They should be forming a chrysalis any day now, so I suppose this could be the ugly awkward teenage stage.

They are growing so fast that it is almost creepy.

They are getting bigger.

Meet the Pillars'

Meet Bill, Jill, Will, Lil, and Phil. They came in the mail today. These things thrive in the great outdoors so surely they can survive our house. Right?

He's Got My Number

There's a sucker born every minute... and I admit I'm one of them. Especially when it comes to this blue eyed boy. I am usually a brick wall when it comes to impulse toy purchases, but this one jumped out at us in the garden center of our local mega store. Spring is in the air and it is educational. I tried to hold strong but... I didn't stand a chance. He flashed those baby blues, squeezed out a few tears, and now I'm the proud grandmother of 5 caterpillars. (Well at least I will be when they come in the mail.)

Adios Atlanta

Today Charli's retinologist released us from his service. She will be back in the care of her glaucoma specialist who is much closer to home. Our goals now are to keep her glaucoma under control, maintain the sight she has, and have her fitted for a sceleral shell . We have had excellent care in Atlanta, but we are not going to miss the 2 hour drive. (4 hours round trip) However there are a few things I am going to miss about not visiting the ATL once a month.

The fun atmosphere of the Emory area that includes...

lunch at Everybody's Pizza...

And this Hummus.

 But the four hour round trip? That's for the birds...
We will be back to see these guys in May though. Maybe I can go that long without the hummus...

Milestones

 

Last week we began to notice some changes in Charli's damaged eye. I made a call to our surgeon and he confirmed that it is phthisis. This really doesn't mean any changes in her prognosis. It just confirms again what we knew all along. Her eye is at the end stages of this terrible process and there is no turning back.

It is hard some days for me not to slip back into thinking about those weeks following the cornea transplant and just how well CG could see. Then I think about all we went through during the infection and find myself right back in a dark place. The day I spoke with the surgeon could have easily been one of those days.

But then I looked at all the work displayed on our refrigerator... and I remembered all the milestones Charli has reached without the use of her left eye. She's writing her name and drawing stick people for the first time. She can count past 10, hop on one foot, and play games on her Leapster. She is absorbing Braille like a sponge. She can hit a ball off a tee and throw over handed. She's not looking back... and I guess neither should I.

Showing some attitude with that stance.

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14

Oh Happy Day

Chad had the honor of baptizing Conner last month. He had been asking questions about Christ for a long time, and the Sunday after Christmas he told me that he wanted Jesus to live in his heart. At first I thought he was just making a play for the Lord's Supper grape juice, but he was so sincere that his dad and I walked him to the alter. Conner prayed for God to rescue him and live in his heart. When he was done he looked up at us with that smile that melts my heart every time.

A week or two later Conner went with his dad to Wednesday night worship service. (I was in Atlanta with CG getting the news about her eye.) Our youth pastor gave a very impassioned message that night. Conner must have been inspired, because as the invitation began he walked to the stage and asked for the mike. He proceeded to give his testimony and blow away any doubts we had about his understanding of the gospel. It went something like this, "Jesus is my savior. God doesn't want us to make sins, but if you do Jesus dieded (died) for your sins."  

I'm so grateful for a gospel that is simple enough for a child to understand, but deep enough to sustain for a lifetime. 

 Just look at that smile... pure joy.

And then he swam to shore. 

 
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14