Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories from 2008:

The three of us...

I may not be able to open this gift, but I like the wrapping!

All this gift wrapping sure is exhausting!

Happy, Happy New Year!!

All I want for Christmas

Photos of the Christmas tree and our little man underneath!

I bought the ornament below at the Junior League's Holly Day Market--it has characters for Tim and I at the top, Dustin on one side and our lab, Gervaise on the other. Too cute!

This year, all I want for Christmas is the health and well-being of my family!

Tim and I have started to review the abstracts that the Hospital's medical library provided regarding CCAM. We have rescheduled the pediatric surgeon appointment (originally for December) once and are getting ready to reschedule a second time. Dustin has done so remarkably well that we have not focused on the medical condition and the next steps. I also can't think of little guy going through such a major operation!

One of the abstracts discusses research that indicated that ultrasound alone may not be conclusive in the diagnosis of CCAM. Given this information, we feel that additional imaging is warranted in order to obtain a conclusive diagnosis before we can make a decision about whether Dustin will undergo surgery to remove the mass. We are also looking into obtaining a second opinion from a pediatric surgeon at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

For now, our little man is exhibiting no signs of the diagnosis that caused us such concern during the pregnancy!

Avoid the Frenzy

Tim and I have been attending the Saturday evening services at Southland for a few months now. It has actually been easier for us than getting out of the house early on Sunday morning, when we are both absolutely wiped out. We missed the service last weekend, since we attended a Progressive Dinner for our Sunday school class. And so, this morning I was able to watch last week's message via the Southland hour.

In celebration and preparation of the Birthday of Jesus, Southland has had a series called "A crazy thing called Love". This morning's message was a reminder to me that in the frenzied rush I experience during this season, the Reason truly comes down to one thing--the Love that the Creator had for His children to provide a son who would die for all sin. For my sin!

This year, Tim and I are trying to buy less and focus more on the Reason. It does seem a little crazy to rack our brains to figure out the perfect gift for those who do not necessarily have a need. Contras that with children in third world countries who live in poverty and injustice. And, children in our own backyards who do not have shoes to cover their feet. So, I am trying not to become caught up in the commercialized notion of a Christmas, and focus on the Reason.

Did you know that $75 will buy a goat to provide dairy for children in countries like Haiti or Kenya? Or, that for as little as $32, a child in Nicaragua could be educated? We recently received a catalogue from an organization called Worldvision. This was like no other catalogue. Instead of enticing photographs of the latest gadgets or designer styles, this catalogue included everyday staples, goats, sheep, cows, education and other materials and supplies for children inpoverished in third world countries. Worldvision is the organization that makes this all happen with the support of its donors. Pretty cool!

I think the following video sums up my thoughts:

A Hole in the Wall

There was some excitement in the Anderson household this past week. In the moment, it felt a little more like turmoil. We experienced a new milestone about a week to a week and a half ago--Dustin rolling to his belly in the crib! Momma was mildly concerned at first, typical I think for most new mothers. However, that concern quickly grew and Daddy too joined the club when on Monday morning I went to wake up Dustin and his head was face first into the mattress. Perhaps this is something that a lot of newborns do, however; I could find nothing good in any of my books or on the internet about babies doing faceplants into the mattress. And so, at least for Momma, concern closer resembled panic.

In any event, we went to bed as usual Monday night. Around 2:00 in the morning, I heard the Angelcare monitor alarm sound. Tim bolted out of bed and ran to Dustin's room. Dustin was ok, he'd just rolled off the sensor. I was in our bedroom getting ready to go back to sleep while tim finished calming Dustin down,when I heard a loud crash. I ran into the hallway to see Tim laying on the floor and the hole in the wall! I think this was the scariest moment of my life! Tim was unresponsive, so I attempted to call 911, but the phone was dead! Tim started to snore and I was eventually able to get him to talk to me.

We think that Tim's blood pressure dropped, a rush of adrenaline and quick run from rest state may have caused him to pass out. So, we have all been sleeping in Dustin's room since Tuesday. We are greatly hoping to move back to our room soon, as neither of us are getting enough sleep!

I am very thankful that my two guys are doing well!

Cinderella's "Nice" Mother

Yesterday afternoon I had the special privilege of playing Cinderella's mother! My brother and his three children have been visiting for a few days. Little Hope, my four year old niece, asked me play Barbies with her. My role was Cinderella's mother. I first confirmed with my niece that I was a "nice" mother, rather than the wicked, evil stepmother that is actually depicted in the fairy tale. Yes, that is the case!

As a child, I cannot remember dreaming about being Cinderella's mother. Rather, I wanted to be Cinderella. Of course, it never occurred to me then, but even Cinderella faced trials:

Orphaned
Abused
Neglected

In his letter to the twelve tribes of Israel, James exhorts the people to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2. Later, James writes, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James' words tell me that we will face trials, not merely a call to respond when trials do come our way.

