Um, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Sorry we are late on that one, it's just been a little busy around here. We are unloading mass quantities of stuff from our house to make room for the boys' baby brother who will be arriving in May. We are moving rooms around and getting organized.

Myles is doing so great in school, his teachers love having him in class and he is bringing home good grades on his papers everyday. He began taking a medicine for ADHD at the beginning of December and he is adapting to it really well. Please pray that his appetite stays consistent and he keeps his weight up.

Damon had his 5 year check up and he is growing so much. He is still skinny for his age, but has really put on a lot of weight since his last surgery and has grown way taller in the last year. We have been working hard at getting both of the boys to eat everything on their plate at meal times and it seems like his appetite has increased. Sometimes he even out-eats Myles! He is still in pre-school and is excited and ready to go to kindergarten. He has learned to tie his shoes too! (But still needs help sometimes.) He is becoming such a kind-hearted little boy. I love to watch him and see what he is interested in and good at. He loves to color and draw and is very much still a drummer.

We hope you are having a good start to 2012. Life is not without it's challenges, but we are filled up to be emptied again. And when we are empty vessels we can be filled up with the love of God and that love can spill out and run over.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Damon felt much better today. He still has the rash some but he didn't have a fever today. Since he's been on the antibiotics since Sunday he gets to go back to school tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers so that he completely recovers. We appreciate them so much!

Sarah

Damon has scarlet fever. It sounds horrible, like its a 1920's disease but it's basically just strep throat with a rash. He still has a fever and the rash is all over. He stayed on the couch all day Sunday and today and rested. He hasn't eaten very much and keeps saying his stomach hurts. I think his stomach hurts because he hasn't eaten much of anything since Saturday night. Tonight he got a nose bleed and it scared him pretty bad. I don't think that is related to the sickness though.

Please, please, please pray for my boy. His little face is so red from the fever and he just isn't himself. Pray that his heart and lungs will be protected and his sats will stay stable.

Sarah

He spiked a fever tonight and as we were putting him to bed I saw that he has a rash on his stomach and back. Please pray that he will be healed of whatever this is quickly. Thanks and we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Today my boy turns 5. It seems unreal that this day is really here. I look at the big boy he is now and it's hard to remember that tiny blue baby he used to be. Don't get me wrong, I still remember everything about all of it but God's grace has allowed me to only think on those things occasionally. I have asked why countless times and it really doesn't matter anymore. Maybe I'll find out and maybe not. Or maybe why is simply for God to show His faithfulness to me and my children. I know that I will never stop praising Him for it and my prayer is that Damon will grow up to do the same; to tell everyone of his special half-hearted life and how God was faithful.

Damon you bring a smile to everyone's face. You make us laugh and bring joy (and frustration) to our lives everyday. God has given you a very special heart in so many ways and I'm thankful to be a part of your life. The peanut, Myles, Zach and I love you so much! We are so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn this year and for many more to come. Happy Birthday buddy!!!

Damon had a great appointment with Dr Tong today. His heart looked good, no leaky valves and his aorta was still fine where it has been narrow and ballooned before. His sats were 85 which is just fine for him. He has gained two pounds and grown 3 cm since his last appointment in June. He had another boring appointment, in Dr Tong's words and that's just what we like to have. Keep the prayers coming!!! Talk to you all later.

Sarah

One year ago this week Damon was in the hospital recovering from his third open-heart surgery. It seems like it's been much longer ago than that though. He is doing very well right now and we don't expect any less from our faithful God. He has an appointment with Dr Tong on November 1st so I will post after that and let you all know how he did.

We are getting ready for Halloween, Damon is going to be a gentleman. His idea! We will post pics of him and Myles, who is going to be a ninja. And some other big news is that Myles and Damon are going to be big brothers! Zach and I are expecting a baby in the Spring. They are both very excited. Damon wants a girl and Myles wants a boy. Zach and I also want a girl, but will be happy with a healthy baby.

We ask that you would also pray for protection over the boys in the coming weeks. Their health insurance is being canceled. I am trying to get a replacement as soon as possible but there might be a time when they aren't covered so please pray that they boys stay healthy in that time and that they will get coverage as soon as possible.

Talk to you all soon.

