Never a Dull Moment at our Home!

Well, we've been busy again! Two weekends ago, Grace was enjoying the beautiful weather and her friends on the block when she fell off of her razor and fractured her elbow. How do my kids do these things??? She cried for a little bit but had such a fun day planned it really didn't slow her down for several days....then we went to the dr and found out, yes, it was REALLY broken, AGAIN! (you might remember, she did this in May a few days before her surgery). Another sling and more weeks of learning to use her right arm (she is a lefty!) But, she is a trooper and nothing seems to slow her down.

Another broken elbow!

Grace and Caroline at Junie B. Jones play

That same weekend, our family was invited to see Miley in concert. Grace was able to go with her good friends and see one of her favorite singers. She had a great time and fortunately is still too young to notice that Miley is growing up a little too fast. She loved the concert and hanging with her friends but she was just as happy with the Junie B. Jones play and seeing her favorite book character come to life!

Kevin and Grace waiting to see Miley

This past week was filled with singing and rehearsals as Cannon's acting career was in full throttle! His playbill class at school put on Oliver the Musical at his middle school and he had many long days and nights rehearsing and gearing up for the 4 day run of the show. It was so fun to watch him do something that he absolutely adores! I am thankful for this class and the outlet that he has with it.

In true Grace fashion, with things being super busy for Cannon, she seemed to be getting sick over the weekend but thankfully it never amounted to anything more than just needing some extra sleep and rest during the day. I am thankful that at this point, she is still very healthy!

Thank you for continuing to pray for our family!

Love,

Carrie

Another praise of thanksgiving!

Praise God that Grace was able to receive the H1N1 vaccine today! I am so thankful for the compassionate team of doctors and nurses who surround her, care for her, and watch out for her! I received a phone call that they were holding one for her and to come in immediately to get it! Grace was so excited to get picked up in the middle of the day from school and afterwards I treated her to a quick lunch at McDonald's, her favorite stop!

We are thanking God for the provision of this vaccine and are hopeful that Grace will be protected from getting this horrible flu and all of it's side effects!

God is good!

Carrie

Celebrating our normal

Another week has come and gone and Grace continues to get healthier and healthier. Praise God!

She is really enjoying 3rd grade and always has something to tell me when she gets home, which is new, in years past, she used to be really quiet about school. She is constantly reading a book or writing a little story for us when she is at home too. She continues to enjoy going to

her art class and her dance class and has also enjoyed some play dates with friends...something she had really been missing when she was sick.

Our family also made our annual visit to the State Fair this past weekend and we had a great time. One of the things we talked about was how fun it was to watch Grace be in a crowd of people and not be afraid about her getting sick. I also continue to marvel at her love for food...and the State Fair is a fun place to watch her eat! We have so many things to be thankful for!!

Three prayers I have right now: 1. that Grace would remain healthy 2. that she would somehow understand the medical things that are required of her and not fight having these done. 3. patience for me during these struggles with Grace

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family and for checking in. We are celebrating the joy of a somewhat normal life right now and trying to not get caught up in the fear and anxiety of when could things get bad again.

Love, Carrie

Protection and Provision

The Lord continues to offer a shield of protection around Grace and we are so thankful! She has now been back in school 14 days and has stayed healthy as friends and family continue to get sick all around her....Praise God for His mighty protection! She is enjoying being back in school and is loving 3rd grade! She has become such a little chatterbox about her life again! Praise God! Grace also began her outside activities this past week...dance and art and was thrilled to be back! OYM at church on Sunday morning (Grace's Sunday school class) was also a highlight since it had been weeks since she had been there. So many praises...

The Lord has also provided for us in amazing ways. As many of you know, Kevin and I (along with many who love us well) have been in communication and prayer for over 4 years about what to do about our 90 year old home. Although it was perfect for us when we moved in almost 9 years ago, an old home needs a lot of work and maintenance to keep it running smoothly and with Grace's medical status, the house just always seemed to get pushed to the back burner. There just never was enough energy and resources to do what needed to be done and so each year, as Grace's health ebbed and flowed and take up most of our time, we seemed to see our home decline more rapidly...the roof was leaking in multiple rooms, the AC quit working, the utilities quit working, and many, many more issues. But, over the course of these years, we have made many wonderful memories in our sweet home with family and friends and so it was a really hard decision for us as we sought God's wisdom and guidance. After years of waiting, God answered us and provided a wonderful new home for us where we will begin to make new memories. He worked a deal where we were able to buy a new home and trade our Westminster home at the same time. This all happened in less than 2 weeks! With the help of loving family and friends, we packed our Westminster home in under a week and moved in last Friday! The picture that you see on this post is Cannon and Grace surrounded by boxes in our new garage!!!! (We didn't have a garage in our old home, so Grace thinks it is really cool!)

