Super Snap

One of Hannah's favorite shows is the Backyardigans and lately we've been watching the episode where Tasha has a secret identity - Super Snap. She's normally a photographer for a newspaper but when someone is in distress, she snaps her fingers and becomes Super Snap. So today after watching this episode Hannah told me, "I want to pretend to be a super-hero. I have to dress up and I need a cape." Okay.

Not having any super-hero costumes on hand at the moment we had no choice but to improvise. She put on the tights that I bought her for winter, her black leotard from gymnastics and we made a cape out of a baby blanket. After she was dressed and ready to save the day she found Samuel's sunglasses and added that to the mix as well. Being such a creative little girl she decided that her secret hero identity would be...Super Snap. Big surprise there!

I had to get a pictures of my little super hero so enjoy!!

Good Riddance

I thought I would give you all an update on Daddy. Sorry it's taken me so long!

Tuesday morning (the 18th) I got up at 4am to get ready to go to the hospital. My Aunt Helen and my Granny James (my mom's mom & sister) rode with me and it was nice having someone riding with me or I might have cried the whole way there!! We got to Greenville Memorial close to 6am and we were all allowed to go back into the waiting room with Daddy. That tiny little waiting room became cramped really quickly!! My mom and sister came as well as Bonnie's friend Tim and the preacher from my parent's church. Bonnie & Tim arrived at the hospital at the same time as us and once we reached Daddy's room we prayed with Daddy. Daddy had a good attitude and was joking with everyone. Finally Dr. Gardner came in and talked with us and it was time to say our good-byes. Before we all left Preacher Joe prayed again. Then I kissed Daddy & told him I loved him. That was hard. Suddenly I thought, 'I might not see him again!' I just had to take a deep breath and pray to the Lord for comfort and peace.

We shared a waiting room with 3 other families - all of whom had a loved one that was having neurosurgery as well. A nurse from each surgical room would call and give us an update about every hour or so on how our patient was doing and how the surgery was progressing. Daddy's surgery started at 10am (even though he was taken back at 8am). The nurse called us at 10am, 11:30am and then she never called again. Around 1pm my sister and Tim decided to go get lunch. When they returned my mom and I took our turn. I was so worried - I kept wondering why they hadn't called to give us an update in almost two hours!! My mom, Granny, Helen and I had just sat down to eat when my sister called and said Daddy was out of surgery. Finally :-)

When we returned from lunch my mom, Bonnie and I were taken back to the recovery room to see Daddy. I almost cried then from the relief of seeing him again. He was saying some really crazy things...my favorite being when he told the nurse he was going to rob a bank and she could drive the get-away car!! Dr. Gardner came in and talked to us. He said the surgery went really well, he didn't have to touch any nerves or Daddy's brain, and that the tumor was actually bigger than they originally thought. He told us it was roughly the size of a crab-apple. After about 10 minutes or so we left so they could move Daddy up to ICU. After he got situated there I visited him again for a few minutes and then headed home. I slept like a rock that night!!

Wednesday evening Daddy was moved out of ICU into a regular room. He spent two nights there before he was moved to Roger C. Peace for in-patient therapy. He was walking okay but was still having some problems with his left leg and his left arm. The therapists wanted him to stay two weeks but by Monday he was ready to come home!! I went to help with his therapy Saturday morning and he wanted to come home then! Really they just wanted to make sure that Daddy wouldn't fall and hurt his head when he got home and they wanted to see if his leg/arm would make a full recovery. I don't really blame him for wanting to come home. Bonnie went Monday to help with his therapy and that's the day he ended up coming home (24th). He's going to finish his therapy at Oconee but won't have to go very long b/c he's recovering so quickly!!

Tuesday I took the kids to see their Papa because they hadn't seen him in a week. I know a week doesn't seem very long but we're used to visiting them 2-3 times a week. The first thing Hannah did was look at Daddy's head (he graciously leaned down so she could get a better look) and say, "Papa you don't have any hair on this side of your head!!!" Nice. Samuel promptly went for the 'candy bucket' and brought it to Daddy. They both have a weakness for puff peppermint candy.

Wednesday when I visited (yet again) my Dad was walking without his cane. He was a little slower but moving so well and no having a problem at all with his left hand. Every night I just thank the Lord that He brought Daddy through the surgery and is blessing him with a speedy recovery. You can just see the relief and happiness every time you look at my Dad. Wednesday we were sitting on the porch with my parents when Hannah looked at her Papa and said, "Thank you Lord that Papa's tumor is gone and that his leg and arm feel better." Amen.

