A Few Pictures To Hold You Over

Until I can get the rest ready to be posted. We had a fun day today. We kept DeLaynie home from school to have a family day. I, of course, took a few pictures.

Tonight was the All Fun No Fear Fall Festival. My little monkeys went as, well, monkeys. :)

DeLaynie really enjoyed that sucker. I mean, really enjoyed it.

She also loved the bounce house.

And Ella loved, I mean really loved, messing with all the games and trying to steal the candy.

All-in-all, it was a great night! I'll post more about the fall festival tomorrow. Until then, have a fun night!

Utopia, Ushmopia.

We're in our home. We're stable. We ain't going anywhere. I mean, I hate leaving the house to go to the grocery store. What if it burns down and we have to move again?

We've been saying for months that once we get to this point, we'll accomplish all kinds of things. We'll reduce the television intake for our kids. We'll get everyone on a solid schedule. We'll start figuring out my education. We'll do more one-on-one work with DeLaynie. I'll eat better. Yes, Utopia was waiting. It was simply a matter of getting into "the house".

Now we're here. The house is great. It's us (okay, me) that's the problem. Now I'm forced to face the fact that I'm not the person that I had hoped. I had hoped that over the year of craziness, I had become a different person, but it wasn't obvious because the situation was so hectic. I will admit that I am definitely slightly more organized, slightly more ambitious, and slightly more dedicated (which may shock those of you who know me now, but didn't know me a year ago). Somehow, I am just not ideal yet. You would think that a year would be plenty of time to become the perfect woman, but no. Still imperfect. Still in progress. Still addicted to chocolate.

Isn't it frustrating? Isn't it just too much? At what point do I get to arrive? When can I finally become the person that I dream of being? Apparently, not now. There's always joy in knowing that the Author of our faith is also the Finisher (Hebrews 12:2), and that the same One who began a good work will perfect it (Philippians 1:6), but it's going to take a while (like, the day of Christ Jesus).

Until then, I'll just work on being dependent on the One who can make me better. Better is good.

A Few Mini-Updates

Edwina is doing much better. She is somewhat conscious, though still a little out of it, and is improving everyday. The Lord is good, isn't He?

DeLaynie continues to go to school, and her sentences are improving. She answers questions a little bit better. Unfortunately, Edwin leaving last week caused her to regress in potty-training. We're hoping (and praying) that some stability (as in, staying in one house for more than a month or two) and time will improve the situation, as well as reinforcement.

Ella gets bigger, sassier, and smarter everyday.

Our church is holding an "All Fun, No Fear" Fall Festival this Friday. I have the girls' costumes, and am fighting the urge to put them on them and take pictures before the festival. I'm afraid that they'll ruin them, though. Thus, I refrain.

Christmas is coming, Southern Baptists. Remember to include Lottie Moon (annual international missions offering that takes place around Christmastime) on your gift list. I'm working on a post of ways to incorporate missions giving into your celebration. Look for it soon!

Fun With Suzu

Edwin and DeLaynie went to the store, and I had the opportunity to take a few pictures of Ella with our new puppy, Suzu.

No, Ella wasn't knocked down by a three-pound puppy. Suzu just saw the opportunity to jump on her after Ella fell down on her own.

They seem pretty friendly here...

but then Ella goes and pulls this stunt. A very large portion of my day is spent saying things like, "Put Suzu down!" "You can't pick up the puppy by her tail!" "Stop pulling her ears!" "That hurts Suzu. Would you like it if someone dropped you?" So far, Suzu has survived, and even seems happy in her new home. (Don't ask me how that is possible.)

Another one of Ella's prize-winning faces. (Okay, so she hasn't received an awards yet, but she will.)

When Edwin and DeLaynie got home, we all played in the leaves for a little while. Edwin began tickling DeLaynie, and then Suzu wanted in on the fun.

Unfortunately, Suzu doesn't have fingers with which to tickle, so she just licked DeLaynie into submission.

Our New Addition!

We are very happy to announce that our foursome is now a fivesome!

Wait, you don't think I'm having a baby, do you? Sorry about the misunderstanding. I was referring to our new puppy, Suzu.

Suzu is a Pomeranian/Shih Tzu mix. Since we brought her home on Friday, I have been amazed at how well-behaved, sweet, and easy to train she has been, not to mention, adorable!

Look at that face!

Obviously, I'm not Suzu's only fan. DeLaynie has been close to inseparable from our four-legged doll.

They are quite adorable together.

When Ella is with the puppy, she gets so excited that she won't stay still long enough for a photo, so I'll just give you a picture of Ella.

Stable...

I talked to Edwin this morning, and Edwina remains stable. The long term prognosis is still non-existent, but she isn't getting worse. They have been keeping her sedated in order to limit her discomfort from the ventilator (she can feel the need to cough, which is very bad for her).

