Update

Erik had the procedure done on his lung this morning. Everything went well and we are home and he is sleeping. The doctor is hopeful he was able to get to the correct spot and get several biopsies. I guess in the lung you have to go in sort of blind (only guided by the CAT scan image previously taken). We hope to get the results this Friday. We'd love your prayers that biopsies come back with conclusive data.

Special thanks to Jenni who watched the kids all morning!

Born to Die

One of our favorite musical groups, Shane & Shane, came out with a great Christmas CD this year. We were especially affected by the lyrics to the song, Born to Die. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and are reminded again of our Savior as we celebrate his life and his death for us.

Born to Die
When the babe was born.
In a manger on the hay.
God saw a veil torn.
He saw Good Friday.
He was born to die.

Gold laid before the Christ.
Incense, His presence is sweet.
Myrrh to signify victory over death's sting.
He was born to die.

It came in a dream.
To Joseph late on night.
That Herod sought the King.
But could not take His life.
He was born to die.

He said, "You won't take my life.
You won't take my life.
You won't take my life...I lay it down."

We came here today to celebrate His birth.
But let us not forget why Jesus came to earth.
He was born to die.

Update & Prayer Request

Most people who read this blog probably already know that Erik has been dealing with some sickness for about 6 weeks now. It all started the first weekend in November when he was having some severe chest pain that brought us to the ER. After several hours there, two x-rays and a CAT scan revealed that he had a 2 cm mass in lung. We were told to followup with a specialist. The first thing the specialist wanted to rule out was an atypical case of pneumonia (most pneumonia doesn't locate itself into a mass). So he was treated with high dose antibiotics for 10 days. He seemed to improve but the next x-ray showed the mass still there so he went through another 10 days of antibiotics and then another CAT scan last Monday. After following up with the doctor, the mass is clearly still there and clearly still 2 cm. The doctor is still hopeful that it is just another type of infection but he will be having a bronchoscophy on the 30th to hopefully determine if the area is infection or possibly a tumor. We'd love your prayers for this procedure.

You probably also know that I am pregnant due in mid-January. We found out on Friday that baby boy is breech. Mercia was breech and because my water had broken and she was a footling breech we had to do a c-section. If he does not turn we will be faced with decisions about c-section, external version (to turn him manually from the outside) or delivering breech. We are praying he'll turn on his own!

Anyway, we'd love for your prayers!

Happy Birthday

Mercia, when I think about how you entered the world I am so thankful for God's grace in your life. You were upside down and stuck and it took the miracle of modern medicine (a c-section) to get you out. It caused me some serious pain but it pain that was worth it and pain I would go through again. These days you also cause me some serious pain, not the physical kind but the spiritual, emotional kind. But girly, as I sit and reflect I know it is pain that is worth it. It is pain I would go through again. It is not always easy caring for you (you are a willful, opinionated, active one), but you are also one of the MOST precious gifts ever given to me. I love you so much, even when you break Karis' glasses (for the third time in 3 weeks) and I'm SO angry. I suppose that's the miracle of God's grace, I love you more than my anger and I'm excited to spend each day with you and enjoy these moments that go by so fast. May God's kindness and grace continue to abound in your life. Happy Birthday little love!

Cotton Blowing

So many, MANY years ago my grandmother invented a game called Cotton Blowing to play at her annual New Years party. It became quite an event with trophies and even a belt given to the five year consecutive winner (who happened to be my uncle Tom's friend Sean for like 8 years in a row). I'll never forget playing it around my grandma's table.

When Erik first played the game he loved it and we've been playing it at our Christmas Party. For those of you looking for a bizarre, fun, germ filled game to play at your next party here are the rules:

Everyone lines up around the table so only their heads are sticking up. The leader drops a big cotton ball (the kind from a medicine or vitamin bottle) into the middle of the table. Everyone blows the cotton ball, trying to keep it from going off the table near them. You CANNOT block it with you shoulders and if goes out over your head or shoulder or closest to you, you are out. Pretty basic rules.

Here are some pictures so you get the idea.

Everyone is lined up and the ball has just been dropped.

Great action shot, who has more lung power.

And the final round, we play best out of 3 (which is not part of my grandma's rules). This happens to be a re-match from last year. Except this year my hubby actually won.

Thank you to those of you who came to our party this year. We love you all so much are so grateful for your friendship.

Problems

So I have a few problems and since I know there are LOTS of wonderful Moms out there I thought I could ask for some advice.

Problem 1: SOCKS! When I was growing up my mom used to have a big basket that she would throw all the socks into and I can remember my grandfather folding them when he was watching me when I home sick from school. At least a year ago I was wondering why Mom was never able to fold the socks- well it has become more than abundantly clear to me! With 3 kids all near the same size I put 16 socks into the wash and come out with only 3 pairs (usually the ones that don't match any of their clothes). How does this happen to me? What do you do to keep track of socks that all look alike but are different sizes or just don't seem to have mates?

Problem 2: HAIR ACCESSORIES! I'm sure if you are reading this you know that I'm not talking about my own and since I don't own anything other than a plain black rubber band I seem unable to keep track of the numerous barrettes and colorful rubber bands that my flyaway hair girls need. The other part of the problem is they are constantly getting used are horse harnesses or present wrappers. How do you organize these in a way that works?

Love any comments on this!

8 Years

My God given desire is to be united in a covenant before God with you, Erik, not just in the flesh, but utmost in the Spirit, for the purpose of glorifying God. I realize and accept the amazing truth, that only by the grace and power of God will I be able to die to myself with a Christlike attitude, place you above myself, and keep God at the cornerstone of our marriage. By this grace, I, Jerusha, promise to be your faithful wife, to love and serve you as Christ commands, as long as I shall live. Therefore, I commit my entire life, all my love for you, and our marriage passionately to God, humbly asking Him, in the name, which is above every name, to preserve it and use it for His glory.

Thank you, Love, for 8 wonderful years of marriage. Thank you for keeping God at the cornerstone of our marriage.

All God, All Grace, All For His Glory