We just returned from St. Jude and everything went very well-the MRI showed no tumor growth!! Words will never be able to describe the feelings I have after hearing those words, utter relief and joy.
Abby was very brave yesterday when she got her IV. We had been practicing and she did awesome! She did cry but she did not melt down, I was so proud! The MRI went smoothly and she had an easy recovery from it. Lyla went with us on this trip and she was so good-I am super proud of her too!
We were able to go the the Children's Museum and play for a while and have a nice meal last night. We were all very tired though.
Today we had an eye appointment-her vision is still excellent. Then we met with the neuro oncologist. It was a fairly quick and easy trip and of course the results are fantastic!
I feel so absolutely blessed that God would answer our prayers time and again. It is hard to see so many children who are so ill-I wonder why we have been spared so much. But all I can do is give honor and glory to Him for His wonderful works and never stop praising His mighty name!
Thank you all for your continued prayers. They are being answered!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
MRI Coming Up
Abby's next MRI is in less than a week. Please pray that the tumor has not changed and that we get another 3 months!
She is doing great-no changes in her that we can see. She is excited and a little nervous about going back to St. Jude. She loves it there but hates getting "shots" (IV). She talks about the "shots" a lot and we have actually been practicing lately. She does really good with the IV until the needle comes out so we are practicing NOT LOOKING at the needle. She is going to turn her head and look at her newest stuffed bear instead while I sing her a song. Hopefully it will work. We always put numbing cream on her arm and I really don't think it hurts her but she had some terrible experiences with IVs and blood draws at other hospitals.
Lyla is going with us this time. This will be the last time we go as a family of four. Next time around we will have a newborn baby!
Pray for Abby, pray for Jason and I as this is a very stressful time, and pray for Lyla too! She tends to get overlooked during these visits.
She is doing great-no changes in her that we can see. She is excited and a little nervous about going back to St. Jude. She loves it there but hates getting "shots" (IV). She talks about the "shots" a lot and we have actually been practicing lately. She does really good with the IV until the needle comes out so we are practicing NOT LOOKING at the needle. She is going to turn her head and look at her newest stuffed bear instead while I sing her a song. Hopefully it will work. We always put numbing cream on her arm and I really don't think it hurts her but she had some terrible experiences with IVs and blood draws at other hospitals.
Lyla is going with us this time. This will be the last time we go as a family of four. Next time around we will have a newborn baby!
Pray for Abby, pray for Jason and I as this is a very stressful time, and pray for Lyla too! She tends to get overlooked during these visits.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Past Few Months
Time is just flying by! I can't believe it is the middle of July already! It won't be long and we will be a family of 5! I thought I would update everyone on what we have been up to lately.
Back in May, Abby graduated from preschool. I got choked up during the ceremony because so much has changed in our lives in the past year. I am glad that Abby got to go back and spend time there and graduate with her class. She absolutely loved that place and loved her teachers, Ms. Christy and Ms. Linda. It made me sad that she won't be going back there, that a phase of her life is over for good. Everyone there has been so good to us. They raised a lot of money for us and prayed so hard for us.
We had the chance to go fishing at Adam's pond again! This is where we went last year around this same time, but under very different circumstances. We hadn't been to St. Jude yet or had surgery yet. We still thought she had gliomatosis cerebri! We had a great time this trip with about half the worries of last year lifted off our shoulders!
Memorial Day was spent at my brother's house. They have an awesome pool and the girls had a blast swimming there. Lyla is a daredevil in the pool. She had no fear!
We planted a raised bed garden this year, our first time to do so. We got a late start and some rocky dirt but it has grown quite well. When it was cooler the girls and I took care of it but now it is Jason's baby. We are getting tons of tomatoes. Sadly, bugs ate our squash and zucchini but the tomatoes and cucumbers are doing great. We also have 3 honeydew melons.
