Happy Thanksgiving from the Boaz Family!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
We Are Thankful For...
We are so grateful we got to visit our families in Colorado Springs last week! Here are pictures of some of the people and things we're thankful for...
Playing with buddies Keira, Lily, and Nick
Fun with little cousin Prisca
Yummy food!
Snuggles with Great-grandpa and grandma Gardner and GreatMom McNabb
Playing with cousin Kayla, Matt and Ben
And a little bit of snow! We are also thankful for safe travel and our excellent travelers, Naomi and Johnathan, who go through airport security like little pros!
Thanksgiving Feast
A post about Naomi's preschool Thanksgiving Feast by guest blogger Naomi Boaz:
I am singing Thanksgiving songs. I have a turkey hat on my head. I cutted a piece of paper and glued everything and then I weared it.
I ate corn and some turkey and stuffing. Johnny and Daddy and Mommy ate some food.
I am singing Thanksgiving songs. I have a turkey hat on my head. I cutted a piece of paper and glued everything and then I weared it.I ate corn and some turkey and stuffing. Johnny and Daddy and Mommy ate some food.
My favorite Thanksgiving recipe: Pumkin Pie
Ingredients:
Canned goods
Milk
Dough
1. Take ingredients and mix them all together.
2. Put them in a big pan.
3. Put it in the oven for 5 minutes.
4. While its baking, make a fall leaf out of dough.
5. While the pie is cooling, make some whipped cream.
6. Eat it and watch Mary Poppins.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
What I learned from my pastor... 11-22
Colossians 3:20 is oft-quoted (by Mommy and Daddy!) around our house. This morning's sermon focused on this verse and the following verse 21. Kevin invited the kids in the congregation for a front-row seat! He talked about the reason why children should obey and the way they should obey.
The Gospel is at the heart of obedience - All of us have sinned and messed up the perfect picture of what a family should be. Because Jesus died and paid the price for our sins, we can have a relationship with Him. And when we love Him, we can show that by obeying Him - and that includes obeying parents. No parent is going to get it all right, but our love for Jesus is our motivation for obeying our parents.
Next, Kevin talked about the way to obey, and he borrowed Ginger Plowman's great definition of full obedience: It should be right away, all the way, and with a happy heart. Another mantra in our house!
Kevin also addressed parents, reminding them of Colossians 3:21, which instructs fathers not to exasperate or discourage their children by having unrealistic expectations, a lack of grace, harsh words, a lack of discipline, or by expecting perfect obedience without giving children the tools and training they need. The bottom line is that our kids need to know Jesus, because He is the only one who can give them the power to obey and love!
The Gospel is at the heart of obedience - All of us have sinned and messed up the perfect picture of what a family should be. Because Jesus died and paid the price for our sins, we can have a relationship with Him. And when we love Him, we can show that by obeying Him - and that includes obeying parents. No parent is going to get it all right, but our love for Jesus is our motivation for obeying our parents.
Next, Kevin talked about the way to obey, and he borrowed Ginger Plowman's great definition of full obedience: It should be right away, all the way, and with a happy heart. Another mantra in our house!
Kevin also addressed parents, reminding them of Colossians 3:21, which instructs fathers not to exasperate or discourage their children by having unrealistic expectations, a lack of grace, harsh words, a lack of discipline, or by expecting perfect obedience without giving children the tools and training they need. The bottom line is that our kids need to know Jesus, because He is the only one who can give them the power to obey and love!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Johnathan Update #4
Yesterday we headed off to Dell Children's Hospital in Austin to meet with the neuromuscular team. First stop was for xrays of Johnathan's hips and spine. Johnathan was quite brave as the "robot" took pictures! Next, we met with the pediatric orthpedic doctor and orthotics specialist. The xrays showed that Johnathan currently has none of the bone problems that can rise from his CP - scoliosis and hip displacement are the ones they'll check yearly to make sure they don't become a problem. The orthopedic doctor checked his range of motion in his right arm and leg. The plan is now to work on his heel and hamstring tightness in a couple ways: He's going to wear a knee brace while he sleeps to help stretch out his hamstring. And during the day he'll wear an AFO (ankle-foot orthotic) on his right leg so that he can't walk on his toes. We'll combine that with physical and occupational therapy twice a week, and in six months Johnathan will go back to the orthopedic clinic to see how he's progressing.
If needed, we'll consider a heel cord lengthening procedure sometime in the future, but not until he's closer to age 6. Between now and then he'll be growing so quickly that his heel could tighten back up every time he has a growth spurt, so the orthopedic specialist said there is no point in doing that kind of procedure now. Because bones grow faster that his muscles can stretch out, Johnathan will likely need to work on these issues until he is done growing.
The final stop in our tour was at the orthotics clinic. Johnathan got his knee brace fitted. And he got a cast made of his right leg so his AFO will be custom fitted. He picked out a very cool pattern with firetrucks, tractors, and helicopters on it. He and Daddy are going to drive back to Austin tomorrow to pick it up.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for Johnathan! You can pray now that he'll tolerate all the new stuff he gets to wear, that the therapy will be effective, and for us as we navigate insurance issues.
