Parent Rap

This made me laugh.

a long overdue update.

I have a LOT to update since my last post...


My amazing mother-in-law Colleen passed away at the end of June. She has left a huge hole in the family and we are all missing her so much these days. She brought so much stability to the family and was the nurturer, always paying attention to details and making you feel so cared about. We made a video in her honor talking about her life, and who she was with photos and videos. I'll post that to the blog next month after her final memorial service in Rehoboth, NM. We are so grateful that we were able to be home over these past few months to help care for her and take advantage of the precious time we had left with her.

Little baby Aevi has been stable over the last few weeks. She was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis and had to have 25% of her intestines removed. Her doctors were also in dire need of IV access after her surgery as no PICC lines were small enough for her in Thailand. We called some of Olive's neonatologists in Bangkok to see if they had any access to PICC lines small enough, and they said they would need to be sent from America. So, Dr. White saved the day once again and sent over a few very tiny PICC lines for little baby Aevi. The PICC lines were inserted successfully, and since then she has been pretty stable and continuing to grow.

Henry is so much fun. He has his first tooth popping through, is crawling, and lots of personality.

My sister Melody, and my cousin Katrina along with her husband Trent and little baby Tipper Olive came out to visit for my birthday at the end of June. We had a great time hosting them. My parents were also out here in Lynden for two different weekends in July before and after an Alaskan cruise they were on. So fun seeing them so often.

The Polinder reunion also was in July and we had a great time together. It was the week after Colleen's passing so there was a definate hole without her there. She is so deeply missed by so many.

Here are some photos over the last few months...

Colleen and I

Rusty with his sisters Shawna & Stacia

Grandma Polly and Henry

Colleen and Henry

Henry loves his cousins.

My cousin Katrina, Tipper Olive, me, Henry, and my sister Melody

My dad & Henry

Update on Aevi

Talked with friends in Thailand this morning and heard that little baby Aevi is doing well. She is now 600 grams and the neonatologist told Ae and Joe that though she is the smallest baby in the NICU right now, that she is the strongest. Of course there is still a long road ahead with many months in the NICU and more developmental milestones to pass, so we continue to ask for your prayers for them.

In the meantime we are soaking up our last days with Rusty's mother who is not doing well. She is now not able to speak, and barely opening her eyes. Pray for a peaceful passing for her and for our family as we prepare for our final goodbye in the next few days, or week ahead.

My sister Melody, and cousins Trent & Trina, and their little baby Tipper Olive came out to visit us in Washington this weekend for my 30th birthday. It's been so good having them here. I'll try to post some pictures of life before too long.

prayers for little baby Aevi...

My heart is heavy as I write this post and wishing I could be in more than one place at a time. Two of our dearest Akha friends in Thailand, Ae and Joe are in need of prayer for their little baby. Ae and Joe are the dorm parents for the 56 children who live at the Akha Youth Development Center, where we lived and worked.

After trying to get pregnant for three years, they were finally able, and due with a little girl in September. Last week Ae was having some complications with high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) and was hospitalized until they could get her blood pressure under control. Two days ago we got word that the last ultrasound showed that the baby had an enlarged heart and the amniotic fluid level was very low so her OB was transferring her to Chiang Mai Suandok Hospital (3 hours away). Yesterday morning as they were leaving Ae started bleeding, and after arriving in Chiang Mai she was rushed into an emergency c-section because the baby's heartrate was dropping.

Their little girl is named Aevi and only weighs 550 grams, born at 27 weeks. Ae hasn't been able to see the baby yet, and Joe isn't able to sleep with her in her hospital room due to hospital rules.

Please be praying for sweet little Aevi, as these first 72 hours are especially crucial. Our hearts are breaking for them and we are wishing we could be there to support them.