Who wants to be up at 2am blogging?

Not I said the tired mother of Five. However it is thundering and lightening outside and since we live in a mobil home (double wide thought it is, and as much as I love it) I sometimes can't sleep during storms. I honestly think it is more I am a light sleeper and all that noise wakes me up. I trust God to take care of us. He is God. He has a plan.

So here is a happy thought... or picture.
Ask our 2 year old nephews what does Uncle Quintin say? They will look at you, grinn and say grrrrr. Don't ask me why they attached this to him, but they have. If you ask them what does Aunt DaNella say they will say "Smile!" Guess I take a few pictures...

I was right!

I was right, 2008 was a great year. Way back on Jan 1, O8 I said that I just had faith that this would be a better year. For me it has been a monumental year, I signed a publishing contract, got my book published, adopted a Sam, had my first book signing, and we became the pastors of the most Awesome Church, Shelby Christian Fellowship. God is good. I know He has more in store! So here's a classic Myspace Mirror shot to end the year... I had on the blue cheetah headband, and bracelet and necklace my nieces and nephews gave me for Christmas, and the golden shawl my mom gave me.

It's my time to shine in 2009!

Seasons

Seasons come and Seasons go, but God will never fail.

Two posts in one day! I am blessed

I am so blessed, but some christian friends of mine (via Internet) are in need of your prayers. Here is the letter they sent out.

Friends,
Many of you know what happened to our family, but some of you haven't heard yet. We are sending this general email and will try to send updates daily. Information changes often, sometimes on an hourly basis, some of what you have heard may have been true at the time, but different now. Here's the story as of 8:21pm on Christmas day, 12/25/08:

On Tuesday, the 23rd, we were headed to Michigan to visit Mike's family. At around 9 pm, we had been traveling about 8 hours and were 20 minutes west of Elyria, Ohio on I-80 when we hit a patch of black ice. The van started spinning into the next lane where we were hit from the back by another vehicle, which threw us head on into a cement highway divider at about 60 mph. Obviously, the impact was tremendous and the van totaled. We were all in seat belts, which saved our lives and nobody was knocked unconscious. The EMTs arrived in about 20 minutes, several cars stopped to help(if one of those who stopped providentially get this message THANK YOU! We don't even know your names but you are angels). We were first taken to a hospital in Elyria and then all transferred to Rainbow Children's Hospital in Cleveland. This is a huge praise. Rainbow is one of the top 5 Pediatric hospitals in the US...our care has been phenomenal.

Both airbags deployed, which saved Mike and I from significant injury. Mike has 2 broken fingers on his left hand, which is in a splint cast. Initially the ortho Dr. thought he would need surgery, but he was able to externally "pull" them (they were very crooked) into place and splint them. They will xray next week and decide then. He is sore all over, but otherwise ok physically but, because he was driving, is carrying quite a bit of guilt emotionally.

I (Trish) have a couple of broken toes on my right foot and am stiff and sore in the back and chest, but am otherwise ok. I have my "moments, " of course, but am doing fine and am thankful to be able to be here for my kids.

Abby (15) is by far in the worst condition, but is stable. She suffered significant facial trauma from her nose down. She hit the headrest in front of her, which knocked out 8 top teeth and broke her hard palate and caused several other fractures in her nose and jaw. Several of her bottom teeth are loose; in the initial surgery they stabilized these and stitched lacerations. She is going to have oral surgery again tomorrow. They plan to put titanium plates in to stabilize bones,remove bone from her hip to graft into her jaw so they can eventually do teeth implants, and wire her mouth shut for at least 4 weeks. Right now she is completely sedated and intubated (on a ventilator). They may be able to pull the ventilator tomorrow depending on the swelling and other things. Because of the impact, the kids all received some internal injuries from the force of the seat belts. (If they hadn't had them on, however, they most likely would have gone through the windshield...huge praise) Abby had a hole in her bowels (perforated duodenum) and a tear in the outer lining of her stomach.They repaired both of these successfully. She has two drainage tubes in her stomach and two in the retro peritoneal area. She has two fractured vertebrae, again caused by the seat belt. Eventually she will need a risser cast for this for 4 -6 weeks. This cast goes from the armpits to the pelvic area, with a hole in the abdominal area. She will probably have to stay here for 3 weeks before she can be moved closer to home. Overall she is stable. She is the most beautiful girl in the world!!! Her plastic surgeon has been incredible. He says they will rebuild her just like new, but it will take time.

Will,13,also had a pretty severe lacerations to his head.The scar runs from his forehead to the tip of his nose. Again, the plastic surgeon did a great job. He had no broken facial bones. Just one big macho "man scar!" Initially they thought he had internal injuries, but they did a laparoscopy (they cut three little holes in the belly and look around with cameras) and this came back ok. He also has 3 fractured vertebrae and will wear the risser cast for 4 weeks. They hope to put his on next week. His concern today was that his dad needed to shave!

Aaron,12, who we thought at first was fine, had a laparoscopy just to be sure. They ended up finding a ruptured bile duct. This is a tiny tube that drains bile from the liver into the intestine. After seven hours of surgery and 5 surgeons being called in, they basically built part of a new bile duct out of his small intestine and attached it to what was left of the old one(choledocho dudenostomy, I think) He has done well today, with all signs showing that things are working well. He has one fractured vertebrae as well and they are currently discussing whether to do a cast or brace on him. He is having significant pain, but they recently changed the med and he is doing better.

