We're having such an excellent Thanksgiving week that I don't have any time to post much except to say...
From now until Christmas Day, purchase select Christmas Movies from CVS to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Learn more Here! I will totally be getting a copy of The Grinch ASAP!!!
Nate
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Life Of Thanksgiving
I'm stealing this idea from a friend because it's something I need in my life right now.
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites...food, football, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give authentic thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday that a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for.
What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes, for providing covering.” When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” If every time next week I see a person, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life.
So, starting this Monday morning and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving.
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(Ephesians 5:4 ESV)
Anytime I'm tempted to think/say/do something negative (filthy, foolish, crude or otherwise unthankfull), I will instead choose, in that very moment, to give thanks to God for His blessing in my life.
If you'd like to join me, please leave a comment saying so AND repost this (in our own words, if you'd like...no need to link me) on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and challenge your friends to do the same. Even if you're not reading this until after Monday morning, it's never too late to take up a good challenge. And, keep in mind that nobody who takes this challenge is going to make it an entire week without missing the mark...so, when that happens to you, just pick yourself back up and start again!
Thanks!
Nate
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites...food, football, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give authentic thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday that a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for.
What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes, for providing covering.” When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” If every time next week I see a person, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life.
So, starting this Monday morning and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving.
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(Ephesians 5:4 ESV)
Anytime I'm tempted to think/say/do something negative (filthy, foolish, crude or otherwise unthankfull), I will instead choose, in that very moment, to give thanks to God for His blessing in my life.
If you'd like to join me, please leave a comment saying so AND repost this (in our own words, if you'd like...no need to link me) on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and challenge your friends to do the same. Even if you're not reading this until after Monday morning, it's never too late to take up a good challenge. And, keep in mind that nobody who takes this challenge is going to make it an entire week without missing the mark...so, when that happens to you, just pick yourself back up and start again!
Thanks!
Nate
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Look Familiar?
Our story was featured on the CFF's online newsletter. Check it out Here, and feel free to sign up to receive email updates from the CFF!
Nate
Nate
Gwyneth Update
Gwyneth had two appointments at Duke this week...the first on Tuesday with her special infant care doctor, the second was with her pulmonologist on Wednesday. The short of it is that everyone was incredibly happy with her progress.
We had been a little concerned the past several months that Gwyneth had only gained about 1 1/2 lb. since about June, but it turns out that the reason is she's also grown about about 4 inches during that time...she's now 30 inches tall!
She also had a psych/development exam...the doctor reports that her development is kind of all over the place. She is very advanced for her age in some areas, and very delayed in others, which means, she averages out to about your normal 22 month old. The biggest "issue" the doctor observed is that Gwyneth knows in her head how to do things, but she's having trouble communicating that to the rest of her body (walking, for example)...but, that will come with time and is nothing to be concerned about.
It is very obvious that the glasses and ear tubes have helped her tremendously, as we're seeing her learn and discover new things more quickly. We're very excited to see what the next big step for her will be!
Nate
We had been a little concerned the past several months that Gwyneth had only gained about 1 1/2 lb. since about June, but it turns out that the reason is she's also grown about about 4 inches during that time...she's now 30 inches tall!
She also had a psych/development exam...the doctor reports that her development is kind of all over the place. She is very advanced for her age in some areas, and very delayed in others, which means, she averages out to about your normal 22 month old. The biggest "issue" the doctor observed is that Gwyneth knows in her head how to do things, but she's having trouble communicating that to the rest of her body (walking, for example)...but, that will come with time and is nothing to be concerned about.
It is very obvious that the glasses and ear tubes have helped her tremendously, as we're seeing her learn and discover new things more quickly. We're very excited to see what the next big step for her will be!
Nate
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Lung Infection?
In case you haven't been following me on Twitter or Facebook the past few days...Tricia was admitted into the hospital on Tuesday evening. An x-ray during her oncology appointment on Tuesday showed something in her lungs...fortunately, he doesn't believe it is lymphoma...it may be a fungal lung infection.
Tricia has been coughing for a few weeks, so we figured something was going on. She hasn't been feeling bad, just a little more tired than usual, and a visit last week to the local ER didn't show anything. But, last night, after 24 hours in the hospital and a bronchoscopy that morning, she had a fever of 103. She is feeling better this morning. We are waiting for results from blood work and biopsies to determine what the problem is. They have started her on IV antibiotics.
Because she will probably be at Duke through the weekend, Gwyneth and I returned home ysterday afternoon. We'll wait for the call to go back and bring Tricia home.
Thanks for your prayers for Tricia this week. I'll update more when I can, and give you an update on Gwyneth's appointments later.
Nate
Tricia has been coughing for a few weeks, so we figured something was going on. She hasn't been feeling bad, just a little more tired than usual, and a visit last week to the local ER didn't show anything. But, last night, after 24 hours in the hospital and a bronchoscopy that morning, she had a fever of 103. She is feeling better this morning. We are waiting for results from blood work and biopsies to determine what the problem is. They have started her on IV antibiotics.