Before the heat settled in, we tried to clean out our house, building, and shop. We took 2 van loads to the Battered Women's Shelter! Our house is petite and adding another family member motivated us to clean out the junk. It took several days in the heat to finish but we have cleaned out and organized almost everything. I have the baby stuff ready to be washed and brought inside when it gets closer to time. I made room for her clothes in our closet and put the crib in its place.
It has been a very hot summer. I try to go out with the girls as much as possible but the heat makes me especially miserable and cranky. We got a little pool for them to play in and sometimes I turn on the sprinkler for myself!
Jason's mom went camping during the record heat so the girls and I went up there for a couple days. She has a camper but it was still too hot for this girl! My little ones had fun though!
Jason had a few days off around the 4th so we took the girls to Blanchard Springs. It was a really nice day and we had a lot of fun. We explored the spring and the caverns, ate a picnic lunch, and went for a swim.
We watched fireworks at the golf course this year. It was nice because the kids had lots of room to run around but unfortunately the trees blocked some of the fireworks. It was still fun!
Our church had VBS last week. We had a ton of kids! I did music again this year and Jason helped with the recreation (aka, dunking booth). The girls loved their classes and I think it went wonderfully. I was absolutely worn out by the end of the week but it was worth it.
Speaking of worn out, the baby and I are doing well. She is growing and so is my belly! The heat makes it harder but I know I will make it through. Abby was born in August during one of the hottest summers ever. I was 8 and 9 months pregnant when it was over 100 degrees outside, I can make it through this! I feel her moving all the time and my arms are starting to feel the need to hold her. A friend from church gave us a glider rocker and Abby has me sit in it and rock her babies so I can practice for her baby sister! I thought it was so sweet of her, but now she has got me longing to hold a real baby in it!
On a different note, after much prayer, research, and more prayer, we have decided to homeschool our girls. It has been an inkling of a thought since way before I quit work and everything happened with Abby. Then it became an occasional thought, then it became a pressing feeling that this is what we should do. I have already planned out our year, which will be like an advanced preschool. This way we can adjust to life with 3 girls before really tackling kindergarten. I actually started a new blog, Fruit of the Womb, to keep up with this journey but I am not sure that I will be able to keep it up. I want to, but it is time consuming, and time is something I am short on. I am not sure how this will work, but I do feel like it is what God is calling our family to do, so I know if I leave Him in charge that it will succeed. Please pray that we will continue to follow God's direction in this area.
We will be taking a short vacation to Branson at the end of the month, Abby's 5th birthday is coming up soon (August 10th), and our next MRI is August 23rd. Then we will just wait for baby sister to come in October! Please continue to pray for Abby, specifically that there will be no tumor growth.
Back in May, Abby graduated from preschool. I got choked up during the ceremony because so much has changed in our lives in the past year. I am glad that Abby got to go back and spend time there and graduate with her class. She absolutely loved that place and loved her teachers, Ms. Christy and Ms. Linda. It made me sad that she won't be going back there, that a phase of her life is over for good. Everyone there has been so good to us. They raised a lot of money for us and prayed so hard for us.
We had the chance to go fishing at Adam's pond again! This is where we went last year around this same time, but under very different circumstances. We hadn't been to St. Jude yet or had surgery yet. We still thought she had gliomatosis cerebri! We had a great time this trip with about half the worries of last year lifted off our shoulders!
Memorial Day was spent at my brother's house. They have an awesome pool and the girls had a blast swimming there. Lyla is a daredevil in the pool. She had no fear!
We planted a raised bed garden this year, our first time to do so. We got a late start and some rocky dirt but it has grown quite well. When it was cooler the girls and I took care of it but now it is Jason's baby. We are getting tons of tomatoes. Sadly, bugs ate our squash and zucchini but the tomatoes and cucumbers are doing great. We also have 3 honeydew melons.
