Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for. Miss Jordan is home safely and if you want to see her progress, go to her Caringbridge page here.

After stopping by the beautiful feast at the church to say hello to everyone, we enjoyed Thanksgiving meal with our friends, the Houtsmas. What a relaxing, joyful way to end a crazy week.

On a funny note, Micah was getting out of the car last night and said

M: Mommy, I'm free!

B: You're free or you're three?

M: No, I'm thdrdrdrdreeeee!

We walked up to our door that has our address on it, 2631, and he says

M: See, like thdrdrdrdreee, next to the six!

We are so thankful to never want for anything, to have meaningful relationships with family and friends dear to us, and to know that in everything, God works and has eternally worked everything for our our good.

Fun times with family (well, mostly fun)

This week we enjoyed having a visit from Joel, Jodie, & Jordan! We LOVE it when family or friends come to visit, but this was even more special since Jordan's health was questionable the week before. We loved having them here, didn't exactly do anything special, but just enjoyed being together. Micah had been talking about Jordan coming to visit for several days and was clearly excited to have her here. (See the flickr pictures at the right.)

We went to church Sunday morning and many people at FBC were excited to see Jordan since they too have been praying for her since her leukemia diagnosis. She started feeling warm-ish and sleepy at church, so we went home for lunch and Jordan just wanted to take a nap. After Jordan and Micah woke up, our friend Hannah came over for a princess tea party. Mom ("Queen") Kimberlee supplied the fancy teacups and Princess Hannah brought princess gowns and shoes to share with Princess Jordan. Afterward, Jordan was running a low fever.

Monday morning we had planned on taking Jordan to get her lab work done here in Bellingham, for the results to be sent to her doctors in Dallas. The fever was still fluctuating but there nonetheless. Jordan fell asleep on the way home and we all packed to go to Seattle where we had all planned to stay in a fun hotel (the Edgewater, where the Beatles had stayed and fished out their hotel room window!), visit the Aquarium and the Pacific Science Center and more.

When Jordan's fever hadn't subsided, we decided to go sooner than later (to be closer to a Children's Hospital). Then Joel & Jodie decided it would be best to take Jordan home to Dallas asap, so they began exploring the next flights out. Then, Jordan's doctors called and indicated that her counts were too low, that she should get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. (Joel told me that her numbers hadn't been this low in a year.) Jordan went to St. Joseph's ER here in Bellingham where she received fluids, antibiotics, and Bellingham and Seattle doctors conferred about the next plan of action. That was 1:30 pm. At 6 pm, drs recommended that Jordan get to Seattle Children's Hospital asap and that she should be transported by ambulance. Not emergency, but urgently. Jodie & Jordan were transported to Seattle while Jeff, Joel, Micah & I followed shortly behind. After making sure Joel, Jodie, & Jordan were checked in at Children's, we checked ourselves into our hotel at 11 pm. Whew!

The next morning, after checking in with Joel, Micah, Jeff, and I went to the Seattle Aquarium to kill time and wait to be of help for Jordan, Jodie, & Joel. Our hotel and the aquarium were on the water, near Pike's Market, and the hospital was about 20 minutes away. We were able to bring them lunch at 1 and stay for a visit (Jeff could go in, but kids under 12 weren't allowed, so Micah & I had lunch in the lobby and read Thomas books) then go back to the aquarium. We then brought Jodie back to the hotel for a shower and respite--the only time they used their room! Jeff took her back to the hospital, then we prayed for Jordan's counts to stabilize through the night.

Wednesday morning (this morning--what a long time ago!) Joel called us with the good news that her counts had not dropped and that Jordan was cleared to fly home if she went straight to Dallas Children's Med Center. They released her with enough time to drive by the Space Needle, snap a picture, and eat lunch before heading to the airport. Surprisingly, Jodie said the airport was not crowded on what was supposed to be the busiest travel day of the year. This was a definite answer to prayer, as Jordan needs to be around as few crowds and public places as possible.

