All I want for Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday have come and gone with Dr. visits galore. Today will be no exception. Yesterday was better with the vomiting - still not perfect, but there are legitimate reasons for the couple of times he did. Once, he fell asleep and we couldn't get a burp and then after screaming through an ultrasound, we found it!! Then, the second time, it was FULL of mucus, so it's back on the allergy meds we go!!

However, I still don't have that sweet little boy who you have seen in my videos. He's hidden somewhere right now between a hungry/upset tummy and a ton of medicines. I know we'll figure out the right combination sometime soon, but we sure are desperate right now. He usually goes about 3 hours between bottles but yesterday barely made it 2.5. He ate last night around 11:00 and then woke up screaming at 1:15. Instead of formula, which I was afraid was upsetting his tummy, we gave him juice. It set great with him and he slept until 5:00. So, when he had a bottle around 5:00 and then started fussing around 7:00, I thought, hmmmmm, let's give him more juice. EHEHEHEHEHEH (insert sound effect from Family Feud)- Wrong Answer That upset his tummy even more. So, no more juice, nothing else new. The only thing I've done is up his formula from 1/2 strength to 3/4 strength. I'm hoping that'll help.

Right now, he eats his bottle, is okay for about 10 minutes and then gets REALLY fussy/irritable about 30 minutes after his bottle. Is it because he's hungry or because the formula is hitting his tummy and he's hurting? Is he getting spoiled and just wants to be held? Nope - even holding him, he moans and arches his back. I only wish it was the kind of crying that I could teach him a lesson with at this point. Alas, all I can do is wrap him up and hold him in mommy's arms singing to him and telling him it will all be okay. But even I'm not sure when that'll happen. That's when daddy holds me and tells ME it'll all be okay. It's a good thing we've got this system worked out.

Daddy and I are both very tired. We've been up a lot with Malachi lately. It's almost like he's got colic again. Thank you Lord that we got through that. I know that every age has its trials and tribulations. Every age has its times when you wish it was over. Then, when it is, you look back and miss it. Right now, I'm not in the missing it phase!!! I just want my happy baby back who could play in the floor for hours with his feet or his keys. I want the little laugh back and the smiles back and SLEEP back!!!

That's all I want for Christmas...(strike that)...Thanksgiving...! (Oh yeah - and maybe some chocolate)

Pyloric Stenosis

**UPDATE**

It's NOT Pyloric Stenosis. The ultrasound tech and the radiologist both looked at the films and NEITHER saw anything out of the ordinary!! PRAISE GOD! So, we're going to stay on the Zantac and go back hopefully only one more time to Dr. Young tomorrow at 3:15 and then see Dr. Hinders at 8:20 Monday morning!!

On the bright side - NOT ONE SPIT UP (well...not one major spit up like it has been) since yesterday afternoon! So, maybe the Zantac is working!!

At first I was still scared that the tech/radiologist was wrong, but now, after one more successful feeding, I think we might be headed in the right direction!!! Keep praying that God will keep us safe and watch over us like He already has!!!

Thanks for the prayers - they worked!!!

And now...off for a nap!!
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So, I'm sure the entire 5 of you that read this blog are interested in what Dr. #2 out of 2 had to say. Here it is.

He is afraid...no, that's not it...nervous...no, that's not right...concerned that Malachi might have a condition called Pyloric Stenosis. If you click on the name it'll take you to a page that explains pretty much the symptoms we've got.

We are awaiting a call from the pediatrician this morning to let us know what time our ultrasound is scheduled today and as soon as the ultrasound is finished, it'll confirm/deny our suspicions.

