PLAY BALL!

Saturday was Matt's opening day playing t-ball. Even though the team's opening day was last weekend, Matt missed that thanks to the stomach virus that hit him hard. Despite a dreary day, the team had fun and Matt loves playing. He hussles in and out of the dugout quickly and is always on his toes when the coaches tell him to do things.

View other photos from Matt's debut!!!

Father's Recovery

My dad received news that he is cancer free!!! The next step is to remove part of the esophagus tissue the cancer was affecting. The surgery is scheduled on May 16 and from what I've read, it is a six-hour procedure with a week stay at the hospital.

My mother asks for several prayer requests. Here they are:

• That my dad will gain weight. He is eating, plus supplementing with tube feedings, but the scale is not showing any gain.
• That he will sleep longer at night and that his sleep schedule is more regulated.
• My dad needs to gain strength before his surgery date.
• Most of all, that he is cancer free for life!!!

Until then, my family is standing on God's promises!

Mommy's Patients

We are on the road to recovery!! Mark is 100% better and Matt is following behind. Mark missed his playmate in Matt and bugged him on the couch constantly.

Isn't it good to see these brothers care for one another as they do here? Melts my heart!

More Rain Anyone?

I know I am going to look back at this entry and think, "I can't imagine what I have overcome!" It seems like 2006 has been full of challenges and lessons.

To spare you the gross details I'll simply say that Matthew had the WORST stomach/intestinal flu ever, which we found out was the dreadful rotavirus! If it weren't for Steve helping, I would have lost my mind. With Mark's ear tubes recently being put in, plus getting over an intestinal bug himself, and let's not forget Steve's surgery in the future, it seems like everything is piling on top of one another.

My mom told me I should always ask God, "How will You help me grow after this?" It's a neat thing when you allow God to change your heart. Yesterday I had to go to Walgreens to buy more Tylenol for Matt and then picked up dinner at KFC (fast food has become the norm here lately). The man at the drive-thru asked me, "What sides would you like with your 8-piece bucket?" I couldn't even make a decision. I was dealing with so much diarrhea, vomit, and clean up, I didn't care if I ate potato wedges or cole slaw! It reminds me when I've been ticked at the car in front of me when he/she wasn't ordering quick enough. There are people dealing with their own junk and probably feel the same way I felt yesterday. We never know what is going on behind closed doors. Boy, was this a lesson in learning patience!

I am hoping for better entries later...

When It Rains, It Pours

At 5:45am I grabbed Mark from a sweet slumber and put him in our minivan for his morning appointment at the surgical center. His ear tubes were put in and all went well -- with the exception of coming out of the anesthesia (a crying nightmare). Unfortunately along with his ear tubes, he has caught an intestinal bug! Sometimes I change a diaper in 5 minutes!

On the subject of health, Steve has been experiencing discomfort in his abdomen and decided to have it checked out. After an ultrasound revealed GALL STONES, he was referred to a surgeon and will receive his treatment plan next week. Another outpatient surgery to plan for.

So, when it rains, it pours!!! My anxiety level sky-rockets and I am set to worry, worry, worry... There is always a moment in my life when I am forced to trust God more.

Then I am reminded of James 1:2-3:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

However, in the midst of our family's trials we receive a call that my dad is CANCER FREE and the next step is surgery to remove the affected tissue mid-May. The doctors are optimistic and everything is going according to their plans. God is good and always working!!!

Ears to Hear

Mark has suffered three ear infections in 9 months with the present one not clearing up. With constant fluid behind his ear drum his pediatrician recommended tubes. Early tomorrow morning Mark is scheduled to have them put in at the local surgical outpatient center. My hope is to have a happy, healthy baby again instead of crabby grouch -- not like my cute "little man". Until tomorrow...