Perspective

Oh, that sweet face.



Her eyes pleaded with us to stop as we forced her to drink. Then she felt funny. And sleepy. And she didn't like it. She made sure to let us know. And my mommy's heart ached to help her. To make it better. To ease her confusion and fears. As sleep overtook her, my heart shouted prayers. Please, Father, let her sleep long enough. Let nothing go wrong. Let the results be good. Use her healing to prove your goodness and power to unbelievers.

She awoke, thrashing and crying. We held her and read to her, caressing her hair, whispering in her ears. She calmed and rested on us. How beautiful it felt to let her just be.

And the audiologist turned to us. A waveform is no longer present... it used to be there... the results are clear... she will need hearing aids.

Suddenly it wasn't just my heart, but my whole body that ached. And though I desired them not, the tears fell. I watched her as she lay calm and still on her Daddy. Oh, that sweet face. How will we teach her? How will she begin NOW, after two years without?

And there He was, where He always is if I will but listen. You WILL do it. And it will work out. I have good plans for her.

We will. And it will. And truly, He does.

A Totally Rad 7 Month Old

On Friday Ben threw me an "Awesome 80s Party" for my 30th. When I told him that I was only 10 when the 80s rang out, he said that we needed to celebrate the decade in which I had my "formative years."

Here are Ben and I. I was going for the 80s-Madonna/Cindy Lauper look; Ben was going for the hilarious men-wore-their-pants-too-tight-and-their-shirts-too-bright-in-the-80s look.


Will was sportin' the faux-hawk and had on a shirt that said "I rock it old school."


Sophie is cute in anything she wears, even ugly things.

If you want to see more pics of other fun 80s costumes, including Kimberlee who came "pregnant" because she was prego 2 times in the 80s, follow this link: Kelly's 80's Party.

Will turned 7 months old yesterday. He is so precious to us! Thanks to our friend Jamie for the adorable little hat!

30 Never Looked So Good!

Sorry, this is Ben again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!

I gotta say, you still got it going ON, even at the Triple-Decade!! You all that AND a bag o' chips!

Doesn't she look rad?

I LOVE YOU!

Have a tubular day, dude-ette!

If the Sock Fits...

Or even if it doesn't.

When the Workin' Day is Done...

... oh girls just wanna have fun! (Are you singing with me yet?)

Yes, I'll definitely be THIRTY on Sunday. And as you saw in the previous post, my sweet hubby braved the kiddos for the weekend so I could celebrate Kansas City style.

My sister, Katie, met me and our dear friend, Tara, in KC on Friday night. We slept until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning - it was heaven.

Here are the three of us before we left the hotel Saturday morning. Tara in the middle, Katie in green.


We did lots of shopping. Unfortunately for me, I almost gave Tara a heart attack when I picked up a serious case of mallchairitis at Oak Park Mall. The good news it was gone within the hour.


Tara couldn't keep her eyes off the double-decker carousel. I had known all along I couldn't leave KC without the mandatory you're-turning-30-so-you-better-go-ride-the-carousel-and-get-the-last-bit-of-kid-out-of-your-system ride, so off we went.


Tara chose a pint-sized dolphin.


I chose the mammoth panda bear, which just might have been larger than real pandas.


Katie and I took this fabulous picture at the Plaza while listening to our favorite band-0f-the-day perform. You can see them in the background. I'll send my firstborn child to anyone who can tell me the name of that band.

We finished the night with a yummy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was my second choice, but after a clothing mishap we found ourselves unsuitable for dinner at the Peach Tree.

Aaah, fair Kansas City, you have stolen our hearts. Until next time, dream of future ELG visits! (ELG = Eroh Lytton Girls)

Day One...

This is Ben again (the husband, remember?)

Kelly's gone to Kansas City with her friend Tara and sister Katie for a birthday trip.

They left Wichita at about 4:30, and I thought we were doing great.

However, witness Sophie's attire upon arriving at Grandma's house for pizza.

No pants, and yes, I did manage to get her shoes on the opposite feet (right shoes, wrong feet).

Grandma just about died laughing, so I had to post this before she ratted me out.

Suffice to say, WE MISS YOU, MOMMY! HAVE FUN!!!

Elmo's Secret Night Life

Your thoughts are probably similar to mine. "Really? The very guy who wrote that fabulous post about his wife enjoys turning Elmo into a bird-torturing terrorist after his kids go to bed?" Yep. One-and-the-same. Back off ladies, he's all mine.

The Clandestine Post

Shhhh... don't tell Kelly, but this is Ben. I've taken over the blog for a clandestine post!

Indulge me for one moment, but I've got to tell THE WORLD how much I LOVE MY SWEET, BEAUTIFUL, AWESOME WIFEY!!!

Tonight, I wish I could take her to eat here:


But instead we'll be here:

(Cafe Bel Ami)

I wish we were headed here:


But we'll probably hang out here:


Here's what she really deserves:


But she may have to settle for this:


I hope she knows she's a:


And she really deserves one of these:


But I proclaim today, to all of Bloglandia, these 3 things which I know:
1. I am perfect for her, and she for me.
2. I am never better or happier than when I'm with her.
3. I have the most beautiful woman in the world by my side.

Can't wait for our fun date to start tonight, my Sweetey Petey!
Ben

I Bet Lance Has Never Pulled 50+ Pounds Behind Him

Yes, I realize we have the 2-year-old noggin safely tucked away, while the 6-month-old... well... who knew they don't really make helmets that small. By "they," of course, I mean Target... which is my biking accessory shop.


It's quite the therapeutic activity for my children, as evidenced by the below pictures:



Therapeutic, that is, until she wakes up with 2 pounds of hard plastic smooshing her brains in, and realizes that the pretty princesses don't really make wearing it as fun as mom promised.

Wichita, We Have a Problem

The boy is no longer stationary. I repeat: he is no longer stationary.

This is where I left him at my grandma's house yesterday (he was asleep when I left).


When I came back to check on him, this is how I found him:



Over and out.