Olive

Lynette posted yesterday.

5th Birthday

With family living all over the world, we generally remember one another's birthdays from afar. Tyler enjoyed opening presents from his Grandparents early. He received gifts in the mail from Rachel & Hollins and Lynette & Rusty and cards from his Great-Grandparents. He really loved receiving mail just for him, and the anticipation of waiting to open those mystery packages. (We had him wait to open Lynette & Rusty's present until his actual birthday - when I got home from work that day, he was standing at the stairs waiting for me and holding their package).

On his actual birthday, the 6th, he and Wayne spent a few hours at All Star Sports where they played arcade games and rode on go-carts. In the evening, we let him pick where he wanted to eat, and he chose Pei Wei.

This is the first year that he has really anticipated his birthday and he was so thrilled to turn 5 - he thinks he is really a big boy now! In fact, this week, he put on pajamas and asked whether he looked like a "baby" in them. He said, "I wore these when I was 4. Do they make me look like a baby?!"

Last night, we enjoyed having a few family friends over for a birthday party. We had planned a picnic at the park. But with temperatures topping out in the lower 40's, we opted to stay in. The kids did a great job of entertaining themselves.

We played a couple of party games.

And finally, blowing out his candles.

Happy birthday, Tyler!

Pepper Harvest

Wayne harvested the rest of our peppers this week and took some pictures. It's a good thing he got them in, since our temperatures have really dropped this weekend!

Jalapeno peppers

Habanero peppers

Thai chili peppers

He has made chili paste, hot pepper flakes and pickled peppers so far.

Stuckey Weekend

A couple weeks ago, the last weekend in September, Hollins and Rachel visited. Here are a few pictures from our time together.

Rachel and Tyler

Grandpa Ted and Tyler putting a puzzle together.

Tyler opening his gift from Grandpa Stuckeys

Pirate Legos

Our annual family picture.

Tyler's present from Hollins and Rachel that arrived in the mail this week.

Fireman Legos

Olive

Mom posted a few updates on her blog from their time in Thailand.

Lynette posted about their day.

Olive

Lynette posted some photos and an update on her blog. Medical decisions about the present and future continue to be difficult as they continue on this medical and emotional roller coaster.

Olive

Follow this link for Mom's update on Olive. I believe Mom and Dad fly back to the states tomorrow morning (our time). I'm so glad that Rusty's sister, Stacia, and perhaps his mother are planning to fly to Thailand for a visit next.

School is not about fashion

Tyler tonight:


Tyler: "School is not about fashion."

Me: "School is not about fashion?"

Tyler: "Yes, school is not about fashion. It doesn't matter what you wear. School is about learning and taking turns."

Me: "Where did you hear that? TV...school?"

Tyler: "No, I just thought about it."

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So, later I just had to follow up...

Me: "Tyler, what is fashion?"

Tyler: "Hmmm... Let me explain it.
It's clothes that are pretty...and stylish."

Me: "Are you sure you didn't hear that somewhere?"

Tyler: "I think Ms. Juli my teacher said that...I'm not sure, it could be my imagination."


Yeah...I'm pretty sure Ms. Juli said that. :)

Update on Olive

Mom's FB update at 10:30ish am central time:


Baby Olive had a quiet peaceful day. We cried with the neurosurgeon and neonatal Doctor in a meeting in all Thai Language. Lynette was our interpreter. Olive is back on colostrum and we decided to give her more touch. We also asked Lynette to take a much needed rest. Tonight she held Olive against her skin before she went home for the night.

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And a poem Lynette posted:

Like The Water by Wendell Berry

Like the water
of a deep stream,
love is always too much.
We did not make it.
Though we drink till we burst,
we cannot have it all,
or want it all.
In its abundance
it survives our thirst.

In the evening we come down to the shore
to drink our fill,
and sleep,
while it flows
through the regions of the dark.
It does not hold us,
except we keep returning to its rich waters
thirsty.
We enter,
willing to die,
into the commonwealth of its joy.


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Here I am, crying again. Feeling emotional. For hurts that I cannot heal, problems that I cannot fix. Lynette was 3 weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy, both of us with girls. I can't put into words how I feel - the guilt I have for still being pregnant, knowing that my dear sister is hurting, and needing to be so strong, and just the heartbreak of it all.

Even people who don't know Lynette and Rusty have expressed their love, have been praying and showing incredible care and concern... and I think we are connected by our understanding of the intensity of the love between a parent and a child that begins even before their birth, and is amplified the minute we hold them in our arms. I have been so touched by the outpouring of love and support.

Olive Hope

Lynette updated her blog - with pictures, an update on Olive, and a discouraging update on their insurance coverage. Please continue to pray.