by pastorrobin | Jan 13, 2014 | random life
Erica strikes again! Well, thankfully she didn’t literally strike. I might be visiting her in jail if that were the case. Anyway, we drove up to Kennady’s school a while back to drop her off and there was a police car parked illegally. He was not just in the handicapped spot but in the striped, unloading part of the space. (we require this striped part since we have a ramp) So what does she do? She marches into the school to find the officer.
To make a long story semi-short…he finally walks out of the building and Erica confronts him on the sidewalk. She explains the dilemma of daily needing the spot and people are illegally parked there. Then to come and the people that are supposed to help you are parked in the same spot! He is embarrassed and promises to help out.
Moral of the story: don’t park illegally in handicapped spaces and don’t mess with Erica!
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by pastorrobin | Jan 9, 2014 | Children, random life
Today (Jan 9), we celebrate 15 years of marriage. Wow! Where have the years gone?? Take a look at these stats.
Our Marriage by the numbers:
- 7 different homes in 2 states
- 2 home purchases/1 home sale
- 13 different jobs
- 3 kids
- 9 foster kids
- 3 dogs
- 4 cats
- 25 fish
- 20+ chickens
- 11 cars
- 3 churches
- 0 cheatin’!
- innumerable friends
Erica’s Version of the Wedding:
Our wedding day WAS amazing, however, I was 20 years old and wayyyyyy too concerned about what other people thought about how I “should” be at my wedding.
As you all know, if you have been reading this blog very long, I still greatly struggle with this and try to conform to each persons specific likes.
My sister-in-law almost beat me with a can of Static Guard, after I requested she spray my wedding dress for the 60th time.
Honestly, I could hardly think for having so much attention focused right on the two of us.
When I finally got to the altar and was holding Robin’s hands, that is the moment I really settled in and was struck by how incredible it was that I was actually marrying this wonderful man.
We had so many people there to support us.
There were things that went totally opposite of what we had planned, like my cake having flowers on the cake instead of between the layers! UHHH, HELLOOO people, I almost turned into bridezilla, well, not really, but I was seriously bummed.
Driving away in the limo was awesome and surreal, I could hardly believe I was married.
Such a happy day!
Robin’s Version of the wedding:
Our wedding day was amazing. It was huge. Over 300 folks attended our ceremony and reception that followed at the church. At the time, I was youth pastor at PromiseLand Church in Austin, TX. So, many folks from the church came and we both have very large families. We had a ton of friends and family donate their money and time to decorate the sanctuary and reception area. It was all absolutely beautiful and we are extremely grateful to them all for an amazing wedding. We left that night for Denver. We spent a week skiing and eating awesome food at Breckenridge, Colorado. Several years back, we made a new wedding ring commitment (click for details). I LOVE you, Erica!
Erica and her dad walking down the long aisle.
So Young!
Cake Fight!
Robin’s Uncle Tim “passed the boot”. A family tradition sort of like an offering at the reception. We got over $700 to spend on our honeymoon!
Robin with best buds, Jason Neyland and Jeff Ross
Our friends and family did an incredible job decorating! Look at that beautiful ice sculpture!
Headed to the honeymoon. A week at Breckenridge, CO!
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by pastorrobin | Dec 30, 2013 | Children, random life
Taking family pictures with young kids is sort of like running across a bed of hot coals..barefoot. I (robin) would almost prefer being stabbed in the eye. And for that very reason, we only do it every two years or so.
First of all, we have 2 young boys that want to run around and never smile on cue. Then, we have a daughter with special needs who is unable to sit up on her own. She has a tremendous smile that honestly is better than any of the other family members, but the only way to get her to smile on cue like that is to play a certain Toby Mac song at just the right time. It takes a photographer with some serious patience.
We put it off…forever. Finally, Erica says, “If we don’t get a family picture taken, I’m leaving the family.” Just kidding, she doesn’t take it that seriously, but she does desperately feel pressured to fit in with all the other people that send these awesome “family picture Christmas cards” each year. Our pantry door is covered every December with all our amazing friends and their beautiful families.
The 2013 Christmas Door!
We feel like complete losers because we barely have enough energy to go grocery shopping much less gather the troops for a family picture.
Who could we get to take our pictures? Oh yeah, we don’t have any money budgeted for it. hhhmmm…put it off a few more months.
(more…)
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by ericasteele | Dec 28, 2013 | Children, random life
Feeling the need to fill space, I am going to write more often (possibly).
You may or may not be interested in reading my ramblings, and this is completely ok.
Robin and I have a saying in our house, “TAGB”. Thanks and God Bless.
It is usually given in a sarcastic manner, or said immediately after an “order” is given. This will be said to all those feeling the need to not read.
