This Makes me Smile!

Mark LOVES to wrestle with the kids- it makes me smile-
I am SO thankful my kids have a daddy who loves them
and LOVES to spend time with them making them laugh!
We have a GREAT family...

Elijah Litzner Update

Elijah had his surgery last Wed and he did really well- Here's Giles recap of the surgery...

Elijah here--
Hey guys, I'm a little tuckered out...had kinda a big day. Just went in for a "routine diaphragmatic hernia operation" and somehow came out with no appendix. Must have signed the wrong dotted line or something. Surgery went very well (so I'm told, didn't get a chance to watch since I was kinda knocked out). The shocking news is that I was missing about 90% of my diaphragm! Yep, I kinda had to sit down once I heard that too. The surgery went something like this: they gave me a dose of the knock out stuff (they told me to count down from 10 in spanish, but I never made it that far---I was out), then the doctor (Dr. Oldham) and his team went to work making an incision about two inches or so just below my ribs. Once open, they took their time delicately moving my stomach, liver, intestines, and other miscellaneous parts into their proper location. They thought my left lung might only be a nubby, but it turns out that it's about 50% whole (I'm a glass half full kinda guy). All in all the surgery went pretty smoothly---4 hours of smoothly. They capped off the adventure by actually taking my appendix too--and you thought I was joking. It's not actually gone yet, just tied off until it decides to hitch a ride to my diaper (if ya know what I mean). The reason for the whole appendix ordeal is that my tummy is all mixed up like a tossed salad and would be in the wrong spot; so if in the future I happened to need my appendix out it could throw the doctors a little curve ball. And finally, I'm wheeled back to my cozy little Pod (E25) awaiting the finishing touches on Friday. They left my tummy open so everything can get adjusted to their new home. If they sewed me up nice and tight, then my little lungs would have a fit and my tummy would hurt a whole lot. So back to the O.R. on Friday for a couple of stitches, and maybe we'll stop off for some ice cream (if I can pay off the nurses).

Just want to warn you though, I am going to be a lot sicker for the next couple of days before I start to get better. Instead of tubes going in through my mouth, the doctors stuck them through my nose! Daddy already warned me that just because the doctor put tubes in my nose doesn't mean that I can stick things in my nose as I get older (just between you and me, I told him what he wanted to hear but we'll have to see what cool objects life brings my way). So, I'm gonna look a little different for a while, but sometimes you have to go through the tough stuff before you can get better. Hey, the doctor had to cut me wide open and do lots of ouchy things in order for me to even have a chance to heal and live a normal life. God has to do that to us sometimes too. Even though we don't want to go through the tough times---you know, the really ouchy times of life like trials and tests---God has to put us under the knife, to move things in place and even remove other things so we can live the life we were meant to live. So if God has to bring you to the O.R. don't fight it. Just submit to the Master Surgeon...and live.

So, keep praying everyone! He got sewed up on Friday and still seems to be stable... More updates later!

Where has the year gone?

Well, the school year has come to a close- My twins have learned SO much its amazing! They can read small words, write all their letters, count to 100 and their coloring is so pretty:)
Here is Miss Sophia on her last day of school (above) and on her first day (below)
She really has changed!

And Miss Arianna on her last day (above) and fist day (below).
Arianna really seemed to mature SO much socially-
she LOVES playing and talking with other kids- she is very outgoing
while Sophia tends to be more shy and plays by herself.

Miss Barrows (above) and Miss Curry (below) worked with the girls every day.
They LOVE their teachers!
I didnt have a picture on the first day because they were so shy-
look how far they've come!
We bought and signed a coffee cup for Miss Curry
and a plant holder for Mrs Barrows as end of the year gifts.
I cannot thank them both enough for the love and encouragement
and wisdom they gave my girls this year.
And most of all for their love for God that the girls saw and heard every day.

And Mr Davis ( you made it on my blog:)

The girls LOVED this part of the school day when at 8am,

they would be greeted by Mr. Davis who always was ready with
a smile, a hello and a piece of chocolate to start their school day!
Even Ella caught on and would ask every morning to go see Mr. Davis
(she needs to wait two more years and it will be her turn!)
We made Mr. Davis a mug that the girls drew pictures on-
they were so excited to give it to him!

