While we stayed most of the time with my parents, we spent two nights over at Grandmother and Granddaddy's. They really enjoyed him. Grandmother held him alot and sung to him, and played with his piggies. Granddaddy spent most of his time stealing his pacifer. The funniest part was when Granddaddy told Grandmother that she was holding Britt too much, and how the second she left the room he picked Britt up and held and played with him. We had a really good time together.
Britt and I had a good time in Alabama, and an even better time after Gary got there. We visited alot of the extended family as well as my family. We traveled over to UNA to visit some of my professors and down to Jasper to see Church friends. However, we spent alot of the evenings at home, just sitting around while everyone played with Britt. Here is a small snap shot of what we did.
9:46 PM
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I wasn't sure that we would make the meeting in Jasper this year, but when I heard that they were going to be having Elder Michael Gowens in, I couldn't resist. I haven't heard Bro. Michael in several years, but always enjoy his writings and sermons so it was an extra special treat this past weekend. Elder David Crawford was unable to attended because he had 3 members die this past week and had several funerals to preach, and the doctor told him that he needed to take a break from traveling because he's worked himself sick. We were able to hear several other ministers along with Bro. Michael though - Elders John Yadamec, Bobby Paine, Silas Ford, and even Adam and Derrick who are exercising now.
He had excellent sermons all weekend that I really needed. Friday night he preached from Jonah 2:1-4 "Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple." His particular emphasis was on the 4th verse, and told us that there is always hope. That no matter how bad things got we should continue to look to the Lord. When we feel overwhelmed to look again, and if when we pray we don't feel like we have an answer to pray again. It was truely the best sermon of the weekend. Incredibly uplifting.
Then I really appreciated Sunday morning sermon as well. It was on dealing with loneliness. I struggle alot with loneliness, especially since moving to Florida. He talked alot about how we can be lonely, and gave us Biblical examples of those who were lonely - David, Elijah, Paul, and ultimately the Lord. He told us some reason why we might feel to be alone, and said that the best way to beat the loneliness was one to remember that the Lord never will leave us or forsake us, and next to that to suround ourselves with His children, our brothers and sisters in the Church in good and Godly fellowship.
He had great sermons on Saturday too, one on "Total Depravity", one on "Why others don't Believe", and one on "Staying Young Spiritually", but I had to go out several times with Britt on Saturday so I'm looking forward to getting the tapes from those sermons.
We had a great time visiting together as well. Everyone wanted to hold Britt because in Whitney's words "He's the chillest," and other than Saturday night when he threw a fit and we had to go outside for a while, he was as good as gold. We stayed at the Wouter's household, and got to have a few good conversations with Blaire and Sis. Sharon. Laura and I also visited alot too. Gary seemed to enjoy his evening out with Dustin and Austin at the Kitchen's household. It was such a spirit filled time, where we were able to strengthen and encourage one another. I'm not sure that I've heard as good of preaching since this time last year. I always seem enjoy the sermons I hear at this meeting.
I'm still rejoicing in the things we heard. However, I'm ashamed to say how quickly after Sunday's sermon that loneliness seemed to overtake me - aka last night. I suppose by this weekend when we head over to Antioch's meeting I will need to be reminded again of these things.
3:54 PM
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In the last two weeks Britt has traveled from here to Alabama and back again. He has seen tons of family and friends. He has traveled alot by plane and car as you may have imagined, but he has also traveled by boat, horse, foot, and space shuttle.
11:42 PM
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I graduated from the University of North Alabama, and whenever I'm home and have a chance I try to go by and visit a few professors. We went by last Friday. I enjoyed showing him off and they enjoyed holding him and talking to him. The highlight of the day was when Britt went to see our school mascots - Leo and Una. We are the only US campus that has live lions. Then on the way out to the parking lot Gary and Britt played in the fountain.
7:51 PM
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Uncle Nicholas taught him this with his puppy dog rattle/blanket. He's so funny.
7:19 AM
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You really have to watch this video. The first time Benjamin walked up to Britt and did this it was a funny accident. However, he's been doing it for two weeks now and every time Britt grins when he sees him coming all hunched over and still jumps.
1:06 AM
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We have no idea what Britt will call Nicholas. Some of his friends call him Nick and naturally suggested Uncle Nick, but Mother who hated nicknames (she always said if that's what she wanted us called that's what she would have named us), says he will be Uncle Nicholas when she says it. Daddy says if he has an Uncle Benji he can have an Uncle Nicky and Uncle Matty. Aunt Melanie suggested one of the names that Benjamin use to call him before he learned to pronounce Nicholas - Uncle Nonalas or Uncle Nickywas. As for Nicholas he said he can just call him his rich uncle. After all he doesn't really care because "Britt doesn't have a personality yet."
