Birthdays, family river adventures, and Ethan update.

Our beautiful daughter, LaRue, left her pre teen years behind and entered her teen years on the 12th of this month. This girl is full of energy and lives life to the fullest.

We enjoyed celebrating her. LaRue loves the outdoors and adventuring so she got her own kayak for her birthday and we took a Family adventure trip on the Caney River. It was truly a special day.

When we got on the river the water was pretty slow but It picked up over our time on the water and ended up being a lot rougher than we had ever seen this section of river. The older kids had fun using their kayaks as paddle boards. Everyone went swimming, rock skipping, and picnic lunching!!

These children grow up so quickly. When I was a child I remember saying how slowly the days went by. My parents would tell me that one day I would feel differently and I couldn’t imagine that to be true but now I completely understand. It really does seem to go by in a blink.

I’m thankful for the young lady she is becoming and how God is already using her. She is a loving and kind big sister to Alex and regularly puts Alex’s wants and needs ahead of her own. Sometimes the pictures say it better than the words. Sisters!!!

Painting nails!

She is my right hand with the house, gardens, and especially in the kitchen. Actually, to be fair, she does more baking and possibly more cooking than I do. She loves being in the kitchen creating edible artwork and she is highly gifted in this area. We are always amazed by what she comes up with. She even wanted to make her own birthday cake, so with the help of her younger brothers and sister she did and it was wonderful.

Time together as a family is important to us and the thought of the weeks ahead where we will be away for Alex’s surgery has been difficult on the children. They keep telling each other and us how it will be hard to be away from each other for so long and how they will miss each other. Our children argue with the best of them, and they pick on each other like they would never allow anyone else to do but they love each other more fiercely than they argue! 😄

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Quick Ethan Update! He is doing so well. We are really amazed by the strength he has displayed through all of this. He started week two post op with only needing an occasional medication for pain and rarely even taking the Tylenol or ibuprofen. Soon as he had the green light to get in the pool he was in. He has been walking in the pool to get his strength back up because he is more comfortable in the water. He still spends a good bit of time sitting or lounging but nothing like we expected at this point.

He told me today when he was swimming that he noticed for the first time how much easier breathing is than it was before surgery. He is excited about that. Even when he isn’t 100% he always finds ways and time to enjoy his little brothers and sisters.