Its been a GREAT school year and I cannot rave enough about Silverstate and the teachers and staff that have made such a BIG difference in my kids lives! We will (hopefully) be sending them there next year to start Kindergarten with Mrs. Johnson:)
Now, on to a FUN FILLED summer...

Last Zoo trip for a while

Our zoo membership has expired so we took one last trip for FREE:) Grandma and the girls friend, Eliana came along and despite the very crowded conditions, it was a fun 2 hours!

(Sarah: Ellie didnt want to go on the merry go round,
so thats why no picture of her:) I think she was a bit nervous!)

LOVE this picture of Ella- she really is growing up!

Arianna didnt want to be in the picture

Chocolate pudding!

Elijah loved being spoiled by Grandma!

All the girls

This zoo membership was the greatest thing I did this past year. I went about 20 times for $80- without the membership- it would cost my family $400 to go that many times! What a deal! Too bad we are moving farther away or I would have done it again:)

Boxes Anyone?

The packing has begun!

Urgent Prayer Requests:

Prayer Request #1- please pray for our dear friends Giles and Janel Litzner and their little baby boy- Elijah. He was born May 19th with some anatomical issues. Many of his little organs are up in his chest cavity. Once he is strong enough, they will do surgery. They are talking about doing it on Monday. I am so burdened for our dear friends- this is their first baby and I know the emotional stress of the NICU and our babies were there for just 10 days and very healthy. Pray that God will give wisdom to the doctors and skill for the surgeons and that little Elijah will pull though the surgery and heal quickly. Also, pray for grace for Giles and Janel- their testimony has been amazing and an excellent example of the grace God gives thru trials... Here is a little excerpt from their Facebook page (they write all their updates from Elijahs perspective:)

Elijah here--
Moment by moment...I'm in the hands of Jesus. I'm just hang'n out in the NICU getting better each day. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me. I was so comfy-cozy today, as you can see from my pics earlier I got to lay on my tummy. And you wanna know what? My eyes aren't so puffy anymore...so I opened them...I saw my Mommy and Daddy. That made Mommy's birthday extra special. They told me my eyes are blue, just like Daddy's. This evening was tons of fun! After looking at my parents for a while I decided to check my room out--wow! Tons of wires and lights and machines and tubes, but amid all the gadgets they keep weening me off my meds and prepping me for the big day. They even moved that 'oscar-machine' (aka oscillator) out of my room 'cause they are for sick kids and that's not me anymore. I'm a tough guy. Yep, gett'n stronger every day. So keep praying. I definitely want to get stronger and have a good surgery; I want my parents to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; but above all, I want God to do what will bring Him the most glory. That may mean answering our prayers the way we want...but it might not. Remember, "God is not a means to an end---He will not be used" (A.W. Tozer). You see, some people try to play "let's make a deal" with God. They think that if we just do these religious things like praying and going to church then God will be more apt to give them whatever they want. No way jose! God doesn't play games like that. He IS merciful---not giving us what we deserve. He IS gracious too---giving us what we don't deserve. And He's been sooo gracious to my family. God doesn't owe us anything, but He's choosing to let me grow big and strong; and He's answering all your prayers. And we are so greatful! Why do you think all of this is happening anyway? He could have made me strong and healthy from the beginning, but He wanted to get your attention too. Does He have it?

Well, I'm kinda pooped. That last couple sentences of preaching has tuckered me right out. Anyway, we got a big week ahead of us so I'd better get my rest. Keep praying for wisdom and understanding for the nurses and doctors--we are so thankful for their skill. Sorry this message is coming so late, but sometimes all the fun stuff happens later in the evening. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Love tons,
Elijah Borne

Prayer Request #2-

I was looking for a picture of Uncle Luis but we only have video- sorry-
Marks Uncle Luis has cancer and has been told it is inoperable. We are not sure of all the details but please pray for grace for his family- he has 2 children- Wendy and Eddie- who are both out of college. His wife Nancy is Marks mom's sister. They live in Australia. Just pray that God will give wisdom to the doctors and comfort to all of his family...

"Now unto God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think...."Ephesians 3:20

Update:

The landlord lady called today and said she could give us $220 off of rent- its not much but its better than nothing- praise the Lord:) We also sold out humongous TV last night- God is Good! Today, life is looking better- the sun is shining, the birds are singing- its stopped raining and I am smiling!