He tried to introduce Britt to Trixie (the cat), help him model his new glasses, tickle him, play with him, and he even managed to calm Britt down after he started fussing. I think he secretly likes his new nephew.
He tried to introduce Britt to Trixie (the cat), help him model his new glasses, tickle him, play with him, and he even managed to calm Britt down after he started fussing. I think he secretly likes his new nephew.
12:31 AM
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Today we went to visit some of the extended family that really wanted to see Britt. Our first stop was Auntie and (prounced Aunie) Uncle Hoyt. Auntie is Granddaddy's older sister, and she really wanted us to bring Britt by so we visited a few hours and had lunch with them today. Britt sat and played with them for a few minutes before letting out a scream unlike any he has before. He had been up for about 4 hrs, and had just managed to go to sleep for about 30 mins or so in the car when we stopped. He woke up when we got him out. Grandmother got him to sleep after I changed him, and he slept while we all ate lunch and talked.
After we ate, he woke up just long enough for Auntie to rock him and hold him before we had to go. Next we stopped by Aunt Ellarea's house and saw her and Lloyd. She is Grandmother's sister-in-law and her son. They just had a fit over him. Aunt Rea sat in the floor with him and they just played and talked. The only down point was they got into playing so much that I forgot to take some pictures. Maybe next time we are home. We spent so much time with these folk that we didn't make it by to see Uncle Junior or Aunt Ruby (who would be Britt's great-great-great Aunt). Hopefully we can the next visit.
9:47 PM
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Before we left for Church, Ahna and Grumps brought out an Easter basket for Britt. Mother asked if he was getting one last week and I told her no that he was too little, and I didn't want to have a bunch of candy that I would just eat in the house. She asked if she could get him a couple of things and put them in a basket. I told her that if she wanted to that she could. He got two Easter books. In my family any holiday is an excuse to get more books (much to Gary's chagrin). He also got some foot and wrist rattlers, which he played with a while tonight. The best part though was a pair of baby sunglasses. Mother left the tags on them to see if he would actually wear them and he did. We decided that he looks about like Minnie Pearl with that tag on them.
Third Sunday we went to Crossroads, my old home church. It was great to see everyone, and if there hadn't been such bad weather it would have been great to visit with a few more members who weren't able to come. Brother Randy was blessed with a great sermon. After church was the first time that Uncle Nicholas got to see Britt. He quickly decided Britt was boring because he paid more attention to Uncle Benji than he did Nicholas. Later he said that he would be Britt's favorite uncle because he was the richest. I informed him that when they finished building his house (they broke ground last week) that Britt and I would be coming up for an extended vacation then, and Nicholas could spend money on him!
We had a great day!
10:01 PM
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Today Auburn played their A-game. It wasn't a high suspense game, you knew going in that Auburn would win. haha. So today we put on his Auburn stuff and he watched the game and cheered. Mother did War Eagle cheers with him, but he quickly got tired and took a nap.
You can't deny though how cute he looks hanging out with Aubie!
3:18 PM
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Today I have added a new one to the prayer list...
Some of you may know that Brystal came down sick a couple of weeks ago, then Mom caught it from her, and finally Lilli (Gary's niece, Joan's little girl) came down with it. After several trips to the doctor and to the hospital Lilli is over it, however on Monday with one final check up at the doctor they noticed that he soft spot had hardened. They sent her over to the imaging center to get pictures and stuff taken. Today they got the results back and her skull plates have fused together. This isn't suppose to happen until she turns two, and they won't close up completely until the child is 11. They are going to be sending Lilli to a neurosurgeon to get things checked out and determine why this is happening and what needs to be done. Please keep her, Joan, and George in your prayers at this time.
A few updates...
Hailey Gowens went through the pre-op for her heart surgery. She has one large hole that they plan to do surgery on in 2 to 4 weeks. They believe this will improve her health 75% to 90%. She has a few small holes as well, but they believe these will heal on their own after the larger one is fixed. They also were able to put in the G-tube this week. She is doing well. They are keeping her an extra night at the hospital just to be sure, but good news all around.
