There are no clever titles for a post like this one....

Yep.
Broken.
A toros fracture of the left distal radius.
Long arm cast.
Follow-up appointment with the orthopedic surgeon in 3 weeks.

Seriously, now. Medical stuff is so much more fun when the patient is not your own child.

Saturday night we were visiting some friends (who shall at this time remain nameless for legal purposes.....JOKING!!!!!!). Micah was perched on a chair, closely observing the older kids who were learning a new card game. Next thing we knew.....THUD.......he had tipped the chair. The cry that followed was not his ususal "I'm hurt and very mad" cry...it was (in retrospect) his "I have a broken arm" cry.

The break is a minor one (if there is such a thing!?!?) and should heal very nicely....we are thankful for that.

He is tolerating the cast VERY well....and we are EXTREMELY thankful for that!!!!

Please pray for rapid and complete healing of his little bone!!! :)

And...if you should think of a clever title for this post....please drop me a line in the comment box below!!!!!

We Give Thanks...

Happy Thanksgiving....from our home to yours!!

Today is a day for giving thanks. A day for counting blessings. A day set aside for gratitude.
And we are a thankful family, indeed.
As we count our many blessings, please know that we are thinking of all of you...those near and far...and we are thankful for the many ways that you bless our family.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Psalm 118:28

K

"Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have,
because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5

Praise!

Dad's surgery went very well. They were able to do the whole procedure w/the scope (HUGE praise!!) so his recovery should be easier. He will most likely be in the hospital for 3 days (maybe less, maybe more...).

THANK YOU AGAIN for praying!! It is so very, very awesome to know that dad is being lifted up before the throne of the "Ultimate Physician"!!

Would it be too much??

Would it be too much to ask you to be praying again this afternoon?? My dad (“Papaw”) will be having surgery around 4:00 p.m. I will be back with an update later tonight!!

Thank you….I knew I could count on you guys!! ☺

Please Pray....

Posted from Clarian North Hospital in Indianapolis, IN....

Yesterday my dad ("Papaw") was admitted to the hospital. Intially we thought he had a bleeding ulcer...but, as things sometimes go, it is not that simple. He actually has an unusual type of hiatal hernia that has caused his stomach to "twist around itself" (I will spare you all of the medical details). He will need surgery to repair it. If he can tolerate a liquid diet today, we will hopefully be able to take him home and come back for the surgery next week.

For now, we would very much appreciate your prayers...
-for dad to tolerate the liquid diet
-for him to be able to go home later TODAY
-for the surgery to be scheduled for early next week
-for the best "team" to come together for the surgery (anesth, nurses, etc)
-for the surgery to be successful by laproscope (ie. not need open surgery)
-for quick recovery

Thank you SO much...
I will keep you posted!!

A good laugh...

Maybe I was just a little slap-happy after a weekend of being on call....but this video made me giggle....have you seen it already? It is worth playing twice, I think.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21

Thanks for still checking in....maybe I will get around to some real blog-posting this week!!??

Oh, say can you see....

Our final day "out east"....we will leave to come home first thing in the morning.
What a GREAT week we have had!!

Today was no exception...
We headed out to the B&O Railroad Museum where we took a historic tain ride where the first railroad tracks were laid in America! We had the chance to climb aboard several old train cars. And (the kids' favorite) we loved the amazing model train display!


But the highlight of the day, really, was visiting Fort McHenry. Do you know about this place?? The battle that turned the War of 1812 (when the British tired to take America back!) was faught here. AND as Francis Scott Key watched the battle from a ship on the water, he penned the poem that became our Star Spangled Banner.


It was very, very cool to stand in the spot where "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" happened!! We even got to touch some of those bombs that were fired at our brave soldiers. And to see that huge flag waiving and imagine what it must have been like for Mr. Key to see it still flying in the morning's first light after such an intense battle... It certainly gave new meaning to the song we sing so many times each year.



I know that I am "in the moment" right now...but I really couldn't help but include these lyrics...humor me, and take a "slow read" through them, would ya'?!?!?

