Goldfish family friends 

Goldfish Life Lesson

This week we all experienced a life lesson with Carly through our friends in the fish tank, the Goldfish family. Carly received a ten gallon tank and four goldfish for her birthday and we have all enjoyed watching them explore their new home. I think all have been named, so a personal attachment has begun with each fish. Hmm! Lesson time.

Well, as you have probably already figured out, Carly's first fish was found belly up on the surface of the water. We had a fish honoring burial, accompanied by many tears in the front yard. Then two days later, another fish said good-bye.

This gave us the opportunity to explain that all living things will eventually die, although I don't think this comforted Carly too much. Nevertheless, a valuable lesson learned through the mourning of our goldfish deaths. God can use many teachable moments to help our children learn valuable life lessons. The tank is full of fish again and we await the next lesson that is in store for all of us through our finny friends.

Transistor Radio Days

A couple of days ago I decided it was time to re-paint the front porch ceiling. One of my favorite things to do while at work is to listen to the radio. I pulled out our CD/radio boom box, plugged it in and to my suprise I was tuned in to the MLB playoffs. What a break!

Immediately this "old guy", as Damon affectionately calls me, was flooded with memories of sixth grade, the World Series and transistor radios. You see my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Lentine, would let us listen to the World Series during our morning and lunch recess. I couldn't wait to get my work done and listen to the game. Of course being an L.A. Dodger fan, Yankee- Dodger rivalries were most significant.

What happened to "transistor radio days"? Wow! I loved to recreate the plays in my mind as the announcer described them. Those days are gone now. Technology has brought the game visually right into our living room. It has also brought "unhealthy messages" via commercials to our minds. God calls us to renew our minds, Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:2

So, turn on your radios this week and enjoy the game through your ears. It may bring back some sweet memories.

Carly's six years old, big blow! Watch out! 

Birthday Blessings

This past week on Oct. 12 we all celebrated Carly's 6th birthday. She had some friends over, I conjured up some of my favorite P.E. games, Monique, Ellie and Carly decorated the house in pink, a kids special Mac and Cheese dinner was prepared, and of course a chocolate cake highlighted our fun together.

We received another blessing on Friday as Monique and Carly went to Childrens Hospital for diagnosis of Carly's seizures. The doctor feels that the seizures are influenced by Carly's overheating as well as her rapid growth spurts. I guess excessive body heat causes blood to flow away from the brain to outer body parts, resulting in less O2 supplied to Carly's brain. This can cause seizures in some people. Carly has really been growing too, in the 95 percentile in heighth and weight, and this can be a factor too.

Anyway, no medication needed for the seizures at this point. There will be one more test, an EEG just to completely check out her brain for any abnormalities. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR CARLY AND ALL OF US. YOU PRAYERS HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENING US IN THIS TIME. GOD IS FAITHFUL!

Answered Prayers

Thanks to all of you who have been faithfully praying for Carly and our family. Yesterday we took Carly to Childrens Hospital for an MRI, seeking the answer to the bump on the top of her head. The MRI revealed that the bump has been caused by the way Carly's skull has formed since birth. The skull bone has grown around a pocket of normal brain fluid. The fluid which normally spreads out evenly, filled in a small gap in Carly's brain, forming a pocket (technically called an arachnoid cyst) of fluid. About 1 out of 10 people have this condition. There is nothing to remove, no growth, no tumor! She is OK! Thanks be to God! What a huge relief for all of us. Carly has an appt. on Fri. Oct 15 to assess her seizures. She hasn't had a seizure in over a month, another answer to prayer. Your continued prayers are treasured!

Family Firsts by Ellie and Carly

Ellie and Carly share the highlights in October by giving us some family firsts. The pictures truly express a thousand words as the saying goes. Ellie scored the first goal of her budding soccer career after consulting with coach Tony during a timeout. Carly, who will turn six years old on Oct. 12, was very brave allowing Mom to get a grip on her tooth and pull it out. Ellie is examining the effort with a binocular zoom close up.

First career goal scored by Ellie following coach Tony's instructions.  

First front tooth pops out for Carly.