Philip Speaks!

Here's another cute video of Philip in the tub. He seems to cooperate when he's cooped up and playing in the water. I love to hear his little voice.


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My Cousin's Wedding

After attending two of Matthew's cousins' weddings this summer, this past weekend we attended my cousin's wedding near Atlanta. Melissa is 5 years younger than me so we grew up together. She and her husband Nick dated for 7 years so it was wonderful seeing this day finally come for them. I pray God will richly bless your marriage.

Here are just a few photos from the weekend. I'll post more later.


Melissa waiting in her parents' bedroom before the ceremony.


Courtney, Melissa's sister, was maid of honor.


Me with my brother Mike and sister-in-law Andrea before the ceremony.


My uncle Greg giving Melissa away.


Nick and Melissa's first dance.


Laughing together after cutting the cake.


Nick takes off Melissa's garter.

Mom's Surgery

Mom's outpatient surgery was a success this morning. Her doctor told us he only took out a small section because that muscle is so close to where he reattached her colon after removing the cancer in January. He said it is remarkable that he was able to reattach everything and that she looks like her body is healing well. I pray she is doing alright now. When I spoke to Dad earlier this afternoon, she had not used the bathroom since the procedure. Please pray that this recovery period will not be too bad and will lead to a better outcome overall. Thank you.

Our Night at the Fair

I have always loved the fair. The lights, the food, the carnies! Many people give the fair workers an unfair rap (some of them may live up to it), but honestly, none of us could ever enjoy the fair without their hard work. Enough soapbox, we just got home from the fair which comes through our town each October and I had a blast! Matthew is not much of a fair fan but thankfully, he obliged my wishes for this year to be Philip's first trip to the fair. The pictures aren't the best, but you'll get the idea.


Riding on Daddy's shoulders is the best way to see the fair!


All strapped in for the first ride! Most of the kiddie rides had a 36" requirement. Since Philip is only 32", he could only ride the ones we were allowed on too.
Philip was dancing to the music while waiting for our funnel cake. I didn't mean to dress him like a little thug. Thought he should wear his hat to keep his head warm but backwards so he could see everything!


Enjoying the fair-must-have funnel cake. It was the main selling point I used in getting Matthew to agree to go. Yum!

Meeting a horse. Now that Philip knows most farm animals by name and knows their sounds too, I was excited for him to see them up close and personal.



Meeting the cows.

Philip's other ride of the evening was the baby Teacups with Mommy. These were my favorite as a child too. This time I just kept my eyes on Philip and it wasn't too bad. Looking out around me was just a little too much. Philip on the other hand was taking it all in and by the end was looking a little woosy. He asked to ride practically everything we walked by, even the ones Matthew probably wouldn't even ride. I think we have a little daredevil on our hands.

2nd Appointment for 2nd Baby

Wednesday morning, Matthew, Philip and I went for my 2nd baby appointment for Baby Brooks 2. I've actually been going through some mixed feelings with this pregnancy which I'm finding out from friends to be quite normal. With my first pregnancy, everything was so exciting and I kept track of every detail. I could hardly keep my mind off thinking about the tiny person growing inside me. I didn't mind all the aches, pains and nausea as long as the baby was healthy.

This time is different in that Philip keeps me busy and the aches and pains are more so an annoyance than something to celebrate (even though I should be celebrating). Also there is the whole dilemma of bringing another child into the picture and wondering how it will affect my love for Philip. For a mother of just one child, it's hard to imagine how your heart will enlarge to cover two child equally. Thankfully, I've had several friends in the last few days tell me they felt the same way and it just miraculously happens. When you see the second (or any additional) child, you just fall in love all over again and each child has his or her own special place in your heart. I suppose just knowing my thoughts have been felt by others helps.

Anyway, back to the appointment. I went in not too excited but just glad to be there. During this earlier stage of pregnancy (10 weeks), I can't feel the baby at all (although I'm already in maternity pants -- something is obviously growing!) so there is not much connection. Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant all together and others I wonder if the baby is really there at all (albeit the maternity pants should give me a clue). When the nurse put the jelly on my stomach and then started rubbing the ultrasound tool around, I thought for a second that she wouldn't find anything. But suddenly, there it was... shoo shoo, shoo shoo, shoo shoo! Even having been pregnant before, I asked without thinking, "Is that the baby?" It just amazes me when the heartbeat comes through loud and clear. There IS someone growing inside my body! PRAISE GOD! Matthew was holding Philip and asked if he heard the baby's heartbeat. Philip was smiling and said, "Beep beep beep." It was a very special moment.

