Happy Easter

Slade

February: Baseball started...Owens visited...Madi turned 1...Slade...


We made a couple of trips to Atlanta last month because my brother has been sick since mid January. For those who haven't heard the story, you can find the recap at http://www.carepages.com/. (You sign yourself up with your email & a password and then plug in "sladesellers" to find his page.) Jenn & I are going back tomorrow to help out after his surgery today. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, answers and healing for him. We love him dearly. We have been overwhelmed with everyone's love and concern for him and our family and trust that this will be behind us soon.

Psalm 91:2: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.

We managed to snap a few pix during the month...they are posted on the right.

Greer: 3 Month Pics

Scripture for Life

We dedicated Greer and ourselves as parents to the Lord on the 27th. The scripture that B spoke over her (and Gehrig when he was dedicated)...

Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Proverbs 4:20-26

Pappy update: We are doing better! Gehrig is a little more clingy to Mommy, but doesn't want Old Pappy back and is sleeping well. We are grateful that this transition is past, but might would've waited longer to do it if we'd have known! It would have been hard anytime, I suppose... Much thanks for all the support and commentary through it all!

January pics are posted...especially of note is our trip to Chattanooga to visit the Coopers & Owens. We had a ball! They are great friends...for us and our kids. :)

Pappy Detox

I loved Pappy. It was a magic wand, an instant comfort, my sweet boy's secret weapon and as he reminded me, his "friend." Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be widely acceptable for grown men to walk around with pacifiers. We had to let it go.

We heard at school Monday that Gehrig's friend, Tommy, had thrown his pappy in the river...yep, the big Savannah one. Gehrig was intrigued and talked about it all day. He wanted to throw his in the river too. I couldn't bear the permanancy! We put it on the bathroom counter instead. He was brave until bedtime and wanted it back.

Tuesday, he started telling everyone that he wasn't going to sleep with his pappy anymore. We felt like we needed to act. If he's ready and Daddy's ready (even if I'm not!), then it must be the time. We started with a ceremonial last picture of the two of them together and then...he threw it in the trash.

We then went to Build-a-Bear to get a new pappy! (Thanks for the idea, Owens, and the reinforcing encouragement, Mareks!) Gehrig got to pick out whatever animal he wanted and name it Pappy. We had a great time picking out a lovely green triceratops, stuffing it and bathing it. Gehrig was thrilled! We took it to show the neighbors and made it a place at the table for dinner...

And then, bedtime. We read extra Bible stories, spent extra sweet time with him and prayed that his transition would be smooth. As it neared time to tuck him in, he started..."I want my old pappy." Over and over. I have never seen him so sad. It was so hard. I wanted to just go get it! It was apparent that the attachment had been greater than we even realized. Finally, at 9:30, he was asleep. We had made it!

Until 10:30. This is when the detox reference comes in. He must have woken up and looked for his pappy like he had done thousands of times before. He started crying, we went in and his mantra began again, "I want my old pappy!" He was wringing his hands and pitiful...and I felt like the meanest mom ever. Finally, I told him that I wanted it too. (I really did.) And that I was so sorry. And that we would have a special breakfast date in the morning if he could make it through...a donut with sprinkles. Seriously, he stopped crying and cuddled New Pappy and by midnight, he had stopped whimpering and was fast asleep. (I know, May May...he loves sprinkles just like his mommy!) We didn't hear anything again until morning.

Today has been a big celebration day with our breakfast date at the donut store. (Mommy got one too...I needed it!) He took New Pappy to school to announce his news and show him off. They were all so sweet and supportive. And now, he is napping! It took him a little longer to fall asleep, but there was no sad crying. We're hopeful that tonight will go as smoothly...

Wrapping Up 2007

Our last half of December proved busy and interesting, and at times hard. All four of us got sick...sinus infections, an ear infection, a staph infection, mastitis (for the third time) and a random high fever thrown in just for fun! We are so glad to be back to normal now and pray that the rest of the winter is better...

Our Christmas included a visit to Atlanta to see Bebe and fam. Despite the fact that we were physically down and out, we enjoyed visiting with everyone. It is always great to be with your mom when you're sick...it doesn't matter how old you get or how many kids you have of your own! Gehrig enjoyed playing with Megan & Nathan...and continues to be in love with Slade's girlfriend, Jessica. He calls her his "big girlfriend!" Thankfully, she is good natured about him wanting her to play with him constantly, sit next to him, read him books...etc.etc.

We came home on Christmas Eve to be home with the kids and enjoy visiting with B's family. After everything being so busy the week prior, we opted for a vegetable soup Christmas dinner! It was delicious and very easy. B was home with the kids for the rest of the week while I worked...they did great. I am so grateful for him! It was helpful to focus on work and get used to leaving Greer in the mornings.

The last weekend was full of more family activity. We celebrated Christmas with B's extended family on Friday. The Bournes gave Gehrig the game, Break the Ice, and he loves it! He follows the rules for a couple of turns and then gets excited and hammers it all away...such a boy! On Saturday, we went to Sylvania to celebrate Pa's sister Doris' 60th birthday. It was nice to see family and stay with Mammaw & Pots afterwards.

Finally, on Monday we drove to Dublin for the annual Dorman New Year's Bash. It was amazingly easy with the kids (they graciously let us have the upstairs suite) and so much fun to be with everyone there! Happy New Year to you all. We are praying that we grow closer to God and each other in 2008...we love you!

p.s. We didn't do a great job of picture taking...there are some in the December album on the right.

What Makes You Smile?

The first few weeks that a newborn smiles are so sweet...she makes me smile.

While I was feeding Greer yesterday, Gehrig went to his room and apparently decided that he couldn't wait for me to put him down for his nap. This is how I found him...it made me smile.

Hearing Christmas music, receiving Christmas cards, hearing Gehrig exclaim "Baby Jesus!" everytime he sees a nativity...this Season makes me smile.

Our blessings are too many to count. I am so thankful for great friends & family and for a God that loves us so much that he sent Jesus for us. We hope your Christmas season is full of joy!