GROWINGANDGROWINGANDGROWING

Testing

2009-03-09T15:13:00.002-05:00

Hello World. Please disregard this message. I am just testing out some new posting templates. Love, Self.

UPDATE: Still testing.

That's Not Right (#8)

2009-03-09T10:49:00.002-05:00

That's not right ... a collection of stories, events, and incidents that are just ... not right! This one comes from my bother, CaveBear, and his family. Picture one taken on March 7 in Arizonie and Picture 2 taken on March 8 in Minne-sowta. That's not right!

100% Update: FootWash

2009-03-06T20:40:00.003-06:00

Dad washed feet today ... well, okay ... he washed a foot today. Not someone else's foot. But his own left foot. Since September 19, 2008, Dad has not been able to raise his own foot. And today, with great caution, he reached down with a sudsy handle of foam and cleaned away the bottom. It was quite a feat! (... get it, feat? ...)

100% Update: Kudos

2009-03-06T09:12:00.001-06:00

Sorry you missed it. I did, too. Dad graduated from Pi-Beta-Phi ... the acute rehabilitation center ... last week. Occupational Therapist CareBear was unable to give Dad his certificate because there was an emergency in the rehab center. CareBear called and shared how much he appreciated Dad and his dedication to work hard to recover. According to CareBear, Dad was a "model client" and never complained about the work. CareBear turned Dad over to Dr. SportsTherapy, who is working on Dad's shoulder problems. Apparently, they will be more aggressive in treating Dad's shoulder.

Lots of hugs for Physical Therapists KindredSpirit and LittleStuff. [ ... Don't tell, but we think that Dad got attached to LittleStuff. She is a little ity bity blondy who we think got attached to Dad, too ... ] LittleStuff put Dad on a WalkRoundBout ... a treadmill ... to see if Dad could manage it. He still has balance and endurance issues, but improvement should come with time.

BOTTOM LINE: This is an end of another chapter. Last week, as Dad and Mom were leaving Pi-Beta-Phi, they tried not to cry and did their best not to look back. The caregivers at Pi-Beta-Phi went beyond their call to encourage our family, help Dad in his recovery and made us feel part of their family.

The awesome thing is that they do this for everyone who walks through the door. We know Dad is generally easy to care for, but there are many in the world who are not surrounded by the love and support that Dad has experienced. They carry anger at their situation, they are depressed and lonely, and it is apparent in their behavior and interaction with those who care for them. These "saints" at Pi-Beta-Phi look beyond that and see the hearts and hurts and do everything they can to make life better for their clients. Kudos to all the staff ... from the receptionists, caseworkers and rehab specialists ... and thanks for loving our Dad.

MiniCooper Update: Another Day

2009-03-05T20:59:00.002-06:00

Everytime I get an update about our soccer pal MiniCooper, I hesitate to read the email. We have been at this place, this doubt, this uncertainty before, but it does not take away the fear. Coach asks us to keep praying:

Cooper is still in the ICU in critical condition but he is stable with most of his vitals. He is still breathing on ventalor and very risky for infection. His nurse last night gave him a sponge bath and she was very gentle and loving. They gave him blood to get the oxygen level up in his blood which is slowing helping. The scan of the heart seems to be better than yesterday. He finally got a much needed feeding tube late this afternoon after 4 attempts. We are on a day to day schedule but he is resting and heavily sudated. Our goal tomorrow is to have him off the breathing machine. So keep praying for that darn machine to get out of his mouth !!!!!!
Teresa and I welcome friends and visitors to come see us only but we are limiting access to Cooper to very few family members. He is very risky for infection and we do not want to confuse him with a lot of activity.... I have spoken to several people who are very concerened for Cooper. What will give you peace is that I stayed their last night and I was mostly helpless. He is at one of the best places in the country for this type of surgery and we are thankful for that care. Please keep praying and thanks for all of the support and love you are showing Cooper.

We're praying, Coach, we're praying! If you wanna leave a note of encouragement for MiniCooper and family, please click here.

MiniCooper Update: No Tumor

2009-03-04T12:41:00.003-06:00

Here is a picture of MiniCooper ... my DillyBar's soccer pal ... who underwent major surgery to remove a tumor in the brain. MiniCooper's dad was our soccer coach and we cannot imagine the stress ... actually we can ... that the family is enduring right now.