Because she will probably be at Duke through the weekend, Gwyneth and I returned home ysterday afternoon. We'll wait for the call to go back and bring Tricia home.
Thanks for your prayers for Tricia this week. I'll update more when I can, and give you an update on Gwyneth's appointments later.
Nate
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Duke Trip
Tricia and I, along with this beautiful little girl, are traveling to Duke this evening, and then back home on Wednesday afternoon. Both Tricia and Gwyneth have their usual appointments, and we're praying for nothing but good reports. I'm committed to not checking personal email, facebook, twitter or anything else on our trip (although, I may have scheduled a blog post to hit sometime tomorrow...) so that we can make the most of our time together, so, I'll see you on the flip side.
Thanks!
Nate
Thanks!Nate
Monday, November 9, 2009
Lego Your Organs!
Thanks to Alice and Eva for this!
And, while I've got your attention, check out This Story of a young CF mother waiting for her double lung transplant...we're not the only ones with a powerful story to tell!
Nate
And, while I've got your attention, check out This Story of a young CF mother waiting for her double lung transplant...we're not the only ones with a powerful story to tell!
Nate
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wouldn't You Know
I think stuff like this is extremely, strangely interesting...
So, this morning I says to Tricia "Tricia, do you remember those photos we took of ourselves at the pier last fall?" "Yes." says she. "Those photos were sweet...I'd like to go out and do something like that again this afternoon since the weather's so nice for this time of year." says I.
After we got back home tonight, I thought I'd look up the photos that I had been thinking of from last year (Click Here to check out that post)...wouldn't you know, it was exactly a year ago, to the day? And, wouldn't you know, upon further review, it was exactly 10,000 photos ago (those who own a Canon know that the camera cycles through 10,000 numbered photos). And, wouldn't you know, how much AND how little things change in a year...
2009
Nate
So, this morning I says to Tricia "Tricia, do you remember those photos we took of ourselves at the pier last fall?" "Yes." says she. "Those photos were sweet...I'd like to go out and do something like that again this afternoon since the weather's so nice for this time of year." says I.
After we got back home tonight, I thought I'd look up the photos that I had been thinking of from last year (Click Here to check out that post)...wouldn't you know, it was exactly a year ago, to the day? And, wouldn't you know, upon further review, it was exactly 10,000 photos ago (those who own a Canon know that the camera cycles through 10,000 numbered photos). And, wouldn't you know, how much AND how little things change in a year...
2008
2009
Nate
Thursday, November 5, 2009
New Glasses (Part 2b)!
Here are a few more photos of Gwyneth with her new glasses. Because these are more easily breakable, and because she'll have an easier time pulling these off, I'm guessing this pair will be her back-ups.
Nate
Nate
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Poor Meka
With a little girl in the house now, I'm pretty certain this will not be the last time Meka will have to suffer through something like this...
Better you than me, Meka.
Nate
Better you than me, Meka.
Nate
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
New Glasses (Part 2)!
Heading to bed, but I thought I'd show you a pic of Gwyneth with her newest pair of glasses (never a bad idea to have two pair).
Nate
Nate
Sunday, November 1, 2009
TRUNKorTREAT 09!
I LOVE TRUNKorTREAT! I usually have my theme picked out months (if not an entire year) in advance. This was our second ToT as a family of three, and since I chose last year's theme (See Here), Tricia chose this year's. We had lot's of fun putting together our costumes (thanks to Erika for help with Tricia's, and to my mom for creating my coat). This was most definitely the warmest Halloween ever, with temps close to 70 at 6pm...compared to last year when it was pretty chilly.
We estimate that nearly 3000 people came through in two hours, enjoying the trunks, huge moon bounces, tons of free food, and some awesome carnival games. Here are a few photos of some of our friends...
This is my mom...she actually dresses like this most days, so you can't really consider it a "costume"...
My dad, the sad buccaneer...
Gwyneth had a lot of fun watching people and trying to sneak candy.
I'm not ashamed to say that this is not the first time I've worn makeup...
Tricia made a great Pan!
We were tired, and I was hot and sweaty by the end of the night, but it was totally worth it!
Nate
We estimate that nearly 3000 people came through in two hours, enjoying the trunks, huge moon bounces, tons of free food, and some awesome carnival games. Here are a few photos of some of our friends...
This is my mom...she actually dresses like this most days, so you can't really consider it a "costume"...
My dad, the sad buccaneer...
Gwyneth had a lot of fun watching people and trying to sneak candy.
I'm not ashamed to say that this is not the first time I've worn makeup...
Tricia made a great Pan!
We were tired, and I was hot and sweaty by the end of the night, but it was totally worth it!
Nate