"Ma Ma" and "Da Da"

Last week, Adi started "talking" all over the place. Lots of "ba ba ba ba" goin on! Then, she started saying, "ma ma ma ma" ... very sweet! Then, while Kirk was finishing his morning diaper change (Adiel's diaper, that is), our girl said a clear, two-syllable "Dadda". Wow! Kirk was so touched he had to step away for a second (I love my hubby). When we ask her, "Adi, where is Momma/Dadda?", she usually looks at the right one.

I got to thinking about why it means so much when our children say our "names" for the first time. How can that little 'momma' or 'dadda' impact us on such a deep level? Perhaps, it's another picture God has given to show us how He feels when we call Him Father (or "Abba", which means "Daddy") for the first time. To have your own child call out to you is beautiful.

For God so loved the world (that includes all of us) that He sacrificed the life of His only Son, the One who called out to Him. He did this so that our sins would be cast as far as the east is from the west and so that we may have eternal life with Him -- He actually wants to be with us! He created you and me and yearns that all would come to call Him "Daddy" - to trust Him, rely on Him, and cling to Him ... just as our children do.

First Tooth: 7 Months!

Oh, my goodness! How cute. Adiel is getting her first tooth (her lower right)!! Ok, we know this happens to all babies, but it's really fun to see the lil thing coming up. No longer can Adi "gum" us ... that tooth is sharp! The second one is on its way.

Since her eye surgery, she is like a new baby - wanting to interact more, explore, reach for things, sit up, babble, etc. The Lord is so sweet to give us these precious times, as the first many months were very difficult.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name, receives Me. - Matthew 18:4-5

Memorial Day 2009

Kirk was itchin' to cook some meat on the ol' BBQ, so we drove over to a park close by and set up an all-American Memorial Day cook-out! We bought enough food for lots of people to stop by and grab a hot dog ... no one did, but we were ready. Kirk made his AMAZING "Rocky Top Chicken" and we all loved it. Seriously folks, this recipe is no ordinary chicken!

My mom did a great job setting up the table, Dad took photos, Adiel was super cute, Kirk cooked, and I ate. Our new friend, Michelle, joined us, too. She recently moved to the Tri-Cities from Indiana and also attends Calvary Chapel. After the food settled a bit, Kirk, Michelle, and I threw around the Nerf football. Kirk coached us in throwing and catching ... all I can say is, it's a good thing we have a sense of humor!

Prayers of gratitude go out to all the family members of soldiers who served our country and stood for the ideals and values the USA was originally founded on.

Urgent Recall Notice

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and
central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all
subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed 'Sub-sequential
Internal Non-Morality, ' or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is
primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is
providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct
this defect.

The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the
entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no
additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once
connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE and FAITH
procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus,
into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions
Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded.. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will
have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted
to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention!

GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important
recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail.'
Because He Lives!

Source: Unknown Web Source

Adiel's Eye Surgery

5.11.09

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

Kirk, Adiel and I arrived in Spokane today for Adi's pre-op appointment. We learned more about the surgery and signed the necessary paperwork. Kirk and I had peace about everything and know that your prayers were being answered. Thank you all so much for lifting our family up to Almighty God - He was right there with us!

Here are some shots I took in our hotel room the evening before the surgery. As you can see, Adi had quite a significant head tilt (30+ degrees). She would line everything up with her right eye. After the sequence of our sweet girl kissing Kirk's face, she left part of herself all over his eyes. Oh, my goodness! That was a first. Kirk handled it well and quickly washed the vomit out of his eyes. In case you were wondering, that stuff stings!

And, the last few are cute. Adi slept in a drawer! Great idea, Mom. She was snug as a bug in a ... drawer!



5.12.09

Kirk and I both got up early on the 12th (2:45 am) to feed Adiel one last time before the surgery. She ate and went right back to sleep. We all arrived at the hospital at 6:45 am. About an hour later, it was time. The nurse came out and scooped up Adi, who reached up to the nurse's face as if pulling it in to kiss her. Amazing.

The operation itself lasted only about 40 minutes, however, we waited close to an hour to allow for her to fall asleep, administer the IV, etc. Kirk and I prayed and the Lord gave us many comforting verses to cling to; really beautiful time.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. - Nahum 1:7

When the doctor came out, he said everything went as planned, which was a relief. He probed her tear duct which had been blocked, as well as the medial rectus recession (detaching and reattaching the muscle behind her left eye).

He suggested we get an MRI done of Adi at some point. He said he didn't recall ever seeing the various mis-wirings our girl has in any other patient he's helped (been practicing for about 30 years). The nerve issues she has are not unique, however, having them all going on in one little person is.

So, that's something to be praying for. He said that the MRI would be able to indicate possible problems she may have in the future.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4

We are not concerned, though. As you can see from these photos (taken only a few hours after surgery), Adiel is doing great ... a little swollen, but still smiling. She was in a lot of pain as she came out of being asleep, cried a bunch, but after a good nap, she was quite content. We only needed to give her a little bit of Tylenol! The arm splints you will see helped her not rub her eye.

Her neck muscles are tense and she's slowly realizing she doesn't have to tip her head anymore. As a bonus, her left eye has drawn forward a bit, so both eyes are more symmetrical now. At the post-op appointment, her doctor was even amazed at how well everything went! He said the tilt is gone! Most likely just a bit of neck tension causing what we see now.

This is a total answer to prayer and a miracle! Adiel has binocular vision, probably for the first time, and is doing so well. We'll continue antibiotic eyedrops for two weeks and have a follow-up appointment in July to ensure all is well.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you who prayed and thought of us this week! We are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives and we thank the Lord for you!!!

1st Mother's Day

What a special day! Technically, this was my second Mommy's Day (Adiel was inside me last year), but we celebrated with our baby girl this year. Here are some photos (thanks, Dad!) for you to enjoy. Adi is 6.5 months old! In two days, she will have her eye surgery.

Medial Rectus Recession - May 12th

Medical update on our girl, Adiel:

Kirk and I took Adi to the Spokane eye specialist this past week to get an updated assessment of Adi's eyes. Dr. Snow is fantastic at what he does and after an in-depth exam, he said that in addition to ptosis, our girl has Duane's Syndrome, which is a type of Strabismus in her left eye. In simple language, it means that her left eye is unable to turn outward due to a stiff muscle connected to her eyeball. This is a result of a missing nerve. Experts are unsure of why this happens. 90% of the cases are congenital (present at birth), more girls than boys have Duane's Syndrome, and the majority of times, the left eye is the one affected.

Adiel has begun favoring her right eye so much that she lines this "good" eye up with what she's looking at, which makes her head tilted to the side. If we were to not move ahead with surgery, it is very likely that at some point, her brain would completely stop sending signals to her left eye, which would result in permanent blindness in that eye. So, the doctor recommended surgery as soon as possible.

Miss Adi is scheduled to have this surgery (Medial Rectus Recession) on Tuesday, May 12th, in the early morning. Naturally, we are concerned, but know there's a bigger plan in place. Let's pray for complete healing (that would be awesome and totally something Jesus is capable of!). If this isn't His will, prayer that the doctor would have wisdom and steady hands as he operates on her eye and that the surgery goes smoothly. He'll be cutting the muscle on the side, inner left eyeball and moving it back, thus freeing up the other muscle which will allow more eyeball movement outward. Amazing this technology is even available, isn't it? What a blessing!

We know that Adiel is God's child and that He loves her way more than we do. We trust Him completely with her. It's amazing to look at how much she has gone through in her short 6 months of life. With it all, God has shown Himself faithful and true. She is a joy and a beautiful little girl!

Thank you for your prayers and love!

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6