Before the heat settled in, we tried to clean out our house, building, and shop. We took 2 van loads to the Battered Women's Shelter! Our house is petite and adding another family member motivated us to clean out the junk. It took several days in the heat to finish but we have cleaned out and organized almost everything. I have the baby stuff ready to be washed and brought inside when it gets closer to time. I made room for her clothes in our closet and put the crib in its place.
It has been a very hot summer. I try to go out with the girls as much as possible but the heat makes me especially miserable and cranky. We got a little pool for them to play in and sometimes I turn on the sprinkler for myself!
Jason's mom went camping during the record heat so the girls and I went up there for a couple days. She has a camper but it was still too hot for this girl! My little ones had fun though!
Jason had a few days off around the 4th so we took the girls to Blanchard Springs. It was a really nice day and we had a lot of fun. We explored the spring and the caverns, ate a picnic lunch, and went for a swim.
We watched fireworks at the golf course this year. It was nice because the kids had lots of room to run around but unfortunately the trees blocked some of the fireworks. It was still fun!
Our church had VBS last week. We had a ton of kids! I did music again this year and Jason helped with the recreation (aka, dunking booth). The girls loved their classes and I think it went wonderfully. I was absolutely worn out by the end of the week but it was worth it.
Speaking of worn out, the baby and I are doing well. She is growing and so is my belly! The heat makes it harder but I know I will make it through. Abby was born in August during one of the hottest summers ever. I was 8 and 9 months pregnant when it was over 100 degrees outside, I can make it through this! I feel her moving all the time and my arms are starting to feel the need to hold her. A friend from church gave us a glider rocker and Abby has me sit in it and rock her babies so I can practice for her baby sister! I thought it was so sweet of her, but now she has got me longing to hold a real baby in it!
On a different note, after much prayer, research, and more prayer, we have decided to homeschool our girls. It has been an inkling of a thought since way before I quit work and everything happened with Abby. Then it became an occasional thought, then it became a pressing feeling that this is what we should do. I have already planned out our year, which will be like an advanced preschool. This way we can adjust to life with 3 girls before really tackling kindergarten. I actually started a new blog, Fruit of the Womb, to keep up with this journey but I am not sure that I will be able to keep it up. I want to, but it is time consuming, and time is something I am short on. I am not sure how this will work, but I do feel like it is what God is calling our family to do, so I know if I leave Him in charge that it will succeed. Please pray that we will continue to follow God's direction in this area.
We will be taking a short vacation to Branson at the end of the month, Abby's 5th birthday is coming up soon (August 10th), and our next MRI is August 23rd. Then we will just wait for baby sister to come in October! Please continue to pray for Abby, specifically that there will be no tumor growth.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
It's A...
I had an ultrasound yesterday and we found out that we are having...
ANOTHER GIRL!!!
Honestly, I was surprised. I really thought it had to be a boy, I mean we have 2 girls already, so a boy has to come sometime, right? After the initial shock went away, I was so excited. Another girl! More dresses and bows and baby dolls! I love having girls and another girl, well that will be just too precious!! I can't wait to meet her, to hold her. I wonder what she will look like (other than beautiful), what her personality will be like, and what her name will be. I feel blessed beyond measure! Three girls!!
Thank you all for your prayers!
ANOTHER GIRL!!!
Honestly, I was surprised. I really thought it had to be a boy, I mean we have 2 girls already, so a boy has to come sometime, right? After the initial shock went away, I was so excited. Another girl! More dresses and bows and baby dolls! I love having girls and another girl, well that will be just too precious!! I can't wait to meet her, to hold her. I wonder what she will look like (other than beautiful), what her personality will be like, and what her name will be. I feel blessed beyond measure! Three girls!!
