My Little Ballerina

Natalie started ballet/tap last Monday.  I am really not sure who is more excited me or her.  I can not lie, I did shed a tear or two.  I mean how can you not, look at this picture and tell me she is not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

She was so excited!  We bought her tights, leotard and ballet shoes the Friday before.  She wore them every single day since.  She even worn them out to get pizza one night.  Larry looked at me like, "Really you are going to let her wear that out?"  I looked back and said, "Yes, I am, because she is too cute and is so happy, why not?"

She was jumping up in and down when we bought her stuff.  Plus, I have been telling her Ballerinas use the potty and not diapers.  So she is on board! Next week, here we go...please say lots of prayers it works this time!

We did go to see Dr. Scott our pediatrician before class for a check up.  I am so excited to say her oxygen was 87!  Can you believe it!  I am so happy and thrilled she is doing better every day.  Her voice is still an issue, but I am praying that one day it will go back to normal.  However, I will take 87 for now and not complain on bit!  She also weighs 25.2lbs, so we are getting there. 

I am just so proud of her.  You can definitely see a change in her personality and energy level since surgery.  In fact, we are starting to cut naps out completely!  Thank again for all that have been praying for us and to all the help us get Natalie where she is today!

Happy 2013

I can not believe it is already 2013! Not sure about yours, but Christmas break flew by at our house.  We had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of fun, family and good times!

Carter of  course got the flu 2 days before Christmas.  I mean really, the child just had it not even 2 months ago.  Never again will I do the flu mist.

I think we got it early this time, because he never really felt that bad expect for 3 hours on night.  I am taking that as a good sign and another learning lesson for him.  He came home from school today and told me how he used hand sanitizer before lunch; this is one proud mama right now.  Not to mention, Santa brought both kids hand sanitizer for their stockins.

Both kids were so excited about Santa coming to visit this year, but it is always a little sad the night before knowing our Elf on the Shelf, Character, will be leaving again until next year.  The kids stood in front of him and told him how much they loved him and will miss him.  Too cute, but once again I am so excited that I have one whole year (okay, a little less than a year now), before I have to remember to move him every single night.  I only forgot once this year and it was the first night he had made his appearance too.

I think Natalie's face was the best on Christmas morning this year.  Doc McStuffins was sitting right under the tree.  She could not get down the stairs fast enough.  Only to open her stocking a few minutes later and was stunned that Santa knew and brought her favorite candy, smarties.  She still talks about how he knew. 

Carter loved Christmas too!  I am not sure about Larry though.  He got to spend most of the day putting legos together.  I finally looked at him after he had been complaining off and on for 3 hours and said, "Bet you do not make the mistake of not helping me buy presents next year, huh?" 

I did not think of it at the time of buying presents, but what an awesome lesson for Larry.  I bet come next November he is right by my side at Toys R Us...Point One for this Mommy and Wife!

Larry's family came in 2 days after Christmas to celebrate in Amarillo with us.  We had a lot of fun.  The kids had a blast playing together. 

We then went on to Taos, NM to go skiing.  Larry's parents stay in Amarillo with Natalie. I do not know if she will ever be able to handle Taos.  The pass is 9300 ft!  Larry and I now monitor elevation on my car when we travel to new places.  Guess that is what happens when you have a little one with a special heart.

Carter and Larry

Caleb Harrell, Kalei Aurit, Zac Harrell and Carter

Carter and his cousins had a blast skiing!  It snowed 15 inches on New Year's Eve.  The snow and skiing were amazing.  I will have to post more pictures later of the cars that were literally buried in the snow.  That morning we parked my car to go skiing and when we got back in the car that evening, the snow was past my knees!

The mountain lost power as well and was running of the generator.  We were actually about to get on a chair lift (still thanking God that we were not on it) that shut down.  The ski patrol ended up having to get the people off the lift. I do not know how they did nor do I really want to know, but everyone was safely removed off the lift.  All I knew, was that after standing there 15 - 20 minutes waiting for them to try and get the lift back running, I decided:

A. I was not getting on that lift until it had been running fine for at least 30 mins. and

B. I was not getting on another lift until I went to the bathroom first

We all had a wonderful time skiing, however come to find out that the place we stayed had a few issues to say the least.  Luckily, Larry and I decided to stay in a smaller room in the center of the house we had rented.  The two back rooms had, just wait for it...bed bugs! Gross, Gross, Gross!

Then, the hot tube had some issue too and caused a few people to get rashes.  I am happy to say I never even stepped close to the hot tube and ever time Carter got out of it, he went straight to the shower. 

Larry and I were lucky and never had bed bug issues.  Carter has what looks like one, maybe two bites and small rash that is now gone from the hot tube.  It was like the house that keeps on giving!

We have all taken the precautions necessary to make sure we did not bring any little guys home with us and are monitoring our beds to be sure.  So far, Larry and I think we are good, but we will still be checking.  We left my car and bags outside in the freezing weather since we have been home and I have washed all of our clothes on high heat.  I am hoping what might have saved us, is this place does not have carpet or really rugs anywhere and from what I have read, bed bugs to not like slippery floors. 

I am still praying for Larry's sisters and their families.  They were not as lucky as us in terms of getting bitten and rashes, but they have all gone to the doctor, so I am hoping the are on the mends.

What an awesome start to 2013, huh?  Bet you wish you were us?  There are worse things in the world and I am just happy we had fun and no one ended up coming back to Amarillo to stay with us another night..just kidding, but not really.  His whole family was going to come stay one night with us on their way back to Austin, but decided to go another way.  I can only image what we would be doing to our house right now, all those bags, blankets and pillows with whatever, if anything on them everywhere in our home.  That almost gives me a headache to think about it. 

Natalie had a blast with Larry's parents.  She had them all to herself and enjoyed every minute of it.  They played puzzles, painted, made necklaces and Natalie learned to sew. 

Natalie after necklace making

Natalie's first sewing class

Poor Jo Anne, Larry's mom, did not have such a great time the last day.  She got the stomach bug and was in bed for a day.  Luckily, no one else got it and she feels fine now, but man, that is no way to start a new year either. 

 I am praying we got all the yucky stuff for our year over with already...could I be so lucky? Guess we will find out as the year goes. Welcome and bring it on 2013! 

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"