Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

We wish you abundance happiness, and peace in the new year filled with hop

 

 

"Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and  never stop praying"

Romans 12:12

Power of Prayer

I asked for prayer the other day for my friend, Amelia.  She was in a horrible car accident on Monday, Dec. 10.  Amelia has been in the hospital in a coma since with a severe brain injury.  This past Wednesday, we got the news that she would never wake up from  her coma.  As you can image, we were devastated.

 

Thursday morning, her dad asked us all to pray that her condition would not get worse so they could donate her organs.  I mean, how selfless to be asking people to pray for that, when here it is your own daugther that is passing away.  My heart was breaking...

 

The doctors took Amelia off all sedation Thursday night so her body would be ready for organ donation the next day.  Friday morning, the took her off the vent.  However, Amelia's story was not over, she started breath on her own, 6 bpm.  You can not consider someone legally brain-dead with 6 bpm.  Oh My Goodness! What an emotional roller coaster!

 

The doctors called off the transplant team.  Amelia got a feeding tube and a trachea.  She is also having some purposeful movements, which is amazing!  She still has a long way to go and there is a lot of unanswered questions, but for now it seems she is getting better. 

 

Please, please continue to prayer for complete healing. 

 

Pray for strength for her family and for her little kiddos. 

 

 Please also pray for the unknown people who got the call that they may be getting the gift of life, only to find out later, they would not. It is such double-edged sword for me.  I have such a hard time praying for the gift of life and I know I may be back in that position one day with Natalie, but I have a hard time, because I now know what the pain the family and friends of a loved one gone on to Heaven would feel like. 

 

I thought I lost an amazing friend Wednesday night only to find out she is still fighting...Praise the Lord!  Amelia has always been tough as nails and now, I am blown away even more with her fight. 

I have read several books about people and kids experiences going to Heaven and back during a devastating time like this one.  I truly believe Natalie has been to Heaven or a place in between, where she walked with Jesus and my dad during her surgeries when she was on the bypass machine.  I love asking her questions and seeing what she says.  She may never really remember and may never be able to tell us about it, because she is so young, but I believe she has been in Jesus presence.  Sometimes Natalie talks to no one (like an imaginery friend of some sorts). I know she is a 3 year old, but my heart smiles, because I think she is talking to her angel. 

 

(I got this off facebook from Amelia's page, but I just love it)
Charlotte, Amelia and Theo

I just feel that Amelia has and is in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, while the Almighty Healer is working on her; healing her.  Please continue to pray for her complete healing, bring her back to her babies, friends and family.

Happy Birthday, Carter

I went to sleep last night with a 5 year old and woke up with a 6 year old. 

 

Happy Birthday to my amazing, sweet little man, that is not so little anymore!

Carter and Master Kim at Tae Kwon Do

School Buddies
Wyatt Purser, Carter and Ethan Bentley

The Protectors of the Block
Everett and Sy Thoennes and Carter

Carter this summer

Carter riding bikes

Carter and Papa

Carter this summer in Hot Springs
 

Focusing on Jesus with a troubled heart

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

 

 

My heart is troubled these past few weeks and especially after this past horrific event on Friday in Connecticut.  I have decided the best and only thing to do, is focus on Jesus, his birth and what an ultimate sacrifice he made for us.

 

I posted a few weeks ago about our dear friends, the Oliver's whose son, Seton earned his angels wings.  I ask you all to continue to lift their family up in prayers, especially during this holiday season.  Nothing is harder than the first holidays without a loved one, but especially a child on Christmas.

 

My good friend and one of my college roommates, Amelia Mayhall Hiltz, was in a horrible car accident a week ago and is in critical condition.   A women was driving down the wrong side of the highway and hit Amelia's car, along with two other vehicles.  From my understand everyone else is okay, but Amelia sub-stained a severe head injury and has been in the hospital.

 

The doctors have kept her sedated.  They did try to wean her off the sedation this weekend, but ultimately had to put her back on full sedation, because she was getting to agitated. 