Please pray for: (1) strength in lungs; (2) NO TRACE OF THE TUMOR. For a real update, click here.

My Wife ... The Joker

2009-03-03T16:13:00.004-06:00

This is what happens when you are a grown man, and you give your wife full authority to run the finances in the home, and she tracks the bank account on an hourly basis, and you go out to a business lunch, and you do not have any cash on you, but she thinks you have cash on you, but you really don't and you use your debit card:

No, truly, I love this. Don't you?

Dear World:

2009-03-03T09:51:00.002-06:00

What's the effect of your death? ... Did he just say that? Death? I'm not dead yet ... Yes, I said that: What's the effect of your death?

As I was BookCruzin' this morning, I stumbled across a dude named Stephen (Acts 7:54-8:1). [... when I say stumble, I mean that I was reading about Saul's conversion from bad guy to good guy and I decided to go backwards instead of forwards ... ] Didn't recall much about Stephen before, so I did a little researchin' ... I learned that Stephen was known for his spiritual qualities, he was an outstanding teacher/leader, and that he was the first to give his life for the Gospel. Yep. The story this morning was about Stephen being put to death for his so-called blasphemy about God by claiming Christ as the Messiah. You can read the story yourself.

My thoughts ended on these words: "Saul was in hearty agreement of putting [Stephen] to death." But wait, remember, I was reading backwards. This was the "Paul before conversion Saul." I started to think whether Stephen's death was in vain, or better yet, what's the point of his death? As I scrubbed the Book for answers, I found some of the "effects" of Stephen's death, or more appropriately, his MartyrDom, including: (1) a dude named Philip who went on an evangelist RockStar tour; (2) Paul's conversion; (3) a dude named Peter who went on a missionary RockStar tour; and (4) the start of a new church in Antioch (not Tennessee). His death was not in vain.

Self, I ask, what's the effect of your death? It is so easy to see the effects of "doing" life wrong: Angry parenting=angry kids; lack of spouse-loving=bitter relationship; reckless financial habits=reckless financial condition.

But what about the effect of "doing" life right? Grace-based parenting=God-loving kids; spouse-encouraging=helpmate for life; financial discipline=financial freedom.

You see, every little thing I do in this world will have a ripple effect ... the question is whether it will be good or bad. How about you? What's the effect of your death?

Self.

All Grown Up

2009-03-02T14:01:00.002-06:00

Dad received a call last week from a young lady (... ToBe ...) from Russellville, AR. ToBe was 12 yrs old when Dad and Mom started their ministry in Arky-ville, which was Dad's 1st church upon graduation from Princeton Seminary. Now, 13 years later, ToBe wants Dad to come to Arky-ville in May to perform her wedding ceremony. Many of you know that Dad will not marry anyone without extensive premarital counseling. ToBe and her beau understood this and have committed to come to the MusicCity several weekends to be counseled by Dad. He was very moved that this young woman and her fiancee want him ... in spite of his physical impairments ... to marry them. "We gave leadership to the youth while in Russellville and came to love her and all the kids as our own. What a priviledge," Dad says, "to marry your kids off."

Another's Dad ... (update)

2009-03-02T13:46:00.000-06:00

Just got a tweet from my friend, KungFu:

As my brother's getting ready to leave for NM for dad's funeral, his wife had allergic reaction to insulin and died this AM.

This family really, really, really needs your prayers. They are "the Turk Family."

Another's Dad ... Another's Son

2009-03-02T11:32:00.003-06:00

You never know when that red-tailored-suit-pitchfork-blazing-horned-dude wrecks havoc in someone's life. I got two pieces of shocking news last night.

First, a note from my friend back in high school. Please pray for comfort for this KungFu friend and his family.

Second, a note about one of my son's soccer pals, who also happens to be the coach's son. Please pray for 100% healing and restoration for Lil'Coop and strength for Coach and family.

LegoCard

2009-02-26T15:02:00.002-06:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

As if I needed another reason to think that working for LEGO would be the most awesome job imaginable, Alexander Kjerulf just blew my mind with these customized minifig business cards that LEGO employees get.

You should read the whole article. LEGO Business Card, Feb 2009

OldSkool (aka Why to Avoid FB)

2009-02-25T13:17:00.003-06:00

This is why I can't stand FaceBook ... One of your friends from many, many years ago posts a photo of you ... before you went through that natural change from Boy-to-Man ... to share with the World. Since I love a good game, I will share with you if you share with me:

Now your turn ... send us your OldSkool pictures here.

