Getting Lost In The Lord

Worship is a passion of mine. God, I believe, has placed it in all our hearts to be extraordinary worshipers. Worship is not always about the music...the song, the choir, the band, or the leaders. Worship is about turning our hearts to God letting Him transform us and lead us. It's about losing ourself in God and loving our God.

In the book "Extravagant Worship," Darlene Zshech speaks of worship in such true fashion. "Although music is a wonderful expression of worship, it is not itself the essence of it. The core of worship is when one's heart and soul, and all that is within, adores and connects with the Spirit of God." It is hard for me to remember that it is not always about the music, since I feel such an emotional connection to it. It's not about getting lost in the music, worship is about getting lost in the Lord.

Darlene Zshech goes on to say, Even if you are part of a worship team, your most glorious moments of worship would be off the platform when you are alone with God" Sure we are not all a part of a worship team, but what she is saying is true for all. As followers of Christ, we need to have some of most intimate moments with God, in worship, when we are alone with Him. We cannot forget our relationship with God and get caught up in a show we put on Sunday mornings. Worship is a lifestyle. It's a constant thing. It should never stop. "Worship involves the giving of ourselves totally to the Lord. Worship is a movement of our hearts, our thoughts, and our wills towards God's heart, thoughts, and will."

GI Procedure

Next Tuesday, I will be having a endoscopic procedure. The doctor will be placing a stent in my bile duct. If successful the following week I will go back in, and he will remove the stent. At that time he will correct the problem fully. If the stent does not correct the problem, the doctor will remove the stent the following week and leave everything be. We are hoping and praying that this will be our answer.

"The ERCP procedure involves passing a flexible tube (endoscope) through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) where the drainage opening for the bile and pancreatic ducts is located.  The doctor then passes a small plastic tube (catheter) through a channel in the endoscope and out into view in the duodenum and inserts it into this small opening.  A contrast solution (dye) is then injected through the catheter into the bile and pancreatic duct system(s), and x-rays are taken. These can be viewed immediately so that the doctor can make a diagnosis.

The doctor may take specimen samples for analysis if the x-rays (and any previous tests) suggest the possibility of cancer.  Tiny wire brushes are used to scrape the duct lining and retrieve cells for microscopic examination.  Small pinching biopsy forceps can be used to take larger pieces of tissue.  Bile or pancreatic juice can be retrieved and sent to the laboratory to check whether there is any infection or to look for disturbance of the normal digestive constituents."

These are the treatments that will be used for this ERCP...

• Papillary stenosis and sphincter dysfunction. "Sphincterotomy (of the bile duct and/or pancreatic orifice) is used also when there is scarring of the papilla (papillary stenosis) or evidence of overactivity (spasm) of the muscular valve. This is called sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Sphincterotomy is more hazardous in this context than when used for stones.
  
• Duct dilatation and stenting. ERCP x-rays may show partial blockage or narrowing of the bile duct or pancreatic duct. This narrowing can be stretched (dilated) using a sausage shaped balloon catheter. Often a small tube (stent) is left behind to maintain the stretch, and allows the duct to drain more easily." (www.digestivehealthnetwork.com)

Tooth Fairy Is Coming Again!

Logan lost ANOTHER tooth. I can't believe he lost his first two teeth all in one week. Hard to think that he is already five years old. My first born is growing up sooo fast! Congrats Logan!!

Look Mommy, I lost a tooth!

Logan lost his first tooth on the airplane to California. He was biting into a cookie and says it was too hard and made his tooth come out. I did not even know he had a lose tooth. Guess who got a visit from the tooth fairy?!!

The Dixon Quadruplets & Big Brother

The kids have been having a great summer! I took these pics of the kids a while back but never posted any of them here. Check out those t-shirts that Daddy found while he was on business trip in Florida! It always get peoples attention when we take the quads out in these shirts. They are too cute!!

What's up with Hudson?

Last week we had a long awaited appointment for Hudson with the orthopedic specialist. You may have hears about the not so great experience we encountered from the doctor who was less than professional, or have seen some remarks I made about it on Facebook.  But despite all that, we did actually get some actual diagnosis and reasons to explain the issues that he does have. The layman's terms of it, Hud's left leg is shorter than his right leg because his his brain is not telling his leg to grow at the same rate due to his grade 4 brain bleed at birth. Also, his hip turns out when he walks. We did get an official diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

"Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders characterized by loss of movement or nerve functions. Cerebral refers to brain and palsy to weakness or poor control of muscles. Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development during fetal development or by injuries to the brain from birth through the first three years of life.

A person with cerebral palsy can have mild to severe physical disabilities. Some people have only a slight limp or an uncoordinated walk. Others have little or no control over their arms and legs or other body part."

So that just confirms what we already thought. He has some issues with the use of his left arm/hand, which we are told there's nothing he can do now, that he's not already doing, besides trying to find an interest that would require him to use his arms like martial arts, dance, playing an instrument. To help with his leg issues, he is going to be put back in a orthopedic brace. 

"For children with cerebral palsy, muscles do not grow fast enough to keep pace with lengthening bones. The resulting contracture can disrupt balance and trigger loss of abilities. Special braces (orthodox devices) combined with physical therapy and other interventions may prevent this complication by stretching spastic muscles."

This time, this one he may need for years to come, or possibly the rest of his life. But hey, we aren't going there, cause this boy has come leaps and bounds. Who knows what amazing things God has in store for this precious little boy. Anyone who knows him, knows what a happy, sweet, loving boy that he is. He just loves life, loves to laugh, and loves to love!

Experiencing Life Change Together

(Since It's been a while since I have updated on the blog, I figured I would try to post something for a few days till I can get caught up to where we are now).

Our church youth group is on my mind right now, so I will share on this subject today. Recently, Donny and I had our 1 yr anniversary at the church God led us to right before Donny lost his job at RSI. If you have not heard that story...WOW, such a God thing! 

We love our church family so much! What a huge support and blessing they have been to us through all the ups and downs of life we have faced in the last year. As Donny and I got more involved in the church, we wanted to find an area of the church where we could serve together as a couple. We both had a passion for the youth in the church, and felt led to serve in that capacity. God opened the doors, and we have been there ever since. 

We recently finished a series called "Wipeout," named after the reality show..I'm sure you have seen the previews on tv if you have not seen the show itself. Donny played a character called the Unicorn Ninja. If you keep up with us on Facebook, you may have seen some of the footage on Donny's Facebook page. Lots of laughs! Wednesday nights are always a great time with the youth group.

We don't know what God has in store for the youth at Genesis Metro, but look forward to experiencing life change with the youth! 

Quality Time!

Several months ago I made a choice to spend more quality time with our children. Sure, I'm a stay at home mom so I'm almost always with them, but so many days it's just routine and I want it to be special. I tend to get wrapped up with all the housework and things I want to do and accomplish and I forget some of the best times are unplanned times. I want my kids to know that they are loved and cared for by their mommy and daddy!! So, Donny and decided to start having special time with the kids individually or one take the girls and one take the boys. These times have been wonderful! 

We have five incredible kids!! They are so silly and make me giggle. There are only few years I can enjoy this time of their lives and I want to make the best of it. My health is still not the greatest, I've had a couple surgeries since I last blogged and several hospital stays, and there's no way for me to know how I will feel from one day to the next. But I do know I want to spend time with my kids and share things and moments they will always remember while I have a chance to do so.

I know I'm way behind on updates and so much has happened...Stay tuned to hear some updates on what the Dixon's are up to now.

Logan Has A Girlfriend!!!

Yes, It is true! Logan has himself a girlfriend. Her name is Lexi. She is in the same class as Logan at church. Logan talks about Lexi all the time. This past weekend Lexi's sister, Annabelle, had a birthday party. The whole time Logan and Lexi were glued at the hip. Who knew he would grow up this fast. Hehe!!

One More Piece To The Puzzle

As many of you have heard, we received a unofficial diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy for our son Hudson. This really came as no surprise to me, seeing that I have thought this was the case for years. Just based on watching Hudson, my own personal research on Cerebral Palsy and what doctors have said in the past. Granted no one has wanted to label him like that. Maybe thinking it would cause fear in us as parents or just to keep from the worry. Or just plan because no one really fully understands this diagnosis and what it could mean for the child. Seeing that each and every child has different types, and degrees of CP, it can be complicating to diagnose.

The recommended action for a child with Cerebral Palsy can and will vary a great deal as "Cerebral Palsy" is used to diagnose a vast range of problems having to do with brain damage/trauma. We do not know what exactly the future holds, but then who does? All having a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis means is that we now have answers as to why Hudson did and does certain things. It means sometime his brain experienced trauma; in his case it was a grade IV brain bleed a few days after he was born. It means the control he has over his muscles isn't the same as what you and I may have. It means some things are harder for him to do. It means he may need help doing things that others take for granted. There’s no clear cut answer to how this will indeed effect him as he gets older. We do know that Cerebral Palsy never gets worse. You just notice other things with age. After the brain bleed, we were told Hud would prob not survive. And he did! Then later we were told he may never walk, and he walks! Hud is an amazing kid! He’s a handsome, sweet, caring little boy with the greatest smile.

For many, getting a diagnosis may mean the start of some serious life changing things, (possibly among them Occupational, Speech, Physical, Surgery, Medications, etc.) In his case he has already been receiving occupational, speech and physical therapy since birth, and has had heal toe cord surgery as well. We are doing everything we can to get him the help and or assistance that he needs to be the wonderful boy that he is. We will see what is to come. I can only see a bright future ahead of him. We can only live each day to the fullest, and keep track of anything that is out of the ordinary. We also need to be the best parent advocates we can be; our children need us. Talk with each other and share our stories. We will get through this. We just have to stay strong and be there for each other.

"God only gives us things he knows we can cope with. We may stumble and fall but we will get there in the end"