Now, onto the not so technical part of this post. THIS STINKS!! (I'm going to change my language from s*cks to stinks since my little one will one day be reading this blog and that's NOT the kind of language I will condone...haha...I know, leave it to me to teach him a lesson even when he's facing surgery!!) When he first became constipated and started spitting up a lot, I immediately googled those two symptoms, 'cause I can diagnose my own kid right? The first thing that popped up was Pyloric Stenosis. Even after reading through it, I kept coming back to where it says the condition usually starts in babies around 3 weeks of age. So, even though I didn't blow it off, and it remained in the back of my mind this entire time, I kept telling myself that the Dr. would've mentioned it and that he was probably too old for this to be the issue. After we got the whole constipation issue out of the way, I really expected to see an improvement (immediately) of his spitting up. When that didn't happen, I really had a hard time because I knew I would have to call the Dr. again. Per my previous posts, I'm sure you can figure out how I felt about that. However, I went ahead and got him into the chiropractor and the pediatrician just in case the awesome chiropractor couldn't fix it!!

Off to the Dr. again at 4:45 yesterday afternoon. It had already been a long day by then so I was very thankful that Lolli and Daddy were there with me. After telling the Dr. what was happening, I really felt like he started to listen. I just told him that something wasn't right and that I didn't understand the sudden change from being fine to all of this. That's when the proverbial lightbulb went off in his head (finally) and he began to explain what it was we might be facing. As soon as he said Pyloric Stenosis my heart sunk. While Lolli and Daddy looked at him like, "What did you just say?" I knew what it was. He noted that the gradual nature of the changes, accompanied with the symptoms pointed to this diagnosis. But, he wanted to do the least invasive method of determining if that's what it was. I don't think it had hit me yet. The Dr. also put him on Zantac twice a day to see if it is just REALLY bad reflux. Although, I don't think he thinks that's what it is. Lolli then told the Dr. that I was beginning to feel badly about calling his office all of the time and he reassured me that this was the only way he would know that something was wrong. He explained (and it makes perfect sense) that you have to rule out a lot before you jump to something like this. That makes me feel better because, as Lolli pointed out to me this morning when I was reading her the symptoms and signs, they wouldn't have listened to me 3 weeks ago that this is what I thought he might have.

Back to last night...after the Dr.'s appointment we went to Babies R Us to find Malachi a Thanksgiving onesie (turns out it might be good fortune that they didn't have one, he might not be able to wear one) and Lolli wanted to look at PJs for her 3 grandchildren. It's going to be her tradition since we'll be spending the night with her. All the grandkids will open their PJs Christmas Eve and wear them at Lolli's house and wake up in them together every year!! (Sorry, I digress, I just want to have a good account of what's going on when I look back on this!) Then, we went to look at pictures that cousins Kadi and Karter had made, then we had Dinner and it was back home for the evening. I had been feeling sick so Daddy made me take 2 hydrocodones so I could sleep. And, I did! It was great!

This morning, however, I woke up and the reality of the situation set in. My baby could be having surgery TODAY. Even the Dr. pointed out that any surgery on a child is major surgery. Do I know that there are good Doctors here? YES Do I know that Dr. Young is one of the (if not THE) best pediatrician in Amarillo? YES (even though I've bad mouthed him some, it wasn't his fault that they didn't jump to this diagnosis and that was unfair of me) Do I know that Daddy and I serve an awesome God who orchestrated all of this and knows the outcome and what Malachi will be used for in the future? YES YES YES!! Am I sitting here holding back tears because I'm still scared that my baby might be having surgery? YES But, that leads me to the more important issues...Am I thankful that this DIDN'T happen when he was 3 weeks old like it does in most babies? YES (That could be because we had him on the most gentle formula there is since then and it's just now developing because he's just now having to USE his stomach muscles to digest the real stuff he's been given) Am I thankful that I have such an awesome support system around me and Daddy to help get us through? YES Am I thankful that this could be (probably) happening over the Thanksgiving holidays so we don't have to take off work for him to recover? YES Am I thankful that after surgery, he could go home in as little as 48 hours and be recovering perfectly? YES Am I thankful that we paid attention and that he's NOT dehydrated like so often accompanies this illness? YES YES Am I looking forward to post surgery with him and having my sweet, happy baby back? YES YES YES!!!!! Am I looking forward to how he's going to take off with his eating and probably a lot of other things since he won't be hurting anymore? YES!!