RockStar

2009-02-25T09:43:00.000-06:00

I am sooooooo jazzed about this past weekend! MyBeloved and I were in Dallas for a business meeting on Monday. On Sunday morning, we drove an extra hour to see one of my longtime heroes ... a Theological-RockStar ... by the name of Tommy Nelson. What is a T-RockStar? He is a like a rock star, but his stage is the pulpit, his genre is good biblical doctrine, and his ballad is called Song-o-Solomon.

MyBeloved and I met this T-RockStar about 10 years ago at a romance/marriage conference called in OKC, Oklahoma. In the years that followed, we taught several small group studies on SoS. [ ... If you are interested in doing a 6-week study at our house in Nashville, let us know ... ] Anyway, I've been following this T-RockStart on ITunes for the past few years.

So, on Sunday morning we found ourselves sitting in a coliseum-type-sanctuary ... yea, one of those that seats 5,000 people ... listening to this T-RockStar talk about evangelism. At the end of the service, he scuttled out the back door ... and I assume so that he could hide from all the T-RockStar fans.

I was not going to let him off that easy. I ditched my bride and newborn in the dust, setting out to find this hero. [ ... Did I ever tell you that my Dad is my hero too? ... ] The church office looked closed, but I pried open the door with a credit card, a chewed piece of gum and a church bulletin. That's where I met PrettyPenny, a nice lady who inquisitively asked for my back stage pass.

Quick, Self! Think ... I thought. "Oh, I'm here from the MusicCity with my wife and No. 5 child. We met Pastor Tommy about 10 years ago at an SoS Conference. He is a Theological-RockStar. He's my hero. Can I meet him?" I asked PrettyPenny.

She smiled. She saw the excitement in my eyes. "I can't promise you anything, but I will go check," she said.

I waited.

She smiled.

I waited.

She smiled.

I waited.

She smiled.

I told PrettyPenny that I needed to get MyBeloved and would be right back. She said okay.

I ran.

We ran back.

Open the door. And there, sitting in the corner, waiting for us, was T-RockStar!!! We chatted.

I smiled.

MyBeloved smiled.

He smiled.

Life complete ... for a day.

[ ... You really need to hear this guy. If you have a minute, or a few hours, check him out ...]

Shortest / Longest

2009-02-22T09:12:00.002-06:00

This will be ... has been ... the shortest weekend, as well as the longest weekend, for two couples. Shortest for me and MyBeloved on our jump down to Dallas for the weekend ... Longest for P-Pet and Nelson, our good friends at home, who (for a reason we cannot determine) are watching our LittleWomen (No. 1, 3, 4). DillyBar (No. 2) is at Mom's house ... being spoiled like a king.

I can't believe we only have one more day. It has gone by so fast!

P-Pet and Nelson, there's only one more day. It will go by faster than you think!

Hi/Lo Thursday yadsruhT oL/iH

2009-02-19T14:17:00.005-06:00

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and for a chance to win $100 ... It's where we get to know each other by sharing our emotional/spiritual HIGH and LOW for this previous week.

Since we are rather UnConventional here at G&G, we are going to post our Lo first, which turned out to be a Hi. As you know, I have been overwhelmed with work over the past month ... almost like drowning underwater ... and with no end in the sight. Over the past 6 months, we've had a newborn in NICU, a messed up Dad in trauma, nights of no sleep, unplanned for medical bills, braces on No. 1, stomach viruses on Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, and finally ... one AbsentDad (... me ...) from working too late. I leave for work before the kids get up in the morning and I come home after they go to bed at night.

Here's my emotional low: MyBeloved calls yesterday morning. She says that No. 4 ... who just turned two ... was running through the house ... looking for me and crying my name. My heart is ripped. I'm sad. Here she is on her birthday the other night. ( ... I miss my family ... )

Here's my emotional high: In an effort to surprise the kids, I came home last night before they went to bed. Imagine walking into the kitchen to see your 5yr old boy ... bathing ... in the sink. My heart leaps. I'm smiling. I'm laughing. No. 2 looks up and says, "Hi dad!"

And Then There Were Four ...