A beautiful sight to behold!!

It only took 48 staples to fix him up! I took this picture b/c he couldn't see the whole incision.

*I just want to thank every single one of you for your prayers and encouragement. It has truly meant a lot to our family!*

Quote of the Week

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

~Samuel Adams

How do you measure up?

The other night I read this scripture about the "Proverbs 31 Woman" and felt like a complete failure. But rather than becoming discouraged I've decided to make this my standard - my goal. I want to be a blessing to my husband and to my children. Praise the Lord that everything we need is in His Word - everything from encouragement to comfort and very clear directions on everything from cleanliness to worship.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

And let's not forget Titus 2:3-5 ....

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

I'm very encouraged and I hope you are too!!!

(For some great resources on marriage and child training visit Michael and Debi Pearl's website. Their resources and wisdom has been a blessing to our little family!!!)

Princess Tutu - Prayer Warrior

Wow!! We've had a crazy summer and I'm grateful that it's finally starting to wind down. We spent the first part of the summer at Oconee State Park swimming. The middle of summer was dedicated to camping and celebrating my Dad's 61st 'burfday'. The end of our summer has been spent on play dates at Sertoma and finishing up gymnastics.

My Dad found out a week ago that his surgery has been set for August 18th and 8am. We've been cleaning their house like crazy and I've been dispatched on numerous shopping trips to buy things for his hospital stay. About a week before his birthday he got a little puppy - a mix of wire terrier and blue heeler. He was the cutest little thing and my Dad named him Trouble. Hannah and I taught him to shake hands. We all loved the little bugger even though he drove us crazy getting under our feet and chewing on everything! Sadly he died the other night when he accidentally got hit by a truck. I cried like a baby when I found out about poor little Trouble. I had grown very attached to him myself and my poor Dad is already dealing with so much. It breaks my heart that he lost his little buddy and had been looking forward to taking him on walks and training him while recuperating from his surgery. He's very positive and believes he won't even need to have the surgery because he has complete faith that the Lord will heal him. That's what Hannah & I have been praying as well.

Which brings me to Hannah. She's been dressing up in her leotard and tutu lately - she's nicknamed herself Princess Tutu!! She's such a creative, clever little girl! She's also been praying for everything lately. Sammy was sick and we all laid hands on him to pray for him. Hannah says, "Lord please heal Sammy and let him feel better." The next morning his fever was gone and he was perfectly fine. My left ear had been stopped up for a few days and it was driving me crazy. Hannah prays, "Lord let Mama's ear feel better so she can hear better." The next morning my ear was completely clear!! She prayed for rain for several days asking the Lord, "Lord please let it rain because our flowers need a nice long drink of water." It started raining Wednesday and it's rained at least once a day since then. And she always says 'thank you Lord' when I show her that He answered her prayer. I love my little prayer warrior. Every night she says, "Lord please heal Papa's tumor so he can walk better." I love it that Hannah is learning to lean on her heavenly Father and to ask Him for what she needs. And she's learning that He is our faithful Gentle Healer!!

The Tuna

This handsome young man...

has a brain tumor. You heard me right, a brain tumor. We found out last Wednesday. My Dad went for a consultation with a neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Gardner, last Friday. It's the size of a golf ball. It's benign. It's operable. The tumor is between his skull and his brain and it's on the brain but not from the brain. If it's not removed he'll have a stroke within the year and if that happens there will nothing the doctors can do.

My Dad has been having a problem with his left leg for a while now. He drags it when he walks, he's almost fallen several times, it shakes and his toes are curled on that leg. So he had a series of tests done but nothing was wrong with the leg itself. The doctor said that they would have to look farther up. Way up. So last Wednesday the doctors performed a series of tests including an MRI. That's when they found the tumor. It's pressing against the nerve that goes to his left leg. Praise God that it's not wrapped around the nerve.

The next step? Surgery. Or "getting my head sawed on" in the words of Daddy. Dr. Gardner is very confident that he can go in and remove the offending tumor without any problems. Daddy will have to stay in the CCU for a week, he'll have a terrible headache and a horseshoe shaped scar. But best of all, he should be able to go hog huntin' when September rolls around. At this moment we're waiting for the powers that be to set the date for his surgery. It should be in the next few weeks.

