Cardiology Checkup

Chad had his annual cardiology check up today. The cardiologist was very pleased with how everything sounded and the EKG report. We will return in a year!

Chad is 40 lbs 2 oz and 3 ft 7 1/2 inches tall.

Weekend Fun

We have the honor of having some dear friends visit us on Friday night. We met at a local swimming pool before coming to our home. Kaylee went down the slide for the first time and loved it.
Saturday was Michael's b-day. His family joined us in a dual birthday party for Michael and then an early one for Kaylee. The cousins had fun playing together.

Beautiful Music

I am helping with a women's loss group at church. Long story of how this all happened but it has been a challenge for me as it has caused me to go some places that would rather let lie. But, along the way, I have come in contact with some neat people and great reminders. This was sent to me today. You could fill it in with sister, brother, dad, uncle or any name.

The mention of my child's name may bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring music to my ears.
If you are really my friend, let me hear the beautiful music of her name.
It soothes my broken heart, and sings to my soul.
-Author Unknown-

God's Little Blessings

Today, September 13 use to be a day of celebration for our family filled with cake, candles, and birthday presents. Now, 8 years later, it is just a reminder that life has truly gone on without Tara a part of it. I think that God knew that we needed a little blessing today because both Mom and I received one.

The first came in the daily devotion "Our Daily Bread". It is written by a father who lost his daughter. He gets it. He understands.

This afternoon, Michael approached me with a beautiful rose he had cut from the rose bush in our yard; specifically from our Tara rose (the rose bush that was given to us after Tara's death by Michael's grandparents). What you have to understand is that our roses have bloomed very minimally this year. This may be one of the first roses all year from this bush. I think it is truly fitting that Kaylee Tara hold my Tara rose.

Just by chance? No, I believe God sent each of these reminders to let us know that He doesn't forget our hurts. But, He is there to carry us through them.


A Measure Of Healing from Our Daily Bread
September 13, 2008
This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life. —Psalm 119:50
When I asked a friend how she was doing 4 years after the sudden death of her husband, she said, “I feel I am healing. Tears tend to burn my eyes rather than pour down my face. To me, that is a measure of healing.”

How fitting are those words to describe the changes that happen as the years pass for grievers who have endured an unexpected loss.

Scripture promises comfort in our suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-7), but that help does not come all at once. In fact, from what I have heard, our desired healing may not arrive completely in this life. This is what others tell me who are further down the road of grief than our family is, 6 years after losing our teenager Melissa. In the midst of our pain, we entrust our lives to God’s sovereign direction, but we also realize that gnawing sadness will always reside in our hearts.

Indeed, God has promised that He will wipe away all tears in heaven (Rev. 7:17), but until then the healing will be incomplete. Grief lessens but does not dissipate. The psalmist said that while God’s Word gives life, there is still the combination of “comfort in my affliction” (Ps. 119:50). Even in life’s toughest circumstances, we can, with God’s help, enjoy a measure of healing. — Dave Branon

I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the God of all comfort was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain. —Anon.

The God who washed away our sins will also wipe away our tears!

Newsflash

Cole Laughed!!

We were outside yesterday and Cole just brust out laughing. Not really sure what he was even laughing at but it was so adorable. Hopefully he will do it again soon so I can get it on video.

Apples, Apples, & More Apples

Since spring, we have prayed for our apple tree every time that we drove or walked by it. We prayed for a bountiful harvest of yummy apple sauce. God answered our prayers with 100 quarts of apple sauce and apple butter. On Friday, the kids and I walked down to the tree to fill 4 boxes of apples to get the apple butter started. That evening I finished 29 pints of yummy apple butter. I also prepared 90 jars so that they would be ready for apple sauce. Then at 6:30 on Saturday morning, I started cooking the first of the apples to make sauce. At 7:00 we finished cooking the last of the apples. At 8:30, Michael turned the heat off of the final canner full. We picked approximately 10 boxes of apples from our one tree.
We are extremely thankful for Michael's parents who allowed us to can this much in such a short time. If it wasn't for them, it would not have even been a possibility. Grandpa took Chad and Kaylee. Grandma helped with Cole inbetween cutting, cooking, grinding, and canning apples.
It was an extremely long day and we were all very tired when it ended. But we thank God for the answered prayers and the yummy apple sauce that we will eat all winter long.
You will see in the pictures above that we used an antique apple peeler. It was amazing! Michael had it down to an exact science and could peel an apple in just a few seconds.

Update

We had a wonderful time with family over the weekend. Ended up canning/freezing over 80 quarts of peaches. We are very thankful for the peaches that God provided. Tomorrow, we will start on apples from our tree. We have been praying since spring for our tree and God has supplied!!

Cole has been a rollercoaster of sleeping/not sleeping at nights. Just when we think he is starting to sleep through the night, something happens to interrupt this schedule. Last night was our worst night ever. Hopefully this means that we are on the rebound and it can only go up! Cole is a very happy baby and loves to be talked to. He will smile at anyone who shares a smile with him. He looks exactly like Chad did at this age.

Kaylee is talking in full sentences and wants to "help Mommy" on everything. The words get better everyday while the stubborn streak becomes less of a streak and more of a personality every moment.

Chad is growing up so quickly. He struggles with knowing whether he wants to be a big boy or still a little guy sometimes. He constantly reminds Mommy that he needs to work on his "school".

Summer is gone, I believe. Michael is draining the pool as we speak. Sad to see it leave. I am also in the process of getting our fall clothes out. Not sure how many more days will require the shorts and tank tops! Not ready for winter but happy to see the cooler temperatures.