2009-02-19T11:42:00.002-06:00

These are Bella'sCorgis ... at least what is left of them ... there are only four! And, if you are the right person, one of them could be yours. A co-worker, MangrumPI, is selling off the corgi children of Bella and Jackson. Click here if you want a piece of the action. BTW, tell them G&G sent you and we will get 100% of the proceeds. [ ... Not really ... maybe 10% if we can guilt the Mangrum into sharing ... ]

Hard Times, Difficult Choices

2009-02-19T08:04:00.002-06:00

Here's a picture of Lil'Mac (back) and Lady A (front) at the Special Olympics last year. Well, Lil'Mac's momma ... OuterCircleChic ... is raising money for the SpecialEvent this year. We know ... really, we do ... that times are hard and we have to make difficult choices with our money these days, but could you spare $5, $10, $20 for this great cause? The fun festivities begin on Saturday at noon. Click here to help OuterCircleChic's efforts.

100% Update: The Long Awaited

2009-02-18T09:49:00.003-06:00

I know that many of you have been waiting for an update on Dad ... and I have to be honest ... it was entirely ... Mom's fault! I'm kidding ... it was ... Dad's fault! There I go again. What ever happened to personal responsibility? It was ... my ... employer's fault! Let's categorize these in BodyParts ... here's what I got:

Ears: The SurgicalEar ... the right one ... is beginning to pop. Sometimes Dad has some hearing and others times he says it is as if is underwater. Dr. Beethoven continues to say it will take time. There is still a great deal of packing (gel stuff) in his ear. This will eventually dissolve and be absorbed by the body. He is scheduled for hearing tests and a follow up meeting with the maestro on on March 9. Beethoven will address his left ear when he feels and tests indicate that Dad has healed totally from the first surgery. He continues to use antibiotic ear drops to stem infection.
Eyes: Dr. NewEye continues to monitor Dad's right eyeball. Since his tear ducts are non-functioning we put artificial tears 4 times a day and antibiotic ointment in the eye. Dad asked about the prognosis regarding driving in the future. NewEye says, "No way, Jose!" In other words, driving is not possible since Dad has no periphial vision in the left eye. Next appointment with NewEye is on March 26. Dad will then be seen at Vandy's Eye School on March 30, where Dad will meet with Dr. HeadSight, neurological eye specialist.
Teeth: Off to see Dr. Dentyne to see if Dad's gums have healed enough from the extraction of his front teeth. If they have, Dentyne will permanently cement his bridge. Dad has not had any other problems arise since our last visit to Dr. BidenSmile, the endodontist. This is a good thing.
Heart: Dr. Passion and his assistant RedSonya are taking good care of Dad. Mom and Dad had to make a special trip to see him because blood pressure really began to rise. He was prescribe a BP medication that left Dad hacking and coughing 24/7 and was not getting any sleep (neither was Mom). Our friend, Righty (...remember him? ...) shared with Dad that he had the same problem with the medication and found out that was one of the side effects. Passion prescribed a new med called HeartBeatDown ...blood pressure has dropped but his heart rate is still high. EKG scheduled for April.
Shoulder: Dad's shoulder continues to be a source of pain and severe discomfort. He shows no improvement in spite of his Occupational Therapy. It was discovered that Dad had Bone-Grow-itis ... also called Heterotopic Ossification (HO), which is an abnormal formation of true bone within his shoulder tendon. This often occurs as a result of trauma such a blunt injury. HO is seen in patients with brain trauma injury. There is not much that can be done for those who develop HO. Dad saw Dr. BoneFixer-ette, a new orthopedic doctor, on Jan 30 and she had additional x-rays done on his shoulder. After manipulating Dad's arm and shoulder, BoneFixer-ette decided that Dad might also have a rotator cuff problem. She scheduled an MRI, which demonstrated it was not rotator cuff. He has an anterior labral ligament tear, plus Adhesive Capsulitis. This is scar tissue that has developed around the shoulder joint as a result of the shoulder trauma from the accident. These issues are why he has not gotten any better. Dad is now scheduled to see Dr. ShoulderFix, an ortho who specializes in shoulder injuries. Your Dad said this is #25. On a positive note, BoneFixer-ette (Dad's only female doctor) released him...gave him a clean bill of health as far as his pelvis. She was his trauma doc on the 10th floor.
Legs: Physical Therapy continues to increase demands on Dad. He walked down the hall (which is quite long) twice without his cane. According to most recent balance testing ... it is still not what it should be ... but it has improved a bit. He was given permission to move around the house without his cane (which he was already doing), but when he goes out he is to use it to help keep his balance and help with his eye issues (lack of depth perception). His right upper thigh seems to be more sensitive which is an indication of nerve regeneration. The pain issues on his left side are a result of impact while the issues on the right side is a result of the brain injury. His left leg continues to be the weaker of the two. He has gained a little strength in it but he still cannot pick up his foot more than a couple of inches. He continues to have to put his hands under his thigh to lift his leg when he is sitting down.
6th & 7th Nerves: There is still no indication that any regeneration is taking place. Dr. Beethoven says it will take time if it is going to happen. We will first see a little movement around mouth and he will experience twitching in his cheek area. This also explains why Dad's good eye has no peripheral vision. The main occipital nerve runs from the brain stem through the center of the skull. It was most likely damaged from the blow to Dad's head. Dad and Mom talked about his appearance and he shared that he has no problem if he remains looking as he does at this time.

