JG's Tooth

Janie Grace has a tooth! We've finally caught it with the camera. That little thing will do some damage too! A 2nd one has broken the gum on the bottom.

Jensen Update

We left Brenner at 11:45. Jensen and Jennifer are headed for well-deserved ice cream!

Jensen was so brave today and such a great patient. We were so impressed. The medical staff kept complimenting her composure. The end result is that 5 polyps were removed in a procedure that took a bit longer than expected given how many there were. A couple were quite large which probably explains why Jensen was going to the bathroom so often. Given the quantity of them, it appears she's probably genetically predisposed to getting them. Therefore, this is something the doctor foresees the possibility of needing to do every couple years. Nothing differently she/we can do. There aren't ties to diet etc. with the formation of these things (assuming they're benign which is the belief of the doctor). The samples are off to the lab for testing.

She ended up on general anesthesia so she needed an IV. Crazy how quickly she went off to sleep once they started the drugs (less than 15 seconds). When they were done, it took her a while to wake back up given the lingering effect of the drugs, her already being tired (we were up until midnight getting the miralax into her) and a lack of energy due to no food. However, as soon as we walked out of the hospital, her mouth was back to motoring non-stop as usual. As we walked through the parking deck to the van, we were downloading for her what they'd done which was basically me describing what had happened (we hadn't told her much ahead of time). When I was done, she paused and asked "but Daddy, why didn't they even look at my bottom?". Apparently, the drugs worked well!

We're glad to have this done. We have a follow-up appointment in a couple weeks. Certainly our hope is that these polyps are benign (they actually showed us one...strange looking things). We'd love it if this was an isolated life-event. Time will tell. Thanks for your prayers. They were evident yesterday and today as everything went as smoothly as could have been hoped for.

Jensen's Monday Morning

If it comes to mind, say a prayer for Jensen. At 9:00 AM on Monday, she'll have a procedure to remove what is presumed to be a polyp or two from her intestine as she's been having blood in her stool. Jensen will need to be sedated for a few minutes as the doctor shouldn't need too much time.

Today, since getting a nice hearty breakfast early this morning, Jensen is getting nothing but clear fluids (no less than 64 ounces) and lots of miralax as she gets "cleaned out". By the end of today, we need to see nothing but clear liquids exiting her body. Hopefully, we can get the miralax into her quickly so that she can have a normal night of sleep and not be aware of her hunger.

She took in the first 16 ounces very quickly. Hopefully, the next 48 will go quickly as well.

MWS Concert

If Praise and Worship is 24/7 in Heaven, as I suspect it is, Jennifer and I will be taking up permanent residence at whatever auditorium, amphitheater, coliseum, outdoor stadium, castle, church, temple, lawn or street corner Michael W. Smith is playing. No need to look elsewhere. We'll be groupies following him around the streets of gold!

We got a treat last night...a touch of Eternity. MWS led a worship service/concert at our church that went on for nearly 3 hours.

If Jennifer's life had a soundtrack, it would be an exclusive collection of MWS tunes. From her earliest recollections of life to the most recent occasions for joy and sorrow, a MWS chorus can ring Truth in her mind. His music and lyrics have calibrated her heart and soul at life's critical junctures. Hearing the tunes, be they two decades old or from a recent album, Jennifer is immediately reminded of His faithfulness and provision throughout her 33 years.

In Jennifer's words, "my life came full circle tonight". You see, not only were 2,700 of us treated to a memorable evening, but Jennifer got to meet MWS face-to-face and verbally express her lifelong appreciation for his ministry to her. However, before getting to that moment, there were some interesting twists and turns.

First, let me set the stage....Since grade school Jennifer has had two childhood heroes/crushes/obsessions/idols/role models. Men that she admired for all the right reasons...proclaimed personal Faith in Christ, excelled in their fields of work (play), and cared about their families foremost. Plus, as a 10-year-old girl, it didn't hurt that both men were "easy on the eyes".

Tommy Herr played 2nd base for the dominate St. Louis Cardinals teams of the 1980's. Jennifer was devastated the 1988 day he was traded to the World Series-rival Twins for T. Brunansky. Fast forward to the early 2000's, we've just been married and Jennifer gets the opportunity to attend an FCA fundraising dinner in St. Louis (we were living in Chicago) where Tommy would be a speaker. Long story short, she gets a chance to visit with him, and he autographed a childhood scrapbook belonging to Jennifer that featured newspaper clippings of himself. I've got to believe that the term "stalker" had to have come to mind while he was signing his name! Nonetheless, Jennifer was beyond elated and emotionally overwhelmed that she'd finally met an icon of her life.

