Ok...here goes. I am a "Virgin Blogger", so give me a break if this is cheesy!
Hmm...where to begin?? I know! Why am I blogging? I love to write in a journal...but never seem to find the time to sit down with my journal AND a pen, but I do find myself sitting here in front of my computer quite frequently. So I am going to try to blog out some of my life, thoughts, joys, sorrows, and struggles. I'm sure you will find my life quite amusing...as I find myself the victim of God's humor very often. He likes to continually remind me that it is He that is (and always will be) in control of my life and not ME! Although I think I could do a pretty good job at handling my own life, I'm learning that I better just stick to obeying His commands and not try to make up the path on my own.
So, I felt like I had my life under control for awhile...and then I became pregnant with my twins. From February 14, 2006 (Week 6) until April 13, 2006, I was in and out of the hospital and then sent home with In-home health care for constant nausea and dehydration. I had a PICC line inserted and I gave myself fluids and meds through my IV through that time. I also had my church family on a rotation to come and take care of my other 3 kids, while I laid in my bed. I remember asking God why He refused to heal me? As time went on I learned He was teaching me to trust even when I don't know why. I won't lie...tough is not even a strong enough word to describe how it felt. I tried to reason it out with God...how if children are a "blessing" is this a "blessing"? Nothing really ever made sense, but I learned to trust that He knew what He was doing...I mean...it is His plan and all:)
On April 13th, my PICC line became infected, and the nurse took it out. Again, I had to trust God. Up until this point, I had not really eaten or drank anything since February!! I was so scared I was going to start the process all over....back in the hospital...potentially getting another PICC line in the other arm! Thankfully, my God allowed my body to tolerate food and drink in very small portions. So, for 14 weeks I was out of bed and back being a wife, mother, friend, church-goer...someone in the land of the living!!! I felt great! I taught in VBS and even played games!
Then on July 27th, something didn't feel right. Still to this day, I can't tell you what that "something" felt like, but I told Keith I need to stay home from church. I did, and when he came home I still felt the same. I sat and debated whether or not it was something major or not...to go to the hospital or not?! Finally, at around 7pm, Keith took me to the hospital. They get me in to triage, start me on a monitor, and then "check" me. I was dilated to 1cm!! I was only 27 weeks along!! I stayed calm, but wondered what the next steps were. They called Dr. S, which was reassuring, and she told them what to do! They immediately took me into a room and started me on the worst drugs possible...Magnesium Sulfate. The next 4 days were completely horrendous. I had some awful nurses, not to mention how my body felt. I really thought I was going to lose my mind if I had to stay there one more day, thankfully God knew my limit, and I was released from the hospital that day. I went home on a medicine pump that helped my contractions to stay minimal.
When I was 35 weeks and 5 days, I delivered Elijah Canon and Elissa Grace. We had a small hurdle for the next 9 days as Elijah had to be in NICU for his breathing and eating issues. All of this to say, just when I begin to think I can handle things on my own, God throws me a curve ball!
My latest curve ball came in the form of an eleven year old. Again, just as the twins were beginning to eat table food, sleep consistently, and toddle around, I thought...whew! I've made it through the tough part...I've got it all under control. The babies turned 1 yr Sept. 11th and on Oct. 25, 2007, we found out my sister-in-law, Tina, had ALL (Acute Lymphoidal Leukemia). We received her 11 yr. old son on Nov. 7th. I started homeschooling him, along with Olivia. Tina struggled for 2 short months, and on Christmas day, she went Home to be with Jesus!!
So, after Keith and I had said we were done having kids...that 5 was E-nough...God threw His curve ball. Now understand, that Keith and I had done much investigating on adoption, but every time it did not fit our family's needs at the time. But this did! Now if you don't know Austin's whole story (I can go into details later), but Tina actually adopted him after fostering him. She received him when he was 3 mo. old. The most amazing God thing is that he has RED HAIR, just like all of my other kids! God knew long ago, where he would end up! So I continue to keep my catching mitt on just in case God gets any more wild ideas!
Well, I need to go...hope you enjoyed this first blog as much as I did.
Yummy cake!! Side note of frustration...We ordered 3 pizzas and tons of tokens. We desired our kids to drink water, but they told us we had to buy bottled waters or sodas...they would not give us cups for tap water!! Ridiculous...knowing darn well we more than paid for those paper cups with all we had already purchased!! Anyway...that's over!
These are all the Buchanan cousins' kids at our Christmas Eve meal!
This was the suit Jude got from Keith's parents...he loved it and didn't ever want to take it off!
Powdered Donuts...I think a few of these should fatten them right up!
I think that eating habits are formed young just as are other habits. So why for the sake of "fattening" should we start to feed them fatty foods or oversized portions. Maybe...just maybe, they are fine. Who makes these percentile charts anywho?? I do care about their health, but I am going to try to find a way to feed them more, but keep it healthy and within limits. 
I got to meet Caleb's new girlfriend, Renee. She was very sweet, and Elissa befriended her and then wouldn't let her go!
My new Momma Judy invited her brother from Boise, Idaho, to join us, too. He was very funny! Josh and Angie and his boys, Reed and Roman, also attended. The dinner was very yummy...there was sooooo much food! 
Note the drool pool on Keith's shoulder! AwEsOmE!!
