Fasting

My 7yo said she did not want to eat her hamburger... and at dinner she sat and stared at me the longest before she finally ate it.... I found later she had written that she was going to give up hamburgers for 3 days!! As a matter of conscience she sat and stared. I've known her to be headstrong... but this direction....

Reading on her own in her God and Me 2 book started w/ a story on "Esther- My prayers can reach heaven. 2 Chronicles 30:27"

The devotional questioned... "What do you want to change with your prayers?" "Baby" (Oh, the loss of our little one weighs heavy on little hearts too.)

The next page challenges Hand to Heaven... "Think of something you can give up for three days to show God you are serious about your prayers to him."

After dinner that night, she explained to me why she was giving up hamburgers, meat and money to pray for a baby. She asked if it should be a girl or a boy... And I said we'd love any little one God gave us. We talked about what to give up and decided giving up dinner was not her option. She started to think of other things... math and school... and giving up those where not an option either....

What optional things could she give up for 3 days? Then she decided upon ice cream, webkinz, & candy. Now for 3 days she's foregone candy and webkins and ice cream... to pray for a baby. We've talked how God answers prayer... yes... no... and wait.

My heart is touched by her prayers & by her passion to give up her favorites to pray for a baby. I'm challenged to pray and yet this ground in my heart is so tender... even raw... fast and pray. fast and pray. I'm thinking we'll enter a season to fast... maybe from the pc and cell phone!! To fast and pray for a baby.

I'm very reminded to pray for their tender hearts. My little one yet asks when we'll go to the hospital to get the baby to bury.... it is so hard to understand. My oldest sees someone expecting and asks why we cannot have a baby & then fasts and prays for a baby. God hears our prayer and all life is in His hands. I pray for those headstrong dirctions to honor Him.

All this time I was not schooling... and God's been her teacher... Wow!

Last night on the way to her Bible study with her daddy she saw the sunset and exclaimed "Wow dad!! Look at that, oh man oh man... God is going to be famous for this one!!"

Hubbie is recovering well and standing mostly straight up! He was exhausted after work. We enjoyed a wonderful meal from Caroline.. Thanks!!! And we had a good walk tonight. He's making great strides. God is the Great Physician. Rapha. We had a good official school day & ballet too!! ss

Comments
Oct. 17, 2007 - Posted by Anonymous
wow, that so touched my heart. will be praying that God will open your womb. stacey

Autumn & Pictures

Autumn has come... it is a rainy day and leaves are just starting to fall... We've not yet tried to catch the falling leaves but we'll have to soon!! That's a fun welcome to the seasons change.

Hubbie's staples are out!!! He's standing up straight and maybe done with the cane... thanks Ben!! He's recovering great.... his lifting limit was raised from 5# to 25#. After the appointment he's headed to work for the first day back!! Pray him strength & stamina!

I'm working the blog over for Autumn & adding pictures... I like the slide show... but wonder if it is slow loading.... Do tell!!! I so remember those dial up days....

Our school books are out and calling me.... After the dr appointment we headed to choir. The girls are in a homeschool choir and they enjoyed making their egg shakers!! I'm reminded we have to be home to school.

Grace! ss

Grands

Grand'Ma & Grand'Pa - you've been grand!! Love you!!!

Up late... 2:08am... Sinus issues yet again... I've uploaded photos from our hospital days in the prior posts... Wow, we've had a Malaysia hit!?? Who's that.... Better go... Yawn... g'nite!! ss

Time to try to return to normal

Today my parents returned home to Ohio after being here for two weeks.  It was great to have them here, quite a relief from trying to juggle where the girls would go each day to just being able to rest assured that they were going to sleep in their own beds and that the grands would be there for them.  Thanks for all your help Mom and Dad.

Each day we have gotten out and done some errands and each day it seems that I get pretty tired from them.  I have to keep remembering what my surgeon told me as I left the hospital...  "You are not well yet!"

I have been taking it easy and Wifey has taken up the slack.  She is great...

Don't take your health for granted.  The simple things like getting in and out of the car can be a chore if you are not careful.

I am still hurting and I would guess I will continue to hurt for days if not weeks.  The staples in my gut are a constant reminder that it was not a simple procedure.  Coughs, sneezes and laughing are killers to my gut.  Pray my staples can come out on Monday when I go to see my doctor.

Tonight Wifey was looking at the photos that she took of my staples and gut shortly after surgery and she was going to post them here on the blog.  I will try to warn you before you accidentally scroll into a photo like that.

I hope things can return to normal...  we are still dealing with the miscarriage and trauma of the surgery.  Like Wifey said in a previous post our oldest has begun fasting, from some of her favorite things, and praying for another baby.  Her example and sincerity brings me to tears by itself.

Regards, KjS

Two Frogs in a can of cream

Two Frogs - Author unknown

Two frogs fell into a can of cream, or so it has been told.

The sides of the can were shiny and steep, the cream was deep and cold.

“Oh, what’s the use,” said number one. “It’s plain no help’s around.”

“Goodbye, my friend, good bye sad world.” Weeping still he drowned.

But number two, of sterner stuff, dogpaddled in surprise.

All the while he licked his creamy lips and blinked his creamy eyes.

“I’ll swim at least a while,” he thought or so it has been said.

It really wouldn’t help the world if one more frog were dead.

An hour or more he kicked and swam, not once he stopped to mutter.

Then he hopped out from the island he had made of fresh churned butter.

With Grand'ma's help we made butter and enjoyed her poem!!

After 15 minutes Lovebug was still shaking determined to finish HER butter!! Grand'ma encouraged that she was getting close and all of a sudden it would be done! She was right!

And we enjoyed fresh butter on homemade bread! Yumm...

Want to join us?? We'll have fresh cream on Saturday... and butter in the days that follow!!

Hubbie is healing on the couch... The Grands are packing for the voyage home... Lovebug is fasting from ice cream, webkins & candy to pray for a baby... all her idea.... from her God Girls Devotional. Ladybug is fightin' a cold & aching ear.... Mama has finished the Echo in the Darkness and awaits the 3rd book...

His Grace is Sufficient! s2

Day ??? I can't remember what day it is!!

