Dalton's Here! Prayers Needed

UPDATED #2: Dalton's surgery was successful and went as planned!  He took his first bottle today!  Also, the doctors aren't seeing anything wrong with his brain!!  Oh y'all...seriously...this is the amazing work of God!  Prior to birth, it appeared his brain ventricles were enlarged, not good at all...a serious issue.  Amazingly, the doctors aren't seeing it now!!  For obvious reasons, Kara hasn't been taking the time she needs to heal and is feeling it now.


UPDATE: Dalton is having heart surgery, tomorrow, Friday 2/3 at 7am.  No other official updates, but according to Andrew's review of the pictures from Kara's blog, he reports that Dalton really isn't "hooked up" much at all (meaning, he doesn't have near the number of tubes, wires, attachments that the many in the NICU have).  I say that is good news! Kara has been released from Northside, and Dalton has been transferred to Egleston (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory...all the same place, basically).  Continue to pray for this wonderful family and sweet Dalton.   

Picture "stolen" from Kara's blog...thanks, Kara!

First - we have a huge reason to be Thankful today!  Jonathan and Kara welcomed beautiful little boy, Dalton, to the world last night.  And boy is he a fighter!  I am just going to give you the link and let you hear it from Jonathan and Kara - but let me warn you - you will cry. 

And let's not forget, he is not "in the clear yet."  He has a tough, uphill climb ahead.  Keep this sweet family in your prayers.

http://devotionstodalton.blogspot.com/

Mobile Golf Weekend

After nearly 3.5 years, Andrew and I decided it was time (more like we finally found the time) to take a vacation, just the two of us, since our honeymoon.  Yes we have been on a few trips since then but they have either been with others (which we enjoy, don't get us wrong) or for a specific purpose (i.e. buy a house).  So this past weekend, we loaded up and headed to Mobile via Ocean Springs.  We left Tucker with his first owners and his favorite cousin and then hit the road.  It was wonderful!

About 7ish - we get this picture and message from MB.

"He is fine.  Give him a bath.  He ate john's dinner when we weren't watching for a second.  Been inside with us."  I should add she ran a hose from her mud sink with hot water outside to wash him...he doesn't get that here.

Yes we are aware that our dog is "well-loved."

We had an 8:30 tee time Saturday at the Falls and Sunday at the Crossings, both of Magnolia Grove (one of the RTJ Trail).  While difficult, the courses really didn't kill us.  We would highly recommend them to a golfer of any skill level.  It was a little chilly when we teed off both mornings but warmed up quickly.  We could not have asked for better weather at the end of January.  When we decided to take the trip, we both expected it  to be cold and for use to have to wear "cold gear."  We were pleased with low 40s and highs near 70...it felt like April!

We stayed downtown Mobile and walked to The Bull for dinner on Friday night.  On Saturday, we had lunch at Wintzell's then dinner at Felix's Fish Camp.  All three were worth a second trip.  We also explored Fairhope and Point Clear.  We thoroughly enjoyed the drive down the Bay.

John's Visit

Uncle Andrew ad I were treated to a visit by John this weekend.

Uh..I don't know

I hate coming up with titles for post...but that isn't the point.  The point is to share some pictures that I hope will make you laugh.

This is my well loved American Heart Association cookbook...can you tell I love it?

Uh - would someone tell me why our dog decided this was a good way to sleep?  Trust me, I would not sleep that close to that odor-releaser...

 Seriously - we are talking an inch...that is not nearly enough space when that odor-releaser fires...

And when did this...

and this...

become this...

and this...

A Little Show

Dad forwarded a picture of him and his best buddy - Jeff - performing at a local Christmas concert with one of Jeff's daughters, Shelby, and some other guy that I don't know. 

Have I mentioned that other than taking a few, brief piano lessons Dad is completely self-taught in regards to all musical instruments?  He plays guitar, (picks at) banjo, (a tiny bit) piano, bass guitar, and most recently, double bass.  Seriously, other than talking to Andrew (who played violin (very well I am told...)) a little, he has never had a lesson on the bass...just taught himself.  The most annoying part is that he learns and practices by playing along with the radio...the entire house has to listen...it isn't always enjoyable.  But according to Mom, who is his number 1 critic, he has gotten pretty darn good and even acts like he knows what he is doing. 