 

Amelia has two small children and thank goodness, they were not in the car with her.  Please pray for God's complete healing over her and strength for the family; hospital waiting is the worst and can drain you emotionally and physically.

 

This is an old picture, but it is the only one I had a digital copy of.  I know, that may date me quit a bit, that I graduated college before digital cameras where the  new and big thing, or at least I did not own one then.

(Renee  Polk Sheppard, Robin McDaniel Coe, Amelia Mayhall Hiltz, Amy Brandon Waggoner, Leah Scott Carter and Me)
 


I do not know about you all, but I literally felt sick to my stomach last Friday when I turned on the tv and was watching what had just unfolded in Connecticut.  My heart goes out to all the families involved, not just the ones who lost loved ones, but also to the families who children survived.  I can not image what those kids have going through their minds and what they will, when they finally step back into their school someday. 

 

I know I held my kids a little tighter Friday night.  Carter is now in public school and I can not image the horror they all went through and are still going through.

 

As all these events have been unfolding around us these past few weeks, my heart is troubled and hurts for all.  I do not know if I am more emotional now that I have kids and especially Natalie.  I look her everyday and thank God she is still with us.  I am forever changed as a mother, a daughter, friend  and a wife.

 

I have just recently discovered a new Christmas song by MercyMe, Joseph's Lullaby.  The song is absolutely amazing and puts Christmas into prescriptive.  I can not  fathom what God went through knowing the day of Jesus's birth, what all he would have to go through in life; what all Jesus went through for us...

Joseph's Lullaby  by MercyMe

 

Go to sleep my Son

This manager for your bed

You have a long road before you

Rest your little head

 

Can you feel the weight of your glory?

Do you understand the price?

Or does the Father guard your heart for now

So you can sleep tonight?

 

Go to sleep my Son

Go and chase your dreams

This world can wait for one more moment

Go and Sleep in peace

 

I believe the glory of Heaven

Is lying in my arms tonight

Lord, I ask that He for just this moment

Simply be my child

 

Go to sleep my Son

Baby, close your eyes

Soon enough you'll save the day

But for now, dear Child of mine

Oh my Jesus, sleep tight



Christmas is Upon Us

Natalie, Frosty and Carter
Frosty has been with us for 9 years now and he still works like a champ

I know it has been a few weeks since my last post, sorry.  We got all caught up in traveling for Thanksgiving only to come home and be thrown into the Christmas season.  Plus, I have been battling a cold for a week now.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  How could we not, we have so much to be thankful this year.  We took off the Monday of Thanksgiving and headed to Dallas.  As we were loading up the car, I kept telling Larry I did not know why we were trying to take his truck when we could take my car instead.  He said we could not fit it all in my car, but I was more worried about what we were going to do with all of our stuff while we were at Natalie's doctors appointment the next day.  I could just see Carter's bike being stolen and having to deal with him being upset the rest of the trip, but Larry insisted, so I decided it was not a battle I cared enough to fight.  Boy, am I glad I gave up the fight.  We were outside of Decatur when a piece of sheet-rock flew off a truck and nailed Larry's brush guard.  If we were in my car, it would have been bad, like busted head light and possible windshield damage not to mention it would have blown out my tire and who knows what would have happened to all of us.  But because we were in Larry's big truck, we had no damage at all.  Can you believe it?  God was totally watching out for us!  Now, Larry's truck was pretty funny looking.  It was literally half black and have white from the sheet-rock, but we were all safe.

Tuesday was not as dangerous as Monday.  Natalie had her follow up at Children's with Dr. Zellers.  She had labs, were her potassium was 3.9 (amazing for her and normal levels), xray, where her chest was totally clear still and we met with Dr. Zellers as well.  Natalie is now back on all her normal medications that she will remain on for life, no more extra stuff.  She is still not back to her beginning weight before surgery, but we are working on that and her oxygen was 79, which will continue to increase over the next year.  Best news is though, we do not have to go back for another 6 months!  Can you believe a little over 2 months ago she had her 4th open heart surgery and today is doing amazing? 

