Prayer Request

I write this entry with a heavy heart. For a few months now, I have been eavesdropping on a particular blog about a little boy, Eliot, who was born this past summer with what is called Trisomy 18 or Edward's syndrome. Babies with this syndrome have an extra #18 chromosone. This syndrome is usually fatal. Babies who have it usually die before birth and those that do make it through the birth process only live a few days. Some babies (>10%) will live 1 year. Little Eliot was born on July 20th and went Home to be with Jesus this past Friday,October 27th. He lived to be over 3 months old.

The family's website is www.mattandginny.blogspot.com. I would encourage you to read all of the entries on this blog. Little Eliot and his parents have touched my heart and life in a way that I will never be the same. My heart aches for them as I can't imagine how they must feel, yet, my heart is also so full of thankfulness to them for sharing their story with us. It is clearly evident throughout their blog that they have been blessed by God with Eliot and have trusted Him everyday with their son. They have learned that everyday is truly a special day and a gift from God. None of us are promised tomorrow. Their testimony that is shared throughout their blog is one that will always be near to my heart.

Please say a special prayer for Eliot's parents and keep them in your prayers for the days and months to come. In the blog they state that they are sad and they miss their son, but ask that we don't mourn for them. They are happy that their son is finally well and is Home.

Weekend Catch-Up

We had a good but busy weekend this past weekend. Let me tell you a bit about it...

First, we have been having furnace problems for weeks now. We are unable to use our furnace as it stands. We have had a couple of people look at it and we had to replace parts but it still isn't working. We are waiting for a friend to come back and look at it. So, Dustin, Logan, Rudy and I all stay warm at night in the same room with a electric heater that Dustin's parents are letting us use. We just move it from room to room throughout the day. So, it was a chilly weekend.

Next, Dustin and my brother Scott were able to go to the Tigers World Series Game #1. They did lose but the guys had an awesome time. Dustin and Scott have to be two of the biggest Tiger fans. When they got home Saturday night, they were dissapointed but happy to be a part of the World Series! While they were at the game, Logan and I visited with my parents and then hung out with my sister-in-law and my nephews until the guys got home. It was a big day for Logan, playing with Grandma and Papa and his cousins all in one day. He had a blast!

Also on Saturday, my baby cousin (no she's not such a baby anymore, I just refuse to admit she is an adult and is in her second year of college!), Sarah came by for a visit. It was so good to visit with her for a while. I love her like a little sister and miss her when she's at school. Logan loves her too! (Hey Sarah!!)

Sunday, we went to church with some of our family and then out to eat afterward. It was very nice. I miss all of our family being together. Then we had my parents and brother and his family over for Game #2 of the World Series and the Tigers won!!!! : ) We were so excited. The game got a little tense at times, but we prevailed! Go Tigers! They are going to win the World Series, I know it!

Now for one of the highlights of my weekend, but first, let me say that I have a problem. I reading problem. I know that doesn't sound bad, but it is! I am addicted to the books of a Christian author by the name of Karen Kingsbury. She is a fantastic fiction author. I can't say enough about her books. Any way, a couple of years ago a friend of mine got me interested in one of her series. It is the "Redemption" series. This was before I had Logan and let me tell you that I read non-stop. Dustin would make fun of me. There are 5 books in this series and I would finish a book and have to get the other immediately! It got so out of control, that one night while I was praying I actually asked God to bless the family in the books!! How crazy is that!

I finished the "Redemption" series and then there are two series spin-offs from that series. The first one is the "Firstborn" series. Now, because I am all caught up on reading these books I have to wait for Karen Kingsbury to write the next book in the series. Well, book #4 was due to come out this month. I checked the internet daily and also called the bookstores to see if they had the book. I had called Barnes & Noble last week and they said they would email me when they had the book for me. They said it was due to come out on the 28th! Fine I thought. Well, Thursday when I checked my email, guess what I saw! You betch ya, an email saying the book was in! I was so excited and couldn't wait for Dustin to get home from work! Later that night, I marched right up to the bookstore and purchased my copy. Now, I only read about 9 pages that night because I have to pace myself. Once I get into a book, that is all I think about. I don't want to be a neglective mother to Logan and sit him in front of the T.V. all day while I read. I had a plan that I would try to take my time. That theory went out the window Friday night! I, however, only read during Logan's nap time or when he went to bed for the night. I finished the book, all 330 some pages last night! Now do you see why I have a problem. The saddest part for me is that the last book in this series doesn't come out until Spring 2007. Oh, and did I mention that I again thought to pray for the family Saturday night! That is why I love these books. They are fiction books, that seem so real! I encourage you all to go out...run, don't walk and purchase these books! You will not regret it.