Do I realize I might be jumping the gun? Sure, but I don't think I am. I feel like this is probably where we're headed, so I'm rested, rejuvenated and ready to fulfill the next part of the life that God has set Malachi up to live! Even if it means jumping over a few hurdles now and then. I know that one day we'll look back on these blogs and say, OH YEAH, remember when...?? I know that Malachi will NOT remember any of this, which I am eternally grateful for. Most importantly, I have a peace (that passes all understanding) that God knows what He's doing and He'll watch over my sweet baby through the next steps of whatever is wrong with him.

What I need from everyone who is reading this is to please pray that we'll continue to be strong and that if Malachi does need surgery that his Doctors are well rested and prepared for the day they don't even know they might have coming. (Or, at least that they stayed in a Holiday Inn last night...haha, remember the commercials???) http://www.youtube.com/watch?

So, at the end of this post, all I ask is that you pray that if he does have this condition, he will make it through surgery quickly and come out as good as...well...he was 3-4 weeks ago! If not, I pray that you will give Dr. Young the wisdom to give us the answer as to what next?? Pray that God will wrap his arms around me and Daddy and give us strength that only He can! Pray that Malachi will be okay until we get all of this figured out! Just PRAY dang it!!

I'll update as soon as I know something!

0 Dr visits down - 2 to go!

**UPDATE**
Baby and Lolli just went to the Chiropractor and she worked him over!! He did have a bubble that she said felt like reflux to her, but other than that, she said he looked pretty good. She also thinks he's lost weight, but he was just weighed last week and he hadn't, so we'll double check today. Her suggestions?? Goat's Milk (either formula or fresh and she has a hookup) and if it doesn't get better, she'll get us in to a pediatric internist in Lubbock!! Going to the pediatrician in a little over an hour - I'll update then too!!

Well, this weekend, as you have read, was pretty hectic for us and Malachi. He's been such a trooper, but he just hasn't been himself. He'll play for a little while and then he gets really fussy and upset and all you can do is hold him to calm him down.

Besides the constipation, we were dealing with what we thought was a "side effect" of that constipation (lots of spitting up!) But, it's not like normal spitting up, it's more like projectile. And, since he's not constipated anymore, apparently that's NOT where it's coming from.

He's going to the Chiropractor today (she always works wonders) at 2:00pm and to see the pediatrician again (5th time in a week) at 4:45. Please be praying that I can convey to both of them the importance of what my GUT is telling me!!

Frustration level a little lower now!!

Can you tell I wasn't having it anymore when I posted last night? Yes, it was a rough day with Malachi, but today is a new day and I have a new strategy. We're going to the Chiropractor as soon as she can get us in!! I don't know why I didn't think of it before because she always seems to help Malachi when he's having a rough time. I just know she'll be able to help and give us some good advice! We just love you Dr. Hinders!!

On a more positive note, Malachi finally pooped a little bit last night! It wasn't hard, so that's a very good thing. Hopefully we'll have a little bit better day today. Although, we're going to be at church from around 9:00 to 3:00 today since we're having our Thanksgiving dinner. Just pray that he'll have a good day, I know daddy and I are!!

Thanks to daddy for being so wonderful for mommy. You are so supportive of me when things get rough with Malachi and you step in with him at just the right times! I love how calm you are when I get stressed and worried about him and how you can be so logical when I'm SO NOT!! You are a great father!! I love you!

Pure Frustration

After the whole poop fiasco last week, I really thought we would be on the right track again with Malachi. Now, it's 8:50 on Saturday night and I am purely and utterly frustrated, if that even begins to describe how I'm feeling.

Malachi still isn't doing too well, hasn't had a bowel movement since last Thursday, is spitting up LIKE CRAZY and yet, I can't seem to get anyone to listen that there is something wrong. I just had to use another suppository to try to get him to poop, and, guess what? NOTHING...Just like last time. I think there's something more serious going on, but everytime I mention that to the
Dr's office, I get the "oh, you're just a new mom" look and I don't get taken seriously. But, NO ONE in Amarillo is accepting new patients, so I guess I'm just screwed.

