Birthday Boys

Luke is still recovering today and all seems to be falling in place. After a rough night of pain and an awful morning, we got his pain management under control with a new drug in the epidural, he received blood and plasma, oxygen, new leads for his apnea and heart rate monitors, cleaned his face with a sponge, antibiotics and visits from several nurses and doctors. K said he was sleeping about 10 pm and she was about to do the same. Continue to pray for a smooth recovery and healing. Praise and thanksgiving for doctors, nurses, hospitals and the wonderful gifts that God has given to them.

Short update on Luke today because today is all about two very special boys. Well one today and one yesterday! My brother Cory has a birthday on January 21 and John Paul’s is today, January 22. We are known as the birthday stealers in our family as all our children share a birthday with another close family member. We consider Cory and John Paul close enough…

If you look closely at this picture you can tell that John Paul has his shirt on backwards. These were family photos that our friend Shannon took in the blistering heat in August. If you know JP, you know this is absolutely normal for him. Kathryn and I say…THIS KID…a lot around the house. He is funny, smart, fast, quick witted, skinny, a savvy negotiator and just a complete joy to be around. One thing’s for sure, he is sure to do the opposite of everything you say. If you tell him to hurry up, he will slow down….I actually overheard him negotiating his “time out” sentence from a friend’s nanny the other day….”Now how about I only sit two minutes in this spot here instead of the usual one?”

John Paul, we love you. We are sorry your day was not as great as it should have been. I am sure you will terrorize Luke one day for messing up your 6th birthday….such is life at Team Whitaker.

My “little” brother stands a good 4-5 inches taller than me but as I like to say – “I can still take him!” I can’t believe he is a year on the other side of 30. He is brilliant, a good father and husband, a worrier, probably wealthy because he is so cheap and loves a good joke like our dad. It is nice to have them close in Dallas but we still don’t see each other nearly enough. I miss our annual “brother trip” and hope to take another one soon. Happy Birthday brother!