This is what I think about while I am out working.... And all because I called Laynie a "Little ham" to someone talking about how she wrestled her glasses in the interview.
Ok, here's what I am thinkin....
Why do we call funny people "Hams"? Hams aren't funny. I've walked by the pork section many times in the store and nary broke a smile. Now, broccoli, that's funny. Even fun to say and spell. Why don't people say "She's such a little broccoli?"
Why do we call scared people "Chickens"? Chickens aren't scared. Some chickens will just rush you when you least expect it. I think I may even have had a nightmare about chickens before. So, I think we should call scared people "Mouse". Mice are geared to be scared and scare. We set traps, we even set those sticky things when the traps don't work....which brings me to another stupid thing "Quiet as a mouse"....Uhm, obviously whoever says that, has never caught one of those little suckers in those sticky deals. They are PLENTY loud until they get their little faces caught in the goop. (please don't call PETA on me)
Another weird one.... Clams. Happy as Clams. Now I'm not a judger by any means, but to me, a clam just isn't that dang happy. A clam is alittle like a rock, and that just doesn't scream "HAPPY" to me. I think we should be Happy as Dogs. Dogs are just doggone happy. SEE? except I said Doggone, which what does that mean?? I think if your dog is gone you aren't going to be too happy... so maybe just say I'm pretty stinkin happy as a dog. Anyway, clams...uhm, no.
Then if you have muscles you are "Beefed" up. Hmm. Brings to mind hamburgers hangin out your shirt sleeves. Or worse, roast beef sandwiches hangin out your pockets. What does that Mean?? Beefed? I remember that old lady that used to yell "Where's the Beef"?? Never, ever, did Matthew McConaughy walk by when she said that. I would have remembered that. So a "Beefy male". Just say "Too hot for description" and let it go. And when did HOT become a good thing? Anytime (outside of the tanning bed) have you gotten around something hot, you either a) get seriously burned or b) burn something up of value. So I'm thinking "HOT' may not be the best term to use either. SEE my dilemna as I am driving all over NW OKC today??
So, some Meat person was in charge of our "Slang" language? No wonder more people are speaking Spanish more than ever before. Who can understand what we are saying???
My nail guy doesn't even pretend to understand me anymore. He just starts speaking Vietnamese the minute I walk in the door, and pretends to be deaf. "You want fill" Ok, You sit" and that's about the extent of our conversation. I just confuse him.
I wonder why?
Anyway....useless prattle. What I do best. I think I need a sandwich, all this talk of meat.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Laynie and the Power of Prayer - 5-24-09
Wow. Our lil miracle is 16 months old. She has 7 almost 8 teeth. She yells alot. She is finally starting to babble her consanants again. She has rolled over a couple of times, I am sure strictly by accident, but she was pleasantly surprised and clapped for sooo hard that she knew she had done something amazing. I just don't have the words.
Church always speaks to me. Today, I looked over at one point, and the tears were on Lacey's face, and I knew we were thinking exactly the same thing, and tonite over spaghetti at Gram's, she almost verbatim delivered the message to my brother and Brad, and mom. Elijah and the immense awesome power of prayer. Delivered by our campus pastor Miles, Incredible job, I might add, starting out with acoustic worship with Trent and Trent alone. Already so in the worship zone when Miles took the stage, because Trent is just amazing (Lifechurch in Edmond, for those of you looking and wanting a fantastic church)..
My take on today's message....
Prayer must be humble......I remember shortly after finding out about Laynie, sitting in the front room, my brain rolling over and over about the matter at hand, the questions, the worries, the feeling of helplessness.... I walked to my room, fell to my knees at the foot of my bed and cried to God. Cried a prayer so broken and humble, and begging for comfort.. He delivered, and most of you know this from my blogs on my journey. Peace that passeth understanding that only comes from total surrender in a place that can on be found when you are at your most humbled.
Prayer must be specific...... From my first prayer request to friends, up to months after Laynie was born...Does everyone remember Lolly's requests? Please pray for peace for the parents, pray for Laynie's MRI, pray for her heart, pray for her cyst on her brain, pray for her eyes, pray for health. And God has HEARD every prayer. From the heartfelt prayer of 3 broken people in the ultrasound room at the discovery of her journey to last night's prayer of thanks, he has heard and delivered. I haven't asked for a specific for Laynie is a long time. She is doing so amazing.... I want to ask now, in the voice of a grandma prayer warrior, to pray for her legs. To pray for amazing things to happen with her sweet little toothpick bone legs. Her Orthopedic, Dr Herndon, saw her for the first time in 4 months and he was so amazed at her progress, and of course, his assistant, Anthony was over the Moon. Little Laynie...Little Laynie..... I viewed her xrays, and was amazed at her tiny tiny little bones, and of course, the absence of her hip bones very apparent in the xray. So I want prayer, specific prayer, to give this little miracle a chance of sitting on her own.. a chance of strengthening those limbs and ability to do things we take for granted in a sweet baby...roll over, crawl, sit up, walk. Specific prayers for strength for Laynie.