This is KjS... boy do you know how many times you pick up something that is more than 10 lbs?

Last surgery that was my limit... this time it is 5 lbs. I can't even pick up 5 lbs without getting a scolding eye from someone. Next time it happens I am going to haul whatever it to the bathroom and throw it on the scale. I guess then I would have to apologize for hauling it to the bathroom if it was more than 5 lbs so I better not do that I guess.

I mean think about it, you are getting ready to try to smoke your first brisket and just as you are filling the charcoal thingy up you notice that you are holding a 10 lb bag of charcoal. Then you try to prep things and discover that the brisket you are trying to cook weighs more than 5 lbs too. Wouldn't that be funny to see me walk to the bathroom and slap a side of beef on my bathroom scale to try to prove a point...

My dad helped me get the smoker going and then get the brisket on there too so don't worry I did not rip a stitch.

My dad and I ran around today... actually we drove. We went to visit my next door neighbor at the hospital and talked with him for about an hour. He is feeling much better, they fed him a little roast beef and he is supposed to be released tomorrow so he is greatly improved. Continue to pray for his heart to see his need for Jesus Christ.

We ran drove by work just to let them know that I was still among the living even though I can't drive for a week and no basketball, soccer, volleyball, racquetball, full contact football, rodeo riding, bumper cars, skydiving, water skiing, snorkeling. We made a couple of other stops and I am whipped!

The brisket took a chainsaw to cut up for dinner, and we only had to stop to sharpen the blade once. I am still chewing it but if I think of it as beef jerky it is palatable. Royal flop! Definitely will not regain any weight on that diet…

Prayer requests:

1. That we can get some much needed rest and I would stop waking up when it is time to have my blood drawn (4am). Once I wake I don't go back to sleep, or I sleep fitfully.

2. My shoulders and chest are still real tight and I need to relax.

3. I have a little bloating or maybe it is swelling, not really sure… it all looks the same to me.

4. My next hurdle as I see it is to stop going into fits when I cough, laugh or sneeze. I think the girls think that I am having a seizure when that happens.

Later Gators, KjS

Comments
Oct. 12, 2007 - Posted by Anonymous
Kerri, Glad to see that you are feeling up to "running" around. I'm sure (and pray that) pretty soon you will be back to rodeo riding, etc. We continue to pray for you and ask for God's complete and timely healing. God bless, Tom

Boardwalk - Not Monopoly!

Grands agreed to watch the girls so Wifey and I could get an evening out together.  Can't remember the last time that happened.

We really did not know where to go when wifey suggested we head to Shreveport and walk the boardwalk.  So we went out and had dinner at one of our favorite places, and then around 7:00pm left for Schreveport.  When we arrived we only had about an hour before everything closed down so once everything was closed down we walked the board walk.  It was great to be able to get out and walk with very few hills and it was very quiet. 

No one was there except us for the most part, every once in a while we would pass someone but only when they were standing still considering I am not able to really move very fast.  I am moving around much better but I am really looking forward to the staples coming out they seem to jab me all the time.

I am thankful for Texas roads...  the ones in Louisiana had bumps that really jolted me.

Regards,  KjS

Jail Break the sequel!!

Well for those  of you who have been following and praying for James as well...  good news!

James called me and told me that he was now at home as well.   He was released yesterday.  He said he is having to adjust to some changes but he is glad to be home.

Thanks for all who have been praying for him and or sent him any of the health-e-grams...  he really appreciated them.

Thanks,   KjS

Healing

Today as we got ready to head into lunch.... the girls changed out of ballet clothes....

Beside us someone parked.... and a couple headed into lunch.... the gal was expecting...



Lovebug turned to me.... "Mama, why couldn't we have a baby?"

It caught my heart... All I could say is I don't know baby....



I'm reminded that there are yet wounds to heal. God holds all life.... Last week a friend shared my grief loosing our little one saying she was so sorry... The tears yet come but they did not flood me! Healing...





Hubbie is doing great. He's resting and taking walks & enjoying his parents. I've been reminded of the Dr's words... You are not well. It is good to be on the healing side!!



God is the Great Physician!! His healing is upon all of us!!

ss

Comments
Oct. 10, 2007 - Posted by Anonymous
We are praying for you all still. Grief is like an ocean, sometimes the waves come crashing in hard and fast, but sometimes they are slow and calm. God is there for you during them all. We love you all! Love, The Akins

Home Day 1

It is 5am and sleep eludes me...

It is definitely different sleeping in a flat bed and no one coming in and poking me to take blood at 4am every morning. All my nurses were great!

The pain remindes me to pray for those who are hurting.

I would like for all who have been following this blog and praying for me to also continue to pray for James in the room next to me. He seemed to have no hope... Would you consider sending him a Health-e-gram? You can go to http://www.gsmc.org/ hit the health-e-gram link and his name is James Thomas in room 1458.

I know he would appreciate a card...

Sleepless, KjS

GSMC D7 JAIL BREAK!!!!

Well this morning things have continued to progress quickly... 

This is a photo of the man who saved my life and then put me back together.  I salute him, he has a hard job...    

Today my doctor has told me that if I can keep regular food down without any problems then he would go ahead and release me to the wild.

I am currently having a healthy helping of chicken cordon blue....  yummm.  My first real meal since last Saturday.

Ice chip diet...  I am not sure how much weight I have lost so once I get to a scale I will have to post on that tidbit.  I would not recommend it in place of Adkin's or Weight Watchers.  But it definitely has some benefits...  Stephanie thinks I look pretty hot and I no longer snore.

I still hurt but I guess that is to be expected.  Doc has said I can not drive for a week and no basketball, soccer, volleyball, raquetball, full contact football, rodeo riding, bumpercars, skydiving, water skiing, snorkeling so I will try to have patience as I heal.  He said that I must not forget that I am not well yet and he actually prescribed a nap in the afternoons until the staples come out in a week.

Well for now I will let you move on to your next order of business.

Pray that I will stop having pains through my shoulders and upper back, my back is having to compensate for having the cuts through my six pack abs...  NOT.  Actually I can't tell if I have any abs left it is all kind of contorted and has zippers all over my gut.  I guess that is enough of a picture to paint.