One down...one to go.

Several months ago, I had heard it was possible our church would be hosting MWS for a concert. When I told Jennifer, she lit up like a kid on Christmas. Needless to say, the countdown to February 23rd began weeks ago. When I got home from work last night, Jennifer couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. Upon arriving to church, Jennifer needed to leave an item in a secure place for a friend that would pick it up later. With concert-goers being guided through specific doors, we had to take an unusual route to reach Jennifer's agreed upon drop off spot. As we were walking, I spotted a good friend, Mike, down a long hallway. While I was trying to get his attention by yelling his name and walking closer and closer to him, Jennifer cut down an adjacent hallway. Finally, on the third or fourth try of yelling "Mike", he glanced up at me. Unexpectedly, a second man named Mike responded to my calling...Mike W. Smith. I'm sure my eyes indicated that I was startled as MWS was actually starting to walk towards me because I stood in between him and the stairs that would lead him backstage. I immediately searched the hallway where I'd last seen Jennifer, by now, she was around corner. I couldn't believe it. I was going to meet MWS and Jennifer wasn't. As he walked by and we made eye contact, I greeted him by welcoming him to Greensboro and telling him that we were excited for the show. Off he went. Jennifer had missed her chance. As I reconnected with her moments later, I had to relay what had just happened. Let's just say she was ticked, but her frustration was tempered by the fact that she was getting ready to see him in concert. However, she couldn't believe she'd been merely moments from fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Sidebar...This series of events immediately reminded me of another brush with celebrity I once had. As a young boy, my dad took my brother and me to a Chicago Bulls game during MJ's second season during which he broke his ankle. Perhaps as evidence of how times have changed, fans were allowed to wait in a tunnel beneath the old Chicago Stadium that led the players from their locker room to a private parking lot. The players were forced to knife their way through the congested crowd while obliging autograph requests and photo ops. I can still vividly recall the feeling of being packed like a sardine shoulders-to-hips amongst much taller adults while getting occasional glimpses of giant Bulls players making their way through the crowd (some easier than others). However, everybody was down there for one reason...to see Michael. I remember the congested mob of people suddenly becoming a smashed throng as men in yellow windbreakers began pushing everyone back and away from the door that led to the parking lot. At that moment, Jeff announced to my dad over the noise of the crowd that he had to go to the bathroom. My dad caught the attention of a yellow coat, and we were permitted to step through the line of security. I can still vividly recall two things about that moment: 1) the security guard said "make it quick" and 2) pausing, turning around and watching this huge swarm of people being escorted away from us while we stood alone in this wide-open tunnel. Jeff walked over to the bathroom. My dad must have sensed what was about to happen. The attempt to clear folks out must have been for one reason and one reason alone. I remember my dad urging Jeff to go quickly. Dad and I remained in the hall wondering if we'd catch a glimpse of the phenom that had Chicago abuzz. Sure enough, Jeff took the most unfortunate leak of his life. While in the bathroom, a hobbling, fur-coated, cane-toting Goliath of a man came around the corner. As he approached, "Michael, got time for a picture?" my dad asked as both he and I repeatedly glanced back and forth from MJ to the bathroom door. I can still remember my dad intentionally taking a long time with the camera hoping Jeff would appear. He stalled long enough for MJ to murmur "let's take the picture". Jordan was gone. Jeff never appeared. We had to tell him that he'd missed the reason for our loitering. Cruelly, his need for a bathroom break gave me a life-long treasure of a picture.

Back to the present...After enjoying a wonderful evening of music new and old, I could tell Jennifer was lingering in the sanctuary hoping MWS would appear from backstage given that most of the room had emptied. Meanwhile, it was becoming a later-than-anticipated evening for our sweet high school-aged babysitter. The hand-written, hand-delivered note that Jennifer's dad had passed to MWS for her earlier in the day would have to be sufficient. You see, much like any of us would want to express appreciation to a pastor or teacher or mentor that impacted us for years, Jennifer decided to write MWS a letter on Wednesday night documenting for him how his ministry had impacted her life through thick and thin for more than 25 years. Being "friends of the program" allowed for that letter to be securely delivered. What we didn't yet know was that being "friends of the program" would come in handy once again a few minutes later.

As we walked to our car, Jennifer and I broke down our favorite moments of the evening and gushed about the quality of both the performance and the performer. For being at the top of his field for decades now, MWS is grounded and humble. His next-door-neighbor-like-presence is so very endearing. He comes across as one of us...just with an uncanny talent to write music and articulate life. I think that's why he remains relevant. Besides his obvious ability, people connect with the humanity with which he writes. We got in our car and lined up in the traffic on the road in front of our church. Suddenly, I could feel my phone vibrating. Assuming it was the babysitter wondering where on earth we were, I quickly grabbed it. However, I was wrong. Instead, it had been Jennifer's dad leaving a voicemail just moments before. Hearing only the first couple phrases of the message and with traffic beginning to roll forward, I told Jennifer to "get out". She grabbed her purse and proceeded to do her best Frogger impersonation across the congested road as I frustrated drivers behind us.

After re-parking the car, I found Jennifer backstage with her parents. MWS has been tipped off that it was Donna's birthday. After exiting a private room, he greeted her with a birthday wish. Don then introduced MWS to Jennifer allowing her to briefly articulate what she'd expressed in the note he presumably read later in the evening. As you might expect, he's a rather low-key, "normal" guy that seemed flattered by Jennifer's words of appreciation. Jennifer got her long-awaited moment with him and was elated.

While we walked away with a little extra spring in our steps, the thought crossed my mind that long-awaited moments like this will be normal in Heaven as loved ones greet each other after being separated by earthly death. In my mind, I can picture hugs and kisses being exchanged with a Michael W. Smith soundtrack playing in the background.

Janie's Weekly Video Update

Courtesy of Lorrie...

2 More Dance Pics

Prom is a long way off, right???

Jacob at Recess

No surprise at how Jacob spends his recess time...

I Love This Picture!

I find it laugh-out-loud funny each time I look at it. It seems it could be on a greeting card. While Jensen's face appears how I imagine it would look were she to see a fawn being mauled by a lion on National Geographic, Janie Grace appears to find it absolutely hilarious. I mean, to me, Janie has the expression of a chain-smoking 75-year-old woman hysterically laughing at a dirty joke. This is a priceless moment caught on film (or mega pixels)!

Ticklin' the Ivories

Jacob is in Week 2 of officially taking piano lessons. Thus far, he seems to enjoy it. There's a ton of piano playing in his gene pool, so his fingers should have some built-in benefits as he learns to work the keyboard.

First Snow

Greensboro got its first snow of the season. Just enough to cancel school. Of course, it doesn't take much for that to happen! With temps expected to hit 50 today (it was 60 on Saturday), the couple inches we got will be gone by lunch time.

Circle of 3

It's fun that Janie is the age where she can sit alongside Jacob and Jensen and participate in an activity. In this case, here are the three amigos opening some Valentine cards.

Newscaster Jacob

Each morning at Jacob's school, a couple of the oldest students are piped into each classroom via the television monitors for the purpose of leading the school pledge, the Pledge of Allegiance and making annoucements. In honor of Black History Month, 1st grade students have been asked to be special guests on the morning "newscast" in order to highlight significant inventions created by African Americans throughout our country's history.

Since volunteering for the task, Jacob has been very excited to share about Fredrick McKinley Jones. Mr. Jones invented refrigerated transportation trailers (in lieu of using ice), air-conditioning for military field hospitals, and box-office equipment that gave tickets and made change among other creations.

I got a chance to watch this all go down this morning when I dropped Jacob off for school. I was proud of him. He had spent lots of time practicing and was able to speak clearly, loudly and slowly and even changed his voice inflection. Brian Williams doesn't need to worry about anything, but Jacob may have just launched a broadcasting career. Who knows???!!! We may need to work on a stage name. Huitsing may not cut it!

Here he is broadcasting alongside good buddy, Jamari.

An older student holding the cue card behind the camara.

Leading the Pledge.

Uncle/Poppy D - Daughter Dance

So Jennifer and I had a sick feeling one January morning when we realized that we'd bought Bulls/Bobcats tickets for the same night as the annual Father/Daughter dance sponsored by our church. After significant mental debate, we were thrilled that Uncle Zack and Poppy D were able to fill-in as Jensen's dates. By all accounts, it seems Jensen had a fabulous evening.

Dinner with Poppy D. (Reportedly, she talked the entire meal.)

Flowers from Uncle Zack. Jensen specifically asked that they go on her dresser rather than the dining room table.

Portrait with Uncle Z.

Dancing with good friend, Landry.

Janie Video

Some recent footage of Janie. For those that don't get to see her often, you can observe the waving, clapping, crawling, & babbling we get treated to each day.

Jacob's Early B-day Gift

I've successfully convinced Jacob to be a Chicago Bulls fan. Of course, with Derrick Rose and a team full of likable players that win at an impressive rate, it hasn't taken much coercion. For some odd reason, we get WGN on our very limited TV channel menu, so we're able to see an occasional game from home plus those that are shown on ABC. I knew months ago what I wanted to do for his birthday this year and it worked out that the Bulls would be in Charlotte on a Friday night this season. Therefore, on February 2nd (1 month before his birthday), we gave him gift #1.

This past Christmas, Jacob had announced that he wanted a D-Rose jersey next Christmas. Fortunately for him, he also has a birthday! After trying it on, we asked where might be a good place to wear that jersey for the first time. He quickly understood what we were inferring, so he had a week to eagerly anticipate this past Friday night.

After picking him up from school on Friday afternoon, we made our way towards Charlotte with a stop in Concord, so that I could see the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time. Jacob, having been there with Jennifer once, had fun showing me around. It was pretty thrilling to see that venue from the inside with basically nobody else around. Anyway, we soon made our way to downtown Charlotte and were in line (with hundreds of Bulls fans) at 5:30, so that we could watch the teams warm up until tip-off at 7:00.

Jacob had a blast. Even with the Bulls up 30 in the 3rd quarter, he was cheering like it was a 1-point game! Oddly, he was wearing one of about 500 D-Rose jerseys we saw Friday night. They were all over the place! It was NASCAR night at the Bobcats game, so he got to see Jimmie Johnson's 48-car.

In the end, the Bulls destroyed the Bobcats even without an injured Derrick Rose.

Jensen Our Gymnast

Jensen has recently started doing gymnastics once a week. Immediately, it was clear she's in her element as there's been no hesitation. It's one of the highlights of her week. Here are a few pictures which aren't the highest quality but give you a sense for she's up to.

All Worn Out

Proehlific Park Bulls

At first glance, this K/1st team may look like your run-of-the-mill group of 5, 6 & 7-year-olds. However, I can assure you this wasn't an average team. Since December, the Bulls have put on an impressive display of basketball. Jason and I had fun coaching them each week as we could see them getting better game to game. Some became better shooters while others learned to box-out and look for passes to open teammates. It all led to what a couple of them described as an "undefeatable" season. Jason & I have joked that we should probably retire now since we probably won't be affiliated with such a successful team ever again.

Most importantly, these are a bunch of good kids who you could observe being genuinely excited for each other as a fellow teammate achieved individual success during a game.

Date with Jensen

Jensen and I got to go out for an early Valentines date on Saturday. At her suggestion, we dominated some games at Chucky Cheese (with half of Greensboro). At my suggestion, we went to a restaurant a step or two above her first choice (Chx Fila). I think I won her over and we'll be going back because in her words "I liked the mashed potatoes and vanilla ice cream". It was a sweet time for both us!

Birthday Gift

Several months ago, I found myself caught up in a PBS special that was featuring Will Ferrell of SNL fame. His was winning some sort of lifetime achievement award for comedy. Personally, I find it comedic that such an award exists, but it was mind-numbing television after a long day. Side note, it's interesting to me that Ferrell's true personality is far different than those he often portrays when in character. Anyway, throughout the program, clips were run of Ferrell's most famous SNL skits and movie scenes. One that caught my attention, which I'd forgotten about, was a classic skit in which a 70's-era rock band (Blue Oyster Cult) is in studio producing a "gold record" thanks to the direction of the Bruce Dickinson (played by Christopher Walken). Ferrell and his band mates, a collection of SNL stars, are portraying the members of BOC. The song being recorded features the cowbell which Ferrell famously plays (do you play a cowbell?) or taps while wearing a vintage 70's shirt that was a couple sizes to small for him. Walken famously repeats over and over again, "I gotta have more cowbell!". I won't go any further in describing the scene, but it was funny enough that Jimmy Fallon (the "drummer") was unable to control his own laughter during the skit.

All that said, over the ensuing weeks I would often out-of-nowhere exclaim to the kids and Jennifer, "I gotta have more cowbell!". Jennifer, as she does so well, jumped on that and ordered me a t-shirt for my birthday. She and the kids whispered about it for weeks leading up to the big day, so I knew something funny was in the works. They were all so excited when I opened it, and we got a good laugh.

I've worn the t-shirt just once so far and have already received several funny comments.

Sleeping Pics

Perhaps we're a bit odd (or very odd), but it's not uncommon for one of us to find the other briefly watching our kids sleep before heading to bed ourselves. Recently, Jennifer grabbed a couple pictures...