Prayer must be repetitive.....Miles example of cutting a tree. Could you cut a tree with one swipe of the ax? No, it must be hit again and again and again and again and again to ever achieve the goal. That's why I believe in nationwide prayer on a specific request. I know at one point, there were thousands of people praying for Laynie. Specific prayers, prayed fervently by people we didn't even know for a baby not even born.. Over and over without ceasing... Prayers must be repeated.
Prayers must be expectant. When you put a prayer up to heaven... you have to have Faith that that prayer is being heard. Elijah prayed a drought onto a nation, and when he went to pray to bring the rain, he sent his servant, not once, not twice, but Seven times to see if there were clouds, and in the sight of a small cloud..not even rain..he sent his servant to the king to tell him the drought was over. Faith is Action. Faith is a belief that goes beyond anything we humanly understand. Faith was 15 Lifechurch staff standing in our hospital room telling us that God was bigger than anything we knew, and that God WOULD deliver Laynie from her diagnosis. We BELIEVE what we are praying, and we go on Faith, that God will bring it to us.
I think this blog has a sermon feel. I was moved and amazed at how God is working through us. IF we had had a "normal" child, NONE of us would be on the close and surrendered walk we are on. God answered our prayer with a prayer of His own..... "Know me, follow me, trust me and believe in me"... and we are.... All because he gave us Hope....Laynie Hope.
God is Good, all the time.
Church always speaks to me. Today, I looked over at one point, and the tears were on Lacey's face, and I knew we were thinking exactly the same thing, and tonite over spaghetti at Gram's, she almost verbatim delivered the message to my brother and Brad, and mom. Elijah and the immense awesome power of prayer. Delivered by our campus pastor Miles, Incredible job, I might add, starting out with acoustic worship with Trent and Trent alone. Already so in the worship zone when Miles took the stage, because Trent is just amazing (Lifechurch in Edmond, for those of you looking and wanting a fantastic church)..
My take on today's message....
Prayer must be humble......I remember shortly after finding out about Laynie, sitting in the front room, my brain rolling over and over about the matter at hand, the questions, the worries, the feeling of helplessness.... I walked to my room, fell to my knees at the foot of my bed and cried to God. Cried a prayer so broken and humble, and begging for comfort.. He delivered, and most of you know this from my blogs on my journey. Peace that passeth understanding that only comes from total surrender in a place that can on be found when you are at your most humbled.
Prayer must be specific...... From my first prayer request to friends, up to months after Laynie was born...Does everyone remember Lolly's requests? Please pray for peace for the parents, pray for Laynie's MRI, pray for her heart, pray for her cyst on her brain, pray for her eyes, pray for health. And God has HEARD every prayer. From the heartfelt prayer of 3 broken people in the ultrasound room at the discovery of her journey to last night's prayer of thanks, he has heard and delivered. I haven't asked for a specific for Laynie is a long time. She is doing so amazing.... I want to ask now, in the voice of a grandma prayer warrior, to pray for her legs. To pray for amazing things to happen with her sweet little toothpick bone legs. Her Orthopedic, Dr Herndon, saw her for the first time in 4 months and he was so amazed at her progress, and of course, his assistant, Anthony was over the Moon. Little Laynie...Little Laynie..... I viewed her xrays, and was amazed at her tiny tiny little bones, and of course, the absence of her hip bones very apparent in the xray. So I want prayer, specific prayer, to give this little miracle a chance of sitting on her own.. a chance of strengthening those limbs and ability to do things we take for granted in a sweet baby...roll over, crawl, sit up, walk. Specific prayers for strength for Laynie.
Prayer must be repetitive.....Miles example of cutting a tree. Could you cut a tree with one swipe of the ax? No, it must be hit again and again and again and again and again to ever achieve the goal. That's why I believe in nationwide prayer on a specific request. I know at one point, there were thousands of people praying for Laynie. Specific prayers, prayed fervently by people we didn't even know for a baby not even born.. Over and over without ceasing... Prayers must be repeated.
