These are all the rage! Seriously, if you don’t own a Jim Cannon is my Homeboy shirt, bib, mug, where have you been?
Sacha has made a franchise out of it to raise funds for her trip to Russia. Sacha, is there something I am missing that I need to know? Do you have a blog just for the fund raising or something?
I discovered this through Travis’ blog.
These are some of my favorites, but go here to see all of the items. Come on, order something, all the cool kids are doing it! 
I am happy to report that Bella is probably in the car on her way home even as I type. She does have the skin flap in the airway disorder that Bri and the boys have, which unfortunately includes pretty serious reflux, but this isn’t a condition that would keep her in the hospital. This could be rather stressful and it would be great if you all continue to pray as Bella and Bri get the breastfeeding established.
Bri is tired, but happy to bring her baby girl home. Her mother is with her this week which will be a huge blessing since Lawrence more than likely will need to return to work.
I’m sure Bri will give a report soon on her blog.
Briana wrote to update everyone on Bella’s current condition. Read about it here if you haven’t already.
Yesterday Bri found out that Bella will be at Hopkins for at least a week. Part of the reason for this is that they will start from square one, conducting their own tests, interpreting the results of these tests, etc. The testing alone is about a three day process. This was difficult for Lawrence and Briana, but again, they are stunning displays of God’s sustaining grace right now. I was so encouraged when I spoke with Bri yesterday on the phone. She is really handling this well…post partum hormones and all.
Today, Lord willing, Bella will have a bronchoscopy to determine if she has structural defects that could have been inherited from Briana. (Bri and both of her twins had a condition that made breathing sound congested because of something to do with skin flaps in the airway…I am so not technical here…but Bri will tell you the official name of the condition). Bella will have to undergo anesthesia and be intubated (thank you for the proper spelling, Zoanna) which is always scary for parents to experience.
Please continue to pray for this family. Briana says she truly feels upheld by the prayers of the saints.
I’ll continue to update you all. Briana has been wanting to write about it, but understandably, hasn’t had time or energy. Keep checking her blog just in case.
Please continue to pray for Bella. She was unable to keep the colostrum down, and after further consultation she was transferred to Johns Hopkins hospital last night. I haven’t spoken with Bri since this development, but Jason spoke to Lawrence last night and even though this is getting harder, in true Lawrence and Bri fashion, Lawrence was able to thank God that Bella was breathing well enough to make the transfer without intibation (sp?). This couple has faith that shines brilliantly during trials.
Please pray for Briana, Lawrence and the boys as well. I can only imagine how difficult this is. I will keep you posted. Check her blog as well.
Briana had her baby! Isabella Claire was born on February 12th weighing 8lbs. and 5.6oz. After a heroic labor, Bri is recovering well (she’ll give the details on her own blog soon).
Please pray for Bella. She was born experiencing respiratory distress, and though she seems to improve each day, she is still in the hospital receiving additional oxygen and having her lungs x-rayed frequently. So far she shows no signs of infection, but there are still test results waiting to come back. Bri is going back and forth to the hospital, so please be praying for her, Lawrence, and the boys as well. Bri is handling this amazingly well. There is much grace and peace evident in her life right now. One specific prayer request would be for Bella to begin breast feeding soon. Today they will try to feed her with colostrum through a tube that goes straight into her stomach. The hope is that it will not affect her respiration adversely. If this works out well, Bri is one step closer to being able to breastfeed her girly. She has PLENTY of milk waiting for this baby .
Today we made heart shaped cinnamon sugar pretzels. These were fun and easy to do.
1. defrost bag of frozen dinner roll dough. (little one inch balls of frozen dough). This takes from two to four hours.
2. roll two balls into strips about 6 inches long (it really can be a little longer or shorter).
3. dip the strips into butter and then roll in sugar/cinnamon combo.
4. form two strips into a heart (pinch dough really well together…ours fell apart on us).
5. let sit on the counter another 20 minutes
6. bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until they are brown.
Yummy!!!
For the married ones of us, if you haven’t heard this teaching by Carolyn Mahaney, it is well- worth the time. Carolyn courageously goes where few Titus 2 teachers have gone before: straight to the bedroom! This is a teaching on how we can cultivate “Grade A” passion in our marriages. Using the lady from The Song of Solomon, Carolyn defines five areas to pursue with regards to romance and intimacy: attractive, available, anticipatory, aggressive, and adventurous…I didn’t even have to look back at my notes to remember them.
This teaching is so good, Family Life Today is promoting the series right now. I just received this in my inbox today.
On the way home from church yesterday, Maggie was playfully punching her brother on the arm and using her guy voice. One of her other brothers asked, “Mom, why does Maggie sometimes act like a boy?” Another brother immediately answers, “It’s because she plays with Jack so much.”
Uh, yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly why!