Anyway, I should also mention that Jeff is the lead singer of the country group, Rocky Creek Band.  They played at our reception...it was wonderful.  He is married to my fifth grade teacher - one of my all time favorite teachers by the way - and they have two beautiful girls with amazing voices.  Mandy and Shelby both sang at our wedding and are both trying to "find their break" with country music.  Mandy has a single out...The Clown.  And Shelby was crowned Miss UGA in the fall and will be competiting in Miss Georgia.  Honestly y'all, they are both great - I would love for them to make it on the big stage on day.  Until then, Shelby is stuck singing with out dad's...poor thing.

Random Thoughts - (Yes, work is boring for this second, so I am going to enjoy it...)

 - 2012 has started off busy

 - I am trying to cook more, including green, healthy things

 - I have pulled the American Heart Association cookbook back out...I love it

 - We had Chicken with Orange Sauce last night...great flavor, 238 calories, just a little too much orange...don't you love it when a healthy recipe has so much flavor you want to trim it next time?

 - We have become "those people" when it comes to our dog.  We "top" his food with frozen dog food that can't be bought in MS, so we have to stock up when we go home.  He also gets Chicken Minis as treats or food toppers.  The dog doesn't eat well...so yes, I keep Chicken Minis frozen for the dog (in addition to his special food).

 - Christie, Megan and I would like to know what happened to the days that we could just rattle off our correct age as soon as someone asked?  Why is it that I always say 26 when it is now 28?

 - Crazy goal - but I want to walk a half-marathon in 2012.  Not sure when exactly yet, but I will before the year is up!

 - Andrew has 18 months left in residency!  It has gone really fast.

 - We love the food options in Jackson and we haven't even come close to eating at all the local places.  We have our favorites and have a hard time trying a new one when Keifers is just so dang good.   What is better than a pita mozz with feta sauce?

 - I haven't had a cupcake in 2 months...it may be a record...I haven't had frozen custard in an equally long time...and no, I am not sick...and yes, I now want both.

 - I missed driving a green by a yard...had it kicked to the right, it would have been on...it kicked to the left...and it was pin high...

 - Andrew and I both birdie that hole...we then doubled the next hole...we then parred the same hole two holes later...I told him to stop playing like me...he then hit an unknown number of shots in the water on 17, I stopped counting after four...I think there was a fifth or a sixth...he picked up...it was a par 3...I beat him on that hole.

 - I have a nasty blister on my foot from my golf shoes.  It hurts.

 - For those of you that know my shoe problem, I am happy to report that after living with me for over 3 years...Andrew has developed a golf shoe problem.  He has 7 pairs with an 8th on the way...yes, we call that a problem.  I am okay with this problem...really...I am.  He isn't buying classic black, brown, and white either....he has gotten some crazy designs and patterns...I am happy he is branching out.  I just hope it stops soon - otherwise we will be expanding our closet with his shoe money.

 - I have gotten on a kick of eating yogurt, cottage cheese, and an orange during the day...and will even eat them back to back to back for lunch...sounds odd, but it tastes great.  And no, there is no reason for this strange combination.

 - Okay - off to do work...

Biker Dude

Andrew and I gave John a bike for Christmas this year.  We figured we better get the "big name toys" out the way while they are still small and affordable.  So don't be shocked if he gets a laptop next year - a Leap Frog Laptop, of course.  And while he sweetly played with and loved each and every gift he was given, I think we had the winner since I don't see any plastic go-fish fish, play-dough, legos, or tractor bedspread in the picture or he isn't wearing his boots from CiCi (I have been corrected on the spelling...) and Mac.  Before I show this picture - I have to say - John was so sweet to say thank you for every gift and played with all of them.  He also told us that he loved having all of us at his house and that we should all live together, Tucker included.

Yes, he is wearing a stocking cap over his helmet...don't ask.

Videos...

The videos of John and Tucker as promised in early December...

Giving Hugs...

FYI - Don't wear socks at our house.  Tucker loves, loves, loves socks and will take them off your feet.