It's way past time for a new update on the prayer request list, so I'm here today to provide it. :)
Granna has had another set back. She initially broke her shoulder about a month and a half ago. She was moved over to a rehab center in order to help with the healing. When they went back two weeks later to see the specialist, it was determined that she was going to need surgery because it wasn't healing properly on its on. They did surgery and sent her back to the rehab center where she has been going through therapy. Just two days ago during therapy the shoulder dislocated and she is back up at Plant City hospital. She may need to undergo surgery again, as it doesn't appear to be healing correctly. **1:30 update - Granna saw the surgeon this morning and they were able to reset her shoulder without surgery. She is wearing something similar to a sling to keep her arm close to her body all the time, for a while until they are sure it is healing. Then she will go back to rehab.**
Nate Ferrel just got back from his 6 month check up at the Houston Mito Clinic. They received alot of good news while they were out there. They are making a few changes to his medicine routine, but all in it's looking like they are being able to successfully manage the disease at this time. He's such a funny little man, and Britt likes to follow him around Sunday afternoons as they contemplate what mischief they can get into next.
Grandmother has done really well with her shoulder, but I would ask you to keep remembering her in your prayers. She has had a bit of stomach trouble off and on in the past, but it appears some of the medicine that they were giving her to manage the pain and help with her shoulder have aggravated her stomach. She's having alot of the symptoms that my mother had a little over a year ago - she just doesn't feel much like eating and isn't very comfortable.
There are three new request I'm adding this week...
Bro. Allen and Sis. Lona Cook are some dear Primitive Baptist friends from West Texas. I met them several years ago through my grandparents. I have affectionately referred to them as my "God - grandparents" since they are old enough to be my grandparents and have been such a Godly encouragement. Brother Allen has always encouraged me to sit with the deacons and ministers at meetings and learn. Like my father and grandfather he always encouraged me to study and ask questions. I have learned alot from listening to him and Granddaddy discuss scripture. They made the very special effort to come all the way to Florida when Gary and I got married, which meant quite alot to me. Brother Allen is in the last stages of prostate and is in alot of pain. He is ready to go home, and while I know I will miss him; I would ask you to pray for comfort for Sister Lona and rest for Brother Allen.
Jon and Amanda Mizel just found out that they are expecting again, go here to read their story.
Finally if everything goes well in a few weeks Bro. Randy and Sis. Paula will be adopting a brand new baby boy. We would ask you all to pray for this dear couple who Gary and I admire so much. They are always an encouragement to others, offer good advise, and are just a joy to be around. They are wonderful parents and very much want a second child. We ask for your prayers in this matter.
Finally a note on us, Gary has had several interesting opportunities in the last month. First, we discovered that there was an internship with Bayer coming open in Florida that he was a perfect fit for that would provide him a good opportunity to fill the internship part of the program early, and might provide a permanent position next summer. Then, we attended a conference where Gary was able to interview with 9 different companies for more than 20 job openings. There were several positive experiences, and one that was very interested in Gary and conducted a second interview. Finally, there is a professor on campus who has been very impressed with Gary's work and due to his background would like to offer him a research assistance ship to determine the most cost-effective replacement for methyl bromide (and which gives the best coverage). This is something that Gary did a little of at Crop and would like to do more of, and would give him some very valuable and marketable skills in the strawberry industry after he graduates. The catch is that he would have to slightly change his degree from a Masters of Agribusiness to a Masters of Science in Agribusiness this means at the earliest he would be graduating in December and he would be required to write a thesis.
Like I said, we have had many exciting opportunities, and up until this point we've been pursuing all options. However, soon we are going to have to make a decision in which direction to go. We received word on Tuesday that Bayer had chosen someone else for their internship. (Gary thinks it's because they already had housing, and he had the baggage of a family, and the living accommodations really weren't set up for that.) So far we haven't heard much back from the job interviews, and may not for sometime. However, the decision about changing degrees will need to be made fairly quickly and if we go that route, Gary won't be able to look for or take full time work. He will be going to school full time, essentially be working full time doing the leg work for this research assistance ship, and writing a thesis in there some where. Gary is praying for clear guidance on which route to take, and we would like to ask that you continue to remember us.
