Mother's Day

So adorably, on Mother's Day, Micah climbed up on the couch, climbed into my arms and laid on me and said "hug." He has never done this before (without me prompting him to "give Mommy a hug)! I was so excited. What a great gift for me. :) Andy got me some great tulips, too! My favorite. :)

updates!

Well, I changed the layout again... I just wanted something fresh, I guess!! So Happy St. Patrick's Day, a couple of days late. Like I said, always posting on holidays! ;)

I have big news. I am (re)starting my business as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! I am now booking workshops and accepting memberships in my Crafty Chicks club! Our first meeting will be April 3rd, a Friday night. I'll post pics soon of potential projects.

Groundhog's Day!!

So, it appears holidays are my posting time - and Groundhog's Day was yesterday. My Dad started a silly tradition in our family one year, that we would call all the aunts and uncles on Groundhog's Day. It was super fun, and a good "excuse" to be in touch with loved ones.

Things are so great here. Even though we've lost a grandpa and two dads in the last two years, we feel so blessed to have all the relatives we do have, and such a wonderfully peaceful and meaningful life. God is so good to us.

Micah is growing all the time, and learning new things left and right. He took his first steps all on his own on Christmas Eve - what a great gift to us! Last year, he smiled on Christmas, and this year he walked! He has lots of words, baby-talk though they be, which he relatively effectively uses to communicate with us. His favorite sign - "more" - is used for more, please, I want, and sometimes other purposes. He also signs "all done," but that doesn't prevent him from whining to get out of the high chair. He loves to read, and he loves to "wok, wok, wok" holding onto two fingers. As he sits in our laps, he will find our hands, and grab a finger from each and squirm to the ground to go walking. He loves going up and down stairs, and he loves animals. He also loves "Yo, Gabba Gabba," "the Wonder Pets," and all kinds of books.

I'll try to post again soon and this time, some pics!!

Christmas

So I have been thinking about Christmas, and I'm very excited this year!! Micah is obsessed with our tree and the "aga" (lights) and the "tar" (star) on top, so I have had the chance to share with him about Jesus being born, coming to earth as a tiny baby, just like Micah!! What a wonderful truth to share at Christmas when so much of what is happening is all about presents and Santa.

Final Andy's Dad Update

Hi everyone, thanks for keeping up with all of this, it has been a long road. Andy's dad passed into eternal life at 1:35 am November 5th. We are sad that he is no longer with us, but happy that he is no longer in pain, and that he is now in eternal glory, rest, and joy - with Jesus Christ, whom he believed in so solidly, and led us so well to follow by his example of love and confident faith.

The wake and funeral service will be Thursday, Nov 13th at Meadowbrook Church in Wauwatosa - click here to see the obituary and details.

Another Update on Andy's Dad

Hi, a lot of you have been asking for updates on Andy's Dad... we went to see him Wednesday the 22nd and spent some time there around lunchtime. After we arrived, he had a short nap and then we went to lunch. He and Andy enjoyed some soup, and then a friend from church came by to visit as well. We sat and talked in the cafeteria for a while and then went back to his room. After lunch, unfortunately, Dad wasn't able to keep his food down, so that was a bummer. He was relatively lucid while he was awake, but there were a few oddball comments here and there. He is physically doing pretty well, but mentally not great. He is in good spirits and was making jokes even when he was getting sick. The best part is that he is still spiritually awesome. We have no idea now when his time will come, but God has it all planned and we are confident that the timing will be just right. Please continue to pray for Mama Chris (Andy's stepmom), for strength, endurance, and most of all, reliance on and confidence in Jesus. Thanks!!

Andy's Dad update

Today, Andy's dad had two heart attacks while in the hospital with complications due to chemo. He had been on dialysis and TPN nutrition and after the heart attacks today, he was in a lot of pain, but lucid. He decided, with the support of the family, to stop artificial means of life support, including nutrition and dialysis. He will enter hospice tomorrow and continue only pain medication. The doctor said a healthy person can go 11 days without food, and since Don is not healthy, it will probably be 3-5 days. Please pray for the last few days with family to be rich and sweet, and for minimal pain for Don until his passing into eternal life with Jesus. Pray for Chris, Don's wife, and Lisa, Andy's sister, and Andy. Also, Don's siblings, Janece, Warren, and Karen.