My Dad really likes Dr. Gardner. He's been doing this (neurosurgery) for 31 years now. He was also in Vietnam the same time Daddy was. He's confident, patient and kind. He also told my Dad if he preferred to have his surgery in Emory rather than Greenville that he could refer him to some excellent doctors there. But my Dad really likes Dr. Gardner so he'll be going to Greenville.

Every one is doing well right now. We're all a little nervous and a little scared. My Dad isn't one to show emotions but he's commented several times that he's nervous. We've talked and he told me that he knows the Lord will heal him. Praise God!! My Mom is really nervous but she's keeping her spirits up as well. Keeping her spirits up and cleaning like a mad woman. At the moment my parents seem to be Summer/Fall cleaning in preparation for the coming fall - cleaning the chimney, stacking the wood, cleaning the house, etc. They're getting as much done as possible before the day of the surgery. Don't visit my parents unless you want to be put to work!!!

What about my title - the tuna? Wednesday night I explained to Hannah that Papa had a tumor in his head - a big boo boo that was making his leg feel bad. The day after we found out about the tumor we spent the entire day at my parents house. My parents and Hannah were sitting on the porch when Hannah looked at Daddy and said, "Papa do you have a tuna in your head?" He thought she meant he had a bug or fly on his head so he said No. She brightened up and asked, "You're feeling all better?" That's when he realized what she was talking about. Now we generally refer to it as the tuna.

I think I cried just about all day when I first found out about the tumor. Brain tumor are two words that you never want to hear. I'm so very thankful that it is benign and operable though. A scripture that keeps coming to mind lately is:

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

I know how I want things to turn out. I want my Dad to have the easiest surgery, easiest recovery and the quickest recovery. I want him to be around for many many years to come. I tell the Lord this every day!! And I'm taking comfort in the knowledge that He is in control and He has his hand on us. He's the Gentle Healer and no matter what happens that will always hold true.

Camping

Hannah has been so excited about camping. We've been planning for about a month or so and we finally went this past weekend. We've been hiking just off of Rich Mountain Road for a while now and found the perfect place to camp and swim.
........
So Saturday Bobby took our tent and camping chairs to get everything set up. After the kiddos woke up from their naps we headed out. Bobby with Samuel on his back and a gym bag. Me with the small cooler, back pack, Hannah's sleeping bag and machete. I believe I was supposed to be knocking down spider webs and clearing limbs out of the way but that didn't happen!! Once we got to the site we immediately changed into our swimming clothes and spent the rest of the afternoon in the water. There was a sand bar for the kids to play on and you could walk almost across the river before the water got deep. There were deep spots but you had to walk really far out before you hit one. Hannah & Samuel had a ball! Eventually I got out so I could get the air mattresses (I know I know!! But I'm not about to sleep on the ground just yet!!) inflated before night time.
........
After that Bobby started our campfire right on the sand bar. Samuel ended up completely naked and covered in sand. And he probably ingested an unhealthy amount of sand as well but what can you do? Every time we put him in the river to rinse him off he'd cling to us and say, "It cold!! It cold!!" Hilarious! After we finished our hot dogs we started making smores, which is what Hannah was really looking forward to. I can't believe how quickly the afternoon went by!! Not long after we finished eating it was time for bed. I had brought one bar of soap and a wash cloth with me and I "washed" the kids as best as I could in the river. They were entirely too sandy, dirty and chocolate-y. Hannah got to use the Spongebob sleeping bag that Dave had bought her for X-Mas. I think at one point she wanted to go home but that didn't last too long. This was my first camping trip going out into the real wilderness but I loved it. It was so awesome just laying and listening to the river as well as watching the lightening bugs.
........

The next morning we ate a quick breakfast and sadly took down our tent. Hannah is already planning to go back. And we're planning to but not until next month. We've got a lot going on but we certainly want to go back. Maybe next time we'll be able to stay for a little longer. I had fun and can't wait to go back but I could do without the ticks and bugs!

Bobby & the kids attempting to adjust to the frigid river water.

Samuel dove towards Bobby and went completely under water. He must have held his breath because he wasn't coughing or spitting up water. Just a side note on this pic...I believe Samuel looks a little more like me. He certainly doesn't have Bobby's facial structure or nose!!!

Hannah playing near the sand bar.

A room with a view.

Bobby starting our campfire. Hannah began propping up little sticks and twigs and said she was making a fire too.

Wienies, chips and a Capri Sun. The only thing better is a smore.