Now, her voice is still not back to normal, but is getting stronger.  Not sure if I ever mentioned that or not.  Her voice has been a little weak since surgery, making it sound, how should I put this best, light and winy.  She is now talking were I can at least hear her, so that is good.

Oh and let me mention, because I know you were all concerned, but Carter's bike was fine.  We decided to just valet park, so they could keep Larry truck close and keep an eye on it for us.  Traveling with us is always an adventure.

We then left Dallas for Austin, so we were on Dallas for about 16 hours and that included sleeping an a doctors appointment.  We were on the move.

 

Larry's sisters, cousin and aunt in uncle all live in the Austin area.  We have Thanksgiving there every other year.  My kids had a blast with their cousins!  They played outside the entire time and basically were only inside to eat and sleep.  The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time.

 

We packed back up on Saturday and headed home.  I do not understand why my kids choose to stay awake the entire road trip only to go to sleep 15 minutes outside of  our destination.  Which  means, they talk the entire road trip and when I say the talk, I mean they can talk without even taking breaths it seems.  One thing for sure, my kids seem to have a lot to say and a lot of questions.

 

Sunday we got all decked out for Christmas; tree and lights went up.  Carter is so pumped this year about Christmas, which makes Natalie excited as well.  Character, our Elf on the Shelf came back for visit this year as well, making life more interesting for all.  I have the hardest time remembering to move him every night.  I forgot the very first night he was back; awesome mom right here.  I have made a mental note to try and not forget the rest of the holiday season.  I am just thankful there is only a few more weeks left.

 

The past week was a difficult week for us.  I have mentioned on my blog before about Seton Oliver.  He earned his angel wings this past week.  His life was short, but he impact has and will continue to touch many.  His parents, Zane and Shawna, are truly an inspiration to all.  Their faith is incredible and Larry and I feel blessed to have them as friends and to have known Seton. 

 

 You can read more about Seton and his miraculous life on their blog

 

http://theoliverslife.blogspot.com

 

If you go to their blog, check out the song a guy wrote from the, God Needs Little Angels.  Oh my gosh, it is amazing! 

 

 I am forever changed because of Zane, Shawna and Seton.  Thank you for sharing your son's story and your story with us.  I will be comforted in knowing God has one amazing little angel watching over us.

 

Isaiah 40:31

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint"

Blessings and Thankfulness this Season

My sister-in-law asked us to write down what we are "Thankful" for this season so we could read them after our Thanksgiving lunch.  My first thought was I do not think there is a enough time in a day or enough paper for me to write down all I am thankful for this year. 

I have been blessed beyond what I could only image this year.  I had such fear and anxiety leading up to Natalie's surgery, that could not sleep most nights and if I thought about it all too much, I would break down and cry. 

I know God says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

There is just something as a mom, knowing your daughter is about to have her 4th open heart surgery.  How can you not worry a little?  I still have that knacking thought I the back of my head, that my dad passed away so that when Natalie earns her angel wings, it won't be so hard for me in a weird way.  I know that is not the case for right now; right now my dad is in Heaven so that when Natalie had her surgery, she was would be held in his arms and Jesus arms while she was on the bypass machine.  I have no doubt in my mind that Natalie has met some of the most amazing people in Heaven while she was there briefly during her surgeries.

I never brought this up the days following Natalie's surgery.  Once they are in surgery, someone from the O.R. calls every hour to update you on the progress.  Well, after the first call you pretty much memorize the time so you know about when to expect the next call.  I mean, you can not take your eyes off the clock, it is a horrible feeling.  Every time the phone rings, whether it was for you or the other family in the room, the entire waiting room goes silent.  It is just the understood respect you have for one another, because you feel a little of the pain and worry they are going through at that very moment.

Well, there was a small period, where we did not get a call for a hour and half.  I just sat there watching the minutes tick away, freaking out every time I saw a doctor pass the waiting room.  I have never felt so helpless at that very moment in my entire life.  Finally, I went to the front desk trying to keep it together the best I could.  Of course, everything was fine.  The nice lady from the O.R. apologized and said they were waiting on the echo results before she called me, because Natalie was off bypass but depending on the results they sometimes put them back on bypass.  She basically wanted to give me the best information possible; I totally understand, but for 30 minutes I prayed so hard for fear of losing my baby girl. 

