Porters Portals

Ok, so my last post ended with me saying "still kickin" but actually I'm not. I have been in a lot of discomfort...ummmm pain. Not sure what's going on but it's from the fall. I will give it a couple more days and then I will check into getting a doctor to look at me. Other than my 'war' wounds all is well as can be expected in our household. All the kids are well and looking forward to school starting. MK and LB had their first doctor appointment this week and came through that with flying colors. Poor little LB had 3 shots. Papa L called me, as I was leaving an 8 hr class, and asked me if I had children's Tylenol. I said yes, WHY? They were going to give LB 6 shots. I said "no their not. They can give him 3 now and 3 later." I couldn't see putting that poor little guy through that. SIX??? That would be tough for an adult. That evening I was very thankful I had him only get 3. He had a slight reaction, swelling and fever...probably the ...

At this time I have 4 posts sitting in the 'wings' waiting to be finished. I feel I have so much on my mind to write about but can't seem to keep my thoughts focused. I can't seem to finish them. I am just tired. The battle rages on and the energy is drained but yet I don't feel overwhelmed....just tired....just 'whelmed.' I feel pretty much at peace but not joyful. I seem to just be on auto pilot. Trying to keep dog paddling. I don't mean to make it sound like I am down because I'm not really....I'm not really sure what I am. So here I go again....just rambling on. I guess I should post this just so you know I am still here....still kickin'!

Well either I have had no time or no energy to write lately. A lot on my mind I would have liked to shared but usually I would start writing and run out of time or I would think about sitting at the PC and my sore hip/bum would detour me from it and then I would just fall into bed and fall asleep. It's been a busy week so far. Monday was spent catching up on laundry. I hate laundry. Monday night football and laundry...they almost rank equal except for the fact I can go without Monday night football in my home but I can't go without washing clothes. The one thing on this earth that ranks higher on my list of dislikes is SNAKES! Due to the fact I live next to a train track and the only thing that separates us from the train track is very thick black berry bushes. Du the bushes my back yard is now a haven for those disgusting sneaky creatures. We could get the black berries cut down but the birds love them so and I love the birds. We also greatly enjoyed the black berries this yea...

I love our zoo. We recently had a baby elephant born there. Here is the link to the website regarding 'him.' http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/zoo_elephant_rosetu_begins_lab.html He has since been reunited with his Mommy and they are doing great. They opened up the viewing area this weekend to allow the public to see him. Despite the controversy or these elephants or any zoo animal, I am thankful these beautiful beasts are safe, well fed, and able live in safety from poachers. I am thankful to have the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful and magnificent animals God ever created...but I feel that way about all the animals at the zoo. God is amazing in His design and creativity. You go from seeing the incredible Zebras to the Naked Mole Rat. Hmmmmm....! Maybe that was His sense or humor!?!?! I will make a trek to the zoo to see the new baby...but I will plan for a day that maybe not all of Portland will be there. Though that won't be easy. He will be...

What a great day. The weather perfect and a day full of fun and laughter. I was able to take 'most' of our kids to Enchanted Forest http://www.enchantedforest.com/ today. We also wrangled Grandma into coming. The trip there and back went great and we enjoyed the displays and the new ride, The Challenge of Mondor. I have been visiting Enchanted Forest since 2nd grade when our class took a field trip there. I am now.....(ummm adding) 43. There is soooo much there that is still the same and so much that has changed. I wish I had pictures of when I use to go as a child but I don't and the memories are vague. I know I loved it then and still do. It's been such a blessing to be able to enjoy it over the years with my parents, my sisters, my nieces, my nephews, my husband, my children, my foster children, and hopefully next year with one or all of my grandkids. Amazing. It was created and is ran by a family and it is a great family place to go. Sadly the disc in my camera is ...

Mark 12:29-31 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Psalm 51:10-12 10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Colossians 3:12-17 12"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

The weather cooler I spent yesterday and this morning getting caught up on the housework I was behind on. Also, I have had not one...but two sick dogs so it has been a puke fest. I spent a good portion of yesterday morning scooping and shampooing. Well this morning my largest dog, Lilly, decided to throw up ONE more time. As I was pushed her out the back door she let go. I was ok with that...thank God it was not on the carpet again. So I went and pulled the hose out to spray the porch off, put the hose away, was heading back in when I noticed a box on the porch that needed to go out to the recycles. Just as turned, my foot slipped and down I went. I hit my bottom and right hip pretty good. I could hear crack and pop and there were no 'Rice Krispies.' Immediately I cried out to God "Please Father keep me from serious injury. Please help me to be ok." So I slowly rose and there was no searing pain in the hip or back. Just to the butt. So long story short I have a beauti...

