Love in the Face of a Loss

Our church family lost a member yesterday when a young man was killed in a single-car accident. While there's a lot to lament in losing someone who was such a good hearted person and who was inspirational with his recommitting to the Lord, there's more to it than that. As a Christian I am able to look at the situation and feel a measure of comfort about where his eternal destiny lies.

But as a parent I ache. We prayed as a family for his loved ones left behind then I snuck into Aiden's room while he was asleep and prayed over him while I cried. God bless anyone who has lost a child. I cannot fathom the depth of that sorrow, nor do I ever want to.

So today I want to say two things. One, I want to publicly (as public as this blog is) say that I am exponentially grateful to God for my family. I don't know how I could be more blessed than when I look at my daughter or my son or my wife. Praise, honor and glory to a loving God for blessing me beyond reason. Two, I want to urge anyone and everyone to love your family a little more today and hopefully from now on.

God rest the soul of Nathan Vincent and comfort his family.

2008 Christmas, Part 1

'Twas the morning of Christmas, and all through Plano
The ground was all wet from rain storms, not snow
But the Christmas tree lit with multicolor lights
We all awoke to breakfast after quite restful nights

Aiden had Cheerios, bananas and milk
We had enough pork product to stuff a large elk
With biscuits, gravy, and beverages besides
It's Christmas miracle we didn't all double in size

Then came the part that made Aiden eager
He'd open his presents with the zeal of a beaver (you try rhyming eager)
With so many presents, could he go the distance?
Opening so much would require persistence

And me with my camera and mom as his aide
Aiden set about the task for which Christmas was made
Opening each present with awe and with glee
He made a very good Christmas for Liz and me

And now for the pictures, I know you're all pleading
Hope you had a merry Christmas, and thank you for reading...

Isabel with her stuffed doggy from Papaw.

Bigger than her and really soft. Perfect.

Checklist:

Santa hat? CHECK

New toy? CHECK

Pants? CHE....oops

All bundled up and nowhere to go.

Aiden's modeling career seems to be over before it began. Here he's trying to show you his new pajamas his Auntie Ester got him. You see them right?

Aiden and his presents. As you can see, he was very tired. Clothes, board games, a Smart Cycle, a digital camera, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree (not pictured.)

Having the first granddaughter makes you like a hero to your parents. So we accepted all the lavish praise and adoration we got from Aiden and Isabel's Grandma Soledad.

Catching up

The above picture is why you become a parent. Look at how sweet that is. Doesn't it just give you a toothache? What? You don't get that? You know, because they're sweet. It makes your tooth ach....Forget it.

We were delighted when a young, caucasian version of Stevie Wonder stopped by the house recently. Although he wasn't quite the musical talent we expected, he was a delightful house guest.

Christmas is just three days away, so this will probably be the last post until after the holidays. If you're reading this, have a wonderful holiday season, be very safe, and give thanks to God for the gifts he gives you all year long.

If you're not reading this blog, then Bah-humbug to you.

Thanksgiving Pics (and others)

The Renfrow's enjoy WKU's close loss to Duke in women's basketball at E.A. Diddle Arena. (photo by Liz, in case you thought we left her in the car)

It's a terrible shame that the kids can't get along. Just look at the anger they have for each other.

Aiden likes extreme close-ups.


Here's the children swimming in a vat of buttercream when we went to Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory. (ok, it's really a blanket at Nana's house)

More buttercream.

Thanksgiving Recap

No pictures yet, but I'll add them in later.

Thanksgiving was good this year. After some flip flopping, we finally settled on having it at my mother's. We initially wanted to have it at our house with Liz's brother and sister coming in along with some others. When her siblings bailed on us for various reasons, we regrouped and went to Mom's.

The food was good and abundant, as it always is. The dressing was the best she has ever made (and I should know because I am an expert in MomsDressingology.) Aiden really enjoyed the time with his distant cousin (it's my cousin's granddaughter, and I'm not sure how that plays out in terminology, so I'm calling it his distant cousin.)

Aiden, being still untrained in country culinary consumption, ate chicken nuggets and fries. Poor boy.

I also wanted to clear up a little something about the last blog entry. I had flippantly said that presents lure relatives to Christmas. I think some certain people took that personal and I really, truly regret that. I had no one in mind when I wrote that comment, but I am responsible for not thinking it out. I think making the comment that showed very little forethought on my part.

So if that caused any offense, please understand it was not at all directed at anyone. Words matter, and I know that. So please accept my apology for my poor choice of words.

Here's hoping that everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving with so much food that you slipped into a tryphtophan induced coma temporarily. God bless you all.

