Great News

Great Motor Boat news. We've been concerned about an area on Motor Boat's abdomen that keeps getting irritated/infected so I took him to see his surgeon yesterday. The area may need to be explored surgically but for now we will continue to watch it. But, he also said that when Motor Boat gets a little bigger they will be able to pull the fascia over his defect so it won't protrude. He doesn't have a lot of muscle but the fascia should hold it in better than the graft and skin has been able to. I was told there were no more surgeries and it would be left like it is but that isn't the case. I'm not thrilled with him having such a big surgery but I know it will be better closed.

Love Hate Relationship

I have a love-hate relationship with flying. I love how quickly you can get somewhere but hate the confining places of an airplane. I flew in October to Florida for a board review but before that it had been almost 10 years since I last flew. I was a bit nervous but was flying with a friend so it was better. She kept me calm. She also help me navigate the new security procedures. It was nothing like that the last time I flew pre-9/11. Boy have things changed. This time I was flying alone and had to navigate it all by myself. There was someone sitting near me that had never flown. A grown man that has never flown on an airplane is unusual. He was so nervous that he made me feel like a veteran flier.

I love looking out the windows. It is so beautiful. When you can see the ground I imagine the people I'm flying over and how our lives are intersecting for that brief moment totally unaware. Do they even know I'm flying over them at that point in time? Just find it fascinating. I also love watching people at the airport. I wonder where they are going and why. I saw a lot of military people at the Dallas airport and wondered if they were deploying. They had family members with them who seems sad so I kind of thought they were. Our prayers are with them.
Here is why I was so claustrophobic. What a tiny plane. It was a short flight so that was good. I picked a seat on the single row side. It was still a tight fit.

My night of relaxation

I worked Friday night and flew to Dallas Saturday morning to get the car. I was going to drive straight home but Leopold thought it would be better if I spent the night in Dallas. So, here is a picture of my hotel room. It was nice but I was so exhausted that I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. I also wish Leopold would have been there with me. I missed him so much. I love being with my family and I just missed them. Nice place but would have been nicer with my family joining me. There was a 42 inch flat screen, HDTV. Nice!

We did what?!?!

We bought a new car off ebay. Yes, you read that right, EBAY. It was really a great experience and we got a great deal. The only thing was that I had to fly to Dallas to get it. But, it was worth it. One of my favorite things about the new car are the stow 'n go seats. All the seats in the back fold into the floor. Since we are getting rid of Leopold's truck, it will be good if he needs to haul something. Men are always needing to haul something. I guess it is the testosterone. I rarely feel the need to haul something.

Now you see it.

Now you don't.
It has a DVD player. It turns out that after 2005 Dodge would put the DVD player in but not the screen. Some people want the screens on the back of the front seats and others on the roof. So, they let you purchase them after purchase. Problem is that I didn't realize that. So, it looks like we will need to get a screen. Just a little frustrating but the only thing that went wrong with the whole process.

Isn't it pretty? I love it!

I've really loved the automatic doors. It really comes in handy with a baby in tow. It is so awesome.

We've Been MIA

We've been so busy lately. I'm not even sure why we are more busy than usual but it just seems crazy. Here's some of what we have been up to.

Motor Boat enjoying the beautiful day. The weather has been amazing here lately. I'm enjoying it so much that I'm dreading the 100+ temps heading our way. Ugh!!! Mom and Dad are out of town so we have been checking in on Granny. Here Motor Boat is entertaining her.
Catching some ZZZZ's at Grammy's. How sweet is that?!?!

This big sand pile was brought in to raise the level of the back yard some. The back yard turns into a lake when it rains. Of course the girls love to play in it. It even inspired an after church play date with some friends. They had a blast.

Prayer Needed

Our church has been without a pastor for over 1 1/2 years. Sunday a family is coming in view of a call. Pray for their safety in travel (from New England area) and our discernment as a church as to whether this is the man God has for us. We are looking forward to a new chapter in our church.

Last few days

Things have been busy the last few days. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to.
Motor Boat's CASA worker came by today and brought his Christmas present. He was in the hospital at Christmas time and she was afraid they would get lost. He loved them. Since we missed Christmas with him it was fun to see him open a couple of presents.

