Texas

These are a bit belated. Our trip to Texas was at the end of January. We hope you enjoy.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I probably shouldn't add much. A real celebration of family and friends...

Celebrating Noelle's first year

Four generations, four cousins


Computing with Granddaddy


Seeing Uncle Graham and Tiffany


Seeing friends from Ukraine

And from Kenya...

Big loves for Uncle Graham

Lauren (friend since jr high), Helen, us

Great-granddad George getting snuggles

Great-grandmother Gran holding rapt attention

With Granddaddy's new helicopter

Saying good-bye (for the second time)

Seventeen

There was yet another record set at the Lattin household this month. Operative time for Jason. Seventeen hours.

On Friday morning, Jason began a case with a staff surgeon to remove a large rectal tumor for a patient at the VA. He called around 5pm to say that he was taking his first break to go to the bathroom, that they were no where near finished and he probably wouldn't be home until midnight. I asked if it would be a total waste (i.e. unsuccessful). Probably he said.

He arrived home at 3am. Seventeen hours of operating with only one other five minute "break", but an answered prayer. The tumor was successfully removed and the appropriate systems reconstructed. The longest (and Jason said toughest) surgery he has ever done.

Conversations

We are enjoying our conversations with Nathan these days. Here are a couple... I hope to post more in the next few days.

At Jason's folks as we are getting ready to leave.
"Nathan get your shoes on."
Grandma says, "Did you get your juice?"
"Juice?? I don't think we had any juice."
"Oh, I thought you said get your juice."

A few minutes later as we are at the door, Nathan walks up holding a large container of grape juice (which he loves).

"Oh Nathan, you need to put that back. That's Grandma and Grandpa's. We can't take their juice."
Wide-eyed Nathan says, "Mom! Let's take it!!... Let's take it Mom!!"

Of course, at that point, Grandma and Grandpa insisted that we take it home with us. What a laugh we had.


Yesterday morning, Noelle and I went to greet Nathan as he was waking up. He rolled over in his bed lazily waking up and said...

"Ice cream."
"Nathan, you want ice cream?? We can't have that for breakfast!"
"Mom, ice cream."
"Oh Buddy, we don't eat ice cream for breakfast."
"Iiiiice Creeeeam," in a whiny voice.
"Nathan, no."
"Yes," he said emphatically.
"Nathan, are you arguing with Mom? I said no ice cream for breakfast."
"...How 'bout yes?" he says.
And with a laugh I couldn't suppress I answered, "How 'bout no."

At two, he is so transparent and it's wonderful. We talk a lot about the importance of obedience and can see he is on the verge of understanding even deeper spiritual issues, like sin and just punishment. We are challenged daily to live by the Spirit that he will know Truth not just by our words but by who we are. It's a marvelous process of sanctification.

Sixteen

The children and I returned last Tuesday from a great trip to Texas but... All with colds! Our first flight of the day on our return trip was canceled due to maintenance issues. So we had to rebook for a different flight leaving 12 hours later. Fortunately, we got to go back to Granddad and Mia's for the interim.

And the Lord was exceedingly gracious yet again by arranging a little miracle for us. Jason's dad was originally scheduled to return from Florida via Chicago that same day, but had to get re-routed through Dallas on our same return flight. We were elated! Flying with kids who are LONG past their bedtimes is a little psychotic to begin with, but when we added being sick on top of that (for all of us) I think the result could have made national news had we not been blessed with Grandpa for the long flight.

About one hour from home, the flight attendants were bustling around. In my semi-unconscious state I hadn't noticed. But Grandpa alerted me that someone a few rows back wasn't doing too well. I agreed that he could tell them I am a doctor (albeit a stay-at-home mom doctor), and I was catapulted back into the "medical world". An elderly gentleman had a bit of an "episode" and it seemed the crew was very close to arranging an emergency landing. After talking with the gentleman and doing a very superficial "look-see" as Jason says, I felt like he had probably become light-headed and briefly passed out (vagal-ed). Nevertheless, I asked that paramedics be available upon landing. He was very happy with that arrangement (and when I called a few days later to check on him, had recovered nicely from the incident). I was relieved and thankful that the Lord would use us (me and Grandpa who was "on-duty" with the children).

A very excited Dad (Jason) met us at the airport. And took us home to convalesce. The following days were a blur of sickness, coughing, runny noses, and restless sleep. Two nights after our return, we set a household record. Sixteen. Between the two children, there were sixteen nighttime awakenings. I honestly would not have believed it had I not personally counted... Somehow time was still ticking the next morning and God gave us the grace to persevere.

More about Texas and pictures to come.