5 GREAT DAYS

It's been about 5 days since Ellie arrived on our radar and man has it been good! She was born on last Thursday and since then it has been a wonderful time for us. Louise and Ellie both did well and went home on Saturday afternoon. After getting them home, Jamie stayed at the house with them and Dustin's parents while Laurie, Leigh and I went to the Faulkner football game.

After the game, of course, we had to drop in and check on Louise (and of course, Ellie :)) Sunday after services at University church of Christ we had lunch that Justin and Michelle Bond brought and hung out and vistied until church time. After evening service we went back and Michelle had made lasanga and it was wonderful! Jamie stayed at Lousie and Dirt's while I came back to Laurie and Leigh's to help Laurie get finished and study to finish up her college work Sunday night.

Monday we got up and went to Louise and Dirt's and they got up after a long night with Ellie. SHe didn't sleep very well but felt good on Monday. Ellie had a doctor's appointment today and her liver numbers were still a little high so the doc will see her Weds but prescribed sunlight for her today! So I got to feed her a bottle of milk while Ellie lay in my lap in the sun. While they were at the doctor I got out in the backyard and spread the rye grass to go where the swimming pool had been. Dirt's dad, Franklin and Justin did a great job in getting the yard leveled out but man was the soil dry adn soft but the grass seed is out and Dirt and I watered it tonight. He'll probably get to cut it this fall:)

Ellie felt better tonight and was getting more active and alert. It has been a great joy and blessing for me to get to be here for her birth and first 4 days of her life.

I have reflected each night on the joys and challenges of life awaiting Ellie and other babies born into today's world. Certainly there are going to be things in her future that I would give anything to protect her from but I can't. I am encouraged though by the family she was born into. Louise and Dirt are good young people with a love for the Lord and for each other and now Ellie that is as strong as I have ever seen. Not only are they good parents but they have a strong family support that wants to see Ellie grow into a great Christian woman also. Laurie and Leigh are as concerned and loving aunts as any child could be blessed with. Both sets of grandparents are committed Christians that pray and want to do all they can to help. Both Dirt and Louise have thier closest friends that are faithful Christians trying to raise godly children in this challenging age.

Bottom line, I am so excited about Ellie and the joy she has already brought to our lives and so many more and I look forward to watching her grow and seeing the fabric of her life continue to be woven into a wonderful life! God bless you Ellie and Lousie and Dirt! Love you all so much!