After waiting for 40 minutes, the doctor and nurse were in and out of the room in about 6 minutes. In a month, we'll go back and do the whole thing over.

Day at the Stadium

Although I would have enjoyed spending the day with my Dad, he graciously gave his Carolina Panthers tickets to me and Matthew because he wanted instead to stay home with Mom. Dad, I've told you already but THANKS again because we had a great day.

Yesterday, Matthew and I dropped Philip off at Ruth Ann's house at 9:30am all ready to go with her to church. We then headed up I-85 toward Charlotte. I've been to the Charlotte airport several times in the last few years but it's been since college that I've driven all through the downtown part of the city. We found the stadium very easily and were on time as it was 11:00am. The game began at 1:00pm so we had plenty of time to buy lunch and find a spot to park. It took us about 15 minutes of driving around town to find McDonalds however their credit card machine was down and we were saving our cash for parking. Next stop, Burger King. We got our order to go as we decided to find a parking spot near the stadium and eat in the car. Throughout this time the weather was at a steady rain, but the sky was light so I was praying for it to clear up. We were looking at sitting outside for the next 3-4 hours!

After eating, we left the car and walked the 5 blocks to the stadium -- now a heavy drizzle. Charlotte is not as big as some cities I've been to, but the buildings there are still quite tall and the massiveness of the stadium just adds to the excitement. Quickly the sea of turquoise blue began to surround us and there were the huge panther statues that welcome you to the stadium. I was as giddy as a child at Toys R Us for the first time!

Anyway, the game was really exciting, and the Panthers beat the Cleveland Browns 20-12. The Lord blessed us with perfect weather (not more than a mist once seated inside the stadium and just on the comfortably cool side!). The people around us were using some bad language and drinking up the beer but everyone remained on the friendly side. The people directly behind us could have come right out of the Blue Collar Comedy Show. They were soooooo countrified and one guy kept making up funny one liners (i.e. after Julius Peppers slammed into the Brown player with the ball, "You just got some Peppers, now you want the salt?!").

As we were riding into Charlotte that morning, I tuned the radio to find a sermon as it was Sunday morning and we were missing church. I came across a Franklin Graham message. He was saying that Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven as we cannot enter the presence of a holy God on our own merit. He said some say what about the millions of Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists? Graham said they must come by way of Christ also; He died for us to cover our sins. Those religions don't have anything which will do that for you but they can make it to heaven too if they would just believe in Christ as Savior. In just as bad a predictament are the millions of church-going Americans who think they're heaven bound but are also lacking that personal salvation in Christ. He made it so clear that I feel ashamed that I am not daily telling everyone I encounter of their opportunity for heaven.

I don't think it's very likely to be in the presence of millions of people at one time (at least I don't have anything like that on my calendar); however the 70,000 in the stadium was overwhelming enough. As I sat there, I thought, "Christ died for each person here and this is only a small, small representation of the world." It simply amazes me. Thinking that Christ being fully God hung on that cross knowing each of the names of all people throughout history! How can I not serve Him fully each day? And yet I don't.

Corrections of posts about Mom

Mom's procedure for this week was rescheduled for Friday, October 13th. There was a conflict in the operating room schedule. We hate that she has to wait two more days and now she and Dad are not going to be able to attend my cousin Melissa's wedding in Atlanta on Sunday. Mom is really disappointed but I reminded her although we don't understand, God works things in His timing for a reason and that she will be able to watch the video. Secondly, her colonoscopy is set for November 8th (not the 5th). I pray her body will be doing much better by then and healed from the procedure this week. Thank you for praying.

More photos from the haircut...

Here are some of the pictures my mom took during Philip's recent haircut. I had already totally forgotten what he looked like with ALL that hair. Looking at him now does make me feel glad we got it cut!