Tears are flowing now, I guess I'd better go. Please be praying that God will take care of Malachi and calm my nerves because I'm not sure how much longer I can see this go on without losing my mind!

YEA - We're All Better!!

These are now my new best friend! We took Malachi to the Dr. about two hours ago and he feels SO much better. Now, I know that I may be giving too much information sometimes, but the intent of this blog isn't only to update friends and family...but, we are also printing out our blogs so that Malachi can read them one day! I'm much better about updating on here than I am updating his baby book! One day he'll read these blogs and get SO mad at me because I put all his business up on the internet, I suspect he'll get over it!!

Remember that poop thing?....

...Yeah, it hasn't happened yet. As of today, it will be 6 days since Malachi has pooped. Yes, we have taken him to the Dr. and we have him on medicine and yes I took him back this morning because he STILL hadn't pooped and mama bear is saying THAT's ENOUGH! His X-Rays yesterday showed that he is full from rectum all the way up through the colon and through the large and small intestines. (I'm not sure what order they're in) The Dr. tried to manually get his poop out this morning (I'll spare you the details) but said there is a very large piece that is obstructing everything. So, if we don't get progress after the 20 minutes of trying that the Dr. did this morning, by 3:45pm, we are headed to BSA for the hospital to give him some enemas to make it all happen.

We'll keep everyone posted, but please be praying that Malachi will just get through this and that God will give me the strength not to lose it when my baby starts screaming again like he did this morning. It's true, God gives you a special strength when he knows that your children need it from you!

Wedding Mania

This weekend was one of many main events which took place in the Allen family this year! Aunt Bubzees and Uncle Dub got married!! It was a beautiful wedding complete with gorgeous bride, beaming groom, adorable ring bearer and family all around! Mommy was busy attending the guest book, as well as pinning on about a million boutonnieres and corsages (and generally helping the wedding coordinator run interference) and daddy was busy ushering in all of the guests and family (and looking mighty fine doing so!!) So, needless to say, it wasn't exactly the best place for Malachi. He ended up staying Friday night and most of the day and night Saturday with Lolli and Pop at their house. We missed him very much, but we sure enjoyed helping Aunt Bubzees get her dream wedding accomplished. It was nice to get dressed up and spend some mommy and daddy time together too!!

Here are a couple of pictures of the happy couple cutting the cake!!

Uncle Thomas got to spend some quality time with Elliot this weekend! It was SO sweet!

Check it out!

Saturday, Malachi was also introduced to his new favorite toy! He's finally getting old enough for us to use his Johnny Jump Up and he LOVED it!

Can you tell he had a blast?? He'll be bouncing around in NO time at all!! We are so blessed to have such a happy little roly poly! Those little cheeks just keep getting fatter and fatter and he keeps getting to be more and more fun! What was our life like without this sweet baby??

And finally, a couple of weeks ago I took these pictures of Malachi in his carseat and I just wanted to post them for fun!

All I can think of when I see these pictures is 2 words CROCODILE DUNDEE!!

6 Months Sunday

My baby is fixing to be 6 months old. That means 1/2 a year ago Jesus delivered my beautiful baby boy to me and fulfilled one of my biggest dreams!! 6 months ago, "Little Thomas" came to be with his daddy. 6 months ago we started on the most important journey of our marriage together. I can't believe it's already been 6 months. But, 6 months also means 6 month checkups and shots. We got those done this last Monday and it wasn't so much fun :o(

Let me back up a little. Malachi has not been doing too well digestively speaking over the last few weeks. He's been spitting up, a lot and has been constipated. So, that was part of the reason we went to the Dr. Although I explained everything, I really didn't feel like I got anywhere. Don't get me wrong. I love our pediatrician. BUT, sometimes he has a bad habit of "uh huh"ing us. So, I called the nurse Tuesday morning and demanded that she explain to me WHY he had all of the sudden started spitting up and having a difficult time...well, there's no good way to say it...pooping. She told me a few things that made sense and then suggested we get on Soy formula. So, we have. It's gone well so far...we'll see if it continues and...if he poops on his own.