Heather's pregnancy is going well. Everything looks good now on the scans. They are naming the little girl Julia Rose after James and Gary's grandfather. He was named Julian after his grandmother Julia, so they are using Julia for her. The doctor's seem to think that this one will be early just like Brystal (she was 2 weeks early), and are predicting anytime between May 21st and May 31st.
Melissa Green is looking great. We saw her last weekend at Hebron. She is about to start her second round of five of her chemo. Hopefully she will be able to continue to do well.
Some of you may know that Brystal came down sick a couple of weeks ago, then Mom caught it from her, and finally Lilli (Gary's niece, Joan's little girl) came down with it. After several trips to the doctor and to the hospital Lilli is over it, however on Monday with one final check up at the doctor they noticed that he soft spot had hardened. They sent her over to the imaging center to get pictures and stuff taken. Today they got the results back and her skull plates have fused together. This isn't suppose to happen until she turns two, and they won't close up completely until the child is 11. They are going to be sending Lilli to a neurosurgeon to get things checked out and determine why this is happening and what needs to be done. Please keep her, Joan, and George in your prayers at this time.
A few updates...
Hailey Gowens went through the pre-op for her heart surgery. She has one large hole that they plan to do surgery on in 2 to 4 weeks. They believe this will improve her health 75% to 90%. She has a few small holes as well, but they believe these will heal on their own after the larger one is fixed. They also were able to put in the G-tube this week. She is doing well. They are keeping her an extra night at the hospital just to be sure, but good news all around.
Heather's pregnancy is going well. Everything looks good now on the scans. They are naming the little girl Julia Rose after James and Gary's grandfather. He was named Julian after his grandmother Julia, so they are using Julia for her. The doctor's seem to think that this one will be early just like Brystal (she was 2 weeks early), and are predicting anytime between May 21st and May 31st.
Melissa Green is looking great. We saw her last weekend at Hebron. She is about to start her second round of five of her chemo. Hopefully she will be able to continue to do well.
2:19 PM
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Today Britt flew for the first time. In order to avoid missing our flight (like yesterday) we left the house at 6, arriving at the airport 3 hrs early. Of course today we had our bags checked, went through security, and were sitting at our gate in 45 minutes. I was really surprised at how many random people were just tickled with Britt. There was a couple of New Jersey guys with funny Yankee accents that talked to him, I have no clue what they were saying but they liked him. Then there was another guy who just talked to him and loved his Auburn pacifier clip. He asked me if he was a War Eagle baby, and I said if I had anything to do with it he would, but that my husband was hoping he would be a Gator fan. He said he hoped not that he was an FSU fan, I didn't tell him that I didn't like FSU either. Ha!
Then when we actually got ready to get on the plane. I wheeled his stroller down the ramp and no sooner did I get it stopped than one of the pilots was standing out at the door and asked if he could hold Britt while I folded up the stroller. I didn't tell him that it was a one hand fold, but told him if he want to he could. He lifted him up in the air so that he was "flying" and kept saying in this silly high voice, "We're going to fly today!" I got a big kick out of it.
Then the flight attendant sat next to us and ohhed and awwed over him. I asked for some hot water to warm up his bottle, and she asked if she could hold him while I warmed it up. I told her sure if she wanted. Then he got a little fussy and she wanted to know if it was ok to stand up with him and I said sure. Then she asked if she could walk with him and I said it's not like you can go anywhere, so sure. She brought him back in a bit and asked if the bottle was warm enough yet, and I said yes and she seemed kinda sad to give him back. Before we got off the plane she took a picture for us.
Then when we got off both pilots were there. The one from before said, "I thought you were never going to get off." I loaded him up in his stroller and the other one said, "You didn't get a picture of him in the cockpit." I laughed and told him that I wouldn't want him to be flying the plane. He replied, "Well he might one day." They played and talked to him while I got his stuff in the stroller. I can see the flight attendant playing with him, but the two pilots I was really shocked.
Britt was great on the plane. He didn't cry of fuss at all, and he was even awake the whole time.
Then when we actually got ready to get on the plane. I wheeled his stroller down the ramp and no sooner did I get it stopped than one of the pilots was standing out at the door and asked if he could hold Britt while I folded up the stroller. I didn't tell him that it was a one hand fold, but told him if he want to he could. He lifted him up in the air so that he was "flying" and kept saying in this silly high voice, "We're going to fly today!" I got a big kick out of it.
