The moment when...

... you find out if you are on the naughty or nice list.





Santa's 2013 Declaration Video for Sawyer

All hail the B.D.P.!

Today is Emma's 14th Birthday. All hail the Birthday Princess!!  

Emma at her birthday lunch with dad.

Kids go cra cra cra cra cra cra crazy.

Cool Scoop

Found this old commercial.  

Recognize anyone?

Pop goes the...

     Sawyer's surgery was successful today, but the doctor made a surprising discovery during the procedure.  Turns out, Sawyer's ureter had partially popped out from his bladder.  There was not enough of his ureter in the bladder for the bladder muscle to properly contract around it.  Therefore, urine easily back-flowed into the kidney causing the infections.

     The doctor believes Sawyer's ureter popped out because he is a "chronic holder". Good thing Sawyer has been going through Pee Pee Boot Camp.  If he does not maximize his potty breaks, he will have more serious issues in the future. 

     Although the ureter could not be placed into its proper position, the Deflux procedure corrected the back-flow (re-flux).  Sawyer is home and resting well.  He came home with a foley catheter.  So, he will stay put until we remove it tomorrow.

     Thank you for all of the prayers. Although this was a minor procedure, we take none of them for granted.  We are grateful for the excellent team at CHKD and great friends and family. 

Deflux

     
     After months of Pee Pee Boot Camp, Sawyer has his Deflux procedure tomorrow (11/5) at CHKD.  Hopefully, this will help his ureter fully contract to stop the back-flow (reflux) of urine going into his kidney and causing infection.  Infection is deadly to a transplanted kidney.  So, tomorrow is necessary.

     We would appreciate all prayers for Sawyer and the success of the surgery.  It's been nice to get a break from the hospital, but we are grateful for the caring professionals at CHKD.

Sawyer had an important conversation with me while watching the game.  He was unfazed, as usual, by my passion for fair play.  At least, that's what I'd like to call it. 

Seven!

     Sawyer turns seven today.  He has been counting down the days to seven ever since he turned six… because that is how he rolls.

     He went to bed early, couldn't sleep with excitement and woke up early this morning.  Happy Birthday to my fun-loving, tough guy!

Don't look!

Sawyer blew into my home office yesterday.  I quickly told him he would not get his birthday present if he sees it in my office.  Of course, I just did this to torture him as his birthday present was never in my office.

     It's Karen's tradition to make a placemat for each child on their birthday.  Sawyer is all about Pac Man right now.

 

Up early and ready!

 

Two Years Ago

Two Years ago today Sawyer was in the ICU shortly after we learned his kidneys had failed.   Here he is  today...

 

 



As One Adventure Ends...

Toby and Scott
(Year One)

    Today my partner and I sold our Cold Stone Creamery in Greenbrier. It is hard to believe our ten year adventure of bringing the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience has come to an end. 



     I will miss the over crowding of my freezer doors at home from "Everybody" size cartons of our favorite Signature Creations.  But, what I will miss most is our people. 

Matt, Toby, Jerika & Andre (Store Manager & Great Friend)

      At one point, we owned four stores, which has given us the privilege of working with hundreds of incredible crew members, managers and vendors.  I am so grateful for their hard work and sacrifices.  They took great care of our guests, each other, my family and me.  I have learned and gained so much from them that words will fall way short here.

First Shift (2004)

Last Shift (2013)

     I thank God for my partner Scott.  Like any good partnership, our strengths and weakness always offset each other.  This has been one of the greatest assets of our business.  I know Scott is known as the "silent partner", but this is a misconception.  Few will ever know the weight he carried and the wisdom he poured out to help us navigate through the valleys and reach the mountain tops.  Scott, you are a great friend.  I love you brother and I trust God is not finished with us yet.

     I thank God I got to be a part of this adventure.  I have come to know Him better and trust Him more as a result.  We were profitable during the Great Recession, had award winning stores and the sales at our Greenbrier store always trumped all others in our region.  But, this is not why my faith was strengthened. 

      We suffered many defeats along the way.  Pure defeats, not just setbacks.  It was during these moments- the times when our backs were pressed suffocatingly hard against the wall, the occasions when the hits stung so deeply that you went numb and the losses were so great that they will never be regained- these are the moments that galvanized my faith in God Almighty. [Who knew there was so much drama selling ice cream?!?]

Passing the spade to the new owner.  Sanjay! 

     As one adventure ends, another will begin.  Looking forward to the next adventure, but I will be forever grateful for this one.

REASON #18

WARNING:  EXPLICIT PDL* CONTENT.  Read at your own risk.

 

 

You have captured my heart,

    my treasure, my bride.

You hold it hostage with one 

 glance of your eyes...

          Song of Solomon 4:9

 

    My wife is beautiful from head to toe...inside and out.  However, I can hardly pull myself away from her eyes.  They captivate me.  I gaze into her eyes and never tire. 

     Today marks 18 years of marriage to Karen (or 225 months of dating) and I'm still held hostage by her eyes. 

 

      Every year I update the following list.  So here it is with the it's newest addition-- #18. 

Reasons Why I Love Karen

(No Particular Order)

By Toby DeBause (Karen’s Husband)

1. She desires and seeks after God.

2. What you see is what you get. Genuine. No pretense.
3. Her integrity can never be disputed.
4. She is an incredible mother.

5. She has a great ear and loves to use it.
6. She snores only on occasion.

7. She never gives up.
8. I know she loves me
9. She knows great coffee.
10. I trust her completely

11. I’d be lost without her.
12. She never gets mad at me when I ask for help finding my keys.

13. She is my best friend.

14. She inspires me.
15. She is beautiful
16. She goes where He leads.

17. She gives all for the ones she loves.

18. Her eyes.

Year 14 Video. 
Hit the full screen button after it starts or buy reading glasses.


*Public Declaration of Love (PDL)