Valentine's Day Date

So, when you become a parent, date nights become a bit more challenging to do. Kirk and I are new at this and realized it had been a while since just the two of us had gone out ... hit the road ... painted the town ... had a date.

Valentine's Day was upon us and we decided to go for it! This was made possible by our amazing friends, Mike and Amanda, who watched Adiel for the evening. Adi is a lovable handful right now, as she is still working through colic and vomiting her food, so when I say "amazing" friends, that's exactly what Mike and Amanda are!

Kirk surprised me by taking me to the Italian Bistro in Walla Walla. Yummy! We had a such a lovely time and were reminded of how important it is to nurture our marriage. This isn't something that always comes naturally when everyday life so often attempts to steal our time and attention from what's most important. So, special effort and guidance from the Lord is needed. Having been through a very dark time in our marriage (where Jesus was not the center), it still amazes me how He has totally changed our relationship - all for the better! And, the best part is, it hasn't been by our own effort. We finally got out of the way, stopped resisting the most amazing Gift ever, and allowed the Holy Spirit to work!

"However, each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:33

A Day at the Office

Kirk had an appointment in Western Idaho about a week ago, so the three of us took a little road trip. Adiel and I stayed in Kirk's office in Walla Walla, which is about 1.5 hrs from home, and met up with Kathy, a sweet gal who also works there. She surprised us and brought her camera. Here are some super cute photos of Adiel, compliments of Kathy Farrell-Guizar - Enjoy!

(Color effects by Lisa)

A-Bloggin' We Will Go!

Greetings! Our first blog entry - I feel so "tech-y". We would love to share a little update with you, as well as some recent pictures taken of our precious gift, Adiel.

“Adi” (Ah-dee) is now 3 months old and we are having so much fun seeing her personality develop. She is smiling quite a lot now, “talks” to us, and loves being read to (some of her faves include the Picture Bible, Izzy the Lizzy, and Oscar Otter’s Opposites & Colors). She definitely lets us know when she’s hungry (as her momma learned many years ago, Adiel will need to learn how to use her “inside the universe voice”), and she is very strong! For example, she can stand up! We don’t encourage this of course (first things first: crawling, then walking, honey), but it’s pretty amazing. Kirk asked her the other day how tall she was going to be and when he questioned 6'5" (just like Daddy) she gave him a big grin. Oh, boy ...

A week ago, we visited Adiel’s eye doctor in Spokane so he could examine her eyes and determine the severity of the ptosis (pronounced “tosis”), which is a heavy eyelid. Interestingly, there a couple of other eye conditions he will be watching for (jaw-winking and strabismus), and will more easily be able to identify these in a few months. Thankfully, her eyesight is great! Please pray for complete healing, however, we know that there is a purpose and God’s will is good, whatever the outcome!

The Spokane doctor, as part of the exam, felt Adi’s skull and thought that her sutures had already closed. If this was the case, her brain would begin growing in odd ways; quite alarming, as you can imagine. He recommended a CAT scan. So, this past week, Adi went in to her pediatrician, who suggested an x-ray before resorting to a CAT scan (less radiation). He, too, felt that the sutures had closed. Many of you prayed through this whole process and “thank you”. The prayers were answered when the x-ray results showed no sign of closure in her sutures; a huge blessing and relief.

These photos are of Adiel just hanging out at home with us, Kirk feeding her, a group shot with my bro, Jimmy (who currently lives in Texas), and lastly, Adiel’s dedication at Calvary Chapel in Kennewick on January 18th. This was a super special day, as our pastor, Steve Whinery, and the whole congregation prayed that Kirk and I would have wisdom in raising our baby girl. Also, that Adiel will one day, when she is able to make the choice, receive Jesus’ gift of salvation.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” – 1 Timothy 1:15-16

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:6-7

With Much Love,

Kirk, Lisa and Miss Adiel