We are keeping Bea and her family in our prayers. We don’t know the family, personally, but they are a part of our community and we want to help as much as possible. One small way we can help is by helping to get the word out. So, please visit the site, add Bea and her family to your prayer list and make a donation if possible.

Blessings,

Kelly

And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased…
Hebrews 13:16 

This is going to sound crass to say and I know it, but sometimes there is nothing you can say about cancer except that it just sucks.  Cancer has found its way into my family a few times and the last two times it’s been close to home. Over the summer, my awesome step-mom Dorothy (aka MiMi to the girls) was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s undergone the torture of chemo and is now going through radiation. Praise God, she’s a trooper and is handling it all with grace and faith, but to say it’s been hard is the understatement of the decade. And, now my sweet Gran is about to go through chemo treatments too. She had her port placed today and a protocol should be decided tomorrow so that she can start her treatments. It’s going to be a hard road, but I know that, like Dorothy, she will face it with faith in God and strength from His grace. It hurts my heart that they are going through this. Cancer claimed Mickey’s beloved Grandpa Frank last year and his Grandma had overcome breast cancer several years ago before she passed away this past fall. It touches too many families. I dare say that there aren’t many people out there whose family hasn’t been affected by it in some way. And, like so many others out there, we wait and hope for a cure.

I’m asking for prayer for Gran, Pop and the family as she goes through this trial. I’m also asking for prayer for Dorothy as she goes through radiation. These are two women that mean so much to me and my little family. We trust in God’s plan as we pray for healing and peace.

Blessings,
Kelly

“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13

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Well, Mariana didn’t have a great night last night. That, of course, means neither did I. Not sure what was exactly wrong, but she didn’t sleep well. She woke up fussing/crying quite a few times through the night. She was a touch more congested than she had been, so maybe that was it.  I seem to recall that Macey’s second evening after surgery was a bit tough too. Maybe that’s just one of those things. Whatever the case may be, I’m ready for a nap. I hope today turns out to be a better day for Miss Mariana. She has been doing so well and hopefully this is just a little speed bump in her speedway to recovery. Her ENT had called and left us a voicemail checking up on her on Friday evening, but I just got the message yesterday. (Why am I so terrible about checking messages anyway?!) He also called yesterday afternoon to get an update on her. What a great doctor!! This morning Mariana is doing better, but is touchy and cranky. Naptime cannot come soon enough for either of us.

We are going to miss church since Mariana is still recovering. We don’t like to miss it because, well, we MISS it. But, it’s really best to stay home today.

Macey went to her school friend Alice’s birthday party yesterday and had a ball! It was the first time we dropped her off at a party and she thought that was cool. Tinkerbell came to the party and painted faces, made balloon animals, did “magic” tricks, etc. Macey just had the best time!

After several days of rain, today is supposed to be sunny. WOO HOO! It’s supposed to be cooler than it’s been lately with temps in the 50s, but the sun will be nice to see. Everything is so green and springlike lately. It’s gorgeous! Of course, it won’t be long before everything is pollen coated. ACHOO!

Guess that’s it for my Sunday morning update. I’m thinking another cup of coffee (half-caff) is in order for me.

Have a beautiful day,
Kelly

Please remember to keep Baby Stellan and his family in your prayers:

Mariana was such a little trooper today. Seriously, a rock star patient! She couldn’t eat anything this morning and she only had a little bit of apple juice prior to 7am. She had one teary moment at home about it this morning, but that was all. She didn’t cry or fuss or anything after that. Once we got to the surgery center at around 8:30am, she entertained herself with toys in the waiting area and then watched DVDs in the surgery prep room. A couple of times she said she was hungry, but we reminded her that the doctor said no food and she was fine with that. She was just so calm! When I took her back for the anesthesia, she didn’t even cry. I had talked to her and told her they were going to put a mask with sleepy medicine in it and then they would fix up her ears once she went to sleep. So, when I laid her on the table, I held onto her and she didn’t even shed a tear. She drifted off so peacefully. I am absolutely SURE that part was a thousand times more difficult for me than her.