Playing peek-a-boo. I really need to dust the doors. Just never think to do that.
Friends over for a visit.

I can't get enough

I just can't get enough of this little guy standing. It is so cute. As he discovers he can do it, he does it more and more and laughs about it. He has stared bouncing and such. It is so cute.

It's Over

Last night was the last night of the Breaking Free Bible study with Beth Moore. It has been great. I know that I'm blessed to live where I can go see her live. I've done several of her studies with the DVDs and I'm telling you that they edit a lot of what is truly Beth out of them. To see her live is quite the adventure. You just never know what she might say and tonight she has us cracking up. I will try to post a few video clips for you to enjoy later. The worship was amazing and Beth was tearing it up tonight.

Watch this sweet boy in action - 200th post

What an exciting 200th post. Watch this sweet boy stand. It is only for a few seconds but he is getting good at it. He will be walking in no time at all. At least I have something to talk about other than his eating. That is still going very well.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

I found this picture on the Internet but thought it was funny. I have had friends tell me how great this works and now I'm wondering why I waited this long to actually get one and give it a whirl. They are great and live up to the hype. The kids' bathtub is one of those fiberglass kind. It is very hard to keep clean. This thing worked like absolute magic. I love it. Now the tub can look clean. This is one you've got to try.

If you know of a great product let me know. I would love to try some more things that actually do what they say.

Brokenness

Sometimes life leaves us broken, even shattered. There are events in life that we cannot control that hurt and leave us broken and with battle scars. As I watch Motor Boat sleep (a favorite pasttime I might add), I notice his battle scars. His tiny hands that are riddled with scars left by the numerous IV's he had. The scar on his left thigh from where a central line was sutured. And his tummy which is a huge and massive scar that will never fade or go away. It is easy to say that he has more battle scars than any 15 month old should have to carry. But, I think of his tenacity in facing his little life. He has fought great and overwhelming odds and has become this sweet, smiling baby that is a joy to everyone that meets him. He started this life with so many strikes against him but has thrived.

But, what about those scars that aren't so visible? The internal scars that leave us broken on the inside. The scars we try to hide and often do for a long time. The ones that leave us emotionally scarred. What do we do with those? I have those scars. I won't go into detail because the road to brokenness is not what matters. What does matter is that we are broken and there is a journey of the heart that leads us home even if the road home is broken. The journey is hard but as I look at Motor Boat I know it is possible. I find so much strength in him. So many life lessons in a 24 pound body. He is an inspiration and motivation. To not only survive, but to overcome. That is what Christ desires for us, victory! He will lead us down that broken road and enable us with an overcoming power. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world but that He had overcome this world.

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

How wonderful to know that no matter what we endure, Christ has overcome it for us.

Hoppy Easter

We had a fun Easter Day. I forgot to take my camera to church and therefore didn't get pictures of the girls performance. Bad Mommy! They did a great job though, trust me.

The decorated eggs. I'm not sure what happened to the 12th egg. There were 12 when I bought them.

Here is Grammy. She doesn't usually let me take a picture so I have to post this one. She made a fantastic dinner. Yum. Thanks Mom! Sasha hunting eggs.
Yellow Bird too!
Grampy and Leopold lending a hand. This year we counted them so we would know if we got them all. One is still missing.

Grass is so cool. When you think about his limited exposure to outdoorsy things, you can understand his interest in them.

I'm not sure what Motor Boat is trying to accomplish here. He would put the bowl in his mouth and cover his face with it. I thought it was funny. Forget those blocks when you have a bowl to play with.
What a cute Easter outfit. The girls wore their Easter dresses in the professional pictures we had done. This is Motor Boat's Easter outfit. I love him in shorts because his little legs are so cute.
More egg hunting.
Motor Boat getting in on the action.

Uncle T and Aunt K. Aren't they so cute.
Granny just got out of the hospital 2 days ago. She still isn't feeling great but was able to watch the Great Easter Egg Hunt of 2008.
The girls decorating some eggs.

Motor Boat giving Aunt K some loving.

So, all in all it was a wonderful day. Enjoy the pictures.