Likewise, Jesus said in Matthew 13:21, when trouble comes... . And so, to be certain, in this life, we will experience trials. Even the main heroin in the Cinderella fairy tail faced many trials.

It is interesting that as children we so often dream of having the fairy tail. Yet, we must overlook all of the trials the leading characters in the fairy tails play. Otherwise, I'm not so sure we'd want the fairy tail. After all, I suspect that Cinderella’s trials are much greater than those faced by most of us. And, we are only provided with a brief glimpse into Cinderella's history. In the end, even the fairy tail characters faced their trials.

James also exalted the people to find joy in trials. This one is tough for me. I cannot say that I was able to see the joy through the "trial" Tim and I faced when we found out about Dustin's health issues. But, with prayer, I believe that God gave us peace about the outcome. James tells the people in his letter that perseverance through trials ultimately builds character.

When I think about James' exhortation to find joy in trials, one point comes to mind: when our focus is on the Kingdom of God and our eternal presence with our creator, the trials we face seem less intense, less important and less traumatic. For in the end, I will dance with the Bridegroom in His castle. The difference, Cinderella, I do not have to race home when the clock strikes midnight. Until then, I get play Cinderella's mother with my gorgeous niece!

Sunday comes too fast

I need another Sunday (or Saturday)!

Well, I had in mind another biblical writing that I was hoping to post to the Blog this week and the week has now come and gone without the posting! Tonight, I'm feeling much too exhausted. We've had a rough few days in terms of Dustin's feedings. Since Wednesday, he has not been interested in his 3:00 and 6:00 feedings. Today, he was not interested in any of his feedings! I took him to the pediatrician on Friday just to rule out an ear infection. Fortunately, the ears look good. Sundays are always the most challenging days. Tim and I are convinced that the daycare has an element in his routine that we're missing at home. I'm hopeful that he will begin acting like himself again soon!

Tim and I started having dream dinners this week, which has helped out tremendously! Dream Dinners are pre-prepared meals that we pick up once a month. We simply take the desired meal out of the freezer and heat! They are pretty yummy. I was able to cook a Pork Tenderloin on Saturday for dinner with friends. The food was good and the company great! We are now able to put Dustin down between 7:30 and 8:00 until between 10:30 and 11:00, which provides for an opportunity for some adult time! Woo Hoo!!

I've posted some photos I took this week. One shows Dustin during his "tummy time". I cannot believe how strong he is at 41/2 months! I also posted a photo of him all bundled up--it was super chilly in Lexington this past week.

Who is the Greatest?

The steps on the stairs that go to the upper level of our house and all of the bedrooms are narrow. At times, walking up and down them can be quite precarious. Now that I am traversing the steps with the little guy in arm, I am even more aware of the narrow width of the steps and the consequence of even the slightest misstep. My twelve inch stilletos (okay, this might be a slight exaggeration) do not lend themselves to the walking the stairs routine.

Now that Dustin is here, I find myself thinking about all of the stilleto-heel stair walking type of activities that just do not work with an infant. An open cup of hot joe in one hand, baby in the other. Cell phone in the house, car running in the drive way.

An infant, completely dependant upon his parents to do what is best on his behalf. Completely trusting. Completely vulnerable. Lacking in self sufficiency.

When the disciples approached Jesus, asking who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus responded that unless they become like little children, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven. More, "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:1-4

Wow! Humbles? Like a child? An infant is completely dependant upon his earthly parent to provide for his every need. I think, like an infant, God too wants us to rely on our heavenly father to provide for our every need. Come to Him. Rely on Him. Trust in Him. Like a child.

It is not about seeking out who is the greatest, rather humbling ourselves such that we forego our own self-sufficiency. Instead, we rely upon our Creator. Forgetting about who might be greatest, but remembering a God that is all encompasing, all knowing and alone worthy. Will I seek Him out to provide for my every need? Will I come to Him like a child?

Even in the stilleto-heel moments, I am realizing that I can learn from my son. May I grow ever humble, forgetting the world's quest for greatness, and rely upon the Maker for my every need.

First Foods

Well, as some of you know, I attempted to begin a photo journal on Snapfish. That did not go quite as planned. The site continually sent emails to the Members and functioned closer to a method for Snapfish to promote the ordering of photos, rather than updates, journals and photo posting to share with friends and family. So, here we go with a blog. I like all of the options for layout and design. Any bets on how long I can keep this up?

Anyway, this morning we had our first venture with Dustin into the new world of foods! I thought it went fairly well. He ate a few bites of his rice cereal with a spoon. He did not even seem confused that the spoon was going into his mouth! It was fun to watch his expressions of curiosity while I prepared the cereal with his milk.

Dustin also has his first tooth peeking through on the front bottom of his mouth. We have had a very exciting few weeks! I've posted some photos of the feeding experience and a few recent shots. I thought the sleeping with Daddy shot was too cute not to share!