Prayers must be expectant. When you put a prayer up to heaven... you have to have Faith that that prayer is being heard. Elijah prayed a drought onto a nation, and when he went to pray to bring the rain, he sent his servant, not once, not twice, but Seven times to see if there were clouds, and in the sight of a small cloud..not even rain..he sent his servant to the king to tell him the drought was over. Faith is Action. Faith is a belief that goes beyond anything we humanly understand. Faith was 15 Lifechurch staff standing in our hospital room telling us that God was bigger than anything we knew, and that God WOULD deliver Laynie from her diagnosis. We BELIEVE what we are praying, and we go on Faith, that God will bring it to us.
I think this blog has a sermon feel. I was moved and amazed at how God is working through us. IF we had had a "normal" child, NONE of us would be on the close and surrendered walk we are on. God answered our prayer with a prayer of His own..... "Know me, follow me, trust me and believe in me"... and we are.... All because he gave us Hope....Laynie Hope.
God is Good, all the time.
Actual Craigslist posting... Had to share... May 16, 2009
I got this from a friend the other day, and I was unable to copy it here, so I am going to re-type it so you all can get a chuckle out of it like I did...
Now, WARNING, if you are offended by farting stories, you should NOT read this.....carry on if you are brave....
Titled:
TO THE WOMAN THAT CRAPPED IN MY CAR..... (NE Portland) (Under men seeking woman on Craigslist on 1-25-09)
We met on Craigslist, so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that.
I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you.
At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please dont' feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said "First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me" was meant to be funny, not offensive.
I have gambled on a fart and lost on mulitple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better....like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat...
What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber, and less taxing on the digestive tract.
I await your call,
Tad
P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early....Touche'....
Now, WARNING, if you are offended by farting stories, you should NOT read this.....carry on if you are brave....
Titled:
TO THE WOMAN THAT CRAPPED IN MY CAR..... (NE Portland) (Under men seeking woman on Craigslist on 1-25-09)
We met on Craigslist, so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that.
I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you.
At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please dont' feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said "First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me" was meant to be funny, not offensive.
I have gambled on a fart and lost on mulitple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better....like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat...
What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber, and less taxing on the digestive tract.
I await your call,
Tad
P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early....Touche'....
My "Notes" May 12, 2009
From the time I knew about Laynie, I blogged my stinkin socks off. Writing about our journey was healing, helpful, insightful for me. And, it was an easy way to keep everyone informed as I went. I blogged on myspace, and the friends that didn't have myspace, I emailed them the same blog. When I deleted my myspace in February, I had had over 10,000 readers on my blogs. I think sharing Laynie's journey, and my journey with her has been a way to keep me grounded and focused.
So, I wrote about me yesterday. I reached down and pulled something out of me that I really didn't want to share and put it out there for display. And it healed something in me. Little by little I'm healing. Everytime you put yourself out there, and examine it, something clicks inside and makes you see things you didn't know about yourself.
Sometimes I read what I wrote and I'm like "Dang, where did that come from".... because I don't really think about what I'm saying (unfortunately, that can get you in trouble big time....hence the "A closed mouth gathers no feet") and just go with it.
I don't know what i'm trying to say with this except that sometimes my notes aren't for anyone but me. But I have learned through Laynie, that sometimes what needs to be said in your heart, is exactly what someone else might be needing to hear in theirs. So I put it out there, some of it good, some of it crap, and see what happens.
I'm healing from my pain of the breakup (FINALLY) , and I am SOOO blessed with my family. If you aren't particularly close to yours... you should give it a try. Ironically, Kip (My 20 year old) and I found ourselves broken up at the same time. So, we were each other's valentines, and we dated each other for many many weeks. And you know we walked away from that deal with.... my 20 year old knows she can be ok. Her mama will always be there for her no matter what. Her words when I informed her that we had lamely spent the last 5 weekends together "I'm not hating it". I loved it. My daughters are my masterpieces. If I don't do anything else in this world well, I want to go out knowing my children are strong, beautiful women of God... and they are. Lacey amazes me with her strength and love for Laynie. She is a wonderful stay at home mom, and I find myself asking her for recipe and food. She is my grandma and my daughter all rolled up in a wonderful package of wit and humor. God knew what he was doing when he chose Laynie's family. He had this incredible little baby just waiting and he blessed US with her. How lucky are we? Who else in the world could live in 3 houses in a row? Us. It takes a village to raise a child?? Sometimes it takes a child to raise the village.
God is good.... all the time.
So, I wrote about me yesterday. I reached down and pulled something out of me that I really didn't want to share and put it out there for display. And it healed something in me. Little by little I'm healing. Everytime you put yourself out there, and examine it, something clicks inside and makes you see things you didn't know about yourself.
