In the words of MacArthur......I'M BACK!   Yesterday I got a call from Geek Squad that my computer was back....you can be sure that I hotfooted it down there to pick it up.  What seemed like foreeeeever, was in fact, less than two weeks....I was impressed.  Now if it will just keep on working I will be a happy camper once more!

Those two weeks were very eventful, tho'......Baby Lucas finally made his his entrance into the world on Tuesday, October 27th, at 4:29 pm, weighing in at 7 lb., 14.8 oz, and measuring 20 " long....AND with a head of dark hair!  

The miracle of life!

We had a Skype link with Chris for over two hours, but right before Lucas made his entrance into the world we lost internet connection.  I was frantically trying to get it back while at the same time making sure that I was getting pictures and being there for her.  Unfortunately, we didn't get the link back until after Lucas had made his appearance, but Chris did get to "see" him shortly after.....ah, the benefits of modern communication!

Plans were for Zach to be in the room when Lucas was born, but Nathan insisted that he did not want to see the baby until he had been "all cleaned up".  At the last minute he decided to stay....actually, he probably did better than Zach....tho' they both did great, and Zach got to cut the cord in Daddy's absence.  A very special moment....and I think there were will be a special bond between these boys.  

There are lot of pictures to post, so I'll catch up on that later, but thought I'd share just a few from the past couple of weeks.  I do want to share a really precious happening...the first morning after Lucas was home, Nathan wanted to feed him. Janelle set him up in the corner of the couch....it was really sweet, but then Nathan started singing to Lucas...."Baby brother, go to sleep, go to sleep, my baby brother."

This was the child that we were afraid would not adjust well to the new arrival, but so far it has been wonderful....thank you, Lord!!
 

Last night was the Spook Fest on base, so while little Lucas stayed at home with Mommy 

(had to get him dressed up even if he wasn't going out!)....

Zachary and Nathan took Mimi along with them....they had a great time! 
 
Earlier that day Janelle treated Nathan to a stop at the new ChickFilA in D'Iberville....and he got to see "the" cow and even consented to have his picture taken with him.

 

In other news, Willie has made his way to Shocco Springs for a SOWERs project, and I will be joining him shortly.....miss him terribly, but we know that we are each where God has placed us at this point in time.  We thank each one of you for your prayers and your thoughts in the days leading up to Lucas' birth.  What was supposed to be Janelle's toughest and shortest pregnancy turned out to be her longest and easiest.....God knows what He is doing, and I am so grateful for that.....I sure wouldn't want the job!

LFI update - there has been a re-structuring, and after much prayer and soul-searching, I have resigned my position as Secretary on the Board of Directors and have agreed to serve on the Spiritual Advisory Committee, instead.  LFI is going in new directions and God is blessing in unforeseen ways.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers in the coming days and weeks.

My thoughts keep going to the old song, "How Great Thou Art"....and the chorus resounds....

"Then sings my soul,

My Savior God to Thee.

How great Thou art,

How great Thou art"

FALL FUN....Tonight was the night designated for pumpkin carving, so after a supper prepared jointly (Willie grilled chicken, Janelle fixed the sides, and I made the strawberry-almond-filled cake).....we headed out to the garage.  Did I mention that yesterday's high temp was 89.....tonight when we started the pumpkin carving the temps were in the 50's.....BRRRRRR.  And again I say BRRRRRRR!

Here are a few photos from our fun time.....
 

Janelle, looking like she's ready to attack this "thing".....

and Zach....looking a little less than enthusiastic about the 

messy part.

And this face was a classic....I think Papa had just "slimed" him!

But at least he got in there and did the dirty work (along with help from Papa).  Nathan, on the other hand, put his hand in, touched the "guts" and quickly pulled his hand out.  He was DONE....no more "uckies" for him!  But he liked his pumpkin after Mimi finished it....

 

And Zach liked his (no, he did not get to handle the knife...that was left to Mom and Papa)..

 

And the end result...

The little one in the middle is for Baby Lucas (who still has to make his "appearance").

Hope you have lots of fun activities this fall.....and enjoy those moments with family....they are so treasured. 


And, yes, we are still awaiting the arrival of Baby Lucas.....they thought Janelle would not make it past Sept. 28, and here it is Oct. 16th!  We are hoping for next week (she'll be 37 weeks)....please keep her and Lucas in your prayers for a safe delivery for both mom and baby.

GIRLS for a boy!

This past Saturday was the appointed time for Janelle's baby shower....she really didn't need much (yard sales, thrift and consignment stores, clearance sales, and of course, friends had taken care of  the bulk of it).  However (and that's a BIG however)....it's always nice to have an excuse for a PARTEEE!  So that's what we did......

And of course, every party has to have yummy food....

Janelle made the watermelon baby carriage...too, too cute.

And then there was the cake.....

And then there were the gifts....always fun!

 

Now it's time to await Lucas' arrival.  Another ultrasound is scheduled for Wednesday....so we'll see what happens....

continue to remember her in your prayers.

COME ON IN....it's time for the circus!   Janelle had tickets to one of the traveling circuses that crisscross the country with shows under the good ole "big top"....so last night, she and Willie took the boys (I was on a conference call...more on that later).   From all accounts, and the pictorial evidence, they had a good time!  

Brothers....fa shur!

Mom (Janelle) and Zach

And no circus would be complete without......

.....CLOWNS!!

Now...back to the conference call.  The Board of Directors are considering a change in the some of the structure of LFI....it would mean a more localized Board of Directors, along with an Advisory Board.   Please keep all of us in prayer as we work through the details and ramifications of this change.  There are so many exciting things happening....particularly in Puerto Rico and in Kenya....God is certainly moving there, and we want to be ready to move where and when He directs.

Have a blessed day....and be a blessing....as the old saying goes, "You may be the only Jesus some people see."