Free!  KjS

 

GSMC D6 China & Japan

Walking & walking! That's Hubbie's ticket out. He's yet on clear liquids and we hope to get an upgrade when the Dr. makes his rounds. I think he's tired of being here.... and I hope to get a game plan with the Dr. to see what schedule we are on.

China.... Tomorrow we have a team of FBCers heading to China. We've made laps praying for their safety, good travel, God guide the details... Open blind eyes & close seeing eyes... Join us praying for this China team.

Japan.... Wow! We have a hit from the far seas.... Japan!! Ken is a pilot w/ AA and he hit our site!!! Pray for Ken & Cherry as in November Ken is up for surgery to remove both kidneys.... and pray a match for his transplant.

Camping Out!!

Prayer: Continued recovery, encouragement, peace as we wait on God. China close seeing eyes & open blind eyes. Ken pray for his kidney removal & pray a transplant. Girls & Grands safety on the road today, rock climbing & swimming... good attitudes & a great visit w/ family. Pray they'd be a joy.

GSMC D6 Canasta

I'm beating Hubbie in Canasta... 3010 to 1600.... I'll have to meld 120 and he moved up from a meld of 15 to 90. I played canasta with my Memom Gillespie growing up... I remember playing with all my girlfriends too in the back of the station wagon!! Many moons ago.

Praise the Girls & Grands are home.... Love Bug rang the cow bell atop the rock wall but Ladybug could not reach it!! They visited w/ Uncle Terry & Aunt Shelly & cousins & enjoyed swimming & pizza too.... and crashed into bed at 10!!! Sleepy Girls!! Sleepy Grands, I bet!!!

Hubbie is making progress... clear liquids (broth, juices & an icee) yesterday... full liquids today (soups, puddings, ice cream & a milkshake)... and the Dr. said maybe food on Sunday.

Pray we rest in God's timing for the duration of the stay. Hubbie is getting eager to go. Pray he has no leeks & that the staples hold tight. Pray for James our neighbor in the room across the hall, he's 66 & struggled with setbacks & discouragement & family's not stayed to support.

We are yet here... it has been quiet... Ben & Carol your visits have been wonderful!!! Thanks be to the Grands so I can be all here. Hello to the Ohioites!!!! Glad to have you praying!! Mum hope you get caught up here... My scarf is long enough & needs finishing!!! ss

GSMC D5 KjS

Well I am still among the living...



I don't feel very good but they keep telling me I need to walk and sit up so I am sitting here typing an e-mail.



I would like to fast forward a couple of weeks but I guess I must endure. I tried to hit the network to look at our drawings but that was not to be. Something is keeping me from getting on to the network. Once I feel better I will have to talk with Kevin and see if he can help me.



I lost a day of recovery because they told me to use my morphine button when I had pain. Now I just kind of try to ride out the pain and endure it. I figure better to endure the pain than to use the meds and not be able to get up and walk because I am too loopy.



You probably don't want to know what my next progress marker is I will let you know after I pass it...



KjS

Comments
Oct. 7, 2007 - Posted by lklivingston
I would like to fast forward a couple of weeks but I guess I must endure.

Ha ha! That's exactly what I was thinking when our little one was getting ready to be born! And you know, it does look much better from this side than from that one. Persevering through it is the ooky part.

GSMC D5 Icee

Yea!! He got the upgrade to fluids.... and was thrilled with his Coke Icee!!! Praise Praise Praise!!! We are so encouraged & God has truly answerd prayer!!! He enjoyed broth on his first meal tray this evening and has a green tea at his side. This is a huge milestone!!!

He has walked and walked and walked!!!! A shower helped start the day!! He's also enjoying watching movies!! Last night was Red October and today was MacGyver.... my vote is for Anne of Green Gables.... Does anyone have that on DVD?? Want to bring it up on Saturday??? :) We're up to welcoming your visit!!! We are on day 5 here and yet expect 7-10 days here.....

Prayer Matters: Maintain walking, chest pains subside, no leeks & endurance. Pray for safety as Girls & Grands head to Dallas to visit family & rock climb.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Pastor Jim had a worship song of this verse... it would be a great MP3 to have on hand!!!) ss

GSMC D4 2 Tubes

Praise, the Dr. came in first thing today. He'll drop 2 tubes and be left with his IV w/ pain meds. We're just waiting for the nurse to come back.

Prayer Matters: Pray for God's encouragement & strength to rise. Pray for a walking day. Pray that he'll keep his ice chips down & not get sick. Pray rest & complete recovery. Pray for a smooth time here so I can get out w/ the girls today & to a dr appt. Pray that he'll feel good for his girls visit.

Yesterday was so hard with the tailspin of discouragement. It really was a set back and we lost a day for the buzz to wear off. He did a little walking and that was great. Yet he sees a day without progress... and that weighs heavy. The girls came by in the evening but he was not feeling good and struggling. His sleep was restless and often disturbed... today rest will be easier after dropping these tubes. I slept to nearly 8 this morning.

Hubbie's agenda is to get up... no sickness... to walk. We're yet in the wait game for his digestion to wake. That takes time and walking. We wait upon the Lord. ss

Comments
Oct. 4, 2007 - Prayer
Posted by Cheryl Little
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Let me know if I can help in any way!

GSMC D4 Hard

Yet pray. The day has been hard... He's been dizzy and very discouraged to not be walking. He was out of bed in a chair and overcome with dizzyness.... he went pale.... and felt horrible.... Pray.... ss

GSMC D4 Blooming

After a rough morning, Hubbie got up and walked with his mom & dad. They were a great encouragement. We traded spots for a good part of the day!

This morning I struggled and when tears came.... It was time to trade with the Grands. The girls and I picked up CFA & Dudleys and headed home to enjoy lunch together! I love being with them & missed it.... as I got cleaned up at home I could not rush to skate... We enjoyed the time just taking it easy!! Thanks to Laura for keeping them a bit!! My good news today was no D&C. Praise!

When we got back to the hospital... our room was blooming... flowers on our hardest day.... Wow!! Thank you!!! They are beautiful.... I'm so encouraged.... God's timing is so good. We've walked many rounds tonight!

