Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

I realize this holiday brings tears of joy and tears of sorrow for some of you as you might have lost your mother or are becoming a brand new mom this year. Whatever your relationship is with your mother one thing is for sure and that is she has left a forever mark in your life. Now as a mama of Faith I continue to be amazed at what a huge yet wonderful gift, service God has given me to do. It is not always an easy road to become the mother you want to be but I am beginning to learn that it is through my failures that I can teach her more about the Lord, life and herself then when I am "doing everything right". Motherhood is not just a journey to teach your child about life lessons but it becomes a journey you take with your Savior. A journey in which you begin to see how you respond and act in the same way to your Heavenly Father as your child does you. A road in which you learn to love, forgive, cry, laugh, extend grace, test patience and become a student all over again.


Love you, Mom!


Mothers & Daughters




Taking care of me once again in the hospital and celebrating the miracle of new lungs

Love my Nannie


I am thankful for the mother I have and the love and joy she has brought to my life. She has not had an easy job raising me with all of my health issues (and maybe some stubbornness along the way) but I have never once heard her complain. The countless hours she did over the years in helping with my breathing treatments, giving me my CPT (percussion), keeping up with all of my meds, the many doctors visits and hospital stays as well as staying up with me throughout the night due to coughing so much. Not only did she take care of me physically but her love for the Lord and her leadership in teaching her children about the Lord gave me a spiritual seed to grow. We are good friends....well we refer to each other most of the time as sisters and I'm forever thankful for all that she is and all that she has done for me. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Update~
I got to Birmingham around midnight and they took another x-ray and the doctor felt that it is probably pneumonia instead of rejection. However, they will still do a bronch probably today to check everything. We continue to pray that it is not rejection and that these meds clear up whatever infection I have. Please pray that I do well with the bronch as I always seem to struggle with it. (Hopefully NO more shots in my rear this time in the recovery room....see older post Crazy Lady on the Loose!) Thank you so much for your prayers, it means so much to us. Jason, Faith and Mimi (Jason's mom) arrived here this afternoon. They drove the 18 hour drive through the night and so we thank you for lifting them up in your prayers.

My Grandma sent me this and I thought it was so funny and so true! Hope you enjoy reading it and laugh at some of the funny things we do as moms.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU GREAT MOMS!

~Lessons you learn from your mom~

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL . "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC . " Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident ."

7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM . "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE . "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING . "You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE . "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS . "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed" Proverbs 31:25-28

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Headed to Birmingham

My x-ray from yesterday and today showed a possible pneumonia and I was coughing some blood up this morning. However all the test that they have done have come back negative so my transplant team wants me to be transported to Birmingham to check for rejection. They don't feel that pneumonia can set in that quickly. We just want to be on the safe side and make sure we are not missing anything. Jason and Faith will either drive or fly out as soon as we know when I will be leaving.

I really can't share what all is going on in my heart right now but I've been praying and asking for the same thing that the man in Mark 9:24 asked of Jesus.

Jesus says, "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24

Friday, May 8, 2009

Health update

Well I spent most of the day in the ER yesterday. I've been struggling with nausea for several weeks now and I woke up running a high fever on Thursday and feeling very drained. Come to find out I was severely dehydrated (this was caused by a number of things that I've been battling with) and probably have a viral infection. I stayed in the hospital last night and have been receiving fluids and some antibiotics. My oxygen has been low too so they put me on some oxygen for right now. I'm not sure how long I'll be in here but I feel like the fluids are helping some.

I could use your prayers right now as I feel very emotionally drained. Jason and I were talking this morning about this past year, and although we have had some wonderful times it has also been a very long and difficult one. I guess I'm just feeling a little beat up and defeated at the moment. Thank you for your prayers for us.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:8-9

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Maggie dressed in her Best!

What's cuter then a Bulldog? A Bulldog in a DRESS! Yep, Maggie had her first experience (as well as ours) competing in a dog pageant. Last weekend was the "Posh Pooch Pageant" and anyone could enter and it was just a fun activity for the whole family. I had no idea what I was going to dress her in but Jason was set on finding something girlie and frilly (if you can imagine Jason wanting that!) My next dilemma was if our almost 5 month old puppy would fit into anything. Let's just say Bulldogs are NOT known for their thin and lean look. =) However, I did find a beautiful dress that fit her good but not for long. She was quite an eye catcher and to top it off her pink bow on the rear was great because she has a nice waddle and so she had a great shake!

