Family Matters II

Some of the information given here may seem choppy or inconclusive.This is a “running" family blog and a continuation of a much greater story.You are encouraged to go to the main website to catch-up or read previous blogs.These blogs tell the story of Christian I(100% DAV, homeschooling pastor-dad with M.S.)and Christian II (son 3 years old-T1 diabetic)-BOTH TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR SERVICE DOGS!

 

Thank you for coming! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let Dad know :-)

BigCarlsonFamily@gmail.com

Christian I (Dad) – I’m so glad everyone decided to go to the trampoline park yesterday – LOL. There are a lot of groaning and aching bodies around here! Mom needs a little help getting around this morning! I think I’m going to help her and let her roll around in the wheelchair for a change! LOL.

That leads me to my next misconception regarding “Why people think they can't have big families”.

     Misconception 2 – “I don’t have enough help to manage a lot of children”.

     Observation – I like to think of myself as a very involved daddy between church work (as a family pastor) and other endeavors. I try to be as much a part of my children’s’ lives as possible. After all, they have been given to ME and our MY responsibility.

But here again, I’ve made one very important observation- I am one hundred percent of the time in a wheelchair and have chronic paralysis in my hands and upper body as well. So… though my heart is absolutely willing, I can’t really help that much! So you might be thinking to yourself, “Seven active homeschool children, very well educated and extremely bright – “HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?”

I made another observation! My wife is a superwoman, but to be completely honest, she does not bear the brunt of the work in maintaining a family. WE ALL DO!

I’m a very big fan of the idea that “When God blesses you with something; He gives you a way to manage it”. Through regular and intimate communication with my wife and children, all of us are a part of the solution in almost every situation.

There is always a way! And, when you find it, the benefits of “The right way” are overwhelming! Just like I said in the last entry, “Don’t give up!” The world is ready to take your responsibilities away from you and to manage them in a way that THEY SEE FIT.

It can be very easy and accommodating, and there is a lot of peer pressure to “do what everyone else is doing”. And in this country you can do whatever you want, right?  I challenge you to honestly ask yourself if you’re “doing life” the best way or the easy way.

There is always a way….just look for it!

Needle in a Haystack

 

Okay, to report on myself – did you ever see one of those little Matchbox cars when you were a kid? The ones that were stepped on and smashed, but still rolling around, albeit in an awkward way (wobbling)? That’s how I feel – LOL. It’s a great training day! 

Ethan (13 yrs old)– Dad has asked me to report on myself and little Christian again. I’m doing all right today but very sore in the shoulders from yesterday’s excitement. Today we’re sitting on the front patio because it’s somewhat rainy (and here we have headcover), and the children are actually trying to crawl out the window to get to me and Dad. I love being a part of such a big family. We’re watching our family cat trying to get out of the broken screen also…out of our front door. He didn’t make it out though! :) He’s still trying, but Joshua is right beside him, so even if he did make it out he wouldn’t go very far. Dad is going to post a picture at the bottom of this blog. Hilarious!

Epic Fail - Prison Break :)

 

Christian II (3 yrs old)– Today Christian slept in late because of yesterday’s trampoline experience. His blood sugars are doing fine right now, but we just changed his site, and that yields low numbers throughout the day. Please pray for him. Anything happens with Diabetes. As my dad says, “We need that dog!”

IMPORTANT: (Christian I speaking)The people that we are working with for the service dogs (Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers) are making an important announcement to all of their clients this morning! This could be bad, or this could be good for me and Christian! We will keep you informed.

God bless you friend... :)

 The Famous Picture of Dad and little Christian

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Family Matters I

Some of the information given here may seem choppy or inconclusive.This is a “running" family blog and a continuation of a much greater story.You are encouraged to go to the main website to catch-up or read previous blogs.These blogs tell the story of Christian I(100% DAV, homeschooling pastor-dad with M.S.)and Christian II (son 3 years old-T1 diabetic)-BOTH TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR SERVICE DOGS!

Thank you for coming! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let Dad know :-)

BigCarlsonFamily@gmail.com

Christian I (Dad) – Having a big family is a very special treat.  Talking to a lot of people presents a lot of misconception.  In the following entries (over the next few days), I’m going to have some fun speaking to some of those misconceptions.  However, I’m not going to do this by giving advice (just yet).  Rather, I’m going to make observations of my own family and allow those observations to speak to those misconceptions.  Got it? 

     Misconception #1-  “I can’t have a big family because I will never look as perfect as other big families!” 

