Coffee CubBuster

Sometimes the longer you wait for something, the better it seems. Levi finally waved! After an accidental drawer close on his hand, the light bulb triggered this newfound skill. I think Levi might be naturally right-handed, which has ultimately delayed his left hand (strong hand) from catching on to in developmental milestones. Either way, I don't think I've ever been so excited! I think even Baby boy 3 was doing some clapping for his big brother in the womb! Some other family fun this week when we don't have as many doc appointments... Check me out on my brother's bike ladies! Oh man..... this big bro won't ever leave me alone! He's ruining my cool. Since our bath paint isn't exactly edible, Levi loved the yogurt/whipped cream bath! And Silas did too of course! ~Coffee CubBuster

I read a great quote from an author, speaker, mom whom I've come to appreciate. She recently said, "Forget the numbers in your work. Focus on the net value of  your work. The internet age may try to sell you something different, but don’t ever forget that viral is closely associated with sickness — and focusing on numbers can make you nauseated" (Ann Voskamp, www.aholyexperiencecom). Now my accountant, who also happens to be the father of my children, might think it's impossible to "forget the numbers" in his work. And I don't currently work with a lot of numbers in my job description, yet when you back away from the literal and view the deeper message, this quote is universally applicable. During a time when we can record and publicize everything, it's hard to believe that we shouldn't be constantly in the loop on whatever news has just gone "viral" creating in us a virus for constant connectivity. The garden that we started...

It is very true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. As I approach the one year "anniversary" of my best friend's death (and I use the term anniversary loosely because I don't think it's something to really celebrate), I cannot help but think deeply and fondly of Kyra. I cannot believe a year has already passed. That seems impossible. Yet, as time passes, people often forget about the negative things and focus all their memories on things they love. (Hence, woman having more than one child.) Kyra's death seems a tad bit less surreal a year later, and more realistic. It makes more sense because she always belonged in Heaven, but that doesn't take away the aching I feel to hear her voice, see her face, or grasp her sweet, simple wisdom. Even though I believe she is living out what we all truly desire, unity with God, I selfishly want her to wait and experience that with me. We were all designed to be relational. No matter your aversion to crowds, recl...

People who don't see Levi every week are constantly reminding me how "great" he looks. I agree- even with that mint fudge on his face! It's easy to forget how far he's come though, until I look back at this blog and see how quickly he's changed. As much as people tend to hate forced changed, I think humans are remarkable creatures of adaptability. As quickly as I adjusted to feeding Levi through a tube, I just as quickly adjusted to not using it at all! Yes, he went 10 days without using that G tube once! But similar to those old testament humans who were given bread from heaven and water from rocks, we quickly forget God's goodness the second something isn't ideal and start complaining about our circumstances. In three weeks, Levi lost 9 ounces and is back down to 16 pounds 14 ounces. Thus, before we get a serious scolding and backtrack from our GI doc, the nutritionist wants to double his formula intake. We were syringing (because he can't dri...

Just as I predicted, we had a wonderful day of respite from pink eye with undeserved ice cream, but soon after, Levi began to show yucky pink signs, and Silas, who we can't seem to hold back physical affection from his brother, looked liked he was getting it again. That said, I've done the exceptional doctor mom thing and shared the antibiotics between the two of them...enough to kill this sucker so they stop passing it back and forth. Praise God Matthew and I learned years ago to refrain from putting toys in our mouth.  With this long stint of laundry and cleaning, it is easy to say that I "deserve" a break soon. While this phrase is commonplace and in no way wrong, I personally have concluded that I dislike the phrase. It's not that I never think certain people have worked hard and deserve rest, but hearing or stating that I have merited or become worthy of a privilege seems to only fuel my sense of self-righteousness and pride in my work. I was readin...

This picture sums up our past week. When Silas Smith gets sick, whether simple sniffles, a tummy ache, or full blown pink eye, he is not himself. While most people are somewhat different when tired or hurting, there are definitely some that handle it better than others. Our country has certainly experienced its share of hurt this past week too. As I've been trucking along through the monotony of First and Second Kings in the Bible, I (forever literature teacher) saw the striking applicable connections between then and now. The kings of the old testament often times continued on with the "evil that their fathers had done" for many generations. When we are brought up around prejudice, self-righteousness, entitlement and the like, no matter how outright or subtle, it becomes ingrained in our psyche. It isn't until we consciously choose to examine our upbringing and surroundings and seek to know a world outside our own that we can decipher truth from lies. There is so...

Here's a quick snapshot at our holiday (more for my remembrance). Because Silas loves "science experiments" so much now, we always look for ones with great reward. Homemade rock candy was perfect! When it's hot and you only have a short time to get out, water balloons are always a hit. I thought Christmas was packed with sugar treats, but it seems 4th of July is no different! Everyone enjoyed the rock candy experiment. But definitely reserve it for the last thirty minutes of a car trip due to seat belt restraints. Visiting my parents lake house was a blast! Especially since this little boy is still doing well and only using his tube feed at night. The tradition of blueberry picking has continued! I remember doing this last year after Silas met Levi in the hospital for the first time. It's an unbelievable gift to have Levi here with us this year! Two different cobblers have been made from our harvest! My husband n...