A B U N D A N T P R A I S E S

Ethan is adapting well to becoming a hard sleeper since he has two older- and very active- siblings chasing each other around the house. Their noise didn't seem to bother him at all, but the flash on my camera apparently disturbed his stylish sleeping: We've been taking walks down the street almost every night to a little playground that is at a church. Emma and Elliot love it there- especially since they get to see the trains and trucks go right through town from the top of the fort!

I love this face. He makes us smile just watching him. Full of curiosity these days, he is constantly pointing, babbling and grunting at something. He isn't saying too many real words yet, but he understands everything we say to him and commands that are given. He is really in to feeding himself now, which makes a huge mess every meal time- but he's gotta learn somehow huh?! Today when he heard Michael walk in the door from work, he went crazy and started calling for him and waving. He loves his daddy, but he's a mama's boy!

Almost three weeks old, and we love him so much already. He has brought so much joy to our home...thank you Lord, for a sweet new life to treasure!

Elliot looks like he is up to no good with that look on his face, but he really is gentle with Ethan.

Michael began his new treatment last Thursday and almost immediately felt better. He slept through the night on Thursday for the first time in months. He felt rested when he woke up. A matter of fact, he was up getting ready for the day before me- which was proof to me that he was feeling much better. Praise be to our God. Praise be to Him. We are so glad that he is back to functioning normally and continue to pray that the treatments will be effective. When he went in for his treatment, he had lost an additional 9 pounds since last Tuesday. That's almost 30 pounds in 2 month's time. He is no longer restricted with his diet, although he has to be careful with some things- he will learn as he goes along what he can and cannot handle. I can tell you that he has been a very happy camper having cheese, crackers, breads, cereal with real milk...back into his life :) Another proof of him doing better: He was outside on Saturday, cleaning up the yard. He says that he is still feeling pretty weak, but he is working on regaining strength each day.

Emma's birthday was on August 15th. Michael had promised to take her on a special date for her special day, but when her birthday rolled around, Michael was too sick to leave the house. Almost every day since then, Emma has come and "told me a secret: Daddy is going to take me to Chuck E Cheese today when he gets home from work...!!!" I know the kids don't understand about Daddy being too sick to hold them, give them baths, play outside with them- and it was difficult to watch her disappointment when I had to tell her over and over again that "daddy is still sick- when he gets better, he will take you out..." Two days after feeling better, daddy took his girl out. She was ecstatic and had such a fun time with him.

I choked up watching them leave- finally seeing Michael able to walk without being in pain. Taking his little girl out to have fun. We didn't know if he would ever see the end of the pain and sickness...there were some dark days for us.

And Elliot stayed home with mommy. We enjoyed homemade pizza and OREO creme pie!

Sometimes the valleys are really, really low. But that just makes the mountain tops much more beautiful. We have a great God, whether we are sick or well. So many others experience much greater sorrows and suffering. Our blessings outweigh our troubles by far.