I have to tell you that we are grateful beyond words and most days, when I talk about it, I tear up. As we continue to unpack boxes and feel weary from that whole process, we continue to be blown away by God's amazing provision in our life. Our prayer is that we will remember His goodness and continue to thank Him and that we will continue to hold this world loosely and instead fix our eyes on Him.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family!

We love each of you,

Carrie

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God; and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118: 28, 29

Close call

We continue to pray each day for good health and protection for Grace as more and more friends and neighbors have gotten sick in the past week. There seem to be all sorts of bugs out there from swine flu to strep throat. I continue to have to remind myself not to be anxious about anything but to trust in the Lord with all of my heart, and mind, and soul. My grandmother used to tell me, "Carrie, don't borrow trouble." That is something that continues to play in my head when I begin to fret and worry about the "what ifs."

Well, our healthy world at home became not so healthy yesterday. Cannon came home from school early with a stomach ache and head ache. He seemed worse today and it appeared that Grace might be coming down with it too. After a quick phone call to their dr and a trip to see him, I am happy to report that neither one has the flu!!! Grace seems much better this evening, but Cannon has a stomach bug.

I pray that Cannon feels better soon and that Grace doesn't get as sick as Cannon is. Praising God that it isn't worse...

Thank you for your prayers,

Carrie

So far, so good!

Grace has been in school a week now and she seems to be doing well. The first couple of days were a little bumpy, just because I think she was still tired and was adjusting to being back in school. She started going full day again on Monday and the past 3 days seem to have been very good for her. She is happy and has a lot to tell me when she comes home. She also has been surrounded by friends and staff at UP who are loving and encouraging her throughout the day. Praise God!

She has also stayed healthy and we are so thankful for that! There are so many people that she has been surrounded by that have gotten sick in the past week and so we are counting our blessings that she has remained healthy this past week. I continue to pray for all of our sweet friends who are sick and also that Grace will be protected from all that seems to be going around.

On Tuesday, Grace went for her monthly injection down at Children's and I was so proud of her! She didn't complain about going and was so brave! I am attaching a picture of us with our masks on for protection! Grace thought this was really funny.

Last night, Kevin's parents spent the night at our house so that Kevin and I could get a full night's sleep. I am so thankful for their kindness; we now have 2 sets of parents living here who are willing to help us! God is so good to us...He continues to provide for our every need.

Please continue to pray for Grace as she juggles all of her medical issues yet tries to get back into a "normal" routine. Please also continue to pray for protection from sickness. Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers!

Love,

Carrie

Cleared for school! Praise God!

Things have been quite busy around our house and so please forgive me for the lack of updates this past week. Between managing Grace's medical issues and all that requires, to keeping up with her school work, to trying to juggle the rest of life, we have been busy. Exhausted, would put it mildly, but I have to say, it has been worth every second! Just when we think we can't do it one more second, God gives us the strength to continue. I am so thankful that God gave me Kevin to walk this path with me. He is an incredible father and husband!

Grace continues to be an example of finding joy and peace in all circumstances and it has been incredible to watch her this past week as she seems to slowly be growing stronger and healthier. I still think she looks like a ghost but I am hoping that if the sun would come out a little bit and we could get outside, some color might come back to her beautiful face.

Best news we have heard in awhile (besides Cannon got his cast off!!!).....Her dr cleared her for school and she will start 1/2 days this Thursday. Grace is pretty apprehensive about going back and so we are asking for a few prayers:

1. that Grace would be protected from illness

2. that Grace would be surrounded by friends that would love and encourage her

3. that Grace would not feel overwhelmed at school and would stay strong

4. that we would continue to trust in God's plan for our lives, whatever that might look like

Thank you for journeying with us!

Love,

Carrie