This is so cool. About three days ago, I got an email request to pray for the young lady mentioned below. I was in one of those "I will believe that God answers prayer even though I don't feel like I believe it" modes, so I prayed every time I looked at my email inbox and saw her name. And God Answered. Check it out.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Pinkham
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:23 AM
Subject: Miracle!
Dear Friends,
I have a wonderful story to tell you. On Saturday March 20, Lauren, who is about 20 and a friend of Missy our granddaughter, was skateboarding way too fast without a helmet. She crashed and suffered some internal organ damage, but mostly damaged her brain. She lives on the Peninsula so was airlifted to downtown Seattle where she underwent 2 brain surgeries to relieve the pressure from bleeding. Shannon, our daughter, stayed with Lauren’s mom that night and most of the next day. Lauren’s dad was on a sub in the Caribbean and just happened to call that evening. When I heard of this I was just leaving a church service, so I grabbed a couple pastors and we prayed. Then I called my healing room buddies to pray also. Lynda is of course calling every one she knows to pray too.
The brain surgeries where successful in removing the pressure, but she was on life support for a couple of days. Then she opened her eyes and was making some sign of contact but only with people she knew. Then, about Tuesday, the progress stopped. The MRI showed that she had brain sheer. That means your brain got shaken VERY hard and in her situation, the center of the brain was severely damaged, synapses broken everywhere. This is the section of the brain that controls all your vital functions. This much damage usually results in the brain actually dying. The Doctors said that if she did not show signs of recovery by Friday the 25th, yesterday, they were going to ship her to a nursing home. No point in even trying rehab! So needless to say we were all praying for a miracle, that the synapses would reconnect. Well this is the text that I got from Shannon last evening.
“Major breakthrough with Lauren!!! She was given a 25% chance of coming out of a vegetative state yesterday, they told her family that she was not a rehab candidate and to make plans for nursing home care. They said that if she does not make intentional movements by today (Friday), off to the nursing home.
Next Text: “Today she has: hugged her father, high-fived an RN and her Dad, grabbed her Dads guitar out of his hands and strummed it with cueing and assistance!!! She grabbed a flower out of her Moms hand, and she pulled off her glove (wears to protect her) and pulled her legs up to sit cross legged, scooted herself up in her bed!!!
Miracle…absolute miracle!!! Keep praying!!! It works….”
HAVE A GLORIOUS EASTER!
Tom Pinkham
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
In preparation for our separation
Man, it's been a busy week. Not only did I manage to post yesterday, but we've also been running around getting ready for Good Friday and Easter at church and Seth's next deployment (dates to remain secret until after the fact). Our friend Michele is moving to a house with a fenced yard and a better landlord. And of course we have a two year old who continues to grow and require adjustments. 
We're recovering from colds, starting spring sprucing and a little bit of gardening, and doing massive home improvements. This is Boogaloo trying to fasten her own shoe while I pull weeds in our kitchen garden.
This is me having fun with my scant knowledge of the principles of photography.
We're recovering from colds, starting spring sprucing and a little bit of gardening, and doing massive home improvements. This is Boogaloo trying to fasten her own shoe while I pull weeds in our kitchen garden.This is me having fun with my scant knowledge of the principles of photography. By far our biggest news is that we have new siding on our house. Our house is no longer mint-chocolate chip. 
It is now Harbor Blue with Cape Cod Gray trim. 
We still have a few ends to patch up, like the porch cover, the shed, and the gutters, but I can do most of that on my own. All the browns will be covered over eventually, the cement patched back up, and the pictures rehung on the walls. We also got new lamps for the two porches which Seth is installing as I type. We are thrilled with the result. It cost a bit more than we were expecting, but at the same time, it cost a whole lot less than it could have. And it adds a bit more color to an otherwise white and gray neighborhood.
It is now Harbor Blue with Cape Cod Gray trim. We still have a few ends to patch up, like the porch cover, the shed, and the gutters, but I can do most of that on my own. All the browns will be covered over eventually, the cement patched back up, and the pictures rehung on the walls. We also got new lamps for the two porches which Seth is installing as I type. We are thrilled with the result. It cost a bit more than we were expecting, but at the same time, it cost a whole lot less than it could have. And it adds a bit more color to an otherwise white and gray neighborhood. In smaller terms, Boogaloo moved from her crib to her big girl bed today. We ordered the bed weeks ago, and it finally arrived today. I was expecting a little trepidation, but she was excited from the moment we started pulling pieces out of the box. 
She's taking a nap on her new bed right now. She loves the sheets. She loves the drawers. She especially loves the fact that she can slide right out of it. However, we are going to have to get her a little step-stool because she can't climb back in.
She's taking a nap on her new bed right now. She loves the sheets. She loves the drawers. She especially loves the fact that she can slide right out of it. However, we are going to have to get her a little step-stool because she can't climb back in. Also in preparation for his leaving, Seth and I kinda went out on a limb and got tattooes. Nothing extravagant. They don't even match. I got a small bird on my back right between my hips, and Seth got a cursive J (for me :) )with a mermaid curled around it on his left shoulder. I designed it myself. At the moment, blogger won't let me upload the pictures. ("Internet Explorer cannot display this website."), and Seth won't let me post his anyway, but I will put mine up as soon as the Internet cooperates. 
There it is. Isn't it pretty? I just love the color. I can't wait until I can take the bandage off for good. It keeps catching the waistband of my jeans, and it's driving me crazy. I chose the bird firstly because it was beautiful. Then there are connections with the Holy Spirit and birds flying home to nest (would that it were so). A bird can carry my heart to him and his heart to me when the long lengths of sea lay between us. I've always worried that I would regret getting a tattoo, especially one that didn't have mega-mundo meaning, but it's not like I thought it was. This is private enough. Seth is the only one who's is going to see it on a regular basis. It has enough symbolism that I can appreciate it for a long time, it's tame enough that I won't be embarrassed by it in front of my kids in twenty years, and it's not something I'm going to regret later. In short, I kinda like it.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Boogaloo turns 2.
Well, our favorite angel turned two this past month. Funny the difference a year can make. Whereas last year, she was awkward and astonished and didn't really know what was going on at her own birthday party, this year she really understood that it was all about her. 
She was a little shaky on the cake. Daddy had to blow out the candles, of course, but she knew that it was cake, and cake is good. And I think she enjoyed the process. 
The weekend after her birthday, my parents came over, and we all went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. 
Boogaloo loved every minute of it. For starters, we had more cake. It was also a gorgeous day, one of the first nice days we've had all year. She got to pick out her own clothes, she got to ride in the car, and she got to see "manmals." 
Point Defiance Zoo and Acquarium isn't a big zoo. It's in Tacoma, which is a city of average size but isn't the population center, that being Seattle. The zoo and acquarium are part of a private park belonging to the city, and so they make up in uniqueness and beauty what they lack in size. This is the view from the entrance. 
The PDZA has been part of several reclamation projects like the red wolf and the Asian elephant. It has walruses, sharks, a tiger, sea otters and river otters, injured birds, Asian creatures, elephants, seals, native fish, exotic fish, ugly fish, and just about every variety of sea horses imaginable. This is our friend, the tiger.
This is Boogaloo finally consenting to look at something, in this case, meerkats. 
Sea otters
Boogaloo and daddy looking at the monkey. 
Boogaloo and mommy looking at the fish. 
"Sharfs and sishies"
After we got home from the zoo, Boogaloo opened her presents from mommy and daddy and grandpa and grandma. Last year, we had to open her presents for her. This year, she knew those presents were hers. She jumped right into them. And much to mommy's delight, she liked them. Look at that expression. She promptly christened the dog "Max." 
Then we all went out for dinner and a happy end to the day. 
Boy, can't you tell she's in charge.
She was a little shaky on the cake. Daddy had to blow out the candles, of course, but she knew that it was cake, and cake is good. And I think she enjoyed the process. The weekend after her birthday, my parents came over, and we all went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Boogaloo loved every minute of it. For starters, we had more cake. It was also a gorgeous day, one of the first nice days we've had all year. She got to pick out her own clothes, she got to ride in the car, and she got to see "manmals." Point Defiance Zoo and Acquarium isn't a big zoo. It's in Tacoma, which is a city of average size but isn't the population center, that being Seattle. The zoo and acquarium are part of a private park belonging to the city, and so they make up in uniqueness and beauty what they lack in size. This is the view from the entrance. The PDZA has been part of several reclamation projects like the red wolf and the Asian elephant. It has walruses, sharks, a tiger, sea otters and river otters, injured birds, Asian creatures, elephants, seals, native fish, exotic fish, ugly fish, and just about every variety of sea horses imaginable. This is our friend, the tiger. This is Annika and myself in the kids' exhibit looking at the snakes. 
This is Annika refusing to pose for the camera. "Annika, look at the camera. Look at mommy."
This is Annika refusing to pose for the camera. "Annika, look at the camera. Look at mommy."This is Boogaloo finally consenting to look at something, in this case, meerkats. Sea ottersBoogaloo and daddy looking at the monkey. Boogaloo and mommy looking at the fish. "Sharfs and sishies"After we got home from the zoo, Boogaloo opened her presents from mommy and daddy and grandpa and grandma. Last year, we had to open her presents for her. This year, she knew those presents were hers. She jumped right into them. And much to mommy's delight, she liked them. Look at that expression. She promptly christened the dog "Max." Then we all went out for dinner and a happy end to the day. Boy, can't you tell she's in charge. Tired of being at the mercy of the constitution of my drying rack.
Yesterday was officially the first day of spring, because yesterday was the first day that we had enough sunshine to justify putting a load of laundry on the clothesline. It was only 40 degrees F at 10 am when I put the clothes out, but it was nearly 60 when they were dry by the end of the afternoon. That is the epitome of a bright spring day in Washington. (The epitome of a dark spring day is when I look out the window and see blurred images through a sheet of sideways water flowing down.)
So the Boo and I got some outdoor time, the crazy glue on my ricky-racky got some time to set, the dryer only had to dry two loads, the environment (and my gas bill) got a bit of a break, and my neighbors were treated to the nostalgic sight of sheets and baby clothes waving in the wind. It was a really pleasant day. Boogaloo is discovering that she likes being outside, especially if we bring the bubbles outside with us. We don't actually have to blow bubbles, but the bubble container must come outside with us. She has a new soccer ball, and she has rigged leashes around the necks of her two stuffed dogs so they can follow her wherever she goes. She even helps me pick up the dog-do. (Don't ask.)
Getting outside yesterday felt especially good because the Boo and I have both been trapped at home with monstrous head colds. Apart from the stuff coming out of her nose, she doesn't seem to feel it, but boy do I! Fatigue, sinus headache, sore throat, everything from the collar bone upward. Why do I have to be under the weather when the weather is so nice?
So the Boo and I got some outdoor time, the crazy glue on my ricky-racky got some time to set, the dryer only had to dry two loads, the environment (and my gas bill) got a bit of a break, and my neighbors were treated to the nostalgic sight of sheets and baby clothes waving in the wind. It was a really pleasant day. Boogaloo is discovering that she likes being outside, especially if we bring the bubbles outside with us. We don't actually have to blow bubbles, but the bubble container must come outside with us. She has a new soccer ball, and she has rigged leashes around the necks of her two stuffed dogs so they can follow her wherever she goes. She even helps me pick up the dog-do. (Don't ask.)
Getting outside yesterday felt especially good because the Boo and I have both been trapped at home with monstrous head colds. Apart from the stuff coming out of her nose, she doesn't seem to feel it, but boy do I! Fatigue, sinus headache, sore throat, everything from the collar bone upward. Why do I have to be under the weather when the weather is so nice?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
January Travels.
Abby has chided me for neglecting to post the pictures that I mentioned in my Christmas post. (Sigh). I'm sorry. It's been a little crazy here. 40 Days for Life started with nary a planning meeting, Boo Boo turned 2 yesterday and gets more active every day, and I'm still trying to balance having a husband home with the needs of everything else. (Exactly how much time with him am I allowed to steal for myself, and does his helpful presence make up for it?)
So these are the pictures from our trips to Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Penninsula that we took during Seth's January stand down. They are not in order. They have no captions. The snowy pictures are from Mt. Rainier. The pictures with ocean in them are from the Olympic Peninsula. Once again, I assert that I live in the most beautiful place in the world. I hope you enjoy.
The horrible thing about having a husband in the Navy is that he's gone for at least six months out of every year, but the corresponding silver lining is that when he gets back, he often gets a lot of time off, like the whole month of January. 
So these are the pictures from our trips to Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Penninsula that we took during Seth's January stand down. They are not in order. They have no captions. The snowy pictures are from Mt. Rainier. The pictures with ocean in them are from the Olympic Peninsula. Once again, I assert that I live in the most beautiful place in the world. I hope you enjoy.
The horrible thing about having a husband in the Navy is that he's gone for at least six months out of every year, but the corresponding silver lining is that when he gets back, he often gets a lot of time off, like the whole month of January. 
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