July Fourth and more

It was finally warm in SD last week so we broke out the pool on Wednesday when we hit over 100 degrees. The water was still like being in ice water. I set Lucy down in the pool before testing the water and she screamed. Hannah never sat down but loved playing with the water hose.

I'll just swing, thanks!

Lucy turned 9 months old at the end of June. She is crawling all over the place and now can pull up and stand where ever she wants. She is on the move. 

Happy Fourth of July. I attempted to get pictures of the girls but nearly impossible. Here are a few.

We went downtown with some friends and the girls had a great time. It was a late night but well worth it. 

Hannah, Reagan and Maia

Thanks to the Slinkards for letting Hannah ride.

Praying for Healing

It has been a long week. One week ago today our friend's daughter underwent brain surgery. Courtney and Phil are very dear friends of ours. They were one of the first couples we met in Abilene and became instant close friends. I do not know what I would have done without Courtney's friendship. She helped me through my first deployment and then we were able to have our first babies close together so we could share in the craziness of being first-time moms. She was pregnant with Callie when we moved to Rapid. I was so sad to not be there when Callie was born since she was due only about a month after we left. 

 I can't tell you the emotions when I got the text that Callie had a brain tumor. My friend thought that I knew but I had no idea. It all happened very fast.  Within hours of getting results of the MRI they were sent to Cook's Children's Hospital in Ft. Worth. 2 days later Callie was having a peach-sized tumor removed from her brain. 

 Yesterday they received news that she has Stage 3 Ependymoma Brain Cancer. Stage 3 seems to be more aggresive than Stage 2 but this is not proven and the treatment is the same. They are researching options for radiation and may be moving Callie to Houston or Oklahoma City. She will need 6 weeks of radiation and possibly chemo.  Callie has some odds against her but she has a Mighty God fighting this battle with her. 

 Phil and Courtney have been singing "My God is so big so strong and so mighty there is NOTHING my God can not do for you" to Callie every night. It is the theme song of their journey. 

 I am asking that you pray for this sweet baby and her family. Callie is only 22 months old. Her older brother Carson is 4. 

 For specific prayer requests, you can visit their caring bridge page:

Updates on Callie

We sang this song on Sunday and all I could think about was Callie. Courtney and I are known for balling our eyes out during songs on Sundays so that really made me think of her. (Of course, those were the days we were in the choir loft ). I think these words are so true for their situation:

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You

Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Bridge:
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Mississippi Pictures

Father's Day

We spent Father's Day in the car so it was not much of a celebration. We are celebrating again this weekend. Happy Father's Day to the greatest dad ever. He seems to have so much patience and can be so creative when trying to figure out how to best parent Hannah.  We love him very much!