Sometimes I read what I wrote and I'm like "Dang, where did that come from".... because I don't really think about what I'm saying (unfortunately, that can get you in trouble big time....hence the "A closed mouth gathers no feet") and just go with it.
I don't know what i'm trying to say with this except that sometimes my notes aren't for anyone but me. But I have learned through Laynie, that sometimes what needs to be said in your heart, is exactly what someone else might be needing to hear in theirs. So I put it out there, some of it good, some of it crap, and see what happens.
I'm healing from my pain of the breakup (FINALLY) , and I am SOOO blessed with my family. If you aren't particularly close to yours... you should give it a try. Ironically, Kip (My 20 year old) and I found ourselves broken up at the same time. So, we were each other's valentines, and we dated each other for many many weeks. And you know we walked away from that deal with.... my 20 year old knows she can be ok. Her mama will always be there for her no matter what. Her words when I informed her that we had lamely spent the last 5 weekends together "I'm not hating it". I loved it. My daughters are my masterpieces. If I don't do anything else in this world well, I want to go out knowing my children are strong, beautiful women of God... and they are. Lacey amazes me with her strength and love for Laynie. She is a wonderful stay at home mom, and I find myself asking her for recipe and food. She is my grandma and my daughter all rolled up in a wonderful package of wit and humor. God knew what he was doing when he chose Laynie's family. He had this incredible little baby just waiting and he blessed US with her. How lucky are we? Who else in the world could live in 3 houses in a row? Us. It takes a village to raise a child?? Sometimes it takes a child to raise the village.
 |
| My masterpieces |
God is good.... all the time.
Reflections by Lolly- Apr 29, 2009
It was said to me over the last couple of weeks that "If God was SOOO good, why wouldn't he have healed Laynie?"
That saddens me. I feel sorrow for the person that said it, because that person doesn't know the God I know and follow. I'm doubtful that person knows God at all.
The blessings that we receive from Laynie are so wide and expansive that words cannot express. Laynie has healed any broken piece of our family, the gift of our tiny little miracle has made us understand and appreciate life more than we ever dreamed. I sit back and think about life before October 3, 2007 and though we were happy, we weren't free. We weren't surrendered. We loved God, we went to church, we tithed, we worshipped, we read our bibles....but we weren't wholly sold out surrendered children of God. And through the wonder and the magic of my precious grandbaby's life, I am surrendered. To the peace that passeth all understanding.... That used to be a fun line to sing in a song....now it has meaning and substance.
I find myself stumbling through a problem, all I have to do is go see my granddaughter, and watching her move toys from hand to hand, and talk (motor) loud and proud, and do things that the doctors said would never be possible from her, is all I need to bring life all back to the basics for me.
Someone will ask me "Is she disabled?" and I smile and think "I'm far more disabled than she will ever be".. she'll have perfect peace and joy, and love and bring nothing but sweetness to the people around her. God bless our disabilities. Only through those do we find our true Abilities.
God is Good, all the time.
That saddens me. I feel sorrow for the person that said it, because that person doesn't know the God I know and follow. I'm doubtful that person knows God at all.
The blessings that we receive from Laynie are so wide and expansive that words cannot express. Laynie has healed any broken piece of our family, the gift of our tiny little miracle has made us understand and appreciate life more than we ever dreamed. I sit back and think about life before October 3, 2007 and though we were happy, we weren't free. We weren't surrendered. We loved God, we went to church, we tithed, we worshipped, we read our bibles....but we weren't wholly sold out surrendered children of God. And through the wonder and the magic of my precious grandbaby's life, I am surrendered. To the peace that passeth all understanding.... That used to be a fun line to sing in a song....now it has meaning and substance.
I find myself stumbling through a problem, all I have to do is go see my granddaughter, and watching her move toys from hand to hand, and talk (motor) loud and proud, and do things that the doctors said would never be possible from her, is all I need to bring life all back to the basics for me.
Someone will ask me "Is she disabled?" and I smile and think "I'm far more disabled than she will ever be".. she'll have perfect peace and joy, and love and bring nothing but sweetness to the people around her. God bless our disabilities. Only through those do we find our true Abilities.
God is Good, all the time.
Payne Train- 15 months old
So, she went to the pediatrician this morning for her check and he couldn't praise her enough. and get this.....She weighed 10 pounds!!!!!! And his scales normally weigh her light. So that is wonderful. She is 22 inches long, and her head circumference was 32cm. She is just budding into a baby. :) Dr. Stephens had nothing but praise for her. He said, "Well, I just guess we'll keep her." uhm, YEAH!