Granna has had another set back. She initially broke her shoulder about a month and a half ago. She was moved over to a rehab center in order to help with the healing. When they went back two weeks later to see the specialist, it was determined that she was going to need surgery because it wasn't healing properly on its on. They did surgery and sent her back to the rehab center where she has been going through therapy. Just two days ago during therapy the shoulder dislocated and she is back up at Plant City hospital. She may need to undergo surgery again, as it doesn't appear to be healing correctly. **1:30 update - Granna saw the surgeon this morning and they were able to reset her shoulder without surgery. She is wearing something similar to a sling to keep her arm close to her body all the time, for a while until they are sure it is healing. Then she will go back to rehab.**
Nate Ferrel just got back from his 6 month check up at the Houston Mito Clinic. They received alot of good news while they were out there. They are making a few changes to his medicine routine, but all in it's looking like they are being able to successfully manage the disease at this time. He's such a funny little man, and Britt likes to follow him around Sunday afternoons as they contemplate what mischief they can get into next.
Grandmother has done really well with her shoulder, but I would ask you to keep remembering her in your prayers. She has had a bit of stomach trouble off and on in the past, but it appears some of the medicine that they were giving her to manage the pain and help with her shoulder have aggravated her stomach. She's having alot of the symptoms that my mother had a little over a year ago - she just doesn't feel much like eating and isn't very comfortable.
There are three new request I'm adding this week...
Bro. Allen and Sis. Lona Cook are some dear Primitive Baptist friends from West Texas. I met them several years ago through my grandparents. I have affectionately referred to them as my "God - grandparents" since they are old enough to be my grandparents and have been such a Godly encouragement. Brother Allen has always encouraged me to sit with the deacons and ministers at meetings and learn. Like my father and grandfather he always encouraged me to study and ask questions. I have learned alot from listening to him and Granddaddy discuss scripture. They made the very special effort to come all the way to Florida when Gary and I got married, which meant quite alot to me. Brother Allen is in the last stages of prostate and is in alot of pain. He is ready to go home, and while I know I will miss him; I would ask you to pray for comfort for Sister Lona and rest for Brother Allen.
Jon and Amanda Mizel just found out that they are expecting again, go here to read their story.
Finally if everything goes well in a few weeks Bro. Randy and Sis. Paula will be adopting a brand new baby boy. We would ask you all to pray for this dear couple who Gary and I admire so much. They are always an encouragement to others, offer good advise, and are just a joy to be around. They are wonderful parents and very much want a second child. We ask for your prayers in this matter.
Finally a note on us, Gary has had several interesting opportunities in the last month. First, we discovered that there was an internship with Bayer coming open in Florida that he was a perfect fit for that would provide him a good opportunity to fill the internship part of the program early, and might provide a permanent position next summer. Then, we attended a conference where Gary was able to interview with 9 different companies for more than 20 job openings. There were several positive experiences, and one that was very interested in Gary and conducted a second interview. Finally, there is a professor on campus who has been very impressed with Gary's work and due to his background would like to offer him a research assistance ship to determine the most cost-effective replacement for methyl bromide (and which gives the best coverage). This is something that Gary did a little of at Crop and would like to do more of, and would give him some very valuable and marketable skills in the strawberry industry after he graduates. The catch is that he would have to slightly change his degree from a Masters of Agribusiness to a Masters of Science in Agribusiness this means at the earliest he would be graduating in December and he would be required to write a thesis.
Like I said, we have had many exciting opportunities, and up until this point we've been pursuing all options. However, soon we are going to have to make a decision in which direction to go. We received word on Tuesday that Bayer had chosen someone else for their internship. (Gary thinks it's because they already had housing, and he had the baggage of a family, and the living accommodations really weren't set up for that.) So far we haven't heard much back from the job interviews, and may not for sometime. However, the decision about changing degrees will need to be made fairly quickly and if we go that route, Gary won't be able to look for or take full time work. He will be going to school full time, essentially be working full time doing the leg work for this research assistance ship, and writing a thesis in there some where. Gary is praying for clear guidance on which route to take, and we would like to ask that you continue to remember us.
We had Halloween for the kids this weekend. Next weekend we plan to make the first school free eekend (or at least do as little homework as possible) since the semester started. We are going to the panhandle for the weekend to hear Bro. David Montgomery preach. We haven't been off to a meeting since the spring, and Gary feels like he needs to recharge his batteries a bit, so we are planning to take a small break before the bulk of his group projects are due between now and Thanksgiving. As result, we aren't sure how late it might be before we get back next Sunday, so we did Halloween this weekend.
First order of business was to find a pumpkin. Amber told us about a church down the road from them, that had a great little pumpkin patch set up, so off we went. Britt mostly wandered around looking at all the pumpkins and picking up mulch and leaves. He kept calling them "kin-kin." Meanwhile Ruth rode around in style and napped.
