Easter 2009

Sorry that it's taken me so long to post about Easter. It seems like there's so much to do and so little time. I know--everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. I'm not even sure where my 24 hours go some days. :)

We had a great Easter--complete with the kids "matching" outfits. I felt like they were still close enough to the same age and found these adorable outfits that were all in their ranges. So, here they are, dressed up for Easter. We all went to church on Easter (of course) and then came back to our house for dinner. Krista, David and Mia were able to come by for awhile--long enough to take some pictures of the kids together--family together, etc. Then they had to leave. But, we did get some cute pictures of the kids.

We had an Easter egg hunt mainly for Bryce--Jesse did help him find all the eggs. We had 32 eggs hidden, so he probably needed a little help. He had a great time finding them, then he took a turn hiding them for his Mommy, for Granny, for Nana and anyone else who would look for them.

Mia loved picking the beautiful yellow flowers in Nana and Papaw's yard (dandelions). She would smell them, share them with others to smell. She thinks they are so special. :) She looked so adorable in her little dress and her little pigtails her mommy gave her and the dandelions matched it perfectly!!

Collin enjoyed his lunch then was sitting at the dining room table with the rest of us when he began dozing off--in his high chair. It was really quite funny, well, in a sad kind of way. But, he had a great time playing when he got up from his nap. He looked so cute in his little shortall thing--he's definitely got the legs for short pants...those chubby rolls!! Gotta love 'em.

It was wonderful to have my parents and my brother, sister-in-law and their family here as well as my kids. It was a wonderful day to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord--the real meaning of Easter. Having the family near and enjoying time together is a gift from God--but the greatest gift is the gift of His Son who came to earth as a baby to die for the sins of the world. Praise the Lord He rose again--giving us the chance for Life Eternal!!

Happy Birthday Krista and her daddy

We had a birthday get together last night to celebrate the hubby's birthday and Krista's birthday. That's right, she was born on her daddy's birthday...26 years ago. I used to tell her all the time that I was so happy she was born on his birthday because I didn't have to buy him a gift that year. :) She's been the best birthday present he ever received, I'm sure.

We all had dinner together and then had present time and cake. It was a great evening to all be together. It's hard when your children become adults and have their own lives to be able to get together. Josh had softball practice last night, so he didn't get to come to the party, but he will be here tomorrow for Easter. So, it all works out. I love having them here whenever they can be. The kids all had a great time together and Bryce and Mia got along really well.

The saddest/funniest thing of the evening was when the Greenes arrived, Bryce immediately got very sad because Uncle Josh had gone back to his apartment before they got here. He thought he was going to get to see him for a minute before he left. So, Bryce starting crying--he didn't want anyone to see him, so he went into the living room to be alone and cry. Mia kept going in to check on him. Jayme told her that "Bryce was sad because he didn't get to see Uncle Josh before he left". Mia walked away and spotted a collage picture of Josh's graduation from Asbury last year. She went over and said "Bryce, Unca Josh"...and pointed to the picture. Then she smiled at him and laughed, like she had fixed it all. Then Bryce walked over to the picture and looked at it and told Jayme "Mommy, I just feel really sad inside of me"....it was heart wrenching!! :) But, after YoYo, Dawn and Jesse got there and Jesse wrestled with him and played with him, he was better.

Happy Birthday to my two favorite April babies. I love you both SO much.

26 years ago

Twenty-six years ago today, I welcomed my second precious daughter into the world and into my life. I was honestly so excited to have another girl--I loved the first one so much! So, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say "Happy Birthday Krista"....you are definitely the BEST birthday gift your dad ever received--even if you did steal his birthday. :)

We're having a little birthday get together on Friday, so I'll post pictures then and another birthday greeting for her, but I didn't want to miss saying "Happy Birthday" to my sweet, wonderful daughter. Love you sweetie.