     Observation- We are a perfect looking family!  Everything we do is flawless.  Everything we do is so wonderful that are faces hurt from smiling so much.  AND IF I SAID THAT FOR REAL…..MY TONGUE WOULD SNAP OFF ITS ROLLER AND I WOULD BE FIBBING ( though just a little bit- LOL). 

I love Sunday morning…everything looks so perfect sometimes. Or, out at the store and the restaurant we have received glowing reports from other people about our family - talking about how “wonderful our family is”.  And praise God I do have a wonderful family! 

But, I don’t want this “wonderfulness” to discourage others into thinking big families are always perfect … because they are not.  I would love for some of you to be able to watch us during those “special moments” (i.e when the children are starving and dinner is served- ideal freak out time for the children- lol). 

Watch this.... :)

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10151817184744914" width="1280" height="720" frameborder="0"></iframe

I’m going to get straight to the point. This is not a religious blog or theological discourse. I wouldn’t do that to you because that is not what most of you signed up for. However you need to know that God is at the very head of this family!

That being said, family is like a training ground for the real world, and God has created it to be that way. I know it’s difficult. Now... because of sin, every single family that has come into existence HAS STRUGGLED! We all know this! But the secret to Godly families is this:  recognizing that it is supposed to be hard, and working through it with God's Love-- the only secret (for really ANY issue). Don’t give up!

If your suffering...it's okay!! You're training...gear up :)

I’m absolutely exhausted today. I took the family to “Epic Air”. Basically it is this huge indoor park with trampolines put together so closely that large areas are entirely made of trampolines. KIDS BOUNCING EVERYWHERE! Mom was out there too – LOL. I’m only a little upset that I couldn’t get on any tramoplines because of my wheelchair.

Ethan – (Ethan is speaking now) Our time at Epic Air was awesome! We all had fun on the trampolines and the foam pit. But it was dodge-ball that took the cake! (In my estimation) Basically you play dodge ball in an enclosed area but on trampolines. So it was an extremely awesome but exhausting experience. I have burned more energy today than I have done in any other day of my life! LOL. We all had a very wonderful time there.

 

Christian II – (Ethan still speaking) Christian did very well at the trampoline park today. We were somewhat nervous about Christians’ blood sugar and how well he would do on the trampolines. But he did fabulous! He jumped well and his blood sugar was in normal range. We were worried because physical activity lowers blood sugar dramatically. But everything was all right and we gave him juice to guard against low blood sugars. So overall we had a very nice experience today.

God bless you friend... :)

 Mom roughin' it at Epic Air

 

 

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Dad's Dog Park II

Some of the information given here may seem choppy or inconclusive.This is a “running" family blog and a continuation of a much greater story.You are encouraged to go to the main website to catch-up or read previous blogs.These blogs tell the story of Christian I(100% DAV, homeschooling pastor-dad with M.S.)and Christian II (son 3 years old-T1 diabetic)-BOTH TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR SERVICE DOGS!

Thank you for coming! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let Dad know :-)

BigCarlsonFamily@gmail.com

Christian I (Dad)– Today is a special day.  My wife, Rebekah is typing for me!  So maybe she will tell us something today!  (No pressure, LOL). 

At the end of the last blog, I left you watching my family drive through the town of Deerfield looking for somewhere to eat our fresh pizzas.  If you remember I just grabbed up the four kids after class at Trinity, left the mad house of an apartment on campus, and bought some hot delicious pizza from Whole Foods. 

“ZOWIE”!  There was an open picnic bench in the middle of a grassy area that I just saw, and we were about to stop.  Now, mind you, I was terribly hungry and paid little attention to anything else except for the hot pizzas in my hand.  In fact, I’m surprised that I had my pants on the right way, and I didn’t lose any children at the point.  LOL. 

We sat down at the bench, prayed, and dove face first into some deliciously hot pizza paradise.  It was rush hour and people were just starting to get off of work.  Pretty soon, I saw a man walking to the grassy area with a dog (no big deal).  Then, I saw a lot more people pull up in the parking lot and walk into my pizza-paradise-grassy-park with all different types of puppies.....  I don’t know where I lost control! 

After a close study of the area, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN FACT INSIDE A DOG PARK.  I honestly had no idea. I had four children (who were all very small), a couple of pizzas, a beautiful wife, and our perimeter was now completely surrounded with canine communists-LOL.  I’m surprised no one got bit, but a couple of the dogs were standing up with their front paws on the table checking out the pizza.  So, what do you do now super DAD? 

