Luke's Home-Part 2

Monday was the big day for our family, knowing our missing "link" would be home that night. Mid afternoon I got a call from Luke and our conversation went something like this:

Luke: Could you call and make me an appointment with Dr. E.. tomorrow?
Me: Sure. What do I need to tell them you need to be seen for? Parasites or what?
Luke: (Hesitating) Just tell them I scratched my leg in Liberia.
Me: Okay
Luke: My phone is almost out of battery so I will call you on my way home.

The conversation was very short and to the point as you can tell. However, I know my husband I knew he wasn't being very forthcoming. Regardless, I called and made an appointment.

Once Luke got home that night and somewhat "settled" after 26 hours of being en-route to Kansas City from Liberia and 3 hours on the road in the fog.........The truth finally came out as he was little delirious from traveling.

Luke: "Don't freak out when you see my leg."
Me: "Okay"
Luke: "I hurt my leg in Liberia and had to get stitches."
Me: (looking at his leg with a grin) "I knew something was up but I didn't think it required that many stitches!"

Here is a picture of his "cut" according the blog on 1/14/10. 13 stitches on the bottom and 26 up top for a total of 39 stitches. It doesn't look as "angry" in this picture as it did when he first got home...Thank goodness!

Luke had a great story behind the care he got in a 3rd world hospital. I think he was a little worried about cross contamination, hence the reason for the Dr. appointment in the US. Thankfully, he was on an antibiotic for Malaria two weeks before he left and is to be on it another month. The antibiotic he is taking is also used to treat staph infection so Luke was covered. We will continue to watch out for other signs of infection but so far so good.

Birthday Breakfast

On Monday, the boys didn't have school due to Martin Luther King Day. I was reading my daily devotions when Jacob woke up. We snuggled while I finished my devotions and he watched "Sid the Science Kid." During the episode, Sid, and his father made a special meal for Sid's mom. Once Ben woke up I could hear the two of them plotting "something."

Jacob told me to stay in the bedroom because they had a "surprise for me." I kept hearing pots and pans bang around and a few disagreements. Otherwise, they asked me for some help a few times but ultimately they made me breakfast! I love how they decorated the plate as a happy face with eyebrows and all!.

Once we got some pictures we all sat down and had a wonderful breakfast. They did a GREAT job! Even better it was a nice way to our end our 13 days without their dad.

Ben sporting his New glasses!

Ben has been having problems reading. He was getting so frustrated and I didn't know how to help him. Finally, before Christmas he said his eyes were "tired." Therefore, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have his eyes checked.

While Luke was in Liberia, Ben had his appointment. Dr. Simmonds said he was far-sighted and his eyes were having to work 50% harder while reading up close. So, Ben got to pick out some glasses for reading and math, etc. He wanted ones that looked just like his "daddy's." Now Ben looks like a miniature "Luke" when he is wearing his glasses. He is very excited to have them and I hope it stays that way!

Luke is home!

Luke is home.....(insert long sigh here)...........
Our home was not the same without him.
I didn't want to leave his sight the first few days he was home. I am sure he felt smothered!
We all missed him terribly but somehow his trip not only opened Luke's eyes but also our eyes.
Luke has some great stories. Also, some stories from the orphanage, he can't share without breaking down....He wants me to go to the mission field next. We will see. God is working through us, only when the time is right will He reveal what we are to do next.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I will write more about his trip once I get caught up with some other posts.
Somehow I feel guilty being on the computer while everyone is gone.
I don't like the questions, "what did you do all day?" Because being on the computer "all day" doesn't get things accomplished while the kids are gone.

30 Something......

Today was my birthday....The only reason I am blogging this late is due to the double shot of espresso at 8:00 PM. Here are me and the boys. Jacob decided to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt rather than going out to eat with us.
Scary picture of me but good one of Aunt Leslie. I am super thankful Aunt Leslie came to stay with me for a few days while Luke was out of town. Aunt Leslie spoiled me today....she helped me get ready for company, made me a cake, took Ben and I out to eat, let me pick a good smelling candle for the house, laundry, cleaned the boys' bathroom (she is brave), a cute trinket that looked like Trooper and a great Espresso drink from STARBUCKS!

Jake in his robe because he was "too sick" to go with us. It is okay, he had a fantastic time with Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt

Don had shoulder surgery on Wednesday. They released him today but he is going to stay at our house for a few days. They live too far away if there are any problems. We even had a company bring him an oxygen machine to our house for a few days. That makes me feel much better!

Ben Had to take a picture so here we are.......

Thank you Ray, Jane and Gpa Al for meeting us tonight for supper. It was good to see everyone and get caught up.

It was a good day despite realizing my drivers license expired today. I had to take an unexpected test. Once I was done with test they informed me they didn't take debit cards and would only take cash or check. I didn't have $30 cash or my checkbook, so had to run to the bank....Needless to say, I got my DL and I am driving legally!

Luke-World Traveler

January 6th we had a winter storm.......wait I mean BLAST........since it was sooooo cold! He left early afternoon to drive to Kansas City because the weather was pretty bad.

Here is the picture of my "world traveler" as he was walking out the door....

• new haircut (low maintenance) = check
• shirt with A LOT of pockets (international travel shirt according to my dad) = check
• a smile to humor his wife because he knows that is the only way he will get out the door = check!Go here to follow Luke and Team Liberia's trip. Go here to read another excerpt about Team Liberia's trip yesterday. Amazing

Inside Dog?

It has been so cold this week that Trooper came in to hang out with us. He now thinks he is a house dog.....I can't bear to send him outside yet. I like having him inside with us even though he is kind of stinky....Nothing a candle can't take care of!

Things That Make Me Happy

We didn't get any family "pictures" taken over the holiday but we did have this AWESOME watercolor done by a friend! December was a long month and when I got this in the mail I couldn't stop smiling....

Amy is doing watercolor portraits to raise money for her adoption. Check out her blog to see more pictures. Amy also has an etsy shop if interested.She is very talented and above all has a huge heart.

Thanks Amy we LOVE it!