things you shouldn't say

From a dentist last week: "Oh, you're life is going to be so tough with Sjogren's. You will have horrible dental disease, sores in your mouth. It really will suck. And you're so young."

From an ophthalmology aide today: "You are so young to have such a devastating diagnosis."

These comments remind me of when Kael was in ICU a few years ago, recovering from a major aortic repair. From his nurse, "WOW, they really filleted you open!"

Come on people..If you are in a health care field, let's try and be a LITTLE positive.

So thankful for my family, encouraging friends, medicine that helps me feel much better and the blessings God showers on me each day.

I'm hoping to come up with a witty come back. Any suggestions?

Life

In the latest WORLD magazine, an article quoted the Journal for Medical Ethics, which recommended "after-birth abortion" or infanticide of babies born, who were a burden to their families or when "government pays for their care." WHAT???

The Journal editor Julian Savulescu stated, "If abortion is permissible, infanticide should be permissible."

Under their criteria, I'm sure two of my children, Kael and Layne, would had been recommended for after birth abortion. Kael was born with a significant heart defect that has required multiple corrective procedures. At no point, however, has he been a burden to us. On the contrary, he brings us great joy and is a blessing to every member of our family.

Layne was born prematurely, unable to feed, failure to thrive and exposed to multiple drugs and alcohol in utero. I'm sure she would fall into the category listed above and YET, she is such a complete gift! There isn't a day that goes by in our house, that someone isn't loving on her or getting love from her. We were told to expect a child who would never learn, never know the difference between right and wrong and never smile. OH YEA? I don't know many other six year olds who can multiply, do long division, spell and read at the fourth grade level, smile continuously and be loved so well by so many. She has this effect on people...you know, the kind of effect when teenage boys forget that it isn't cool to hang out with little kids and decide instead to hang out at our house because of LB and our other little guys. She has this effect on people that melts them to the core AND has them consider things they've never thought of before..ADOPTION...

The Journal of Medical Ethics has it completely wrong. Life is a gift, both in utero and after the child is born. I am so thankful that God has chosen to place each child in our home that call us Mom and Dad. LIFE is good.

The cake

I haven't made a birthday cake in two years--that's right two years. Instead, my kids spend weeks planning just the right cake for each birthday in our house. I've posted some of the creations before, but Gavin's cake two weeks ago TAKES THE CAKE!! lol

First, I need to provide a little background.

Mike loves Star Wars, and always has. This love has been passed on to every one of our kids. Now that the Clone Wars is easily downloadable, we could have Star Wars playing in our home nightly. It's an amazing thing, everything (in our kids' eyes) in our lives could relate to Star Wars in some way. I bet George Lucas never knew his clone factory would be used in a dinnertime conversation to explain the Industrial Revolution and the start of factories in our country.

I appreciate Mike's ability to relate to the kids in a relevant way (I don't seem to have this gift, especially when it comes to Star Wars).

When it came time to plan for Gavin's cake, Janika made several preliminary sketches. I really didn't know what to expect with the finished product, but she certainly didn't disappoint. She spent over 6 hours designing, baking and beginning the decorating process. I think the Cake Boss would have been proud. Her trusty helpers (EVERY OTHER SWEENEY, except for Gavin, who wasn't allowed near the kitchen) took over when she collapsed on the couch--talk about pouring yourself into a project! Mike and I came home from St. Louis to this masterpiece:

As I've said many times before, our Gavin loves well. He brings such joy to our lives. This Mama was thrilled to see all of the other kids putting so much work into his birthday cake. I am blessed.

Time to return to blogging

I remember last October, talking with Elli, Janika and Kael and telling them I thought God was preparing us for something big. I wasn't exactly sure what that was (something with Summit? a health problem with one of our kids?) but knew we needed to start spending more time in the WORD. Little did I know that that "thing" was going to hit me. Until then, blogging was a way to document our life's journey, to encourage others to step out and follow God's leading, no matter what the World might say. However, since November, I have been the one needing the encouragement and haven't felt able to encourage others. About two weeks ago, one of my close friends here in Williston said she wished she had known so she could be praying for me and our family. I think that was God nudging me to allow this trial to also go a bit public.

