In the Meantime.

Psalm 37:7  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently...

I hate waiting. Maybe this is the seed for my aversion to shopping (Bruce, you should be thankful for this): waiting in line to checkout, waiting to see the 'perfect' accessory for the 'perfect' outfit... I think the self-checkout at the grocery is brilliant (do it yourself, right?). I deplore waiting for an oil change (flipping pages in 5 year old Nascar magazines), in the doctor's office, etcetera. What did we do before 'smart' phones in waiting rooms?   Yes, Dad, I know this is part of my generation - we've lost patience and think we must have things now, now, now. And I recognize this is one of my many deficiencies: patience. a.k.a. waiting.

The test results from the lymph node biopsies won't be known for "1-2 weeks". Surgery went well (praise!) and now I must wait. Not particularly fun. No matter where anybody is in life, aren't we all are waiting for something? Maybe it's to finish school, get a promotion, have children, to retire, take a vacation.... We don't have a choice, waiting is inevitable. But ... we can choose how we wait.

Perusing through other blogs I enjoy reading today, I ran across an entry from Priscilla Shirer's blog (you should frequent the site as well!) about this very subject. She points out that while reading Scriptures on waiting, she noticed the word "waiting" was often used synonymously with the words hope and trust. "We can wait patiently because we TRUST Him. We confidently believe that His timing is perfect and that He will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right (Psalm 84:11). We can hope in Him, which means to look forward to with desire and confidence, because He is good. So since He is good, then that means whatever comes from Him is good."


We know God has promised to be good to us...while we wait (Lam 3: 25). 
He has promised to strengthen our hearts...while we wait (Psalm 27:14).
He has promised that none who wait will be put to shame (Psalm 27:14).
That those who wait will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40: 31). 
That we WILL be blessed, IF we wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18). 


In the meantime, let us focus on what we do know. God is faithful. He is merciful and gracious, abounding in love. We can approach His throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) to receive mercy and grace in our time of need. 


I'm sure enjoying my time home this week with Silas and Avery... it's going to be hard to get back to work next week! In the meantime, we wait. 

All is different now. Why?

As I sit to write this, I think about the summer months I spent working on and editing my Mom's book - wondering what she must have felt, praying to capture the reality of how life changes with one word: Cancer. Little did I know that I would be hearing that same word a few months later. I noticed a new mole at the end of August on my upper thigh. It was actually very small, but pink - unlike my plethora of 'freckles' or 'spots' that come with my lovely skin tone, light hair, light eyes, etc. I immediately made a dermatologist appointment as it was time for my yearly checkup anyway. Three weeks later at that appointment, the doctor removed the pink raised dot and claimed she "didn't really know what that is, but since it's new we'll take it off to see. I'm pretty sure it's just a little 'age spot'". The next Monday, she called me at work mid-afternoon to tell me how shocked she was that the pathology report said Invasive Malignant Melanoma.

I had walked outside the clinic to answer my phone and sank to my feet (along with my stomach falling out) and of course couldn't think straight. I begged her to get me in to see the surgeon the next day and she was able to do that, thankfully. Meanwhile, I called a friend who'd gone to MD Anderson to have her melanoma surgery - she encouraged me to call just to see. I called MD Anderson on Monday to start the process of seeing a doctor there if need be (or possibility be).

After a whirlwind of events while time seemed to go in slow motion (who knew a week could last soooo long), Bruce and I drove to Houston Wednesday for my 10am appointment Thursday morning with the Melanoma surgeon. After a day of testing yesterday, I'm in the hotel room this morning awaiting the noon arrival time at the hospital for my surgery this afternoon.

Honestly, I've made it my goal not to stop and think - not to let my mind wander to anything that might resemble a case of the "what-ifs". This time last week, nothing was really different about me. I haven't had a traumatic accident, been sick, nothing life changing. But how is it that now, everything has changed?  We hear one word and all of a sudden, life is changed forever. I never have been one to think 'it'll never happen to me' - especially after Mom's story, but I think there is always a secret immunity perceived when you've always been told you were healthy.

And I still feel healthy. Fine, actually. Except for the little 'pains' my mind is attuned to since I know there is something on my upper thigh that needs to be gone. G.O.N.E.