Thank you all for your prayers!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Another MRI, Another Victory
Last week we had our round of appointments at St. Jude. Three months sure goes by fast! We drove over to Memphis on Sunday night after church. I woke her up early Monday morning to give her a peanut butter sandwich since she would be NPO until late afternoon. Luckily, she went back to sleep! Abby had to have her IV started first thing in the morning. She did really well, only getting upset when the needle started coming toward her arm! Next time we are going to try to keep her from looking at it. We put numbing cream on her arm and she said it didn't hurt, it was just scarey looking. Next we had our MRI clearance visit with our clinic. This means the nurse looks at her blood work (and her) and declares her healthy enough to have an MRI. After that we had an eye appointment. There was no change in her vision which was a great relief.
The MRI was next. Jason went back with her this time since I was unsure if it was safe for me since I am pregnant. They ended up telling us it was ok for me to go back there as long as I stay out of the MRI room. I had a lot less anxiety though from not being back there. It is really hard to watch her go to sleep and leave her in someone else's care. It goes against your instinct as a parent. Jason felt the same way. After the MRI, I went back to recovery. She woke up really fast this time! The nurse said she was such a good patient, better than most of the teenagers! This MRI was her 9th, if my memory is correct.
After the MRI, she was cranky but finally decided she wanted to go eat and get a new toy for being so good all day!
Tuesday morning we went back to our clinic to see our nurse, Ms. Lindsey and our neuro-oncologist, Dr. Armstrong. Lindsey didn't give us any hints as to the results but she was very smiley with us so we thought that was a good sign. Dr. Armstrong came in with a big smile on his face and immediately told us the good news! No tumor growth! YEA!! He said that it was remarkable! We viewed the MRI. Abby was in the room with us and looked at the pictures too. On some you could really see her eyeballs which she thought was so cool. I am still amazed when I see those pictures. The tumor is so large and widespread and yet, she is perfectly normal. It is truly a miracle.
We came home after that but had to go back on Thursday morning for more appointments. We took Lyla with us this time. She is such a handful! Abby liked her being there though. Our first appointment was an EEG. I had to take Lyla out of the room so Jason stayed with her. She did great! We ate lunch then had an appointment with the neurologist, Dr. Shah. She was happy with the EEG results and how Abby is doing on the seizure meds.
After that we took the girls to the zoo. It was really hot that afternoon but they had a good time.
I was much more calm this time around. I had a few meltdowns leading up to the trip but once we got there I felt peaceful. I was not surprised when he said the tumor was stable like I usually am. I knew it would be. I was also so proud of Abby for being so brave and good. She has adjusted to this craziness better than anyone else!
My heart is full of gratitude to God for His blessings. I am so grateful that Abby has had a whole year of freedom from treatment. I am so grateful that she has no deficits even though the tumor is massive. I am so grateful that we have a place like St. Jude so close. I am so grateful for all those who continue to pray for our sweet Abby.
We have another 3 months of freedom before the next MRI. Please keep praying for her and for our whole family.
The MRI was next. Jason went back with her this time since I was unsure if it was safe for me since I am pregnant. They ended up telling us it was ok for me to go back there as long as I stay out of the MRI room. I had a lot less anxiety though from not being back there. It is really hard to watch her go to sleep and leave her in someone else's care. It goes against your instinct as a parent. Jason felt the same way. After the MRI, I went back to recovery. She woke up really fast this time! The nurse said she was such a good patient, better than most of the teenagers! This MRI was her 9th, if my memory is correct.
After the MRI, she was cranky but finally decided she wanted to go eat and get a new toy for being so good all day!
Tuesday morning we went back to our clinic to see our nurse, Ms. Lindsey and our neuro-oncologist, Dr. Armstrong. Lindsey didn't give us any hints as to the results but she was very smiley with us so we thought that was a good sign. Dr. Armstrong came in with a big smile on his face and immediately told us the good news! No tumor growth! YEA!! He said that it was remarkable! We viewed the MRI. Abby was in the room with us and looked at the pictures too. On some you could really see her eyeballs which she thought was so cool. I am still amazed when I see those pictures. The tumor is so large and widespread and yet, she is perfectly normal. It is truly a miracle.
