Look what was in our mailbox today!!

USCIS has received our Supplement 3 and is processing it now!!

I would say we are all quite excited about that! Especially Tate’s little sister!!

Celebrating each step to our little man!!! Rejoice with us today!

P.S. Please pray for my Dad. He has pneumonia and has been admitted to the hospital. Our hearts are heavy as we can’t stand being so far away.

Hello, you all.

I am sitting down to take a break from reality.

Ahhhh.

And to share another fun Christmas tradition we have.

We have renamed it “pretty, pretty” because that is what Eliza said 1,492 times that night.

At least once during the Christmas season, we head to La Crosse to drive through their light display.

One of the first years that we did this, we took our little pup, Zoe. The kids loved how one of the guys at the live nativity would yell, “Seven in this chariot. And a dog!”

Zoe going to the light display with us has become a tradition too.

It was a very fun outing. Eliza still struggles with riding in her car seat, so fun outings that involve the car seat are a good way to try to conquer this struggle.

After we visit the light display we come home, start up the fire, sip something hot, and listen to a sermon together. I love how excited the younger boys get about these simple things!!

Since then, our week has been a little c.r.a.z.y.

But since Tuesday was really my Monday (since we were gone all day Monday), what should I expect?

We finished out this week with six dentist appointments this morning. A 45 minute drive from the farm. And the appointments started at 8:45 a.m. Who does this to me??!!

Wore one sweet pea completely out.

UW Madison called this morning and they have moved Eliza’s surgery one week sooner than it was originally scheduled for. I have been rearranging all kinds of things this afternoon! Praising God that it is all working out.

Back to reality!

Happy Friday, everyone!!!

Witnessing answers to your prayers is such an awesome thing!

Should never have doubted how this day would go! We were praying! I bet some of you were too!

Our precious daughter was AMAZING today! She was so hungry, and could only have water, broth, and jello until 10 a.m., and then NOTHING after that. She did not want water, broth or jello…..but she only fussed about that fact ONE time!

The two and a half hour ride to the Children’s Hospital was a breeze! Waiting for our appointment time? A breeze!!

Then it was time for sedation. There was no IV needed today! YEAH!!! Just some sleepy medicine by mouth! Unfortunately, as soon as the red, sticky, smelly sleepy medicine was squirted in the back of Eliza’s mouth, she decided she didn’t want anything to do with that! I wore red, sticky, smelly sleepy medicine the rest of the day….but I was so thankful I had a change of clothes for Eliza!

This meant we had to get her sleepy another way. So they put it up her nose. Not pleasant either, but it got the job done!

Her testing went PERFECT!!! Answered prayers we are talking about here! Eliza woke up quickly from the sedation and was ready to eat, eat, eat!

We met with the Urologist afterward, and were sad to learn that Eliza’s bladder has some significant problems that will need managed after surgery. We are SO very thankful to be seeing these amazing doctors at the Children’s Hospital though!

We will be praying that the surgery to untether Eliza’s spinal cord will help heal some of her bladder problems. We know the Lord answers prayers! He is the ultimate healer!!

All in all, it was a twelve hour day. So thankful to be back home safely and to tuck our little sweet pea in bed! By the way, the travel and weather mercies to and from Madison today? Answers to prayer!

Grant and Addie did a great job here at home! We came home to an apple pie that was delivered early this evening by two very special newlyweds! About to have a piece with some ice cream on top! I didn’t pray for the pie….but am so thankful for it anyway!! Thank you sweet Kayla!!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil 4:6

In keeping with tradition, we went and cut down our Christmas tree yesterday! We were thankful for a very warm day in the high 30’s, but the above freezing temperature and beautiful sunshine made for a sloppy ride there and an even sloppier walk up the trail to find the perfect tree.

We decided to have Eliza ride in the backpack, because she is still terrified of the snow, and won’t put her feet anywhere near it. She did great once she settled in for the ride!

I love this tradition! We always have so much fun walking through the tree farm looking for our tree! We think Eliza even enjoyed herself! I can’t wait to see what Tate will do next year!

Last year our tree was so fat, that we had to pay more attention to detail this year. I think we did a pretty good job!

I had a panic attack when I realized we had only 19 days until we needed to be completely ready for Christmas because of Eliza’s surgery!! I gave myself a little “talkin’ to” and had to lower my expectations, including canceling an overnight trip we had planned….but it is still starting to look a lot like Christmas around here!