A smoother road

Thank you thank you for all your prayers for Katie.I was just telling Mandy's other sisnlaw that Mandy wasn't exaggerating when she wrote on her blog that this has been such a roller coaster. For sure Katie has turned a corner, and although she is not out of the hospital yet, it looks like the road ahead will be much smoother. I'm aching to talk to her! For the last 3 days, we've seen nothing but PROGRESS. I know she's exhausted, still in some pain, and READY to get out of there. Just pray that she can eat more and more, so that she can get her strength back and heal more quickly. The baby is still doing well. Pray for the fam's continued endurance as they stay at the hospital with her for long nights and days.

This verse has been a constant for me this week more than any other verse. Seems like when we go through a crisis, it's that one thing that comes to you and sticks right in your head and heart to get you through.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

We were very scared this past weekend while Katie just laid there fighting off the virus. It's so hard when you can't "see" the physical evidence of improvement. God was doing immeasurably more than what we could imagine! He was healing her brain through the medicine, and for her to just almost "snap out of it" on Tuesday evening was not to be trite, but INCREDIBLE! Of course she's not completely renewed as it is a slow process to healing, but she's on the road!!!! AND I'm SO THANKFUL! I love you Katie!

Tonight

Good news. Although Katie did not have her MRI today (she'd had enough tests for one day), the hubs called to check in and their dad actually passed the phone to Katie. That would have been ridiculous the last few days! She said hi! It was a very short conversation, but the fact that she wanted to engage in ANY conversation was remarkable! She also ate some spaghetti. He said she was really tired, but I'm just THRILLED. Little progress is BIG progress compared to the last few days. Keep praying!

Today

Katie has a few tests to go through today so please pray for her comfort, peace, and endurance. She rested better through the night. The neurologist wants to see a repeat MRI to evaluate her brain today. We are praying for improvement in that scan today!!!!

Katie update

Katie's spinal tap went fine, and her results showed some improvement in her white cell count. This is good news:) Keep praying!

Katie

My sweet sister-in-law (hubs sister) is in great need of your prayers. To make a long story short, she has been in the hospital since Friday with a very rare condition called encephalitis or swelling of the brain. She is 26.5 weeks pregnant with a baby girl who appears to be handling everything well. Hubs and I have been to the hospital much of the weekend and arrived home last night. We were feeling a bit more encouraged that her condition is not worsening. However, the attending neurologist this morning was hoping she would be doing better this morning than she is right now. They will repeat the spinal tap and possibly repeat the MRI to see how her brain is doing.

I'm posting this so that you will pray very specifically for her.

Pray that Katie's immune system along with the antivirals and antibiotics will wipe this infection completely out of her brain and QUICK.

Pray that the swelling will resolve.

Pray that the use of her arm comes completely back and that there would be signs of progress in her arm soon. (compared to Friday there is slight progress...she is moving it someone at the elbow but not at her hand)

Pray for her husband Jason, and for Katie's parents who are imaginably anxious with the slow progress of things. Pray for their strength and endurance in the wake of extreme sleep deprivation.

Pray that the baby continues to do well.

Pray that if she needs a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) for better IV access this afternoon that the procedure would go well for Katie. She is very agitated.

I will keep you posted. It has hard to talk on the phone about this especially in front of Allie, so please comment or email me for concerns.

Pomp and Circumstance

WARNING...rediculously long post! Was I really this proud and excited??? Well of course I was, but these are all "grandparent" worthy whether they are "blog" worthy or not...so indulge me.

How can one blog after the AI finale!!!!!!!!!!!!! So exciting...loved it....

It was ALMOST as exciting as Allie's kindergarten graduation this morning! Her class did a fine job. Afterwards I asked her if she was excited to be done with her first year of school, and she replied, "Well mom I've got like 11 more to go, so how exciting is that?" She had a great year, and is ready for summer, so ready or not, here we go!

Her graduation pic...yes they've come along way from the time we were in K...in fact I don't think we graduated for that matter.


When I look at this pic, I think...wow..I'm so glad she's not "really" a senior and leaving the nest, but also think how quickly it may be until that pic is taken....yikes.

Allie and M posing
Allie's sweet teacher. She LOVED her and will miss her much this summer.

Allie invited her long time friend (if it is possible that you have a longtime friend when you are 6) Blake to come watch the ceremony. He was SOOO funny as usual. He looked at hubs and said very matter of factly..."Well Mr. Favor I don't believe I've ever been to this school before, and I think it's quite nice." He sat very attentively and was a proud friend. This is her "invitation" that she made for him.



Just for a good laugh, here were some responses from a booklet made by her class.

"Our Kindergarten Book of Wisdom for Graduates"

"As you graduate and go out into the world, I think you should know......

not to drive crazy...Act like you are really going to graduate and be careful if you go hunting.

to be safe. Eat well, don't eat poisonous food. Teach people about Jesus. Remember to exercise.

Don't forget to pick out a good house. If you have a pet, feed it.

not to be silly when you graduate. When you buy something make sure you have enough money to buy it.

not to act goofy bc you are almost a grown up. Your children will not be good grown ups if you act goofy.

to get someone to marry.

make sure you have everything you need and say good bye to your parents.

you need to buy a house and a room. You need to get furniture.

You need to cook. You will have to color by yourself. You will do math in college.

how to be nice if you have a room mate.

And from Allie...

math because you are older and because you are growing. Remember your parents if you're away from them.

I left out quite a bit from the booklet, but in all seriousness the book was sprinkled with phrases like...you need to honor God...find a church..ask Jesus into your heart. Wow...from a group of kindergartners!

FINALLY!!!!! Here are some videos from the ceremony for you grandparents of course.

Mother's day

Allie had a Mother's Day Tea on Friday. Her class sang songs for us and then each child told why they were thankful. They were all really sweet....video is below.




We spent the weekend with the grandparents. Zach, my nephew, was there too while Katie and Jason were in NYC. He and Garrett are two peas in a pod; there weren't many quiet moments to be had. Katie and Jason flew in Saturday night, so we were able to visit with them too.

Sunday after church.
Grandparent pic! Someone was moving in every FRAME! I took probably 6 pictures. With the help of photoshop, Allie is not looking up at Zach like she was in all the rest of the pictures! Abby was the only one missing. We missed her by a day, but she had to go home to visit her other grandparents.

We had a birthday celebration for Garrett! Why stop with Mother's day? He took one bite of cake and said, "MMMMMMMM". That's about all he can say! He loved it!

Napkins, plates, invitations...check

G baby is turning one next week! We will be celebrating with the hub's parents on Saturday, and for the purposes of his baby book, I felt like I needed an invitation. One can't have a party without an invitation, right??? I bought napkins and plates at Target, and then scanned them into the computer. This is what I came up with...my first photoshop project.



Mamma Lion...I spent an hour trying to crop the circle in the middle. I never figured it out! Any suggestions???