Update on Micah

Jennie posted an update on Micah. It's very long and certainly worth reading the entire thing. He's doing a bit better, but continues to need our prayers. There are pictures at the bottom of how Micah was and is, but as Jennie says, look at them if you have a strong stomach. Our love and prayers go to Micah and his family.

Silly Baby

This post and some of the others coming up are a little outdated, but I wanted to include them anyway. I have been preoccupied with other things!

The day of Amanda's wedding, we had the baby swing out in case baby Payton needed it. She didn't, but after the wedding, Grace decided that climbing into it through the side was great fun. Through her grunts and gestures, she got the idea across to us that she really, really wanted to swing. Here she is, thinking it's just fabulous.

Grace, you are really too big for this!

She must think this is the next best thing to swinging in her outside swing! I put it away again until we have another little baby visitor. Putting Grace in the swing also involved sitting and pushing her...not exactly the way to encourage her to get up on her feet! But we still thought she was pretty funny.

The Metamorphosis Is Complete!

The last two of our ten painted ladies emerged today!

Aside from the yucky meconium, we have loved this experience! What a great gift. Both kids have really enjoyed watching our caterpillars and butterflies. (Why didn't I do this as a teacher? I guess because I never got to teach about this part of science. Too bad for me!!!) Hopefully we'll be able to keep our painted ladies alive for awhile and then release them into the yard. The weather is supposed to cool off tomorrow, so we'll wait until it warms up a bit again.

Not to Be Outdone...

Grace makes us laugh, just like Jonathan does. A few days ago, I choked on a bite of cereal and had quite the coughing fit, tears down my face, etc. Of course, I covered my mouth while I coughed. Grace was mesmerized. When I finished, she proceeded to cover her mouth and cough enthusiastically. Jonathan and I thought it was hilarious. The movie below is only 3 seconds and not quite so enthusiastic, but you'll get the idea.

"Why, my fingers are absolutely orange!"

I am not kidding. He really said that.

Dad Is Getting Out

I just talked to my dad, and he says he'll be out of the hospital sometime late today. He plans to restart his three remaining chemo treatments on Wednesday. We are thankful that he'll be able to be home, and I'm glad the kids will be able to see him again. Thanks, everybody, for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers.

More about Micah

For those of you who are praying for Micah-

Please keep on praying. Micah made it through the night last night and is sedated and on a ventilator. (They had to use the defibrillator on him last night. Remember, sweet Micah is just two.) He has five IV lines right now. He is being treated for Toxic Shock Syndrome and is likely to be in the PICU for two weeks "if things go well."

The new thing to pray for is this: Jennie's mom arrived today to take care of the other two boys, and she fell on the basement steps and broke her ankle. The ambulance took her to the hospital and Mark is there with her now.

So now Mark and Jennie not only need care for their boys at home, and to be at the hospital with Micah, but also care for Jennie's mom. They don' t know yet whether she will be sent home (to their house) or admitted to the hospital.

Mark and Jennie are not able to blog right now, and I know some of you pray for Micah but don't know them personally, so they told me it was OK if I posted what's going on here. (My apologies for any details that aren't perfect. I'll fix them as needed.) Thank you for praying for our friends. They are at the end of themselves and need healing for their son and help at home.

Please Pray for Micah

Mark and Jennie's son, Micah, is very sick and in the hospital, and we hope you'll join us in praying for him. You can read more here.

At the Park

My mom took the kids to the park last night so that Jeff and I could go visit my dad in the hospital. These are the pictures she took.

In other news, Jeff took care of the kids after this so that I could get out. While I was gone, Grace climbed all the way up and all the way down the stairs. I had noticed that she seemed to understand how to get down stairs on her tummy, but she had only done 2-3 at a time for me. I was really happy Jeff got to see this milestone (with Jonathan right above her, encouraging her enthusiastically, of course) since I get to see more milestones than he does. 16 stairs in a row! Go Gracie!

(And no, I don't know the story of the flower in her headband...)

News on Dad

My dad went into the hospital again last night with a fever. He has received two units of blood. I don't know a lot at this point but appreciate your prayers. Thank you!