Sarah

I know it's been way too long since I've updated you on Damon and what's going on with him and in our lives. So here is a run down of what's been going on.

Damon, Myles and I had a great time in Dallas meeting The Wiggles back in July. I'm getting the pictures ready to post so keep watching for those. Damon had a dr's appointment a couple weeks before we left and he is doing great, he doesn't have to see Dr Tong again until sometime in October. He's doing great!

Myles is playing tackle football! He is #46, just like uncle Hank! He loves it and his team won their first game!

Damon started pre-school at the end of August, and also daycare. It has been a big transition for us both. Damon hasn't ever been to a daycare with a lot of children. I actually think it was harder for me than it was for him. It still is actually. This morning the bus came and I wasn't quite ready for it. I had to get Damon on the bus without giving him his medicine. So a little later I took his medicine up to the school and gave it to him. He was in line with some other kids and he came over and took his medicine like the big boy he is and then said "Bye mommy, I love you" and he went back to his line. I'm so proud of him for how well he's doing and so greatful to God for how far he has come and now he's started school. Well I was crying before I got to the car. So mommy is still adjusting to Damon being away from home doing things that mommy isn't involved in. And riding the big boy bus and having friends. Whew! It's hard. But I know I can do it. And he is doing great!

Please pray that he will stay healthy while he's at school and that he will learn and grow and just be a normal little guy. Here are some pictures of Damon on his first day of school.

I posted a while back that Damon is going to be getting his wish from the Make A Wish foundation. What is his wish you ask? To meet the Wiggles, of course! We found out that he will meet them on July 8th in Dallas. He will go to a meet and greet that day and get to meet them in person, and then we will get to watch their show. I am so excited that he gets to do this, he deserves it so much after all that he has been through in his short 4 years. We will definetly post pictures when we get back from the trip.

This last Saturday Damon had his pre-wish party at the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield. We met under the pavillion and had hotdogs and cake. There was also a lady there playing Wiggles songs and she had brought some shakers and bongos for Damon and the other kids to play. We had fun singing "Fruit Salad" and "The Big Red Car."
We went into the zoo and rode the train and then we were free to explore the zoo. It was very hot and sunny but we all had a great time.

Barbara, the lady from the Make A Wish foundation, planned a great pre-wish party for Damon and she, Mark, and Ashley have spent a lot of time planning to make Damon's wish great. I can't wait to share all the experience with you all.

Damon goes to the doctor this Thursday (which is also a certain big brother's 8th birthday.) I'll post an update after that. Pray for safe travel for us on our trip, pray for a healthy report for Damon at the doctor, and please continue to lift up Joplin as we go through the rebuilding process of our city after the tornado. Talk to you soon.

Sarah

Unless you've been in a dark hole the past few days you have seen and heard about the destructive tornado that hit Joplin on Sunday evening. Damon, Myles, Zach and I, as well as our families are all fine. We live outside of Joplin in Carl Junction and the tornado didn't even come close to there.

The damage is so severe there aren't words. The pictures you are seeing on tv do not even come close to conveying the actual impact that this storm had on our city. It is truly devistating. I have friends and relatives that have lost everything, ones that have major damage, and sadly my step dad's cousin lost his life in the storm. His son is currently serving in Afganistan and is trying to get home so please pray that he can get here quickly and safely.

I struggle to understand why something like this was allowed to happen. I prayed with the boys that night that we would be protected and tried to comfort them by reassuring them that God is in control of the weather and He can stop the storm dead in it's tracks. So when I see the destruction and hear the death total rising to 120 plus people it's hard to see the big picture. But I know that there is one. I cling to Romans 8:28, For we know that all things work together for good for those that love God.

You are in control Father and I trust You. You can see all things while I only see a small picture. You are still good and holy and worthy of praise despite the events that cause us pain. I praise you for the protection over my family and for the ones whom were lost and unaccounted for that have been found safe and sound.

Please pray for those who are still looking for lost loved ones. 1500 said to be unaccounted for. Pray for those who have lost loved ones. Death toll is 124 so far. Pray for any people who are still trapped in the rubble. Pray for the rain to stop so the rescue and clean up efforts can go on. Pray for people to stay out of the way of those helping and pray that the looting would stop. Thanks for your prayers.

Sarah