Storms, Bathroom Parties, & Tympanoplasties

It's been another weird week at our house. This weekend we had more severe weather in the area, so we spent a lot of time in the basement. Now mind you, this is not the basement storm ride-out of days gone by--the house I grew up in has a dirt floor cellar and lots of creepiness. No friends, today's basement has a Man Cave thanks to inspirational television shows (A.K.A. the DIY Network) and a fully functional TV. I was proud of the kids--they managed to play a few board games to wile away the hours.

Speaking of DIY, maybe we should pitch for a new program entitled "Bathroom Party Make-overs". Ally led the troops in renovating our bathroom and "vanity room" (because you know how much time I spend fussing over my hair and make-up). It was Chieftain Party Central or something like that.

I guess it was the kids' way of heralding in the new football season.

Doesn't Mark look thrilled? (Actually, he was very impressed with their ingenuity...just a little depressed at the thought "summer is over".)

I was equally impressed with the kids' mad decorating skills. You can't tell, but this glass full of rubber balls was back-lit by a blue nightlight. It was pretty cool.
(Yes, that is food on the bathroom sink. Don't gobble it all up at once!!)


And now onto the Tympanoplasty. New word for the week. (Wouldn't it make a great name for an action-adventure flick?) Cy has a hole the size of Texas in his ear drum (thanks to past monster ear infections, we think), so it was time to get the drum repaired. The doctor made an incision behind his ear and removed some fascia muscle to graft onto the old ear drum. The bad news is that we won't know for six weeks if the ear drum is successfully working. The good news is that Cy made it through 2-hour surgery very well. Here's a before shot:

And after:

I'm reporting on night one--he's distracted by a new Indy lego set his dad just bought him. The bad news is he's in some pain. The good news is that he doesn't like taking liquid medication of any sort. Oh wait, that's MORE bad news. Sigh. Tomorrow is another day!

I love how God worked through our pastor to preach His truth this Sunday, truth that is tailor-made for my week. He quoted from Paul, a man who was in chronic pain but still ignited the world with Christianity--and he said, "your circumstances WILL change. For good or for bad, they will change. But your relationship with Christ will never change." Thank God for that!

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippian 4:11-13