Spring is here!!

Well, this week marked my first week back to work and I believe spring has finally...truly arrived here. Matt, Ess, and our neighbor Paul (a sweet blessing just down our road) decided to visit our neighbors horses off our back acre. We took them some yummy grasses to share...but somehow the erratic motions of three 4 year olds scared them off the fence line:O) This is on a windy spring day down in a local park with a friend and her son. Our spring tends to be on the windy side here as we get winds coming in off the mountains with the large changes in temperature from night to day and moving fronts. Can you tell the wind that day by Esther's nifty hair style? She is very proud at how long her hair is getting. She still laughs at her baby pictures and says "Me no hair!"

Tennis anyone? This is Evan's first year playing. We are blessed with a friend who does tennis lessons and gave Evan some pointers over our spring break here. Can you believe he is 6'1" now? I am not sure he is slowing down either. Thankfully, his feet have steadied at size 12. All I can say is WOW!

Answers to prayers...Spring Sports...Esther's Fashions.

So, you can see me there with my buds and my IV pole...but here is the rest of the story! God is healing my body in amazing ways! After 12 days of IV therapy my blood results were so good, the doc pulled my pic line and I was done. Mind you, I was supposed to be on antibiotic therapy for 4 weeks. Miracle of God's healing power #1. This week, I went to ENT to have an invasive ear procedure, which ended up being cancelled because my ear was back in the normal ranges on all accounts! Miracle of God's healing power #2. I shared last entry that in my scripture/journaling the scripture I wrote down before I went into the hospital about the Lord bringing me to "wholeness and healing". Well, I testify to that on these two accounts! I am so thankful for all who have prayed and blessed our family in oh so many ways I could not begin to tell you! My brain is still healing and I am waiting to drive...but oh the joy of being able to walk, hear, play with my kids, eat dinner with my family, and be out in the sunshine again! Baseball is in full "swing". Yuck, yuck! My favorite outfielder making his moves around the bases.

Back to the soccer field. Ru scored her first goal this spring season over the weekend!!

So, Esther might look like she gained weight? But the truth of the matter is that she has learned the art of fashion layering. One night we counted her layers and she had 7 shirts on and one of them was a fleece jacket. Maybe she has taken to her heritage of layering clothes in the winter cuz she does hate to be cold. Anyway, I enjoyed many of her fashion shows while I was still bed bound...I mean who couldn't be wowed by a princess with antennae?

Sadie Hawkins Plus a Need for Prayer...

I will start with the fun photo of my son CJ with his Sadie Hawkins date. It was an 80's theme...they are so cute and they had a great time...they are great friends!!

The need for prayer I am asking is for my complete healing. Two weeks ago I went to the ER after two rounds of antibiotics battling a sinus infection. By the time I went to ER I had a tremendous headache. It turns out my infection had gone septic and I had bacterial spinal meningitis. The docs said if I had come even 6 hours later I would not have made it. I spent 8 days in the hospital and was released 1 week ago to come home. My recovery has been slow, but hopeful. I walked in to see one of the specialists the other day and he told me I was a walking miracle for all I am able to do all ready. I have tremendous headaches each day and have antibiotic therapy several times a day at home. There have been so many sweet people who have come to our aid with meals, rides for kids, taking the kids out etc...it has been a blessing to feel all the love that has been poured upon us.

My Mom flew in to help and will be leaving next Wed. This will be the true test when she leaves...I pray I am more functional by then. I believe the Lord is going to completely restore me through some scripture He gave me before this all happened. So, I would surely appreciate agreement in prayer on that end.

My second prayer request really is for Matt and Ess. This whole thing has been very unsettling and confusing for them to have me away for a week and sick in bed and not able to interact with them like usual. Meningitis has side effects of sensory overload so I just can't take alot of noise or light or jostling...so it is tough to interact even for short periods with high energy four year olds. Please pray for them for peace and security in their hearts through this season of recovery. Thanks so much for your prayers!!!

Ode to Grampapa or Gramps or Bumpa!!

Yesterday an important man went under the knife, to have surgery needed to save his life.
Many prayers offered up to our Father above because this is a man who is dearly loved.
He is Gramps, Bobby Bauer, Bobbykins to some, but he is God's child no matter where from.
He has been my father for 44 years and his surgery yesterday brought me to tears.
You see I have invested some time with my Dad and shared some of the best memories I've ever had.
The last 5 plus years he has lived as my neighbor and we share weekly humor and tea as we sit by his table.
He's a Grandpa of five and he shares moments with each...sometimes with yummy donuts or with wise words he might teach.
I think of the Lorax who on a certain day was lifted above and taken away.
I am so happy to report that's not the case for my Dad...surgery successful...I'm so extremely glad.
My Daddykins is wonderful, a gift from above...I'm so thankful he was blessed with more years to love!!

What do faithful four year old fans do during sporting events?

They eat hot dogs in the hallway on long wrestling days! They cheer on their big sister..."Go Ruey!" they yell.

They roll around on the floor and eat Nerds during basketball games and try to keep their feet off the court.

And they like to give hugs and a few punches to their biggest bro as he finished 6th in Regionals for wrestling.

Some day...their turn will come...but for now...they are faithful four year old fans!

Farewell to you faithful Papa!!

A new season in our lives. For everything under Heaven there is a season...a time to mourn, grieve, and cry. This man, Paul, my father in law, made his last trip out to see us this fall...ultimately to say goodbye. We shared a week with him. He exorted our family...especially our teenage boys about their future. He told stories and life lessons and really praised Rob and I in front of the kids letting them know how blessed they are. He was able to watch CJ make his first touchdown of the football season and pump his arm with great fervor and pride. He was such a proud Grandpa! He passed away this week after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
I am so thankful to have these pictures of him with us. Because this is how I want to remember him best. Surrounded by his grandkids of whom he was soooo proud! He loved and was faithful to many people including his wife whom he saw through a several year battle with cancer.
I believe somewhere in each of our hearts is that longing to be home. It's the one we never quite feel like we arrived at here on this earth. We find pieces of it through relationships with loved ones, marriage, children...but ultimately we yearn for this void in our hearts to be filled and strive possibly to do that through many different actions in our lives. Some of us choose high roads and others go through valleys trying to find it. When I was 20 years old, I met Jesus in a time when I was searching for that "something". That void I wanted to fill found love in a Savior who loved with unending love. I am so thankful that Papa is now in the presence of this loving Savior. I'm sure he heard the words from his Father this week, "Well done, my good and faithful servant...well done." I love you Paul and farewell until we meet again!!

The Wrestling match of Winter

This is a literal wrestling match. A new sport for our family...normally our eldest has played basketball, so we have been learning the rules of this very intensive sport. I know he is the one wrestling...but I too usually feel exhausted after his matches as I am involuntarily trying to help him with my muscles from the stands. He has learned so much and grown alot in this sport. We are very proud of him for his determination in changing direction and sticking with it with perseverance and a great attitude. He was able to wrestle in his first JV tournament this weekend and took 2nd place for his weight class. Way to go Bud! So, the next two pics are of a different type of wrestling match in our area. This is the one between winter and spring. Where ever you live this may not be the case...but here in our fair city...it seems like winter shows itself in one breath...

and then in the next...frosty has melted to a pathetic size and we see signs of spring. I'm thankful that the grass is always greener on the other side...as it gets closer to spring that is...I say bring it on!