photo funk-header_zps0ekmkesr.png
 photo home_zpshyfejce7.png  photo RAK_zps2bn6n8mv.png  photo homeschooling_zpsregqlgr0.png  photo ourjourney_zps9eryodr3.png  photo haiti_zpsfxon8iyf.png  photo healthwellness_zpshqtqova8.png  photo camping_zpsckyk60wr.png

Monday, January 31, 2011

 Thought you'd get a kick out of our  kitchen faucet.
It's been like this for a long time, just don't want to have to spend the money on a new one. Replacing things and buying new just cost so much money.
We were able to rig up the old handle on there yesterday morning and it's working.  It just tends to drip a lot. 
We will see how much time we can get out of it.
I am feeling a little better just coughing a lot and I have so much junk in my airway yet.  We went sledding yesterday and I struggled going up and down the hill  breathing.  The cold air just about did me in.  Have a great Monday!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Sick
I had gotten a prescription on Monday for a serious cough that wouldn't go away
Well, it didn't work and I only got worse
Drove myself to the Dr. with Olivia and Jeremiah in tow thinking I would get a blood test and wound up with tons of chest ex-rays
My oxygen level was at 85% and my lungs were terrible
Glad I went in
Olivia loved the nurse with red hair
She says,"she looks like Aerial"
They were having fun in the ex ray room of course
Outcome...Pneumonia
So, I got me some antibiotics and an inhaler if I want and we are ready to tackle this thing.
I have just never been sick
I hear this is just a bad year for this stuff
So, I am working away on rummage and laying low
Thanks for all your prayers and for all your donations to help us along this wonderful journey.
We are forever grateful!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Buy a shirt and help support our adoption!

You have until February 18th

This wonderful family has chosen us to showcase for their shirts.  Go to their blog below and check out their shirts.  When you order make sure you put down that it's for The Funkhouser Adoption and the proceeds will go directly towards our adoption.



They come in kids sizes too. 
Happy Shopping!
Thanks for all your support!
With Love
Jill

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Happy 6th Birthday to Jonah!
sweet
sensitive

seriously dramatic(every scrape you get, you would think you lost a limb)
loving

nurturing
helpful
faithful


honest
energized
passionate
You came into this world and had a rough start from the beginning.
God had a plan
At about 6 weeks old you got sick
and sicker
then you started to turn grey on me when I was driving to my parents house
Took you into the on call Dr. in our town which was my old pediatrician and family friend
What are the odds of that?
You had a rapid heart rate and then seriously slow breathing.  You were so slow that the
only way we could tell you were breathing was by having a pacifier in your mouth because you wouldn't stop screaming
We rushed you over to the hospital and checked in
they ran all sorts of tests that were negative so they did another test for RSV where
they swab your nose(kind of like a pap smear)
While we waited, I'll never forget the nurses telling Dave and I that if you pass out and turn blue they'll just come and restart you.
Of course you keep passing out on us and we watched them do CPR on you
That's when we knew it was serious
Then all of a sudden 2 people in flight gear come into the room from "flight for life" to take you to Children's Hospital.
It was so surreal
The pilot said they hadn't risked flying because there was a crazy snow storm outside and it's an hour drive...so they hopped in the ambulance and Dave drove right behind us.
So, the whole way in the ambulance
you kept passing out and the nurse keeps restarting your heart and giving you CPR and then she says to me, I need you to fill this out and we are going to have to go through the paperwork of thinking an planning a funeral
I seriously just said ok....stunned
She was so sweet and just doing her job very professionally. 
I just answered away and got to thinking about how fast our lives can change in a blink of an eye
WOW!
We got there and went to the ICU
We were straight at the end of the hallway and I'll never forget that feeling of walking through those doors and seeing and hearing all the hurt and pain
You just wish you could help and take it all away
So when we get into the room there is like 5 nurses(they all looked like they were 18 and just started, at least in my eyes)(of course they were in their late 20's and nice as pie) setting him up and working with him
They ran all these tests, set up the feeding tube, and  intibated him right away.