If needed, we'll consider a heel cord lengthening procedure sometime in the future, but not until he's closer to age 6. Between now and then he'll be growing so quickly that his heel could tighten back up every time he has a growth spurt, so the orthopedic specialist said there is no point in doing that kind of procedure now. Because bones grow faster that his muscles can stretch out, Johnathan will likely need to work on these issues until he is done growing.
The final stop in our tour was at the orthotics clinic. Johnathan got his knee brace fitted. And he got a cast made of his right leg so his AFO will be custom fitted. He picked out a very cool pattern with firetrucks, tractors, and helicopters on it. He and Daddy are going to drive back to Austin tomorrow to pick it up.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for Johnathan! You can pray now that he'll tolerate all the new stuff he gets to wear, that the therapy will be effective, and for us as we navigate insurance issues.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What I learned from my pastor... 11-15
In the second part of Kevin's sermons about Colossians 3:18-19, he spoke to husbands and wives to flesh out what it means for wives to submit and husbands to love.
To husbands, he taught that knowing the Gospel is key to fulfilling your role to lovingly lead. Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loves us: unconditionally (no matter how helpful or respectful she is being), sacrificially (putting her needs before your own), and redemptively (leading her in her struggles to Christ, encouraging her with the Word, praying for her, and leading the family spiritually). Hasbands also lead lovingly by generally taking the initiative when his wife or family has a need, whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. It also means taking responsibility for the ramifications when a tough decision needs to be made.
To wives, Kevin pointed out that the call to submit can be lived out by showing respect for our husbands. This is frequently displayed in our communication with him - by our tone and words, how we speak to and about our husbands, by learning to understand him, and in demonstrating affection for him. And although in a healthy marriage decisions are primarily made together, it may sometimes mean that a wife needs to allow her husband to make the final call in a difficult decision and support his leadership. Just as the husband is called to love no matter how well his wife is performing her role, the wife is called to show respect to her husband even if he is not leading perfectly (and we all know he can't! And neither can we!).
If you're looking for a great book on this topic, we recommend Love That Lasts, by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.
To husbands, he taught that knowing the Gospel is key to fulfilling your role to lovingly lead. Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loves us: unconditionally (no matter how helpful or respectful she is being), sacrificially (putting her needs before your own), and redemptively (leading her in her struggles to Christ, encouraging her with the Word, praying for her, and leading the family spiritually). Hasbands also lead lovingly by generally taking the initiative when his wife or family has a need, whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. It also means taking responsibility for the ramifications when a tough decision needs to be made.
To wives, Kevin pointed out that the call to submit can be lived out by showing respect for our husbands. This is frequently displayed in our communication with him - by our tone and words, how we speak to and about our husbands, by learning to understand him, and in demonstrating affection for him. And although in a healthy marriage decisions are primarily made together, it may sometimes mean that a wife needs to allow her husband to make the final call in a difficult decision and support his leadership. Just as the husband is called to love no matter how well his wife is performing her role, the wife is called to show respect to her husband even if he is not leading perfectly (and we all know he can't! And neither can we!).
If you're looking for a great book on this topic, we recommend Love That Lasts, by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Around the World in 2 Hours
We went to the Brazos Valley Worldfest this morning - It was so much fun! A&M students from around the world had cultural booths, international crafts, music, dances, and food. The kids went to many of the booths from over 30 countries and filled up "passports" with stamps from each one. They got to try all kinds of crafts, treats, and take home lots of international treasures!
The first thing that caught our eye was this Bedouin camp, complete with camels!
Then we visited cultural booths from so many different countries, trying crafts and snacks and getting fun stuff to take home. Our favorite was the China tent:
A student wrote Naomi's and Johnathan's names in Chinese calligraphy.
"Naomi Boaz" and "Johnathan Boaz" in Chinese calligraphy:
The first thing that caught our eye was this Bedouin camp, complete with camels!
Then we visited cultural booths from so many different countries, trying crafts and snacks and getting fun stuff to take home. Our favorite was the China tent:
A student wrote Naomi's and Johnathan's names in Chinese calligraphy.
"Naomi Boaz" and "Johnathan Boaz" in Chinese calligraphy:
We'll file this next picture under "Evidence that Rachel is unable to say 'no'". When the very sweet Taiwanese student offered us "Tea Eggs," Naomi got so excited. She said, "We can have them for lunch!" They came from a big pot of hot tea leaves and cracked eggs. Their smell was... unique. Not like tea, or eggs. Under normal circumstances, I am a pretty adventurous eater - you can't travel to Africa and not be willing to try almost anything! But pregnant Rachel is a different story. I asked my valiant husband to take care of them - I didn't ask questions.
Naomi and Johnathan made Chinese fans, Dutch windmills, and ponchos. As their prize for filling up their passports, they chose these blow-up globes. It was such a fun morning!
Naomi and Johnathan made Chinese fans, Dutch windmills, and ponchos. As their prize for filling up their passports, they chose these blow-up globes. It was such a fun morning!
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