The First January

This is the first January we've spent that Titus has not been in the hospital. In 2008, he was in the NICU, then home for 8 days, then back to the PICU with RSV. In 2009, he had the flu after his cleft palate repair surgery.

And in 2010, he's been happy and healthy. What a blessing! Thank you for your continued prayers over our precious boy and family.

Teenager in da House

Aidan turns 13 today. I am now officially the father of a teenager. And as I lay in bed last night, I told Becky, 'You realize, for the next 17 years, we will have a teenager(s) in the house". And, not just any teenagers - but teenage boys. ( I don't even want to think about the car insurance in a few years).

But to my oldest son, I look forward to watching you mature these next few years, to see how you turn your beliefs into actions, and to see world through your eyes. Happy Birthday Aidan.

Lookout!

Frisco has a new skateboarder. Not sure which is bigger - the skateboard or the helmet. But, if past history is any indicator, I'm sure Tucker will be zipping down the street soon.

And no, I will NOT be building him a ramp!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaa

A year ago, Titus' cochlear implant was turned on. For the last year, he's had speech therapy and we make sure his cochlear is on and attached as much as possible during the day. One of the things the therapist has worked on with Titus is singing songs with hand motions. And we are starting to see Titus respond and do the hand motions when we sing the songs. Now, it's not every time, and his responses are still very slow, but you can see him concentrating and working hard at it.

And this week, he repeated 'Mmmmmmmaaaaaaaa' after the therapist said it. He did it again that night with Becky. He doesn't do it everytime - sometimes we may say 'mmmaaaaa' 20 times before he tries to repeat, but you can see him concentrating, putting his lips together - and when he does do it, it's one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard.

There are times when you begin to question if all the therapy, all the work, all the effort will ever make a difference. But then I remember, I live in a microwave world where everything happens so fast. I forget that progress takes work, effort and time. I forget the the destination is not always the prize, but it's the journey to get there that will teach me incredible things. And at times, I forget to notice the small things.

So, I'm thankful for a one-syllable sound. A sound that takes work and effort and lots of repetition. A sound that I have to listen very carefully for or I might miss it. But just like the voice of God, it's there - sometimes very quiet and sometimes when I'm not paying attention I miss it. But it is there - a soft, sweet sound.

Daily Duties

Aidan is going on his first international mission trip this Spring. He will be going with the church to Belize. We took him to get his passport yesterday (he was SOOOOO excited).

We've told him to pray about how to raise the money for the trip. So far, he has been able to pay his first deposit and passport fees with the money that he has worked for. But, he has his own little "business" called Daily Duties where he will come and help clean out things, mow yards, pet sit, or whatever general items you need work on. If you see him, ask for one of his business cards, and if you need some assistance here in the Dallas area, please consider calling him up. He's diligent, hardworking (and may talk your ear off).

But more than that, please pray for him as he prepares his heart for this trip. We know it will change his worldview and pray that he will get the chance to touch many lives for Christ.

Who's in the Car?

My wonderful wife has always stopped and picked people up on the side of the road. Now, I'm not talking hitchhikers off the highway, but people (mainly women) that she has seen walking in town during times of inclement weather. She knows this drives me crazy since I was always think "serial killer" when tells me she picked someone up, so through the years, she generally doesn't tell me, but the boys do.

Now, I'm not sure if you read the comments, but we got this comment last week after one such event.

"I met your wonderful wife Becky and 2 of your sons when they kindly stopped and picked me up an my 3 yeard old grandson as we were hurrying to get to the library with a load of books. It was just about dark when becky stopped for us. Aidan was such a gentleman - he helped me put the books in the book drop and then got in the back seat so I could sit in front. Tucker was so cute with the kitty in his lap and that great smile! By the time we arrived home it was pitch dark. It would have been a miserably cold and long walk home; I thank our angel for picking us up. You all are truly special people! Thanks again so very much Becky. "

So, I have to brag on my wife for her compassion and willingness to lend a hand.