Good Ol' Oregon. The weather has cooled and we have had some rain. I LOVE Oregon!!! The Western part that is. I wanted to post This picture of my oldest Son J when I wrote his birthday post on the 17th, but I was unable to loc ate it in time. Now that the weather has cooled I had more energy to look for it. Normally I keep it in his baby book, but with the wedding last year I had it out and hadn't put it back. 'My bad' P.S. This baby was born to a blonde haired, fair skinned, blue eyed Mom and a red headed, fair skinned, hazel eyed dad. Genetics are a funny thing....I guess the little bit of Native American in me kicked in. Both him and his auburn haired sister have brown eyes. Go figure! Here he is....or should I say was 23 years ago.........what a doll.

Today my heart is filled with joy and a tinge of sadness. Today is my baby boy's 23rd birthday. I am filled with joy because he has turned into a wonderful, kind, dedicated, and Godly man. He is a joy to my heart. He is also the one who recently gave me a beautiful and precious biological grandson. How precious they both are to me. As I share my feelings about my son, understand I know that we belong to God the Father. I know my son was a gift to me. He was given to me to love and to raise into a young man. What I am sharing is my heart. I recognize that God created James. God loves J unconditionally. God has plans for his life. God died on the cross for him. God will guide him all the days of his life, even after I have gone. Just so you know...that I know.... My son James changed my heart forever. I loved my parents, I loved my husband but never had my heart experienced the love I felt the very first time I laid my eyes on my newborn son. The love and joy poured from me....in the...

Ahhhh, this is my precious Kyler (Ky for short). He is a treasure to my heart. He is my first grandson. He is not my biological grandson but he is the grandson of my heart. I am his Nana. He loves me...I mean my house because I have trains that run directly behind it. He is the greatest train lover I have ever met in my life. They live in Eastern Oregon so I see them once to twice a year. Not enough but Mommy does stay in contact. Ky has a little sister named Kaylee (Ka for short) and a baby sister on the way. She will be delivered on September 12th. Anyways, yesterday was Ky's SIXTH birthday. They were heading to the mountains to go camping and he was VERY excited. So here is my boy Ky. So handsome, so sweet, and such a blessing to my life. Happy Birthday Buddy!

Oregon is in the middle of a heat wave....ok, I know it's only day 3 but that is 3 days TOOOO long. I went to bed last night and the thermostat on my living room wall read 88. I get up this morning and the thermostat reads 83, that's with 2 air conditioners running all night. One at each end of the house. So I sit here, whining about how miserable it is and thinking about the shower I am going to go and take. Then my healthy kids will rise and want their breakfast. They will put on a set of clean clothes. They in turn will whine about what to do today. I will throw a load of laundry into the washing machine. My husband is at work. I may or may not make my bed (it's a great place to drop when I get overheated...it's by the ac) and I will just go about living today. Considering our financial woes. Wondering about friends who are struggling with issues. Curious if my 'adult' kids are doing ok. Pray for all the above and much more and feeling a little 'whelmed...

Papa Larry (PL when referring to Grandpa and L when referring to my hubby) finally met the new grand baby last night. Funny how tiny C looks when PL picked him up. Mommy and Daddy came over for dinner last night. It was hot and miserable. Didn't stop me from holding the baby and burning the ground beef....oh well...I have my priorities! I know how quickly these baby's grow and I want to enjoy every second. For those of you who are not Western Oregonians or don't know much about us, when temps get over 85 we begin to melt. There are a few transplants who love it but for those of us either born here or have lived here most of our lives, it's a killer. We hit 101 yesterday and it will probably be higher today. I can take 1 day of it and even 2 days with a little whining....but I sure hope that's all I have to endure. The house builds the heat up and it's not easy cooling it down. My girls are making plans to escape to Grandma's house (Central Air...not that the...