He was lifeless just like that
  They had to do the breathing for him because there was no way he could do it on his own.  

We got him baptised and prayed over him constantly in the room

It was so dry and sterile and we wore yellow outfits to protect him from germs.
everywhere you looked were tubes and machines. We couldn't touch him without gloves on.
constant beeps and humming from the machines
one sweet moment I will never forget was your little mouth sucking every time you got food through the feeding tube.  So darn cute that babies just know how to suck.
moving and shuffling the machines around
meeting upon meetings with all these Dr.'s

Sitting all dressed up next him in silence just waiting and watching
I never cried that day 
nor slept for 48 hours
When we finally went to rest (in the hospital room they provided for us there)
I'll never forget that feeling of walking into a small tiny one room sleeping quarters
and falling face first on the bed and never moving again for several hours
All my clothes intact
shoes on
I cried my eyes out and asked God to do whatever his will was for this little guy
and that whatever he had planned I will be ok with
trying to find the strength to tell myself that we would be just fine 
We had so many wonderful friends come and pray with us and visit,we are forever thankful for all of you and helping us get by
We had to have Dave's mom come and stay with Odin at home, because Dave had to go back to work and we were going to be there for weeks
So it worked out great that way and then we just took turns driving there and staying.
When the time came to pull the tube out it was a huge decision the Dr.'s were not sure off
so we tried once and you just were not ready so we waited another few days and bam...it was gone.
You struggled for a few more days with the breathing but day by day you were getting stronger and stronger
Finally, we got the ok to leave
Back home we went
You had a long, recovery after that 
You were constantly sick the first year and a half of your life and totally crabby all the time.
You also developed torticolis after being in the hospital bed that whole time.
The nurses never moved your head
So your head was tilted one way all the time
Never heard of such a thing until we had to start going to Children's to do physical therapy for this every week. 
My goodness, who would of known that could happen
Learn something new all the time
It was crazy, you had to totally crank on his head
It looked like it hurt so bad but it was working and he healed fine after that episode.
No problems since
You were off to enjoy life after all this. 






Tuesday, January 25, 2011

                          Having fun in the snow yesterday!

Monday, January 24, 2011


Disclaimer:  Long post,  grab a cup of strong coffee...Lots of rambling here!

When we started this journey, it was a huge step of faith
This journey has made me step out of the comfort zone

step out of the worldly ring
shopping trips
keeping up with trends
Succeeding at things that don't really matter

finances
caring about what others think
becoming consumed with our personal life
I gave  a lot of MY personal plans up and started doing HIS plans
it's not just about following Jesus with your  heart and head
Is your dream big enough that you need God to accomplish it?
Pastor Glen just talked about this same kind of thing yesterday
Keeping up with status quo
I don't have it all together but
WE are personally getting to know God
It is our lives that are rescued
from living our lives without a purpose in HIM
Life
 is the long journey toward becoming Christlike
For us to understand the deep truths of Gospel, we must put ourselves in a position where
 pain and trials
might pressure us to the truth. 
The more you're
 stretched
the more you'll grow.
My faith is usually strong and mighty
but each day it gets bigger and better than the day before.
 I have seen God do such glorious things
He is truly amazing!!!
He has just been  providing, and providing every answer to everything we pray about. 
They are just falling on our lap
Praying to learn how to sew. 
This has been something I wanted to do for a long time, just never think I can do it
I want to sew  and be able to sell my goods for the orphans through a non-profit business that our friends own(below).
Well, my friend moved and has left us their sewing machine
Praying about starting a 501 non profit business
to help the orphans and
Linny and DW (our friends from www.aplacecalledsimplicity.com) have got one up and almost  running already.
 Would love to start an orphan ministry at church
Gotta get on Pastor Glenn about that
We also cook for the homeless a few times a month as a family and everyone loves it.
It is about a 35 minute drive and always on a school night
Eat bag lunches in the car
Have great conversations on the way
Friendships we've made since we've started doing this
Well the kids would love to do this 3 or 4 days a week
Seriously,
gas,
 time...
come on God  we are trying to save for an adoption here
I use every excuse in the book.
Our God has shown us that he will provide. 
Every time we have cooked and given ourselves
he has blessed us with a donation for the adoption
It is like clock work
He is truly amazing
He has given us so many opportunities
and just keeps providing for us
Opening doors that I never knew were there
Putting people right in front of us
Bending and twisting and breaking our hearts
Things and ways I never would of thought of.
We are being obedient and God is just working away on our hearts and other people's hearts
My heart is so heavy and so excited for our 2 little ones. 
Picturing their faces everyday
holding them
loving on them
Gods promises have a wait in them
It helps us focus on God
The waiting is necessary to grow our faith
Don't miss the blessings of obedience!
It will be all for the Glory of God alone!
True Joy and
Satisfaction in my heart
Thank you Jesus
Thank you too so many for all your prayers and donations.
We love you!

