Fever boy - 1 year later

So here's the summary for any who followed Joel through his one year journey as a medical mystery. He maintained a low grade (avg 100.7) daily fever for 1 year as of today. He had the gamut of tests on almost all body systems with the last stop at Genetics. After that labwork took 12 weeks to get back, all is normal for him. SO, since he has remained symptom-free otherwise and strong, thriving growing and happy, we will follow up for bloodwork with our pediatrician at his annual check ups and 6 months in between for a couple of years to make sure we don't miss something...THank the Lord he's doing well but "it just ain't normal to run that high a core temp..." Thanks to all who have prayed for him and us. We truly feel the Lord has protected him from lots of bad stuff. Glad God doesn't tell me I have to understand everything...just trust Him. And we do!

Christmas Round up for 2015

What a fun Christmas! It was an enjoyable month to celebrate as our pastor says, not the infancy of Christ but the DEITY of Christ! Big difference! Here's a recap of Christmas in the Carver house...we started out with our (almost) daily ornament project with www.truthinthetinsel.com. Great way to focus young kids! We enjoyed the Santa party hosted by the Breland family - So thankful for this family! "Joy to the World" was the favorite carol this year. Claire's class had a Christmas party and Joel was invited back to South Highland's party and his girlfriend, Chandlar, was there to greet him :). Jeff surprised me with a night out to see Joy - An Irish Christmas. Incredible! We kicked off family visits with a gift exchange and dinner with YaYa and Jim the Monday before Christmas. The Carver side came to town Wed - Sunday and we hung out at home during the warmest Christmas I can remember! Such fun to see the kids have fun and catch on to the meaning of Christmas in their own way. What a treat to wrap up the Christmas round up with a visit from Jeff's cousin, Chris and his wife Tawni and daughter Ashlan with new husband Ian. What a great Christmas! Wishing all a great 2016!!

2015 Dec Christmas - Kizoa Online Movie Maker

One daughter's heart for her dad at retirement

I drove to Starkville to be there for my dad's retirement brunch. My mind and heart flash back over nearly 43 years with him. He has spent 46 years in the work force - education, healthcare and sliding in home with the last 12 in public safety as the head of MASEP. It was an honor to be there and hear more about the great work he's done and more evidence that he's the man I call Dad. My memories flashed back to the time I got aggravated as a young child when he woke me one night with his hand on my back (he was making sure I was breathing). When the neighborhood boys picked on me, he sent me back out to deal with my conflicts (don't run away). WHen I had goals of trying to win a cross country race or catch every ground ball that came my way, he was up training with me and at the park on Sunday afternoons hitting me grounders (decide your goal, and work HARD!). He took teachable moments while riding around in his old GMC truck to talk about finances and faith. He was always up when I came in from a night with friends. He helped me discover my interests and strengths when in high school that impacted the career I am now in - I can't imagine doing anything else! He was a tough guy but found a way to take my hand when the surgeon was going to pull the drain from my knee after surgery (my senior year of H.S.) because he heard it was painful. So during my adult life I have seen him invest in "the least of these" that are hungry and in prison for nearly 20 years now. I've seen him invest in the next generation of youth in MSU sports and invest in his children and grandchildren. He has grown in his faith and is enjoyable to talk about the things that matter in life. He began praying about what God would have him do after he retired and he's taking those next steps to follow the Lord in what he is calling the "Starfish Project". Dad, you have never been shy about making it known how proud you are of us...you need to know how proud we all are of you! As you would tell us - "Keep the Main thing the Main thing"..."Do your best and forget the rest"...All your hard work and sacrifice has made a difference. My dad - A simple man. A solid man. Dad, you challenge me and encourage me. On behalf of all of us, we say congratulations on your retirement! Press on!

Christmas Singing

Let the Christmas Season Begin...

with a little Santa Photo Op: