Helping Mama

There are just some moments that you never want to forget. Children can touch the heart sometimes like no one else can. Faith did a simple thing for me the other day but she doesn't know it made me feel like the most loved person in the world.

I was having a coughing spell (not unusual) and she came over and brought me a Kleenex. She has seen Jason & Callie bring me them whenever I start to cough and I guess she just thought she knew what mama needed. You never knew an 18 month old could help out in such a big way. I remember tearing up and thanking God for bringing me such a sweet helper, baby girl. It's the simple things in life that can take our breath away.

It's never easy letting go.....

We have been heading off to the park more recently since we have had some beautiful days. Faith LOVES to be outside and slides are her favorite. The letting go and going down her self has not been mastered but daddy and mama are always there to cheer her on and give her a little push if need be. 1.....2......3.....GO!!!

She is just happy to sit at the top of the slide all day long

Living on the Receiving End

Asking for help has never been my specialty but I guess the Lord thought I needed to learn what it was like to be on the receiving end.

It's hard at times for me to accept the limitations due to my CF . I will push myself to the limit before resigning and this last year and a half have been challenging in many ways but the most frustrating is having to accept the fact that I can not do certain things anymore. Therefore my need for physical support and help have greatly increased. Being young but feeling like you have a 100 year old body causes conflicting emotions. Most CF people I know try to blend in the best they can with their disease and I am no exception. (Not going to tell you the tricks I use to accomplish this task, hehe) However, I have not being able to "hide" as many things anymore from the public and God has humbled me in many ways. The first time I went out in public with my O2 was like going on a first date knowing you had this HUGE zit on your face! Of course, hoping your date won't notice and hoping even more he won't say anything about it, you go anyway because there is nothing you can do about it. I get the normal looks and you can see the question on their face," Why is such a young woman wearing oxygen? I wonder what her story is?" That is just one example of the changes my health has brought this last year, but with that said I am thankful to have had the support from family and friends during these times.

God allows us seasons to give, bless others (that's my favorite season) but then He also allows us the opportunity to be blessed by others and to receive support when we need it most. I still tend to get frustrated when I can't physically help others right now but I just pray the Lord will give me the opportunity to give back to all who have blessed me and my family in so many ways during this time. I am once again struck with the reality of what I am waiting for, and that is waiting to receive new lungs. A humbling thought to think someones family who don't know you will give you the gift of a second chance at life. Isn't that the same amazing picture of what Christ did for us on the cross. Before we ever knew Christ or knew we needed saving He made the choice to give up His Son so that we might have life. So, whether it's needing oxygen, cleaning my house, going to the store, helping with Faith, accepting Christ as my Savior, or just daily strength from the Lord to fight today, I am on the receiving end in every aspect I can think of. However small it may seem I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us-

THANK YOU!!!

~For all the meals we have received

~The ladies who cleaned my house

~Have sent flowers and cards

~For the anonymous card that would come with money

~Helping out with Faith

~Sitting with us in the ER and visiting us in the hospital

~Phone calls & e-mails

~And of course your on going prayers and love

It has all been greatly appreciated! As I continue to learn more of what it means to be on the receiving end I do know that God has a purpose for every season of life I go through and I hope not to miss what He longs to show me through this time.

Baby Sign Language

Faith and I have enjoyed learning "baby sign language." For those of you are not familiar with baby sign language, it is form of signing that you can teach babies (as early as 9 months) to help them communicate before they can talk. You always speak the word that you are signing so they know what it sounds like but babies are able to make signs for things quicker then speaking them. My mom thought it was a funny idea but she has been surprised at how well it really works! It has helped us communicate easier with her and it's been fun to learn together. Here is a very close up video of Faith doing some of her signs.

So sweet

She likes to do the open mouth poses

Chevy trucks....there's nothing better!

