Engaged

My brother in law Lee wrote this song. He mentions in the 3rd verse about a boy selling his favorite toy (my convertible) and buying a diamond ring with it. My mom and dad bought a 1969 Buick Electra Convertible new and gave it to me at 16/17. We worked on it, painted it, etc. But finally traded up.

Patty and I have been married for over 9 years, we were together for 3 before that. We have never broken up, separated, etc. For 12 years it has been US and it has been great! We have had plenty of challenges...

- When we were first married , I was paid $500/month and the electric bill in the house we were living was $400

- Going through school, I was in for 3.5 years solid after we were married

and the biggest, Abby - 188 days in the NICU. There is still not a day that goes by that we don't hurt for her. What can she understand? Why is she upset so much of the time?

Going through life with Patty has/is a pleasing and "good" thing.

Workouts Week #7

Swim: 13,400 yards

Pullups: 250

Pushups: 500

Situps: 500

We had Josiah's 4th birthday party with our family in Oak Ridge, TN last weekend. Patty an I got him a spiderman scooter with a matching helmet and kneepads. We made the mistake of wrapping them in an old diaper box. You see J has worked very hard to get out of diapers, he stopped completely on his 3rd birthday and has done excellent. But when he opened his gift what he saw was a diaper box. Well, we bruised his spirit and embarrassed him in front of a lot of people. Josiah is a great kid, he helps out with Abby and Levi much during the day, cleans up his toys, changes clothes, is completely clear spoken and intelligent in his conversations. When he was 18 months he could sign over 150 signs. So, Josiah I am sorry for embarrassing you, it will not be the last, but I promise I will NEVER do it on purpose! I love you buddy.

Workouts Week #6

Swim: 17,000 yrds

Pullups: 300

Pushups: 600

Situps: 600

We went to OR this weekend to visit the babysitters (grandma and papa) and the aunts/uncles. It is definitely challenging to get the yards in at the pool. My goal is >20,000 a week and I have yet to accomplish that. Right now I am getting up at 4:19AM, why that specific time? Well the morning is the nector of all sleep and I know if I get up at that time I can leave the house by 4:26AM and get to the pool a few minutes early. In other words I am trying to sleep as much in the morning as possible, however it is a different set of rules for bedtime. How to explain that?!?

Workouts Week #5

Swim: 11,400 yards

Pullups: 250

Pushups: 500

Situps: 500

Why am I blogging about working out every week? Well, two reasons... 1st: I am competing in a 4.5 mile swimming race in June, 2nd: You see Abby is in a wheel chair and will always need someone to lift her into the bed, bath, car, pool, etc. If I cannot do it then who will. It has been suggested by a few that we should send her away to a special school where someone can take care of her. She will NEVER leave us as long as we are able.

Patty has started doing this also (though not preparing for a open water swim), this week she did 12 pullups (no jumping, but from a dead hang), 60 pushups and 180 situps!

Levi discovered yogurt today, although not by our decision.

Workouts Week #4

Swim: 11,000 yards

Pullups: 150

Pushups: 300

Situps: 300

For about the past two years until a month ago, Patty and I have been stressed, exasperated, and just felt beat-up most of the time. It all has to do with Abby, she would bite her fingers all day coupled with non-stop moaning. There are times when we woke her up in the morning to find dried blood from bleeding fingers. We do not know why she did it so much, was it seizures, reflux, her gut, brain damage, pain, frustration from lack of communication, etc. I could list at least 30 possibilities of why she might do it.

So for the past few years we prayed, it did not matter where or when. We did pray for our little girl to be content at the least. I recall once when we were at Target and she was really going at it, we just stopped and intervened for her right there. Well, God heard and answered our prayers... she stopped for the rest of the day.

I don't really know why she stopped a month ago, was it the 40 minute seizure she had or, my hope it that the Lord has intervened. Whatever the reason, our family has had a bit less stress and Lord has received the glory.