Lee, after dozens of tests, seems to be doing ok. He is not allowed up yet (none of the kids has been allowed up and they have to lie straight---because of the back stuff). They thought he might have a rupture inside, but opted to observe him, and he seems fine, other than general soreness. He and Will were both allowed clear liquids today.

There's the rundown. I hope this answers many questions for you. This hospital is incredible.They have taken care of Mike and I along with the kids. There is a Ronald McDonald house very close where we have a room and where we can eat. (I am staying with the kids at night, but Mike is going over there) A volunteer drove to where our van had been towed and got all our things for us...on Christmas day!!! Santa came and brought gifts...the kids all got ipods. So here's a cute story. We had been buying our kids ipods on their 13th birthdays. When Lee-age 10-opened his, he asked me if he'd have to give it back!! Our kids are tremendous!! They have been so brave, humorous, and constantly ask about each other and mom and dad. I am so proud of them!!! They are all currently in Intensive Care (in side by side rooms).

The address is Cliff family, PICU, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 111000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Mike's cell is 336-688-4487. We can't take all calls because we are very busy sometimes, but you can leave a message. The number at the desk is 216-844-1904. They can only give us info, so don't ask them, but they will get us if we aren't busy.

And finally, you have no idea how much your prayers and concern mean to us. THANK YOU!!!! Phooey on patient confidentiality...you can send this email to anyone...we want everyone praying because we need it!!

Merry Christmas...hug your kids a little tighter tonight. 15 seconds can change everything. Oh, and always wear your seatbelts!

Thank you for everything!

Love Mike and Tricia Cliff and kids

Keep them in your prayers please! and feel free to copy and paste this.

Beanbag sandwiches and the lessons they teach.

***Lord Jesus I pray right now every visitor to this page will feel drawn to you and your love.
Did you know Jesus Christ died on a cross to forgive you of your sins? More than that did you know He loves you? Did you know when He died on the cross H e did it for you? No, I mean you. YOU. If you are reading this He did it for you. If you want more information click here. If you want someone to love you no matter how much you screw up, click here.***

Some of you have asked about my photography business, so here is a short explanation of how I got interested in photography.

I love pictures. I simply love them. They bring back so many wonderful memories.

I remember when I was about six, and I was on a joyous visit to my Aunt and Uncle's house. I thought it would be such fun! It didn't matter that there were no kids my age to play with, I was certain that my sister who is four years older than me, and my cousin who is two years older than her, would play with me. Well I was right, but they didn't have the same kind of fun in mind that I did. They tied me up gagged me, and shoved me in between two beanbags...

As if that were not enough, instead of rescuing me, Uncle Jimmy yelled "Be still, Let me get my camera!" That is probably the moment I learned a very important principal. Don't cry over split milk, take a picture of it!

Being a good student, I took this lesson to heart, hence the second photo on the right.

(***Lord Jesus I pray right now every visitor to this page will feel drawn to you and your love.
Did you know Jesus Christ died on a cross to forgive you of your sins? More than that did you know He loves you? Did you know when He died on the cross H e did it for you? No, I mean you. YOU. If you are reading this He did it for you. If you want more information click here. If you want someone to love you no matter how much you screw up, click here.***)

Juliannah, also the youngest, became the victim of her youngest older brother, and her older sister. They overpowered her and tied her up with electrical tape. However, if you look closely you will see the sparkle in her eyes... She loved every minute of it. I am so glad that memory lives in me. Let me help you preserve some.

Terry and Shannon torturing poor little INNOCENT me!
Some things never change. Different children, same story. A living memory.

My Juju Bean...

My Juju bean is a trip. She is such a character. She has a style all her own. She is a princess through and through. Here is a Microburst in her honor.

An Old Princess

Juliannah is four, and already has a very active imagination. She is obsessed with being a princess. A couple of months ago, she came up to me and said, “My name is Cinderella!”

To which I replied, “Oh it is, is it?”

She promptly responded, “Yes, but you can call me Cindy for short!”

That Princess mindset has permeated her very being. It is so much a part of her thinking that it has spilled over into almost every area of her life. The other day she had a long handled wooden spoon that she was using like a cane. She came hobbling through the dining room at Grammy’s. I wanted to know what she was thinking, so I asked her what she was doing.

Without hesitation, she answered, “I am an old Princess.” She wasn’t just an old person, she was an old princess.

Do we really realize that we are Royalty? We are children of The King.

Certainly all who are guided by Gods spirit are Gods children.

Romans 8:14

My present beats yours!

How many of you can say you got a duct tape wallett for Christmas? With you name on it?? I can. Well, and so can Sam, Q, Nana, Matt, Anny, Tym, Grammie and Papa...

Merry Christmas!

I got four of the kids blanket sleepers (they didn't have on sam's size... )

My kids Christmas Play

This was Halo. This was slim.
Holly

Chester the Jester Angel...

Sam the head angel. (lol the character's name was Sam!)

What a bunch of characters I have.

What IS going on?

I only had two responders to my quary... Becky must be busy this time. The answer is no, it is not photoshopped... Nana was holding Precious and when the dog went to yawn I snapped a picture. It was merely good timing!


Here are all of my angels from our christmas play, "Angels we have Heard!" It turned out really cute. I'll have to post more pictures later.

What's going on?

This game is closely related to the what am I game. I'll show you a picture and you tell me what is happening, and if it is a real picture, or I photo shopped it.

God's Flashlight

This is for you Gee. Merry Christmas.

hey guys

Hey guys, lots going on, crunch time for the Christmas play, I have to get my angels ready. Love ya
Nissa I am still praying for you!