I get asked quite often what keeps Jason busy these days besides caring for his girls and so I thought I would show you what is keeping him occupied and probably sane living with 4 girls (including Annie, Callie's dog). Jason's love (besides me) and hobby is restoring old trucks. He would want me to make it very clear he is a Chevy (GMC) guy only! NO Fords! Right now he is working on a 1971 GMC Jimmy. This is his second vehicle to restore and I have to say he does an amazing job. As you can tell he just painted his engine orange, which I have learned is called "Chevy Orange" and that is what the manufactures painted the engines in the 60s. It still has a long way to go but he has made some good progress since he has been home. It just needs the 2 ingredients that every hobby calls for, time and money.

Good job Jay!

5 Years

On February 15, 2003 Jason & I were married! It's amazing the journey that begins when God brings two people together. I think we both would say our journey of 5 years so far has been full of fun, challenges, surprises, laughter, & tears. To recap some of our memories we will never forget are-

*Coming home from our honeymoon and finding out Jason's friend's daughter (8 months old) was dying. We were thankful to be with them as she went home to be with the Lord. We will never forget you, sweet Ansley.

*Living with Jason's sister, husband and their son for a couple of months when we were first married (Thank You)

*Having 4 job changes within CFA

*Moving 3 times (Moving isn't my thing)

*Being there for my sister as she went through brain surgery to remove a tumor (Praise the Lord He brought her through it and she has been cancer free for 4 years!)

*Moving out to AL, away from everything I've known. (Now that was an advanture traveling here. We looked like the hill billies moving in with our 4 car carivan)

*Having to change my health care when we moved. It might not be a big deal for most people but for me with my health and being use to the same medical care all my life it was a little scary. Thankfully the Lord provided as He always does and I have had a great experience with the health care here.

*Finding out we were pregnant!

*The miracle of having Faith

*Going through the lung transplant evaluation again (once in Dallas)

*Finding out we will be moving back to TX

*Waiting for new lungs

A lot has changed since we began our lives together 5 years ago but one thing has not changed and that is being very happy and thankful I was able to marry Jason!

We enjoyed a night out on the town to celebrate our anniversary

and we ended it with going to the movies in our pj's!

"This is my lover, this is my friend." Song of Songs 5:16

Beautiful in Red

I was given these winter accessories from my mother in-law but Faith thought they would look better on her. Of course, I won't disagree they do look quite cute on her. It's amazing how little girls love to dress up at such an early age.

Don't I look beautiful?

Love, Hearts, Flowers, & Big Monkeys!

Holidays always tend to be a big deal at our house and this year was no execption. (Holidays seem to be more fun when you have little ones around) We gave Faith a big stuffed monkey for Valentines Day and well....I'll let you see how she liked it.

I love it!

Of course the monkey had to be in the picture

Lot's of Hugs!

Transplant Update

I had a translpant appointment yesterday and over all it went well. The doctor shared his concern about the increase in my need for oxygen and the challenge in finding smaller lungs to fit me. He did say they (UAB) have not transplanted any lungs this year. They have done 2 hearts but so far no lungs. They will have slow months and then the next month they can tranpslant lots of people, it's just always hard to tell. It's hard to understand sometimes why God allows you to stay in a season of waiting but we trust Him. God made me the size I am and He knew I would be facing a transplant and therefore He can provide what I need, we do believe that! Also, we did see Sean (the CF guy who had the transplant) and he is doing very well. His PFT's (pulmonary function test. Your lungs air capacity) are 86% and rising. His were in the low twenties before transplant.

My need for IV meds seem to be monthly if not every couple of weeks now and I stay tired most of the time. I know you all pray for us and so I just ask for prayers for continualy strength and the healing to get off the meds for a while, give my body a break. Pray for our emotions too. Also, please pray for Jason & Callie as they daily take care of Faith and I and ALL our needs.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Dinners are never boring

Our dinners have never been quite the same since Faith arrived. Here are a couple of examples of our dinners together and why she keeps us laughing. She is 9 months in the first scene and 13 months in the second. (I can a sure you, she doesn't learn these dinner behaviors from us!)






This was filmed in the hospital, (she always makes the hospital more enjoyable) so the stroller was the next best thing for a high chair. This was the first time Faith had ever made this silly face and she will still do it every now and then. Mimi (Jason's mom) quite enjoyed the dinner show!