So to write down what I am thankful for this year, might be a mile long, but I thought I would give you a short list...

 

I am thankful for:

• Natalie...For her being here with us today and for making our world what is it; My miracle baby 
• Carter...For his health and for making life so fun and interesting; I love my little man
• Larry...For being my rock all these years and the love of my life
• My mom and Larry's parents...We would not be the people we are today with out you all and we definitely could not do everything without you
• Friends and Family...You have all shown me what a true friend is and I am blessed to have you all in my life
• Children's Medical Center...For the amazing doctors and nursers there. We owe you my daughter's life
• Prayer Warriors...Because of you, my daughter is still alive...Thank you!

I could go on forever, but that is a brief overview.  I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams this year and so thankful for all the amazing men and women, who have touched our lives this year through prayer and support. 

"Learn to appreciate difficult days.  Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way.  As you journey through rough terrain with Me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything.  This knowledge is comprised of three parts: your relationship with Me, promises in the Bible, and past experiences of coping successfully during hard times.

 

Look back on your life, and see how I have helped you through difficult days. If you are tempted to think, "Yes, but that was then, and this is now," remember who I Am! Although you and your circumstances may change dramatically, I remain the same throughout time and eternity.  This is the basis of your confidence. In My Presence you live and move and have your being."

 

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

 

What has been happening...

Since my last post things having continued to be crazy in our world; go figure.  I feel like we have been home from Dallas for at least over a month, but in all reality, it has been a little over 3 weeks now. 

 

The weekend following my last post, Carter had his final soccer games of the season.  He played Saturday, but had to miss Sunday's game.  At his game on Saturday, Carter scored 3 goals, such a nice way to finish up the season.  Sunday, Carter woke up and just never got that spark that he normal gets.  Well, by that afternoon he started running fever and went downhill fast. 

 

Monday morning we went to the doctor (what would be a week with out some doctor's office or hospital visit) only for Carter to test positive for strep and the flu.  Oh yes, he got the flu mist but still got the flu.  When your child gets the flu, the whole family gets to take medication to be on the safe side.  Lets just say, I made a small investment in Tamaflu.  Tamaflu is expensive stuff, but it does work.

 

Carter was miserable for a about 24 hours and then finally turned the corner.  You know your child feels yucky, when they ask you what they did to get this and how to never get it again, which I took as a learning lesson about washing hands and keeping them out of our face.  He is fine now and back to enjoying kindergarten. 

 

Natalie has continued to thrive.  Her oxygen is still about the same 79-80, but her coloring is amazing.  She did gain a pound in the past 2 weeks, so I am thrilled.  Her appetite has increased and things are getting back to normal; whatever that is.

 

Natalie has officially gotten her 3 year old spunk back.  I had to actually put her in time out the other day, because she was throwing a fit.  I know, but as irritating as it is to have a child throw a fit; I did get a smile of on my face, because it is so nice to see her act and feel like a normal kid.

 

Both kids loved Halloween this year!  We let Natalie go to a few houses too and man, she had a smile on  her face the entire time.  She kept saying, I want to fill my bucket up to the top with candy.  And since Halloween,  she asked for candy for breakfast everyday.  I guess she thinks one day I will give in, if she just keeps asking.

 

 

 

Natalie as Minnie Mouse, bet you didn't see that one coming

Carter as the red Power Ranger

 

On a side note...Natalie chewed through her last pacifier today.  I mean,  it is about time to get rid of them, especially when she is chewing holes in them. I have been telling her once she chews through the last one, we are done.  Say a little pray, she just cried herself to sleep for a nap.  Next up, potty training, but I think I may wait until after Thanksgiving.  I hate to throw to much at her a once.

 

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will meet all your needs according to My glorious riches.  Nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from My Love."

Jesus Calling Daily Devotionals, Sarah Young

 

I will try to get better on posting at least once a week.  Last week just wore me out with Carter having the flu.  I spent my entire week cleaning and disinfecting over and over again.