Praying for rest. Pray his abdominal cavity wakes up & no bloating. Pray he can walk with the girls on Friday. Praising God because He goes before us on the hard days!!! G'nite. ss

Comments

Oct. 5, 2007 - God is Great
Posted by Ken Moore
This my first time at this but no time like the present to start. Here a verse from Japan Ps. 9:9-10 God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times, The moment you arrive, you relax,you're never sorry you knocked. Miles apart are inconsequential with God I am continuing to pray for your whole family. Ken

Oct. 7, 2007 - Posted by lklivingston
My good news today was no D&C. That's wonderful news!

GSMC D3 Fire Alarm

Good Morning! We've started our morning hospital early... It is 5:40 and for an hour they've been testing the fire alarm.... It's yet dark & we've been in Isaiah 40 because He gives strength to the weak.

Hubbie is more alert and with that comes pain. He's calling it a 4 on the scale. He's using a pain pump and had like 13 hits. He's not moving yet and there's talk today of getting up... he's already asked for the extra pain help for that. He said it's been a long night.

Prayer matters: Pray he can get up & start to move & drop 2 tubes today. Pray God's comfort in this great discomfort. Pray for his back as he's mentioned that. Pray sweet rest & God's hand in recovery. Pray good nurses & strong help today.

♦ Love Him in the mornin' when you see the sun arising. Love Him in the evening when He's brought you through the day. And in the in between times when you feel the pressure rising... Remember that He loves you and He promises to stay. ss

Comments
Oct. 3, 2007 - Praying for you
Posted by Laura
Thanks for the update! We have been praying for you and Kerry! Love you guys! Laura

GSMC D3 No Morphine

After 22 hits of Morphine... the Dr. says it's wiped him out and was too much...  he's definitely not used to this stuff!!   We'll try a new pain med as he sleeps this one off...  it is a very hard day and little progress (no tubes dropped).... the only comfort I can give is my presence & a ice chip every now and then....  no reading... no holding his hand.... literally just my presence...  and someone just walking in the room made him dizzy...  Our girls came up and he did not even feel up to them coming to the room...  Tough and I had to bail on lunch w/ them  :(   

But I did catch the Dr.... I'm Praying.....  and very thankful for catching Dr. Cook.

And I'm knitting a confetti scarf that a friend said it would add no warmth!! (Mum this is the project from the yarn sale!!)  I started during the surgery and did a foot or so!!!  I'm trying to be diligent w/ my time... and hour for reading, another for knitting, another for study....  I've not yet wanted to read the paper I brought... I guess it needs an hour too!!!   I think the pc takes more than it's hour!!  But maybe it's words for today!!

In our weakness... Jesus Christ is strong!  We've had the joy of one of the techs praying with us 2x now!!   And another asked if he was a preacher.... he weakly said no but he'd could preach to her!!!  Little by little. ss

GSMC D3 Walking

Yea! Up and walking!! And he's feeling better as the buzz wears off! All pain meds are a little scary now. The first walk was down 4 doors. His 2nd walk was a lap. That's huge! Yea! He's even had me call so the girls can come back up tonight!!

Thank you for the prayers! Our walls are feeling homey w/ your greetings (wow) & coloring from the girls! I've laughed at a Congrats on you new Plumbing from Joshua.... and a Happy Birthday from Stefani. Kerry's not laughing... it's too painful! I've enjoyed the blog map.... We see the Bunns in Brazil!!! And who is that in England??? Wow! The effective fervent prayer of the righteous avails much!!! ss

Comments
Oct. 3, 2007 - Hello
Posted by Sue H
I am glad you are up and moving, even if you know it yet. Sounds like the meds hit you pretty hard. I am very glad all is going well, I miss you believe it or not. I got the last Christmas count down. Dont forget me, otherwise I might miss Christmas altogether. Love you all

GSMC D2 Filleted

Just a short time until I get filleted...

We have been in the hospital since yesterday morning, I have not eaten anything since Saturday night. If you are considering losing weight the ice chip diet seems to work very well



Even as I write this e-mail I am expecting them to bring the last three pills any moment. I know two will be antibiotics nd then comes the viagra... oops I meant valium.



Last night was rough... they gave me a gallon of stuff I had to drink... the only comparison I can give is if you remember the commercial that the little scrub bubbles that clean up the bathroom like Mr. Clean with his Lysol.



If you want to keep posted on what is going, my wife is posting on her blog a report as the days pass... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/. If you visit the blog it tells us that you visited... we have had visits from England and looks like Salt Lake City and all over so far. Jump on and get your location logged. I will not be doing much writing or reporting on matters.



My surgery is scheduled for 1pm and is supposed to last for 2 or so hours... Your continued prayers would be appreciated.



We are at Good Shepherd Medical Center in room 1459. If you would like to send me a note go to https://www.gsmc.org/sendto.asp? and send a health-gram.



Oops there is the nurse... got to go!



Regards, KjS

Comments
Oct. 2, 2007 - Prayer! Prayer! Prayer!
Posted by laurahill
Praying for you and your family!!! I pray that Kerrie comes out of surgery strong and ready to fight for recovery, Stephanie that you get rest and have enough encouragement for Kerrie and Yourself too, that your girls have a wonderful time with Grandma and Grampa and overall that God is glorified during all of this!!! We love you guys!! Laura

GSMC D2 Post-Op

His surgery was from 1:35 til 3:10. Thanks to Lew & Kim & Evelyn for waiting with me, Craig came after a bit & dad came too for you to get back to the room. He's expected to be out for 24 hrs & the next 24 are rough trying to get up.... and 7-10 total to get moving....



Dr. Cook said it went really well. He only took about 3.5" out and he was able to use the staple like he wanted... 29mm, a medium size. He said maybe the NG tube will be out Wednesday. I pray so. He said to watch the colostomy closure for infection... because of the activity there. Maybe in 3 days we'll try liquids.... He Lives!! ss

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40

Comments
Oct. 2, 2007 - From Brazil
Posted by Anonymous
Praise the Lord! We are blessed to hear of the successful surgery, and will continue to pray for a quick recovery. You have both been such a blessing with your honest communication...thanks for being so transparent. :) The Bunns

GSMC D2 Pre-Op

Just hours to go... Surgery is at 1 and we expect it to be about 2 hrs. Thanks for your continued prayers.