He could actually see in her ears today, and they looked great. First time he's been able to see down in her ear! He admired her teeth, her hair, her playing in her mom's hair...and declared "She's acting and responding like a normal 6 month old" ... That is very cool, especially since she looks like a 6 week old! :) "She's just Laynie", at that's ALL GOOD. .
Fun, wonderful, incredible, amazing, heartwarming, unbelieveable, exciting.... all words describing a day with our miracle. God is good, all the time
Easter & Springtime Apr 10, 2009
So, our baby. She is 9 lbs 12 oz at last reading.. still about 20 !/2" long..... and almost 15 months old. She is a tiny, mighty, LOUD thing. She'll be taking her bottle (we're still giving her formula, due to her size) and start grinning and attempt to keep sucking....totally unable to do both, but that smile behind that bottle.... Breathtaking.... and I love that she recognizes people now. Her favorite of course, her mom.... and her dad....she just starts yelling when he comes in the room. Loves him to pieces. I get a kick from the legs when she sees me, starts moving those little fat feet..... when Grammie great approaches her, she starts smiling soooo big, and same for Hallie and Kip. Kip's favorite name for her "Hi, pretty". Hallie played tea party with her yesterday, so she was not only crowned in her blue paraphenalia, she had on Payten's pink stuff too, with the crown around her waist. Pretty fun.
We dyed easter eggs at Lacey's on Saturday... Grammie had all her grandkids and greatgrandkids in an Easter egg extravaganza. Laynie sat in her bumbo on the table and supervised. Fun was definitely had. We divided the finished eggs in groups..... kids eggs, stay at home mom's eggs, and the architects eggs. All of them totally different, totally wonderful. Then Brian hid 122 plastic eggs in my backyard.... and Kaylie kicked our booties in the finding dept...of course, she's closer to the ground.... and Laynie and Lacey found the eggs with the big money.... Laynie came out the winner with $11! Everyone else got quarters and candy.... all in all a good day.
Laynie's calendar shoot was a blast at Frontier City. They came up with a creative and wonderful way to display her. :) With the stuffed animals at the game area. She sat in the middle of stuffed doggies about the same size as her and just never was sure what we were trying to accomplish. We got some sweet smiles out of her, and the doctor that nominated her, Just nussed and loved her.. telling us.... so many families wouldn't know how to embrace this challenge. Your family has blessed me, by the positive and wonderful way you approach this gift. What we know, and people that know us know....WE are the lucky ones. Anyone that has met Laynie can tell you....we are the lucky ones.
Everything is status quo with our baby. She sits in her basket, in her boppy, in her bumbo, and as long as she is propped, she is steady. Our Sooner start physical therapist talked to Lacey today about a research study that will make available to Laynie a small wheelchair with a gear shift. "Do you think she could handle that"? We both laughed and laughed over that... for one thing, we visualize a hot wheels with a seat on it, driving her all over the house.... but the thing is, when she gets to move around, that's when her learning will take place. Right now, she has to depend on us for EVERYTHING. We move her, rock her, roll her, move her legs, etc. She basically uses her hands and can move herself from the waist up, but everything else, she is totally dependent on us for. A chair will give her freedom. If she can figure out how to push the button and realizes that she is going to move when she does it....wow... wheelchair nirvana. The challenge will be getting something small enough for her. A hot wheels wheelchair. Just imagine. :) It'll be marvelous. She has two molars on her right side and she is about to cut her left molar on the bottom...poor baby...what a terrible way to teethe! She hasn't been sick, like usual, with the teething thing.. so..wow.. The big ones first...but like everything about Laynie....special and unique. :) We go to the pediatrician for her 15 month well baby check on the 16th (can you believe it!) so I'll have more to tell you then. When I pat on her bumbo tray and say "pat, pat, pat your tray...now you do it" she looks at me a minute and I'll be ding dogged double doody, she patted back! I thought, that was an accident, and did it again....and to my utter astonishment and delight.... pat pat pat right back. :) God is good.
She has been selected to do a TV commercial that will film on the 14th. Channel 5 is doing the Children's miracle network thank you for our sponsors, and Laynie Payne train is going to be in it. This didn't set well with our movie star wannabe- Aunt Hallie, who complained....that is JUST NOT FAIR. Lacey said "You don't have any extra chromosomes, that's why you didn't get chosen." And that shut her up! :) Thanks for all your prayers through the last few months...it's been a rough ride, but I am finally understanding that God has the perfect plan for me, and it's not MY plan, it's His. And I have learned through Laynie that all things are possible, and it's letting go and believing....really believing, that will set me free.
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