I just kept all of the children at the table and we finished our meal totally ignoring the four-legged invaders all around us.  We caught some flak from some of the dog owners.  I remember one guy in particular saying, “Bringing pizzas to a dog park with children…..not such a good idea” (almost singing it).  So I sang back, “I didn’t know it was dog park!”.  The whole thing was very musical – LOL

Okay, as I write this, my wife says there was a sign.  As I was walking backwards out of this place, I remember specifically looking for a sign ... and I didn’t see any.  I love how God puts men and women together- so the woman can bail us out when us men are blind.  However, at the time, I DON’T RECALL MY WIFE SAYING ANYTHING! Now that I think about it, there was a strange giggling noise going on the whole time.  I love my wife-LOL. 

Today I feel like Samson in a wheelchair.  It’s a great day, I walked around the block with my children in single file, and for some reason having that small road march put a huge smile on my face and a song in my heart.  Let’s see who else joins this blog with me.

DOGPARK (DON'T MISS THE SIGN)  :( - LOL

 

Rebekah (SuperMom)- (I will speak for her-she’s exhausted).  I’m very proud of my wife, she started exercising regularly last week.... and this week she started exercising twice a day.  Honestly, all of us are very proud of Mom.  Exercising, schooling all of the children and managing to make all of the food for 7 children as well as taking care of a disabled veteran and a diabetic  3-year old...SHWEW.....I'M OUT OF BREATH.  She’s starting to blush so I better stop now. 

REBEKAH - OUR SUPERMOM !!

 

Christian II (3 yrs old)– As I mentioned, all of us went around the block.  Usually I do this with Christian alone and this morning I know he felt like a little commander because he knew the route, and he was just directing traffic….telling his brothers and sisters how to walk!  It was so much fun!  We just put him to bed a few minutes ago and he’s sleeping very nicely.  It’s so nice when he goes to bed peacefully…these moments are so few and far between.  When that service dog comes, I’m sure we will have many more of these.

God bless you friend... :)

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Dad's Dog Park I

Some of the information given here may seem choppy or inconclusive.This is a “running blog” and a continuation of a much greater story.You are encouraged to go to the main web-site to catch-up or read previous blogs.These blogs tell the story of Christian I(100% DAV, homeschooling pastor-dad with M.S.)and Christian II (son 3 years old-T1 diabetic)-BOTH TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR SERVICE DOGS!

Thank you for coming! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let Dad know :-)

BigCarlsonFamily@gmail.com

Christian I (Dad)– I know the title seems a little weird. But, all this talk about dogs has led me to a memory that you may enjoy. As usual, a little description is in order. It’s a beautiful autumn day and the family is in Deerfield Illinois. I’m attending classes at Trinity International University, and during this time we had only four children (as opposed to the seven now! LOL)

Well, class just let out and I was exhausted (being up all night) and starving. Usual procedure was that I would go back to our home (on campus) to grab some chow but, there wasn’t anything available to eat in the small apartment. And when I walked in… it was absolute chaos. Ethan and Joshua (now much younger) were hanging off the ceiling or something, while Mary and Elizabeth were doing something unnatural with the vacuum. Good training!

So, I decided to pack everyone up and go to Whole Foods.  At the time, you could buy a couple of healthy large pizzas for a good price. I’m on it!

So, we boogied over to Whole Foods and grabbed the pizzas  -but there was no place to eat them! I wasn’t going back to that small cage of an apartment at Trinity! And, it was around 5:30 P.M, so people were starting to get off work – the dining area at Whole Foods was filled and it was rush hour – PEOPLE EVERYWHERE! Help me! My kingdom for someplace to eat these pizzas and let my kids run around!

So I just decided to drive. After about ten minutes, “ZOWIE”! I saw an open area with a bench for my children and no one around. BINGO! IT’S CHOW TIME!

Is he coming for love? or PIZZA?

 

Do you see where this is going? Well, I want the children to write a little bit today….so I’ll have them finish the story tomorrow – LOL! Let’s just say that sometimes a man learns from his mistakes! And, I am so glad to be the wiseman that I am now! – LOL.

Ethan (13 yrs.)– now I (Ethan) am typing. I am a soon to be fourteen years old (September 20) and I am excited about my birthday because it is MY birthday instead of all the other children’s birthday’s that I have been participating in the last year! All their birthdays are before mine (except Lydia’s –December 31) so I am glad it is finally here. It’s been so long since I had a birthday so I don’t know quite what to expect but I am sure that it will be cool.

I am even more excited about the National Bible Bee which is coming up in November. I have been doing so much studying lately so we have decided to give me a break from Bible Bee on my birthday. That way I will be able to enjoy it better.

