Amelia Earhart

I have had a fascination for the young female pilot all my life.  She perished more than ten years before I was born; but her adventures and achievements caught my attention early on.

Now we have a grand-daughter named Amelia.  I’m quite certain that her parents were not thinking of the aviatrix.  Maybe “Amelia Bedelia” had a bit more influence.  In any case, the name finds its roots in the Latin, and speaks of hard work and industry.  For me, I just like the sound of the name.

Amelia.  Makes me smile.

See LeaderFOCUS

40th Anniversary Gift

Our kids put together an amazing photo album as an Anniversary Gift.  You can take a look.  Enjoy!  Click on the photo or the link and then be ready to provide:

ALBUM ID: S2723438  | PASSWORD: 2750420

VIEW ALBUM

Ode to Yolanda

With all of this talk about the health care crisis in the air and the acute need for reform, I suppose it is that much more likely that we will take the cynical view of doctors and nurses who get paid to help us get well.  We are quick to conclude “incompetent,” “negligent,” “frustrating,” “annoying,” “indifferent,” “uncommunicative,” “inability to listen,” “distracted,” “the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing,” “cost slashing,” “out of touch,” when we talk about our experience in the hospital or the clinic or the emergency room or the doctor’s office.  And if you’ve walked through the system lately, chances are pretty good you found evidence to bolster your case.

Rachel kept for observation

Early this morning we learned that Rachel’s clavicle was broken during he delivery. This explains why she cried that first visit. It hurt! She’s getting the best of care… Kristyn stays in the hospital unti Saturday.

UPDATE:  All’s well.  Rachel is home, healthy, active and growing, surrounded by brothers and sisters.  We are thankful!

Mom released tonight

While Barb and Heidi stood by, the physician called informing Mom that she would be released. She is at home now, resting comfortably. We are all praying that she gets a good night’s sleep.

Visitors today included Rob, Diane, Susan, Dale, Dennis Griggs (with a bouquet of flowers), Barb and Heidi (there for the better part of the day. In addition, Gloria’s daughter, Nancy Lanning (staff director, RN) was most helpful.

More tomorrow. posted via iPhone

Welcome Rachel

We did it.. here are some photos from an amazing day.  The Duncans welcome their new little sister, Rachel Christine.

View Photos

Grandma Lorry admitted to hospital

Mom’s at Placentia Olinda, after two long nights of congestion and coughing spells.  They admitted her yesterday (Monday) at about four o’clock.  Lori is in town from Thousand Oaks, and spent the night monitoring the process.

She had a difficult night; which makes us all thankful she is in the hospital with careful monitoring. The doctors are sorting through tests.  We’ll post more as we learn more.

She’s been told about Rachel.

Please keep praying for relief.  This morning, she picked up “another cold,” which tells us her immune system is low.  She’s in a weakened state, and needs rest.

More later today.

Rachel Christine Duncan

It’s a girl!  Rachel Christine Duncan.  Nine pounds, four ounces.  Born about 5:15AM on Wednesday, September 2^nd.

Here is some of the detail.  I got a call a little after three o’clock yesterday afternoon – Ben said the contractions were getting strong.  Carolyn was busy finishing up her day over at Biola.  (Lori was gathering things up, getting Mom [Grandma Lorry] ready to head over to the emergency room at Placentia Olinda Hospital – see POST.)

I packed up fast and jumped in the car for Fontana.  Carolyn was behind me by about an hour.  We arrived to a family excited about the delivery.  Kristyn had been working on the treadmill for about an hour, then for a long walk with Grandma Carolyn just to be sure.  We had a ceremonial farewell on the driveway, and Ben and Kris were off to the hospital.  We all went back inside and watched a classic kid-flick, “Gooby.”

About nine o’clock, the front door opened just as the movie hit the big finish, and in walked Ben with Kris behind.  The doctors turned them away, and sent them home.  But not before they scheduled an appointment for Kristyn to have her water broken at eight o’clock the next morning just to get things going.

The kids all went to bed.  Ben said they would leave about seven the next morning.  I dropped off to sleep.

When I got up about at six, all was quiet.  I picked up my iPhone and turned it on.  A text message popped up.  “It’s a girl!   Nine pounds four ounces.”  I wasn’t sure my eyes were working right.  I looked again… sure enough, the message was sent only minutes before.  I called Ben.  He was in line at the McDonald’s drive-through, picking up a quick breakfast.  He filled me in.

Kris woke up with strong contractions somewhere around two-thirty or three.  By three thirty, they were in the car.  She was admitted about four, and Rachel was born shortly after five.  All natural.  No epidural.  The doctors barely got there in time.  “Don’t push!” they said.  “Let us get ready!”

Kris let them know in no uncertain terms that waiting was not going to happen.  Ben said she pushed hard three times, and boom.  Rachel was born.  “Wow!” Kristyn said to Ben.  “That HURT!”

Safe and sound.  Mother and child.

We are getting the crew ready to head over and meet Rachel.  Stay tuned for more stories, corrections and additions… and you can guess, photos, too.

Dale A Kemp, VP Finance, Wheaton College

Way to go, Dale. We’re all proud… Wheaton made a great pick.

Wheaton’s Announcement

Tim is home…

Imagine my disappointment, when half way there, hurdling down the freeway, Carolyn and I realized we left our camera(s) behind.

So, necessity being the mother of invention, I fired up my iPhone and used the camera option.  The photos may not have the look and feel of a Nikon with specialized filters and lenses, but I think we caught something of the moment when Army Officer, Tim Kemp, returned with his troop to a waiting crowd of cheering family and friends from his final tour of Iraq.  We witnessed the reunion – Tim and Anna, both Wheaton grads, and their boy, Kai.  Together again.

Tim has been in harm’s way for a long time.  Now he’s home.  We are all thankful.  Hugs and tears all around.  Take a look.

PHOTOS from TIM’s HOMECOMING