Weekend Pics

On Saturday we traveled to Lancaster for my neice Amanda's 5th birthday. Bill's sister Jennifer came to visit from Florida so it was nice to spend the day with her & my neice Taleah & nephew Efrem as well. Here's a few shots of the girls, Matthew in Uncle John's helmet & all the kiddies...some not-so-happy and some just busy watching Bee Movie.

Construction Pics

They are well on their way...this is so exciting! Here is a shot of them digging the foundation for the garage.And here is one of them laying the blocks on the back wall of the garage. it is hot as anything outside...humid with no breeze. These guys are really working hard. It is a challenge to keep the kids away from all the dirt piles. Keep checkin back for more photos. They should be done by mid-August. Have a great weekend!

Surgery Update

Bill saw the Philadelphia Eagle's Orthopedic Surgeon this morning and they scheduled surgery for July 16th. The good news is that because of Bill's "normal" joint laxity (loose knee joints) the Dr feels he does not need to repair the PCL and will be giving Bill a new ACL that is reinforced, most likely a cadaver tendon. He feels that because Bill's knees normally hyperextend (like many gymnasts) the PCL would be useless and only make for a longer recovery. In the mean time Bill will be rehabing the knee and allowing time to heal the large bone bruise he has in his femur (caused by the jump off the trampoline). So thanks for all your prayers...we still need them...this road has just begun.
In this picture of Bill's knee, if you look real close you can see his shin sag a bit. This is the sign you see in someone who has no ACL/PCL. Pretty cool huh...I love this ortho stuff.

And now onto my daughter Madison. She has flat feet as you can see. They look alot like her daddy's feet but unfortunately she is starting to pronate (or roll inward) which is causing her some pain. I need to find a good foot doc because I think she will need some sort of shoe insert.
And lastly my boy. He saw the doctor today & the bandage is off. His sutures are absorbable so he didn't need to have them removed. It looks good. It straightens all the way now so he's happy...and so are we.

Swim Team

Saturday was Madison's first official swim meet. She competed in the 25 meter backstroke & the Freestyle relay. She did excellent and had a really good time hanging out with her new swim team friends.

We think backstroke will be her stroke due to her excessive shoulder flexibility. After her race she asked Bill, "Daddy did I come in last place?" And Bill said, "Yeah honey, but you were excellent!" She kept movin those little arms and never gave up...(she was also the littlest one racing against kids much older). We were so proud of her. I cried (I know I'm such a sap!)...because my little baby's not so little anymore, and because I now know what it was like for my parents to watch me from the stands all those years...it's not easy all those emotions...your excited for them, scared, nervous and proud...all in one short moment. "GO MAD GO!!!!"

Birthday Pics

Here are some pics of Madison party on the 14th & her girl party on the 10th with friends Rebekah, Hannah, Keira & Elyssa. Here's a shot of our kids and Amanda, Tate, Paige, Drew, Nate & Josh. The girls had a blast on the waterslide.

And making fruit kabobs...Madison's own special recipe.

Yes...I know...this is my crazy husband going down the slide with all our kids. Looks like poor Matthew's getting squooshed!

PS...Happy 5th Birthday Amanda!!

Here We Go Again

Well, it was an exciting Thursday at the Roth home. The builders began excavation, 2 ladies came to paint my kitchen cabinets because they were turning yellow (warranties are wonderful things), and in the middle of all the chaos that comes with that and having 3 kids, Bill calls to tell me "I just blew out my knee".

He was performing at a Sixers camp and while jumping off the tramp, felt his knee go out. This is the same knee that he had injured in his gymnastics days. He had his patellar tendon repaired & and ACL repair as well. It looks like something is torn but until we get the MRI & see the doc on Monday, it's hard to say which one(s). We are pretty sure this will require some extensive surgery. We'll keep you updated.

I know I promised pictures of Madison's parties...& I will get to them, but I wanted to show a picture of my poor honey & Adrienne, and here's a shot of our driveway...soon-to-be garage.

Matthew's Surgery

Well today Matthew had surgery for his thumb. (It was moved up from July 8th to today). It went very well! We were worried because he could not eat or drink anything this morning and surgery didn't begin until 12. He doesn't usually do well if he is hungry, but today he was great. We went to a surgery center in Chalfont, PA and the doctors & nurses were so wonderful. They gave him "giggle juice" which basically made him laugh & smile and roll his head around and be really silly. Bill & I were laughing so hard I was crying (& so were all the nurses). He kept trying to sit up but kept hitting his head on the side of the bed...poor guy. They took him in and about 10 minutes later the doctor appeared telling us it was a success. They simply cut the pulley that the flexor tendon runs through (because apparently we really don't need it), and now the thumb can straighten & bend without getting caught.

I cried a little seeing my baby lie on the big surgical bed so little and all hooked up. He woke up happy to see "Bubba" and "Bippy" and rested in my lap while he enjoyed an orange slushie. We got him dressed, popped him in the car and he ate 3 bags of teddy grahams. He got a little grumpy when he realized he was having trouble using his right hand but other than that, he did great. We are glad it's over & thankful for the Lord's protection. Now we just have to make sure he keeps the soft cast on for a week. He already tried to do a handstand with it on today so I'm sure it will be a challenge to say the least. I have some pictures of Madison's birthday weekend to post so watch for them & have a good week!

Happy Father's Day!

