Feeling Saucy?

This is a brand new company that just opened this past weekend. Check out their website...a huge selection of sauces, marinades, peanut butters, jellies, salsas, cooking oils and more! And, know that 10% of the company's profit is given to charity and you can have a say in which charity your purchase will support. My order is on it's way and I can't wait to try the Mango Key Lime Marinade. The word on the street is that this is divine...will have to add it to my next order!

We're Home!

We made it home after a 12 hour drive yesterday. So glad to be here! Abby is having quite a bit of pain and we have a doctor's appointment here today. It breaks my heart to see her in such pain and to hold her and pick her up makes it worse. Tylenol and Motrin are helping, but their effects are running out before it's time for the next dose. I know each day will be better than the one before, I just hate to see her in pain.

We were greeted yesterday by balloons and signs and dinner from our amazing neighbors! It was a perfect welcome home and we are so thankful for these relationships. I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who have been praying for us. We have felt so surrounded by love and support. Your prayers, emails, texts, phone calls, cards, gifts, etc. have been so timely and have been a breath of fresh air during this difficult week.

Blessings to you all!

Happy Easter 2010!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

~Acts 4:12

Today is an amazing day...Easter! Today, we celebrate Jesus conquering death, rising to new life. Because of this amazing miracle, I have been given the gift of eternal life through my Savior, Jesus Christ! One day, I will also have a resurrection...what an amazing day that will be!

Thank you, Lord, for providing a way for my sins to be forgiven, for sending your son to live as a man and die a horrible death, and for bringing him back to life again! Somehow, thank you doesn't seem like near enough.

Abby's doing so much better today! After a much-needed night of sleep away from the hospital, I received the best phone call...Abby's voice letting me know the Easter Bunny had come to her hospital room. She ate breakfast, she's up and playing, getting her toes painted, laughing and talking, and bossing me around! Hallelujah!

The doctor is considering a release of today or tomorrow...so thankful! The looming threat of a chest tube seems to be behind us as long as today continues to be a good one. Eating and drinking and keeping down oral antibiotics will be the key to a successful day.

I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, phone calls, Facebook messages, balloons, gifts, a cozy bed in a welcoming home, a visit from the Easter Bunny and positive thoughts! Jason and I have had an overwhelming amount of peace throughout this ordeal.

Happy Easter! Enjoy your egg hunts, Easter frocks, deviled eggs, family and friends. Hug your loved ones a little longer today!

Feeling Weary...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

~Matthew 11:28-30

Feeling a bit weary and just wanting my little girl to be well! The doctor just left the room and delivered the news that we will definitely be here until tomorrow. Abby's appetite has not returned at all and the doctor is fairly certain it's due to the infection. X-rays today show the fluid to be the same. Good news is the pneumonia has not progressed.

The dreaded "chest tube" was mentioned again today. I thought we were out of the realm of that happening. My weary-worry-o-meter just shot up. Immediately, the Lord whispered the verse above in my ear.

Many of you have asked how Emily and Ben are doing. They have been troopers, but are definitely getting restless and bored. It's hard enough to have a sick child in the hospital, but it's a million times harder to be on the road, away from home, with a 6 and 9-year-old who need entertaining. Jason and I don't have the energy or desire to entertain them, but press on, we will...

The doctor complimented us for our positive attitudes and asked how we do it, saying they don't see that often. Kind of ironic that in that very moment, I felt the urge to throw something...not at her, mind you...just a random act of throwing things...maybe a little rebellion coming out, who knows!

Please continue to pray for us and thank you so much for praying!

UPDATED: A Different Kind of Easter Dress...

Many share the tradition of donning a new Easter dress and Easter shoes. For those of us who stick to that silly fashion rule, it's the first day we're "allowed" to wear white shoes. So, my girls have new dresses, new white shoes, and Ben has a new shirt (boys are so much easier!). But, it looks as if Abby will be wearing an Easter dress of a different kind this year...her hospital gown. While I'm really holding out hope that we will be at least on the road towards home, I'm also keeping my feet on the ground so reality doesn't knock me in the face.

To catch you up, if you are unaware...we were on the return home from our two week road trip to Texas and Abby somehow contracted pneumonia, oh and not just pneumonia, a HUGE case of pneumonia. But, if you know my Abby, everything she does is huge, so why wouldn't this also be?

We are riding the rollercoaster called the "watch and see what happens". We are riding the fence between improving with antibiotics and the insertion of a chest tube. Oh, and did I mention...we are not home?!?

God is providing great things...excellent medical care, a free place for us to stay (thanks to a dear friend's mom), two very cooperative older siblings (complete with minimal bickering), peace beyond comprehension for this usually high-strung anxious Mommy, and an amazing abundance of people praying just for Abby and our family.

We have seen some improvement today and need several things to happen before we're released. Abby's had a good day, but a rough evening. We need to see her fever staying low, Abby self-hydrating (no IV), her blood culture to remain negative, no need of oxygen (sats staying high), and no other random issue arising. I thought we were almost in the clear today, but tonight, her fever is back, she is in pain and she is back on the IV because she's still refusing to drink (also refusing to eat).

Thank you to those who are already praying and thank you to those of you who will start praying now. I will try and update here as I'm able.

UPDATE: As of this morning (Saturday), Abby has made HUGE improvements and I am 100% certain it's the power of your prayers that is increasing her healing process. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The doctor this morning said that Abby's pneumonia was the worst case she's seen. Now, we need her to eat and drink. If she will begin to eat and drink, we will be released with antibiotics and can continue our trip home. We have about 12 hours of driving ahead of us and will break it up over two days to keep her as comfortable as possible.

Reflecting on the Sacrifice...

Being on the road this week is taking the place of what we usually experience during Holy Week. It's hard to get into the spirit of Holy Week with 7 wild and crazy kids around me this week. However, we are thankful for the gift of family and enjoying our time with our cousins. So, this video sent to me today from a dear friend is perfect timing. It's so difficult to watch, but I long to soak in a fraction of the depth of pain to keep my eyes focused on Him and His love for me. Take some time to see this...somehow, getting the eggs dyed might not be the most important thing after doing so.

Tears in my eyes...seriously

Love my church!

I love our church here! It's taken a while to find one, I'll admit, but has been worth the wait! The pastor, Rick Duncan, preaches directly from the Bible and challenges me to live the life God commands and calls me to live. And, finally, after two years of not singing, I'm singing again! It's food for my soul!

I love the Biblical teaching and the worship services that speak to me through various forms of music. I love our small group and looking forward to getting to know those awesome folks better. I'm excited to see what God has in store for our family serving at Cuyahoga Valley Church.

Just had to share this video that was played in church today. Not many churches are bold enough to play rap, but CVC is! (And, this traditionally raised, hymn-singing girl loved it!) I wonder if the angels floating around on their clouds in heaven, harps in hand, are singing songs like this...

Alan C. Duncan-Fresh Air from Alan C. Duncan on Vimeo.

P.S. No, I don't really think the angels are floating around on their clouds with harps in hand. But, the jury is still out on the genre of music that resounds around the throne of God!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your Valentine's Day is full of love and joy!

Today is a Pink Day

Today is a pink day...J is getting chemo today.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!

(Psalm 102:1)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

(Psalm 103:1-5)