John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Greg and I have experienced out share of tribulation in our family over the past 8 years. But perhaps our greatest trial yet started about a month and a half ago when Greg was diagnosed as bipolar. You may have also heard the term manic depressive. It is the same thing. Most people do not understand what this means. I grew up with a dad who is bipolar and even I didn't really understand. And although we are understanding more now, we still have a lot to learn. For those of you with no idea, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.

Greg is doing fairly well right now. He has started treatment and is responding well so far to the prescription they have put him on. However, we are just getting started. Bipolar disorder isn't something that can be cured. I won't just go away. It is something that we will have to deal with forever. It is, however, manageable. People with bipolar disorder can lead normal healthy lives, and that is what we are hoping for. It may be a while before Greg is feeling good enough (emotionally and physically) to work again. This is why we have decided it is time to move home to the Palouse! I plan to go to work (hopefully somewhere that will offer benefits), and Cora will have the best daycare a girl could ask for...Grandma and Noni!!

We have been greatly blessed with wonderful, supportive family and friends. This would all be a lot harder without all of you in our lives. Thank you for all your prayers.

The incredible, edible egg

That's right ladies and gentlemen...you are looking at our very first home-grown chicken egg! HOORAY!!!!!! We came home from a week in Pullman/Palouse to this landmark occasion! It was perfect when I found it, Cora promised to be careful, so I let her hold it. She was actually doing very well until I decided to move the chair she was sitting on. She lost her balance and squeezed! Oops! We dried the tears and assured her that Big Mama would lay more eggs for us. No egg today...maybe tomorrow.

Amazing

A couple of things that Cora did today to amaze me.

First was when I found this book she has that she can color on with dry erase markers. In the past she has gotten frustrated with trying to trace the letters or shapes. Today when I found it, I couldn't believe how well she had done!!

Later, in the car, she wanted ice cream. We hadn't had dinner yet so I told her maybe we could go to the store and get some to have after dinner...she didn't like that, so of course she started crying. Then she said "Mom, you just make your child cry!" No kidding. Those were her words...oh. my. goodness.

Later still, after dinner and bath time, I put her pull-up on and she told me she could get her pj's on all by herself. She has been dressing herself for quite a while now so it's not a new thing, but for some reason tonight, watching her struggle, and then triumph by putting on those jammies all by herself made my heart swell with joy. And I am talking about serious swelling! I felt like I couldn't smile big enough and wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time.

Okay, so maybe I'm a little hormonal right now, but she brings me joy all the same, and I thank the Lord for her every day.

Wedding hair

This is Amy. My third bride of the summer. A simple, yet elegant 'do' turned out nicely. I only wish I'd seen her in her dress with the fresh orchid in her hair! All 5 of her bridesmaids had the same hairstyle without the veil or flower. It was fun and completely exhausting!!

Grow baby, grow!

Greg planted giant sunflowers last week. He planted them in a square and left a gap so that when they grow up tall, Cora will have a sunflower playhouse with a doorway! Here's the growing site.

Our little sprouts poking up!

Still the cutest little sunflower in the patch!