Prayers for Grandma Otis

It's been a week since the kids and I were last with Grandma. Upon my arrival to FL I called her to tell her we made it home safely, only to find out she was in the hospital. This past week has been a rough time for me wondering if I should return home to MI to be by her side to comfort her or if I should stay in FL so the kids can have more time with daddy (whom they dearly missed while we were in MI). I've felt the Lord asking me to honor my grandmother's request for me to stay here with my husband and children and to wait to be with the rest of the family.

I've had the privelege of talking to grandma nearly every day. Sometimes she can respond and sometimes family tells me she was nodding her head and trying to say okay through the oxygen mask.

Please pray for Grandma's strength, peace in her moments of rest, for her fevers to seize and for positive thoughts to be with her during this time. Please also pray for family who is with her and those who are not. They need strength, encouragement and peace from day to day.

The following scripture has been on my heart through the past week and I've had the opporunity to paraphrase it to grandma over the phone:

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/psalm23.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBoT_8AmoRM

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I love you Grandma!!!! Hugs and kisses from us! Enjoy the flowers we're sending today.

A friend came to pray with me and comfort me the other night. She gave me Psalms 91 to focus on. It says:

My Refuge and My Fortress
"1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say [1] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his pinions,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.5 You will not fear the terror of the night,nor the arrow that flies by day,6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.8 You will only look with your eyesand see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge [2]—10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning youto guard you in all your ways.12 On their hands they will bear you up,lest you strike your foot against a stone.13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;I will protect him, because he knows my name.15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble;I will rescue him and honor him.16 With long life I will satisfy himand show him my salvation.”

This evening I had a blessed opportunity to talk to grandma without her oxygen mask. She spoke to me and responded to my words. I told her I loved her and that when she closes her eyes I want her to imagine I'm holding her and rocking her and stroking her arm in comfort. I asked her to imagine I'm loving on her with a loving embrace. I wished her a peaceful rest each time she sleeps. I also told her we were flying back on Monday and that the kids have been making her cards and drawing her pictures.

Our Michigan Trip and Grandma Lounds' Passing

The kids and I had a terrific trip to MI inspite of grandma's passing. We were able to see family we haven't seen in a long time and try some new things like ice skating. Here are some pictures:

Kids pictured with Grandma OtisStory Time with OliviaAunt Gina gave the kids some flowers from Grandma Lounds' arrangement.Emily and Luke attended storytime in my old library while Grandma Otis and I worked on her heritage album. They made these sunflowers during storytime.The kids and I went to Jungle Java to play with Landon and Penda.Ice Skating with Pepper, Olivia, Penda and Landon!!!

Ice Cream at The Parlor in Jackson, MI. I used to visit here after my tennis matches in Jackson. It was great to return!

Luke's Growing Vocabulary

He's talking and talking and talking... and asking questions, telling jokes, playing the "Magician" game, and on and on. It's exhausting and laugh out loud funny all at the same time.

So, what's he saying? Here's a preview:

Mommy/Daddy, what's that?
Mommy, where's Daddy?
Mommy/Daddy, where'd it go?
Mommy/Daddy, where's bah bah?
Mommy, I love you.
Mommy/Daddy, where's dee dee?
I don't know.
I want down.
Candy
Cookie
Ball
Boy
Emmy (Emily)
Issy (Sissy)
Bubble
BahBah (Bottle/Sippy Cup, water/pool, etc.)
DeeDee (Train)
Uht Oh
No
Bad
More
Moo
Ready, Set, Go!!
Horray
Movie
Hat
Book
Oh!
Up
Down
Cheese
Bath
Egg
Pillow
Mine
Boo Boo
Okay

Sign Language:
Milk
Yes
Horray
More (improper)
Eat/Hungry (improper)
I love you (improper)
I'm sorry (improper)

Body Parts that He can Identify:
Nose
Hair
Eye
Mouth
Teeth
Toes
Ears
(he still gets mixed up on the shoulders, arms, legs, bottom, neck, etc.)

His favorite magic trick is to pick up items from around the house and toss them behind the couch or under the bed (assuming no one is looking). Then he will come to me and say, "Mommy, where'd it go?" Later he will tell me, "I don't know." When we find it, he can't stop giggling.

He's the most adorable little hugger ever! He runs to give us hugs (and even knocks us down sometimes from the force of his embrace). He then holds on to us hugging on and on and on... with a big smile. It's great.

Emily Receives Character Award - Diligence

Emily's teacher, Mrs. Nick, said the following in regards to Emily:

Emily is being recognized for the character quality, diligence, for her positive attitude towards learning. In K4, we have a number of different learning centers available each day. Some of the centers are fun, creative, play areas, but others, such as writing and phonics, require hard work and concentration to complete. Sometimes students will spend too long in the play areas and then rush through their work. Not Emily! We are pleased to say that Emily has developed a very positive attitude about hard work. She goes to the writing area first and works diligently, making sure her work is done correctly and thoroughly. Noisy students or invitations to play do not distract her from doing a good job. This year, Emily has provided her classmates with a wonderful example of diligence.
Her teachers chose Hebrews 13:21 for Emily: May the God of peace... equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

-As you can tell from the picture, she wouldn't smile while on stage... though once we could tell she was fighting it! :-) We love you Emily!!!

More Pix

Easter Morning (March 23rd):

Play date with friends:

Easter Egg Hunt... and lots of cookies!

Emily plays tennis!!! ~Pop-Pop Visits~

Well... let's set the stage.

It's been almost exactly 6 years since Angela (and Keith) last played tennis. In fact, that was the only time Angela and Keith played together. Angela didn't feel well each time she ran for a ball, so the game was short. Keith remembers it a little different. :-) Angela has missed playing ever since.

Two pregnancies and 6 years later, Emily and her little friend purchase their first tennis racket in preparation for their first lesson with Angela (A.K.A. Mommy). Only thing... Emily and Angela couldn't wait to start playing, so they went today to play. Emily's friend will have to wait for his lesson scheduled for Wednesday.
It was a blast. Emily had fun, hit several balls, and even gave mommy a lesson. Luke played the role of ball boy and had just as much fun as the girls.

All in all, it was great!

Pop Pop came to see us...

He and Daddy worked on Luke's Jolly Boat Rocker and we went to Carrabba's again :-)
Happy Birthday Pop Pop!!!