully we were a bit more prepared for it this time and had meds all set to go to counter act the side effects she has. She was on the steroids for a week, and then has a week off before starting back up again.

The amazingly wonderful news for June is that we close on our house on Monday!!!!! WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!! It’s our 6th move in a year. We are nearly pros. We are also hoping that even though we have totally fallen out of every social calendar we have ever appeared on that some kind and caring strong men will volunteer to help us move on Saturday the 2nd. If you want to show off how strong you are, this is the place to do it. If you always wanted to move someone else furniture, now is the time. If you can not wait to move boxes of dishes, don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Or if you just want to help us out… that works to. Let me know if you around and can help!!

I’m going to post an update of our life and what we’ve been doing in pictures below

We discovered that Lola’s egg laying hen is in fact a rooster. A rooster who now has a little boy crow.

We got to stay for a week at Matt’s aunts cottage. It was like a week in heaven away from it all. Some of our favorite people came to visit us. Our dear missionary friend who is home from Tanzania and his kids. Lola was nearly carried off by mosquitos. Note the giant bite on her head. Matt learned to fish with a tinker bell pole. We found a HUGE turtle.

Lola went to clinic. As usual… It was long and boring… as usual…

Lola went to camp for the day. It’s a camp for kids with cancer. Seeing a room full of kids who are living through this nightmare was nearly more than I can handle. Dropping my baby off with a bunch of people I don’t know was also nearly more than I could handle
While Lola was at camp for the day, Matt and I entertained Kia in the happening town of Jackson Mi. We went to a farm… and a park….. and ate ice cream….. and went swimming….. and picked up one very tired Lola.

This week we went and picked strawberries. It was very hot. We weren’t there for long.

We picked Kia out a puppy for her birthday next week!! We go back and pick it up next week and I cant wait!! Who doesn’t love a box full of puppies?

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If she can do it, so can I.

06.23.11

So. I am super excited to have just received info about an upcoming CureSearch event. Let me start by telling you about Cure Search. Cure Search is an amazing organization that supports the research of Children’s Cancer. One thing you may not know is that most cancer research agencies only give a small amount of their time and efforts for children’s cancer. This is not true with Cure Search. 95% of the money they raise goes to children’s cancer research. Their goal is to guarantee a cure for every child with cancer, and I CAN NOT wait until they are able to do this!!! The treatment plan that Lola is on came from Cure Search. She is part of a trial through Cure Search. I love cure search. If I ever bumped into someone named cure search, I would literally tackle them to the ground in a giant bear hug. Luckily I don’t think I’ll ever meet any one with that name.

So anyways… on to the point. Cure Search has an amazing even coming up that I want to take part in!!! Its called the Ultimate Hike. And my friends it is somewhat crazy. It is a 30 mile hike. yes. 30 miles. I can barely walk 3 miles, let alone hike 30. This hike is based out of Grand Rapids, but the hike takes place in Indiana. Please check out the website for more info. CLICK HERE Be sure to sign up for an info meeting if you want to take part. I’m going to the one on the 11th.

While hiking 30 miles is pretty far from my life of eating candy and drinking diet coke by the truck load, I figure that if Lola can go through all she is, then I can do it. If my sweet angel can be poked with needles hundreds of times, then I can train. If She can survive multiple hospital stays than I can give up some time. If she can live through blood transfusions, then I can sweat a little. If she can live this life at the age of 5 and still smile, still have joy, still love God and STILL want to help other people more than herself, then I can hike 30 miles. If there is a way that I can help my baby live a long and happy life than I will do it. Will you join me? Is she worth it to you?

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100/$100!!!

06.15.11

Words can not even begin to explain how excited I am right now. I am excited for a dear dear friend, who is an amazing lady and her and her family are stepping out in faith that God will provide for them. This is a family who I would say started out quite a bit like Matt and I did back in the day. Just normal people, doing normal things when all the sudden God smacks you on your head and changes your life path. The Reeves family had 4 darling children. God lead them to Ethiopia to adopt one child. While in the process of adopting that one became two. Shortly after returning form Ethiopia with their children God blessed them with child number 7. And now, they are following God’s call to care for the orphans of the world. To care for God’s children. To be God’s hands and feet.