I knew I loved Jodie & Joel, but this experience gave me a newfound respect for them because of the way they deal with crises, advocate for their daughter, and do what needs to be done for her best interest; all while processing their own emotions as they support Jordan. (Even if you don't feel like you handle it well, J&J!) Jeff and I have been somewhat removed from Jordan's experiences these past 2 years, and we were actually glad to get a taste of what they go through when things like this come up and to be able to support them tangibly. We wish we could do it more.

All along we saw God working through circumstances. It encouraged me because I think of God working more in people's hearts and lives and less in situations around me, but these past few days challenged the limitations I unknowingly placed on God. It gives me hope that if he can work out mere circumstances, how much more does he care about his children and want to bring them into wholeness. For example, if Jadyn (Jordan's almost 2yo sister) had come on the trip, it would have been so much harder. Or, the fact that we didn't change a hotel or plane reservation at all is astounding, considering that the past few days have been lived moment-by-moment, dependent on Jordan's condition. We were borrowing a friend's minivan that would accommodate the 4 adults and 2 kids-with-car-seats, and if we hadn't done that, and traveled in two cars, the logistics of the entire scenario would have been incredibly more complicated.

Last we heard Joel, Jodie, & Jordan landed safely in Dallas and were headed to Children's. Pray with us that the God who has the power to control circumstances, who loves Jordan more than we do, will continue to protect her body from outside infection, build up her immunity, and kick this cancer--sooner than later.

Long time no blog

We have so much to post because we just experienced probably the busiest six weeks we've had in a long time. I look at the date on the last post (June 18) and can't believe how much has happened since then. I won't bore you with all the details, but give you the weekly nutshell version. Also, we won't be posting pictures for a while since our camera charger is "awol."

My parents graciously decided to visit and help out for a whole month. That may seem like a long time but it flew by. We picked them up from SeaTac June 24 and went to Micah's first baseball game! Micah did great and loved to watch the Mariner's win. The rest of that week we painted the exterior of our newly re-sided Illinois St. home. It looks so perfect, it almost looks manufactured! My parents stayed in our new Elizabeth st. home. The neighbors were so confused about who was actually living there.

The next week (June 28-July4) we kept working on the house as well as prepared for Summer Academy, our week-long kids' day camp at FBC. Jeff calls it "VBS on steroids." Jeff went to work, prepared for SA and his sermon, Mom took care of Micah, Dad worked on the house, and I (B) split my time between prepping my SA classes and working on the house. The week ended with welcoming the team from Brownwood, TX who had come to help us with SA. For the fourth of July, we had burgers and sparklers in the backyard. Micah LOVED the sparklers.

The week of July 5-11 was the best SA yet. The whole week went very smoothly and the kids seemed to have so much fun. I sincerely feel that SA is one of the best things our church has going for it. It's such a great outreach to the community (about 10% of the SA kids actually go to our church), it meets a real need for parents, the kids have a blast and hear about Jesus, and our church pulls together and pitches in like few other events. It all ends with a finale night in which the kids perform a musical (yes, songs and drama that they learned in 5 days). The week is as exhausting as it is rewarding. During the week, Dad was nice enough to paint the bedrooms in the Elizabeth house to get them ready before we moved in.

Also of concern that week was that our friends' 13-yr-old son was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Jeff and I went to visit them at Children's in Seattle on that Monday and that Saturday after we took the Brownwood team back to the airport. They were supposed to teach some SA classes and obviously couldn't, but it was awesome to see the support for them from the church. It has been amazing to see how, through surgeries, etc., God has healed him and how well he is doing now. How nice to not have to worry about Micah as we traveled to Seattle, knowing he was in good hands with Nana Weezie.

SA ended Friday the 10th, we returned the Brownwood team and visited the Willis' on Sat. the 11th, church and the SA finale was on the 12th, and on Monday the 13th we MOVED from our Illinois house to our Elizabeth house. Yes. Crazy. Thanks to some very helpful friends, the big stuff was moved and much was packed by lunch. That was the first night we spent in the new house. For the rest of the week, Mom still was in charge of Micah, Jeff worked, Dad did some improvements on the Illinois kitchen, and I split my time between unpacking the Elizabeth house and working on the Illinois house.

