Nana's Visit

Nana Johnson came to visit us this past week...all the way from Florida! We had a wonderful time with her, and are thankful she was able to come. Both Meredith and Caleb got some special "Nana time" over the last week!

She taught Caleb the song "Jesus Loves Me"...here's his most recent rendition. (Please excuse the part where I am singing....he is still working on mastering all of the words!)

"Jesus Loves Me"


Here are a few more photos I took.....

Apple time...


Cuddle time...


Play time...


Art time...


Reading time...


Love you, Nana!

The Art of Eating an Apple

I learned many months ago that Caleb, being the big boy that he apparently is, strongly prefers to eat an apple whole, as opposed to eating it cut-up in any way I might deem appropriate at the time (slices, cubes, quarters, etc...).

Oh yes, big boy Caleb is truly an independent apple-eater.

That is, until he gets to the seeds. When he gets to those "yuckies", he very nicely asks for assistance and can not continue on with his big-boy-apple-eating without the seeds being removed.

The Art of Eating an Apple
By: Caleb

1. Pick out apple. (Photos below show an apple from the Long Grove Apple Fest.)

2. Make sure to pay for chosen apple, should payment be necessary.

3. Have your Mommy help break the skin a bit with a first bite...but, don't let her eat too much. That is not good. The smaller the bite she takes, the more there is for you. This step is very very very important.

4. Eat. Enjoy.

5. Repeat step #4 until apple is gone.

6. Feel free to dance along to the live music while eating (sorry there is no video footage of this). This step is not necessary, but surely adds to your apple-eating experience.

Happy apple eating!
XOXO - Caleb

Playtime!

Over the past couple of weeks, Meredith has really come to enjoy "playtime". Smiles are now a regular part of her day , and she also does a lot of "talking". It's adorable!

While she prefers human interaction (as most of us do!), she also enjoys playing on her playmat (or whatever it's called).

Here are a couple of photos of her enjoying playtime today....she loves to look at the star that hangs above her....it plays music and lights up and always makes her smile and coo.

Wish I Was There....

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for our niece, Evangeline. She is at home, and doing so much better. Glory goes to the Lord for the amazing work that was done in her little body last week.

Here is a photo of her taken yesterday....she is healthy, beautiful, and absolutely precious. And, look at that smile!



I am a little (okay, a lot) bummed right now, as I had originally planned to be in Tucson this weekend. About a month ago, we booked a flight for me (and Meredith) and I was so excited about getting to meet my new niece, and almost equally excited to surprise Kir and Jon with my visit. And Kris was pretty excited about having some time with just Caleb while we were gone.

But, we decided, at the last minute, to cancel my flight......even though Evangeline was getting better, the potential risk of exposing Meredith to the flu outweighed my desire to go. So, here I am....still in IL, having to only look at photos of my beautiful niece instead of holding her and seeing her sweet face in person. Sigh...

But hopefully, I'll be able to head out there another weekend soon.....if not, they will be here for Thanksgiving. I hate to think about waiting that long to meet her, and for them to meet Meredith, but such is the life when miles separate you....

Most importantly, though......Evangeline is home and back to her "old self" (whatever that means for a child who is only 2 weeks old!).

Thank you, Lord.

1 through 14

I think my favorite part of this video is how he excitedly says "watch movie" at the end....he loves to watch whatever we have just recorded. =)

Pray...

Update (afternoon, 9/24):
They are going home....TODAY!
Keep praying that Evangeline continues to get stronger, that she keeps eating well, and that the Lord continues to heal her little body!

Praise God...I have NO doubt that He has amazing things planned for this little girl's life.

Update (morning, 9/24):
Evangeline has been doing better....praise God! Hopefully they will get to go home...soon!

Keep praying!

I am not sure who actually even reads this BLOG, but if you happened upon this posting today, please stop what you are doing and take a minute to pray....

My new niece, Evangeline, was born to my sister and brother-in-law just 11 days ago. She was born healthy and beautiful. Unfortunately, a high fever put her in the hospital this past Sunday and they have been there since. After many tests, they have ruled a lot of things out, yet haven't quite determined the cause of little Evangeline's sickness. As of this point, they are treating her as if she has H1N1.

Please pray.....that Evangeline's fever would go down, and that the Lord would heal her and take away the virus that is affecting her little body. We know that the Lord HEALS, PROTECTS and that He LOVES. In fact, His love for Evangeline is greater than we even understand....we have to trust that He is caring for her. Though we KNOW that, it does not make the sadness and frustration and fear disappear.

Please also pray for Kirsten and Jon (and my mom, who is there - in Arizona - visiting), that their bodies would resist this virus. Pray for comfort for them in this scary time.

So, whether you know this family or not, please pray to the Great Physician on her behalf.....He hears you.