Also, at the Dr., he asked if Malachi had been rolling over a lot. I had to answer honestly, no, he hasn't. He has rolled over several times, but does not do it on a regular basis. So, the Dr. said we had to be tough on him. (meaning, leave him alone and eventually he'd figure out he wanted to get somewhere) So, that's exactly what we've been doing.

Monday night, he laid on the floor for 10 minutes screaming until I picked him up and he immediately "died" in my arms. He proceeded to sleep from 5:30pm until 10:00pm, got up, ate and went right back to sleep, but never rolled over.

Tuesday night, he went to sleep early so we didn't even have a chance to do anything.

Wednesday night, at 4:30, we tried again. He screamed for 35 minutes until he fell asleep on his tummy. (It killed me, but, as my mom pointed out, this will be the first of many times it will hurt me more than it hurts him.) He slept from a little after 5:00pm until 7:00pm when I woke him up to feed him and give him a bath. (Normally I wouldn't wake him up to feed him, but we're starting solids and if we let him sleep too long and he wakes up too hungry, he's NOT interested in eating anything but a bottle) So, Thomas cleaned the kitchen, I fed Malachi prunes (poop...please...poop) and then gave him a bath. It was time for daddy to go to sleep by this point. (He had a wisdom tooth pulled and a cavity filled and his Hydrocodone had kicked in) So, Mali and Mommy laid in the floor together and I tried for an hour to teach him to roll from back to front. I taught him to reach across if he wanted his keys and then I would pull them a little bit to teach him what it would feel like. He has fun for a while, then decides he's sleepy and it's off to sweet slumberland we go!

Thursday morning, our routine changes. We've told the daycare teachers...**coughLolli and Aunt Kelly** to put him down. No more picking him up when he's happy in his bed. No more holding him just because you want to. If he's awake, he's happy, he's fed and he's changed, he's flat on his back in bed until he can figure out how to get mobile. So, instead of putting Malachi in his bouncy seat watching mommy get ready like we usually do, he's put on the floor on a blanket with some toys. Sure enough, a few minutes go by, I look in the living room and he's on his side kicking his little legs hard to get over. I yelled at Thomas and we watched for a couple minutes, but, we were running late, so we walked into the kitchen to finish getting his bottles ready for daycare. All of a sudden, we look in our living room and there's Malachi, on his tummy, looking around!!! He's been rolling over ever since!!

I'm just glad that part didn't take long. Now we've got to try to get him to figure out once he gets to his tummy that he already knows how to get back to his back. (Okay, that's poor wording, but you know what I mean)

I know, 6 months seems kinda late. But, when you're being held all of the time either in someone's arms, in a bouncy seat, in a swing or laying on your back with a mobile to keep you entertained, why would you learn how to roll over? As soon as we took those things away, he caught on pretty quickly. Truthfully, I was kind of getting nervous about it. But, I'm feeling MUCH better about it now.

I'm sure he'll be crawling around very soon, even though, I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I find myself saying I can't wait for this or I can't wait for that...then, I catch myself reminiscing about how small he used to be. Please Lord, help me to remember these precious times and not rush anything. He'll be grown and gone all too soon!!!

Malachi, one day you will read all of these posts as I am printing them out so you'll have a diary of your life and how much you've blessed mommy and daddy!! (And, because mommy hasn't kept your baby book up to date all that well!!) Just know that we love you with all our hearts and you have added more fun and love to our home and hearts than we thought was EVER possible!! You are a blessing and a joy to be around and with and we are SO blessed that God chose us for your caretakers while you're away from the One who created you! Always remember, you're the only one who knows what mommy's heart feels like from the inside!!