Now, on the other hand, we are learning that our new kitten is becoming quite the stowaway in Becky's suburban. Last night, Becky had a Homeschool Enrichment meeting across town, and was almost there when she heard a tiny "meow" in the backseat. Sure enough, there was Buttercup in the backseat. Now, I know dogs love to go for a ride in the car, but I have never seen a cat who is so excited about going for a drive. Since it was frigidly cold (and she couldn't really tie a cat to the bumper while she was in her meeting), I had to jump in the car and go pick up the cat. So now, our new routine before we leave is to make sure Buttercup is NOT in the car.

He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother

Last night as we were watching some TV, Tucker came over to sit with Titus, puts his arm around him, and there they sat.

Titus - Eyes, Knees, Hips

Titus has been having a good few weeks, but there are a couple of items that are concern for prayer that we want to put out there.

First of all, Titus still has a huge chalizion in his right eye. He actually has two - one on his upper lid and one on his bottom lid. It's about the size of a small pea on his upper lid and although the medicine he has been on has reduced some of the swelling and redness, his eye is still quite swollen. He is to go on a new medication today if the pharmacy can get the medicine. And he has an appointment with the opthmalogist on Thursday. They can sedate him and clean out his eye, but that would require him going under anesthesia and we would like to avoid that if possible since we know how he struggles with that.

The second concern is around his knees, hips, legs. There is some concern that there maybe some injury to his knees, but they are not sure, so we are taking a few precautions over the next few days and increasing some therapy in that area. Titus has been working in a gate trainer - which is like a walker. His therapist (Ren - who is an angel on earth) will trigger the muscle in his legs and he will pick up his leg and move it forward. I went to therapy with Titus last week and watched Ren with him - and they have the sweetest relationship. She would trigger the muscles in his legs, he would take a step, then he would lean back and look for her and smile real big at her. Since Titus recently got new leg braces and his shoes are now larger to keep up with the braces, he's dragging his feet more and struggling a bit more in the gate trainer than he has in the past. That is understable, but his knees seemed to be popping today and they want to assure no injury has occured. They are also coming to adjust his stander at home this week - but since Titus has grown, the stander needs to be adjusted to his new height - and his knees have not been as supported as they should have been over the last few weeks. Last of all, his hips still flop out - Titus doesn't straighten his legs out - and that can also cause some issues with his muscles.

Please pray that the new medicine will work on his eyes so that they will clear up. Titus has so very little vision and we want to do what we can to keep that for him. These chalazions (think of extra large styes) are painful for him. And pray for his knees, hips and legs that no injury has occured and the new path of stretching/therapy will be made known so he can continue to strengthen those muscles.

Even with all of that - Titus has been quite a hoot lately. Last night, He was on Becky's lap while she was reading to Tucker and Cade. And Titus (like most 2 year olds) couldn't keep his hands off the book/pages. He kept wanting to turn the page. And then he came to sit in my lap, and just wanted to play. He has become quite the wiggler - and wiggled his way off my lap and onto the floor. I put him on his belly, and he was working to get his knees and hands underneath him - or keep his hands out in front of him reaching (and not to his sides). He then rolled himself over, ripped off his oxgen canula, and laughed at me. My son, my son . . . you have a way of making me laugh.

Speaking of laughter, the rest of the boys got so tickled during dinner last night. Becky has been reading them rules of etiquette - and read one that stated "gentlemen should help a lady put on her coat or sweater" to which I replied - only a button up sweater, not a pullover. Well, apparrently this tickled them so that they could not stop laughing. But knowing that a few of my boys take everything very literally, I wanted to make sure they weren't trying to force a pullover sweater over anyone's head. So be warned - if Tucker or Cade come after you to help you with sweater, let him know that you can handle it yourself. But the joy of listening to four boys laugh uncontrollably made my day - everyone needs laughter like that in their daily life.

So, enjoy your day - and find something to laugh about.

Jerry is Back Home

Jerry was released last night from the hospital. The tests were somewhat inconclusive of what happened, but anytime you have a brain injury/surgery, it's going to take several weeks for the healing to occur and things to get back to normal. Jerry really needs his rest - and as much as he likes visitors and to entertain, he needs his rest more. He will be recieving home health care for therapy and assistance. We are grateful for all the prayers and thoughts.