Oh, Happy Day!

What a gift this day has been!

Lydia had a fantastic night's sleep and awoke proclaiming how good she felt and how she really wanted to play today!  I helped her to the sofa and started about the day.  A few minutes later she yells, "Look Momma, I can walk today!!!!"  Overprotective momma that I am, I explained that I did not want her walking without my help.

So, she crawled.

So, I pulled out the vacuum to suck up the 1 inch thick layer of dog hair covering our floors.  Cleaning has not been priority lately.

I could not keep her down though.  A few minutes later I found her in her brothers' room walking back and forth from Sam's bed to Luke's bed as both brothers looked on and encouraged her.

What a sight to see the three of them so excited about her new strut!

Snip-it of her practicing her gait

Later in the day, we ventured over to see our sweet friends, the Voiles, a true blessing from the Lord. The children played the afternoon away while Kim and I filled the air with words for over 4 hours.  So thankful for the gift of friendship.

By the time we got back home Willie had prepared a delicious supper and we sat down and enjoyed a fine meal, good conversation and laughter.

Everyone's asleep now but me.
  
        I can't stop smiling ~ thinking about the gift of THIS DAY.

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Psalm 126:3

More Changes

I woke up to the sound of someone coughing....it was Lydia in the living room.  She had a restless night's sleep during the night and now had nausea.  I could tell this day would be a hard day.  She also seemed weaker and more wobbly. I called Willie and let him know of the changes.  We quickly e-mailed Dr. Gold to report Lydia's condition.  He promptly contacted us and maintained a close eye (from 2.5 hours away) the remainder of the day.

Lydia had seemed unaware about these recent changes, but today she noticed, and wanted to talk about it.  It was a hard conversation, but one that must be had.

We spent most of the day talking, resting, praying, memorizing scripture, doing art work, and shopping on-line.

The most frustrating thing for her at this time is her inability to walk by herself.  She's hoping her legs will be working better in the morning.  I'm praying for just that to happen.

She had her first dose of Decadron tonight at 9pm.  Decadron is given to help alleviate her symptoms.  We are all nervous about this drug ~ about 2 years ago when she was on it she had horrible side effects that lingered way too long.  Hoping this time won't be as bad.

So, now's the time when life gets hard and we're given the opportunity to put flesh and bones on the word FAITH.
Now's the time to stay focused on Him.
Now's the time that hurts so badly, but trust Him even more.

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

August 26,2011 MRI

We all traveled to UNC Children's Hospital for this particular MRI.  Lydia enjoyed having her brothers along for the trip.  We arrived the night before and settled into our hotel and then went to "Streets of Southpoint" for dinner and shopping.

Dinner at California Pizza

delicious avocado wraps!

Lydia's ceasar salad with gold fish :)

She L♡VES olives!

Luke showing his support ♥

The kids LOVE staying in hotels and exploring new places.  

6:30 breakfast at the hotel

The next morning we awoke bright  and early and quickly ate breakfast and loaded up the Tundra to make it on time for Lydia's 7:15 clinic visit.  

So thankful my mom and sister met us there to watch the boys so Willie and I could both go back with Lydia for her examination with Dr. Gold.  

Lydia has loved Dr. Gold since the day she met him.  

She was able to have her IV placed and MRI scan done without any problems.

"Yea! I'm done!"

choosing her beads of courage 

Afterwards we went to Cafe' Carolina and ate ham and cheddar sweet potato biscuits.  Well, Sam slept through the meal. :)

Such sweet memories even on a difficult day.  

The MRI showed that the tumor in her brainstem remains stable.  

The scan also revealed several new tiny spots in her cerebellum.  

At this time we do not know if these spots are scar tissue from radiation 

or possibly new tumors developing.  

What I do know is this...  
He knows. 

 God planned each and every day of her life and 

NOTHING takes Him by surprise.


Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16

Even though we received unexpected news, 

I take comfort that her Maker has a 

perfect plan for her life.  

Recent Jesus Calling devotional that continues to echo in my thoughts...

ENTRUST YOUR LOVED ONES TO ME; release them into My protective care.  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself.  Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac.  I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship.  Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions.  I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.

When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do.

Resting in His promises

Trusting in His perfect plan

Walking by Faith

 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. 
Genesis 28:15

Changes

Lately we have noticed Lydia is more clumsy and at times not quite herself.  She is normally very mothering with her brothers, but as of late she has become part of their chaos.  Change in personality and difficulty walking both fall under the umbrella of signs we are to look for that could indicate a change in the tumor.  With all this being said, she will be having an MRI soon ~ Friday, August 26th to be exact.  Thankful she is not having headaches, seizures, nausea or vomiting.  Trusting God completely as He is the One who formed her and has a perfect plan for her life.

So appreciate every prayer uttered on her behalf.



Random Summer Snapshots....

Luke's 6th Birthday!

Lydia on the ferry to Ocracoke

Mommy and Sam having a blast on vacation in Rodanthe

♥ Byrds and Hardees ♥

Zoe chillin' by the pool

Lydia holding her mommy

A little too excited!

My man and his best friend

Lydia and Farrah on the beach

my beach babe

COVERED in sand

water bug

Quick snapshot before going out for my Bday dinner

She loves birthday cake!

a present from Lydia

pirate girl

Obi Wan

spunky face!

So thankful for a summer filled with precious memories.

Feel like I can feel the heat of a fiery trial inching closer.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:6

Kids before church (8-21-11)