You too can say this in your home.
It may cause confusion at first, but if you continue, you too will know the joy.
Tonight we went to the movies with some friends. We saw a movie about Walter Mittie (I think). It was dang funny. I mean, really, we all kept reciting lines from it at the coffee shop afterwards. That’s when you know it was worth the eight bucks.
The take-away from the movie tonight was, be adventurous, take chances, live life. I think I am ready to travel the world.
Our kids hung at home with the sitter and made laser tunnels and forts all over the house. It really makes my heart happy when they have friends over and their creativity busts open.
It is currently 1 a.m. and Kennady and I are the only ones awake. I am writing a blog and my tender husband is about to start snoring.
Christmas was great. I was able to be home for Christmas eve and day with the family. When you work in the field of midwifery, you never know when a baby will be ready to make their entrance. You often take things like that for granted until you have had to spend one (or more) away, because no matter how great the cause, nothing can replace your family.
The one big bummer is that my side of the family had the flu bug going around and we still haven’t celebrated with them. I am really looking forward to harassing my parents mercilessly.
A new year is approaching quickly, hang on to your seats.
TAGB
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by pastorrobin | Dec 20, 2013 | Children, random life
2013 was a VERY full year for the Steele family. It was marked in the middle with 2 big surgeries and hospitals stays. We are grateful that God brought us through that time with his amazing Grace. We received a ton of love from our friends and family.
Erica progressed in her midwifery schooling and looks to graduate in 2014!
Kennady continued to defy the odds and turned 12 years old! Jude turned 9 and Avery turned 7!
In a few days, Erica and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage! Wow! That seems to be a landmark anniversary. We will probably celebrate modestly with a one night stay in San Antonio or something like that. We are not in the position at this point to take a big trip. (too much schooling and not enough finances) But, that is quite alright. We have made do for 15 years with a modest style marriage. To God be the glory for that.
Our church has continued to be a thriving place where people are meeting God and growing in relationship with Him (and each other). It is an honor to serve in San Marcos. We have incredible people here that cook amazing Mexican food! Tamales and enchiladas. Homemade salsas and tortillas. We are blessed with a great university and tons of students. Our river is one of the best/cleanest in the country. Our church property is home to ministries that meet regularly for people of all ages, gender, socio-economic backgrounds. It is humbling to realize that God uses us for such a deep and meaningful work.
We are honored to call so many of you friends and look forward to hanging out with you again. Let’s meet up around a cup of coffee or a plate of warm food. We want to connect and walk together with you. If you live out of town, then let’s email, chat, and Facetime soon!
Merry Christmas from The Steeles!
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by ericasteele | Aug 20, 2013 | hospital, random life
Robin and I haven’t posted since Kennady got home from the hospital during her last stay because the pace of life right now, feels similar to the pace of an avalanche at your back while skiing straight down a hill.
Kennady made it home and recovered great after her baclofen pump was implanted.
Approximately 1 month out from the surgery, she got an infection in her site which ultimately resolved on it’s own.
10 days ago (2 weeks after the last infection healed up) Kennady’s incision on her back, developed a red raised spot on it. This grew over the week and then the redness spread to the front of her belly and incisions.
I took her in to the E.R. on Saturday knowing that we were most likely not leaving until we got some antibiotics, at a minimum.
Low and behold, she was admitted.
The doctor came in the following morning (from vacation) to operate on her wounds.
The goal was to clean the infection out and then make a plan.
Unfortunately, when the doctor went in, the infection was concerning enough, combined with a positive culture for Staph, that she had to have her entire baclofen pump and catheter removed.
We are extremely disappointed. Disappointed doesn’t even seem to fit.
There really aren’t words right now. It feels like such a long journey to end up in this place.
Today she had a picc line placed so that she could get antibiotics for the next 2+ weeks, as she is healing.
The doctor told us that Kennady will need to heal from this surgery and infection and that in a few months we could possibly put the pump back in.
There is so much to process right now, we are just being here with Kennady and spending time with our boys.
I will be leaving to go take my final exams on Wednesday evening, and will return on Saturday. This leaves Robin alone with the boys and a girl in the hospital.
Fortunately, we have lots of wonderful friends and family on standby to help.
We are in the process of trying to get back home with our home health care company. This way, we can avoid the extended stay at the hospital and be in the comfort of our home
We don’t have a solid plan yet, but please pray that it will be clear each step that we take.
Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support!
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Waiting in the E.R. to be admitted. I was studying and Kenna was laughing at the T.V.
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This is how Robin passes time at the hospital. He love animals soooo much that he has to go walk the balloon animals to decompress. 😉
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