Think Think Think

I am a couple of days late but the point remains!  Tisha stole a little bit of my thunder but I guess it is OK.  She posted one of these pictures before I could get to it.  I have a few pictures of “the process” as well.  These pictures speak for themselves.  The patio looks pretty amazing and it is all because of the Hickerson family (including my parents) working like crazy people!  I had NO idea how much sand we would go through to pull this off.  In all I believe we used just over 50 bags of dirt.  I planned on using about 25… so my main word to those crazy enough to try this… plan on buying a TON of dirt!  I didn’t take a picture of the area we moved the rocks from, but I should.  We carried or wheeled the rocks from another patio 75 feet from their current location.  The old patio didn’t seem usable to us so we decided to move it.  I hope you enjoy these pics of the process and the next post will NOT be about the patio.  If you truly are curious about doing this I would love to pass on some tips and tricks.  It really wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.

We purchased a house in Cleveland, OH and we decided it would be a good idea to build a patio.  Tisha and I have never done anything like this!  EVER!  But for some crazy reason we thought… “yes, this is a good idea.”  Well are some of the before pics.  We started out by digging 6 inches of dirt out and wheelbarrowing it to another section of the yard.  We finished today…  it looks amazing but I will post those pics tomorrow.  This way I have something build in to post tomorrow as well as keep you guessing!  Sleep well world!

I feel like I should add…  We started this project at 8pm on mothers day and only working on it after Judah went to bed.  So almost all work was done from 8pm-midnight until the last 2 days where we moved heavy rocks from one section to the hole we dug.  This was ALL Tisha’s idea.  Start on mothers day, work at night.  We really have lost our minds!  But today we had dinner outside on the patio and I must say… All the work was worth it!

This post is because I need to! I am laying in my bed… 90 degrees and no AC! Sweating and sleeping… I am not a spoiled American! I have lived the past three years with no AC and hated when it got hot! I still hate the heat! Tomorrow I am headed to home depot… Fighting through the memorial day weekend shopping jerks and buying a new window unit! I don’t have to live like this! So I won’t!! Sleep well my friends!

I feel like most people who really know me know that I have always wanted to write.  I don’t want to write for the acclaim or because I think I am particularly smart. I believe the words we say and write have power!  Some people can write and move people…  Move people to change the world… move them to change their life… or the life of some one else!  This is a gift and a skill.  I don’t read or particularly like fiction books but I did jump on the Hunger Games trilogy and I really enjoyed them.  It was a strong story but one of the lines I highlighted…  (yes I highlighted a fiction book!)  I can’t remember the exact quote but Katniss is thinking about the forest beyond District 12 and she says, “The more I push into the forest the more it calls to me!”  (Jason H Paraphrase).  I love this line!  This is a life quote for all people.  The more we chase something the more we feel it calls to us!  I have tried writing for years on a consistent basis but I think I will write everyday.  At least something simple.  I will try to keep some of them extra light but I want to improve my own storytelling.  When you read this, (I will be surprised) just hang in there.  There is only one way to get better: Keep writing!

Goodnight world

I believe the word has spread about what happened Monday at 11:25am.  But for those new to my life or following me from a distance (and of course “future me” looking back reading about my life because I forgot all the amazing stuff God has done, “future me” isn’t the brightest crayon).  To stop any horrible feelings spreading through the online community… No one is hurt and everyone is healthy today!

I want to tell this story from the very beginning to do it justice.  Judah (15months) has been a little sick but nothing really serious.  Saturday we took him out for our first service project with Cleveland, I Love You and planted almost 1000 flowers in downtown Cleveland.  Yes, it looks amazing!  Sunday, Judah started acting a little sick but we thought maybe it was because he was sunburned (glow-in-the-dark-white kid problems).  He threw up at 7pm and had a mild fever.  Nothing amazing so far….

Monday I rode my bike to work as usual and Tisha sent me a message saying Judah had a much higher temperature and was very lethargic.  I advised her to call the doctor if got any higher.  He got MUCH hotter and as she was on the phone with the receptionist Judah had a febrile seizure (A seizure due to high temperature).  I was hard at work with a group in town from South Carolina as well as our first banquet at Nexus.  I heard my phone ring but thought I would look at it in a minute.  Alex (pastor at Gateway Church) came in with his phone and said, “You really want to take this.”  I promise… those words will ring in my ears for years.  I instantly knew we were headed to the hospital.

The “conversation” with Tisha follows:

Tisha (crying) : The fire truck is here and we are *Breathe* headed to the hospital!

Me: I am on my way! *I throw Alex’s phone down and look for my next move*

I didn’t need to hear anything else!  Problem being… I ride my bike to work.  There is no way I can get there on bike.  I will kill myself trying to pedal!  So, I franticly ponder this in the middle of the crowded cafe before I yell at Alex to give me his keys.  He explains something about parking in a weird place so I run to Courtenay and yell the same command to her.  She throws me the keys to her car and I RUN out!  Don’t tell Courtenay but her car, when needed, can really get moving!  Lighter note:  I am really tall… Courtenay is short in comparison.  I drove the two miles to the house without moving the seat back at all!  I got to the house where all I could do was sit in the driveway and wait sweating profusely.  I finally realize after about 5-7 minutes… This car has AIR!  Why am I sitting in the hot hot car without the air on!  And I am squished like a man in a box!  Not as funny as I type it but when I am old and gray… this will make me laugh!

