"Dried" Chicken Anyone?

While somethings seem completely un-funny and frustrating while going through them, they can be extremely funny once all is said and done. We had such an occurance here this week. While I have been more forgetful lately, this particular event was not my fault, but at the time I was convinced it was! We have strung laundry lines in our basement to hang our wet laundry and try to save energy and not use our dryer. So one morning while I was hanging laundry, Drew was playing in the basement with me. He has a few of his bigger toys down there so it's usually a treat for him to go downstairs and play. I had taken a chicken out of the freezer to thaw so I could roast it for dinner the next day. Later I went to take care of the chicken and couldn't find it. I thought I had put it in the kitchen, but it wasn't there. I searched the house - everywhere I thought I could have possibly put that chicken. Couldn't find it. It was missing all day - and all night. I eventually thought that maybe Drew had tried to 'help' me and started looking in all places where he likes to play and hide things. I even looked in the toilet. The next morning I found the chicken. In the clothes dryer. Drew's new place to hide his treasures. I'm very thankful I found it before it spoiled - it was still frozen solid with ice crystals on the package. It went back in the freezer. I did not want to attempt that chicken again so soon! This picture is Pete teaching the boys to cook. Pete is a good cook - and as far as I know, he hasn't lost any chickens!

We had a visit from Pete's parents this week. Thank you all for your prayers for Pete's dad. We do have a diagnosis - actually several - but still have many questions. More tests have been done and we are waiting for the results. Charlie has been diagnosed with kidney failure, sarcoidosis, which is a multisystem disease that can go in to remission but is incurable, and also has Multiple Myeloma, which is cancer of the plasma. He has started steroid treatment to jump-start his kidneys, with the hope of getting strong enough for chemo. Please continue to pray for Charlie and the rest of our family as we try to grasp all that is going on.

Here is our happy little guy. He is such a joy to be around. I have a hard time choosing my favorite picture of him.

This is the boys with our friends' son, John. He spent the day with us on Tuesday and they had a lot of fun. It was a good lesson for Drew in sharing his toys before Ty starts to run off with them! Pete is on spring break this week. While he still needs to work, we are enjoying more time together. Saturday we walked through the zoo and some of the animals are already out. We saw the cougars and the bison. We hope the other animals will be out soon and we can spend afternoons watching them. Drew is a riot as he imitates the animal sounds. Again, thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate them! Over and Out!