"Look out for me oh muddy water"

 I felt like Huck and Jim fighting the mighty waters of the Mississippi. Last night I tried battling and dodging the flood waters of Atmore. After about 20 minutes of trying to find a way out of the town, I finally had to retreat back to my parents home. I had to concede the fight and spend the night! After a not so great night of sleep thanks to sleeping with my 3 year old, the chime clock going off every hour, and my niece waking me up ever so often, I just got up at 5 am and the kids and I headed home. Gratefully, we hit no other waters. The flood had receded well over night. Ethan made a comment last night, "Didn't God promise not to flood us again?" I reminded him that didn't mean that floods wouldn't happen, just that he would not destroy the entire earth by flood! Not sure if his 10 year old mind wrapped around that one! (By the way, the title of my blog is from one of my favorite musicals "Big River.")
All the kids are doing well. Ethan turns 10 this Thursday. Happy birthday to my baby boy! Friday is G.I.F.T day! The day we celebrate "God Is Faithful and True." The 3rd anniversary of the day Ivee fell, and God gave us a 2nd chance at life with her, and opened our eyes to a new understanding of who He is and a new appreciation of life with those we love. It is much easier to witness to His faithfulness when you have walked the road that others have traveled. The roads may be different, but you can look at someone and honestly say..."I've been there!"
The kids are looking forward to Christmas break. Ivee is still making small strides and still slowly moving forward!
May we all remember the reason for this time of year. God reached down to man through a tiny babe, and through Jesus Christ bridged the gap between light and darkness! I pray that others will be touched by the light this coming year. If you haven't already, think and pray about what you would do and give this year to reach the world with the Love of Christ! Let us live out the great commission this year!!!!

What's New?

Not much. Ivee is still making progress. She is going to speech therapy twice a week, but food is a touchy subject for her. It got where she was crying before we even got near the building....like miles before. She is just too smart. So, I am just trying the feeding from home with the supervision of the therapist. We just set goals and try to reach them. She is really wanting to get around the house by walking, whether by hand or walker. She isn't afraid of the walker any more, so that is pleasant...for my back!
Looking forward to a week with all my family. Haven't seen them all at once in a while. David and Becky haven't been down in years!
My sister, Sonia, and her family are moving back to the area. Chris, her husband, will be stationed in P'Cola for at least 3 years. This is just great for us all. I miss them all! The girls just keep growing and getting to big, like my kids! Britt is 13 now, and only 4 inches away from being as tall as Momma! Ethan and Ivee are still shooting up in height as well.
We go back to Memphis in January. Our friends, the Silenos, have had a string of better news lately. God has really been working in their lives. Johnny's "spot" hasn't grown any since the last scans. So, they are just on hold, waiting to see what happens. This has been great news! NO GROWTH!
Have a blessed day and a wonderful Thanksgiving. Let us remember what are grateful for! May the love and peace of Jesus Christ surrounded you this week and everyday!

Update

Sorry I'm late getting this up. We got home from Memphis and our modem had crashed. Once again, I have internet back.
Ivee did well at her check up. She used her walker for the therapist, which is a big thing. We are "uping" her feeds, her weight has been down. She came out of the MRI fine, and within 20 minutes was her grouchy self. She is always like this. The neurosurgeon said that everything he sees is still stable. Her brain stem is still in the same position with the same pressure on it, but as long as she is moving forward (no matter how slow that may be) then she is okay. We just need to watch for any regression, that would be a sign of an issue with the brain stem.
Ivee has a speech therapy this Thursday. Praying that they will be able to help her and give us some more insight. Hopefully she will eat for them. She loves to walk, but with someones hand most of the time...not with her walker.
Her comprehension and vocabulary is still expanding. She loves school. She has discovered that playdough is an okay thing, so she wants to play with it all the time. She is always wanting to color. She reminds us to pray at every meal, and she leads the pray at meal time and bed time. Not sure what she is saying, but she just wants to talk to Jesus.
Remember to pray for Johnny Sileno and his family (he is in our links column). They found a cloudy place on his last MRI. He will be returning to St. Jude in a few weeks for another scan.

The Feeding and the eyes

So, feeding clinic was a bust. She didn't cooperate at all. Surprise, surprise, surprise!!! They did give me some helpful advice, just to keep my sanity, and they are going to assist in getting us more help.
The eye doctor saw her today. She didn't do so well at that visit. SO, we are going to continue to patch her left eye, and I will work with her here on a site chart to see what she is up to...for the next 4 weeks.
We leave for Memphis on the 20th for her next check up. Taking everyday....one day at a time.
Thanks for checking in, and I'll give more detail and updated pictures soon.