My Very First Not Me Monday!!

I have found inspiration from the hundreds of others who are "Not Me Monday"ing it. Led by MckMama, this is a weekly therapy session that costs no more than what your internet provider may be charging you for the minutes you are using this very moment!! What a treat!!

1. I did not spend most of my week last week at work reading through blogs and blog stalking about how others feel regarding the election.

2. I did not rant and rave on my blog about how I feel that the election turned out and how I wished it would have turned out.

3. I did not swat my 6 month old's leg for throwing a wall-eyed fit and then make him lay in his bed until he calmed down...(Only to pick him up when he did calm down and tell him how much I love him)

4. (I did not just put the number 5 instead of the number 4 because I'm sleep deprived)

5. I did not get sleep deprivation because, until 7:00 this morning, my 6 month old had not pooped in 3 days - and because at 1:00 this morning I was sitting on my living room couch with my finger inside his diaper holding in a suppository.

6. I did not call my mother this morning to ask her if my son had pooped, only to hear the man across the hall laughing because he heard me.

7. I am not waiting to see my wonderful hubby and son this afternoon so we can go talk to the Dr. about WHY my son isn't pooping.

8. I did not spend an hour last night helping my little brother correct a paper he had due at 10:00pm and I did not tell him that I will not be waiting until the last minute anymore.

9. I did not push the button on my alarm 3 times this morning because I didn't want to get up.

10. I do not have clothes all over my bedroom that I haven't hung up. (They're not dirty, they just need to be hung back up in the closet)

11. I do not have a wonderful family and I am NOT thankful for them!!

12. I have not been religiously checking MckMama's twitter to see every single thing that Stellan is doing.

13. I did not clean my son's entire room this weekend and it did not take me 45 minutes to dust. Whoever said that dark furniture was a good ideas was NOT high on crack!!

14. Oh yeah...one more thing...I did NOT cheer for the TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS this weekend when they beat OSU and went 10-0 for the first time!!

A More Positive Political Blog - And THEN I'M DONE!

What am I thankful for? Yes, I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but, hey, what's wrong with recognizing what you're thankful for all the time???

First of all, I am thankful we live in the greatest nation on Earth. I am thankful that God has chosen to bless this country the way that he has so far. We have sprawling landscapes, we have enough food, we have enough (well...close to enough) water. I have a beautiful sky I can look at every night and see all the stars! Thomas and I have a gorgeous home, 2 cars, paved roads, mail delivery and many more services the government provides that make my life easier and better!! I have insurance provided by my employer (a governmental agency, might I add) that allows me to take my little boy to the Dr. 3 times in one week when he's sick. We have governmental regulations that ensure that I'm somewhat safe on the road, in the air and even on the water (even though I'm not exactly a big fan of open bodies of water!!)

I'm thankful that one of my very best friends and I are on COMPLETELY opposite sides of the aisle, but that we can still be friends. That we're not forced to be enemies because we have polar opposite viewpoints when it comes to politics. I'm thankful that we can be adults when we talk to one another realizing that the other doesn't agree, but listening still and allowing the other party to state her viewpoint! I'm thankful that God chose to give her a beautiful little boy the same way He chose to give me one! I hope one day they can be friends, despite the differences they are sure to have when it comes to their ideas and beliefs. I'm thankful for my friends who do agree with me. (But, that goes without saying doesn't it???)

I'm thankful that I have an internet on which I can post a blog that infuriated some, caused some to think and caused some to post their own blogs in response. I'm thankful that we have that freedom.

I'm thankful for soldiers who fight HARD and give EVERYTHING up so that I have an unregulated internet to post my rants on. I'm thankful for soldiers' families for the private fight they have everyday just to get up in the morning because they are hurting so badly from missing their loved ones. In fact, I challenge each of you to join me in the decision I made early this year. If you see a soldier, a veteran wearing a VFW hat or jacket, or any other serviceman, thank him/her for his/her service and his/her willingness to sacrifice so that all children (on any side of the aisle) can grow up believing what they choose to believe. Isn't that what makes this country great?

