What's been happening this week...

We are so incredibly thankful to have been able to get back to church this week. We have missed being in the House of the Lord and being able to bring to Him the worship and praise that He is due. It was wonderful to be reunited with our church family. Several who sing in the choir commented on how thankful they were to see Jacob stroll down the middle aisle of the sanctuary with his mini-walker. While welcoming visitors, our Associate Pastor, Eric, commented, "we wish to welcome the Arrington's, who are visiting from Baltimore. Oh, wait, they actually live here." It was quite funny, but certainly had a bit of truth to it. With the anticipation of surgery last fall, we really had not been able to attend since that time. Even though we were gone, however, we didn't feel forgotten. So many from our church took the time to e-mail, call and send notes of encouragement. And we know that almost everyone prayed for us on a daily basis.

After the service, we were all able to attend our respective Sunday School classes. Words really just can't describe how thankful we were to be back again. We look forward to being able to become more involved in our church and to see our boys in a position to grow up in an environment where Jesus is Lord and King. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord for all He has done.

Jacob continues to make good progress with his recovery. Today he began walking, a little, without using his walker. He still complains a bit about his left leg and the "wound" on that side is still slow in healing. He periodically will say that his "pee-pee hurts", although we wonder if that has more to do with gas pain or perhaps just a lingering sensation from when he had the SP tube in place. We do think there may be some relationship between these things (i.e. the wound has some pain in it and thus he doesn't want to put as much weight on his left leg). He has begun Physical Therapy as of last week. Beginning this week, we will be having our Home Health Nurse (the same one we used prior to surgery) come this week to help with the dressing and treatment of that wound. On a more positive note, we did find out today that Jacob will be able to go back to "school" next week. This school is associated with another wonderful church in our area, one that has graciously taken in both of our boys over the past three plus years. Jacob will attend from 9-2 on Wednesdays and he seems ready to go back. Mommy is also excited because she will have most of that day to herself, with both boys being in school and her bigger "boy" at work.

Speaking of school, we must say that James has definitely surprised us a few times with all of the things he is learning in Kindergarten. He has five spelling words to learn each week, in an effort to get him ready for First Grade. So far, he has had his words completely memorized by early in the week and has made a perfect score on each of his weekly spelling tests (I think he's had four or five to date). Also, just this evening, he was doing some basic addition (1+1, 2+1) for us. Mommy and Daddy looked at each other, knowing that it may not be long before he gets in to stuff that we have both long since forgotten how to do. Jacob has also been learning how to say and spell some basic words, using a neat educational game on "Daddy's phone."

James also had his very first dental visit today. We were a little concerned about this, in light of some of the challenges we've had with him at other doctor appointments. However, he went right back, plopped down in the chair and did really well. He has already lost his two bottom front teeth and the permanent ones are almost all of the way out.

We ask that you all continue to pray for the things mentioned above, but also ask that you rejoice with us and offer praises to the God of all gods for his mercy, grace and loving kindness.

Mommy and Daddy