A Marine has requested that we post soon

Our friend Michael has just come home from Marine boot camp and has been waiting patiently for an update. He was here tonight with his family and some other friends for Superbowl which was a nice change of pace for us.
We know it has been a while since our last post. We have had some milestones since then. Zach became a teenager and Eric turned the big 4-0! Thank you for all of the cards, e-mails and calls on Eric's birthday. It was so encouraging all of the love you shared. Since then, things have been relatively normal around here, actually quite boring since it is the dead of winter and Eric is getting cabin fever. It has been a while since he has left the house. When it is so cold, the risk of getting sick and being so cold while he is out offsets the pleasure of actually getting out. We have gotten somewhat into a routine, but you can only watch so many movies, listen to so many podcasts and watch so many games before they all become a blur.
Eric's health is better than last month except that he is just plain uncomfortable most of the time. This is a difficult adjustment to face as I can't help him with this when he can't find a way to get comfortable. It seems like a lost cause which is so frustrating for both of us. I hate seeing him in this state as I know it has to be so hard to handle day after day. We are working on trying to get his chair more comfortable and managing his pain (discomfort). Night time is the worst and I have had a hard time with the way I respond to Eric in the middle of the night. It's like I become someone else and I don't like it, but can't stop myself so please pray that God will give me and Eric supernatural rest. I know when we are weary, He will give us rest.
I have been getting out to the store, running errands etc. a little more since Eric is doing better when we have help here and that has been nice for me, but I wish Eric could get out too. Spring is coming, but not soon enough for us. If we could move somewhere warm, we would do it in a heartbeat!
The kids are doing really good. We are so blessed to have such great kids. We started date nights with mom and I really have enjoyed taking two hours every other week with each kid to spend time with them one on one.
Please pray for Eric's comfort, mood and strength to endure as this disease is taking a toll on his body. Eric and I can really feel your prayers being lifted to the Father on our behalf. I have a wonderful husband who is an amazing man of faith and that is how we get through every day. Still thanking God for every day together and looking for God in the moments even when it seems so dreary and dark.
Longing for the sun to shine again soon,
Lori and Eric

P.S. we thought the blog needed a makeover... what do ya think? It's still a work in progress.