Prayer for Thursday

Ivee has feeding clinic this Thursday in Mobile. They are suppose to access her and she what I can do to help her eat by mouth. The only problem....you can't make her eat!!! How do you convience a 3 year old that food is good. That having a g button is not normal. She even tries to put her own tube in sometimes. I try to be patient, but she doesn't cooperate in the least. She will love something for three days, and then after that won't even try it again. I try not to get frustrated, but I don't know if I should force her (like we sometimes have to do, with all our children) or if we should just continue to just support her. I guess there is no right or wrong way to do this. I love that fact that she is strong, cause that is what got her through all this in the first place, but that stubborn will of hers will often get in her way to progress.
Continue to pray for the walking and eating. God bless.

Quick Update

Ivee went to the eye doctor after a month of patching the left eye everyday. The sight in her right eye has improved tremendously! Her left eye is 20/20 and her right is about 20/50. This is great news. We will continue to patch and see how much better it will become! Thanks for the prayers.

Update on Ivee

She is doing really well with the eye patchings. She keeps it on about 2 hours a day. She didn't make it tonight, though. She fell asleep after 45 minutes. You can already tell that she is starting to have better control over it already. I'm praying that she gains really great control over it before we go back to the eye doctor in about 3 weeks.
Em and I are headed on a much needed vacation in 8 days. We haven't been alone anywhere without the kids in about 12 years. After this experience with Ivee, we really need to take this cruise. Now, needless to say, mom is a bit nervous about leaving Ivee behind. Not just that, but leaving on a boat where I really can't be contacted, well I guess in an emerency I could. But, perhaps it will be good for me. I know I'm not in control anyway (even though I tend to fight that), so I just have to let go. So, let's pray for health for us all, good weather, and for my niece who will be left with the kiddos. Oh, and that the kids get along!!!!

Ivee's Eyes

Em and I learned this Friday that Ivee's brain has "shut down" her right eye, so she technically can't see out of it. The doctor believes we might be able to bring it back if we patch the left one about 2 hours a day. She doesn't like it, but is being a trooper. You can tell she can't really see at all when she's patched. This really makes me sad, but hopefully God will heal as he already has in so many ways!!!

Updates

I have alot of pics to update of the summer, but here are a few from recently.

Here are Brittney and Ivee outside the Chili's Care Center at St. Jude. Chili's raised millions of dollars to build this center. It was a much needed facility. Radiation Oncology and all radiological areas (MRI, CT, Xray, Radiation therapies) used to work out of one small area. It was very hard to manuver around all the patients and parents (you felt like you were on top of one another) This building allowed for a roomier and more appropriate facility to take care of the children's needs.

Here are mommy and Ivee at our annual visit to see the polar bears at the zoo (where all St. Jude patients and 4 family members can get in for free).

Brittney celebrated her "13" birthday in Jax while visiting family. Her aunts took her to get the "works" on that weekend. Nails, face, and hair. She is growing up!

Emmett and I have been working on the backyard for sometime. Finally we have some results. Still not done, but my husband has done a great job (with the wives help). The turtles are quit happy to be out of an aquarium after about 8 + years. Hard to believe I could once hold them in the palm of my hand, and now their shell is almost 2x the size of my hand!

More pics to come (of Ivee's birthday too). Just not enough time to sit on the pc all day. I need to be getting lunch and doing housework now!

Ivee's scan was clear again. Praise Jesus. She does have left side weakness and we have fitted her for new braces for her feet. I am concerned that she isn't getting the therapy she really needs, so when I get home I am going to have to find a way to push the insurance company to get more visits for therapy. The neurologist here believes that she will eventually walk on her own, but it will just take time. The same with eating. Their was no one in the ENT clinic this week, so I will have to talk to Ivee's pediatrician when we get home to try to get her scoped to check the vocal chord. We are tired and ready to come home. Tomorrow is our final day, but we will spend the night in Meridian and head home Friday. Thanks for the prayers, and keep on.

Day one in Memphis is coming to a close. Ivee is doing well, but sedation always makes her cranky. Hopefully she will sleep well tonight. I don't know if mommy will be her bed partner tonight or not. I think it is time for Brittney to have a turn.
We won't know the MRI results until Wednesday when I meet with the RO. Her eye exam was good today. No problems and the doctor is pleased with how her eye has "fixed" itself after the surgery to remove the scar tissue. More test and appointments the next three days. I'll keep posting.

My work

Here are some of the pieces I have created. The videos on this sight I created as well (from and for personal reasons). I have also created picture movies for special occasions (weddings, funerals, parties). Just a sample of some pics.

Here is a logo I created for a school.

This was the front of a Christmas Program.

This was for an armed forces holiday.

This was for a sign on the church premises.


