After Surgery Update

Well we are fully two months since Dominic's accident. Some days it is hard to believe it has gone so fast and others it is the opposite. But he is making great progress and for the first time today I watched as he walked without crutches!

He is still wearing his boot and will be for quite some time...but he is allowed to start walking on it a little.  The surgeon said that as he walks on it more the swelling should go down a little. And Dominic said it is pretty great having the freedom to walk again without having to use assistance.

They took some new x-rays on Wednesday when he saw the surgeon and it is pretty crazy to know that there are that many screws in such a small space.

This is the side view....

And the view from the back of his heel!  Pictures are coming through a little blurry but he has 10 screws total!

So I guess this means if we ever fly again he will be setting off some alarms as we go through security?! :)

We are so grateful for everyone who supported and encouraged us the past 2 months....things are so much better for him today than they were even a month ago. It is encouraging to see him walking a little again and I am confident that will continue to improve over time as well.

Embracing the Unique

Growing up I never wanted to be unique. I just wanted to fit in. You know be a part of the "in" crowd. But I always seemed to be on the outskirts of any popular crowd.  It was both frustrating and heartbreaking as a young girl.

I have shared the story before about 6th grade and not being invited to the biggest boy/girl party of the year. Even after I tried to impress the host with my ultra cool outfit....sigh.

I just didn't seem to fit in.

On Sunday our pastor preached about persecution and how even today Christians are being martyred for their faith. It is difficult for most of us to understand or fathom what that might mean. But he challenged us a little in saying that if we aren't receiving some push back, from our families, or friends or co-workers that maybe we are conforming too much to the patterns of this world.

For so many years "conforming" was my goal.  Now as a parent, and a more mature Christian I understand that conforming isn't the goal any longer. My goal should be to make an impact for Christ - even if that means standing out...being unique.

 Meet the newest collection from DaySpring.....U-neeks.  Made to celebrate the uniqueness in all children and they provide a great conversation starter for a child to share their faith.

I find myself in a struggle at times....wanting my children to be able to "fit in"...but yet wanting them to be a light for Christ as well.

Last night we went to a church picnic/baptism celebration. Several people committed or recommitted their lives to Christ and chose to be baptized as an expression of that commitment.  Gabriel has talked about being baptized for a year now...but he was just a little nervous to do it yesterday.

 But after watching everyone come forward he has already expressed that he can't wait to do it next year.  I am excited to see his faith grow...that he can trust God is with him at all times...even those times he feels nervous or scared.

 What a wonderful example he will be for his younger siblings.

 Each of these sweet U-neeks have a life verse....such a great idea. A short verse on a card attached to the character that the kids can memorize.... "I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way" Psalm 139:14 (NCV)

Just a little reminder for our young ones that they are unique and it should be embraced! God made us each in a very special way. We don't have to conform to the world, to be a part of the "in" crowd. We can make an impact right where we are - by shining the light of Jesus wherever we go.

Such a challenge even for this mama!!

But wait!! A special surprise for those of you who stuck with me throughout this post!! DaySpring has generously provided a full set of the U-neeks I was sent to review to give away to one of my readers!! YAY! And entering is easy....just leave a comment...any comment and you will be entered to win! Tell me how you encourage your kids to stand for Christ. Or share a story about how you struggled with wanting to fit in....whatever it is...1 comment gets you an entry! :)

The drawing will be closed on Monday August 27th!! Good luck friends!

Update: Congrats Sandy S! You are the winner of your very own U-neeks set from Dayspring! Watch for an e-mail from me with more details. :)

I was provided a set of U-neeks stuffed animals for free from DaySpring in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Fun day with family!

This weekend was Sounds of Summer in Marshall again. So my parents came up to visit and brought my niece Isabel with too!

We went out to the Rotary Club pancake feed and had Mickey Mouse pancakes and sausage patties! The kids loved that. And then we watched the little planes they had take off and land.

 Gabriel got to ride in the basket crane again. He was the last ride before they shut down!!

 Elijah and Isabel...they are both so adorable together.

 Here they are sitting in this power parachute thing.  It was pretty cool....like a little buggy with a parachute attached to it.

 The kids were wishing they could have had a ride! :)

 This is the best picture I could get of Karlena this morning....she was being a bit of a stinker!

 Gabriel "posing" by the only plane left out.

 And of course the two cousins saying cheese!

Then after some naps we headed down the block to see the parade.  Our friend Molly always lets us park in her front lawn. Thanks so much Molly we always feel like we have the best seats in the house!

 

 Elijah was ready with his bag to catch some candy!

 Even Karlena got in on the fun. She had so many tootsie rolls that hour we were surprised that she even wanted dinner later.

 Isabel really had a good time. She was collecting candy left and right!! And even shared it with her cousins!! She is such a good little girl!

 In one part of the parade there was this wooden car and it stalled right by where we were sitting so my dad jumped up and started helping push it....and even Isaac joined in the fun!

At one point my dad was waving and everything!! :) I still don't know if they got it started!

We had a great visit. It is always fun having people come and see us....so if you are ever in the area please give us a call!!

His Name in Lights!!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited and proud I am of my husband and the business that he has started. The road here was tough, as I have shared before, but God has been faithful in this journey and we are seeing the fruits of that little by little today.

Dominic's injury was another little setback - but again we have used this as a time to trust God even in the unknown and we have been provided for. He IS good - all the time!

On Friday the last "official" piece of his business was put in place. This was the part that took the longest and surprisingly was one of the most expensive "investments"....but now that it is installed, so well worth it....

This is the awning sign that was made for us. The "logo" is his to keep and we are incorporating it on all of his business items, letterhead, business cards etc.

The sign is huge - here is Gabriel standing next to it before it was installed....and take note of the blue background because that is where I came in... :)

I spent several hours this weekend painting the outside entryway a burgundy to match the color in the sign.  I am really happy with how it came out and it looks very fresh and new now. 

In addition to the awning we also ordered a smaller, lit sign to be the sign you can see from both directions from the street. 

 We were only able to do the name - but it is pretty cool to see his business name up in lights!!

Pretty cool if I do say so myself!!  We can't thank all of you enough for the prayers and encouragement and support that you have offered on our behalf.  Dominic has a very busy month ahead of him as he gets back into the swing of things after being laid up for several weeks. He and Isaac are even taking a road trip on Tuesday together  for a seminar so say a prayer about that too! :)