.Battling Ear infections.

It's time I declare war.

Since October we had been receiving health updates on Jamesy, and he has had ear infections about every two weeks since then. At one point he was diagnosed with chronic otitis media. Simply put - chronic ear infections. I was concerned and prayed consistently that God would protect Jamesy from hearing loss; especially with us being told that he was blind. I thought that once Jamesy came home, and he was no longer being put to bed with a bottle and was receiving better care, that the ear infections would go away. Unfortunately I was wrong.

Jamesy's ear drums have ruptured twice since he has been home, and he has had infections twice. I am not {completely} into homeopathy, but I lean towards homeopathic, natural remedies. So, as you can imagine, I have been pretty distraught over the amount of antibiotics my sweet boy has been on in Ethiopia - and now here in America. It really bothers me to think of the harm this it is doing to his little body. I am not totally against modern medicine, but at the same time I do not put my trust completely in it either. (For that matter my trust is not in homeopathic remedies either....but in my God.) I am my childrens' biggest advocate, and I want to do my research before saying okay to anything that goes into their body or before they undergo a medical procedure. I just think there is often a better way, and that we as a culture turn to prescription medicine and modern procedures far too quickly.

But I also just want to put an end to this before any permanent damage is done to Jamesy's ears. I am willing to go to an ENT and discuss the possibility of tubes. However, if there is a more natural way to rid these infections I am all for it. Jamesy's ear drums ruptured last Sunday, and he has been on antibiotic (his second round - stronger this time - causing all kinds of tummy upset) since last Monday. We have also started taking him to see a chiropractor. He has gone three times now. As of today, his ears are now totally clear, so at this time, we are doing everything we can to prevent infection from happening again. We will continue to have Jamesy see a chiropractor, which helps to naturally open the tubes in his ears so that fluid drains properly, he is eating a large amount of yogurt which has been scientifically proven to help prevent ear infections, and we are going to try olive oil drops infused with garlic, which is known to kill bacteria and yeast in the ear that can sometimes be the cause of infections.

Does he not have the cutest, elfish ears you have ever seen??

Has anyone had any success with another alternative natural method to prevent ear infections? I would love to hear your thoughts. This is our last ditch effort before we have to go a more traditional route.

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his or her patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.
Thomas Edison

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.Oh, What a Week.

I am still here. Although, I did toss around the idea of deleting my blog this past week. My husband promptly righted me regarding this. He told me to think of all of the memories I had written out for my children, and how it would be so sad to lose all of them, etc., etc. How this blog was a ministry, and how it wasn't over yet.

He's right.

I just had a lot going on last week (and sometimes I let myself feel a lot of pressure from this blog)....

my sister had her baby

I was photographing VBS

Scotty came down with a high fever

Cadi came down with a high fever

Small group training

Preparing our home for our home inspection....and my heart

40th birthday party for our pastor

maternity photo shoot

I think I am forgetting something. It was a busy week. However, I was able to stay remarkably calm and was not too stressed. So much so that Jim even remarked on it. This adoption process is changing me in so many ways. I need to write about it soon.

I felt so bad for my sick children this week. Neither of them have ever had antibiotic (they haven't needed it thankfully). I try to use natural remedies when I can. This week I tried something new.


(I have been concentrating really hard on aperture and lighting lately. Still so much to learn.)

I used organic, raw garlic, and cut it up.



I then stirred it into raw honey.

Scotty would have nothing to do with it, but Cadi took a spoonful every hour she was awake, and it really seemed to help. Garlic honey is supposed to work really well on coughs and is said to eliminate a cough within 24 hours if taken every waking hour. It is also supposed to be effective for clearing up ear infections, sore throats, preventing malaria, as well as stopping colds or flus if used at the onset of sniffles. Pretty powerful stuff. Our pantry will now be stocked with this.

In between the crazy we also sneaked in a bit of family time and the rare treat of bagels!



(He likes his cream cheese!)

Besides my God, His Word, and my hubby, the thing that kept me sane this week was this....



My beloved coffee! And if you are wondering yes, we are still selling coffee as a fundraiser. You can go here.

Also in the midst of crazy we were able to set up our baby's crib this week! The rest of the room is not set up, but the crib is. It makes me so happy to walk by it. Remember how I was whining over wanting a crib set for the new babe? Well, a friend from church gave me this adorable and perfect bumper and mobile! Now I am figuring out how to make a quilt or something to match! So exciting! This makes it all seem so much more real.



Jim and I heard that it would be wise to sleep with a blanket from now until we go to meet our baby, so that we can give it to him and he can learn our smell. So this is the blanket we are using.



The first outfit (and only so far!) that we purchased for our boy rests in the crib waiting....


We continue to wait with expectant hearts as well.

Oh, our home inspection!

Were you wondering about that?? {grin}

It went so smoothly! Again, I can not say enough about how wonderful our social worker is. Basically she just walked through our home - in every room. It was so not threatening or invasive, like I perceived it might be. She complemented me over and over on my decorating, and was just completely sweet and sincere. Cadi loved her interview, and I guess it went well! She certainly talked a lot from what I could tell. Jim's interview went well, too. We were able to schedule our final two meetings for this month!! We will have one on the 14th and one on the 17th. One of those meetings will be my individual interview. Things keep moving. Please continue to pray that God would provide the finances. That is the biggest hurdle that we continue to face at this time. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God desires to bring this child into our family. I just need to rest in His timing....which is hard.

You will notice that Momentous Monday is not here this week. I think I need a break. I just need to re-prioritize some things, and am working through that right now. I apologize. If someone else feels like hosting Momentous Monday on their blog for a bit, please email me at amomentcherished(at)gmail(dot)com. Speaking of email - I am swamped. Please forgive me if I have not returned an email to you. I need grace in this area right now.

I am praying that this is a calmer week. I really need to finish up our home school room and lesson plans, and I hope this week to do that. I also need to get moving on a small family party for Scotty next week, as he turns two a week from today! {gasp}

Thank you dear friends, for your love, support and encouragement. It means so very much. Thanks for being patient with me as well, as I sort a few things out.

....and now back to our family day! A trip to the library is imminent! {wink}
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