This was for a web topper.

This was for a singles ministry shirt and more.

An Update...Finally

We are headed to St. Jude this weekend. Ivee has appointments all next week, MRI on Monday. We are once again praying for a clear scan, on this her 2nd year checkup. This time is always a little nerve racking for me and Em. You just dread the results, not knowing. BUT, God is in control. He is always working out his plan. And even though we don't know or always comprehend it we know that He works good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.
I am now home with the kids. Budgeting without my income is "tight" but we are doing okay. I haven't cooked this much in...well, ever! I am looking for work to do from home though. I will be posting some of my "portfolio" to get out there on my other website (the one I truly neglected). So if you know of anyone or any company that needs a design made, a PowerPoint presentation designed, movie of pictures or video made for presents, picture fixed or more, let them know that I am cheap! It would just help to have the extra work. I have years of design experience from my previous job and really enjoy working on posters, pictures, and logos. So, they can contact me anytime. Just give them this web link, and once I get some portfolio pics up, they can see some of my past work. Thanks, and keep on praying! God bless.

Time is running out....

My last Sunday at Faith Family (my church) is this Sunday. I am sad but excited! God has something in store for us, and we are stepping out in faith to see what it is. Many have asked where we are going. The answer: DON'T KNOW!! When in the last year have we had a chance to go anywhere else to visit? I've been leading worship the whole time. Em and I have prayed for a long time and this has not been a hasty decision. Much prayer has gone into this. So, we can now step out on faith knowing that God has a plan. We are not sure if he will lead us to a place where my skills can be used. I do love leading worship, but I can worship from my home or car. I don't mind taking a sabbatical for a little while though. It's been a very busy time for us these past years, and a rest would be greatly appreciated. (Not that you can really rest at home cleaning with 3 kids!)
We return to St. Jude at the end of June/First of July. Ivee is doing well. She wants to walk (of course with assistance) all the time. She ask often, and she is quite addicted to "i-cream" as she so affectionately calls it. Brittney and Ethan are finishing up school this week. They are doing well. Britt will be 13 this year. I will be the mom of a teenager...ahhhhh!
In September, Em and I will take a much needed and anticipated vacation...cruising to Mexico. (Via no hurricanes) The hard part of this will be leaving Ivee for 5 days with the grandparents. (I think Mommy will handle it fine, I'm worried about the daddy!)
My friend Deborah had her baby...finally. Congrats to her and Blayne. He is beauiful, and hopefully this one will look a little like Deb....maybe?!!!
My friend Matt and my brother-in-law Chris are still on deployment so I continue to pray for them. Say a prayer for my sis Sonia and my friend Ange and all the kids during this time when the dads are away.
Sonia had a birthday on Tuesday...we are now a year apart in age!!! She is getting old....lol!
And finally, my neice Whitney is going to stay with us for at least 1/2 of the summer. Once you have 3 kids, one more isn't so bad...unless they are bad...and she is not that bad!
Continue to remember Ivee in your prayers as we venture into the 2 1/2 year mark of this journey. I promise...once I'm not working I will update more and with Pics of the birthday party. God Bless!!!

Ivee did it...maybe not on purpose...but she did it

After Ivee woke up from her nap today, her "breaf" stank!!! So I took her to our bathroom. I just sat her on the potty and daddy gave her a toothbrush. I walked off and came back a few minutes later, and then we "smelt" it! She went poopy and tee-tee in the potty. We praised her and showed Ethan and Britt...and believe it or not..>YES< they came and looked. We all praised her, so hopefully this will be the beginning of a potty filled future!

Yes, Don't Faint!!!

