Erica

Today I am praying for Erica. After her second attempt at In Vitro Infertilization, she found out she was pregnant. A few days later, after going for her second blood draw, she was told her HCG levels were not increasing like they should. After many other blood draws, she was informed that her pregnancy was not viable and that she would most likely miscarry. After a few very anxious weeks, she still had not miscarried. She went in for an ultrasound this week and they saw two little sacs. She would have been pregnant with twins. Instead, she is having a D&C today at 1:00. Please pray that God will take away her pain today. I have had a D&C before and know how sad it is to have that be the final goodbye to everything you hoped for that baby. Good luck Erica.

Kim

Today I am praying for Kim Weller. At 18 weeks pregnant, she struggled to find her babies heartbeat. The next day the dr confirmed that her baby had passed. She delivered Troy Jeffrey on June 13, 2008. Kim is having hernia surgery tomorrow and needs prayers for peace as she faces the surgery and as she recovers. She will spend a lot of time at home recovering and I find that those times alone are always the hardest, especially when you can't do much to keep your mind busy.

Also, I wanted to update you on Katie. Her sister was approved as a donor and she is scheduled for surgery on the 8th! God is so good!

Katie's Day

Today I am praying for Katie Lubbers. At 21 weeks, she started contracting and after getting to the hospital her water broke and she delivered a beautiful boy Brenham Jay. A few weeks later she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. She is only in her early twenties, and she is now on the waiting list for a new kidney. She has since gone through dialysis a few times a week and at one time was told she might never again be able to have a child. Today is an important day for her. Her sister was tested to see if she was a match and the test results are being brought to the board today around noon for approval. If she is a match, Katie would get a transplant and then hopefully after a long recovery she would be able to try again for a child. Please pray for Katie today as this would be a huge blessing in her life.

I had to check in and let you all know that I had so much fun at the wedding! It has been a long time since I have smiled because I was actually happy and not because I was pretending to be happy. I only wish that smile would be more permanent.

Michael (groom) and I almost 10 years later

Sarah and I

Sarah is one person I learned that I can not live without! We met at the Cancer Society and I was her first friend in Holland (or at least that's what she tells me!). From the day my water broke, she has been emailing me almost every day, dropping off her famous cupcakes or delivering one of her fabulous care packages. Her friendship is such a blessing!

On another less sappy note, I wanted to let everyone know that October isn't just breast cancer awareness month, it is also National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. I had no idea that this even existed, but it was declared by President Reagan in 1988- who knew. This month I challenge all of you to say a prayer every day for someone you know that has lost a baby from 5 weeks to full term. Unfortunately, I know way too many people that have experienced a loss and I may just be able to make it the whole month without praying for someone twice. I know personally what it feels like to know that people are praying for you so I hope to be able to post the prayer of the day on here everyday so the person knows they are being lifted up in prayer.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Under Construction!

I thought it was about time the blog had a facelift! Thanks to my friend Rebekah, I have a fabulous custom made background. Thanks Rebekah! I now have to find time to work on adding some fun details. Hope you all enjoy!

Some random Friday fun...

I didn't realize it had been over a week since I posted last. It is nice to say that time is finally flying by. A few months ago I could barely get through a day and now a whole week has flown by. Things are going well for us. We ordered the grave marker for the girls today. That was a very bittersweet moment. I am glad to finally have it done, but I am still angry that I had to do it in the first place.

I really dont't have much to update you all on, so I thought I would make this a fun post for a change. This weekend I am attending a wedding of two great friends. Michael was one of my best friends in college and Colleen was a co-worker from the American Cancer Society. I am so excited for them and can't wait to celebrate tomorrow! So, in honor of Micheal getting hithced, I thought I would post this lovely picture of Michael and I from our senior year at Hope.

Gotta love the blonde hair!

On another note, Jason and I love to watch Ace of Cakes- well, Jason usually just gets stuck watching it because I love it. Anyways, after everything happened, I wanted to get myself immersed in doing things so I decided to bake. I told him I would make him any kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. He said Wrigley Field and I promptly asked what his second choice was and he said.... firetruck! Yes, he did turn 31 this year but he is obviously still a kid inside. So, here is my firetruck cake.

Because my oven stinks the cake came out a little lopsided...

I searched everywhere for a dalmation but could only find a rubber ducky!

For a prayer request this week, I want to praise all the strangers that have reached out to comfort us which in turn has prompted us to reach out to others who are in need. We are constantly amazed at the kindness of strangers. Hope you all have a blessed weekend. I will leave you with one final random picture of Jason and I in Charleston, SC on our first vacation together 7 years ago.

2 Months

Heaven’s Playground
By Suzanne McClendon


Precious angel sent to earth,
Did they tell you of your worth?
More than diamonds, rubies or gold,
Only you do I want to hold.
So perfect your beauty as I look into your eyes
That gentle reflection of angels in the skies.
Each day you grew inside me, so big and so strong,
But your time here with me was not to be long.
Oh how my heart aches as I have to say goodbye,
As I let you go back to play in the sky.


Brooke and Alexcyn- It was two months ago that you were ours to hold. We think of you in everything we do and remember how beautiful you were that day that you were born. We love you so much and miss you terribly.

Mommy and Daddy