NO PHONE SERVICE

If you've tried to call us, our phones have been out this week. Hopefully they are being fixed today.

New Faces

cy⋅a⋅no⋅sis   /ˌsaɪəˈnoʊsɪs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sahy-uh-noh-sis] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Pathology. blueness or lividness of the skin, as from imperfectly oxygenated blood.
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Origin:
1825–35; < NL < Gk kyánōsis dark-blue color. See cyan- 1 , -osis
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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We had Sean's 3 month heart check up yesterday. His oxygen levels are in the low 70's when he's calm, and it drops into the mid 60's when he cries. After we were there a but, the doctor tested him again and got an 81. Those without heart problems usually run at 95 or so. The doctor reassured us it is unlikely that any brain damage would occur. In fact, he has adult patients who have also been cyanotic, and are now studying to be engineers and doctors. Though he did not go into great detail, the doctor said there is amazing redundancy in the body, and therefore, if 70 percent of his blood is oxygenated well, the body draws on what it needs and returns with 40-50 percent oxygenated blood (not quite the doctors phrasing, but the best I can describe). So, Sean's body is self-adjusting well.

Unless something changes for the worst, we are looking at surgery for Sean when he is about 5 years old. We still don't know whether they would reconstruct one ventricle, or two, with two being the best option, but may not always be possible. We'll know more when he's closer to five. In the meantime, we watch him grow like a normal two year old and thank God we have the proviledge of being able to raise him and help him through the years of care he will need.

TAGGED

Well, I've been tagged and thus am required to tell you 7 things about myself you may not know. Then, I'm supposed to tag 7 more people to do the same. So watch out!

1. My parents named me after the actor Gary Cooper.
2. Preset button #1 on my Sirius radio is set to the music of the 80's.
3. I pine for Phoenix.
4. I've been to all but one city mentioned in the song, The Heart of Rock and Roll, by Huey Lewis and the News.
5. I can't stand it when people drive slow in the left lane!
6. I want a totally different career.
7. I only have two people I can tag for this game; with every other blog I read, they're not supposed to know I'm there.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN

I've been in northern Michigan this week.

UNCOMMON

Coming this February

PALIN RALLY

My mom called the other day to say the band my dad plays in was invited to perform at a Sarah Palin rally on Saturday. I googled the Indianapolis Star newspaper to see what I could read about the event. To the side of the article was a listing of the photos of the event, so as I'm scrolling through the photos, who do I see on photo 54 of 69? My mom. She's on the far right. Here's how the caption read:

"Supporters of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, from left, Margie Fredel, Mary Chesak and Kathy Kelch, stand by a large McCain Palin sign at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, watching the Newton/Jasper Community Band perform for people arriving on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, for the Alaskan governor's speech. Fredel and Chesak are from Rensselaer and Kelch is from Remington. Their spouses play in the band. The "Road to Victory Rally" at the 24,000-seat venue is Palin's first trip to Indiana to try to help her presidential running mate, Sen. John McCain, win this typically red state on Nov. 4. . (Charlie Nye / The Star)"

LIGHT

Liz and I caught some light coming through the front door windows.

NOTHING GOING ON

I wish there were more going on. The woods by our house are looking nice...until you cross through the trees and see the new water tower they are building.

My Boys

As of Sunday, Will is under the weather and Sean has a new haircut (Only seen in the photo of Will and Sean together). The towel that's wrapped around Sean is only a hand towel, and that is why I think it's cute.

JAMES NACHTWEY

I first saw a documentary on James Nachtwey on the DOC cable network, and was intrigued about his life, how he would get a photo, and take care in developing the picture. In the latest TIME issue (dated Oct 13, 2008), there is a 4-5 page feature of photos Nachtwey has taken documenting a forgotten plague-Tuberculosis. To get a feel for his art, go to the following website and you can view some of his work.

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

POSSESSIONS

From my devotions today:

Nobody can fight properly and boldly for the faith if he clings to fear of being stripped of earthly possessions. -Peter Damian-

Easier said than done.

SEVERAL SIDES OF LIZ

DEVOTIONALS

If you're looking for a devotional, any of these are great. Chris Tiegreen writes for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and is one of my favorite devotional writers. I am starting the Worship title and plan to use it through next year.