Our Little Helper

This morning Jason dropped the boys off at our house so he could be with Karina and the twins (in the hospital). Then I got called in to work for a couple of hours. No problem; PR is very experienced in handling the little ones. However, he did have a bit of an adventure when it came time to take them home for lunch and naps.

I got a phone call...
"Hey, what's the code to their garage door? I got all the way over there and couldn't remember it."
(He had driven back home (3 miles) to use our phone, since we'd cancelled our terrible cell phone service.)
I gave him the code.
He drove back to their house and opened the garage door, only to find the inside door (the one they never lock) locked.
"Well, Reiley, what do I do now?"
"Use your keys, Papi."
"My keys won't work here. There must be a key here someplace..."
"Look in the shoe."
PR started searching inside the various shoes lined up on a shelf. Bingo! He found the key.

Never underestimate the observation powers of a two year old. PR should've just asked Reiley for the garage code in the first place.

This evening I had my own adventure of sorts. I took the laundry from the dryer to the kitchen to fold it, and while I was gone Reiley put the rest of the dirty clothes into the front loader, closed the door and started the washer. He'd have put in the detergent and softener, too, if he'd been able to reach that high.

I'm trying to figure out how to harness all that energy and helpfulness.

Pictures!

Josiah stopped by (with his mom and dad) on the way back from Christmas in Wisconsin.
Fill 'er up, Jojo.
Reiley got a digital camera for Christmas. It's a toy, but it really takes pictures.
Luke, aka 'Lil Blue Eyes.
Karina and Papi, visiting with Kate.
Great-Gramma Mimi was visiting from Minnesota, and Uncle Mark was home for the holidays from Fort Riley, KS. Perfect timing, don'tcha think?
Kate Elisabeth, 1 day old.
Madison Olivia, 1 day old.

Happy Birthday, Kate & Madison!

You'll have to go to Karina's blog to see their pictures. Kate Elisabeth (4# 7oz, 17") was born at 11:55am and Madison Olivia (5# 7oz, 19") arrived a minute later. They are on oxygen, but breathing on their own. Praise God for these little miracles.

Karina will probably be home on Saturday. Reiley and Luke will be glad to have Mommy around again. The girls will spend some time in the hospital to do a little bit of catching up.

Thanks for your many prayers.

Praying & Hopeful

I'm at work, and not too long ago I got a phone call from PR. It looks like Karina is having a C-section right about now....

Her cervix had dilated to 5cm, and they would not try to stop labor beyond 4cm.

We are trusting our merciful Lord for a good outcome. But, no matter what, He will be glorified in this.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Merry Christmas

Well, you'd think that having 4 cameras among us would make it possible to take a few pictures on Christmas Day. Would you believe that Mark's memory card is full, Mimi's memory card got left behind, PR's camera is being quirky, and mine is balking....

One of these days we'll get some pictures posted.
Merry Christmas, anyway.

Rainbows

It's a gray, rainy day in northwestern Illinois, but there's sunshine in my heart. Karina has reached 32 weeks in her pregnancy, and the twins appear to be doing well. They've switched the IV medication to oral, which doesn't control her contractions as well but is less harsh to her body. The plan is to keep watching and waiting.

The other thing that brightens my day is that PR will be joining me here, definitively, on Christmas eve. Separation isn't easy, even if it's only a two-hour drive. I am looking forward to our new, adventure-filled, life together here.

Farewell

I hate goodbyes.

But, if you have to say goodbye, you do it the way our church in Chicago did yesterday. We gathered as a family for a delicious potluck dinner and time of sharing. PR and I don't necessarily enjoy the spotlight, and we were a bit embarrassed by the "open microphone" tributes, but it was wonderful to fellowship one-on-one with so many dear ones. The time together and memories shared will warm our hearts in the days and weeks ahead.

It's nice to know we will see many of these friends again; if not here, in heaven. So it's not good-bye; it's see-you-later.

p.s. Karina is hanging in there, by God's grace.

Every Day a Blessing

Karina has made it to 31 weeks and 1 day, and we are praising God for His continued grace.

The doctors plan to keep her on the medication for 2 more weeks, as long as her contractions stay at this level of control. At that point they will stop the medication and allow "nature" to take its course.

We know that things will happen in God's time, and our trust is in Him.

Update

Karina continues to be stabilized, as long as they don't cut back too much on the medication. The next milestone we are looking at is Thursday, when she will be 31 weeks. After 31 weeks gestation, possible major problems are greatly diminished for newborns. Keep trusting the Lord with us!

On the job front, I started orientation for job #2 today, and will start job #3 tomorrow. That's right... three part time jobs. Scheduling will be interesting, but I am actually pleased with the flexibility that is possible. I have faith this is gonna work. These three jobs are my "short term plan". Stay tuned for updates!

Thanks for praying.

Thank You

Thanks to all for your prayers. Karina is still in the hospital, and doing as well as can be expected, as long as they keep her on the medication. When they tried to wean her off it, the contractions started up again. We are thankful for each day that passes without a delivery, and praying God will continue to give strength and development to Kate and Madison.

I am frustrated to not have good access to the internet these days, and can only post occasionally. Besides that, we are in a huge transition right now with our move and starting new jobs, helping with Reiley & Luke, etc etc... These are all motives for prayer. I will keep contact as best I can.

I really apprectiate your prayers!

Here We Go Again

It doesn't seem that long ago that Karina was in pre-term labor with Luke. Well, now she's been air-lifted to Rockford, where they are better equipped to handle preemies, since they detected contractions today at her "non-stress" test.
Our little twin granddaughters, Kate and Madison, aren't due until February 15th, so we are praying God will slow this pre-term labor enough to give them some time to develop more. Right now they are estimated to weigh 2# 14oz and 3# 9oz; very small indeed.
The latest report from the hospital is that things have stabilized; the medication is slowing the contractions, and they plan on keeping Karina there for a minimum of 2 weeks if things continue along these lines.
Our Lord is gracious and merciful, and we pray He will continue to preserve these little ones.