Halloween

Well we had an interesting week. Saturday night, Mike got sick out of nowhere. Monday night Steven & Matthew had apparently planned a vomiting contest behind our backs, Steven won! WOOHOO!! He threw up about 8 times. Tuesday followed with Jacob getting sick and then you guessed I am the only one left & I got it on Wednesday. Gotta love stomach viruses! We weren't even going to do anything for Halloween but decided at the last minute we couldn't let the kids down and they really wanted to wear their costumes. Steven was a really cute little Spidey and Matthew made a most precious Zebra. Jacob has sorta out grown the costume thing but loves the "smart elic" shirts. This one said "This is my corny costume".

Matthew's Milestone

As many of you may know, our little Matthew has had some previous health issues. For those who may not know, here's the shortest version of the situation. Matthew went in for his 1 month check up on February 5, 2007. On that day he was admitted to Children's Hospital with partial malrotation of the small intestine. This diagnosis came based on several test that were done due to his lack of weight gain. Needless to say we were devistated. Matthew had his first operation on February 6, 2007 to unwind his intestines and remove his appendix (it would have been in the wrong place after his intestines were unwound). He could not take anything by mouth for several days. He then basically had to learn how to take a bottle all over again. We were getting ready to be discharged on February 12, when Dr. Barnhart discovered his incision had herniated. Back to the OR we go. Matthew had his second surgery on February 13, 2007. Dr. Barnhart even cried himself. We finally got to bring our little Matthew home on February 16, 2007. Since then we have been on our way to a healthy weight baby. Dr. Barnhart released Matthew in May 2007 with a clean bill of health. We have only had one trip back to the ER for a GI test, but it was just a virus. He has to be rushed in if he throws up yellow or green, colorful I know. The good news is, Matthew finally weighed 20 pounds, actually 21, at the doctor last week. WOOHOO!!! Dr. Hale was so excited and we were too. He does have an ear infection, so he is a little cranky. Other than that he is his regular, mean little self. One thing we learned through all of this, is God still heals everyday. We had only a little bump in the road compared to others. I thank God for our miracle and will pray that others who are waiting on theirs will soon receive them. Here are a few pictures of Matthew along the way. Thanks to everyone who prayed so much for us when we needed it the most. We would have never made it without you! We are proud of you Matthew, keep on eating and keep on adding on the pounds.

Steven's 4th Birthday (better late than never)

I am so sorry for being so late with this post. As you can see from the previous post we had a very unexpected death in the family and I completely skipped posting the birthday party. I am so sorry Steven Bug! Mommy does love you, I just couldn't get it together for a minute, well ok a month. But, I have it all back together now! Anyway, here we go with the party pictures. Steven is really loving Power Rangers right now, so that is what we went with. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't take pictures well with our blinds open in the house. You guessed it, every single one was open, DANG! Several of the pictures I took didn't turn out very well, but here are the rest.

Tribute to Dennis Wayne "The Rock" Dumas March 5, 1952 - Spetember 15, 2008

I have had the lifelong priviledge of calling one the most talented men I have ever known, my Uncle Dennis. God called him home on Monday September 15, 2008. The hardest thing for me was the thought of never hearing him sing or play his guitar again. I long for the day to hear him play again. I will be able to add a playlist of a CD I have. I will share a little glimpse of his talent with everyone. Please keep out family in your prayers as we go through this difficult time. Here is a picture of the Guitar flowers I ordered from Justice Florist in Mulga. Thank you so much Audrey, you did a wonderful job.

Auburn vs ULM Pre-Game

I love the pre-game show at the home games! I get a little choked up every time, Women, I know! Oh Well, I hope you can enjoy it from the slide show.

Auburn vs ULM Tail-Gating

We went to the opening game again this year, as we do every year. Matthew was a great tail-gater. Steven made himself right at home in front of 1 of the 5 TVs we have at our spot. I couldn't even get a picture of him, he was too busy helping Abby with her puppies & watching football. Matthew is not a dog lover, notice the tears in a couple of the pictures, or maybe it was Uncle Timmy he was scared of. (I vote it was Uncle Timmy!) Here are just a few pictures from the Amphitheater where we tailgate. WAR EAGLE!

Incriminating Photos

I can't wait for their first dates. Zane tried to tell them they were making a mistake by getting these pictures made. In case you can't tell, Christian & Tanner took turns being Erkle & wearing Uncle Mike's navy blue Auburn hair. I am sure their girlfriends will second guess themselves one day.