Its Going to Be Awesome

She's coming to my town via Simulcast. And its free. I'm so excited. Wanna join me? Register at www.shenandoahbaptist.org.

Fishing.

"I'm lost in her there holding that pink rod and reel.
She's doing almost everything but sitting still.
Talking about her ballet shoes and training wheels and her kittens.
And she thinks we're just fishin'..."






"I say Daddy loves you baby, one more time.
She says I know. I think I've got a bite.
All this laughing, crying, smiling, dying here inside...
Its what I call living. And she thinks we're just fishing.
She's already pretty, like her momma is.
Gonna drive the boys all crazy and give her daddy fits.
I better do this every chance I get, cause time is ticking..."





"And she thinks we're just fishin' on the riverside
Throwing back what we could fry.
Drowning worms and killing time, nothing too ambitious.
She ain't even thinking about whats really going on right now.
But I guarantee this memory is a big one...
And she thinks we're just fishin'."





"This ain't really about fishing."

Date Forty-Seven: Japanese and a Movie

Due to the recent life events, I'm afraid I've lost a bit of our dating challenge creativity. And we got a little bit behind. But this week, we jumped back in and we are determined to finish. :)


After enjoying a yummy Japanese dinner, we went to see a cute movie at the theater called "Crazy Stupid Love." Highly recommended!


And we made an agreement to be creative with our next date! ;)

Not Me... Friday?!

My child did not give herself a haircut after weeks of begging to have her hair cut short "like Mommy's."





And she definitely didn't do it with tiny manicure scissors.





And it didn't look like a mullet. (Business in the front, party in the back.)





All of those activities wouldn't render us super thankful to have a wonderful hairstylist in the family, willing to be on call for emergencies that occur on a Friday night.




We didn't get so excited about the new haircut that we failed to learn anything from this experience.




Except maybe that by taking matters into your own hands... you actually get what you want? Oops.




Thank you, Aunt Em, for fixing the mullet!



(And its actually pretty cute, don't you think?!)

A Special Night

Last night, I was completely blessed when I least expected it. Yesterday was a particularly trying day as I spent a good chunk of the day trying to get all of the loose ends tied up for Brooklyn's trip to Cincinnati. [When a fax mysteriously doesn't arrive, where does it go? I'd seriously like to find that place because its full of my faxes! My bet is that its somewhere at DMAS and somehow the employees can't locate it....] And I wasn't very successful so I was frustrated. And the closer our trip gets, the more nervous I get. And Brooklyn had a bad day seizure-wise. It was just a frustrating day in general.

We had been invited to a picnic for Special Families by our pediatrician, and I thought it would be a good thing for us to attend. I had no idea how much of a blessing it would turn out to be. I was nervous upon arrival to the park and felt so many conflicting emotions. On one hand, I was grateful to be part of something like this. On the other hand, I couldn't believe my life had taken such a turn that I was at a picnic for special families. It was a rollercoaster. Only women are so fortunate to feel so many conflicting emotions at once, ahem.

Once we entered the park, we were greeted by our pediatrician, who I'm already a huge fan of. She has made such a difference in Brooklyn's life... we wouldn't have started on the therapy and treatment nearly as soon as we did without her influence, and that would have probably cost Brooklyn a lot of progress. Anyway, all of the pediatricians and nurses from our doctors office were there, and that was pretty cool. There was a catered dinner, an elaborate cake, games,music and dancing, face-painting, and more. I got to hang out with several of the people who have spent hours working on Brooklyn's care, and got to meet other families who have had very similar experiences. Its not very often that your child can have a seizure at the dinner table and the couple you're eating with not bat an eye because at some point you actually get used to seeing those things...if one can ever get used to such a thing. Or when someone asked Brooklyn a question and she shook her head no, and then yes, because she didn't understand the question... and no one questioned me about why she responded that way... it was strangely comforting.

It was such a blessing to me. And one the way home, I heard the song Blessings on the radio and I couldn't agree more... sometimes the trials of this life are God's blessings in disguise. I'm so thankful that He chose me to walk this road...I've seen God's love in such a real way through Brooklyn and His careful provision... I've seen God's grace be sufficient in all things... I've seen the way He brings people together as only He could for His glory...it has been a wild, amazing ride. And I'm so humbled that He chose me to be a part of it.




I'm pretty sure Darren might be the biggest kid to ever ride this dinosaur.




This is my kind of cake! Strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla, with more icing and candy than you can imagine. Whoohoo!



There was bling-bling and fun activities for big sisters too.

This is our pediatrician, the best. doctor. ever. Obviously, Brooklyn is a fan too!

Will you pray for baby A? She is a sweet girl who has become a friend of ours, and she is receiving treatment at a large specialty hospital even as I write.

Savannah was so proud of her butterfly painted by the daughter of one of our favorite nurses.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this a success! It blessed our family!

Just Call Her Linus

Linus: Happiness is a warm blanket, Charlie Brown.

Linus: My grandma is mad at me. Yesterday she drank 32 cups of coffee. I shouldn't have said anything. I suggested that perhaps her drinking 32 cups of coffee was not unlike my need for my security blanket. She didn't like the comparison.

Linus: My grandmother no sooner got in the house than she took my blanket away! She gave me a dollar to make up for it, but I'm gonna look awfully silly sucking my thumb and holding a dollar, and I don't feel very secure either!

Linus: My blanket, Charlie Brown, my blanket! I can't live without it! After I gave you my blanket, my life has been a nightmare. I keep passing out. I can't be without my blanket. I need my blanket, Charlie Brown!

Lucy: You know, I can't possibly tell you how sick I get of seeing you drag around that stupid blanket!

Linus: Its not stupid, this blanket has many practical uses. You just have no imagination.

Lucy: What are you gonna do with that blanket when you grow up anyway?

Linus: Perhaps I'll make it into a sport coat.

I did it.

I can hardly believe I survived last week. It started with Brooklyn in the hospital, and after she got home and I got a full night of rest, I got a phone call that my sister was in labor! So back to the hospital I went.

And 14 hours later, this little chunker was born. Kendra Lee Zepp arrived at 11:58pm on her due date, July 27th. She was 9 pounds, 4.5 ounces, and 19.75 inches long. And cute as a button. She was in some distress toward the end of labor, so she was admitted to the NICU for a few days but is now home safe, sound, and spoiled.

The rest of the week was filled with the usual quality time with the littles, freeze pop enjoyment, therapy, etc.

Oh, and on Saturday we had a multi-family yard sale in our yard. We were so excited because we got rid of a bunch of stuff, made a LOT of money, and had a lot of fun. All of the families involved did really well, and we made enough to pay for gas and food for Brooklyn's trip to Cincinnati and complete a step of our Dave Ramsey plan. Proof that once again, God always provides.

(Can anyone believe how big this girl is getting? We are in the middle of planning a 4th birthday party with little friends from church and school. Where does the time go?!)

We also enjoyed time with friends at a birthday party and a baby shower. At this stage in our journey, our life is very full, but full of good things.

Nevertheless, the Momma is tired. And in a little shock that I actually survived last week! ;)