Overall, Dad's strength is still not 100%. He is getting up earlier and staying up later, but he has to lay down for an hour or so a couple of times a day (... Oh, the life of a messed up dude! .... ). He still cannot sit for any length of time. His appetite is on the puny side. He doesn't know if it is because he cannot taste most foods. Taste buds are dead and his salivary glands are non-functional. He does love his chocolate milk, though. He does enjoy eating at Pei Wei's ... Beef Teriyaki with Noodles. Says rice is to dry for him. Go figure?

QR Code for G&G

2009-02-17T13:31:00.001-06:00

Not sure why our everyday readers would find this important, relevant, or even interesting, but here is the QR Code for www.growingandgrowing.com. If you have a bar code reading phone, then scan the above code and it will take you to G&G website and links.

Cool, huh?

BabyJ Update: God Smiles

2009-02-17T10:43:00.002-06:00

Just like the above picture, every now and then God smiles on us. Yesterday morning BabyJ was scheduled for surgery. J&J ... not to be confused with G&G ... report that the surgery was successful:

After hours of waiting, the surgeon walked into our little "quiet room" to tell us the news. He sat down in a chair across from us and said that he just couldn't explain why everything went so smoothly this time. Needless to say, Jeff and I were overjoyed and knew that God's hands had been at work today. He continued to explain that they were able to put the liver all the way into the abdomen and place the patch where they wanted it. Jacob remained stable, tolerated the changes, and stayed on the lower vent settings that he had achieved in the last few days. The surgeon even said that he saw a little more right lung. This was what we had asked for! We still have a long way to go...there will be many more hurdles to jump over in the next few months before bringing him home. But, today has been a blessing beyond what we could have imagined. The doctors are concerned about a possible clot that they found in his lower extremities after surgery. Please pray that this hurdle will not obstruct further recovery for Jacob. May God bless you today as we have been blessed by you. Thank you for taking our son before the Father and being a part of this journey.

Wanna leave J&J&BabyJ a comment or word of encouragement? Go here.

No Caption Necessary

2009-02-16T12:28:00.001-06:00

... picture snapped at drycleaners ... nice ...

Great Time ...

2009-02-16T11:44:00.003-06:00

... last night at the Beyond the Ashes concert last night at Woodbine. In case you missed it ... what I am saying? Of course you missed it! I did not see you there ... Okay, I saw one of you ... check out their MySpace page or regular website page. They were great!

Dear Sweety-Pie-Sugar-Plum-Baby-Love:

2009-02-13T12:31:00.002-06:00

I tried to find one that said Wii, but this was the best I could do:

Happy VDay ... a little early!

Love,
Self

[... World of Dudes, if you wanna get your lovely one of these cards, try Storeyshop at Etsy ... ]

New Grill!?!?!

2009-02-13T07:05:00.003-06:00

This is No. 1 ... I wonder why she is smiling? Probably because her mom made her smile for this picture. It cannot be voluntary. Anyway, Dr. Renovate installed those little colorful bands yesterday, along with the following statement: "She could be sore for over the next week since her teeth are spread unevenly." I did not know he meant painful crying at 4:00am this morning.

--------------------

No. 1,

I love you and I am praying for you. I think the MouthMetal makes you look beautiful! At least you get hip colors like pink and green ... some kids get stuck with OSU orange orange and black.

Love Dad