The Girls & Grands came by last night. We have coloring all on the walls :) Lady bug beat me in a game of battle! Guess who always wins??!!! Lovebug brought her puppy to companion daddy.

Last night Hubbie finished the gallon around 10:30. The night was filled w/ yet more pre-op stuff. We slept a little between 12 & 4 and he's been able to rest this morning.... We watched a bit of Dr. Dolittle w/ Rex Harrison!! I won a game of canasta and he went negative thinking he could make a canasta in his 4 red 3's!! He only has to meld for 15 next round!! And he's not yet willing to play again...

9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12

GSMC Moved!

We moved out of our familiar corner!!! We're now in 1459!! I'm sooooo thankful to be in a larger room off of the hot west window!!!! God is going before us!!

Prayer Hubbie has a gallon of stuff to drink b4 midnight... pray his strength & to drink this stuff.... His IV is in it took the 3rd stick! Oh! God yet goes b4 us!! ss

Comments
Oct. 1, 2007 - Posted by lklivingston
How wonderful to be in a better location! Just like our upgrade with our recent stay--a small thing, but it improved our outlook.

GSMC

We're in..... our same corner and it seems weird... God has gone before us... His grace is sufficient... In our weakness He is strong... We've moved in & will camp here for a bit! By His grace! ss

We'd love to hear from you.... https://www.gsmc.org/sendto.asp?

Comments
Oct. 2, 2007 - We are praying for you
Posted by Ben Rempel
"They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strenght, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want......." I know how you feel Kerry but more importantly, The Lord knows how you feel and how you actually are!! We plan to come see you in the morning - Wednesday!! Ben

Taco Soup & Packing

We've had a wonderful weekend with the Grands! The guys worked in the yard on Saturday. My girls played on bikes and spent time around daddy on his last free day in a while. Grand'ma & I got to go shopping and we had a great time.

It has been a fun visit before the heaviness to come....

Today has been Hubbie's fluids day & he's realy enjoyed our Taco soup.... I boiled a chicken with celery & an onion.... I removed the chicken and seasoned the broth w/ a package of taco seasoning & a package of ranch dry mix. That jello, juice and tea made his day... and it was topped off with a Sonic blue something!!

It is time to pack my bags. I feel like I'll be camping out & I have pop top soups ready to go!

Prayer: Hubbie's Surgery, no complications, peace, Dr. wisdom, nurses, recovery... grands w/ the girls... and health for me & no coughing....

God is great and greatly to be praised!! ss

Comments
Oct. 1, 2007 - Posted by Anonymous
hey steph, just wanted to let you know that i have been praying for your family. i'll be praying extra hard tomorrow. i haven't spoken to you since you lost your baby, but i wanted to let you know how heart broken i am for you. i am so sorry. i pray that the surgery goes well and that God will continue to wrap you in His comforting arms. :) love, stacey neal

Round #2

Round #2 is planned! We're praying no surprises this round.

Hubbie is scheduled for surgery Tuesday @ 1:30p, that's 10/2. He'll checkinto GSMC Monday morning. This is a resection on his colon to eliminate thecolostomy. Yea!

Pray for wisdom & insight for Dr. Cook, his surgeon. Pray for quick healing& no complications. We are expecting 7-10 days in the hospital. Pray for agood visit for Hubbie's parents as they're coming to keep the girls.

I miscarried our little one last week... as of yesterday my body is yet inthat process... My prayer is for complete healing & no D&D. I'll do bloodwork sometime next week. I've been very emotional with this loss. Also myprayer is to walk in faith not fear, I'm finding myself afraid of what willhappen next. God knows and I simply need to trust him.

The Lord Jesus has been our comfort and sustainer. I had found great joyin Psalm 134 as we were so excited for a baby.... and in the loss of thatlittle one I've seen God's great comfort even in Psalm 134..... the darknessis is not dark to Him... and He hems me in behind & before. I've felt hemmedin so tight... but God has be big through all our tears.

Thanks to all for you prayers to our Great Physician!! And your sweet notesof comfort have been a balm to me. Thank you.At GSMC.org you can send a Health-e gram next week as we'll be there for aspell... https://www.gsmc.org/sendto.asp?

I'll hope to write daily of prayer requests & what's going on... and ratherthan an e.... I'll post it at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/

He Lives! ss

Comments
Sep. 28, 2007 - Posted by homeschoolhelp
Hi Stephanie, Great to find your blog. I have been praying for you and will continue doing so. I hope all goes well with the surgery and that God continues healing your whole family. I'll be checking back in as time allows. Blessings, Dianne

Missing you already

Daddy and his girls... and I miss you already!! (Darling, but we're not even gone!! Call me every day!!! We'll have lunch and you'll come and see daddy!!!)

Ready or Not

We are thrilled that Grand'ma & Grand'Pa are coming! They will get to spend time with the girls while Hubbie is in the hospital. Tonight I'm in that final run to "get ready for company". We'll welcome them tomorrow night.

Saturday will be the Hubbie's final day on real food.... we'll have to celebrate that!!! It sounds like he's talking Olive Garden!! He's not going with my pic of Dudleys!! That may have to be my fast food when the girls want Chic-fil-A!

Today Lady Bug and I made butter!! Using a water bottle with a marble she shook all her 5 years could stand!! I shook some too!! And then we add the heavy cream to the mixer and made butter!!! Yummm. We enjoyed it on fresh bread... and Daddy enjoyed it tonight!

Love Bug had a very hard day. Any day that's a grump day is a very hard day. And time and time again that was her choice. The start was an ugly mark on her sisters coloring. The discipline was she had to mark her own coloring... Oh that made her mad.... Later the final blow was a punch to sissy's tummy. At that point she expired and finished day on her own.

Tomorrow is new with no mistakes! We'll enjoy the weekend with the Grands and then Monday is check in at GSMC. Praying for a smooth surgery with no complications. Pray that God gives me strength & that I walk in faith and not fear. Also today I'm a week from the miscarriage and my body yet in that struggle. Please pray healing inside & out both of us!! And no D&C for me... I'll do blood work next week....

