A decade...really?

Yesterday was Alli and I's 10th anniversary!!! We had a wonderful day of shopping for Anya (Old Navy has great deals on baby clothes), went to our favorite mexican resteraunt, and came home and spent the evening with the girls at home. I will have to say it was probably the best annivesary we have had, no big romantic dinner, no weekend getaway, just some much needed family time. We both enjoyed it more than anything we have done in the past.

Anya was in and out of the hospital when Fireproof came out and when our church showed the movie Anya had just gotten out of the hospital and I stayed home that evening. I didn't want to watch it without Alli. Well we watched the movie for the first time last night and it was amazing! A bit uncomfortable at times, but great movie none the less. Our marriage was almost identical to the movie not long ago. We always blamed the other one for the problems we were having. I will have to say after watching the movie last night, I have been a major jerk to my wife and at times to my kids. It really opened my eyes to my own mistakes and definitely to my selfishness. I awake this morning with a freshness in my marriage. Alli, I am sorry for every hurtful word and action, and I thank God for your forgiveness and numerous second chances. I love you more than words can say!! Your my lobster!!!

Blue Eyes, Allergies, and Academic Rewards

Anya's eye appt. on the 22nd went great. In 4 weeks time she has 50% better eye movement than before. We now only have to patch an hour a day and go back in 8 weeks to check her progress. Thank you to everyone for the prayers!

Spina Bifida babies are prone to have an allergic reaction to latex. We found out thursday that she in fact has the allergy. Her occupational therapist was here for her weekly appt. Normally she lays on a blanket, this time she was laid on the carpet. Most carpeting is full of latex and she was broke out from head to toe. It was horrible how fast and how bad it looked. Needless to say Daddy gets to rip the carpet up and put in hardwood flooring! She has had allergic reactions to it before and we and her pediatrician thought it was eczema. Looking back everything makes sense now but it doesn't feel good knowing that you caused your baby to have an allergic reaction to something that could have been avoided.

Chloe has just completed the first grade. She received awards for math, english, spelling, and reading. The students were supposed to read 25 books for the school year and Chloe read over a hundred! She received a trophy for her book reading and on the Stanford test she reads better than 94% of first graders nationwide and her math scores are 75% better! i am so proud of her! Chloe was also a preemie and we were told by the doctors that she would probably have a hard time in school, well my God is bigger than anything the doctors have to say and we have the test scores to prove it! She is about to turn 7 in a couple of weeks and I can't believe how fast they grow up. Makes you appreciate all the little moments that you spend with them! Until next time...

A little update...

Wow it's been a month and a half since my last blog so to get everyone caught up we are doing great. Anya had an eye appt. a few weeks ago and her eyes don't seem to be working together. We have had to patch her eyed alternating for 2 hours a day and she goes back the 22nd to find out if that is going to work or they may end up having to do surgery. Please pray for my little pirate to not have to have another surgery, I'm not sure her Mama could take another one. She has been through so much and is a little fighter. She said her first word last week which was Mama. I teased Alli about it saying it didn't count because she was the only one to hear it but needless to say she said it again while I was home and couldn't deny it!!! Chloe said Dada first so I guess it's only fair that Anya said Mama first. Until next time...

Home Sweet Home!

Chloe and I left the house this morning to in the blowing snow to drive the hour to Oklahoma City to wait out the day in the hospital room until they discharged Anya. We had made plans for a father daughter breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I was really looking forward to some grits but Allison called and changed our plans. She was being discharged right before we pulled into Cracker Barrel. We made a run through McDonalds which was less than appetizing but fast. We got to the hospital and picked Allison and Anya up with their things and headed home. Thank you Jesus that we didn't have to sit around all day waiting for the doctors to release her. We are home and enjoying the day spending some time together just the 4 of us. Thanks to everyone for the prayers, phone call, emails and messages. We are truly blessed!

Thank you Jesus!!!

Anya had her surgery today and it went great. She is already smiling and playing with toys and doesn't appear to be in any kind of pain. The valve part of the shunt had malfunctioned and that was the only part that had to be replaced. The neurosurgeon said it took longer to knock her out and wake her up then the actual surgery itself. She get to come home tomorrow afternoon. Allison is staying at the hospital tonight with her and I am home with Chloe. Thanks to everyone for yoyr prayers, emails, and text messages. It means alot!

Here we go again...

Anya is doing awesome however her shunt is not working like it should be. Allison went to the neurosurgeon appt today and her head size has grown by 2 cm in 2 weeks. They have her scheduled for the morning to go in and unclog the shunt. Right now they don't see any need to replace the whole thing just find out why it's clogged and take care of it. Please be praying for my baby girl and my wife, she is having a really hard time with everything and the stress is starting to get to her. We are just believing that the doctors can fix the problem and be done with it this time. Anya will be 7 months old Saturday and this will be her 6th surgery. I will update everyone after the procedure tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers!

Anya's First Night

Anya spent the first night in her baby bed last night. She is getting so big and doing wonderfully. Thank you Jesus!!