Yes, I am updating my blog. Don't faint or anything. Ivee's 3rd birthday was this past weekend and I will post pics and more about that when I am updating from home. At the moment I am in the office. I was listening to a pastor on TV this morning and was struck by something he said. He was speaking on our "motives" in our "desire and prayers." He brought up the story of Paul and Silas in jail (Acts chapter 16) and how they had been beaten severely for their beliefs and preaching (probably a few times over). We, having the story in front of us, already know how the story will end, but they didn't have the "manuscript" in front of them knowing that God would free them from their chains. In the midst of their circumstance, you didn't hear them whining about the bruises or cuts. Saying, "Why won't you deliver us Lord? Oh, I could use some ointment for this cut. Does it look as bad as it feels?" And the like! No!! In verse 25 of chapter 16, "But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." We know that suddenly a moment later there was a great earthquake and they were freed and able to escape with their lives to preach again. NO...they did not know what was going to happen to them. For all they knew, and what we can assume, is that soon they might be meeting their Savior face to face. They counted it joy to face their trials and circumstance. They were singing and praising their God!!
So, what did this bring to my mind as I pondered it...glad you asked. With the election of a new president and the governmental decline we have seen...well all I hear is a bunch of whining! Yes, I know we are concerned, and frankly we should be. But, where is the praying for the leadership? Where is the praising God in the midst of circumstances? Who is listening to our lamenting? In the midst of our circumstances all I here is...I already pay taxes for this and that...Nobodies taking my guns and such...Who is this idiot in office now...What about this...What about that... Oh, God please deliver us...O, God this...and O, God that.
Now to the matter at hand. Why are you calling on the name of God? What is your hearts condition in your asking? Let's give example.
You want to be out of debt, so you pray, "Oh, God, help me to be debt free!" Let us look at the facts. How long did it take you to get into debt? A year? Two years? Ten years? But yet you want God to get you out of debt today! Not that he can't do it, but he knows the motives of our heart. You are the one who got yourself into debt, don't' you think that God will make you work to get out of it! Now God does love us and desires for us to be "debt" free, but if in that moment he delivered you, would you still return to him? It is a matter of the heart.
Paul and Silas were lifting praises to God at that moment because their hearts were focused on Kingdom things. And the PRISONERS around them heard. Who do you think was touched by this? What do you think ran through their minds? Why would the prison guard in verse 30 want to know how to be saved? What do those around us here? Do they hear us saying that I shall not fear, or do they hear us whining and lamenting..."Woahest Me!" I think that we forget, "If God be for us, who then can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
So, I will seek the Lord in Spirit and in truth. I will watch my tongue, for from the mouth come the matters of the heart. And as I pray, I will praise the Lord and make my petitions known, but I will pray that the matters of my heart would line up with the purpose of his will.
I hope to post Ivee's pics soon, so the next blog will be more upbeat. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you. Have a blessed week, and may we seek the Lord with a glad heart!
P.S. Yes Emmett you can proof this and let me fix what I messed up cause I don't have time to proof it myself.

Ivee Takes Her First Steps

Yes, We are So EXCITED! Ivee did take her first steps this past Saturday. She is not going to be running any marathons yet, but what a start! I have posted the video to Youtube. Take a minute if you want to see it. Keep on praying!!!
Love Hope and Emmett
Link to Youtube Click Here

I have uploaded the new video I made to help get support for St. Jude. I wanted to share it with all of you. It is located to the right in my links column. Thank you for all the support you have given over these years.

Erin's HomeGoing

Erin, whom I have spoken of before (and who's link is to the right) had her homegoing on Saturday, March 28th. Erin was 4 years old and had her 5th occurrence of Ependymoma. The doctors did all they could do to help Erin survive this nasty disease, but in the end it won. She will be missed by all. Pray for her mom (michelle), dad (jim) and brother. What a precious life!!! What a beautiful girl!

The Foley's In March

About a month ago, we got to go down to Orange Beach and let the kids swim. Ivee can't get in the water without something to cover her mikey-button, so we are limited on how often we can let her get in the tub, which she loves to do. She DID NOT want to get in the pool at first. BUT, once she was in...she didn't want to get out!

Last week, it was so nice outside, that I took our munchkin outside to sit. She is just getting so big!

This past Saturday, I took the s with me to the "Saddle up for St. Jude" fundraiser in Robertsdale. Ivee couldn't get enough of the "bunnies" in the petting zoo area. She held every one at least three times. Then she would kiss on them. Thank goodness for allergy medicine!

Brittney got to drive a mule and then she took Ivee for a ride on it. It is a good thing we skipped the Hayride. Once they came back from the trail and started laying the hay around, her eyes began to swell and started running immediately! She still had fun though.

Lastly, we waited for the riders to come back from the trail. It is a site to see 400 horses coming over the hill. What a blessing to have so many people involved in raising funds for St. Jude.
This picture I took as soon as you could see the horses/riders coming over.

Here they are really starting to come in.

And finally, Saturday, Ivee waited til I wasn't watching. She saw me take my dark chocolate stash out a few days ago, and made a mental note I suppose. She snuck in and had to really work at it to reach, but managed to get to it. I only found her once I heard her ripping the paper. TOO LATE. I just let her finish her piece. She is such the chocolate lover!!! Vanilla pudding is a no-no. It must be chocolate!!!!

We have met with the school system, and are awaiting the options we have to put her in the 3 year old program to help with her therapies. Early Childhood Development only goes to 2 years of age and then the school system takes over. I don't know how I feel about putting my baby in school, but I want what is best for her development. I feel like she is SOOOO close to walking. I still have to explore the options for feeding though. They will not deal with this area.

So, all is well for now, and we won't return to Memphis until the end of June. I'll update when we do anything interesting. God bless, and keep praying!!!