Don't let the face deceive you, she really had a good time =)



She did very well though, she was the second runner up. =) Very proud of her. All in all it was a fun day and we'll be back next year with more frills and maybe beads!
This is the dog she lost too =(



Saturday, April 25, 2009

Strange Happenings...& the Ins & Outs of the week!

Well I guess I can start with the strange happenings around our house. First of all in the middle of April we had a huge hail storm that left our streets looking like a raging icy river and quarter size hail covered the lawn. I haven't seen a storm like that in a while and Faith was fascinated with all the ice!



Hail Storm! from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.
Hail covered the lawn



Our second strange sighting is what has been strolling around in the baby stroller at our house. DINOSAURS! Faith has had a growing obsession with dinosaurs and the other day I decided that she would probably like having a model one for herself. We went to TOYS R US and she was thrilled to pick one out and as we waited in the check out line to purchase it, a lady in front of us looked over and said," Does she like dinosaurs?" I said," yes, she loves them!" The lady laughed and said," how strange." Hey.....some girls stroll babies in their strollers and other girls stroll dinosaurs. I'm pretty sure right now she would rather have a dinosaur party then a princess party. =)

Here are some ins and outs of our week~

Faith got a new sandbox and she is not the only one that is enjoying it!



We went to Chucke-Cheese last week and all Faith wanted to do was sit in this car and hug the dog


Emily T. came down for a couple of days to see her family and so I got to hop over and spend sometime with her and her sweet baby, Savannah! Faith loved baby Savvy


Sometimes you just got to rest those jowls

Faith headed to the circus this week and had a good time watching the elephants and tigers!
Oh My!

At our Ranching Heritage Center here they had a kids fun day and Faith got to do want she loves.....ride those horses with cousin, Jane! Yee Haw


Thursday, April 16, 2009

Easter

Well, we had a nice Easter being with family and watching Faith hunt for Easter eggs in the freezing cold. Although we had two wonderful family meals I never got to touch them because I was trying my best to keep from running to the restroom. Oh I guess, I should mention my symptom or thing for the week. =) I have Shingles! Crazy, I've never had them before and some of the symptoms or side effects that go a long with it are headache and stomachache. I've been on meds to help it and I'm doing better today.


Yea, we got a family picture!



Picture with Faith's great-Mimi and all the girl cousins except little Lily


It was freezing outside but that did not detour Faith from finding those eggs


Maggie was helpful in finding the eggs as well =)


Enjoying the yummy treats with Sissy


Faith had 2 Easter eggs hunts, one at aunt Melissa's house and the other at Nannie's house. The one in the video is at Nannie's house. It was too dark and cold to do it outside so we enjoyed looking for them in the warmth of the house. Oh, and the thing she keeps saying after picking up an egg is,"another one? another egg"?

Hunt for those Eggs! from Emily Mulkey on Vimeo.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Reflecting on the Cross

The first time I heard this song titled "Why" by, Nichole Nordeman, I couldn't help but cry. The tenderness and mercy of God just overwhelm me.

By his wounds you are healed. Isaiah 53:5


Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend celebrating our risen King!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Mulkey Run Down

Well I thought I would give you a quick update on our family and all that has been keeping us busy.


Jason~ He had a great week in the fact that he was able to figure out what was wrong with his truck and get it up and running again! And believe it or not he already has his NEXT project, another Jeep M715. This is the same kind of military jeep he had when we first got married and we sold it a couple of years ago but have always hoped to get another one. It is a really cool looking Jeep and we can never go anywhere without someone stopping us to ask about it. So, here we go again.....beginning another vehicle adventure! (I'll post pictures of the Jeep soon!)


Chick-Fil-A is going well. We hit #1 in sales for the chain in February so things are rocking along. We feel very blessed to be at this store and Brandon and Jason do a wonderful job!