Mom's Appointments

Praise the Lord because Mom had really good appointments yesterday. Her colonoscopy is scheduled for November 5, giving her another month to heal. Her surgeon diagnosed her extremely painful bathroom visits as an overly tightened sphincter muscle. This occurs when the bottom experiences trauma, i.e. excessive diarrhea which she has experienced off and on since having radiation last October and November and now since May with her body trying to adjust. Next Wednesday, Oct. 11, she will have a small outpatient procedure to snip that muscle which should relax it allowing for more normal movements. Thank you for your prayers but we ask that you continuing praying. My cousin gets married next Saturday in Atlanta. We are praying that Mom will be up to making the drive and enjoying the weekend. Also Dad decided to stay home with Mom on Sunday (they may drive to the mountains if she feels up to it), so Matthew and I will be going to the Panthers game together! Philip will spend the day with Grandma. We should all have a good day.

More prayers for Mom (and Dad)

Mom is still having a terribly difficult time recovering. She continues to go to the bathroom 8+ times a day which is leaving her bottom raw. On top of that, she thinks she has another fissure (a tear inside) which makes it that much more painful. She has two doctors appointments today which I ask your prayers for. She met with her gastrointerologist at 11:30am this morning. I hope everything went well but haven't talked to Mom or Dad yet. She was meeting with him to schedule a colonoscopy (routine to do a year after after cancer). However, if you've ever had one, you know the prep part is not too pleasant and keeps you on the toilet pretty regularly for 3-4 hours. She is terrified of the pain that might cause. At 4:00pm today, she was meeting with her surgeon who might have to examine her. The last time she was examined, it caused her first fissure and was like torture. I pray this won't be as bad.

I'm sure having a really hard time with this. It's hard seeing your mom in pain almost all the time. She gets so mad that she is still dealing with this and is pretty much homebound. Unfortunately, it is causing her to experience severe depression and her mind is filling with lies (I'll never get better; I wish I hadn't made it through surgery). I know she is in a serious spiritual battle as well. Beth Moore said in a talk once that Satan can't directly attack God so he goes after what is nearest and dearest to His heart, His children. I believe many of the awful thoughts running through Mom's head were put there by Satan. I asked that you pray for Mom's physical healing of course but also for her spiritual strength. I pray she might find herself fully relying on Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Thank you for praying also for my Dad. I cannot imagine what it would be like if Matthew were seriously ill for over a year. God did bring a blessing directly for my Dad and I'm glad to share in it. He as well as Matthew have been attending a men's Bible study at our church on Thursday mornings. A few weeks ago, there was a drawing and my Dad won two tickets to this Sunday's Carolina Panthers game! I'm excited because he chose me to go with him. I look forward to this time of spending the day with my Dad and hope it will give him a much needed day of relaxation and happiness.

Goodbye Samson

Our pet ferrets have been part of the family. They stepped down a notch when Philip came along, however we tried to provide a good home for them. After Merlin passed on last September, we still had Griffin and Samson. Now we only have Griffin.

Samson began getting really sick back around Christmas time. The fur on his back and hind legs fell out as he was suffering from adrenal tumors. We thought we would lose him last spring. Well, he had a miraculous recovery, his fur grew back and he seemed fine all summer. Toward the end of August, I could tell he was losing weight and I could feel the tumors growing in his abdomen. As September passed, Samson got considerably worse (skinnier, more diarrhea and less eating). Last Wednesday, I made an appointment for Monday, Oct. 2 to take Griffin for his yearly shots and to put Samson to sleep.


By that point Samson was not even walking much so we knew he didn't need to suffer. Thursday, I came home from picking up Philip after Bible Study and found Samson motionless in the cage. He had passed away. It made me sad that we weren't here to say goodbye as soon as he had died. His body was a little stiff so I didn't move him due to my being pregnant and it being just too gross. Merlin passed away before our eyes so we could pet his still warm body. I was sad we didn't get that with Samson. Matthew buried him in the backyard next to Merlin.


Griffin seems to be getting along fine all alone. I'll probably be more apt to get him out of the cage more now. He's always been my special teddy bear ferret, calm and cuddly.