A Night on the Farm

This past weekend, our friends Don and Lynn had invited us to a harvest party at a local farm.  Unfortunately, Don wasn't able to make it.  As his cancer spreads quickly, his health is failing.  We were still happy to spend the evening with Lynn, their daughter, and their grandchildren.

 

Fresh air + Fun activities = Happy kids

 

And it's good to see Lynn laugh.

 

As always, Henry loved the animals. 

 

Claire and the calf stick out their tongues for the picture.

 

A giant fort made of hay barrels. 

So much fun for the kids.

Settling in for a hay ride.

Lyndon eating his extraordinary s'more.

 

Picking out pumpkins with Lynn.

That's a keeper!

 

As I post these pictures, it's with mixed emotions.  Don't health has deteriorated far more quickly than anyone could have imagined.  It seems he may be nearing the end of his life.  However, today is a day to celebrate.  Don is turning 69 years old, and it's also Don and Lynn's 42nd wedding anniversary.  So while there will be tears of sadness, I'm sure, today is also a day for rejoicing.  We celebrate Don's life and his faith.  And we celebrate the remarkable marriage Don and Lynn have built together.  We love you both! 

Good Days, Good Nights

Well, I did it.  I broke down and got myself a big girl camera.  It's something I've wanted for a while, and I had enough money saved in our credit card rewards program to buy a nice, slightly used, one.  I wanted something that took better quality pictures.  But I'm not a fancy photographer, so I need something simple. 

I had fun this week trying it out. 

 

Beautiful fall weather feels more like summer.

Henry enjoying a little Dr. Seuss.

My little card shark.

Look who got stuck with the Old Maid.

Henry finds H's everywhere and says, "H for Henry". 

He even found this H in his breakfast waffle.

Trying to get into the spirit of Art Prize.

 

Last week was exciting for Claire as she had Grandparents Day(s) at Preschool.  And she is so fortunate to have such loving, involved grandparents.  She had fun showing them around her school and introducing them to her teachers and classmates.

 

Showing off her class

 

 

The corn table - a class favorite.

 

Walking to school.

This picture of Henry cracks me up.  Front and center!

Another big event in our home this week was the decision we made to finally pull the plug...that is Henry's pacifier. 

 

Henry has loved his "paci" ever since he was born.  But we had always said when he was done with his scheduled surgeries we would take it away.  Truthfully, I was dreading this day.  Henry loves his naps and heads right to bed when he's tired, in large part because of his love for paci.  Joe and I talked, though, and knew it was time.  It's not going to get any easier.  After doing a bit of research, we decided the best way was to cut off the tip of the pacifier.  I expected major meltdowns.  Naptime came, though, and actually his reaction was more of confusion than anger.  He tried his paci, realized it was "broken" and set it on the nightstand next to him.  It took him awhile to fall asleep, but he did so without any real tears.  I was shocked!  At night, it was a bit harder for him.  He cried some, and after awhile he kept saying, "I'm ready to be nice.  I'm ready to be nice."  That broke my heart.  I tried to explain that he was a good boy, not being punished.  Even amidst the tears, he eventually fell asleep.  Well, the next couple nights were even harder for Henry as he seemed to go through all the stages of grieving, but now we feel we've turned a corner.  It is getting easier again, and I can finally envision Henry's life without a paci.  No going back now!  My baby boy is growing up.

September Recap

I didn't post many pictures this past month, so here's a handful

of my favorites that I selected for a quick September recap.

 

Henry loves the slightly cooler weather.

Claire practicing her "hoopa loop".

 

The boys hanging drywall in our

basement bathroom and laundry room.

The Big Day!

 

Walking to school on a rainy first day of class.

 

Getting right down to business.

 

Henry works diligently to build a road for his

cars while Claire is away for the morning.

First week of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)

Kids are excited to begin a new year.

 

Next stop: Robinette's!

 

Picking apples.

 

 

"Jesus Loves Me"

To Live Well, To Die Well

 

I've been procrastinating.  I really didn't expect to get the sad news we did last week, and now it's a struggle to put it in writing.  We got the call last week that our dear friend Don does have a very rare type of thyroid cancer.  It's not treatable, and unless God intervenes, doctors have given him a year at most to live.  Needless to say, this just broke our hearts.  We love this family so much. 

 

Last week we sat down with Don and Lynn.  I expected to be sobbing through the entire conversation.  Though our visit did have some tears, there was also so much hope and even laughter.  Certainly no pity party.  Don and Lynn have incredible faith.  Don is concerned for his family, but he is ready to meet the Lord face to face.  He said his prayer through this is that he will die well.  He hopes his death will be a testimony to his faith in a living Lord.  And Lynn, struggling to figure out where to go from here, says her prayer is to live well.  For now, the Lord has called her to live, to continue on in the faith, even if that means doing so without her husband.

 

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the prayers of Don and Lynn are really to be the prayers for each of us: to live well, and when our time comes, to die well. To do so with the help of Jesus is truly a holy calling.

 

I may not post regular updates on Don's health, but I'll post if something major happens.  Of course, if you're wondering how he's doing, please feel free to ask. 

For now, here's a few fun memories we've made with Don over the past year.   

 

Don teaching Claire the art of Wii bowling.  Henry in the middle, laughing. 

Don's grandson, Lyndon, on the right.

 

 Bedtime books

 

Don showing the kids how to feed their chickens and collect the eggs. 

On the right, Claire shows off her prize egg!

 

Don's Health

I don't typically post prayer requests like this on our blog, but because I had just written about our friends Don and Lynn in the previous post, I thought it would be good to do so.  We just received word this morning that Don is being admitted into the hospital.  When he was here recently, we noticed he had lost his voice, which he attributed to allergies, but said he was feeling fine.  Well, apparently, his condition had worsened, and doctors have found a mass on his thyroid which they are checking for cancer.  We're praying that tests come back showing no cancer.  If you're willing and able, please pray with us.  Thank you to our faithful friends and family!

Wheelbarrow Rides

Recently, friends Don and Lynn, from our care group, came over and introduced our kids to a whole new level of outdoor fun.

 

Kids all set for an adventure.

 

"Off Roading" as Don called it.

 

 

 

Our kids had such fun in that wheelbarrow.  A reminder to me that it doesn't take a lot of money, or even toys, to make our kids happy - just our time, attention, and, of course, a bit of effort.