We came home after that but had to go back on Thursday morning for more appointments. We took Lyla with us this time. She is such a handful! Abby liked her being there though. Our first appointment was an EEG. I had to take Lyla out of the room so Jason stayed with her. She did great! We ate lunch then had an appointment with the neurologist, Dr. Shah. She was happy with the EEG results and how Abby is doing on the seizure meds.
After that we took the girls to the zoo. It was really hot that afternoon but they had a good time.
I was much more calm this time around. I had a few meltdowns leading up to the trip but once we got there I felt peaceful. I was not surprised when he said the tumor was stable like I usually am. I knew it would be. I was also so proud of Abby for being so brave and good. She has adjusted to this craziness better than anyone else!
My heart is full of gratitude to God for His blessings. I am so grateful that Abby has had a whole year of freedom from treatment. I am so grateful that she has no deficits even though the tumor is massive. I am so grateful that we have a place like St. Jude so close. I am so grateful for all those who continue to pray for our sweet Abby.
We have another 3 months of freedom before the next MRI. Please keep praying for her and for our whole family.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
One Year Ago
It has been almost one year since our journey began. At this time last year, we were blissfully unaware of what lay ahead for our family. Up until recently I wanted to go back to those days before we knew, but I don't feel that way anymore. I think I have finally accepted that this is our life. It is not the life I would have chosen, Abby has suffered too much for me to ever say that, but I accept that this is our path, our journey, our life. Now I like to think that we are blissfully aware of God's awesome power!
April 23rd is my birthday and marks one year since we took her to the ER at ACH for her seizures. April 24th marks one year since the MRI that sent us to the ICU. Those days were life changing for our family. I will never be the same person I was before then, neither will Abby. But in most ways, that is a good thing. I feel other's pain more deeply now and have a desire to help others when they are going through hard times. I am ok with receiving help from others-God is using them and will bless them for it. Bible verses, hymns, songs touch me in a way that they didn't before that day. Prayer is more important to me than it ever was before. I feel closer to Jason-the only person who can understand how I feel.
And my girls are even more precious to me than they were before. I try to soak up the moments I spend with them because I know that those moments are fleeting. Life can change in an instant. I don't want to waste my days being angry, bitter, unhappy. That doesn't mean there aren't bad days, but even on the worst days I am very aware that we could be in a very different place. We could be counting down the days of her life, we could be on chemo, we could be in ICU, we could be mourning over her.
It puts everything into perspective. I still like nice things (furniture, clothes, shoes, etc.) but it is not what I strive for anymore. That was the first lesson I learned in ICU. No matter how much money we would have had, we were still reduced to sleeping on a cot, doing laundry in a community washer/dryer, and taking showers in a public restroom. And we were still begging God to spare our child, just like all the other parents in that ICU. Another mother in a similar situation and I were talking about this-how we feel like we have a secret. All the little things that used to matter, don't matter anymore. Like how big your house is, what color to paint your bedroom, what baseball team your child is on, etc. And life is a lot better when you figure that out!
I also feel so much closer to God now and wouldn't want to go back to my relationship with Him before. There were some dark days early on but I could always feel His presence. I thought of how much it must have hurt to see his Son crucified and how much he must love me to make that sacrifice. I thought of Jesus and how He prayed in the garden to let the cup pass from Him. I prayed that many times as well but unlike Jesus, I wasn't always ready to follow God's will (and for the record I am not comparing myself to Jesus, just that those words ring true in my ears). I thought of Abraham and how he was willing to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, without complaint. I read about him and realized how little faith and trust I had in God. I read Lamentations 3:21-24 and knew that although it felt like I might be consumed, He would not allow it. I thought of heaven and how these hurts here on Earth will be no more and I prayed that the trumpet would sound. I saw the genorosity of others and realized that God is faithful to provide "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" Ephesians 3:20. I heard others prayers for Abby and saw the results of those prayers (a miracle!) and knew that 1 John 5:14 was true, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us". He was there in that MRI suite with us, in that ICU room, on the plane back from Houston, in the OR with Abby during surgery and in the chapel with us while waiting, and He remains with us today, providing hope and comfort, just like it says in Deuteronomy 31:8 "He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee". I realize now that He is faithful and He is trustworthy, even when our faith waivers and we doubt His power. And His knowledge far exceeds mine and that is why I trust Him. No matter what happens to her, I trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5
We will be heading back to St. Jude for another MRI in about 2 weeks. Pray for Abby, that the tumor will not have grown and that against all odds, it will have shrunk on its own! Pray for Jason, Lyla, and me. It is a stressful time leading up to the MRI, it is hard waiting on the results, and we will need prayer to make it through. And pray that while all these landmark dates roll around, we will feel like rejoicing, not mourning!