Then the flight attendant sat next to us and ohhed and awwed over him. I asked for some hot water to warm up his bottle, and she asked if she could hold him while I warmed it up. I told her sure if she wanted. Then he got a little fussy and she wanted to know if it was ok to stand up with him and I said sure. Then she asked if she could walk with him and I said it's not like you can go anywhere, so sure. She brought him back in a bit and asked if the bottle was warm enough yet, and I said yes and she seemed kinda sad to give him back. Before we got off the plane she took a picture for us.
Then when we got off both pilots were there. The one from before said, "I thought you were never going to get off." I loaded him up in his stroller and the other one said, "You didn't get a picture of him in the cockpit." I laughed and told him that I wouldn't want him to be flying the plane. He replied, "Well he might one day." They played and talked to him while I got his stuff in the stroller. I can see the flight attendant playing with him, but the two pilots I was really shocked.
Britt was great on the plane. He didn't cry of fuss at all, and he was even awake the whole time.
9:51 PM
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Britt loves taking baths. He really likes to play in the big bathtub with me or Gary, but most of the time we are still giving him baths in the sink in his little bathtub. It has gotten to be Gary's thing to do with him in the evening before bed. Today he gave the little man a bath during his lunch break for me. So that Britt would be ready to go.
9:45 PM
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This past weekend was a very busy one, but we had a great time. Three Churches in the area had meetings, plus one of Gary's co-workers got married, and it was Easter. Meanwhile, I'm still getting ready for me and Britt to leave tomorrow for Alabama. On Friday night, Gary and I headed over to Tampa to attend services at El Bethel. I'm not sure if we've been over there since their October or (last April) meeting. It was nice to visit with the members over there that we don't see often. Bro. David Montgomery was blessed to preach a very able sermon on living by faith, as oppose to the excessive worrying that we often do. He used the example of Elijah in the drought. He talked about how the brook dried up and God provided daily with a widow woman. He said that if he was Elijah he would have been happy hanging out by that brook, not having to work just hanging out and being feed by the ravens. However, he was sure that he would have not been content, wanting a steak instead of what the ravens brought, and later perfering some rich strong guy to protect and feed him instead of a widow woman in the land of the evil Queen Jezabel. It was a sermon preached right to me. I'm the worrier of the two of us, constantly checking and rechecking the budget and checkbook, and trying to plan. I like to think I'm in control, though Bro. David reminded us that it is God who is in control.
On Saturday morning, Gary had to go to work, but Britt and I made it over to Hebron for their meeting. Bro. David Crawford was there and followed with the same thoughts he had the night before as the Lord as our Shepard. He talked about how he was the chief Shepard, being first in honor and authority and all things. He talked about how he was the great Shepard in that he did great works, the greatest of all being how he died for our sins, and that he wouldn't be great if he hadn't completed the work. Finally, he discussed how he was the good Shepard saying that if God wasn't good, morally upright, and perfect in all things that the other two characteristics wouldn't mean much to us. He closed by saying the most precious title though, is when David said "The Lord is my Shepard."
After that I went by and picked up Gary from work and we headed over to a wedding. His friend and co-work Rick got married this weekend. His best man said that meeting Lisa had made him happier than he had seen Rick in the last 13 years. I like weddings they remind me of mine and Gary's wedding which makes me very happy. It's good to be reminded of that day, and not be in a rut of day to day troubles.
Finally we ended the day by going over to Jim and Kelly's and hanging out with a WHOLE BUNCH of people. Seriously I never would have guessed we could get that many people in there. We visited and ate (of course, what else would you do at a Primitive Baptist gathering). Some of the kids played wii, and before heading home for the night we all went and played putt-putt golf. Britt is really good at that, you should have seen me and Gary taking turns holding him while we golfed. Britt was on my team, and he helped Gary lose to me. After all it's not easy to putt and hold a baby at the same time.
Sunday of course was Easter. We got dressed up and headed off to Church after snapping a few pictures. Bro. Buddy had a wonderful sermon on the Resurection, and unlike Friday night and Saturday morning I actually got to stay in Church the entire time to hear it.
Afterward we headed over to the Varnum's for Easter, and spent the day with around 100 of Gary's mother's side of the family. We ate and visited. The kids hunted Easter eggs and the bigger kids played softball. Mom wanted a picture of all of her grandkids, so above is Brystal 2 1/2, Lilli 6 1/2 months, and Britt 2 1/2 months. By the time we headed home we were good and wore out. It was a great weekend.
5:14 PM
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A few updates for you...
Baby Hailey is being admitted to University of Kentucky Children's Hospital on April 13th for IV fluids and some pre-op procedures. She will then have a g-tube placed on Wednesday and then within a few days of this admission, she will be readmitted for heart surgery. She is 7 months now. Ashley and John would desire your prayers.