Before Mike and the "Big Kids" left for their mission trip to Ethiopia, I began experiencing some weird symptoms: an inability to sleep, multiple infections, depression, dry mouth, dry eyes and unbelievable fatigue. While they were gone, the symtpoms increased dramatically as my weight began to drop. At this time, I felt as if I was under a major spiritual attack. Through MUCH prayer and encouragement from my family, including my sister, Brenda, I began to have a few good days mixed with the tough ones. The fatigue was a constant "friend" and I developed severe abdominal pain that lasted for weeks at a time.

My dear friends, Valerie and Terry, would give a call and say, "I just knew you needed prayer." A true blessing during a storm.

My husband would work all day, come home, take parenting duties over completely, encourage me, pray with me and start each new day all over again.. He had many long nights with me, (not acting like the spouse he has known for the past 18 years) A HUGE blessing during a storm.

My kids encouraged me, through song, smiles, cards (I think Gabe has written me a dozen cards telling me how much he loves me and hopes I feel better). These kids really are amazing. Janika took over most of the meal prep when I was too tired, with her constant army of helpers ready and willing at all times. Kael would often take over reading of the History lessons of the day. Leah would rub my back and with Micah's help, would offer to do anything for me. Layne would crawl into my lap for a snuggle. Gavin, well, Gavin just loves better than anyone I've ever met. Elli and Jani would sing for me. HUGE BLESSINGS DURING A STORM...

We visited our child at the Ranch for Kids, who is doing REALLY well. This child will get to come home for good Easter weekend!! A huge blessing during a storm.

We've CELEBRATED several birthdays, standing in awe of what God has done in each of our children. We are blessed.

We saw Kael's cardiologist in February and he gets to go one more year without further intervention..HUGE blessing in the storm. I have to brag on my boy a bit- he is one tough cookie. As he performed his stress test and his blood pressures continued to rise, he kept right on pushing, to the point that the treadmill looked like it was going to go straight up. He has taught me so much about living life to the fullest.

I have so many things to be thankful for, which helped us to continue to push for answers beyond, "You are depressed."

Thankfully, Mike has been by my side this entire time. Do you know how much I love you?? Last week, we flew to St. Louis to see Dr. Schwartz- the nicest rheumatologist in the world...He has diagnosed me with Sjogrens Syndrome, which fits every symptom I have been having. Today, I start a new medicine to try and help alleviate the symptoms I have been having and give me that extra little boost to return to life fully with my family.

During this storm, God has revealed again and again, HIS grace and love for me, through family and friends. I am forever thankful. He has used friends to talk with me about nutrition (supplementing with liquid B vitamins has completely eliminated the depressive thought and brain fog- if anyone out there suffers from these, leave a comment and I will tell you what has worked). He has used my kids to speak life into me-- who would have thought? He has used my husband to show complete unconditional love and care...He has used memorized Scripture to come up when I most needed it. He has used my sister's connections to get me into the best Dr. I could have possibly seen. He has been ever present...

So as I return to blogging, it is to be that encouragement to others that those around me have been to me. Here's my adoption plug--Had we not adopted all of our kids, I would have missed out on some of the sweetest moments of the last few months: the hugs, the smiles, the cards, the back rubs, the LOVE. My life is full.

Go Tell it on the Mountain- or the Plains!

To God be all the Glory!!

Click on the word Share below to view an article about what God's doing in our corner of the world.

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Christmas 2011

I can't believe Christmas will be here in less than 5 days. December has flown by and with it, our time to write our annual Christmas letter. To save time, everyone in blog land will get our annual update.