The end of the week and into the next, Jeff & I and Mom & Dad took a turn at spending the night at the awesome Chrysalis. What a treat. We came away from that so relaxed and refreshed. Can't beat a room with a view of Bellingham Bay. Mom & Dad left on July 23, amid much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

That Monday our Illinois house went on the market. It looks so great (mostly thanks to my Dad) and we feel a peace that we have done all that we possibly could to make it sellable. That week was HOT. We hit a record high of 97 that Tuesday. I know all you Texans are telling us to cry you a river, but at least you have air conditioning! Micah stayed naked for several days straight and all he and I did that week was eat popsicles and play in the water outside.

We were so excited to have Jeff's parents up that next week. Their visit was markedly different from my parents', but it was nice. Gramma and Grampa spoiled Micah and we did something fun and Northwest-y every day: berry picking, outdoor concerts, the tall ships (the Lady Washington, aka "the Black Pearl" from Pirates of the Caribbean was in town), tidepooling for 2 seconds because the water was cold... It was so fun and nice to relax. We are so blessed to have such awesome parents.

So this week begins our "new normal." A new box gets unpacked every few days. One more small project is accomplished every day, even if it's just a load of laundry or figuring out a better place for something. This new house is starting to feel less like the "new" house and more like where we actually live. We look forward to settling down a bit for a while while we pray like crazy for the old house to sell.

Our kid is a genius. Tonight after he undressed for bath he took the initiative to go back to the other room to pick up his clothes, run back into the bathroom, and proceed to put his clothes in the hamper! I couldn't believe it. Then, in bed, he usually asks me, "rub me tummy, mommy" or "rub me back." Tonight he said, "rub me ribbons, mommy, rub me ribbons." After I asked him what his ribbons were, he pointed to his ribs! He's adorable. I think he's permanently renamed ribs now, not unlike how yogurt will never be anything else but yorgut.

Some random things

Micah's latest Micahisms:

"It's ouching me!!!" he says when the car seat strap hurts his shoulder.

"Daddy, I want supper on it." Requesting syrup on his pancakes.

"We're vrooming together!" About Lightning and Mater, well, vroooming next to each other.

We're excited for my mom, who had a very significant week in her cancer treatments. Monday was her last radiation treatment. (In true Weezie form, she took cookies to all the people at the center.) Tuesday she was "deported": her port was taken out! Wednesday was her oncology checkup. Thursday is celebration day! Mom, Dad, Jeff's parents (yes, our parents hang out together--awesome) and other friends the Mundys went to the Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers baseball game. Congratulations, Mom (& Dad too!) on the closing of this significant chapter in your life! You've blessed everyone who's seen you through this with faith, hope, and love.

On a completely unrelated note, the funniest thing that happened to me today was that, as I was putting a full and heavy box on the floor, my pants completely ripped down my bum. So much for my favorite pair of jean capris. Our wonderful friends, the Delaneys, took Micah for a walk while we made 3 trips to the new house with the seat down in the car. I was grateful that my pants split after, not during those moves. Micah was in the bath at the time and I went in the bathroom to show Jeff and Micah what had happened. As I bent over to show them, Micah said, "Mommy's flowers!!"(as in on my underwear) I'll spare you pictures.

Micah's been such a good kid this week. Despite choosing to hold "happy screaming practice" in his crib over a nap yesterday, he's a good egg. He took two toys to Caleb's house Monday for the purpose of sharing one with Caleb. Even cuter was that Caleb met us at the door with two stuffed animals, holding one out to give to Micah. They both thought about sharing with each other. Few things more precious. We saw bunnies at the feed store today and he kept saying, "they so cute! They so cute!" I think if he could live the day with a basket or similar container on his head, he would, never mind the toys that they are intended to hold. He's quick to give kisses and blow kisses. Some days demonstrate why the twos are called terrible, but for now, I'll choose to bask in the days that don't.

