He's Thirty Something!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

I'm so glad Jeremy is feeling better. A week with him in bed was a very long week indeed. Jeremy is a natural teacher. He was maybe more excited about Joel's good shot than Joel was.
Of course Jeremy is going golfing today!

What We Look Like

I know they are sick when they can both lay on the couch without kicking each other and fighting.
Josiah has wanted me to hold him--a lot. At least once today I was holding a bottle for Anna (while holding her) and holding Josiah at the same time.

Josiah was showing signs of improvement this evening. Of course yesterday I thought Aliza was improving and today she had a fever again. Who knows what tomorrow will hold.

I haven't forgotten about those birthday party pictures!

Some Cuteness

My little finger sucker. I'm also happy to note that is her left hand. =) I needed some cuteness tonight. Our house remains a desolate desert of sickness. Antibiotics, please work your magic...quickly!

Disruption Continues

(I just noticed this is my 500th post!)

Aliza was a trooper and did her very best to enjoy her birthday. She had such a great attitude when she found out her party was going to be smaller since she was sick. I thought Josiah was getting better yesterday. He was not feverish and had a pretty good energy level. Jeremy put in a full day of work and tylenol kept Aliza's fever under control.

Then last night was horrible. Josiah got hotter and hotter throughout the night. Aliza and Josiah were both crying in their sleep, kicking their legs and waking up frequently. Jeremy's parents are here for Aliza's birthday party so Aliza and Josiah are both camping out in our room again. We heard every noise and really got no sleep. At 5am I decided that I was taking Josiah to immediate care today and soon after Aliza woke up I decided I was taking her also.

Jeremy woke up feeling bad again. He went to immediate care on Thursday and is on antibiotics for a sinus infection. So Grandma Karen and I took Aliza and Josiah to immediate care. Bottom line. Josiah has a throat infection and Aliza has a throat and ear infection. Could be strep but neither one allowed that test to be done. They are both on antibiotics and hopefully will feel much better in a day or so.

I will be so glad when everyone is healthy and happy again. I held up pretty well during the week, but last night and today just about did me in. Having my partner in life down for just about a week now has been tough! There have been many moments that I have been thankful that Anna is such a content baby. She has had to entertain herself more than once this week while Josiah or Aliza or Jeremy has needed my attention.

Speaking of Anna. She has started to laugh out loud more easily. It is so cute.

She's 5 Today!

Happy Birthday Aliza!

Disruption in the Festivities

I still have great pictures from Josiah's birthday and the huge sandbox that was built at our house today, but they will have to wait. I'm done in tonight. Jeremy has been in bed sick for 2 days now. Josiah is sick and I'm very afraid that Aliza is getting it. We have what everyone else has had. Fever, low energy, little appetite, cough etc. It is icky. I am hoping beyond hope that 1) Aliza can enjoy her birthday tomorrow and her birthday party on Friday 2) Anna stays healthy and 3) I stay healthy so I can keep on taking care of my family.

I need to wrap birthday presents and then I'm crawling in bed so that I can respond to all cries during the night.

Parent Child Dedication

The first event of the weekend was Anna's Baby Dedication. This is always a special time of committing ourselves as parents to training Anna to love the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind and to love her neighbors as herself. What an awesome responsibility. I'm so thankful for our families, our church family and friends who contribute to her walk with the Lord and who support Jeremy and I as we raise our children.

I was really looking forward to this service. Jeremy put together a song list of Jesus Culture music. Music that really means a lot to me right now. Mom was off work so she was taking care of children so I thought I had a chance to listen to the sermon. It didn't happen that way. During worship Aliza and Josiah collided and Aliza busted her lip. Her lip was huge within minutes and upon closer inspection that piece of skin at the very top of the upper gum was torn. I could see a hole in her lip. I had a moment of fear that I was going to the Dr. instead of dedicating my child. Aliza was screaming and carrying on. Clearly I was out of the service at this point. I got her calmed down and found some ice. She was still howling whenever she felt her fat lip, but she stuck close to me and we survived. When I came back in the service it was time for the dedication and it was all I could do to keep Aliza quiet in the front. Disappointing...

I have some pictures though!


Anna. (I love that little face! Just a side note.) As I prayed for Anna during my pregnancy I prayed for lots of things, but I always came back to praying that Anna would choose to passionately follow Jesus through her life. That was, by far, the theme of my prayers. Elizabeth, Anna's middle name, means "consecrated to God." The Bible tells us about a woman named Anna in Luke 2:36-38. Anna was a prophetess. "She never left the temple, but worshiped day and night, fasting and praying." The other important part of this story to me is that Anna recognized Jesus when she saw Him. I want Anna to recognize Jesus when she "sees" Him. My hope is that Anna chooses to follow Jesus as the Anna in the Bible did. With a life devoted to Him. A life that honors Him above all. And with a heart completely surrendered to God.