Romans 12:2
 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.



Friday, January 21, 2011

Tea party and another fun outfit for school!

Yes, we still have the streamers up from  January 8th. They bring some cheeriness to everyone when we are sick...I guess.
Olivia has started taping them on her clothes
Everyone has started taping them to their behinds
and saying"stop following me, stop following me"
The little joys you get to be a part of when your a mommy
They play so well together.  I never  knew how little girls can be so mothering to their siblings
Have a great Friday!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

INFLUENZA
Wow, I am finally getting over that bug.
It has been a week and a half
Sunday it started to get worse and went downhill from there
I am one who never gets sick
Minor sniffles and that is it.
My husband took off Monday-Thursday for me
I pretty much lay ed around
No throwing up
drank 7 up
lost 9 lbs
I had my dad drive me 35 minutes to the Dr.
in a snowstorm
My insides felt like someone was just squeezing them.
I am very good about pain too, but this was seriously painful
I cryed and cryed
It's hard when you can't be mommy
Or lay and cuddle with your kids
When Odin got home from school today
I happen to be sitting on the couch
freshly showered and he says
wow mom, with a big smile
you look better
sweet boy
I'm coming around...slowly
Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011


My funny husband!
I made these delicious black bean brownies the other day that are so delicious.  They have 2 cups of black beans in an no flour.  I have had this recipe for ever and have not tried it.  They are awesome, rich and very fudgy.  I am one who could eat the whole pan at a sitting so he decided to be funny and put a note in there.
Funny memory from one of my good friends graduation party.  I was at her house for her high school graduation party and we were all standing in the kitchen talking for awhile. 
The whole time I was talking I just kept licking and eating at her cake and before I knew it I had eaten 3/4 of the cake without even realizing it. 
Her mom took a picture and I about passed out thinking that no one else ate any of it.
Luckily they were like family and we were very close growing up and all.
How embarrassing
 I love sweets!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Date with daddy
About every 3 months each kid gets to go on a date with mom or dad.   We have a rotating schedule of how we do this and what we have coupons for. 
So, they have some choice but not really.
  We tell them what we have coupons for and go from there. 
 Then it's only a couple bucks.
We all have a good time too!

Monday, January 17, 2011


This is from a friend!





How are you spending your time?
We have been sick here at the Funkhouser house.  Just getting through this last week here and hope to be up to my old self again. 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Thanks for your prayers for yesterday. 
All went well.
I snapped a few pictures, but should of brought the video camera. 
He was pretty funny to hang out with after they gave him the "sleepy" medicine.
Poor guy, his tonsils were so big they couldn't put an air tube in his mouth so they had to give him his oxygen through his nose.
                                   trying to make a muscle

Bye bye big guys
 
Hanging out all weekend!
Lots of love and prayers
The Funkhousers

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Jeremiah
Pray for this little guy
He will get his tonsils and adenoids taken out.
They are so big they actually wrap onto the uvula
The poor guy will be able to eat again.  He never complains but he doesn't eat much.
They have been like this for about 8 months now.
I took all the kids to the library last night and of course he left his blanket there
He takes that thing everywhere.
Will keep you posted
Pray for fast healing.
Have a great Thursday!
Lots of love from the Funks!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