His grace is sufficient! Off to do laundry & straighten!! ss

Roller Coaster Ride

I wanted to be the first to say "Only 3 more months till Christmas! Are you done with your shopping?"

I thought I would send a quick e-mail to many of you who have not had an opportunity to know the latest updates and roller coaster ride we have been on. If you want to be removed from these e-mails let me know and I will remove you from my copy list, but then you might totally forget Christmas. If you have a roller coast going on in your life let me know and I will pray about it with you too.

If you are not familiar with what has gone on up till.. you'll find alot of it here in our blog: If you scroll to the very bottom you can read the updates that happened during my hospital stay at the end of July. Wifey was sending out updates from her cell phone so some of them read more like a text message.

I'll summarize the events if you don't read blogs, but Wifey writes better than I do...

· 03/15/07 - Holly our dog was killed in front of my girls when hit by a truck

· 03/19/07 - I was offered a job by Norit-Americas, Inc in Marshall, TX

· 03/26/07 - Gave my 2 weeks notice @ General Dynamics VertexRSI

· 04/06/07 - Went to Beaumont to spend Easter with family

· 04/09/07 - Left for Colorado on our first care-free vacation (No cell phone coverage, but the little cottage and the skiing were great)

· 04/16/07 - Started with Norit-Americas, Inc.

· FAST FORWARD three months...

· 07/28/07 - Bought used Honda Civic (36 MPG gas mileage) Caught a beautiful garden spider almost the size of your hand, became family pet...

· 07/29/07 - Commented that buying the car would be a good move for us as long as nothing big happened.

· 07/30/07 - 5:30pm Came home not feeling good, quarantined to my room with 100° temp. slept ate small dinner

· 07/30/07 - 10:30pm got out of bed heading to rest room... pain was too great and I passed out cold on the floor, hit my eye full force on the tile floor.

· 07/30/07 - Went to the hospital, diagnosed with a burst diverticuli.

· 07/31/07 - 2:30am Emergency surgery to repair damage... removed my guts (so I literally spilled my guts I guess) cleaned them off and put them back or at least most of them. Installed colostomy, you can look it up if you don't know what that is... I didn't either until I woke up with one.

· 08/01/07 - Found out that Wifey was pregnant... excited!!

· 08/14/07 - 08/20/07 Went to Pennsylvania to participate in a weekend honoring my Grandfather, my dad spoke in the service. Was a rough trip but would not have traded the time there for anything.

Got home and our guard spider had put a web across our front door so that you could not get in the front door of the house.

· 09/17/07 - Had X-rays to determine when my reconstructive surgery to reconnect all the plumbing would occur.

· Went to listen to the babies heartbeat, doctor could not find the heartbeat.

· Found our guard spider dead at the base of it's web.

· 09/19/07 - Blood work confirmed that we had lost the baby.

· 09/20/07 - Rough day for Stephanie dealing with the loss of the baby.

· 09/22/07 - Went out and caught a bigger guard spider... she has taken up residence exactly where the other one was too.

· 09/24/07 - Saw my surgeon... he has scheduled me for surgery on Oct 2nd. I will have to be admitted on Oct 1st and will be in the hospital for 7-10 days.

· 09/25/07 - 3 MONTHS TODAY IS CHRISTMAS!! Remember Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons!

You are up to date...

Thank you to all that helped out on my previous surgery whether watching kids, or some actually mowed my yard which was a big relief to not have to deal with. All the flowers were wonderful and the notes through the www.gsmc.com website were wonderful as well, we decorated the room with them.

Pray that all will go well with this next surgery.

Feel free to let others that you think might be interested in the update know as well...

Thanks,

KjS (aka Hubbie)

Comments
Oct. 6, 2007 - Kerry's Recovery
Posted by Len Faulkner
I took a brief look at your site and it's great to know that Kerry is recuperating nicely-I knew for certain that he would with all the positive thoughts, prayers and positive energy going in the Speicher's behalf. He has always been a faithful friend and has helped me with making it through my tough times the past several months. My very best to Kerry and every family member, which includes the extended family members who are incredible friends. I look forward to touching bases with Kerry very soon to catch-up. Our best to our Eastern Texas brothers and sisters from Salt Lake City, UT. Namaste', Len Faulkner

Making Butter Researched

We are thrilled that Grand'ma & Grand'Pa are coming! They will get to spend time with the girls while Hubbie is in the hospital. Tonight I'm in that final run to "get ready for company". We'll welcome them tomorrow night.

Saturday will be the Hubbie's final day on real food.... we'll have to celebrate that!!! It sounds like he's talking Olive Garden!! He's not going with my pic of Dudleys!! That may have to be my fast food when the girls want Chic-fil-A!

Today Lady Bug and I made butter!! Using a water bottle with a marble she shook all her 5 years could stand!! I shook some too!! And then we add the heavy cream to the mixer and made butter!!! Yummm. We enjoyed it on fresh bread... and Daddy enjoyed it tonight!

Love Bug had a very hard day. Any day that's a grump day is a very hard day. And time and time again that was her choice. The start was an ugly mark on her sisters coloring. The discipline was she had to mark her own coloring... Oh that made her mad.... Later the final blow was a punch to sissy's tummy. At that point she expired and finished day on her own.

Tomorrow is new with no mistakes! We'll enjoy the weekend with the Grands and then Monday is check in at GSMC. Praying for a smooth surgery with no complications. Pray that God gives me strength & that I walk in faith and not fear. Also today I'm a week from the miscarriage and my body yet in that struggle. Please pray healing inside & out both of us!! And no D&C for me... I'll do blood work next week....

His grace is sufficient! Off to do laundry & straighten!! ss

8 Days to Surgery

Well Huble saw Dr. Cook today & his surgery is on the schedule for 1p on Tuesday Oct. 2. He is ready to have this done yet there is wonder if it has been long enough. His emergency surgery was on 7/31…. Pray for peace and God’s clear direction.

Sunday – Fluids Diet

Monday – Check in to Hospital 10a

Tuesday – Surgery 1p to remove the colostomy

7 to 10 days in the hospital!! Recovery up to 6 weeks.