April 23rd is my birthday and marks one year since we took her to the ER at ACH for her seizures. April 24th marks one year since the MRI that sent us to the ICU. Those days were life changing for our family. I will never be the same person I was before then, neither will Abby. But in most ways, that is a good thing. I feel other's pain more deeply now and have a desire to help others when they are going through hard times. I am ok with receiving help from others-God is using them and will bless them for it. Bible verses, hymns, songs touch me in a way that they didn't before that day. Prayer is more important to me than it ever was before. I feel closer to Jason-the only person who can understand how I feel.
And my girls are even more precious to me than they were before. I try to soak up the moments I spend with them because I know that those moments are fleeting. Life can change in an instant. I don't want to waste my days being angry, bitter, unhappy. That doesn't mean there aren't bad days, but even on the worst days I am very aware that we could be in a very different place. We could be counting down the days of her life, we could be on chemo, we could be in ICU, we could be mourning over her.
It puts everything into perspective. I still like nice things (furniture, clothes, shoes, etc.) but it is not what I strive for anymore. That was the first lesson I learned in ICU. No matter how much money we would have had, we were still reduced to sleeping on a cot, doing laundry in a community washer/dryer, and taking showers in a public restroom. And we were still begging God to spare our child, just like all the other parents in that ICU. Another mother in a similar situation and I were talking about this-how we feel like we have a secret. All the little things that used to matter, don't matter anymore. Like how big your house is, what color to paint your bedroom, what baseball team your child is on, etc. And life is a lot better when you figure that out!
I also feel so much closer to God now and wouldn't want to go back to my relationship with Him before. There were some dark days early on but I could always feel His presence. I thought of how much it must have hurt to see his Son crucified and how much he must love me to make that sacrifice. I thought of Jesus and how He prayed in the garden to let the cup pass from Him. I prayed that many times as well but unlike Jesus, I wasn't always ready to follow God's will (and for the record I am not comparing myself to Jesus, just that those words ring true in my ears). I thought of Abraham and how he was willing to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, without complaint. I read about him and realized how little faith and trust I had in God. I read Lamentations 3:21-24 and knew that although it felt like I might be consumed, He would not allow it. I thought of heaven and how these hurts here on Earth will be no more and I prayed that the trumpet would sound. I saw the genorosity of others and realized that God is faithful to provide "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" Ephesians 3:20. I heard others prayers for Abby and saw the results of those prayers (a miracle!) and knew that 1 John 5:14 was true, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us". He was there in that MRI suite with us, in that ICU room, on the plane back from Houston, in the OR with Abby during surgery and in the chapel with us while waiting, and He remains with us today, providing hope and comfort, just like it says in Deuteronomy 31:8 "He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee". I realize now that He is faithful and He is trustworthy, even when our faith waivers and we doubt His power. And His knowledge far exceeds mine and that is why I trust Him. No matter what happens to her, I trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5
We will be heading back to St. Jude for another MRI in about 2 weeks. Pray for Abby, that the tumor will not have grown and that against all odds, it will have shrunk on its own! Pray for Jason, Lyla, and me. It is a stressful time leading up to the MRI, it is hard waiting on the results, and we will need prayer to make it through. And pray that while all these landmark dates roll around, we will feel like rejoicing, not mourning!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Family Update & Easter
It is finally spring around here! Our whole family is enjoying this beautiful weather!