The word Cancer represents more broad a spectrum of diseases than I can comprehend, and I respect and applaud the gifted medical personnel impassioned to learn more about each facet of living with it and especially getting RID of it. What I do know is that God doesn't create disease. In fact, there will be no diseases in Heaven, there are no diseases with Christ. Satan would love to evade our earthly bodies with disease, only with the purpose of inhibiting us from telling others about our Great Physician.

We know very well the faithfulness of our Father, the shelter underneath the shadow of His wings. And wait there. Repeating over and over in my mind, "I trust You. I trust You. I believe You."

Caught in the Act...

Well, well... after three different types of cabinet locks and finally resorting to industrial strength adhesive (20lb limit), we finally think we have protected our cabinet 'non-perishables' from the little Houdinis. You should see me prying the drawers open to get a bowl or skillet when I'm cooking dinner; it sometimes requires a stabilizing foot on the cabinet base and a Sharipova grunt with the tug.  I finally was quick enough with my camera phone to show you exactly how it is done. (Note: the following is not suitable for your children under 3, unless you want to pry 20lb adhesive off every time you need the contents of a cabinet.)

We must work on the "re-applying" of the lock;) 

With the arrival of the incredibly beautiful 'cool' front we've had, afternoon strolls have been plentiful. Silas and Avery love the stroller. In fact, Friday afternoon Grace and Eleanor joined us. Grace and I were deep in conversation and noticed Avery giggling away. Lo and behold.....

Eww.  I guess that's better than eating a frog. 

On afternoons when we don't have time for a stroll, they both enjoy a roll around the block in the wagon! They get a kick out of looking at each other and ham it up for the neighbors.

Yes, Avery commands the attention most of the time, but don't let sweet Silas fool you. Grab the mustard, ladies and gentlemen, we have a little ham on our hands!  

As seen in the video above, he certainly notices when others laugh and never fails to keep a straight face and continue the comedy act. In fact, I looked up the other day after giving him a carrot and he was lounging in his high chair with the carrot hanging out of his mouth like a little cigar. ha!  THEN, when he noticed I was laughing, I looked up again and he had it sideways between his teeth, just staring at me.  I've GOT to get better at having my camera ready!!  

Here are a few more pics of the little man.

Ready for my pop-scooter ride, Papaw!!
(I know this is a pink and purple ride... graciously given to us by sweet neighbors (and their daughter) who moved to another state. Anyone have experience painting a PowerWheels gender neutral colors??)

Ready for church!!
(and helping sort through the laundry piles for later today)

Grovin...

Silas and Avery had their first "Grove" experience Saturday in Oxford. After a fun Friday night in Grenada with Papaw and Mimi, we loaded up for the big day.  Since the game wasn't until 5 that afternoon, we had time to stop at Jason and Amy Hardin's house to play with little Hardin for a few minutes. How fun. Little Hardin is precious and was fascinated at the little wild hoodlums taking over his house. Avery was opening and closing cabinets and Silas climbed INto the kitchen drawer. Poor mom just wasn't fast enough with the camera. You'll just have to picture the scene. 

After about an hour of fun with the Shirkeys, we headed out to the Grove. I must point out that the cute cheerleader suit Avery is proudly donning was her mom's from almost 30 years ago! Kudos to Mimi for stunning preservation. The afternoon was absolutely beautiful with a comfortable breeze... perfect grovin' weather!!  Take a look at this picture. Typical. 

Avery:  "Hello everyone! I'm so glad you'd come out to see me!"
Silas:  "Oh pulllleeease. Get me to the game. And I'll take some popcorn."

After a little while strolling and visiting, Avery became a little ham and started pestering her brother. She sure got plenty of laughs as she was trying to take his paci, give it back, honk his nose, pull at his shoes, you name it. Yep, all in the stroller. Silas was a good sport and held it together on the way to the stadium for kick-off. 

Both enjoyed about, oh, 3 minutes of football. As the crowd got really loud when we scored (since the Rebels were actually able to score against the D2 team....) and Silas got a little scared. But both enjoyed the rest from behind the glass. 

After a long day and plenty of play, Silas and Avery both konked out right after halftime.  Success.  And Rebs win! Rebs win!  

 

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it......  (plenty of liberty taken for context of verse)

September 2010 - September 2011: Year in Review

4 months  1/1/11

6 months



8 months



9 months

10 months, 7/1/11



Year One:  It's a wrap!