Butterfly

My Ladybug is a great bug catcher!!  This butterfly was so friendly and enjoyed our visit. 

Blessed be Your Name

These are the words that have brought me comfort this week.

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your name

God is in the process of bringing healing to my broken heart and body. Slowly but surely! We’ve enjoyed a wonderful weekend with family! And been so blessed by wonderful ribeye steaks from precious neighbors!! Thanks!

We are truly blessed!! ss

Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

Album: Where Angels Fear To Tread (2002)

by Matt Redman

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your name

Comments
Sep. 24, 2007 - Posted by lklivingston
Do you know, that's exactly the song I've been thinking of for you this week? It seemed so fitting.

Nov. 30, 2007 - Thank you for the song
Posted by WisdomBuilders
It's been a long time since I've sung that song, but I remember the year we had to evacuate from our home and didn't know if we would be back or not. A car full of our most precious keepsakes, and that might have been all. I sang that song everyday away from home, not knowing for sure. We did return, but I felt so at peace from giving up the worry. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Tears! Healing??

I'm quite a bit out of the loop since loosing our little one... as of yet I still tear up on the phone. That makes groups very overwhelming.

I tried to go to drop the girls at AWANA tonight. I hoped for little exposure. I got more than I bargained for.

1- "How are you?" Good (I really am good from where I've been) but I felt scolded... "You don't have to be good...." (I soon learned that 'good' was a safe answer.)

2- "How are you doing?" It's been a really hard week. (Well, that did me in! With sunglasses in place I quickly retreated with wet eyes... the "good" was easer to handle...)

3- "When's your date?" (I know the question was in innocent... but I was toast.... as the tears came I retreated. I was so thankfull my wonderful Hubbie could explain and get our kidos.)

I’ve heard tears are healing.... but right now they just feel like pain. I'm nowhere ready for these tears to pick up and carry me away. It is so much easer at home. I'm yet praying for healing and I know who heals!! His name is Jesus.

My heart goes out to a girlfriend who also lost her little one just a week before me! We share the same pain. We are both are praying for another friend to yet have a baby girl and that she’s not be burden by our losses!!!

Comments
Sep. 24, 2007 - Posted by lklivingston
I suspected the reason for the sunglasses, and I think they were a good choice. I didn't even try to seek you out last night. I'm sure I wouldn't have done as well in the same situation. It may be awhile before groups are a comfortable situation.

No Wheat & Dairy

It has been an early morning today! No sleep as my breathing has been impaired! I'm not sure being off wheat and dairy is working. Maybe I'm not off enough. I've replaced wheat w/ Spelt. It is an old fashioned wheat & no gluten (according to some) & not a hybrid. (Suzanne I've seen you message via e @ WTM but have been unable to respond... hummm yet figuring out that.... ;)

With the spelt... I'm made bread that's been wonderful... Replaced wheat for spelt & I've also used coconut oil to replace butter.

I've also used it in my niemen marcus cookies! The spelt & coconut oil made the recipe more crumbly and hard to ball. I put the cookie dough in a zip bag & rolled it even & cut it inot cookie sizes & froze. I baked them last night and they were wonderful and a bit square!!!

But I'm still up and not sleeping. Maybe I should be off spelt too!! So much for the bread in the oven this morning!! Or maybe I'm allergic to cotton... maybe silk sheets would help!! That's my ponderings!

Hubbie & girls yet sleep. As well as Memom & Aunt Karen visiting... I guess I'll be on an alternate schedule being up at 5!

Joy comes in the Morning! I've seen the beautiful start of this day!

O! My Lady bug is up & wants to color!! J

Comments
Sep. 24, 2007 - Cookbook
Posted by lklivingston
A mutual friend had given me an allergy-elimination cookbook. I believe I gave it to another mutual friend who deals with food issues, but I suspect that if you're interested we could borrow it back (since she doesn't really need it). If you follow the plan in the cookbook, you should be able to confirm whether or not food allergies are a problem and if so, what they are. Of course, what it means is that your diet for several weeks would be really horrible (something sort of like what mine is right now - lol).

Flowers

They are beautiful!! Such sweetness in our sorrow... Thank you!!!! ss

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

His mercies are new every morning. God’s timing… The girls and I enjoyed a walk this morning. The birds were singing and we enjoyed the cooler temps.

As we walked I’ve been slowed today by the coming storm as I physically catch up w/ loss that I already know. Cramps I expected but contractions were a surprise. Even my water broke this morning. I’m praying for God to clean me inside and out… and praying no D&C.

Thanks to precious friends who capture my girls and extend grace to me!

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning

New mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness



His grace is sufficient.

No Sleep

Oh! It is late and the hubbie is long asleep!!! I just tossed and turned... and remembered the things I'd wanted to do in the kitchen!!

So in about 30 minutes or so... I've made yogurt, spelt bread to be done at 7:30, and spelt pseudo Niemen cookies!! We'll enjoy those at the zoo as we go visit the Capybara we read about today!!! Maybe I'll add recipes tomorrow!! I'm off wheat & dairy... and used spelt and coconut oil... this is all new and an experiment!! G'nite!! I'm thanking God who gives rest!!! ss

No Little One & Prayer Matters

Prayer- Monday Hubbie joined me at my first Ob appt and I was so eager to hear the baby’s heartbeat.

Alas, no heartbeat was found and a sonogram followed by blood work confirmed this little one did not make it.

Pray for God’s healing on my body, on my broken heart and hopes. Pray His protection of my girls and all their hopes for a little one. (Their coloring have crying eyes.) Pray for God’s clear direction and timing, I feel very pressured to be over this by Hubbie's surgery only a week or so out.

Pray for his surgery to go well and no complications October 2. He’s again looking at a week in the hospital. Pray for family who’s coming to have a good visit with the girls.

Prayer matters!! Thanks for your continued prayer. Yesterday I asked Hubbie if this was a faith quake. We're both ok. We're shaken yet we both firmly know God is faithful. His word has been precious and life to me throughout this season. This week in Psalm 139 even the darkness is not dark to him. I'm yet walking in a darkness with grieving this loss and I know He is my every present help in need.

