Wow Days and Vow Days

We have two weddings down, and one left for this summer. Every summer we have friends that get married, and we love to be able to celebrate with them. I have to admit, that attending weddings as a single person was different than when being married. Both have their benefits, but I would trade anything for being able to take Kevin with me. It sure beats the invitation that says “One place has been reserved for you.”

We attended the wedding of Brian Cavazos to Elizabeth Brown on June 21 in Lake Arrowhead. It was beautiful, and it was nice to be up the hill where it was warm, but definitely cooler than down in Riverside. Kevin was a groomsman, and I think he looks so cute in his tux. He has that boyish charm I love. We had a wonderful time attending a wedding with all of our friends.

Being the best man at Colin’s wedding a few weeks ago, Kevin got to give a speech. And just like Colin did at our wedding, Kevin told jokes and stories that only Colin and a few of their buddies laughed at. It went right over our heads. But being the old married guy (of a year and a half), Kevin got to share his marital words of advice. “There are going to be wow days and vow days. Days where you are in awe of the spouse you chose. But then there are days when the spouse that you chose, doesn’t really want to be . . . the spouse that you chose. They simply drive you nuts. But either way, I strongly encourage you as you begin your family, to choose to make the decision to love each other.”

Of course the concept of wow days and vow days was not our own. Coach Rick York presented it to Kevin during our pre-marital counseling. Coach got it from Guy and Roxanna Grimes. I’m not sure if they were the first, but the idea remains. Not every day is a walk in the park, or a wow day; but when we choose to love each other and meet the others needs first, our needs will inevitably be met. If all else fails, repeat Coach’s mantra; “I love my wife, I love my wife, I love my wife.” Even when you don’t like the way she loads the dishwasher!

So far, the married part hasn’t been difficult, it’s the roommate part. Learning to share my stuff and space was harder than I thought, but if Kevin had asked any of my former roommates, I’m sure they would have warned him. But after a time, we figured it out. We will continue to have wow days and vow days, but we continue to work hard to meet each other’s needs.

Brendan Update

Baby Brendan is now 8 days old, and is still in the hospital. He was admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center last Thursday for severe dehydration. After a blood test, urine test, stool sample, and spinal tap, it was determined Brendan had a severe urinary tract infection. This rarity in newborns is mostly likely one of the complications of being overdue. The tiny thing was hooked up to monitors and IVs to get him hydrated and watch his heartrate.

Born at 7 pounds, 11 ounces, he dropped down to 6 pounds, 13 ounces. But I am happy to report that yesterday he was a solid 8 pounds. His cheeks have filled out, his color is better, and he looks just like his dad – only cuter! Brendan is eating well and crying in hunger; a wonderful development! He is still on an antibiotic and will remain in the hospital until Thursday.

We know he is in the best place in our area to receive treatment, and the nurses have been wonderful. We would love for him to come home, but want to make sure he is completely healthy. We praise God for his protection and grace. Thank you all for your prayers.

Brendan Matthew Keys

He is finally here! Rachel went into the hospital yesterday with contractions about 10 minutes apart. Contractions were good and strong, but baby's heart rate would not go back up after each contraction. Baby was over due and they were worried about the complications it could bring. She labored for about 3 hours and was only at 3 centimeters. The hospital O.R. was short staffed so they decided to hold off and wait until this morning when the doctors, surgeons, and other staff came back on duty, just in case they needed to do an emergency cesarean. This morning around 3:00, her water broke and she began to dilate on her own.

Brendan came at 8:26 a.m., July 14, 2007. He was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, 19.5 inches long. Baby is great, and Mama is tired (mostly due to a drug she didn't know they gave her). Poor thing couldn't hardly keep her eyes open. Here are a few of his first pictures.

Defying Gravity

It is funny how you can sing the same song over and over again, yet one day the words mean something you hadn’t ever thought of.

At Sandals Church on Sunday, we were singing the song Here is Our King by the David Crowder Band. The lyrics read, “And what was said to the rose to make it unfold, was said to me here in my chest.” I was immediately back in my seventh grade science lab. We were experimenting with seeds, watching them grow in a petree dish on a damp towel. We watched as the roots sprouted down and the leaves sprouted up. We then turned the dish upside down so the roots were up and the leaves were down. Over the next couple of days the roots began to curve back down, and the leaves, upward. I remember my teacher telling us, that science could not explain how a seed knows that the roots go down to the earth, and leaves reach for the sky. They really have no idea why plants defy the forces of gravity. I am sure I am taking a simplistic look at things. My point is, ultimately God is in control of this universe. He shows Himself in even the smallest things. We have no option but to worship Him for his craftsmanship. No one understands how a rose knows it is spring and can now open up and bloom, but it is all in HIS timing. God speaks to us, if only we will listen.

The next line of the song is “So be quiet now, and rest.” Earlier in the song it says “So be quiet now and wait.” So many songs are racing through my head now about waiting on the Lord and his timing. But when sit and wait and listen for God, his timing is always perfect. Rest. Wait. Why must we always be on the move and in a frenzy? I don’t want to miss what the Lord has planned for me.

I praise you Lord, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

A Wife for Bekah

My poor baby sister is eight days over-due with her first baby, our fourth nephew. My mother and youngest brother are staying with me as we anxiously await the arrival of Baby Keys. I don’t mind having them, in fact I enjoy the house guests. Mom does my laundry, makes dinner, and occasionally does some grocery shopping. It’s like having my own wife!
I do feel bad for Jonathan. He is 13, out of school for the summer, and doesn’t know anyone down here. He spends most of his time on some sort of video gaming device. I think there are three or four different types he has been using since he got here. In order to make sure his brain doesn’t turn to mush from the games, we went to Fairmount Park for the Concert in the Park series.
The band was a blues group, and they were okay. Music wasn’t bad, but lyrics and jokes were a little in appropriate for a family event. We had planned to go anyway and found out Becca Boganwright from Sandals would be performing as a finalist for a Riverside Singing Competition. Becca sang two songs and did a wonderful job. It was nice to see a bunch of people from Sandals out at a community event; even if they were just there for Becca.
I think Jon had a good time, though. We had some kettle corn, and he found the rock climbing wall. He’s a pretty good climber!

Here We Go

So everyone seems to be a blogger these days, and even though we are late to join, we can't be left behind.

I asked Kevin what the title of our blog should be, and when he asked what our blog was going to be about, I told him . . . life in general. He loved it. Apparently it is a MXPX album title, and so it stuck. I can't guarentee we will be updating regularly; we are new to this after all.