Hyperemesis

After going to the ER last night for uncontrolled vomiting, dehydration and gastritis, I am so worried this is going to escalate into something far worse and I'll wind up admitted in the hospital.  This baby is kicking my butt.  But today, I came across this verse, twice.  

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

² 

My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ 

He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ 

indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

Yes, because I feel like I am in a pit, on the valley floor, 

helpless and hopeless.

But He reminds me that I am not alone.

Twice in one day.

My Help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

There is nothing He cannot do.

Amen!

Butterfly Exhibit: Wings of Fancy

We made it to the Brookside Gardens Butterfly Exhibit this morning.

Wow!  We were in for a real treat!  Hundreds of exotic, huge, gorgeous butterflies

flying all around you in a greenhouse of flowers.  It was a sight to behold.

We entered through the Caterpillar House

to see the butterfly in various stages

(as eggs on a leaf, as a caterpillar, as a chrysalid).

 Then we walked into the butterfly greenhouse and were surrounded by

the most beautiful, brightest blue butterflies I had ever seen.

They were constantly flying so unfortunately, I couldn't get them on film.  :(
I believe those blue morphos live in the rain forests of
South America.

 But there were so many kinds of butterflies feeding on different flowers -

and even on bananas and grapes which had been laid out for them.

 These butterflies were imported from Costa Rica,

Europe, Asia, and South America.

 And we saw some familiar ones too.

 The girls were ooohing and ahhhing the entire time.

I am always amazed at the variety of designs God came up with!

Then again, I really shouldn't be surprised when I consider the billions of unique 

people on this earth - no two alike - with billions of unique fingerprints, etc etc.

There is no limit to God's creativity.

He is infinite in every way -- infinite love, infinite wisdom, infinite power, and 

infinitely and beautifully creative Himself.

 The girls and kids got to hold some dead butterflies (sad)

as well.

 Love the blue spot on this one.

 This beautiful butterfly is called the OWL Butterfly,

and is from Costa Rica (that eye does look like the eye

of an owl, doesn't it?).

 We snacked in the gorgeous flower gardens

and rested in the shade of the gazebo.

It was hot outside, and the girls are tired out here.

But what an unforgettable morning it was!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and the best father ever!

He took the kids today after church to the local pool...

gave me a chance to relax and have a break....

He's been so amazing since I've been unable to do what I usually do around here...

taking care of the kids, helping with dishes, laundry, vacuuming...

super dad!

I appreciate and love you so much.

Happy Father's Day babys!

She's reading!

Emilie has been reading a few short stories the last few days!  Granted they are Bob-type stories (The fat cat Nat sat on a mat.) but reading is reading!  Something just clicked and she has been excitedly pouring through her reader every night.  I don't even tell her to practice, she just brings it to me.  :)  It was super affirming for both of us, that after 5 or 6 months of doing light phonics work with her, she learned to read.  I guess I must be doing something right, HAHA!  :P  And to have this happen during a month when I've been bed-ridden and we've done very little formal school work, has been extra rewarding....

eliz

eliz.  my little eccentric, adorable, sweet little girl!  

love her so much.

A little break

Jee took the girls to a nats game downtown today.  

They had a blast!  

And momma had a blast taking a nice long 2 hour nap.  

It was exactly what I needed today. 

Thank you honey!   :-)

Thanks to a super generous friend, Emilie has a mini-glide transition bike to learn how to ride with no training wheels!!  She is loving this!  It teaches kids to balance on 2 wheels in a safe, non-threatening way.  She's already made it down our street on 2 wheels.  And, she figured out how to button her sweater today.  Can't believe how fast she is growing up!!!