I'm thankful that this country has gotten to the point that we can elect a minority president. Even though I don't agree with his ideas about where this country should go next, I am proud that we live in a country that elected him democratically. I'm thankful that maybe, just maybe, we can move on from the injustice that occurred not so long ago and begin to heal that wound. I am thankful that I was able to cast my ballot last Tuesday morning, with my husband by my side, knowing that my voice was heard, even if the majority said something different than me.

I'm thankful for a God who loves the world (John 3:16) including me, when I don't deserve it. I'm thankful that nowhere in the Bible does it say that only Conservatives or Liberals, Republicans or Democrats can go to Heaven. I'm thankful that the Bible says in John 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." I'm thankful that there is no promise that you have to belong to one religion, or one political ideology in order to go to Heaven and that God offers that to everyone, regardless. Period.

I'm thankful that I have a voice from which I can speak my mind. I'm thankful that I have ears through which I can hear and listen to others! I'm thankful for the Bible which speaks to me and a God who whispers in the night to my soul! I'm thankful for my (government) job! I'm thankful that even though God says no sometimes, that He is still there pointing me in the right direction!! (Not right as in politically or that anyone else is wrong...just what's right for MY life!)

I'm thankful for my incredible husband, my beautiful little boy, and the love that is in our home! I'm thankful for my parents and my brother! I'm thankful for my extended family who has always supported me! I'm thankful for my beautiful nieces and nephew and for the light that I see in their divinely formed eyes! I'm thankful for the childlike faith they show me everyday!!

Most importantly, I'm thankful for my God. I'm thankful for the salvation He promised He would give me and that He followed through on that promise! I'm thankful for the peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

You see, even though I am concerned and some of my friends are concerned about decisions that are sure to be made in the future regarding this country, I am calm. (well...now that I've had a chance to rant a little bit I am...haha!!) I am at peace praying for the leaders of this country, because the Bible says we are to submit ourselves to those leaders knowing God is ultimately in control. Do I have to agree? No. Do I have the right to say that I don't agree or that I'm concerned? Yes. Do I have the right to fight when I don't agree and do what I can to change the directions our leaders are heading? Yes. Do you? Absolutely!

Finally, I'm thankful for the readers of this blog and the fact that they listen, disagree, write their own blogs and that in the midst of all of it, we can remain close and lovingly choose to agree to disagree!!

Thank you God for the many things you have revealed to me that I have to be thankful for! And thank you for the millions of things I couldn't mention on this blog because people have probably stopped reading anyway!! You know what's in my heart even when I screw it up by opening my mouth!

Thanks to Berkeley and Elisa!!

Politics Blog - If you don't like it, write your own!

**WARNING - This blog is going to be typed as my subconscious speaks to me, I'm not going to censor myself on this one and I'm not going to change anything I originally type, I'm just going to type and go with it**

I've been thinking about writing this blog since early this morning when I woke up and realized that we've just taken a definite turn in this country. A couple of weeks ago I was speaking to my mom and my other best friend, Donna about the upcoming election. I told them I probably wasn't even going to vote. As a Christian, God knows what's going to happen and it doesn't really matter because He knows where the world is headed, whether or not I vote. Then, I came to the realization that yes, God is on the throne and yes, He does know what's going to happen. But it's also my responsibility to vote and participate. So, I voted. (Can you guess how based on what you've read so far???) (Okay...stopping to erase, but telling myself I said I wouldn't do that, so we continue) Then, last night, I got home and asked Thomas to please not watch anything about the election. I wanted to delay the inevitable as long as I possibly could. And, when I had finished feeding my precious little boy and had put him in bed, it was time to go to sleep for mommy and daddy. We crawled in bed and hunkered down under the covers for what we hoped would be a peaceful night. Then, while Thomas was flipping through the channels, I heard what I thought I heard and peeked out from under the covers to ask if that really is what I had heard. He had won the election. (I just typed "Barack Ob"...and then had to stop myself because, frankly, I don't want his name anywhere near my blog.) Is that stupid to some people? Maybe. But, it's where I'm at and hey, I gave a warning that this was all stream of consciousness. I immediately prayed to God to please protect my family and my incredible son. I told Thomas it was all over and he turned the TV off. You see, I believe we are getting close to the time when Christ will make his triumphant return to this Earth. I believe we are living in the end times. Do I think He (not the ultimate HE but, the He I'm referencing in this blog) is the Anti-Christ? I don't know. That question has been posed by a local preacher here and I would have loved to have sat in on his service to hear the research he's done into the topic. But, I wasn't.