Elizabeth (7 yrs.) – “I’m not sure what to write about” “Well, what are you doing”? I asked (Christian I) She said, “I’m in the middle of an Monopoly game with Mary.” Well, I don’t think Elizabeth will be joining us for this entry today – LOL. Maybe tomorrow.

Elizabeth Studying :)

Christian II (3 yrs.)– (Dad writing again) I have fond memories of reading to Ethan when he was three years old … about dinosaurs. If you need something to do with your little one, I would like to suggest reading a dinosaur book, with vivid pictures, to your little one! Last night, Christian was roaring and having a great time.

Every time I go to the dinosaur book, it works; Always a good time!  Christian mostly repeats syllables of a word with a “grunt”when it’s a difficult word. You can imagine how cute it was for him to repeat dinosaur names like Ramforinkus or Ankylosaurus. It sounded like “eh-eh-lo-ehrus” – LOL  “Very good, Anklosaurus.” ! Too cool man!

Ankylosaurus (Christian wants one!!)

 

Christian is in somewhat of a pickle now. He tore his site off (where the insulin goes in), and his mom (who changes his site) is at the gym exercising. I’m sure that he will be fine. I just really hate being paralyzed in my hands and not able to help my son. This is one of those many times when I throw my hands up to God, and if you’re the praying sort, please do the same.  

God bless you friend... :)

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FUNNY STORIES I

Some of the information given here may seem choppy or inconclusive.This is a “running blog” and a continuation of a much greater story.You are encouraged to go to the main web-site to catch-up or read previous blogs.These blogs tell the story of Christian I(100% DAV, homeschooling pastor-dad with M.S.)and Christian II (son 3 years old-T1 diabetic)-BOTH TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR SERVICE DOGS!
 

Thank you for coming! If you have any comments or suggestions, please let Dad know :-)

BigCarlsonFamily@gmail.com

 

Christian I – We took a break from homeschooling today! I am absolutely exhausted and satisfied because instead, we started our family Bible study this morning (my children, my brothers and sisters, etc.).

It was a good introduction! We’re going to be studying the Bible as it relates to “Pilgrim’s Progress”. I’m a little bummed that one of my sisters didn’t make it for some reason, and I hope that she reads this blog – LOL. See what happens when you miss Bible study? Now the whole world knows – LOL. Fortunately, I have my oldest son here again! He will be dialoguing/typing with Mary (nine years old) and sharing some of their favorite funny stories for the rest of this blog. So, take it away Ethan!

Mary – The funniest story I know, is when it was my brother Joshua’s birthday and we went to "Epic Air" (trampoline park). He was jumping and flipping  and when he was doing a back flip, he tripped and bounced on his head- kind of like in a diving position- and he bounced straight up in the air. It was so funny; I almost fell over with laughter.

I’ll never forget that day. Maybe my dad will put a video at the bottom or something!

 

Joshua Jumping - Mary Filmed (sorry for the wiggles-lol)

(COMING SOON)

 

Another time I was playing with Lydia and I was tickling her and like, saying “Boo!” and that sort of thing and then Mom came along and suddenly she stopped  and looked at Lydia and said, “What are you doing?” (In a very fun way) but instead of laughing Lydia started crying. Even though it may not be very funny to you, it was very funny to me.

MARY AND LYDIA

 

 

Ethan – I’ll never forget the time in January of 2010 when after our family Bible study (which is mentioned above) we had a snowball fight with our aunts and uncles on our father’s side. It happened this way.

After Bible study was finished our aunts and uncle mentioned that they brought their snow gear (I can’t remember which ones said that) so everyone suited up to go outside in the snow. So we went outside in the back yard (remember this).

As I went outside I saw the aunts and uncle fighting in the snow in our backyard (The snow was fluffy :(). The aunts were cramming snow down each other’s back. It was the funniest thing ever! Joshua and I joined in with gusto, and we hit and got hit hot.  But as we continued to fight, strangely everyone started to slowly drift toward the front of the house.

We finally stopped near the edge of the street where two huge piles of snow were (Joshua and I made them). We continued to fight good naturedly, but since the snow near the edge of the street is dirtier and harder from being on the street, we all started pelting each other with dirty snow and ice balls! :)

This was the funniest thing of the day, and we had the best time. Our aunts and uncles were still talking about it at Bible study today almost four years later. Thanks for the great time, family!

Bible Study Snowball Fight !!

 

Christian II – Once again Dad has asked me to report on Christian. Today he was whining and crying because his blood sugar was out of whack, and we had no idea of knowing except for him crying. When that dog comes we will know much better when or what Christian is going through so we can remedy it and save him.

God bless you friend... :)

 

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