Saying Hi



Silas and Avery love their new cousin, Eleanor! Look at these curious and cautious eyes. Many fun memories are to come with these three!!

Happy Birthday Silas and Avery!!!

September 1, 2011

On Tuesday, August 23rd, the eve of little Eleanor Sturdivant's arrival, we gathered at our house to celebrate (albeit, a week early) Silas and Avery's first birthday. Bruce and I were excited that we could squeeze in a little get-together while most of the family was in town waiting to meet Eleanor! We ordered BBQ and all the trimmings from The Hickory Pit and, of course... had birthday cake;)  Silas couldn't care less about television or any 'character' (he only seems to care about moving furniture and rolling trucks these days...oh, and climbing...more on that later) and Avery couldn't be more infatuated with Mickey Mouse, so we went with a Mickey theme.

As you can see, somebody's a little excited about her party:



I love my new ears!

Avery (a.k.a little billy goat) also has this craving for paper. Don't ask me what in the world she is thinking... it never fails, she takes big bites out of any paper she can find! Not kidding, she hunts for it.  Needless to say, unwrapping ber presents...

We didn't know if we needed a garbage sack or not. ha!

Bruce's parents got the twins a red Radio Flyer Wagon - Silas sat and patiently waited to be pulled around!  Too funny.

I love this picture...

"No Poppy, the Tickle Monster is on THIS page"

We've joked that Avery 'knows' people exist and appear just for her. Today was no different. She proudly WALKED (yes, I said walked) around and paused to pose at the wagon with HER presents (or paper, I guess).



Oh, you shouldn't have! How sweet of you to come to MY party!



Love Elmo! He even does the Hokey Pokey!  Avery already practices the dance... especially while I'm trying to put on her pajamas. She puts her left leg in, then takes her left leg out....



How sweet are these two!!

On to the smash cake pictures:

We all sang Happy Birthday and they both stared at the cakes as if to say, "hmmm, what are we supposed to do with this?". After a second of visual inspection, the exploring little hands made their way to the cakes:

Avery is not so sure about the sticky, gooey blue icing...
"This reminds me a little too much of those mushy bananas and peas Momma tries to get me to feed myself... Where are my crunchy Os?

While Silas quietly tasted the sweet confections...

Avery, surprisingly... did not care much about the icing or the cake! I even tried to slice her a piece to "pick from".  She was not impressed with the way that icing stuck to her fingers...

However... her twin brother couldn't have been happier! He took his hands and, like his little bulldozer, raked the cake into his mouth. He had more cake that night than any adult did. Let's just say I've never seen him so hyper! He acted like he was on speed... crawling everywhere, laughing, babbling... until about 9:30. He finally crashed. Thank goodness he actually slept that night!

Let's just say I'm glad there was a tablecloth on the floor... we'll be cleaning that blue icing from the high chairs for the next year!

We were so excited that our cousin (only two days younger than Silas and Avery), Jackson Conway, was able to come to the party too!!  Of course, after the cakes, we (ALL) had to go directly to the bathtub. These three hammed it up for the cameras...

Splish Splash!!

I'm sitting here tonight in a quiet house after everyone else has gone to bed and can't believe my little ones have been booted from their babyhood and now toddle around like little people... Well, Avery is walking everywhere. Silas, on the other hand, is afraid to take a step without holding on but somehow enjoys climbing onto everything (i.e. the rocking chair, which he "surfs" to bang into the wall like a drum. Oh what creativity)...but I digress. Ho hum, I guess time always marches on... whether I like it or not.

How crazy is it that Bruce and I are supposed to keep these little people from disastrously hurting themselves

until they are old enough to have children themselves (which isn’t old enough by the way).  And in the meantime, we’re to show them the Jesus that we know, the awesome God that created their inmost being and formed them into His image, numbered the hairs on their heads, every day they wake up and every breath they take. (Gulp!) What a tall order.  

And those eyes that melt my heart. It's a feeling you truly can't describe until you've experienced it. Y'all were right in telling me each day just gets better. No one in this entire world will look at me the way these do:  From their perch on the floor they stare with outstretched arms and with utmost love, adoration, innocence...complete trust. I worry about the day that they figure out that I’m human too – not perfect.  I pray when that point comes – that point in time where they realize the infallible truth that no one is perfect – they can still see Christ through us.

