Just RK

If you have NOT heard news of Joplin’s devastation, I’m not sure how you’ve avoided it. It’s been news everywhere, I hear, but of course being here in the state has made it constantly covered and updated in our area. When news came that they’d had a direct tornado hit on Sunday, I made a few contacts to people we know there or who have loved ones there. Though I’ve never lived in Joplin, we have quite a few connections, and several years ago I spent a good deal of time there. My sister-in-law is from there, her family still living in the area. My sister went to college there for one year. My father’s employer is headquartered there. My uncle and cousins went to college there. I had friends in college who were from the area. Yesterday, my parents and my youngest sister went to Joplin to serve. Help. Do something. My sister took some video as they drove through. Even after seeing all the photos and video through media sources, seeing it at eye level, block after block is ove...

They look yummy. And they are.  But these small little tidbits made for a simple farewell to a coworker cost me a thumb. Or use of it. At least for a while… Lesson Learned: When using oven mitts to remove hot stoneware from the oven, put them ON. Don’t cheat by trying to just them flat. There are dangerous places for thumbs to sneak past the protection. And in case you’re interested in learning a super fast and yummy cookie option… Cake mix cookies, variety style. 1 white cake mix 1/2 cup oil 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla 1 1/3 cup oats Mix it all together by hand, then add in whatever you like. So far some of my favorites are to roll little balls in coconut or cinnamon/sugar, add chocolate chips, or leave plain and decorate with icing.  I’m going to try them next with a bit more oats and raisins. Mmmmmm. I make them small, bake them on a stone ungreased (if well used/”seasoned”), preheat the oven to 375 and bake for 10 minutes...

We are at the eye doctor's office and Braska's doing great. She got a good report,  so I'm pleased. Of course, her favorite part was the TV that kept showing letters.  She just stood there and announced them all to us. Good times.

I'm exhausted. I am mentally tired. But I am thankful. Thankful for access to the best medical care. Thankful for the freedom to spend time holding my girl. Thankful that M was able to go with me to the hospital. Thankful for excellent nurses and doctors who care. Thankful for our families who helped SO much today. Thankful for the many, many people who prayed for us today. Braska is sleeping and we hope she has a good night. There were a few unpleasant moments this evening, but we are all doing ok. I'm so glad we are home and well. The rest will come. And I'll continue to be thankful. God is good. All the time. No matter what. Good times and bad. But I am thankful that today we end on a high note. My girls are safe and sleeping well. We are blessed.

Letter time at the hospital. Love my letter beads!!

The call came this afternoon with our surgery time details. Eye muscle surgery, left eye, for strabismus, to indirectly improve the head tilt to the right shoulder. Be at the hospital at 6:45am. Clear liquids after midnight. NPO from 4:30am. No problem. I’m glad to get it out of the way first thing in the morning. I also found out that a friend of Braska’s from church, Caleb, will be at Children’s tomorrow morning for some difficult testing and appointments.  It’s nice to know that we’ll have friends in the building, them praying for us and us for them, while we’re both pulling for our kids to do well. So when you get up in the morning, please be praying that all goes well and without complications.  Updates will be done on Braska’s blog, for the most part.

Today’s M’s birthday. He’s 37.  Finally.  The time from October, when I jump ahead in age for a few months, to May, when he catches up seems forever.  He is relentless, let me tell ya.  This is currently one of my fave pictures… Daddy walking with the girls into church.  Just what daddies should be doing, in my book.  And he does it every week. This ranks high on my list, and I’m thankful. I’m working tonight, so not much fun going to be had around here for the birthday boy other than Daddy duty all evening.  But Friday evening we’ll do something more fun. Welcome to 37, young pup.