Week at Camp and Andrew's Birthday

We had a great week at camp - though Liza was pretty busy watching two kids as I worked (spoke 7 times in 4 days, then 4 more times this weekend). We all had a blast riding around on golf carts, swimming, playing basketball, UNO, and eating watermelon. Going to the "restaurant," or cafeteria, was also a treat they enjoyed three times a day. But when we got back it was full-on prep time for Andrew's birthday bash, which was today. It was awesome, and the rain held off just enough. We had tons of friends come over and had rented a HUGE inflatable water slide. Enjoy the pictures and many thanks to those of you who came and blessed our son with your presence and gifts. It's an understatement to say that he was overwhelmed...so were his parents. Thanks.

Date Weekend into Long Week

Liza and I actually went on a date this weekend (surprisingly, we've had several in the last couple of months). A good friend, and former student of mine, was married yesterday downtown in grand style. Liza and I got all dressed up and spent the night chatting, eating, and waiting for the right song to dance to - it finally came. It was a lovely evening. The wedding was beautiful, the bride stunning, but my date almost stole the show. In a borrowed dress, no less, she looked amazing, even though she toted her headache with her. The new muscle relaxants don't seem to be much different than the old ones yet. But we are still trying to get her some good rest and remain hopeful as to the meds. This week the whole family will go camping (in a hotel room on a campsite), as I teach the Scriptures to hundreds of junior high kids from Houston. We're all really looking forward to it, although we've still got tons of packing to do. Pray for us this week.

Please keep Liza's mum in your prayers also. Her stepfather, lovingly called "Wolf," a shortened version of his very German "Wolfgang," suffered a large stroke yesterday in Germany and is not faring well. Sonja flies to New York tomorrow and will likely be off to Germany within a couple days.

Appointment Update

Well, after waiting an hour, Liza met with our neurologists, Dr. Reza. He is terribly wonderful and warm, funny and patient. Liza enjoys his personality, candor and knowledge. They talked for a while and the good doc began to pay special attention to her neck area. He thinks that the headaches are primarily muscular and structural, meaning that she needs to focus on relaxing and healing the muscles instead of building them up. The left side of her neck muscles and shoulder muscles are noticeably more pronounced than her right. Her head even sits a little off-center because of the difference. It is this problem that is likely the cause of all the pain.

So...she is excited to try some new muscle relaxant medication samples that should help her sleep and not feel drugged in the morning. Along with better quality and more rest, relaxing physical therapy is on the menu. She goes first thing tomorrow morning. So all of this is very good news and encouraging, although today has been particularly painful (as was yesterday). Please continue to pray for my dear Liza.

Izzy's "First" Class

Well here are some precious little pictures of our precious little ballerina. Although she has actually been in two classes before, yesterday began her official entrance into a full baby class (a little tap and a little ballet). She will go twice a week for three weeks, and take it as quite an understatement that she has enjoyed it. While she was in class, Andrew and I went on a date and bought a one dollar train engine that we glued together and painted. It was awesome.

Liza is currently at the neurologists and I will report the news when she gets home. I am praying that the doc will offer some medicinal answers to the headaches. Meanwhile, enjoy the pics.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Although she eats a lot like her father, little Izzy is all mommy's girl. Lately she's been talking more and more about ballet and we've decided to let her take a few classes at the ballet school this summer. That means...ballet gear. Liza took her on a little date today and these pictures include all of the results. She did not let the bag out of her hand from the store home, put on everything immediately upon arrival, and has not taken them off since - even through a nap. It's been much fun to watch her excitement.

Liza is doing about the same. The headaches are still here and she's only had those two days of reprieves. We've been trying to get her more rest but it would seem that other forces are not cooperating. We plan to keep our neurologist appointment on Wednesday morning and still hope to get some medication that helps.

I have started going into the church office and working on my thesis for a good amount of hours the past couple of weeks. It is slow going but I'm getting some stuff done. It has also been "officially" announced that I have accepted a fantastic teaching position at our church, Faith Bible Church. It is a full-time position that I will tackle as I finish the last few classes, and thesis, for my Masters of Theology from Dallas Seminary. Starting in late August I will be teaching in one of the Sunday morning services at our church every week. I have been given the freedom to be creative as I use the gifts our gracious Lord has given. I am terribly excited.

Andrew is also doing very well. His fourth birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and mom has been busy planning a great celebration for him. He is becoming quite the little boy. We've been enjoying local swimming pools and the summer sun the past few weeks. Next week the family will join me on my first away speaking engagement of the summer - a camp just north of us about an hour. That should be a whole lot of fun for us all.

More after Liza's appointment.

Short Reprieve

Well, unfortunately I passed on strep throat to my wife. I like to share my things. So she went to the clinic on Tuesday and got a shot of antibiotics - which for someone who used to be dreadfully afraid of shots, is a huge thing. "After brain surgery, a shot ain't nothing," she said.

And this morning, Thursday morning, she actually woke up without a headache! She said that she only had some pressure behind her eyes. A few minutes later she accidentally hit her head on a lantern hanging on our front porch and was right back in the thick of things. I think the rest has been doing her very good. I've been trying to get up with the kids and let her sleep in these past few mornings, and she's been able to get over the guilt of it (self-imposed) and take advantage. I plan on offering much more rest in the coming days. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in, the strep will leave, and the rest will relieve some of the headache pain. More soon.

Finally...rest

Well, the performances went very well (my humble opinion), and now Liza will enjoy a little, much-needed, time off. I should have some pictures soon. This week we have little planned other than family things. We went and got the kids a blow-up pool on Monday and they've been loving that.

Although I don't work at the restaurant anymore (hallelujah), I'm beginning the speaking season for summer camps and retreats. I will speak 14 times in June and several in July - two of which will be with one of my DTS professors in the classroom. I'm very excited to be doing what I love to do.

We also made an appointment with our original neurologist for Liza today. The appointment is not until June 18, so we are thinking of looking elsewhere for less of a wait. We think that with the right medication the cycle of headaches that she has been experiencing can be broken. That would literally change her life. She's going on two months now - living, mothering, dancing, etc. - with one solid headache. It's been difficult.

That's it for now.