Yesterday the Reeves received some info on 3 brothers ages 3,4, and 5 who are in need of a family. And the Reeves are choosing to follow God’s call once again and step out in faith that God will provide for them. The Reeves have been chosen to adopt these boys. And here is where you come in. The Reeves need $25,000 by Friday or they risk being able to adopt these boys. yes, 2 days from now…

It was not all that long ago that so many of my friends and blog followers stepped out to help us financially. And I will be forever grateful for that. And I truly hope that you were blessed by giving. And I would like to present a giving ‘challenge’ to you once again. I am looking for 100 fantastic people willing to also be the hands and feet of God. Now many having 10 children is not something you can do, BUT can you give $100 so that another family can bless these sweet little boys so that they are able to stay together and to be part of a wonderful loving family? I am reaching out to you once again with an opportunity to bless a family so that they might bless others. Follow the ‘Chip in’ button below to donate!! And PLEASE share this with any one you know who may be willing to help. Lets get these boys home! PS- you can check out their blog by CLICKING HERE EDITED TO ADD: The Reeves are in need of Three car seats, and 3 twin mattresses. Do you have any laying around that your not using?? Let me know!

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Photographers needed!!!

06.03.11

This is a post for all you fabulous photographers out there!! Our friends at Healing with Hope and Helping are looking for some photographers to help some amazing families!! The goal of this great organization is to bring happiness to those that are striving for healing and to show them that there is always reason to have Hope. They are working with kids who have some type of long term medical care (kids like Lola!!). The founders of this company happen to be our neighbors and we sure do like them

So…. What I am looking for right now is 2 different things. #1- I need a photographer willing to take pictures of a sweet six year old girl with type 1 diabetes. Her diabetes is fairly severe and she has an insulin pump. She has been working really hard to raise money and awareness for JDRF with fundraisers, lemonade stands and walks. She was chosen to go to Children’s Congress in Washington D.C. this summer to talk to legislatures about why funding for research to cure diabetes is so important to her. This amazing little girl recently requested a camera so she could document her trip to D.C. Pretty sweet huh?!! So If you would be willing to bless this family with your amazing talent please let me know!! lindsey @ following the call . org

#2- I am looking to put a list of photographers together who would be willing to photograph families that have a child with medical needs. These families have all been through so much, and family pictures would mean so much to them!! I know that it meant a lot for me to have pictures of our family when we we’re going through so much!! I am fortunate to have so many great photographer friends, but many people are not so lucky. If you sign up to be on the list, you will receive an email occasionally telling you about the family and you can choose to photograph that family if you would like. We are asking you to commit to photographing at least one family a year and providing them with a disc of images.

Please shoot me an email, or comment below if you would be willing to help us out! lindsey @ following the call . org

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show hide 18 comments

click here to leave us some blog love.

June 3, 2011 - 9:54 am

Theresa Kemink - I would LOVE to help with photographing families. Please add me to the list

You’re wonderful!

June 3, 2011 - 10:52 am

Jennifer Praniewicz - Thank you for posting this. We would love to help with this, please add us to your list. When does she need this done. I am leaving MI on July 4-28, but could do this this month. Let me know.
Jen

June 3, 2011 - 2:40 pm

Lisa kae - Please tell me my name is already on the list

June 3, 2011 - 3:12 pm

Sara Hoffman - I would like to be on the list please. Thank you!

June 3, 2011 - 5:25 pm

Amanda - I would love to be of help here! Please add me to your list of photographers. Thanks for putting this together, what an amazing service for families so deserving!

June 3, 2011 - 7:29 pm

Stacey Clack - I would LOVE too!! Please add me to the list and I can help with the 6 year old if you don’t already have someone. I have time next week

June 3, 2011 - 8:49 pm

tim shaw - It would be a delight and my total privilege to be a photographer for families in need.

June 4, 2011 - 5:12 am

Leah and Tony - To Lindsey and all of her amazing, generous, talented photographer friends,

We are SO thrilled to see how you’ve responded to Lindsey’s post! It brought tears to my eyes. I just wanted to thank you and tell you how excited we are to have you join Healing with Hope and Happiness in this way. You have truly blessed us and added to our determination to bring some joy to the lives of these amazing kids.

We can’t wait to meet you!!
Leah and Tony

June 4, 2011 - 10:14 am

Tricia - I’d love to be added to your list of photographers, happy to help out!

June 6, 2011 - 9:29 am

Lacey Rumptz - Please add me to the list of photographers, I am in the Port Huron, MI area. Thanks!

June 8, 2011 - 8:01 am

holly - What a neat thing! If I was a professional photographer I’d sign up in an instant. On the other hand, when things are up and running, how will families w/ children w/ special long term medical needs hook up with these photographer? One of our daughters has two chronic lifelong conditions.

June 15, 2011 - 8:11 pm

Patti VanHuizen - Lindsey, please add me to the list of photographers!

