Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Pictures from the Lake

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp

The family – all of us – went to the Lake for the weekend. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Poppa taught D how to fish

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Davis did some reflecting on his life so far

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Davis ate a worm

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Cousins played

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Davis and Daddy played in the little pool

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Juju read to Mattie and Davis

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Good times at the lake

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp




As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9: 1 – 3


Last Tuesday, the ultrasound of our second son, Michael Bryce, revealed that he will be born with a cleft lip and possibly a cleft palate. This news grieved both of us as it would any parents who anticipate a perfect, healthy child. In a couple of months, a 3-D ultrasound may reveal the full extent of the cleft, but we may not know the full extent of it until he is born in October. We are saddened that Bryce will likely have to endure several surgeries in his early months, and that he will not look like a normal little boy for the first year of his life. It will be difficult for us to watch him endure the pain of surgery and recovery at an early age. The double-takes and stares from those who see him, while expected and understandable, will break our hearts.

However, there is a much larger story being told in the life of Michael Bryce. The works of God will be displayed in his life from the day of his birth. We know that before God created the universe, He ordained this birth defect. It is his perfect plan for Bryce’s life as well as ours. Jeremiah 1 tells us that God knows us before he even forms us in the womb. Psalm 139 says that God is knitting Michael Bryce together in Susanne’s womb as you read this blog post. This truth makes it plain that God knit this cleft into his lip – with a purpose revealed in John 9 – that the works of God might be displayed in Bryce. So, while our family will be asked to endure this hardship, our hearts will choose to say, “Lord, Blessed be your name!”

In the gamut of emotions that we faced this week, and after 7 days of reflection, I find myself battling some guilt. So many others endure so much more than this. Bryce’s cleft will be repaired, and by the time he is a year old there will only remain a small scar. Most likely, there will not be any long-term impact on his life as a result of the cleft. God has placed him in a time in history that allows his lip and palate to be fixed. For this we are grateful. But the greater miracle will come on the day when God himself repairs Bryce’s sinful, wicked, God-hating heart. That is a surgery that no doctor can perform and a miracle that my mind struggles to comprehend. Through the redemptive power found only in the cross of Jesus Christ, Bryce will one day stand justified before our Holy God as an adopted son in the Kingdom. Salvation is of infinitely greater value than health or appearance. It is my fervent prayer for both of my sons that they would treasure the kingdom of heaven as Jesus taught in the parable found in Matthew 13:44. It is far more valuable than anything they will know here.

Ultimately, we are honored that God has chosen us to endure this trial. We will praise the name of Jesus and we will agree with his Word. My specific prayer is that God would one day use Bryce’s mouth to display the glory of His son to the world. And I John 5:14-15 says that I will have this request granted, because I know that it is always God’s will for Jesus to be glorified. Glory to God Forever!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Amazing Process

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp

December 2008....





















October 09......
















How cool is that? According to my sister, Davis will only have two cousins. Mattie is 3 months older and they already enjoy playing together. OK -- so he just lays there and looks at himself in the mirror. But Mattie enjoys playing with him! She grabs his face and his hands and makes him laugh. He poops on her mommy and drools. Big cousin Meredith loves D too....she helped Sus give him baths last week and its so funny to watch her hold him!







Monday, August 31, 2009

Famous Impersonations

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp

Practicing for his future gig as a late night television show host, Davis has begun doing impersonations. This week, he's working on classic comedians from the 30's and 40's. He does a fantastic Chaplin and a decent Marx, but we think he is at his best impersonating Oliver Hardy. See for yourself......


This is Davis

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This is Oliver Hardy
















I know......he's good.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The hardest part...

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp

From no new posts in 5 weeks to 2 in the same day....thank you swine flu. Here's a top 10 list of the worst parts of the swine flu:


10. Horrifically painful cough with headache and a leaky faucet for a nose
9. Getting a flu test at the doctor (they grab your brain stem through your nose)
8. Not leaving the house for 72 hours = cabin fever redrum redrum
7. Being told the flu test is negative - enjoying 4 hours of false wellness - then realizing the test was wrong
6. Counting the total milligrams of acetominaphen/tylenol/motrin that pharmacist Mike says I am allowed in 24 hours then realizing I've exceeded that total in about 18 hours
5. Missing fun outings with the Owens and Waldrons, along with church and D Group this weekend
4. Sweet Sus had to take care of two babies all weekend
3. Losing all of my taste buds (more detalied blog post on this tragedy later this week)
2. My best pick-up line, "Hey Sus, it looks like you've got the Fine Flu" just doesn't go over as well
1. Not being able to pick up, or hold, or hardly be in the same room with Davis

A Likely Story

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp




I knew this would happen.....I knew I would fade in the rapid paced world of blogging. So it's been over a month since the last post, wanna fight about it? I can summarize the last few weeks in a few quick bursts:
1. Davis is getting bigger
2. Sus is getting smaller
3. School started back
4. I got swine flu

#1 - Davis is almost 13 lbs and eats 8+ ounces of milk at each feeding. He's a big boy. His big round cheeks and triple chin are super cute.
#2 - Sus looks great. It's really amazing how beautifully designed the female body is with regards to childbirth. In 8 short weeks, Sus has reversed the 9 month process of pregnancy.
#3 - School is back in session and I'm glad to have a routine every day. I do want to get home a little earlier these days though.
#4 - I got swine flu (and you'll never convince me otherwise). I went to the doctor Friday and jokingly said "you better test me for swine flu." The nurse informs me that they don't even test for it anymore. The regular flu test and strep test both came back negative and the doc tells me its just a cold. Well the fever and cough got worse Saturday -- when it went over 102 the doc called in some Tamiflu. 12 hours later and no fever and flu is gone. Saturday night was miserable and one of those times when you truly think -- I might be OK just dying instead of feeling like this much longer.

Anyway -- all 7 of you who read this are caught up now -- here's some pictures and a funny video:

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Fatherhood Rite of Passage #3

Posted by Michael and Susanne Napp




I've never been a big fan of urine and feces. I mean, I understand that it's necessary and all....and I can ALMOST see the beauty in God's design from the Biological side of things. However, from a big picture point of view, urine and feces aren't way up there on my list of favorite things. Until now.
If there is a diaper to be changed in the Napp house -- I'm in! Give it to me! I love it! Seriously, it's a little odd, but I enjoy changing my little dude's nasty diapers. The messier the better. It's the competitor in me looking for a challenge I guess. You may be asking yourself, "Self, what does this have to do with rites of passage?" Well Self, here's the answer. Many times, with boys, there are inherent dangers when changing diapers. Fatherhood rite of passage #3 is getting peed on by your son.
Everyone who has changed my kids diaper has been peed on. We're not talking about a little leaky diaper or a small spot on a shirt. Imagine a firehose filled with 99 degree liquid and you'll have a better idea. The list of people Davis has peed on is long and distinguished (insert favorite Top Gun quote here). Michael and Sus - Check. Mimi and Juju - Check. Sister - Check. Aunt Mary got pooped on so....- Check. Even my sweet Grannie got soaked. Poppa is keeping D for a couple of days next week, so he may be added to the list soon.
I've got a plan for revenge. When Davis is in his early teens - say 13 or 14 - I'm going to pee on him. Your jaw just dropped.....but why? What's so wrong with it? He peed on me first! So, when he's swimming in a pool, or standing on the 18th tee box, or accepting his 8th grade diploma, he'll have the same sensation I've experienced. For a few seconds he'll be thinking, "Why is my shirt very warm and wet all of a sudden..." Then he'll now the bitter taste of revenge. Hopefully it won't scar him too deeply.