                                                   Jeremiah's Birthday

                                          We started off the morning by this


                                   and wearing underwear. 
I had the brilliant idea of trying to potty train him today for his birthday.  Otherwise he won't even put underwear on. 
                       One time on the potty that day...that's it. The rest was in his pants, down his legs, and on the floor.
We left and drove to the zoo in Milwaukee.  Compliments of Grandma Mimi an Papa Julio we get in free.  This has been such a wonderful gift for us. We use the gift membership all the time.
Would love it every year....hint hint
Never been there in the winter time though
The kids were all bundled up in their snow gear and we walked around the zoo. We didn't see many animals  but we had fun!


                                           Dinnertime
Surprising Jeremiah with his choo choo train cake...The cake worked out pretty good. I had never done one before so it worked out pretty good. The kids loved it.

                                               He loved it!

                                       Chowing down on cake

My parents (actually my dad) wanted to get all the kids their first remote control vehicle ...now they just gotta figure out how they work.
These are the cupcakes I made for Jeremiah's pre-school class.
We had a great day and I know Jeremiah did too!  He is such a ham and such a sweet blessing! 
I'll never forget when I found out I was pregnant with him.
I was on birth control when I got pregnant with him
I didn't know you could actually get pregnant still taking it. 
So I called the company and had them explain it all to me and how this worked.  Very interesting and sneaky might I add how these companies work.
So I emailed my Dr.(after I found out via a leftover pregnancy test I had at home) and asked her about these exercises I've been doing and asked if I could still do them. 
Dave came home in the mean time and just happened to stumble across my email that I just received from the Dr. and I ran in the room just as he was reading the e-mail. He didn't say a word, he just looked at me with a "WHAT IS THIS?!" expression.
oh, yeah...I'm pregnant
 that was not the most exciting way I wanted to tell him about my pregnancy but oh well.
I remember on the way to the hospital we hadn't decided on a name yet. Dave asked God to give us a sign and right after he did that, the DJ read the daily bible verse from the book of Jeremiah. Hmmm, that's a pretty good sign. Then at the hospital, the bible in my room was open to the book of Jeremiah so that was our answer
Jeremiah Christian Funkhouser
The other side of the story is that we were just getting ready to start some medications to be surrogate parents.
We had everything all lined up with the lawyer and we were almost all ready to go....
So after we got the news about the pregnancy we struggled on how to tell our friends that we were pregnant and prayed about it for a couple of weeks.
Well, GOD is truly amazing
I got an email from our friends saying...your never going to believe this but I'm pregnant after the umpteenth time of doing IVF treatments. 
I couldn't believe it, so our kids are a couple weeks apart now and life is wonderful. 
GOD has a plan it's up to us to follow it!
Happy Birthday Jeremiah!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Guess which kid it is?
 We are doing another fundraiser rummage sale in May for the city wide rummage here in Kiel. I have been working on pricing and organizing rummage for the last couple months here, and I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.  It is so much fun though!  I am not sure why but I love this stuff.  Our good friends moved across country they gave us lots of great items to sell. (Thanks!) So if you have anything you'd like to donate to our sale, let me know. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

months on the waitlist
 
Psalm 68:4-6

Sing to God, sing praises to His name

Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,

Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.

father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,

Is God in His holy habitation.

God makes a home for the lonely





Saturday, January 8, 2011

Making a gingerbread village
I bought it last year on clearance for $2
Some fun over Christmas break.
My kids are not gingerbread fans.
So old ones don't matter then
It was fun but, the gingerbread was very heavy and thick.
                                               Olivia's

                                                                         Jonah's

My parents brought them some New Year attire

                                                                          Odin's


       This little one just liked to put frosting on his finger and lick it!
                                  Have a great weekend! 
         It's Jeremiah's 3rd birthday today so we will be celebrating!

Blogging tips