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I'm not liking it one bit.....

We had another GREAT day!
And we stayed within a mile of our hotel!

We started off at the National Aquarium....and it was awesome! Of course we had to see the dolphin show (which Brock said was the best dolphin show he had ever seen!) and we watched the divers get in to feed the sharks, stingrays, and giant turtle! Very fun.




Then we met up with Uncle Mike and ate lunch at the ESPN Zone. The food was fine, but of course the kids loved all the games the most.





After lunch we went aboard the USS Constellation, a 19th century Navy warship. We felt like we had stepped back in time. We were able to tour all 4 decks of the ship, including the Captain's quaters and the surgeon's sickbay. Very cool.

Micah was able to finally get a REAL nap today (for the first time in 4 days!) while Brock, Erica and I went for a swim.

Dinner was at the Rusty Scupper....yummy seafood restaurant right on the harbor with a great view of the city. And yes, my crab-stuffed-shrimp were DELICIOUS!

It was a great day.

Except for this....and I am not liking it one bit.
Micah started calling me "Mom"....not mommy and not mama....but "Mom"! And, oh my, does he sound so old. It is like he decided that since he was two now he needed to call me "Mom". Of course when he yells it now, the rest of the family laughs out loud because 1) it sounds so stinking cute and 2) they know that it is killing me for him to sound so old!!

Yep. It was a great day!

Happy Birthday Micah!!!!

We celebrated your birthday today in our nation's capitol! What a way to celebrate....

**We toured The Capitol building...we got special tickets with your birthdate stamped on them...then we went inside for our tour. You were the youngest of anybody we saw in the entire Capitol Building...and you behaved sooooooo well!! We were so proud of you (even though I think you may not have been listening to the ENTIRE story of the beautiful mural painted in the dome! I think security may have seen you playing with your horse in the Rotunda!! wink, wink!!)

**You were so excited to board the bus again!! Oh how we loved those "talking guys" who told us all about the city.

**You dodged the rain drops (thanks to Brock's skillful stroller driving) as we waited for our time to go up in the Washington Monument. And when it was your turn, you LOVED looking out those super tall windows down at the buildings, cars and water below!

**We took a tour through the Arlington National Cemetery where we were reminded of all the men and women who served our country...many who gave their lives for our freedom!!! You had no idea what all those white blocks were out in the grass...or why mommy had tears in her eyes...but someday you will understand.

**Then you saw those marching soldiers. And listened as they clicked their heels and stood at attention. Thank you for being so quiet!!

**You fell asleep in two seconds flat once we got back to our car.

**Good thing you caught a little late nap....because Uncle Mike ordered pizza and picked up a cake. A birthday party in Baltimore!!

You were such a good boy today, Micah. Our little 2 year old man!!!!!

You bless our lives so much!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Dad, Mom, Brock and Erica

Sweet Land of Liberty

Wow!!
All day I just felt like singing patriotic songs!!

The United States of America is far from perfect....but today our family was reminded of what an awesome, awesome country we live in...founded by brave men with an incredible faith in God....and protected by many men and women who have sacrificed throughout the years.

We had a great day in Washington D.C. The highlight of our day was the National Archives Museum, where we saw the ORIGINAL Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights....up close and personal. We also spent some time in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, where we touched the world's only "touchable rock from the moon."! We saw the White House, The Capitol, The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Wall....and much more...from our "Tour Bus" and enjoyed hearing lots of cool info about each one from our tour guide!

And, as if that weren't enough, we had dinner at Mike's house!! and took a swim when we arrived back at the suite!!

Tomorrow will also be a busy day...
We hope to tour The Capitol, The Washington Monument, The White House Center...and maybe The U.S. Mint?? We'll see how that plan holds up...for it to happen, we will need an early start...hence me saying goodnight...but not before a few pics, of course!!!






Oh, for goodness sakes....if you care to see the whole slide show from the day...well, here it is....

Road Trip!!!!

Did I mention.....????

We packed up this morning and headed East.
We arrived in Baltimore, MD tonight. Whew! 12 hours of travel in all.....I think it can be done in 9, but not by us...and not with 3 kids.