A BIG Hug to all the dad's I know. My dad (see last post), my father-in-law John, John R. and John G., Angelo & all our friends...have a great father's day!

And to a father closest to my heart...my honey, Bill. You have grown in so many ways in your role as daddy to Madison, Adrienne & Matthew. You are patient & sweet to them. You are determined to take every opportunity with them & make it a special memory. You are aware of their individual needs and seek to love them where they are...I love that about you...you have a desire to grow & learn & love them even more each day. You are an example to me & have helped me in many ways when I am discouraged & weary. You are quick to speak words of grace & hope to me and the kids and are always pointing out the fruit you see growing in our kids' hearts.

I love you honey...watching you love our children the way you do makes my love for you abound even more!!! Happy Father's Day!!!

Tribute to My Dad

We have a busy weekend coming up. On Saturday we are having the family over to celebrate Madison's birthday & Sunday is Father's Day so I wanted to post a little about my dad. Growing up I remember big hugs from my dad. I remember many rides in the car to gymnastics practice & meets. Special treats after practice like Whoppers & Dr. Pepper and cheese danishes. I remember my dad being my biggest fan and supporter. My junior year in high school my dad filled out all of my college applications to every division 1 & 2 college that had gymnastics programs, created a video of my gymnastics set to music & sent them all out. He was always involved in all that we did and I always knew he would be there to support me. And even today he still gives great big hugs, is kind and gentle, always the peacemaker (except in our heated political discussions...you know those democrats...haha), and is always there to support his kids & grandkids. Thanks dad for all you do in the lives of your children & grandchildren!

Happy Father's Day! We Love You!!!

Happy Birthday Madison Elizabeth!

Madison is turning 7 this Saturday so I wanted to share some cute pics of her through the years. Madison is full of life and joy. She is a blessing to our family. I love how she is always making new friends and is quick to encourage others. She is a take-charge girl, always organizing a new game or an interesting pretend story. She is loud and expressive and simply loves life. Happy Birthday my daughter, my first baby. Mommy & Daddy love you so much. Have a wonderful birthday!!

Another Fun Weekend

Happy Monday everyone! We traveled to Lancaster this weekend to stay at Bill's parents' new home and celebrate Sarah's (our neice) 1st birthday. We enjoyed the waterpark at Dutch Wonderland, saw the diving show "The Frog Prince" which is always a favorite...especially for Madison who laughs, cheers & boos louder than anyone. It is so fun to watch our kids enjoy summer...and enjoy it right along with them. Thanks to Nana & Poppy...your house is so nice & cozy...a great find! Enjoy the pics & have a great week everyone!

Gospel Outreach

One of the greatest privileges we have as Christians is to share the gospel with unbelievers. It is also a command Jesus gave to all of us before He disappeared into the clouds to be seated at the right hand of the Father. Last night our community group teamed up and went to various locations in Media, PA to speak to whoever God would bring our way. Bill & I were nervous but excited. We met a woman sitting all alone and asked if we could ask her a few questions, (we had a little questionnaire to guide us along). The questions were:
1. What is your spiritual background?
2. What 3 words would describe your religious experience?
3. If you could ask God one question what would it be?
4. If God asked you "Why should I let you into heaven?" what would you say?
5. On a goodness scale 1 being evil & 10 being good, where would you rate yourself?
She gave some interesting answers & shared how her life has been whirling out of control but that she always tried to do the right thing & would consider herself a good person. Bill & I then shared with her that we all fall short of making our way into heaven. God gave us the 10 commandments to reveal to us that we are all sinners. Have you ever lied? Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours? Have you ever dishonored your father or mother? I shared that I have broken these commandments many times & she agreed that she had as well. We then shared our stories of how God saved us and gave her the Good News. That Jesus died on the cross as our substitute so that we would not have to suffer the JUST consequences of our own sin...eternal separation from God. Instead if we would believe and make Jesus the Lord over all our lives, He is faithful to give us life everlasting, hope and a future filled with purpose and real meaning.
We then prayed for her and gave her some info about our church & Alpha. Bill & I left there blessed & amazed that God would use us to care for this woman. We pray the seeds that were sown last night would grow into a life of faith for this lost soul. Have a great weekend everyone!

Desperate Housewives

This is not a review of the popular TV show but a few comments about a new book I started reading called, "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. The 5th chapter titled, "Too Good To Be True: Freedom from the Bondage of Perfectionism" really caught my eye. Here are some good lines from the chapter that really spoke to me.

"I think as wives and mothers, we have a tendancy to fall into the trap of perfectionism rather easily. It starts with a very good and noble desire to set a godly example for our families, our fellow Christians, and the lost. But, before we know it, we start comparing ourselves to others and feeling we fall woefully short."

"When we compare ourselves to others this way, quite simply put, we are being fools. We judge the external because we cannot see the heart..."

"There is no one who is righteous apart from Christ, and even the saintliest Christians stumble."

"The truth is however 'perfect' cultural standards are, they do not measure up to the One Who created us in His image. The True Standard is even higher than we imagine, friends!"

"We need to let go of the strange notion that the only way to be a good Christian is to project an image of sinless perfection and hide our struggles and shortcomings. And so we come to the incredible paradox of the Gospel...:'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me' (2 Corinthians 12:9). Weakness is strength? We glory in infirmity? Yes, indeed! And this beautiful paradox is what should motivate and encourage us as we serve Christ."