Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

what a week (part 3)

Mostly words post...not many pictures!

On Thursday we were planning on taking the morning to relax and get some things done but Austin had other plans.  Dingdad and I were working in my car cleaning it out, switching Miller's carseat around, and making sure the cartop carrier for Boston was going to work.  Austin came out in his pj's wanting to play in the car while we worked.  I walked inside for a little bit and then heard loud crying coming from outside.  Ron (Dingdad) walks in the door carrying Austin with a lot of blood coming out of his foot.  Somehow (we still aren't sure exactly) Austin jumped from the back of the Pilot to the middle seat and landed on something that sliced his toe open.  We put it under water but it wouldn't stop bleeding.  We looked at it and realized it was deep so I called David.  David told us to come to Le Bonheur to see if it needed stiches or dermabond.  My mom and I jumped in the car with Austin and drove to LB.  I was still sweaty and nasty from my run that morning and Austin was still in his pj's.  David met us at the entrance of the ED and took us into a room.  He quickly decided that it needed something and decided to do dermabond.  Oh my goodness...I thought Austin was going to fly off the table.  That boy was screaming like someone had chopped off his foot.  It was rough going getting him to keep still while David glued and wrapped it up.  He didn't want a toy, popsicle, ice cream or anything else I bribed him with.  He wanted it to be over.  He told us about a 100 times that he wanted to go.  It was tough seeing him so scared and upset but after it was over, he perked right up to being fine.  Mom and I left LB and drove him to get ice cream.  He was so sweet the rest of the day.  We asked him to not walk on it so he would either let someone carry him or he would walk on his knees.  He's doing much better now and hope that the dermabond did its job.  I know that we will probably have many visits like that with how active our boys are so I am extremely thankful for a husband who is cool under pressure and knows what to do.

My normal day to volunteer at Le Bonheur is Thursdays so I spent the morning and afternoon there.  The Le Bonheur staff was so sweet and threw me a surprise going away party that afternoon.  They told me I had an important meeting and I believed them.  It was such a sweet surprise and I really enjoyed hugging everyone's neck one more time before we leave.

On Friday we celebrated our anniversary.  David set everything up and told me to be ready at 5:00.  I knew we were staying at a hotel but I didn't know which one and what else we were doing.  He made reservations at the Madison downtown and dinner at McEwan's. The next morning we had breakfast at Grill 83.  It was a perfect way to end a wonderful and exhausting week.  Just spending quality one on one time with the man I love.
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Monday, June 27, 2011

what a week...part 2

On Tuesday David and I celebrated our 8 year Anniversary.  We met some friends at a movie that night for something low key because we had plans for Friday night to celebrate.

Earlier that morning I took Miller back to the ENT.  I have spent more money on co-pays to the ENT.  For some reason he keeps getting ear infections.  The poor guy can't seem to catch a break with his ears.  He is on another antibiotic and more ear drops.  Hoping it works this time.
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On Wednesday we celebrated my baby turning 1!!!  I still can't believe Miller is 1.  Where did the time go?

He started out the day with a birthday pancake made by his Dingdad.
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Later that afternoon I worked on his monkey cake. I was trying to think of something Miller would love and his favorite thing is his monkey lovie.  I am not a very creative person or great baker but I was convinced I could make this monkey cake. It's not as cute as the pictures I saw online but it's close. He loved it and that's all that mattered.
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When daddy got home we took some pictures of everyone.  The boys get so excited when their daddy walks in the door.  There are lots of laughs, hugs, and plenty of wrestling.
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Austin giving "brudder" a kiss.  He loves Miller so much and has become such a precious big brother to him.  I LOVE watching their relationship form into something so special.  It brings me so much joy to see them love each other so well.
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My precious little guys.
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Gigi was there for all the festivities.
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And so were our best friends Halley and Ford (Hiya and Truck to Austin).
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That evening we celebrated him by eating pasta.
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and cake! This was his first time eating cake and he LOVED it. He knew exactly what to do. He dug right in.
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Austin was enjoying the night as well because he got to eat cake. He also received a few big brother gifts so he thought Miller's birthday was great!
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As you can see, Miller had no trouble figuring out how to eat cake. He went nuts!
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The cake went from this...
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to this...
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Life is great when you are eating cake
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unless it gets in your eyes...
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Dingdad hosed him down and got him cleaned up before we opened presents.
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Before opening gifts, we took some more pictures.  Dingdad was behind the camera making everyone laugh.
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Austin was super excited about opening presents but sweet Miller didn't care at all. He wanted to eat the boxes and paper.
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We had such a special time celebrating the life of our precious son! We are so thankful for him and look forward to seeing the type of man God molds him into.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

what a week...(part 1)

This was a wonderful & exhausting week all in one.  David graduated from Residency on Monday night so the weekend before we had lots of celebrating to do with the other residents.  On Saturday the wives were treated to a Spa Day and the husbands went golfing.  On Saturday night we attended the Roast where the 4th year residents roast the 5th year residents.
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Every year the 5th year residents pick a theme and all the guys dress up like the theme.  This years theme was "Will Ferrell characters".
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The wives had airbrush t-shirts made with a quote from the movie their husband's character was in.
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The guys had a blast being together, cutting lose, and dressing up.
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They have been through the ringer together and I don't think anyone else can really understand the 5 years they just went through except each other.

David and I were exhausted after the Roast and walked into the house at 1:00 am to find that Miller wouldn't settle.  He had another ear infection (this is the 3rd one after he got tubes) so I stayed up all night with him.  I was beat on Sunday so it was a day of rest.

On Monday my mom came in town for the week of festivities so the kids were excited to have GiGi there.  We headed downtown to see David graduate from Residency.  It was a very proud moment for me because I know how hard he worked, the terrible hours he put in, the heart, soul, and passion he gives to surgery and his patients all the while being an incredible husband and father.  We can't stop talking about all that happened in the last 5 years...bought our first house, rented out our house, had 3 sons, lost our first son, worked at the church, stayed home with the kids, and even more things that I can't even remember right now.  It has been truly amazing to see the hand of our Lord on every aspect of our life.  Even through the darkest time of our life, He never forsaked us.  Truly by his mercy did we survive the last 5 years.

So on to the graduation...we packed up the kiddos, my mom, David's parents and headed downtown.
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Funny story happened at graduation. Each resident when presented with their diploma took to the podium and said a little something. Usually thanking family, friends, fellow residents, and the staff. It was very nice. Well, David was last and when he went to the podium, Austin was sitting in my lap and he starts calling out for Daddy and keeps getting louder and louder until he starts crying, jumps out of my arms, and runs to the podium during David's speech. He then stayed in David's arms as he finished his speech. It was sweet and funny. The staff remarked that was the only time they had ever seen that happen. At the end of the ceremony, the staff presented some awards to the kids. Well Austin ended up with one that I'm pretty sure meant he was the most rambuctious!

After the ceremony the guys got together for some pictures.
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We then had the guys with kids take a picture all together. In 5 years, 11 children were born. 3 were born before residency started and 11 during residency (with 1 on the way).
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I love the next few because it shows you what life is really like with Miller right now =)
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We got one good one.
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I love this one...such a proud daddy.
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This post only included Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  We still have the rest of the week to go...stay tuned!