I do believe that America has completely turned its back on God though. We are actually debating whether or not to keep marriage as between man and woman. Really? Is that a gray area in the Bible? I don't think so. Scratch that. NO IT'S NOT! Leviticus 18:22 says "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is an abomination." I was talking to my mom this morning about the election and where we think the country is headed and we both agreed that we are scared. Not for ourselves. As long as I maintain the track I'm on with God and Thomas and I raise Malachi the way we are supposed to, God will protect us. But, America is turning away from God at a scarier pace than ever before. I actually asked my mom if it would have been better just to leave Malachi's sweet soul in Heaven so he wouldn't have had to go through all of this world's heartaches and troubles and live in such a vile world. She told me that it would not have been better and that it is now my responsibility to ensure that he is raised right. Who knows? God knows why Malachi is here and I believe He could use Malachi for great and mighty things.

So, is America in trouble? Yes! Is it anything God didn't expect? NO. Does God have the power and ability to wipe this country out by simply speaking it out of existence? YES! One day, every knee will bow to God and every tongue will confess that HE is Lord. One day, this world will KNOW who is in charge. Until then, Christians, it is our responsiblity to maintain our faith and our testimony. I have been greatly challenged by the Lord lately about some of my actions. And, it's becoming more and more clear to me that people can see one of two things when they see me. They can see a cold Christian who goes through the motions. Or, they can see Christ in me. It's pretty much that simple. It's time that we stand up for our God. I'm sick of people standing by (and I'm one of those people...) and allowing evil to triumph. Many conservative radio hosts have likened the turning over of the government in America to him to what Germans did when Hitler was put in charge. I don't know about you, but I REFUSE to sit back and allow an Auschwitz or in my back yard.

God, I pray right now that you will please be with our country. We've already been promised that we WILL face challenges once the new president takes office, and that was a promise made by the new VP elect. He said we would be challenged by foreign countries...that scares me. But, I rest in the fact that you are still on the throne and that you are still in control. Please keep Malachi safe and help me to be the best mom I can be and help me to raise him to learn what an awesome God we serve. Help me to raise him to listen for you. Help me to raise him to SEE YOU in ME! Most of all...please Lord, help ME to say in your will. Help ME to listen and to portray your image in all I do.

HALLOWEEN!!

So, Friday night was Halloween, but in the Allen household, more importantly, it was Canyon vs Randall in football. Yeah...we won't talk about the game. We got Mali dressed up in his monkey costume (after all, it would keep him warm - AND it would give us that much more of a chance to show off how cute he is!!) The cool air was great for his little cough and he was a hit!!

Our Little Monkey

Look at how stuffed that belly is!

Curious George
MOM, what ARE you doing???

Chubby Cheeks!!Uncle Logan and Monkey Mali!!

Alright Lolli - I KNOW I'm cute - NO MORE KISSES!!

Metal Mouth and Monkey
This Costume had a TON of stuffing to make the belly nice and full!!

Sleepy Monkey
Now THIS is one for the albums!!

Just a quick Sidebar here - Saturday was spent working at the daycare and THEN - watching Texas Tech (7) blow Texas (1) out of the water!! 39-33 GO RED RAIDERS!!!

Mommy and Mali Cuddling on the Sunday AFTER Halloween!!

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back"