One Happy Family

Thanksgiving is two days away. It's my favorite holiday for two reasons. One, you get all the glorious food that you get at Christmas without the worry and expense of buying lots of presents. I think presents ruin Christmas, but they are a necessary evil. Presents are the bait that lure relatives to Christmas get togethers.

Two, I have so much to be thankful for. That's the purpose of this entry today.

The two pictures we have here are what mean everything to me. My wife who is beautiful and the most caring person I've ever known. She was my inspiration to grow spiritually and in character. And she still is.

My son is the joy of every day. He's absolutely hilarious with his boundless imagination and tenderheartedness. I don't even know if tenderheartedness is a word, but it ought to be just for kids like him. God brought him into our lives to teach us what it feels like to love with everything you have. And knowing that, helps me know how much God sacraficed for me. Lord help me to never forget it.

My daughter is a reminder of how beautiful innocence is. She is so serene (most of the time) and there is simply nothing that beats holding your own baby and feeling her warmth. I know that my job will be to protect her innocence by teaching her who her real Father is. As important as I want to be, I have to be second.

We have a home, cars, cable TV, internet, etc. But those things are trivial things. We have healthy, safety, love, hope and faith. Be thankful for those, because you have them too.

Big Brother Bathes Baby

Everyone enjoys entertaining entries. Especially entertaining entries with alliteration. Don't we?

That goofy introduction out of the way, Aiden was helpful in giving baby Isabel her first bath the other night. We captured a few of the shots on the digcam (my new shortened version of digital camera, which seems too long and too formal.)

Also in the interest of time (since I'm supposed to be working here at work) I'll just skip the captions for the photos. Enjoy!

How's Aiden Doing with the Baby?

The most frequent question we've heard since Isabel was born is, "How's is Aiden doing with her?" It's a very legitimate question and one that we were worried about ourselves. Aiden is a great child and has been as easy as a two year old can be to raise. But you worry after almost three years as the only child how he would react to a baby sister being in the house.

So here is an illustrated story to answer that question.

At first, Aiden wasn't sure he liked this whole baby situation. He took a long time to warm up to the idea. After Daddy brought Isabel out from the delivery, Aiden didn't say a word about her. He looked at her only briefly and seemed disappointed that his playtime with Papaw Bob was being interrupted.

Even after Momma got out of recovery and into the postpartum room, Aiden seemed content to play by himself. While everyone else was clamoring over Isabel, Aiden read a book. When he got around her, he would look at her then walk away.

But before we left the hospital, Aiden had grown fond of his little sister. He adapted to sharing the attention. We are very proud of him and how mature he's been in accepting and loving his sister.

As Aiden became more enamored with Isabel, one thing he's done is pepper her with kisses. Lots of kisses. WHOLE GREAT BIG BUNCHES of kisses. Which doesn't surprise me or his mother. He's a very affectionate child.

And now they're just like, well, they're just like brother and sister. Exactly as it should be.

Halloween Pictures

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

What do you do with a scurvy pirate?

Make him trick or treat!

Captain Aiden of the Pirates of Barren River.

Pirates love clowns. Seriously. Most people don't know that.

After scoring some booty (that's candy) Cap'n Aiden wore a proud look.

Welcome Isabel

Wednesday 10/29/08 our family was once again blessed by a loving God with our daughter Isabel. Mom, baby, Aiden and I are all doing well with the exception of Liz's soreness.

Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers, especially Liz while she recovers.

Here she is.

Nana, Brother and Isabel.

3/4 of our happy family. Aiden was still at Nana's house when this was taken, which is probably best since we could barely fit our three big heads in here.

Less than 12 hours away!!!

Little Isabel will be delivered via C-section at 7:30AM Wednesday morning. We are excited and nervous, but mostly we're ready to meet our little girl. Thank you to everyone who has kept us in prayers and thoughts throughout this pregnancy. Please remember us tomorrow.

Love,
Travis, Liz, Aiden and soon-to-be-born Isabel

Baby Update

Our latest ultrasound estimated our little girl to be 7 lbs 6 ozs. That is around the 65th percentile. So Liz's doctor is monitoring things and has decided we will not carry to term. If Liz doesn't go into spontaneous labor by the 39th week (about a week and a half away) then a C-section will be scheduled.

Some advice for those seeking a quick buck. Design a better way to estimate fetal weight in utero. The aforementioned weight estimate of our little girl can be off as much as 20% either way. Let me put that in plain terms for everyone. That means she may weigh as little as 5 lbs 14 ozs or as big as 8lbs 13.6 ozs. That my friends is a HUGE gap.

