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.