June 16, 2011 - 10:31 am

Amie Wagner - I’m not sure if you are in need of photographers only in a certain area but I would be happy to help! Please add me to the list.

June 16, 2011 - 10:15 pm

Angela Mann - I live in Largo Florida so I don’t know if this helps or not. I photograph families, children,couples,etc. Lately, I have been shooting alot of fashion models. I was just praying and asking the Lord to use my gifts somehow for Him. I don’t know if this is what He has in mind but I would like to make myself available to do whatever I can to help. Thanks so much! Angela Mann

August 15, 2011 - 7:57 pm

tammi dryden - Would love to be added to your list! I live in Zeeland (we met at an adoption picnic w/ Ridge Point, just before you guys left)

Continuous prayers for Lola and your family!

September 11, 2011 - 6:31 pm

Regina White - Please put my name down to photograph a family. Thanks Lindsey.

October 30, 2011 - 1:00 pm

KerryJackson - I am interested in helping familes. Please include me, thank you.

December 11, 2011 - 10:10 pm

Abigail Marie - I know this is way late, but i would love to help if more photographers are needed in the Grand Rapids area!

May in a nut shell.

06.02.11

Whew. What a month!! Shoot. Who am I kidding, What a year. The biggest news of late is that we are buying a house!!!! Woot woot!! and we are crazy excited. Did I tell any of you about our house hunting? Well… let me give you the highlights. We went through roughly 30 houses from Lowell, to the lake shore and back again. Our poor realtor was driving all over the place taking us through houses. Let me see…. most exciting house we went through was a real beauty. It can be yours for the price of $30,000. You may want to take note that it comes with a disgruntled man, who i’m, am rather certain is on drugs. There is also no working bathrooms in the house. And the dog at the house may or may not chase you to run to your realtors car. That’s what happened to me at least. Needless to say…. we did not put in an offer on that one.

We did however put an offer in an an amazing house in Spring lake… along with many other people who also put offers in. We then moved on and found a great house in walker and put an offer in on that one. And someone else out bid us. Seriously??? How is this possible when people are having trouble selling houses.

So… then 2 weeks ago on Saturday I spotted a new listing come up and I immediately emailed our realtor. And just because i’m kinda crazy I also emailed his wife. Don’t worry…. she’s a good friend of mine. So I think that only makes me a little crazy, and not some kinda of a realtor wife stalker. Anyways. Our realtor called back right away and we went that night to go see the house. It was AMAZING!!! We put an offer in, and figured there was no way we would get it, that lots of other people would put offers in as it was priced rather low. That Monday we heard that the bank that owns the house accepted our offer!!!! We then received a counter offer from them that included them pumping out the septic tank, and paying for a home warranty etc. All stuff in our favor!!! Amazing. It is still unreal to us!! We had inspections today at the house and it all looks good!!! WOO WHOO!! We should close on the house by the end of June. This is truly a total ‘God’ thing that we are getting this house!! Thank you Lord!! We can’t wait to see what God’s plan is for this juncture of our life.

Matt is getting used to being back in the paint business again. He is working really hard, and his new job is a challenge, but he is so amazing at dealing with that kind of stuff and he will do well!!

We decided that I will be homeschooling the girls next year. I have been busy figuring out what we will be studying next year and I am super excited!! If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would consider homeschooling, I would have laughed and said ‘no way!!’ but we know this is what God wants for our family at this point and I am happy to be able to do this for our girls. While keeping Lola away from the germs at school is an added benefit to homeschooling, that is not why we are doing this. We feel that this is the best education we can give our children, where they can get all the one on one teaching they need and we can also concentrate on growing them into the children we want them to be. Amazing wonderful God loving, bible knowing, smart kids!!

More super awesome news!! Our neighbors (Tony and Leah) from our house in Hudsonville have started an organization to help families like ours!! They have had two children with cancer, and know what it is like to be in our shoes. On one of our first few days in the hospital I asked to have Leah come visit us and I was so thankful she did!! I needed to see someone who had survived being the mom of a child with cancer, and was still able to walk and talk after going through it all!! Anyways… Check out their awesome organization, Healing with Hope and Happiness by clicking HERE. Lola is the first kid on their list of kids to help. Sa-weet!!

Here’s a bit more of what we’ve been up to-

We made an evening trip to the emergency room. It was less than fun, but at least we were not admitted!! Any time Lola gets a fever… to the ER we go.

We decided how beautiful we can be bald. We had movie times. We went to the cancer clinic. A lot. We mowed the lawn. And got very tired. We looked cute at the beach. We made ‘sand angels’ And we went to the cancer clinic some more…. Thanks for following our story!