Inseparable with the Lord, my quiet thoughts were a continuous and steady stream of prayer for little baby Ivy as she underwent heart surgery Thursday morning. I smiled in delight at the morning rainbow.

God’s visible whisper that prayers would be beautifully answered did not fall on blind eyes.

It was a rainy day, but a rainy day with intermittent rays of sunshine and rainbows as a result. This reminder to me of God’s goodness shining forth even on the metaphorically rainy days accompanied me to Bible study.

I’ve been following Ivy’s progress on Facebook and I’m excited to report that the surgery was successful! There have been a few complications, but last report from Ivy’s Mom is that she has made great improvements throughout the course of the day! Ivy is not quite out of the woods yet, but obviously prayers are being heard and answered! Please keep them coming!

I am choosing to stay focused on the joyful overall success of Ivy’s major surgery instead of the malevolent assault of evil that came spewing from my phone later that morning (without going into detail……). You may have momentarily distracted me from my Bible study, satan, but I recognize evil for evil. Could you have been any more obvious?? At Bible study?? Really?? You must be pretty desperate! You have no power over me, my thoughts, or my immediate family. You are not welcome to take up residence in our house or our thoughts. Your evil plots are futile. Those individuals who have allowed you to infiltrate their hearts and their minds through their strongholds, I pray that they will see the error of their ways and put God above all else in His high and righteous place. I declare victory over you, satan. Nice try, but MY GOD is mightier and greater than you could ever hope to be. You may get your way with some people, but you’re not getting it with me. I will not be shaken.

While I was momentarily distracted with evil storm clouds in their figurative sense another literal rainbow shined brightly in the sky…. accented by 3 birds crossing past. I couldn’t make this up if I tried. Perfect timing, my perfect God! The glory of God will shine brightly through these evil “clouds” that rolled in. His bright and shining goodness will leave behind “RAINBOWS” too. Amen!

… as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!
(Joshua 24:15)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
(Proverbs 18:10)

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
(Isaiah 54:10)

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
(John 17:15)

And so dawns a new beginning ~

I have lots of pictures of sweetness from throughout the past week (and even a video). Nora is doing very well and has had no recurring ear infections. Her ear canals were a little inflamed this past Monday, but not infected. They may still have been recovering from the previous week’s great clean out! We later figured out that her discomfort may have been on account of those bottom teethies that are on the VERGE of poking through! But because of the ear canal inflammation and just to be on the safe side we are continuing to administer the antibiotic drops in Nora’s ears for another week.

Sunday

“Oh! It’s Sunday? I love my beautiful dress, but I guess I’d better change into something more appropriate!”

“Goooo, Bengals!!!”

“The Bengals may have lost, but every little thing is gonna be alright!”

Gavin Piper Picked a Pickled Pepper from Chili’s restaurant. Had a nice date night with my boy.

“My brudder is pretty comfortable!”

“Hey, Seahorsie, look at my teefs dat are about to come in!”

Monday

Sweet pretty girl woke up okay, but before long Fussy Baby showed up. We were worried that it was her ears bothering her.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
(Psalm 36:7 NIV)

(Big hawk!)

“I don’t even like baffs.” – Fussy Baby

After the under appreciated baff, I placed a call with ENT and made an appointment for that afternoon.

By noon we were getting regular visits from Happy Baby. I briefly entertained the thought of canceling the ENT appointment, but I knew that if I did things would most certainly evolve into a full blown catastrophe at 3 am and I’d be kicking myself for not bringing her in.

“Hey! Where are we? Dis place seems kinda familiar…”

We got another prescription for some ear drops and had a really good rest of the day!

Tuesday

“Deez teef!!! I’ll tell ya…”

“Oh. Excuse me, but has anyone seen my belly? … Cuz here it is!!”

“I’m real pretty n clean from my baffs. No frills attached.”

“It’s time for da Reds game! Goooo Reds!”

“You’re sad dat da Reds lost? And da Bengals too? I give kisses to make everyting better!”

Wednesday

“Have a good day at school, brudder n sister!!”

“I’ll just be in here sleeping in till whenever I want!”

“Ohhh! Good morning!! Someone special is here to play wif me today while Mommy goes to get her flu shot!”

“Eenen you wonder where I learnt how to take duck face selfie pictures!!”

After I got my flu shot I stopped by my hubzbind’s office. I ran an “aerrand” (aerial errand) with him on our way to lunch!

Here’s me and Cincinnati ~

Trying on the tiara of the Great American Tower. It was a little small though.

Panoramic!

She tells her Seahorse secrets!

“I tink I hear baff waterrrrr!!!!”

“Oh, hi! I’m really preppy today! Has anyone seen my K-Swiss sneakers?”

Thursday

Nature’s reminder:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Philippians 4:6 NIV)

Friday

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
(Psalm 55:22)

We love you, Wm!!!

Tired Baby loves you in her dreams!

I had such a relaxing, wonderful day with this precious little girl. We did lots of cuddling and playing ~

When we got home from our walk we had some delicious carrots! Yummy yummy!

“I like my milks, Mommy!!”

“Mwah!!”

This baby is going places – all accessories included!

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
(Proverbs 4:23 NLT)