........to those of you who have prayed and followed up with phone calls etc. regarding my Grandpa.

The update is as follows.
Last Sunday, a procedure was done on his heart to determine the extent of his need for the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).  During this procedure, my Grandpa's heart continued to beat in a regular pattern, which was good but also meant that Medicare would not cover the implantation at that time.  This was a bit of a roller coaster type feeling for our family as we had all geared up for this ICD to bring relief and some assurance.  Grandpa was released and sent home to experiment with medications for 3 months after which, they will assess his improvement (or lack thereof) and possibly revisit the ICD option again.   As of now, Grandpa remains weak but in good spirits.  He suffers a compulsive cough  associated with heart failure that makes sleeping through the night hard, but he's handling it well.    My Grandma is very attentive feeling aware that things could go downhill quickly, but she is trusting the Lord as she always has.  

Steve and I took our boys over there last week to enjoy some time with their Great Grandparents, but after we terrorized their toy cupboard and nearly choked to death on a teddy ghram (Jaydon received the Heimlich twice from my nurse cousin before breathing again..... tense moments), I wasn't sure how helpful we really were to the "heart patient"!!! =)

In other news:  Jaydon is finally cutting two top molars.  He still only has his 6 primary baby teeth up front, and yet insists on eating quickly and aggressively.  If I don't stay on top of monitoring his intake, he'll stuff his mouth so full and choke.  Must be a second born survival instinct..... or just plain old greed in his little sinning heart.

Glendon "received divine revelation from God" the other night that he could  "take a water gun from Jonathan."  (Jonathan is one of our youth kids.)  We assured Glendon that to do so would be stealing and that stealing is sin.  Glendon looked appalled before replying,  " I not sin.  God sometimes tells me to steal.  It not sin if God tells me to take it."   This led to a great discussion about God's holiness and how His direction is always inline with His character.   I guess we're thankful that Glendon is beginning to grasp the fact that God is our authority...now for his understanding of WHO God is. =)

Check out these monkeys found in a local park:

  ....have been full but with wonderful adventures and projects!

Youth Group Roller Skating party two weeks ago....80s theme.  Thus Glendon's spiked hair.

This past Friday we grabbed supper to go and met Steve down by the lake to eat and watch a huge thunder storm roll in.   We even had time to race around the Kid Connection before the first drops began to fall. 

Saturday morning as our new refrigerator arrived. The boys were eating pancakes amidst our fridge contents....

   A sweet girlfriend's birthday gave us the great excuse to meet other young people/couples for some yummy  mexican and fun fellowship.  Here, Kira was being sung to by the wait staff. 

Tuesday, we took a little field trip to the Jelly Belly Factory about 30 min. from our home.  Glendon LOVED riding the "train" around the warehouse and watching video demonstrations of how the candies are made.   The best part being free bags of jelly beans at the end of the tour, of course!

 This next pic is very special to me because it signifies a recent answer to prayer: 

For the last 5 months, Steve has been working diligently at work on some acquisition possibilities for S.C. Johnson.  He's run all of the financial and cost analysis and produced hundreds of reports and presentations on the subject for the CFO and CEO of the company.  It's been a stretching and intriquing experience for him.   Someone in Steve's position can put hours and months of sweat into these acquisition studies only to have them nixed in one half hour meeting by the deciding authorities.  It's part of his job, but I have been praying all along the way, that God would allow Steve to see the fruit of his labor. 

Last week, two of these acquisitions, Mrs. Meyers and Fruits and Passion, were finalized and the announcement was posted in our local paper on Saturday morning.  What fun that was for Steve and for me!  I'm so proud of his diligent labor and of how he does care about his work.   Another fun aspect to this development is that these companies produce products that I will enjoy being able to purchase in the company store. 

Pictured above is a tote bag full of sample products both by Mrs. Meyers and Fruits and Passion that Steve was given as a congratulations for his effort.  I have been using the hand creams and body soaps and really enjoy their scent. 

 On a more serious note:  I am praying for this man, my Grandpa.

(pictured here with newborn Glendon  in 2004.)

He is currently at the hospital where they will be doing a Cardiac Catheterization in about 30 minutes.
My Grandpa had bypass surgery years ago and has been strong in the years since, however, the last few months have been difficult.  He had become increasingly weaker and short of breath.  After an EKG on Monday proved his output to be only 20% (it should be around 50 %), they scheduled today's procedure to seek out the cause for his heart's weakness.  We are praying that they will find blockages which they could stint as that would be the best outcome.  Regardless of the outcome, I know both of my grandparents are trusting in the Lord. 

As I spoke with my Grandpa on the phone yesterday, I just couldn't help but cry as he encouraged me with his faith.  He spoke of knowing God was in control....of knowing that his times are in the Lord's hands. 
My Grandpa is truly a man of God.  He has loved his wife as Christ loves the church for over 50 years.   He raised 2 daughters and one son (my Dad)  in the ways of the Lord, and has faithfully walked out that Godly heritage for his 15 grandchildren and now almost 6 great-grandchildren.   I have always been blessed by his gentle wisdom around the Thanksgiving table or while playing cards up at the cabins. 

It is because of this man's faith that I was blessed by a godly father.  My Dad reflects so much of what he learns from his dad, and that is of Jesus Christ.  

So, we love you, Grandpa, and continue to wait with you in prayer this afternoon!!!

Train Ride,
Chicago,
3 Days, 2 Nights,
Shopping,
Navy Pier,
Chicago Theatre,
Sleeping In,
Eating Out....

Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven, Steven

all to myself.....

I can't wait.