Her surgery took about half an hour. The ENT came out and told us that everything went well. He cleaned out around her left ear tube which was still in place. He replaced the right tube. He also removed her adenoids and said they were “huge.” We had to wait about 15 more minutes and then an RN came to get us to come to her recovery room. Mariana was VERY upset and frantic when we got to her. It was heartbreaking. I mean, imagine being an almost-thre year old who goes to sleep in one place with mommy there while feeling good and then waking up feeling weird and yucky in another place with strangers. No wonder she was crying. It took awhile once I got her, but she finally settled down. However, all the little medical things they had going on with her set her back a few times. She’d settle a bit and then notice she had a pulse-oxymeter on her finger and that would upset her. So, off it came. Then she settled down again and noticed the red light on her toe (another pulse-ox), so that had to go. The final straw for her was getting the IV out of her arm. I had to talk to her for awhile so that the last of her IV fluids, but when that finally came out she was reasonably happy. Once the IV was out, the RN checked her vitals and we were clear to go home. They had given Mariana a popsicle about 15 minutes or so prior to us leaving, but she only wanted to hold it and not eat it. Well, when we got her in the van, she was ready to it it. And, she enjoyed it!

On the way home, we stopped and got Mariana a Chick-Fil-A strawberry milkshake. She ate several bites of it with a spoon. When we got home, she and I laid down to nap. She was sleep just about the time her head hit the pillow.  Her ENT said she may snore for awhile during her healing time and, sure enough, she did. WOAH. But, she rested for a good two hours which was well needed. When we got up, she was a touch cranky, but rebounded nicely after a popsicle and then a yogurt. She has also eaten a Fruit Roll Up and is working on an Italian ice. Yes, that’s a lot of sweet stuff, but most of it is cold stuff that feels good to her throat. Doctor’s orders. Our sweet friend Amy C. and her family are making supper for us tonight, so that is really sweet. Maybe Mariana will finally feel like eating “real” food.

Hopefully the next few days will see our little girl bounce right back. She really has been amazing about everything.  Thank you all for the prayers. Please know how much they are appreciated. I drew so much comfort today in praying and in knowing we had support from so many that care for us and our family.

Blessings,
Kelly

Please continue to be in prayer for Stellan and his family.

Blessings,
Kelly

In news from my home front…

• As I mentioned previously, my friend Dana and I went to see Kate Gosselin speak on Friday. I had so much fun hanging out with Dana and getting to just talk, share, laugh, etc. That was great! I thought Kate was good. She spoke for about an hour and most of it was about her struggles to get pregnant, their decision not to selectively abort any of their multiple babies in utero and how they handle things at home. So, that was very informative and uplifting, of course. I was just a little disappointed because I had hoped she would speak some about Proverbs 31 Ministries because she sometimes does speaking engagements through them from what I understand. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable evening out with a friend and I’m so glad that Dana and I got to go.
• On Saturday afternoon I got to photograph a wedding reception. I had so much fun! It was “work”, sure, but it was quite a great time. I am almost done with the final edits of the photos. Mickey and I are also working on a photo montage video for them. I am so hopeful that they like the photos I got for them.
• We went to church on Sunday. We have been trying to go at 9:30, but this Sunday it just worked out better to go to the 11:00 service. I’m so glad we were at that service because not only did we get to see our friends Jessie & Carly (who we LOVE), but the message was incredible! Jody preached on the Acts church and how that is what we should strive to be. Church isn’t about meeting in a building once a week. Church should be about what we do every day. How we live. How we reflect Christ in our lives so that others see and want to know what He means to us. It’s a lot to take in, but wouldn’t that be an awesome way to really live?!
• Yesterday Mickey and I went to Macey’s school for lunch. We thought it was a special lunch for her “Character Education” award. But, no. I had the date wrong. That lunch is NEXT Monday. So, we just got to have a nice meal with Macey for no particular reason other than just because. And, hey, just because is always good enough. I hope I will get to go to the lunch next Monday, but I have jury duty beginning that day, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what time I’ll be done.
• This morning I am taking Mariana to the ENT for her pre-op visit. On Friday she is having her ear tubes replaced and her adenoids removed. We hope this will help solve the continuing issues that plague her so often. Prayers, of course, are much appreciated.

Guess that’s it for now. Hope everyone has a beautiful day. Please keep praying for Stellan!!

In Christ,
Kelly

Please pray for Stellan and his family. His mom is MckMama and she has been updating about his condition when possible. If you don’t know the back story, Stellan was diagnosed with a heart problem in utero and his family was told that he would not be born healthy and probably would not even survive. Well, he did survive and was pronounced perfectly healthy at birth. He has been a precious little healthy miracle baby. Just recently, Stellan was hospitalized with SVT. This is a serious heart condition in which his heart is beating entirely too quickly for his body. The doctors are working hard to help sweet Stellan. Please join me in lifting up this precious baby in prayer. He and his family are strong believers and I know they will take comfort in knowing they are being prayed for all over the world. Every prayer is heard and every prayer helps. Please pray!