Pray With Me?

Yesterday was my birthday.  I turned 31 - YIKES!

I also read a blog that I have been following for some time.  I first read of this blog from Angie Smith who is the wife of singer Todd Smith from Selah (love them!).  A while back she linked to a friend who delivered a premie (almost a year ago now) (He is thriving thankfully) and I found that family's blog.  At one point, this friend posted about a little girl named Lucy.  I love that name so I clicked on the beautiful picture of this 5 year old girl.

AND I WAS HOOKED ON THIS FAMILY!

This little girl Lucy has had brain cancer and it went into remission and she was sent home.  They have just recently (like yesterday - my birthday) learned and shared that the Cancer is back and in full force.  They are now just waiting and praying as it appears to only be a matter of time before she leaves this Earth to her Heavenly Home.

I love the idea of Prayer Warriors.  I am one of them.  I co-hosted the blog Safe Haven for a while and still visit often to check up on a few Omaha families.  I feel a certain connection to them.

I know everyone is busy, and some of these stories are hard to read, but if you feel inclined, would you please pray with me.  As a woman, a teacher, a believer, A MOM.... I feel so strongly for these people who I don't even know.  Visit Lucy's family, Love up on them.  Go to SafeHaven (on my sidebar) and pick a family or two if you feel inclined.  These are AMAZING children who are going through a whole heck of a lot.  Their families and siblings and relatives need to know that there are people out there who are praying and caring.

Thanks for reading - I know that some think this is an obsession or a cause to create worry within me, but I cannot help but check in on these families.  It is a stronger power calling me to read, check up and pray for them.  I think of the children often as I go about my day, especially the school age ones or the ones about the same age as my own children.  I know that if I am ever placed in a similar situation, I would want a team of warriors behind me, us, my family.  That is why I care, I read and I pray.

There is much to be thankful for.... Praise the Lord!
"God works for the good of those who love him" Romans 8:28

Sincerely - 

Katie

First "Real" Trip to the Dentist

Waiting in the Waiting Room

Bubble Guppies - Tooth on the Looth
Isaac was an instant fan - This place is the coolest! 

Watching her every move.  He had to get X-Rays and did fabulous! 

Laying back in the chair. 

Letting her brush his teeth

Using the cool Mini-Mirror to count his teeth.

FLUORIDE!!!

Trying to help her count to 20.
He got Kudos for doing better than both his big brothers! 

Spitting it all out after the fluoride treatment

See Mom - All Clean!

Checking out the goodie bag - new toothbrush, floss, a slinkie and a pinwheel! 

The Preschooler

Yep - This lil' man is a preschooler now.  

Age 3 and ready to conquer the world

or at least the swimming pool anyway. 

He wrapped up the year with his first real round of swimming lessons. 

Showing me how you walk and sit on the edge of the pool - because as he says...

"There is ABSOLUTELY no running."

Getting the whole face wet - not the hair but he's getting there.

Kick Kick Kicking by the wall

Laying on his back for a bit of kicking there

These next few pics are in order.

There is a ring under the water that he has to try to grab...

looking for it

going to get it

almost there

total submersion!

Goofy Boy - Always smiling! 

Jumping in

He jumped right on to Level 2! 

4 weeks 2x a week and my lil' guy is on his way to level 2. 

Woohoo!

We start the next lessons tonight and go straight through til the 4th of July now.  

That also includes a week of doubled up lessons.... 

He's a fish - He loves the water! 

The Middle School-er

Shawn Graduate Elementary School - 6th Grade on Tuesday Last Week

*** Back Story***

Chad has shoulder surgery on Monday so he was unable to drive to the graduation.  He was on some GOOD stuff!  Anyway, We told Shawn that we would try our best but that we might not make it.  If I couldn't get off work, then he would just have to go on without us, but we would try our very best to be there.  

He searched and searched the gym.  By the time we got there it was full, so we stood off to the side and eventually grabbed a couple extra chairs.  Shawn was unable to find us so he walked in to the gym looking very glum. 

It was priceless however, to see the smile on his face when he finally found us a short bit later. 

Made all the stress of getting there (and getting Chad there) worth it. 

Not sure who is happier he got that certificate
The teacher,
Shawn
or
US!!!

Shawn got recognized for many activities and awards

Safety Patrol

Band

Honor Roll

(to name a few)

Congratulations Shawn!  

The High School-er

Chris has finished his 2 years of Middle School. 

He went out with a bang... mostly in good ways so let's focus on that! 

The first weekend of May was Chris' Confirmation. 

He celebrated and professed his faith in front of the confirmation, reaffirming his baptism. 

Pastor Z and Pastor B

The whole group of confirmands - (I was confirmed in a group of 2 - big difference!) 

Chris also had his last band concert.  

He plays the barisaxiphone. 

I cannot believe that we have a child in High School.... a Freshman! 

Lesson in Parenting - Life goes fast....really fast.....SOAK IT UP!!!

What We've Learned in Swim Lessons (So Far)

How to blow bubbles.

How to Put Eyes under water.

How NOT to inhale water.

Isaac's been in swimming lessons for 2 weeks now.

He is having a blast. 

He has learned to sit by the side and review safety around water. 

Slide into the pool safely.

Splash - He is good at this one! 

Get his arms wet and use his hands to get face and hair wet. 

The one thing he has been working so hard on is exhaling under water and not inhaling a lung full of chlorinated water. 

We have been practicing in the bathtub. 

He is making lots of progress..... 

Check It Out! 

Conference Track Meet

Chris raHJen in the conference track meet last Saturday (May 5).

Although he did not medal, he got a personal best. 

He ran his mile at 6 minutes 1 second or 6 minutes 2 seconds....

He ran the mile in 5 minutes and 57 seconds!  

Talk about a happy guy!

We even found Sean Ramirez in the crowd.

These two ran in sync for the longest time.
(AND) I love the hair in this picture!!!

Yeah - He totally "gets" girls now ....
Too bad they don't stay yucky forever! 

Cheering Section!