Heavens, we've made it. A whole year (and two coffee pots). 

Never in my life have I ever been so sleep deprived (exhausted), never been so happy, never been so nervous, never been so terrified overwhelmed...   never been so grateful… never been so blessed.

Eleanor Gore Sturdivant

Introducing Eleanor Gore Sturdivant

Born August 24, 2011 at 5:05pm

7lb, 8oz  20 inches long

Absolute perfection. 

 

What a beautiful family!

Moppy always says, "You can never be closer to God than when you hold a brand-spankin'-new baby. Straight out of His arms."  So true, Mop.

Uh Oh... Spaghetti-O

First time for spaghetti:  Success. 

Silas (in total "boy" fashion) was not timid about jumping right in. Avery, however, approached the slimy, sauce-covered noodles with care. She pinched each noodle for inspecion and after satisfactory approval she began to stuff her face too. They had a blast. So did we.  They no doubt get their manners from...  I foresee many family suppers where we learn from the book Soup Should be Seen, Not Heard.



"May we touch it? Really??!!"




"Slippery noodles... "




"Can't stop... so good!"




Excuse me!




FYI, that's a spoon with a knob on the end... not a tennis ball. According to Silas, spoons are for smearing everything on the tray.




Get in my belly!!


Of course, we held both at arms length and placed directly in the bathtub. And yes, I cleaned noodles out of the tub.

Sunday afternoon, we went for a swim!  The challenge this time was keeping them in the pool. They wanted to get in and then get out, get in then out, pet Millie through the railing, get in.... you get the picture.

Poor Millie wanted to be a part of the party.



Silas and Avery loved the bubbles!

We're anxiously awaiting cousin Eleanor's arrival WEDNESDAY!!  Since most of the family will be in town today, we're going to have Silas and Avery's "first" birthday party this afternoon. Seriously... has it been a year??  I don't even want to think about it! 

p.s. Avery is taking about 5 - 6 steps before sitting down.... any day now we'll have another bipedalist in the Warf household!  (Silas is still hanging on with white knuckles... cute cautious little guy. I will never complain about a boy that is a little cautious:-)

howdy, pardner

Mimi and Papaw brought cowboy hats from Texas for Silas and Avery on their way back home from her checkup last week. These two little people have no idea (yet!) exactly how wonderfully blessed they are to have their Mimi, aka big person play toy.

Howdy, pardner!!



Yippee Ki Yay!

 In other news, Silas and Avery have become little Houdinis. To date, Bruce and I have spent $__ on three different kinds of cabinet "locks".  All three have been no match for these two. In fact, Bruce and I spent about 10 minutes with the lock pictured below before we finally figured it out. We turn around in 2 minutes to see these smiling faces!



Avaliable for any of your "pop a lock" needs, 7am - 7pm.

Bedtime these days (or most days):
6:00 or 6:30 - supper
7:00 - bottle
7:30 - bath
7:45 - bedtime story and lights out



Doesn't get any better than this!



Trucks and Giggles (the doll)

Last week, Mimi brought one of Grace's and my baby dolls and the Barbie Jeep from (ahem... almost 30 years ago...) for Avery to play with.  How in the world she kept things in such good shape through the years is beyond me. Kudos, Mimi!  How fun it is to watch Avery and this baby doll named Giggles. If you squeeze Giggles at her tummy, she cackles and laughs... Avery has gotten a kick out of punching (literally) Giggles to make her laugh... she laughs hard right back. We're trying to learn how to "love the baby" so we can be ready for Eleanor... seems that we have a long way to go...

Since Silas immediately took to the pink Barbie Jeep... we had to go get the poor little man a truck. And boy, did he love it. He sits and rolls that truck in a circle as he spins on his bottom like a top. So funny.  It's amazing and neat to watch how boys are girls are born into this world wired up to love babies or trucks. 

Picture moment before church last Sunday:

We were so excited to have Aunt GayGay and Uncle Bobby come stay with the twins while we attended Caleb and Abbie's engagement party. They were such a huge help all day and Sunday morning (hence the photo op!).  AND, Uncle Leo and Aunt Tonya graciously offered to keep them Friday night while Bruce and I enjoyed a rare and prized date night!  

Here are a few pics of Silas and Avery's facial expressions. It seems like every day they each have another expression to communicate to us... only slightly animated, they are: