Wonderful Noise

In the spring of 2003, I remember Lisa and I sitting on our couch watching TV and talking about Jake, who was not to come for a few more months. Lisa said something like "so, are you ready?" I assured her I was, but then said something I'll always remember. I said "Listen." Lisa told me she heard nothing. My reply was "and isn't that wonderful? Savor it as we won't hear it for 20 more years." I thought I was making a profound statement about the noise of children. I hadn't the slightest notion that the "noise" that children make is like beautiful music. It may not seem so at the time, and it seldom does, but now when it's silent there's a strange uneasy feeling. It's too quiet where there should be a lot of noise. I do try to remember this when the noise includes countless arguments about who did what to who first, or whatever the argument of the minute is. I try to remember that the noise is just the kind of noise a family makes. The healthier the family, the more noise it creates. The worst thought for me would be a house filled with people where no noises could be heard. And I mean human noises, not iPods or Play-stations. I'm so grateful that the noise level in our house is at a decibel level that could drive bees from their hive and that's a good thing.  It means things are going well.

The apostle Paul commands us:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

So the next time the noise in your home is about to push you to the brink, rejoice, pray, and give thanks. I couldn't even imagine, nor do I want to, what a silent house would feel like.

Up for Air!

After a week of free fall we’re finally emerging.  We are now in somewhat of a routine with Maisey and the boys, and we’re finally back on Eastern Daylight Time.  No small feat.  I’m caught up with emails at work and already I feel like I need a vacation.

Maisey enjoys her new yard.

We’ve made a few outings already too.  We’ve been to Harry’s Pizza, our favorite pizza places, to the park to visit with some friends, and did I mention the doctors office?  I mean the four visits to the doctor’s office!  Don’t worry, purely routine, but harrowing nonetheless. 

Tuesday Lisa took Maisey to the doctor’s office for her first check up and we determined rather quickly and with a high degree of confidence, that Maisey does NOT like doctors! (sorry Uncle Scott.)  Anyway our pediatrician tried to listen to Maisey’s heart and was unable.  Not due to incompetence, but due to the fact she couldn’t hear over the screaming.  Then, if the screaming weren’t loud enough, the four vaccinations of the ten or more legally required.  We had the choice of having the vaccines given in China or signing an affidavit that we would do so on our own in the US.  Based on our limited view of Chinese medicine, this seemed to be the best option. 

So then came the news that she needed to have blood drawn.  Thinking that a place that caters to exclusively children would be the best place, we went to the children's hospital.  They ended up sticking her three times in three different locations and STILL did not get any blood.  Seems that Maisey’s eardrum shattering scream and contortions with super human strength prevented the technician from getting a clean draw.  “Come back another time and we’ll give it another try.”  That was not what we wanted to hear, that we’d need to cause our daughter more anxiety and mental trauma.  So on Friday, we tried again, hoping that enough time would have elapsed and that her memory may have faded.  Wrong.  We coupled the visit to get the blood redrawn with an ordered series of x-rays.  Well, three sticks later, we had the required amount of blood, and then came the alligator-wrestling match in the x-ray room.  After a 30 minute ordeal Lisa, with Maisey and the boys in tow, came home.  Fifteen minutes after returning, UCONN called us to tell us that one x-ray had too much movement and that we need to return.  I was home by this time and was able to go with Lisa.  Her mom stopped by on her way home from work to watch the boys.  Twenty minutes later we were completely finished.  All done! 

 On Saturday,  Daddy took a trip to Cabela's with all three kids.   And then we all went to church for Saturday service and dinner.  On Sunday, we finally introduced Maisey to our church “Community Group” who have been meeting as families throughout the summer.  All the parents and children, who had prayed so hard for Maisey for so long, got to see God’s answer to prayer first hand.  It was so great.

People have been asking if I’m planning on keeping the blog going.  I will for now, but probably only weekly for the next month or two.  Please use the follow by email,  which will alert you when new posts are added.  I will formally sign off when we’ve decided to call it quits. 

Thank you, to all who have read this blog and have commented to us.  We’ve had a great time keeping this up and we’re so grateful to all those who have decided to join us in this adventure via this blog.

Steve