Abby is doing great. After our last visit to St. Jude, we decided to send her back to preschool 2 days a week. She was really missing her teachers and her friends. She is absolutely loving it! She practically drags me out the door on those mornings! Abby is also very excited about her "baby brother". Now, we don't know what it is going to be yet, but she is sure it is a boy. And she prays that God will send her a baby brother every time she prays.
Speaking of the baby, I haven't posted anything in so long because I have not felt well. I have had some miserable morning sickness (that lasts all day sometimes) and have been very tired. It is improving though and hopefully in a few more weeks it will all be a memory!
Lyla is enjoying her one on one time with mama on the days Abby is in school. She misses her big sister but she loves being the center of attention during that time. Lyla has a birthday coming up soon-I can't believe she is already two. She is talking so much and has the funniest personality. This morning at breakfast she was trying to tell Abby a knock knock joke. All she would say is "knock knock", "orange" over and over. Abby thought it was a pretty funny joke anyway!
We haven't gotten our schedule from St. Jude yet but I am pretty sure her appointments will be at the beginning of May. Please keep her in your prayers!
I am very excited about Easter this year. Yes, the girls have new dresses and we will hunt eggs and eat a big meal with family but the meaning of Easter goes beyond those traditions. Jesus gave His life for us on that cross and then 3 days later, was raised from the dead. Jesus Christ conquered death and that should give all Christians reason to rejoice because it means that we too will one day conquer death. It means even more to me this year than it did last year. Some of the verses that give me the most comfort when I am afraid or worried are those referring to His resurrection.
"He is not here; for He is risen..." Matthew 28:6
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
If you believe in Him (Jesus Christ), you will have an eternal home in heaven. Your earthly body may fail you, but your eternal one will not. Easter Sunday really means victory over death-not only for our Savior, but for all Christians!
Abby is doing great. After our last visit to St. Jude, we decided to send her back to preschool 2 days a week. She was really missing her teachers and her friends. She is absolutely loving it! She practically drags me out the door on those mornings! Abby is also very excited about her "baby brother". Now, we don't know what it is going to be yet, but she is sure it is a boy. And she prays that God will send her a baby brother every time she prays.
Speaking of the baby, I haven't posted anything in so long because I have not felt well. I have had some miserable morning sickness (that lasts all day sometimes) and have been very tired. It is improving though and hopefully in a few more weeks it will all be a memory!
Lyla is enjoying her one on one time with mama on the days Abby is in school. She misses her big sister but she loves being the center of attention during that time. Lyla has a birthday coming up soon-I can't believe she is already two. She is talking so much and has the funniest personality. This morning at breakfast she was trying to tell Abby a knock knock joke. All she would say is "knock knock", "orange" over and over. Abby thought it was a pretty funny joke anyway!
We haven't gotten our schedule from St. Jude yet but I am pretty sure her appointments will be at the beginning of May. Please keep her in your prayers!
I am very excited about Easter this year. Yes, the girls have new dresses and we will hunt eggs and eat a big meal with family but the meaning of Easter goes beyond those traditions. Jesus gave His life for us on that cross and then 3 days later, was raised from the dead. Jesus Christ conquered death and that should give all Christians reason to rejoice because it means that we too will one day conquer death. It means even more to me this year than it did last year. Some of the verses that give me the most comfort when I am afraid or worried are those referring to His resurrection.
"He is not here; for He is risen..." Matthew 28:6
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
If you believe in Him (Jesus Christ), you will have an eternal home in heaven. Your earthly body may fail you, but your eternal one will not. Easter Sunday really means victory over death-not only for our Savior, but for all Christians!
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