Baby James has been diagnosised with Cerebral Palsy. His MRI showed slight damage on his brain. Thankfully this is a very mild case of CP and with alot of theropy he should be able to function almost normally. The MRI also showed that he has a lot of fluid in his ears so they will be putting in tubes soon. They will also be fitting some shoes or braces for his feet soon. If you recall this was why they had the concern to start with because of his trouble learning to walk. If you aren't reading Jon and Amanda's blog I would highly encourage it.
Baby Nate is doing well. The technical lingo has gotten far over my head by this point but it will suffice to say that they have narrowed down his mito to not working right in Complex I and Complex III. They are doing some genetic test to see if they can narrow down where the genetic mutation is; however, only 10-15% of mito patients ever are able to figure out this information, so that is something that they may or may not be able to determine. Everything health wise is looking good now though, so they are going to get a reprive from the many doctor's appointments for a little while. I'm sure Jay and Amber are glad for the break.
Rory is the only other one that I have an update on. They had to operate on both kidneys. They had trouble at first in getting her to eat and with her running a fever, but she seems to be doing well recovering now.
Baby Hailey is being admitted to University of Kentucky Children's Hospital on April 13th for IV fluids and some pre-op procedures. She will then have a g-tube placed on Wednesday and then within a few days of this admission, she will be readmitted for heart surgery. She is 7 months now. Ashley and John would desire your prayers.
Baby James has been diagnosised with Cerebral Palsy. His MRI showed slight damage on his brain. Thankfully this is a very mild case of CP and with alot of theropy he should be able to function almost normally. The MRI also showed that he has a lot of fluid in his ears so they will be putting in tubes soon. They will also be fitting some shoes or braces for his feet soon. If you recall this was why they had the concern to start with because of his trouble learning to walk. If you aren't reading Jon and Amanda's blog I would highly encourage it.
Baby Nate is doing well. The technical lingo has gotten far over my head by this point but it will suffice to say that they have narrowed down his mito to not working right in Complex I and Complex III. They are doing some genetic test to see if they can narrow down where the genetic mutation is; however, only 10-15% of mito patients ever are able to figure out this information, so that is something that they may or may not be able to determine. Everything health wise is looking good now though, so they are going to get a reprive from the many doctor's appointments for a little while. I'm sure Jay and Amber are glad for the break.
Rory is the only other one that I have an update on. They had to operate on both kidneys. They had trouble at first in getting her to eat and with her running a fever, but she seems to be doing well recovering now.
3:33 PM
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Hannah pointed out to me in the above picture that Britt definately didn't have a Cunningham smile. I pulled up a picture of me at 2 1/2 months, and what do you know. Just maybe he looks a little like me after all... red hair and the smile. What do you think?.jpg)
5:29 PM
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Britt usually wakes up to around 9 or 10 and stays awake a few hours. He always wants to play and get attention, and usually I oblige him. Here is a little video of him this morning before he decided to go back to sleep.
12:16 PM
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Hailey Gowens is going to be undergoing surgery soon to have a g-tube placed in her belly. She also has a cardiology appt next week where they will learn more about when they expect her heart surgery to take place. Update: She is scheduled for cardiac surgery to repair three holes on April 14th or 15th, she is 7 months old.
Bro. Obey has passed away. If I understood correctly they released him from the hospital on Friday after a two month long stay. However the officials at the airport wouldn't let him board the plane to go home because he was too weak to travel. So he went back to the hospital. Just this morning they had to insert a feeding tube because he was so weak. However, he didn't make, his wife Mary and Bro. Martin were with him when he died. They are hoping to be able to get his body home to Tansania for burial. Please remember his family.
Rory, Bobbie Jo Arnold's neice, had surgery on her kidneys Monday for urinary tract reflux. Please continue to remember her.
No, new news on anyone else.
Bro. Obey has passed away. If I understood correctly they released him from the hospital on Friday after a two month long stay. However the officials at the airport wouldn't let him board the plane to go home because he was too weak to travel. So he went back to the hospital. Just this morning they had to insert a feeding tube because he was so weak. However, he didn't make, his wife Mary and Bro. Martin were with him when he died. They are hoping to be able to get his body home to Tansania for burial. Please remember his family.
Rory, Bobbie Jo Arnold's neice, had surgery on her kidneys Monday for urinary tract reflux. Please continue to remember her.
No, new news on anyone else.
2:56 PM
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