M-I-C-A-H!

Lately, Micah has wanted to spell out all words he sees, whether on his shirts, others’ shirts, boxes, signs, you name it. And he knows that letters spell words that mean something. However, the spellings don’t always match the words: “T-Y-V-E-K spells house!,” (the wrap around the house that goes under siding) “ T-R-U-C-K spells Micah!”

This week, for the first time, Micah actually “read” all of Brown Bear, Brown Bear to me, word for word, without any prompting! I was super impressed!

We’ve had an eventful last couple of weeks. Last Monday we got the keys to our new house after our renter and her dad worked like crazy to get it ready. Since then, we’ve been paintin

g like crazy (or whenever we can) to make it ready. We pored over swatches, and painted eleven samples on the wall before finding THE colors. Tea Stain and Stone Manor won out. We’ve been going over a few evenings to work on it and now have the living room and dining room painted. Jeff’s been taking a few boxes over in the

mornings on his way to work. The overwhelming-ness of fixing up two houses, moving, looming Summer Academy in the future is starting to take its toll. Also, Jeff hired a new administrative assistant at church and this was her first week. He’s really excited about her skill set and what she brings to the office but a week of training is exhausting.

Today was my last day of teaching biology! (If you missed it before, I taught 4 high-school homeschoolers in my kitchen two days a week all year.) Ahhhhhh, feels like summer.

Lori is my students’ little sister who takes care of Micah during biology. Because she was so good with him and put him down for his nap every Tuesday and Thursday, we got her a big pink bean bag to put in her room (her sister’s suggestion). Micah was coloring the card for it and I had told him that the card read, “Dear Lori, thank you for taking such good care of me. Love, Micah” I wanted him to know what he was “signing his name to.” I left the room and came back to overhear him saying, “Dear God, I love Lori.” I think he was mixed up because when we pray, he repeats, “dear God, . . .” but it was sure cute anyways. Then tonight he was talking on his phone while we were saying bedtime prayers and Jeff told Micah he can talk to Jesus just like you talk to anyone on the phone. “So what’s he saying to you, Micah?”

“Snack.”

“He said He wants a snack?”

“Yeah.”

Apparently Jesus needed a bedtime snack.

A lot more went on but I’ll include that stuff in descriptions under our photos in flickr, so feel free to browse the latest fun times.

Latest Micahisms

"next by" = next to,  as in "sit next by me, Mommy, sit next by me!"

"really-so-big-high-in-the-sky" = the velocity and height requirements for proper swinging in the swings at the park.  

"our flamily" = Mommy, Daddy, and Micah as represented by Mr. Potato Heads.  You've got it-- there are two large ones and a "spud."  He caught on right away and now addresses the potato heads by name: "Daddy mis tatohead," etc.

"spreckles" = freckles, moles, blemishes, or other boo-boos that need to be kissed.  At least we've upgraded from "skarkles."

He's really getting the hang of his letters and now points out the letters on signs, shirts, or posters in order, one by one!  Tonight he started playing hide and seek with a little bear--I would hide the bear somewhere in the room, he would actually count to 10, then go find the bear.  Sometimes he would reach ten, then skip to 14, then 16.  But who's counting?

We've had a great week getting back in the swing of things after the trip.  Even starting to pack up the house a little bit.  This is Ski-to-Sea weekend, so tomorrow is the big parade through town.  Our church is a block from the parade route, so we are doing a hot-dog handout in our parking lot with a bounce house for the kids.  (If you're reading this from somewhere outside Bellingham, Ski-to-Sea is a big race on the Sunday of every Memorial Day Weekend that people come from around the world to participate.  It highlights the fact that you can go from a mountaintop to ocean water in 90 miles here.  It involves teams with 7 legs: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking, and sea kayaking.)  Last year we handed out 400 hot dogs, so it should be fun tomorrrow!

Pirate Party

Today our church had a pirate party for all the little boys! We had a princess party for all the little girls a few months ago. It was a great time for scallywagging, swashbuckling and "arrrrrrrrghing!"