Seventeen Weeks

Tonight we completed our Growing Kids God's Way class. As many of you know, we have facilitated classes for the last 9 years and are key couples in the Dallas area for Growing Families. We were incredibly blessed (again) with a great class of committed, eager-to-learn, and teachable parents for the last 17 weeks.

As always, Becky and I learn more from leading the class and are convicted in the many areas we need to work on in our parenting with our kids. And, as leaders, we were so challenged by this class to really take our discusions to a deeper level - to not just train an action, but to reach the heart of our child.

As I closed the class out tonight, I reminded them that as parents we can not lead our children any further than we ourselves are willing to go. I can train my children in first-time obedience, but more importantly, they need to see me, their earthly father, practice submission and obedience to his Heavenly Father. And that, is much easier said than done. But I want my boys to see that living a life out loud for God is not a "some time" thing, but a daily thing. I want my boys to know that our training on "good, better, best" is not something we do so that they will be "good" kids, but we do it so others will see God living in us.

So, to Brett & Brennan, Shane & Malissa, Hillary and Chris, Jennifer & Jakob, Amy & Mike, and Dan & Marci, thanks for your commitment. We love you guys!

Cade Turns 4

For the last 2 months, Cade has told everyone he turns 4 in October. This past Monday, it finally happened. It's hard to believe my big boy is 4. He celebrated all weekend long - and closed out the celebration with dinner at On The Border!

To our precious Cader-Tot. You have blossomed more than we could have ever imagined. We remember the fear and uncertainty we felt from reading your medical reports - not knowing if there would be long-term developmental delays or obstacles that could be overcome, and yet we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you were to be a Daily boy! What a joy it has been to see you go from a timid, scared, and very tired toddler to being a happy, funny, cautious, and talkative boy (and yes - Cade can talk your ear off once he is comfortable with you or if your a teenage girl). We love you dearly.

And, to your birth mom, we are ever thankful she chose the gift of life for you and a gift of a son to us. And, we honor yout foster parents who loved you more than you can know for those 19 months you lived in Korea. You are so loved.

Cleft Palate Update

We met this week with Dr. Genecov, our cranio-facial surgeon, to discuss repairing Titus' cleft palate. He was incredibly pleased with Titus development and how his jaw is looking, and has scheduled surgery for Jan 15 unless a cancellation happens sooner. Dr. Genecov didn't really go into the details about the surgery, but stated the cleft palate repair could really help his breathing, but there's a chance it could not. Plus, after the surgery, we will really begin working on oral feeds.

Our prayers are that the surgery will not only successfully repair his palate, but that it will improve his breathing.

Also, since we are entering the cold and flu season, we are being very careful with where we are taking Titus. Except for some minor colds, he has really been in good health for the last few months and we need to maintain that prior to surgery. So, if you only see one of us at church, chances are one of us is staying home with Titus just to assure we aren't exposing him to anything unnecessary.

Sorry I haven't posted much over the last few weeks - our offices have moved and internet connectivity has been spotty in the new building. But we have had busy week celebrating Cade's 4th birthday and I have pics to post along with a report on that.

And, be on the alert for Titus' upcoming birthday party. I can't believe my little guy is turning 1 in 2 weeks.

Titus and Baby Food

We are working on getting more food into Titus and exposing him to new tastes and sensations. His favorite new thing is the small mesh back that we put fruit in and then he chews on it. He LOVES grapes.

Today, we experimented with some baby food - and although he was not thrilled with the spoon, he was enjoying the new taste.

We also have found some new toys for Titus. Titus seems to be seeing peripherally - especially things that are above him. He tracks them with his eyes and is reaching for them.

Here's a few pics from today's play time and eat time.

Free Breakfast?

"Ikea has free breakfast on Saturday till 10:30" Becky says. "Let's take the boys".

Free - that sounds good. And, it's Saturday morning in Frisco - every body else will be at soccer games, football games, basketball games. I've been to IKEA at 10am on Saturday and no one was there.

"Sure, that will be fun - and I need to buy that table anyway."
And who really reads the ads in the paper to see that IKEA was giving away free breakfast, I thought.

So, you can imagine our surprise as we pulled into the parking lot with 5 starving children and two hungry parents to find that all of Frisco had showed up for the free breakfast, and the HUGE sale on pots and pans. I haven't seen a crowd like that since opening day at IKEA.

We looked at each other, looked at the line snaked around the entire second floor, and I said "Krispy Kreme is just around the corner".

At least the first donut at Krispy Kreme was free!

Becky's Surprise

As I mentioned earlier, Becky was away for the weekend. And, as I mentioned earlier, we sold our bed and bought a new king-size bed that was delivered last week.

So, knowing that Becky was going to be gone, I had planned to paint our bedroom and add some accessories over the weekend and surprise her when she came back. I've done this before (painting rooms while she's gone) but generally have given her a little hint so she wouldn't be too surprised. We've had paint chips taped to the wall for a week now and had picked a color that we both liked.


Friday night after Titus was asleep (9pm), Aidan and I started painting. Actually, Aidan watched Pirates of the Caribbean 2 while I painted, but he helped the next day. By the time I finished the first coat it was 2am. Those of you who know me know that for me to stay awake past 10pm is a miracle, but I drank a 16oz Monster energy drink at 8pm that night - so I was wired and ready to go. After I finished painting at 2am, I was still wide awake, so I started to watch Iron Man in the media room.


By 3am, I was starting to get sleepy. And that's when Titus' alarms started going off . . . every 15 minutes . . . for the next 3 hours. By that point, I was too tired to realize that the problem was with the machine and not his oxygen level. Needless to say, I was a little tired on Saturday, but Aidan was a great help in putting on a 2nd coat of paint. And, you can't even find the little bit of paint that I spilled on the carpet.

When Becky came in, she was feeling so sick that all she really noticed was the lamp. She really didn't notice the paint until several hours later. But, she loves her new room. Now, if we can just train Quita to stay off the bed we'll be doing good. And, next time she's gone, I'll be ready to paint the kitchen.

Now, It's 4 out of 7

Well, Becky has what Tucker had - and she feels miserable.

Noah, Cade and Titus spent the weekend with Nana - and they have all broken out with hives/bumps all over and they are scratching themselves silly/

But, Aidan and Titus are doing ok.

And, I . . . well, i feel itchy since the boys got home.