Highlights for this year include:
1. Family ski trip to Bozeman--I'm sure the first few days would have looked like chaos to those around us, as we tried to negotiate rentals, clothing and the FOOD associated with taking 9 kids skiing. After day 4, however, we had a system worked out, everyone had the appropriate snack in their pockets and we had successes on the hill.

2. Completed our first year of homeschooling everyone- By the end of the first year, I realized a need for another teacher. My friend, Valerie, joined us in August and we are amazed at how much everyone has learned this year. We are so thankful for the opportunity to homeschool our children. (Next year- we'll have high schoolers!!)

3. First family RV trip- In July, we ventured out on a 3 week RV trip. The trip included Camp Electric, in Nashville, for Elli, Janika and Kael, while the rest of us played in and around the Nashville Area. We then spent several days in the mountains of North Carolina, before driving to Durango, Colorado. While in Durango, Mike and the "big kids" spent 4 days backpacking at 10,000 + feet. The "Littles" and I spent 4 days playing at the Durango, KOA and learning things like how to pull the awning in during high wind storms. The RV is now for sale..lol. We loved the adventure but realized the RV we chose was just a tad bit tight for a family of 11.

4. Summit Energy Services- Mike continues to love running Summit. We marvel each day, as it continues to grow. What started out as a little business, in our garage, with six men, now has over 160 employees, a huge shop and two additional office spaces. God has truly blessed us with an amazing business, great men and women who choose to work at Summit and opportunities for continued growth in the next year. I am blessed to watch Mike lead this team, each day.

5. Activities- Our days with the kids are full. This past year, Elli, Janika, Kael and Micah ran track for the MIddle School. Elli and Layne participated in a summer play. Kael, Janika, Micah and Leah ran cross-country. Gabe and Gavin ran elementary cross-country and played soccer with Layne joining them on the soccer field. Gavin and Elli participated in the local Christmas play and Micah, Kael, Janika and Elli played basketball. Layne Belle loves her piano lessons and the big girls continue to love to sing together, with Jani on guitar. Mike and I love taking in all the events, and realize that, at 40, our days of actually beating the kids in ANYTHING are just about gone.

6. Mission Trip- In November, Mike, Kael, Elli, Janika and Micah spent 12 days in Ethiopia with Childrens Hopechest. They served with an amazing team, loving on kids at 4 different care points and taking in a small sight seeing tour on the side. The younger kids and I stayed on ground support here and realized how very much we LOVE the noise of our great big family.


That's our year in a nutshell. As we head into the Christmas weekend, we are so thankful for the friends and family who have come along side us with prayer support this past year. We are thankful for the family God has given us, the business HE has given us and especially for the gift He has given each one of us in the birth of HIS son, Jesus.

Merry Christmas from the Sweeney Family!

And to think we could have said, "No" to this!

This morning, as we were getting ready for church (notice the big sisters in the bathroom-sorry girls), it hit me...We could have said, "No, " when we were asked 6.5 years ago to be our LB's foster family. We could have said, "No," when she came up for adoption. Instead, we said, "Yes," and get to see this sweet face every day.

We have had the opportunity, again and again to say "NO". We've had people encourage us to say, "NO" but each time we've prayed about a decision and said, "Yes!" God has blessed our socks off. The very first thing we were told, after we found out we were expecting triplets was, "You can reduce this pregnancy. It may be really hard on you." Instead, and thankfully, my husband answered immediately, "These are our babies." When we felt God nudging us to adopt Gavin and said "Yes" God brought the coolest little boy into our home. He thanks God every night for "my wonderful family." He radiates.

When we felt God nudging us to adopt again, many people advised us to say "NO". I'm so thankful that we said "Yes."
At the same time, God put the idea of Summit on Mike's mind. It would have been much easier to say "NO" and continue to work for someone else, yet we now have over 160 employees- so very thankful again that we said, "Yes."

Today in church, our pastor said, "If you were the only person on earth, Christ would have died just for you!" He had the opportunity to say, "NO!!" but he said a resounding, "Yes."

I wonder what God is asking you to do today.