Emily~ Health wise I've been doing pretty well. I am struggling right now with being anemic and so we are trying to figure out how to get that under control. I'll keep you updated on that. Other then my health I stay busy with Faith and I also became a mentor mom to teen moms at this great ministry called, "Teen Parents". Me and this other mentor mom have a group of 5 young moms (17 and younger). We meet every Tuesday night for our group time and then once a month we plan an activity to do all together with their babies. Teen Parents is a place that they can come where there is support, encouragement, friendships, parent teaching and hopefully a way to look out side of their box and continue to follow their goals in life. I have loved being apart of this ministry and the opportunity to serve and encourage these girls.
I will be a team leader for our CF walk this year in May, so I've been working some on that as well. If you would like to contribute, there is a "Great Strides" walk logo on the top part of this blog and you can click that and donate online. Also, if you would like to walk with us on May 16, we would love to have you! Thank you for all your support!



Faith~ Well well.....what has Faith been up too? Let's see, her life stays busy with

  • going to gymnastics (which she loves!)
  • doing puzzles (she is putting together 24 piece puzzles now by herself)

  • playing or tormenting Maggie

  • playing with cousins
  • going to the Science Spectrum (she loves the dinosaurs there, even though she is a little scared)

  • and her new thing taking her diaper off during nap time and yelling," Mama....POOP....diaper!" I have found her TOTALLY naked several times the past week. Ok, ok, I know it's all the signs for potty training and we will work on it soon. I'm not looking forward to it!
She thinks she is pretty clever though because many times when I take a shower in the morning I will let her watch a show and the other day she said, "Mama....shower.....TV?" Now, I'm glad my daughter is concerned with my high gene but I'm pretty sure I know the motive behind it. =)


Gymnastics~ Swinging!

Maggie never likes to sleep a normal way


This is one of Maggie's favorite things to do, watch Faith take a bath
Can I come in?

Well, that's what we have been up too. I hope you and your families are doing well and enjoying the spring weather. Love ya!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Saying Good Bye

I got a text message this morning around 8:30 am from Katey, letting me know that Shaun had passed away. It never seems real at first when someone dies and there just never seems to be the right words to say. I've had my share of tears today and my every other thought seem to want to recall all my memories I have of him. I'm thankful he no longer is suffering but it's never easy to say good bye. It's hard to understand sometimes why God calls someone Home but Shaun now has a body that will never be sick again.

A couple of songs have been playing in my head today as I thought about 2 friends I have lost this year. These songs remind me of the hope we have in Christ when we face loosing a loved one. I hope you will take the time to listen to them, even if you have heard them before. Thank you again for your prayers for them.

*You can turn down the back ground music by scrolling down to the bottom of the blog




Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Update on Shaun

Thank you for your prayers for Shaun and his family. I'm getting my updates through another transplant friend, Katey, and today she talked to Shaun's mom on the phone. This is part of the update she wrote on her blog about Shaun-


Many of you have been praying for my friend Shaun, who is critically ill right now. He's a CF/transplant patient, who has, for reasons unknown to us, taken a turn for the worse this last month. He's had setback after setback after setback, but each time stabilizing somewhat. As of Sunday, he had stabilized from his most recent set-back, and started to improve a little. Today is a different story.

I called his Mom earlier to find out that he was not doing well. His prognosis was not good, and there was nothing else the doctors could do for him. His left lung has now collapsed, and consequently, has 4 chest tubes. His O2 sats are 73/74. He is on full pressure vent settings, as much as possible. His poor little body is as swollen as can be! It's now basically a waiting game, to see if God's ready to take him home or perform a miracle and let him continue his life here on Earth.


As you can tell things have continued to look worse and they continue to need your prayers. Although he is not conscious I am believing God is right there with him, giving him peace and strength. It's difficult to think how full of life he was and now he is barely holding on. The Lord has been quietly reminding me to NEVER take life for granted. To LIVE each day to the fullest, to enjoy what the Lord has given, to cherish each moment and the relationships I have. Shaun always has a positive attitude about life and it shines where ever he goes. So as you pray for him, remember to~

  • Kiss your children and tell them you love them
  • Call that person that has been on your heart recently
  • Do something special for your spouse
  • Tell your friends how much their friendship means to you
  • Give someone that compliment you have been thinking but haven't said
  • Write someone a note of encouragement
  • And share the Good News of the Gospel to someone you have thought about witnessing too, because there may not be another opportunity.

So then, as we have opportunity let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10