Good Report

It had been 2 1/2 years, but Liv just had another check-up appointment with a pediatric cardiologist from Mayo. She had one right after we brought her home but haven't had one since. Fortunately, every Thursday one of the doctors drives to our clinic here in town, and so we didn't have to drive all the way there. This doctor is known for bringing a portable echo-cardiogram machine. So she listened to Liv's heart for a little bit, and then as Liv would say, "She put jelly on my tummy and took pictures." LIV DID AWESOME!!! She gets very hesitant at the doctor's office and has had many tears at times. But we tried to prep her for what to expect at breakfast that morning, and she did so good! She sat really still for the doctor to listen to her heart. Then she kindof laid on me for the echo. She laid so still and was very cooperative. I was so grateful. The overall report is that the hole in Liv's heart has gotten smaller. We'll go back for another check-up before kindergarten. The best-case scenario is that Liv won't need anything done, and the worst-case is that she'll need a patch put in during early elementary school (and that can be done through a catheter - it doesn't need to be open heart surgery). We are so grateful that her health is good.

And she's grown an inch since her 3 year check-up in July. We're at an even 3 feet now :).

October so far...

Hangin' with Dad during football on Sunday afternoons.

Our favorite cousin/nephew turned 2! He's like trying to photograph an active puppy. So this is the best I could do. But he's so much fun and LOVES Liv and always carries a car in each hand. She's edged a little bit ahead of him in height. It was getting close, but thanks to a recent growth spurt she's barely holding her own.

Here he is with Grandma and Grandpa and his delicious birthday cake. Liv can't help but be part of the action.

And here she is sneaking a little frosting. She had accidentally gotten a little on her finger and wanted it wiped off (she hates being messy). Our friend told her to just lick her finger leading to the discovery that frosting on your hand really isn't a bad thing... Needless to say that side of the cake had a couple dings in it :).

And because Blogger makes me really mad at how they load pictures on a post, I'm going to do a separate one on Fall retreat which we just had this weekend.

Apple Orchard

We've had an some amazing fall weather up here and have been loving it! We're trying to take advantage of it as much as we can. Here's our trip to the orchard:

Myself and dear friend Londa. (along with co-worker and boss and available :)
Super Livie! Dad has been throwing her around since she came home - no fear.

Here's the fam! Love the scenery here. There's quite a few orchards all near each other + rolling Wisconsin hills = beautiful :).

Hi Sweet Pea,

On this anniversary celebrating the day you got to see Jesus face to face, I find myself thinking of you and even more so thinking of heaven. What's it like? What are you like? Are you a bounding 4 1/2 year old continuing to explore and discover? Do you have favorite places that you like to go? What do you play? What do you sing? Do you just get to sit in the warmth of His light and listen to songs of heaven all around you? Do you dance? Do you go explore? What are you learning? What does it feel like? Does time pass or does it feel like a day and an eternity at the same time? Can you see little sister and little brother? Do you know who little brother is before we do? What are your gifts and talents? Mama is reading a big long book about heaven, and it fills me with so many questions and so much longing. And I always think of you. There. In it. Experiencing it. And I can't wait for you to take me by the hand and show me around and introduce me to all your friends and angels you have met. Oh Sweetheart, sometimes it's hard to remember that heaven is really real. But it is. I'm going there someday, and I can't wait. In a blink it'll happen, and my eyes will look wide-eyed for Jesus and for you. I'll finally be home. Forever.
Kisses and Love Sweet Girl.

I John 5:11-13
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."