My grieving this little one started on Monday. I knew things were not right. All the hope of the 11 weeks we waited vanished like vapor. The cute Christmas dress that would be so cute with a bump rather than a square pillow is not to be. Oh gracious. We laughed as friends prayed for a stinky baby boy!!

He gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Today we girls took the day off and headed to the zoo. We had a wonderful time!! We even came home with somewhere between 1 and 20 antlions!!! Anyone want our extras??? It was a great distraction from the heaviness….

I’m yet claiming His yoke is easy & His burden is light, but it has gotten a lot heavier…

Morning in Mourning

This morning I woke w/ the heaviness of what's to come!

I'm standing on My yoke is easy & my burden is light...

And we've been learning Psalm 139....

It is heavy that God's not knitting!! But He's yet in control & good...

I've found comfort in the verses there....

Where can I flee from your presence...

Even the darkness is not dark to you...

We'll talk w/ the girls tonight.. That will be hard.... Pray for God to guard their tender hearts...

I'm trying to figure out the timing of what's to come.... I figure I'm heading to a DNC with no changes on this end... and this really needs to happen before Hubbie's surgery, I don’t think I can head for the long time w/ this...

That's my grace for today!!

Thanks for your prayers!

Comments
Sep. 18, 2007 - Talk
Posted by lklivingston
I hope all went as well as you could hope for with the girls. I told mine. Oldest was upset. Younger was upset but showed it by being obnoxious, because that's how she handles stress. Hopefully she won't say anything rude next time she sees you!

Math First

Wow... Love Bug picked math first today!! Daily we pick 2 of our 7 weekly AO2 books. Generally we start w/ our books and end with math. Today she picked The Little Duke and Our Island Story but did not want to start here.

For the first time the pick was to start with math. We've just started MEP a free online math program out of Brittan. She's enjoying our new math routine. http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm

Here's today's math.... Draw a ladder & number the steps, count up & down, skip rungs.... next sequence 5 items shut eyes & shuffle, what changed... counting songs 2s & 3s girls skip and sing.... then we worked w/ greater & less than signs using number & sign cards.... then we worked w/ shapes matching and comparing... and lastly we worked in the workbook w/ greater & less than, & matching...

She did great!!! And we enjoyed it all!!! Wow! Math was fun!!

(And it was easier than what else was going on! And good distraction)

Dr Appointment No Heartbeat

Hey- I saw the Dr. today and things are not as they should be.... There was no heart beat or development that should be there by my dates.... We'll do testing later in the week for definitive results.... I'm not saying anything to the girls yet... and I'm mostly covered up in tears... no calls please.

The Lord gives & the Lord takes away,

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

ss

Round 2 Getting Ready

Hubbie saw the Dr and he’s heading into tests to hit his 2^nd surgery. He’s eager to end the colostomy and so glad it is temporary. Our compassion goes to those who cannot reverse. We are looking at an October 2^nd surgery and another week in the hospital!! His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Day 5 Saturday Going Home Soon

Jesus is the Great Physician!

Today Hubbie graduated from ice chips to tomato soup, broth, pudding and an
Icee!!!! It has been a banner day! Lots of smiles & laughs & even a
canasta card game!! This a.m. the Dr. even said MAYBE he could get out
tomorrow! Wow!! The end is in sight! Only the IV is holding him down!
Tomorrow he gets a real breakfast!!!

The girls finally got to come back and see daddy! They are enjoying
time with Memom & Aunt Karen!! The wall is filled w/ colorings and
beautiful notes many have sent online at GS. THANKYOU!!!!!

Praise I've found the song God has played over and over in my
ears... strength will rise as wait upon the Lord!! He is the Everlasting
God.... He has been our Strong Deliverer!!! We have had many chances to
share the reason of our hope in Jesus. Even the huge stak of Invitation CDs
my girls collected have been distributed! I'd thought there were way too
many at our home... and God knew they'd be needed thru this hospital stay!!

As we look at the days to come it is overwhelming... work, vacation (the dr
said we could go!!!!), and another surgery on the horrizon... not to
mention the bills for our visit... God is our Strength and Provider! Pray
our eyes stay on HIM and see these detail thru His eyes!! Even as we look 3
months to Hubbie's surgery.... 5 months or so beyond that we have another
hospital stay... as we just found out we are expecting a little Speicher!!
Oh!! All that during this week has truely been a joy in the trial. And yes
another prayer!

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited paitently on the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and
heard my cry. He brought me up also out of the miry clay and set my feet
upon a rock, and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth, a
hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in
the LORD.

Waiting!
ss

Everlasting God

We wait upon the Lord.... He so comforted me with these words... We sang them in worship just the Sunday before.... They we a treasure to find and get the CD!!!

Chris Tomlin http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/artist/chris_tomlin/

Everlasting God



Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord



Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary



Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary



You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

Day 3 Homesick

The days r beginning 2 run 2gether. PRAISE Hubbie is up walking and

counting laps- 5 on the last walk. Love Bug n Lady Bug came yesterday.

They were thrilled 2 see daddy. I slept all night at home. My mom is

coming 2day 2 b with girls. PRAYER Hubbie b rid of another tube,

upgrade 2 liquids. Good nurses, last nite was rough. 2day I got the

girls 2 see daddy... but Love Bug had a fever... we both cried. Love Bug

also learned a new word... homesick. It was so hard 2 leave them with

friends. 2day has been hard 4 me with many tears, often a surprise 2

me. GOD IS GOOD we cling 2 Him. Isaiah 40:31 ss

Day 2 What Happened

Early Tues morn Hubbie had emergency surgery 4 a burst diverticuli n the colon. This morning he is moving around as far as his many tubes allow. He is doing great. Yesterday was mostly recovery from major surgery n sleep. Another surgery will follow n 12 wks. A HUGE THANKS 2 all 4 prayer and help w the girls. We except to b here 4 to 7 days. God is faithful. Ss

Ok After Surgery

surgery went well. 5-7 days in hospital.

Pray Emergency Surgery

Hubbie heading 2 surgery, first of 2 abdominal. pray healing. peacethat I not fear.