As for the dentist appointments, they went great. The kids were fantastic. As for the dentist....well not as gentle and compassionate as I was hoping for in a Pediatric dentist but should do a good job. The office was set up great. LB has perfect teeth and MK on the other hand has a mouth full of issues. Several of which can not be saved. Thank God she is young and we still have hope for her permanent teeth. Poor girl. So we will have several appointments in the near future and several visits from the tooth fairy.

I had a test today and I believe I passed. Let me set the scene. I had planned to go to our public library today with my kids. Thought we would check out a couple of books, go down the street to the Fairview City Park and I would read while they played on the play structures. As I was standing at the desk getting library cards for the two little ones, one of the librarians said "I am off to go and help the Reptile Man." Her and another librarian had a short discussion about passing out fliers to the event. I kept my head down, fumbling in my purse when I briefly looked up and the woman who was about to head out the door said, the Reptile Man will down at the park at 2 and he will have 'hands on' creatures and he is a great teacher and blah blah blah. Then the other librarian hands me the flier. I quickly look at the clock and it's 1:30. So I head back to my kids in the reading area and know...deep down in my heart, that place that Mom's have reserved for their...

So it's not enough to take kids you have never met, know NOTHING of their past or their future but never less take them into your home to love them and care for their basics needs. You are also required to usher them to various appointments. Ok, I accept ALL that but the hassle truly comes from trying to get the paperwork needed in order to take care of their basic needs. Yes, I am speaking of the State. I don't blame the people themselves because I worked for the American Red Cross for MANY years and I understand how insane it is working within a system that only cares about the 'buck.' Those 'bucks' belonging only to those you never see. The ones making triple digit incomes. The ones who have to make up changes and rules in order to give them job security. It ALWAYS amazed me when management was REQUIRED to show change. To come up with ideas that would cut costs (though the senior mgt. never cut their wages or their travel expenses or retreat expenses) and how...

The new family is resting at home now. I have had some contact with them via text messaging today but I am trying to leave them alone and let them have their space and family time. Ems Mom is bringing dinner for them so they are taken care of there. Pray for health for them and wisdom. I hear C wore a preemie outfit home. One we bought for him. It is a shorts and tank top outfit. They sent me a pic and he looked adorable....of course! It's hard being a new parent but even harder being a new grand parent. At least when the baby was mine I could hold it when I wanted and do what I thought was best for the baby. This hands off stuff is tough! Hands off and mouth shut! After all ....I don't know very much I only gave birth to 4 babies....what could I possibly know!?!?! To be perfectly honest, so far that feeling other people told me about hasn't hit. That "it's better being a grandparent" stuff. So far I don't agree but time will tell. Maybe it's wh...

I have permission from the state caseworker to post pictures of my foster children. Which is great because now you have faces to go along with the prayers and also they are such a part of our life it's hard for me to share photos of the family that doesn't have them included. So here they are....The girl is MK and the boy is LB. They are a blessing to me. They have a tough road to walk so please pray for them. For what they have been through, they are happy and well balanced. They have learned to pray over their meals and MK has the majority of the 'Lords Prayer' memorized. Pray their Dad stays a constant in their life (through visitation) and their Mom would get the help she needs and she would allow the Lord to intervene and give her eyes to see what is important. They have not had a visit with her since they were placed with us and she is the primary parental role to them. They love their parents very much. Pray for healing for all 4 of them. Here they are .......

Daddy Mommy

My new Grandson ' Carter' 7lbs 13oz 20 inches long 08-08-08 He is beautiful, sweet, and the newest treasure in my life!!!

Today is a special day in our family. Today is my Dad's 75th Birthday. Seventy Five! He walks several miles a day and he collects the neighbors newspapers for recycling and he collects the family's cans and bottles for refund. He does the cans and bottles because we don't like to and he gets to keep the money! Good deal! My dad came from 'hard' stock and a rocky childhood. His dad died very young leaving a young widow with 5 kids. Born and raised in Oklahoma, he met my mom when he was 19 and they soon married. They have been married ever since and have born and raised 6 kids. We moved to Oregon in 71' He has always provided for his family. Me being the youngest of the 6 had it easier with him. Men of his generation ruled with an iron fist and so my older siblings got the brunt of young testosterone and misguided rules of discipline so my view of our dad is much different than theirs. But all the kids are good citizens and we gave him a 'passel' of grand ...