Edwin's on his way home! He's flying into Albany right about now, I think. He should get home some time this afternoon. There are going to be 3 happy gals waiting to welcome him back.

A Hazy Report

We thought she was getting better, but the doctors aren't sure that the actual pneumonia is clearing up. Although her vitals were improving, she remains on the ventilator. Edwin and the rest of the family aren't sure what's happening, but they are going to ask some questions in an attempt to clarify the situation.

Pray for clarity, that the doctors and nurses will be able to fully explain the situation. Pray for healing. Pray that in all things, God's will is done.

Pictures for Edwina

I have great news! Edwina is doing much better, and is now conscious! Edwin wanted me to post a few pictures of the girls and the house for her to see. I didn't take too many of the house (Okay, just one of the playroom), as most rooms aren't mother-in-law ready ;). But I think she'll enjoy pictures of the girls more anyway.

Here is Ella, sitting in the rocking chair that Edwina gave her. It was Edwin's. (Awwwe!)

Here's DeLaynie. She's been holding her iguana (apparently, it isn't just a lizard) since she came home from school with it. She's even using a storage basket as a cage.

What's Ella doing? That's right. She's trying to hug Dora.

This is a picture of the playroom from the den. The giant box came today with a chair that I ordered. It's going to be staying with us for a little while. :)

These are a few of the pictures DeLaynie has come home from school with. I thought Edwina might enjoy that.

We're glad you're awake, Edwina. A lot of people have been praying for you!

Update on Edwin's Mom

I talked to Edwin a few minutes ago, and he said that Edwina continues to improve. They are going to try to flip her from her stomach to her back. They have reduced the oxygen level in the ventilator to 85% (it was on 100%). Her vitals remain stable, and continue to improve. Thanks for the prayers. She isn't completely out of danger, but she is improving steadily.

The girls and I are doing fine. DeLaynie returned to school this morning after a Columbus Day/Native American Day break. I was happy to have her home for a few days, but she really missed school.

We all miss Daddy, but he's where he needs to be for now. Keep Edwina in your prayers as she continues to fight. Pray for the family as they fight alongside her. Our God holds the battle, and the war, in His hands.

A Call For Prayer

Edwin received a call on Friday from his mom. She was calling from the hospital. By Saturday, she couldn't call for herself. She has double pnemonia, complicated to such a degree at this point that she is on a ventilator. Yesterday, things seemed close to hopeless. Of course, there is no such thing with the God that we serve. They're trying numerous antibiotics, and she seems better this morning than she did yesterday. The drugs are keeping her unconscious, so she isn't forced to consciously endure the pain of this experience. For this, we are grateful.

Edwin is currently flying to Alabama to be with her and the rest of the family. Please be in prayer that the treatments being used will work, and will work quickly. Pray that Edwin will be safe in his travels. And pray that, above all else, God will be glorified and others will be drawn to Him through this (and every) situation.

Fall (Like, A Real One!) and a Playroom

One of the things that I am most excited about in our new home is that we have a playroom. It's right off of the den, so we can see the kids from the couch. The kids like it. I love it!


Here's the outside of the house. Ain't it pretty?

This is our front door, with a wreath made by a church member (sorry, you can hardly see it), a mat given to us by a church member, and a pumpkin given to us by a church member.

This is the view from the front door. Look at all of those colors!

This is the view from the dining room. I love this tree.

It's nice to have real seasons. (No offense, Alabamians; it's not personal.) I know that there are people who want it warm all the time, but I love it that it's cooler. I may not love it so much in a few months, but for now, I'm just going to sit on my couch and enjoy the colors God has painted on the trees outside my window!

Some Assembly Required

We have now reached the final stop in our tour. We in our home! Many of you asked for pictures (via Facebook), but everything isn't ready for a full-out photo tour. For now, you'll have to settle for a compilation of pictures depicting the things that I put together, and the kids. God put them together.

This space saver was no big deal to put together, except that the holes were difficult to line up. Still, it was the second easiest thing I did.

This breakfast table was the easiest. I just had to put the legs on the table. Simple!

Now this thing was something else. It was essentially just pre-cut wood with tiny holes to start you off. I like to think that I built this thing. I didn't, but I still like to think it.

This was the most time-consuming, but I did it! And I love the result. Last week, the women threw us a surprise house-warming, and people sat in the chairs and bench, and none of them fell apart! I'm so proud.

Here are DeLaynie and Ella on our red couch. It's insanely comfy. You should sit on it. You really should. (Apparently, Dora said something very funny.)

And this is me and Ella. No real reason. I just like taking pictures of myself, but I feel pretty conceited when someone else isn't with me. DeLaynie wasn't feeling too cooperative, so I went with Ella.

I'll post more pictures once the rest of the house becomes photogenic. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. :)