We get Judah to the ER where they run several tests to make sure it was a febrile seizure.  They are confident it was and send us home.  It looks like the fever was from an ear infection.  We have meds in him now and tonight he played hard before going to bed.  He is an amazing kid and I truly can’t believe Tisha and I have the honor of raising a person… a real person!

That phone call was terrifying!  I didn’t know it was a febrile seizure until we got to the ER and Tisha was able to explain what happened.  All I knew was, “The fire truck is here and we are *Breathe* headed to the hospital!”  The drive to the house felt like it took hours!  All I could think about was that little man with an insanely high temperature looking around for his dad!

When we locked eyes in the ER he looked so pale and upset!  He had been poked and prodded by several people that he didn’t know.  His world collapsed, He was scared and all I wanted to do was hold him to let him catch his breathe!  It’s in this moment that being a “father” has so much more power!  So much more meaning!  When Judah’s world blows up… he is looking for Mom and Dad to come be the rescuer.  When my world blows up I often look for myself.  I look to the gifts and talents that I have.  I can only imagine what my heavenly Father is thinking as I try to fix this mess around me.

Take some time this week and if you have kids, hold those little boogers close and pray OUT LOUD for their safety… pray for their future… for the friends…  for their lives!  Then go cuddle up to your heavenly Father and LISTEN… don’t speak…  LISTEN.  If you read this… you are champ and get some special gold star. (even gray haired “Future me” gave up by now!)

We are in leesville, LA for Christmas part 1 and staying a hotel nearby. It’s always funny to me. We put him in his bed at 8 and I swear he practices to be an Olympic gymnast for at least 30 minutes. He then gently scratches the edge of the packnplay before doing another routine and slowly tumbling to sleep. I love it because it also means I have to be in bed by 8 and I am super productive! (this post is productivity!). But I also get to listen to the process Judah takes as he sleeps. I can hear every little breath, sigh, and flip he makes! Nothing cuter than listening to him talk as he slowly drifts to sleep! Sleep well my little man! For tomorrow… We feast!

Pics are from a few “messes” Judah has made this week in Missouri.

We are in leesville, LA for Christmas part 1 and staying a hotel nearby. It’s always funny to me. We put him in his bed at 8 and I swear he practices to be an Olympic gymnast for at least 30 minutes. He then gently scratches the edge of the packnplay before doing another routine and slowly tumbling to sleep. I love it because it also means I have to be in bed by 8 and I am super productive! (this post is productivity!). But I also get to listen to the process Judah takes as he sleeps. I can hear every little breath, sigh, and flip he makes! Nothing cuter than listening to him talk as he slowly drifts to sleep! Sleep well my little man! For tomorrow… We feast!

Pics are from a few “messes” Judah has made this week in Missouri.

This is my open letter to Paris, the people in it, and the people who know it.  I left home 139 days ago.  Many people are surprised to discover  that Paris is not where we lived…  it IS our home (present tense used on purpose).  Four months ago we packed up our home… not our apartment, our HOME!  We lived most of our married life in that apartment.  I do not mean this as an attack on America at all.  America is my country and I am proud to be an American (no singing please).  I will always be an American.

This is for my friends in Paris.  You are some of the most amazing people I have ever met!  I will carry you with me for the rest of my life.  You made a mark on my life and I hope the mark will never go away.  One of my greatest fears returning to America was forgetting France.  You were not part of a trip or a vacation.  You are my friends and I love you!  France has changed how I live and see the world around me.  I find myself still trying to translate things to French so I can ask a question.  Recently I sat in a crowded room thinking how I didn’t look awkward because I didn’t speak their language…  OOPS.  I truly believe we will see you again!  Paris…  This is not the end.  I will find my way back to you and if I do not make it to you then you must come to me!  I wanted to make a list of things I will always remember and miss.  I hope you enjoy:

1. Knowing when the last train home departed (saying the word DEPARTED).
2. Meeting my favorite people at a random cafe and hoping I can figure out what I am going to eat
3. Sitting in the apartment laughing at my most recent French mistake.
4. Translating everything in my head!
5. Ordering Indian and having it delivered only to learn it is cheaper and they give you more food!
6. Running down to the end of the street to get a Durum because nothing else is open.
7. Going to the huit a huit, franprix, and E.D just so we could cook ONE meal.
8. Waiting for the sun to come out so we can sit in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont with the rest of Paris.
9. Cafe Anglais and all this means to the people who were there!
   1. You guys are amazing and I could write volumes about what a learned here
10. Meeting random people at Universities around the city.
11. The one summer I had a bike
12. Running along Canal St. Martin and the Parc de la Villette
13. Trying to explain, in French, that the 19eme is the best arrondissement!
    1. And don’t you dare say different!
14. Making a proper Quiche! (thanks Emily!)
15. Fromage - Even though I am not the biggest connoisseur.  I do respect and miss the Fromagerie
16. Languages! I love that Paris has every nationality and language.
17. Listening to French people make fun of the south of France, Belgium, America, Spain, London, Normandy, and well, every other people group or nation in the world!
18. Those Sunday night discussions with some of the most inspiring people in the world!
19. Planning a vacation to another country and it only costing 50 euros round trip!  America needs better air travel!
20. Freebox!  I really do miss my Freebox!
21. The projector that made “movie nights” more fun and interesting!

 

I really want to add more to this list over time.  This will be something I will update as I think of things.  I should have started this list in France.  Oops.  Bottom line:  Paris is still home and until we are settled in a new location Paris will be home!  My favorite people live in Paris.  I love you guys and will miss you!  Truly! Come see us in America!