Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Reading to Pappy (last post continued)




Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Conversation with Pappy

Since my dad's brain injury, most of you know, he has been unable to talk.  He can say a few words here and there, but for the most part, he doesn't really speak at all.  Sometimes on special mornings he'll be in a very alert mood when he wakes up.  On those mornings we call to Sam and see if he wants to come in and "talk" with Pappy.  This morning's conversation was especially funny.  

Side note:  When Samuel gets in trouble and has to be disciplined, we've been working on 
repeating the entire scenario to be sure the disobedience is corrected the second time around.  
Sometimes we'll say, "OK.  I'm going to go out of the room and then I'll come in and tell you to 
do blah, blah, blah, and you'll say, 'Yes, Mommy/Daddy.'"  Then we'll repeat the whole process, 
and Sam will answer correctly and obey...well....at least that's the plan =)  

So.....this morning when we called him in to talk with Pappy, it went like this...

Sam:  Hi, Pappy!
Pappy: Hi.
Sam:  Why'd you get up so early today, Pappy?
Pappy: *silence*
Sam:  OK!  Let's try again, okay?
Pappy: OK
Sam: Hi, Pappy!
Pappy: Hi.
Sam:  Why'd you get up so early today, Pappy?
Pappy: *silence*
After a few more times, Samuel decides to do a "retake" (like we do with him).
By this time we're totally cracking up.  My poor dad, forced into this never-ending conversation! =)
Sam:  OK, Pappy!  Let's try again.  (in a very instructive, teacher voice)  I'm gonna go out of the room and then I'll come back in and you can answer me.
By the time it was over, we convinced him to sit up in Pappy's bed and read him some books.  (pictures to come)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Breakfast

Even though she has a few teeth, Kara still chooses to swallow things whole. You would think a banana would just slide down, but she takes such big bites! So funny!


Friday, August 8, 2008

OUR FRIENDS, THE SEELYS

I just wanted to write a quick post to our friends, Dan and Karis. Two weeks from yesterday they will be leaving for their first term in Cameroon, Africa. When we moved to Virginia Beach for seminary, Dan and Karis were our first friends. Neither one of us had children, so it was school, work and friends that made up our lives. From the beginning we knew that we would get along great. Travis knew Dan and Karis from college, but not all that well. They were always just one step ahead of us through seminary and then into the process of choosing a mission board and beginning deputation.

Dan and Karis, you are so special to us. Even though we've spent lots of months away from each other since we moved to Pennsylvania, you have always been very close in our hearts. We have prayed for you so much these last months as God has answered your great desire to send you to Cameroon. We admire you and your faithfulness to the Lord and the strength and determination you have shown to make it through long years of seminary away from both of your families. You spent many Christmases alone in Virginia, while we were close enough to travel home for every one. You waited for the pregnancy of your precious Kayla, whom we prayed for. And then the Lord blessed you abundantly with ANOTHER baby! We are so glad to call you our friends. We don't know when we'll see you again, since our furlough schedules will probably not match, so it could be many years. We cherish the times we have had with you as a couple and now the few times we've spent together as families. We love you, DAN, KARIS, KAYLA, and KRISTA! =)