Trusting God

This past week, David and Krista had to take Mia to Cincinnati to have an MRI on Wednesday and a consultation with the neurosurgeon on Thursday. (To read more about the results of it, read Krista's blog here). Be sure to read her entry on the passage from Philipians. It's funny how much we can learn from our kids, you know? Many times I have told Krista that God knows all about Mia and knew from her conception that she would have this problem and that she would have to have surgery. It's not a surprise to Him. Why, then, do I feel so nervous about it? God loves that little lady more than I can ever imagine--much more than even I can love her--and let me tell you, that's a LOT. :)

I am learning to trust God in a whole new way. I'm trusting a very special baby girl to His love and His care. After all, He created her for His glory, isn't He the best one to care for her? I am committing to memorizing the verses Krista posted and to pray those words--trusting that God will remind me often of His care and His goodness.

If you don't mind, please put Mia on your prayer list--she will be having her surgery in the next month or six weeks. Please pray that God will hold her in the palm of His mighty and loving hand--cradling her with His goodness.

Thanks to you all who have been praying for her and who have asked about her. I love all my grandkids so much and love that God loves them more!!

Video Games!!!

On Friday, Jennifer and the kids came to visit for a little while. Bryce brought their Mario Kart game and was really nice about sharing it with Ben and Anna Kate. However, he couldn't stand to just let Anna Kate play though. As you can see from the picture, he is playing right along with her, without a controller. :) He told her how to play...over and over. hehe....

Anna Kate was so cute playing it--she moved her whole body, twisting, turning, etc. trying to get the car to go the way she wanted it to go. She did pretty good, but I'm not sure she was enjoying it that much.

Ben brought his Nintendo DS along with him, so he enjoyed playing it for awhile. Bryce enjoyed watching Ben play his Sonic game and a Mario game. They had a lot of fun together...playing, watching one another play the different video games, etc.

Ben showing Bryce how to play one of the DS games. They were so cute together. The kids took some time to circle through the living room, foyer, kitchen, dining room and around and around. Krista and Mia were here for awhile and she joined in too. I didn't get any pictures of this, but it was Ben, Bryce, Anna Kate and then Mia. They would yell something and she would scream it too. :)Collin spent the day being the great baby that he is. He is enjoying sitting here in the floor with Miss Jennifer, chewing on a pool diving toy. He's such a happy guy--always willing to just follow whatever is going on.

Before we knew it, it was time for them to leave. I asked the kids to let me take a picture of them together before they left. They had been inside all day, so I guess the sun kind of got to them--they were all squinting...well, except Anna Kate--she had those cool shades. :)Here's Bryce with the picture Anna Kate made for him. She told him she made it 'specially for him. :) They all had a lot of fun and we adults did also. It was great to catch up with them a little. Love 'em!!!

Maleigha

Thanks so much to those of you who prayed for Mia's tests on Monday. The results were about what we expected, I suppose. Her bladder is still refluxing back to the kidneys, which is not really good. They've put her on a maintenance dose of an antibiotic so that she can avoid infection. Krista said she was a trooper during the test--which involves a cathedar (yuk!). She said that she had some pain after the procedure when she peed. :(

But, she will return to the urologist in June for an ultrasound and another consultation with him. Krista said she really liked this doctor and he was very informative and kind. Then, they will schedule an MRI and consultation with the neurosurgeon. Apparently there is a possibility that if the kidney/bladder thing is the primary symptom, it may fix itself. If it is secondary, she will probably have to have surgery somewhere down the road.

Please continue to pray for Mia and her parents. There are many things going on now--so please pray that God would keep His mighty hand on this precious little girl. She's so sweet...she really is, it's not just a Nana saying so. :)

Thanks again for praying. The prayers are SO appreciated. Our God is ABLE to take this condition away completely!!

Please Pray for Mia

Tomorrow, David and Krista will be taking Mia back to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for another appointment with the urologist and another test to decide what the next step will be for her. The urologist they saw in October was very concerned with the results of the tests they ran on her at that time. It seems her bladder is full of scar tissue and is only holding about 1 ml. of liquid and should be holding about 40 ml. Her kidney had fluid retaining on it also. They are to see the urologist for another test and then to see the neurosurgeon (or that's the way I understand it).

I would be so thankful to everyone if you would pray for Mia tomorrow. These tests are terrible for her. One of them involves a cathedar--those are not pleasant for anyone, especially a little one who doesn't understand. And, I'm not sure what else will be necessary. So, please, pray for her and for Krista and David--these appointments are hard on them as well. They should find out if and when she will have her surgery. You all know how special my grandkids are to me, so I really would appreciate the prayers for us all!