SO glad to have daddy home!

Doug and his brother went to California last weekend for the NASCAR race (yes, I was a bit jealous... but he brought me home treats, so its all good!). Due to crazy weather and a race delay, he ended up staying another night, then went straight to work when he got back yesterday. So Evelyn didn't get to see him for almost 4 days. It wasn't quite the reunion we thought it might be... she looked at him curiously and then wanted me to hold her. That's it. As much as she was saying "da da" and looking all over the house for him when he was gone, I know she missed him and was glad to have him home. I am glad he is home, too.

I am so thankful for my husband, and I am thankful he is Evelyn's daddy!


My two favorites!!
I think this is so cute! I love her hat... thanks Kori!

Here is a random picture from the park today. She is definitely going to be an outdoorsy girl!

My smart girl and basketball

Another beautiful day for Evelyn and I to head to the park! She always has loved being outside and liked the park. But now that she is mobile and outside (she has walked since December... but not outside!), it is SO much fun to watch her go and explore. She still likes the swing, as you can see!



Anyhoo... to the smart part. In the park there is a basketball court. Yesterday there were kids playing and Evelyn kept pointing to them. I kept saying the word basketball, and she would just smile. Today, same scenario. I told her kids were playing basketball. To which she replied with a huge smile: "bakaba!"

Yes, friends, she said basketball. I really think she did. She is just so pickin' smart! .... or maybe I just love her so much and am such a proud momma!

Good thing we have a hoop in the driveway!

Looking forward to more sunshine.....

Oh, and Aunt Bobbie... I LOVED chatting with you today. Thanks for loving me so much, you're the best! We'll get up north to see you soon! XO

She sleeps...

.. without a helmet!! I still can't believe it!! Now if she could just figure out how to sleep ALL night or at least sleep past 6am... that would be swell! :)


Like I say sometimes... good thing she's cute! ;)

Counting my blessings today... don't forget to count yours!!

Helmet Update #8... WE'RE DONE... FOR GOOD!

I can finally say it.... WE ARE DONE!! Randall measured Evelyn very thoroughly today at our appointment and, in his words,"I can't get her head any more perfect than it is now"! So, now begins the task of getting used to NOT putting it on. I like that!!

Almost 7 months ago (pre-blogger) I sent this email out to those who knew of Evelyn's situation.

Our baby girl gets her helmet Thursday afternoon. To be honest, both Doug and I are having a hard time with it. I think we both were fine until the call today saying the helmet was ready. We know it is the BEST thing for Evelyn, but we just wish we didn't have to do it. As my mother-in-law likes to say... it's hard to be a grown-up sometimes, no matter how old you are!!!

Steve Halliday's message at church Sunday was so great for Doug and I to hear, as worry has been acutely present in this situation. We know we need to lay this journey... the whole thing....at the Lord's feet. We are promised that he will honor that and take care of things. We have a beautiful, healthy daughter. In the scheme of things, this is do-able.

Would you please keep us in your prayers, especially on Thursday? We really are prayerful that our sweet Evelyn tolerates the helmet and adjusts quickly. We are hopeful that this adventure will be short and that it will be effective in correcting her head. Doug and I need strength and courage. We need to put away our pride and not worry about what people who see her in her helmet think or say. As I said earlier, she will respond to it similar to how we do. So we don't want to make a big deal about it around her, even if it IS a big deal to us.

Thank you, friends. Blessings to you and yours.... Steph

What a journey the Lord has led us on since!

In Exodus, it tells the story about the Israelites battling the Amalekites in the desert. Moses was up on a mountain top overlooking the battle. When his arms were raised, Joshua and his army were winning. When he had to put his arms down, the army would start to be defeated. Aaron and Hur, to help, would hold Moses' arms up, and found a stone for him to sit on when he grew tired. "..so Joshua defeated the Amalekites with the sword"

YOU, our family, friends, and church family, have been Aaron and Hur to us during this time. As has the grace and love of Jesus. We truly have felt so supported and loved. We are so thankful to the MANY people who were actively praying for us. We so appreciate the many people who were constantly telling us how cute Evelyn was in her helmet (and wasn't she? ;>) and asking us how she was progressing. This lightened our burden and gave us strength... and it blessed our socks off!

And now we are done. Simple as that. YAAHHOOOO! Now we can look forward to more challenges ahead with Evelyn (they never will end, from what I understand!). But we can look ahead, lay the future at the Lords feet and "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we many receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"( Heb 4:16)

Of course, that is easier said than done. But for today, I am basking in God's love and mercy... and cherishing kissing my sweet Evelyn's head... ANYTIME I WANT!!

Many, many blessings to you and yours... thanks again!!

Apparently I look like a grandma....

Doug, Evelyn and I went out for a walk in the sunshine this afternoon. It was so nice outside! We passed an older lady on the street. We made some small talk. She asked about Evelyn. Then this came out of her mouth:

"So... she's your granddaughter?"

HUH???

To make it worse... today is my birthday! I already am feeling old. Now I guess I am looking old, too!

Happy birthday to me!

(ok... really I had a nice day... this just wasn't a high point!)

Like mother, like daughter

In the morning I like to read the newspaper and drink a cup of coffee while Evelyn plays. If I can't for some reason, I try to skim over the paper and drink some coffee while I am feeding Evelyn breakfast.

This is what she wanted to do this morning in between eating.....


Yep, she is reading the Fisher Price catalog. Very intently, I might add. It was pretty funny. She loves her "Little People" stuff and apparently she was shopping for more!!

Don't worry.... I didn't give her coffee to go along with her reading!

Make it a great day!

Remembering John

John King Brennan 1981-2002

One of the most amazing young men I have ever met, John was. He waged a battle against cancer like many would not choose to do. He laughed in the face of doctors who told him he shouldn't still be alive. Despite losing a leg, he was determined to keep his body in shape like the competitive athlete he once was. He had a faith that was unbreakable. He was brilliant, wise beyond his years. He was stubborn, too. I loved that about him. He talked straight, and expected to be talked to straight as well. He loved his family and his life passionately. He loved me, too, one of "his" nurses who would fight over who would get to take care of him when he was in the hospital.

In the course of our 4 year "relationship", he became one of a few patients that I let my "personal boundaries" go by the wayside and have no regrets about it. I cared for John during the worst points of his disease. I also saw him shine brightly, showing off his newest leg prosthetic, travelling around the world with his mom, and dancing at my wedding, in remission and feeling good. We had many talks at his bedside, on the phone, and via email that I will always remember and cherish.

John left this earth 6 years ago today at the young age of 21. It was an honor to be there with him and his family on that Thursday morning. I remember him fondly today and everyday. I still keep in touch with his family, who I love dearly.

Thank you for trusting me to take care of you, John. Thank you for the lessons you taught me, some I'm sure I don't even know yet. It was a priviledge to be your nurse, and a true blessing to be your friend.

Rest in peace, friend.....

It must have been the lucky shirt...

So the Giants won the Super Bowl... UNBELIEVABLE!! I have to admit I am a pretty solid Patriot fan but really thought it would be cool if New York pulled off the upset. Personally I thought the game was a sleeper until the last 5 minutes or so.

Evelyn had fun watching the game with us and Jody. She had on a special onesie for the game. Evelyn's friend Juilet (she is 2 months older than E) received it as a gift, but has a Reebok logo on it, and Juliet's daddy works at Nike. So it was given to us.. before the Giants were even thought about as SB contenders. It worked out perfect for the game. Thanks, Yoo's!

Here's the shirt:

Here she is blowing a kiss to daddy... so sweet!

Got water, got chips, I am SET!!!


TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!!!



...it must have been the lucky shirt!!