Crabby Birthday

So, today is actually Elliott's birthday, but last night, we had the opportunity to get together with Terri, Alvin, Amber & Bradley because they are in Orlando for the week; with Nanny & Papaw, because they went up to Orlando to hang with the Parkers; and with the birthday boy and his bride. Elliott suggested that we go to Joe's Crab Shack in Celebration. None of us had ever eaten at Joe's before, but it was an experience we all enjoyed immensely and will absolutely have again in the future. The food was fantastic, the service impeccable, the floor shows hilarious, and when they made Elliott ride a broom around the room because it was his birthday...well, the pictures tell the story. What a great evening with the people we love so dearly!

All Clear

The power of prayer was on display for all to see at our doctor's office last week. Peggy had viral contagious pneumonia diagnosed on a Monday afternoon. She received the first of what would be four daily IV antibiotic treatments that afternoon. We were blessed that she could be treated outpatient by going to the doctor's office each day last week instead of having to be hospitalized. On Friday morning, a chest x-ray revealed that Peggy's lungs were all clear. No sign of the massive pneumonia that had wracked her lungs earlier in the week. The nurses were all in amazement. The doctor was pleased beyond words. No one could believe that there was no sign of the pneumonia after only four days of treatments.

We told the nurses and the doctor that we had lots of folks praying for Peggy. When Peggy asked our doctor about going to church on Sunday, he said that would be no problem and ask her to say a prayer for him. Peggy assured him that she would, and we both did. Not just on Sunday, but every day.

We believe in the power of prayer. We are grateful to all those who prayed for Peggy last week, and we appreciate those who pray for us on a regular basis.

YEAH, BABY!

(AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
I am a Kentucky basketball fan, and that has been a tough thing this year. With a new coach (after the shameful way we ran off Tubby Smith), plenty of injuries, and a team that has underachieved for the most part this year, it was amazing to watch them come back from a 10 point deficit not once, but twice last night and then pour it on at the end of the game against the "hated" Tennessee Volunteers. 72-66 is a sweet score, and we will gladly take the win over Tennessee. The fact that they were ranked 5th in the nation makes it nice, the fact that we gave them their first conference loss (and are only one conference loss behind them in the standings now) is sweet, and the fact that we BEAT Tennessee is the best!

Okay, I'm through gloating (not). In my next post, I'll update the two of you who read this blog on Peggy's health (all-clear), and other family-type happenings.

Knock Me Over, Feather!

Contagious viral pneumonia. You could’ve knocked us down with a feather. That was, however the diagnosis from the doctor when Peggy finally broke down and went to see him. She had been sick for several days, but being the “trooper” that she is, she taught Sunday School, we hosted a family for lunch after church on Sunday, we hosted youth groups Sunday night…you know, the typical Sunday for us. Now, as she undergoes her third IV antibiotic treatment in the doc’s office today, we await results of her chest x-ray to see if the pneumonia is clearing up. Fortunately, we didn’t have to hospitalize her. Fortunately, I can take her to the doc for her treatments, and work in the waiting room because of my iBook (have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my iBook?). Fortunately, she seems to be improving each day.

Peggy is “really excited” about having to miss a week of work. She is “really excited” to learn that her pneumonia shot covers only bacterial pneumonia, not viral pneumonia. We are “really excited” at the thought that we inadvertently exposed lots of folks to a viral pneumonia. But mostly we praise God that it was diagnosed when it was, and that we are getting things taken care of. Praise God for the knowledge of medicine He has given those caring for Peggy’s needs. Praise God for the ability to take care of her at home. Praise God for being surrounded by people who love us, lift us up in their prayers, and who are willing to do anything we ask of them. Praise God we haven’t had to ask, yet!

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Indian River County

Frog Away!
Originally uploaded by blountman

My apologies to Samuel Langhorne Clemens. I got my frog in my stocking which was opened on New Year's Eve. Ian and Emily were both off of work and at home with us. Elliott, Abi and Jayla came over to help us celebrate. It was a perfect evening. I had my Bride, my children, and my granddog around me to ring in the New Year. We even had Turlte and Jordan with us

For more pictures from the event, check out my flickr site.