So if you can come up with a better way to do that, it'd be GOLD, GOLD I tell ya'.

The Horror Movie OF THE YEAR!!!!

Some People Will Scream....

Some People Will Run....

Some People Will Hide...

But it will do you no good.

You can't run from....

You can't hide from....

THE BELLY!!!!

That people is why pregnant women have backaches, aching feet, swollen ankles, no energy, etc, etc, etc. Baby countdown is now less than one month to go. We appreciate everyone's continued prayers and thoughts.

Hilltoppers vs. Murray Mules

When Dear Ol' Murray makes a trip to Bowling Green to face the Hilltoppers, hilarity ensues. At least it does if you're a Hilltopper fan. Tops win 50-9 this time.

It was our first home game of the season so it was our first opportunity to tailgate. The menu was a season opening tradition of bratwurst and burgers. It was also Aiden's first chance to see Big Red since the end of the basketball season.

Aiden couldn't find a thing to wear. He tried on his football jersey but it just swallowed him whole.

New stadium expansion, a white out game, and our first meeting with Big Red in over 6 months. Maybe the excitement was just too much for Aiden.

Baby update: As of today, Oct 4th, we are just about five weeks away from the due date. Which means Liz is very tired and ready for this pregnancy to be over. But she's done very well throughout with keeping her weight gain in line with what the doctor likes and watching her diet. Thanks for any and all of you who have kept us in your prayers over the last 7+ months. Isabel will be here before we know it.

Aiden's Moving!!!!

Like so many American's struggling with their house payments in the shadow of the subprime lending meltdown, Aiden is getting evicted from the nursery where he has slept most nights of his life.

Gee whiz, kind of sad when I say it like that. But the nursery will be for his baby sister, so he's making the move all the way down the hall into his brand new "big boy" room. He's welcoming the idea...so far.

We took him for a LOOOOOOONG shopping trip at Lowe's. He wanted to paint his room blue. Momma wanted to paint his room more of a neutral color. Daddy wanted to paint it more of a coral orange color. So we all compromised and painted it blue.

Aiden wanted to help, and help he did. Both Sherwin and Williams would be proud.

Like a true artist, Aiden does his best work when he is unencumbered by material things like shirts, shorts, shoes or socks. Underwear is worn to protect the innocent.

Much gratitude to Aiden's Uncle David who was very helpful. And to my baldspot (obnoxiously seen here) for providing extra light through reflection of the sun.

Circus

Here are some recent pics of Aiden at the circus. He got to enjoy it with his friend Carter Durrett. It was his first trip to the circus.
















Aiden and I had a good time. He really enjoyed the elephants and tigers.















I don't typically like posting pictures of myself but
I thought this one was cute of Aiden.

Dinosaur World Adventure

Aiden & Daddy in front of some harmless herbivores.


Aiden & Mommy were more adventurous standing in front of this large carnivore.




Seeing as we live so close to Mammoth Cave, this picture of Aiden and some mammoths seemed entirely appropriate.



At the end of the day our credit card was declined so we offered Aiden up as food for the dinosaurs in lieu of payment. (That's not actually true. We paid cash and Aiden is still alive.)

Trip to Texas; Siblings Class

Aiden on South Padre Island (isn't the seaweed lovely this time of year?)

Aiden and Liz enjoying the coolness of wetsand on a hot July day. Aiden enjoyed throwing the sand back into the ocean in an exercise of pure futility.

This is just a picture we snapped at Aiden's Buelito and Buelita's house. I'm partial to this picture. Wonder why.

Those were our pictures from our July trip to San Benito, Tx to visit my inlaws. It was predictably hot and the mosquitos were ubiquitous. Despite that we had a great time. It's always a dual pleasure of spending times with loved ones and getting away from home for a while. Aiden does great on the plane ride there and back, which sure makes life much easier.

We were fortunate to leave exactly one week before Hurricane Dolly arrived. Liz's family suffered some structural damage to their home and a nearby storage unit, but everyone remained safe, praise God. Fortunately between the small congregation where Buelito preaches there in Texas and some help from other congregations of Christ's church, they were able to make all the necessary repairs. Again, praise God.

Well that was way back in July. Way back last week, we took Aiden to a siblings class at the hospital. We both felt like that was helpful for him to get familiar with the hospital and to get to see what his baby sister will be like, sort of. Let me mention that that class is free. That is a great thing to offer to parents free of charge. I would gladly pay for a class like that.

Next post: Aiden poos and sees dinosaurs.

Fishes & Friends

No real posting to do here, just displaying some pictures of our trip today to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tn. with our friends the Durretts.