We had the most fun when Britt discovered the slide. We just sat there watching him over and over. He was just giggling. Made me grin in amazement at how such a simple thing could not only hold his attention for so long, but give him complete joy. We eventually had to tear him away so we could leave.
Sunday evening we met Amber and Jay and the kiddos up at the same Church for their Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat. Britt went as a cow and Ruth as a pumpkin. Abby was a bee, but because of her huge wings Britt kept insisting she was a butterfly. Emma informed me that she was Repunsilla but before long her beautiful long clip in braid fell out, and she decided that she didn't need it after all. Nate went as a gator and Britt kept randomly pointing to him and saying "ga ga" and clapping which is his rendition of "Go Gators"
Several people just ohhed and ahhed over Ruth, but she was oblivious and napped through the entire experience. Britt on the other hand enjoyed mooing at everyone when they asked him if he was a cow. At first, he didn't want to get to close and Gary got candy out for him, but before long he figured that he wanted the brightest colored pieces as a result we don't have many snickers but we have tons of laffy taffies now. He quiet forgot his manners though, as he failed to thank anyone for candy.
They also had a little petting zoo there. Britt liked the sheep best of all and walked right up to it and patted it and kept saying "Baa." They also had a couple of rabbits, some goats, and three chickens. After the petting zoo Britt played on the playground for a little bit before we headed home. He was ready to head home after that, as he was one hot little cow in that well insulated outfit. We had a great time!
Tonight is one of those nights where, as I watch my firstborn sleeping, it's definately worth it to be a parent. It's one of those bittersweet moments, where I realize that Britt really isn't a baby any more, but a little boy, who isn't so little any more.
Last night, we put together the toddler bed that we borrowed from Gary's parents (since we still need the crib), and today was Britt's first time in a bed. Naptime went pretty well, all things considered. After 30 mins and 3 spankings, he gave up and decided to go to sleep. Bedtime tonight was a little more difficult - a little more than 2 hours later and a few spankings for jumping on the bed and he went to sleep.
Momma dropped Daddy off at his meeting on Thursday and then we went over to our hotel to check in. It was a really nice place with lots of water and ducks. It had a really cool pool too that I wanted to get in, but I never made it down there. Anyway, on Friday Memaw and Mister came over just to play with me for the weekend. It was wonderful!
Then Mister caught up to us and we walked by the arcade where there was a hunting game. We watched him play and I looked around at all the animals there were stuffed gators, and "cats" (bobcats), and "baas" (Momma said they were mountain goats, but they looked like sheep to me. Momma even saw some armadillos, but I was so busy looking around I must have missed it. I saw a new animal too, a possum. I just smiled and said yeah, every time Momma tried to get me to say what it was though.
Most days I play outside in the "un" (sun), there are lots of "leaf, ticks, and rac" (leaves, sticks, and rocks) to examine. I try to out do myself to see how "dirdir" (dirty) I can get before I take a bath and get "kean". After my bath I have to eat and then brush my "teef". Finally before heading to bed I have to dance some and wrestle with Daddy in the floor. It's hard work being a toddler.
So you see it's not that I forget all of you, it's just that I'm so busy and I don't like to sit still very long to type blogs. That's what Momma is for... when she's not busy trying to chase me down...
The above picture of Britt was taken March 5 of last year and the below picture of Ruth was taken yesterday. They look alot alike, the biggest difference to me is their eyes are shaped completely different.
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There were lots of interesting things to see on our way. We walked, well Momma and Daddy walked several blocks, I rode in my stroller in style. There was lots and lots of orange and blue. I didn't know what to think of all of it. We stopped by and visited Uncle Hank for a few minutes. They had the camper and were tailgating. 
When we actually got to the CALS meeting they had tons of things going on. They had lots and lots of BBQ and they had cake and tea too. It was wonderful. Some people talked while we ate, but I didn't really listen to them. Afterward, Daddy and I walked around and saw all the different Ag related booths. There was a wildlife conservation one with a little alligator. I knew what he was suppose to say, but he didn't say anything because they had his mouth taped shut. I did get to pet him though, and then I poked him in the eye. He didn't really seem to enjoy that. Next there was a bug booth, with a ginormous centipede. Daddy told me it was a "patpul" but I didn't believe him and I wouldn't touch that ugly thing. Daddy wouldn't touch it either, in fact he said he wouldn't squish it with his shoe, he said he needed a ten foot shovel to squish it with. It was really gross. Then we went and got Momma and Ruth and I showed her the pigs. They weren't very big, not like the pigs I've seen at Mister's house. Momma said that's because they were piglets. I liked to pet them in the box, but boy did they squeal when they were picked up.