World Series, Here We Come!

We are so excited that the Detroit Tigers are in the World Series. It was an awesome end to the game when Magglio Ordonez hit the home run and the Tigers won the ALCS. While we were very excited that the Tigers won, we were a bit sad because we didn't have a game to go to the next day (we had tickets to game 5). However, because we didn't have a game to go to, we were able to go and meet Logan's future wife, Miss Emma, for the first time. We visited with our friends and there 11 day old daughter. She is just so precious!

I actually have missed watching Tiger baseball this week. We are looking forward to the weekend with the first few games of the World Series. I got up Monday morning and got on the computer and on the phone and tried to get tickets to one of the games here in Detroit. However, after an hour of trying, I came up empty-handed. While it would have been awesome to be there in person for one of the games, we will be just fine watching all of the action on TV. We may even have a Tiger party!!

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Detroit Tigers won the World Series? Who would have ever thought?

Detroit Tiger Baseball

I have been watching and going to Detroit Tiger baseball games since I was a little girl. One fond memory from my childhood is when my grandpa Arnold would by tickets for his grandchildren, our dads and himself and we would all go to a Tiger game every year.

Now that I am a wife and mother, Tiger baseball is still a part of my life. Dustin, who is a complete sports fanatic, has watched pretty much every Tiger game of the season. Logan, has also come to like baseball. He sits on Daddy's lap and watches the games. We even had a Detroit Tigers first birthday party for Logan. How obsessed are we?!

So, now that the Tigers are in the playoffs and have not only advanced but beaten the New York Yankees, we are going crazy! How crazy you might ask...well, Dustin and I paid around $90 per ticket to go to next Sunday's game (if there is a game 5). Now, I know that $90 for a playoff ticket for a seat at the game is not too much, however, did I not mention that I don't even get a seat! We bought "standing room only" tickets. Yes, that is how excited we are about the Tigers being in the playoffs. Not only are we crazy about buying tickets, but I looked at the weather forecast for next Sunday and right now they are predicting it to be 50 degrees and showers are possible. Taking all of those factors into consideration, we still are very excited to go and plan on having a blast!

Go Tigers!!

Oh Happy Day!

We are very excited here in the Michels' household today. You see, Logan's future wife was born yesterday!! : ) Isn't it funny that he can't say wife yet, however, I already have his picked out for him? Our dear friends had their first baby yesterday. We are so thrilled that Little Miss Emma is finally here. Congratulations to our friends and their family!

Life List

Have you heard of a "life list?" It is a list of things you wish to accomplish in your lifetime. I first heard about this type of list on television. The items on this list can be something very simple to something very extravagant. I think it is an awesome idea so I started my own life list today and am already on #37! Here are a few items (in no particular order) on my life list:

1. Be more patient (If you know me, you know that I am not patient!)

2. Be the type of woman described in Proverbs 31 (This is the portrait of a Godly woman)

3. Have another baby (Hopefully a little girl, but would be just as ecstatic with a boy!)

4. Go to a University of Michigan home football game with my husband
(Dustin loves UM football and I would love to be with him at a home game.
We have gone to a couple of away games, but never a home game together.)

5. Get a piece of jewelry in a turquoise box with a white bow (from Tiffany's!)
(Have you seen the movie "Sweet Home Alabama"? It takes my breath away
when Andrew takes Melanie into Tiffany's and tells her to pick out a ring!!! Oh my goodness!)

6. Make a pie from scratch (I have always wanted to make one and take to a family gathering to show it off!)

7. Be an audience member at one of Oprah's shows
(I think it would be an awesome "girls get-a-way" to spend a weekend in Chicago and go to one of the Oprah shows!)

8. Be a prayer warrior (I want to have a better prayer life; not just pray when things are bad but all the time)

9. Go on a family vacation with my husband and child(ren) to Disney World (The ultimate family vacation!)

10. Make a quilt (I actually have looked into doing this. It is a bit more complicated than I originally thought, but would still love to make one!)

There are a lot more items on my list. I can't wait to start checking some of them off. When I check my first item off, I will be sure to let everyone know. I would encourage you to make a "life list" too. I think it helps put life into perspective. You get to see what is important to you and what your dreams for life are whether big or small.