We will spend the next 4 days hanging out with Uncle Mike (my brother) and a couple of days exploring our nation's capitol., too.

Stay tuned....

and, oh....about that "J"?!?!?!?
I wrote a post for our "J" scripture, with no intent to publish it...not sure how it posted...and I would delete it, EXCEPT for the fact that Stacy's comment made me laugh and I hate to delete it, too. So the "J" stays.

J

Papaw's Buddy

What I want for tonight...and for all my tomorrows.

The words came from Ann (at Holy Experience)...but they come also from MY heart....


"I want to see the sacred in the common, the hallowed in the everyday, the holy in the now.
I want to have eyes for grace.
I want to know life as gift.
I want to see God, El Shaddai, who is enough: my very own rest, my perfect peace, my wellspring of joy."


Yep. That IS what I want.

Happy Birthday to my dear (older) husband!!

Chad,

I have been trying all day to think of what type of bloggy-birthday post to do for you today…your 38th birthday. The problem I keep coming back to is this: In your humility, I think that you would just assume I not post anything at all.

Well….in my world of BLOG, that is just not acceptable.
You are my husband….I esteem you highly….and I want the whole world to know (or at least the 3 people who read this) that October 12 is a BIG deal to me! On this day, God chose to bring into this world a blonde-haired baby that would one day become my best friend and mate for life.

Happy Birthday, Chad.
I am very privileged to walk these years by your side. You bless me…and so many others…in ways that you are too humble to see.

I love you.
I love being YOUR wife!
Michelle

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a new mommy!!

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Here's the little "sumpthin'" that I made for you. It was a JOY to look at these pics over and over as I put it together. You and Aaron will be (and already are) such AWESOME parents. Baby Jude is absolutley beautiful, and it has been such an priviledge for me to get to share (even if from many miles away) in some of your "first time mommy" moments. You are doing a great job! I cannot wait to hold that baby in my arms...and give YOU a great big hug!!

Until then, I will just keep watching this....





...and I will continue to pray for your days...and nights...with your precious little gift from God!

The 2nd best idea I had today.

I had been dreading one certain project for days.
I needed to wash...REALLY wash...2 items.
1.) Micah's carset.
2.) The rug in the garage.

My plan was to take them....one by one...into the tub that has a hand held shower attachment. I could soak 'em, scrub 'em, and rinse 'em there in the tub.
UGHHHH! All that bending and splashing. I was dreading it! We have access to a power washer....but what a pain to get it all out and set it all up.

Then this morning it hit me....

So Micah and I pitched the carseat (we used our other one) and rug into the back of my truck and headed into town.
To the carwash.

After inserting a couple of quarters, I stood back and sprayed!!! No bending. No splashing.
Wonder of all wonders!
It worked great!!
And we had fun doing it!
Hmmmmm.......what can we power wash next???






OH...the 1st best idea I had today??
That was when I ageed (or dare I confess......"I suggested") that Micah and I have an impromptu meeting with Carrie at the ICE CREAM PARADISE.... for a turtle sundae. You must understand....ICE CREAM PARADISE will be closing for the season in just 5 more days!

Are You Ready for Game Day???....AM I???

Tonight at High School youth group...
this video will "intro" our topic. I think the kids will like it, maybe you will too.

I will be talking to them about having a readiness AND willingness to share the good news of Christ with others.
I think I need to put a mirror up in front of me while I am talking, because this is something that I SOOOOOOOOO want to do better. So many times at the end of the day I think to myself....did I introduce ANYONE today to Jesus???

Don't get me wrong. I talk about Him alot....but usually to my family and friends who already know Him.

I know I need to do more. I want to do more. I will look for ways to do more.

I have permission....

If a picture is worth a thousand words....then this video must be worth a million!!
Earlier today I learned how to use the new iMovie program, so I decided to make my "first project" a little keepsake video for Stacy (of her trip to Indiana)!

I just secured Stacy's (reluctant) permission to publish the video here.....
so enjoy.