Happy (belated by 1 day) Birthday to my Sister in Christ, friend, and fellow Blogger, Heather Friesen. I hope and pray you were blessed beyond words on your special day. You are a true gift to all those around you! 'May the Lord Bless You and Keep and Make His Face to Shine Upon You and Give you Peace.'

I took my daughter in-law in for her OB appointment and a 'Non stress-test' to see how the baby is doing. She is only 2 days past her due date but the medical world starts to pressure and panic. She is going to a midwife but she is for sure not the kind of midwife I am use to. Offering a lot of medical intervention. Anyways, the baby's heart is staying steady but that concerned them because they wanted to see it get stimulated...long story short, ultra sound showed baby is fine, placenta is fine, amount of fluid fine. So I went out to the waiting room while they conducted the internal exam and they (mommy and daddy) came out with the news that Em is 4cm dilated and the midwife "stripped" her membranes. Sooooooo it could be tonight or tomorrow I will be making a trek to the hospital. They did make an appointment for her to admitted to the hospital on Friday for induction. I don't think she will make it that long....I am hoping she doesn't. I hate that they ...

I did it. It's in the mail. The letter notifying our district of our intent to Home School our children. Multnomah County had a link for a template you could use, so I did. Fast and easy...just fill in the blanks, sign and date and Viola! As I stated in a previous post, "One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus," I won't be using a curriculum this year for home school but I will be using work books for Math. Math is my weak area and I need the help in order to teach my girls. I found work books, of all places, at Walgreens. They had lower level and grade level for my girls. They were 2.99 each and will work just fine. Funny how a small purchase like that can remove about half a ton of weight off the shoulders. We bought some school supplies for cheap and I am beginning to feel we are ready to set sail. Well almost. I do need to carve out some time to make somewhat of a schedule. I say somewhat because I don't believe we will be following a schedule but for my own sake I nee...

About 2 times a week I check the Northwest Adoption Exchange Waiting Children http://www.nwae.org/wait-or.html website to see the faces of those precious little kids who are suffering the consequences of the sins of their parents. I look at them so I can pray for them. I am sure it's not all the kids in Oregon needing a family but the amount on this website is just heartbreaking. Please take a look at the website. Look at the eyes of the innocents. Look into your heart. See if God would lead you to give them a home and a family. As of today on the NWAE website there are: 92 Kids 57 Cases of which There are: 10 sets of 2 siblings 7 sets of 3 siblings 1 set of 4 siblings 2 sets of 5 siblings On the NWAE website you can also see kids in Washington, Idaho, and Alaska who are in need of a family.

Tonight I feel a little at a loss. There are some problems with several family members ranging from, hours being cut back at work, no job, vehicles breaking down, evictions from their home, depression, alcoholism, ...and probably more I know nothing about. Sometimes it feels there is so much to pray about I just don't even know where to start. I feel I could pray for hours and not cover it all. But I am made of flesh and I am weak and I find it hard to pray continually throughout the day for others. I get caught up in my own dismay. This is why time goes by so quickly. Just think how painful it would be if time drug on slowly. If we had what felt like and extra hour a day to deal with this world, to carry others burdens, how exhausting it would be?!?! This world, just as the bible foretold, is spiraling into darkness. Watch the news. How I wish it was different but I can not blame Eve oh and Adam. I too and ridden with Sin. I'm not so sure a snake could tempt me ( I HATE sna...

Well I survived the last couple of days. I do feel weary tonight but it's not just the activities that make me tired. Marriage, finances, spiritual battles. Raising the kids is the easy part. We enjoyed our trip to the zoo though it rained the entire time we were there. I am thankful though, it was a light rain and it wasn't 95 degrees or higher. I will take the rain over the heat anytime. The zoo is hosting an event called 'Dinosaurs.' It was pretty fun though not all that informative, at least not for us. I feel like we ran through it. The kids were so excited to see the next one and the next one.....and so on. The greatest being the T-Rex of course which had a loud roar. The little ones didn't get scared though. They also had a small tented area set up for "digging for fossils." they REALLY liked that. It was large sand boxes and they used magnifying glasses and paint brushes to look for the fossils. They were able to keep one fossil, which consisted of...