Happy Birthday Reilly

 Gracie has been asking me regularly when Reilly's birthday is.  Well to her delight, it was last Thursday, October 9th! She was so eager to celebrate Reilly's big 8!

 

Of course they had to get her gifts:)  Gracie picked out a tire toy, which has become her favorite, and some chewie bones.  They are quite expensive but they were on sale...and it is her birthday.  Pipes picked a bone with a squeaker in it.  Reilly loved it but she tore the squeaker out in two days.  The most adorable part of the whole thing....Gracie insisted on getting Reilly a card.  And not just any card.  It had to be a singing one.  She picked it out and the song is "You've got a friend in me"  How appropriate for her four legged friend!
Reilly got serenaded and then as you can see she was ready to attack her presents.
Piper.
The card:)
She didn't let the tire out of her sight:)

Happy Birthday Reilly, our loyal companion!

OKI

Tracie and I took our annual beach trip with the kiddos last week.  The weather was beautiful!  A little chilly and the water was freezing, but yeah you guessed it-the kids didn't care! 

Pipey playing in the sand.  She doesn't care too much for the water, especially when it's 30 degrees!  Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.
Gracie was in the water non-stop.  My little water bug.

There was a stray kitten that spent the night at the house.  Why would it do that???  Weeellll, there were four little playmates for it:)  They even named the thing.  Skamp, Sammy's idea.
He was an adorable little kitten.  Thankfully his owner came and got him the morning we were leaving.  The kids had us, I mean me (I am the sucker and Tracie reads this so I better fess up) buying food for it and finding it an owner:)  
These two were in the water almost the whole time.  Christopher and Gracie- they are two peas in a pod.
Little Pipey was sick the whole week.  Diarrhea and a fever.  Up to 102.7 at one point!  So it made for some long nights but seriously, she was a trooper.  
Sammy was the worker bee.  Digging and building, the Sam we all know and love.  I hope Tracie posts pics of his little "nest" he built.  It was really cute.  I didn't get a pic of it.

Our Economic Crisis

Go and watch this video.  I think it is well worth your time.  We need to be educated on the issues at hand in this election.  I wouldn't post this here if I didn't think it was worth your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4&feature=iv&annotation_id=event_597487

Jordan

Here is the update:)

Jordan and Jessie met with the neurologist this morning for 2 hours! I forgot to get the Dr’s names so I am going to use “N” for neurologist.  I will get them soon so we can pray for them specifically.

Anyway, Jordan has a precancerous glioma.  It is not malignant!!  It will become malignant if not treated. It is in the motor center of his brain from what I understand.  So complications like his left leg going numb are possibilities.  But hopefully they will be minimized with treatment.  There is also a “root” (part of the tumor) close to his left eye.  This could make him go blind in that eye if not treated.

The tumor is spread throughout his brain, a little more than they first thought.  And it is growing, but slowly.

He will have some test results Wednesday. There is a new test that they can do to see how well you will respond to radiation (praise the Lord).  If you DO NOT have the 1st and 19th chromosomes, then you are more likely to respond to the radiation.  If you DO  have the choromosomes, then aren’t as likely to respond well, but they will still try it.  They would probably add chemo to it as well if he has the chromosomes.

There are lots of Dr appointments coming up and lots of consults with numerous Doctors so that Jordan can get the best care.  The “N” is going to share Jordan’s case with a board of doctors so he can get input.  There are doctors all over the country that can be helpful here.  What a blessing!! To top it off, the “N” said there are several excellent doctors right here at Carolina’s Medical Center.  Praise the Lord again!

If you are wondering about surgery, the “N” said that surgery would not get all of the tumor so he doesn’t recommend it.  Not worth the risk.

Tomorrow Jordan has an oncology visit.  I will update when we hear more about that. 

The “N” said Jordan could work out again.  You guys know how important this is to them:)

So, how can you pray?

That Jordan does not have the chormosomes.

Wisdom for all the doctors who are going to care for Jordan

For Jordan and Jessie’s marriage.  That God would strengthen them as they help each other through this.

For the oncology visit tomorrow.

For all the family who are traveling to see Jordan and Jessie. And for their time with each and every family member to be fruitful and encouraging.

That the side effects for treatment will be minimal

That the tumor is cured due to the treatment

That God gives Jordan strength and grace to handle all that is going on

For Jessie especially- that God gives her peace and grace, and help as she cares for Jordan 

 For Pam and Sue and Bill and Dave as they watch their children go through this.  That they can place them in God’s hands and trust their Savior to care for them.

For wisdom as Jordan and Jessie do research on the different options for care.

Most of all- that God is glorified!!!!

    

Our family can’t thank you all enough for the way you love and care for us.  Wow just being on your knees before the Lord has given us so much hope. Look at how God has provided already.  There are so many praises even today.  We are so very appreciative for you!

                 Love,

                      Lindsay

40 Days for Life

I am sooooo sorry for not posting this sooner.  I trust that you have been praying anyway.

Here are the prayers for the past two weeks.  They are Intercessory Prayers:

10-4 For our pre-born brothers and sisters killed by abortion

10-5 For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion

10-6 For mothers who have had abortions

10-7 For mothers who have refused to have abortions

10-8 For fathers of aborted babies; or who wanted their babies aborted

10-9 For fathers who have refused to have abortions

10-10 For families of aborted babies

10-11 For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life

10-12 For government leaders, that they may defend life

10-13 For the womb to be restored as a safe place to live

Today is Day 20 of the 40 days.  Half way there! God has been moving and there are many babies and moms being saved.  Glory to God!  But the work does not end after the 40 days!  It doesn't end until abortion ends.

I was talking with a friend the other day about why people are so reluctant to get involved in the pro-life movement.  We came up with a few reasons.  Maybe you are concerned too?  I would like to hear what your concerns and reservations are. Leave a comment if you are willing.

29 and holding...

On October 3rd I turned 29:)  Kind of seems like a big birthday to me.  One year from 30, my last year to be 20 something.

   Well, My husband outdid himself once again.  He went out of his way to bless me and make my birthday special.  Thank you Buddy.

On Thursday night he was going to surprise me with dinner at the Outback, my fav, with my family.  What a treat for me!  But I was in bed with a migraine so we didn't get to go.

On Friday I got to spend the day with my girls and Tracie and the boys as we went apple picking.

Then on Saturday, Jeremy had a surprise party for me at our home with many of my friends!  It was really fun hanging out with them:)

Here are the girls from the party. Amanda (we have been friends since the 8th grade.  Very special to me that she was here:)), Jessica, Tracie, moi, Kim, Cindy, Martina, Michelle, Dawn, La La, and Lisa.  The hubbies were here too:)
Cake time.
And opening gifts:)  As you can see, I love Ann Taylor Loft.  My friend Mandy gave me a gift card:)

I  think I say this every year but I just can't help myself!  Thank you to all of you who love and care for me.  Thank you for making my birthdays special.  I am so very thankful for each and every one of you.  God has given me so much, by giving me your friendships.  I am humbled that you are my friends.  And thank you to those of you who weren't able to make it to the party too.  For your hugs and well wishes:)  Love you all!!

Behind

Whew!  I feel quite behind on blogging.  On the 3rd, we went apple picking with our co-op.

We got to go on a tour of the farm and see how they sort apples, wash them, they learned about how important bees are, and we went on a tractor ride through the orchards. We also learned how to pick an apple properly and here they are having a taste test:)

Everyone got their own bag of apples...
This is the contraption they wear to pick apples
Oops, posted that pic twice
Here we are learning about bees.  It was quite humorous.  She asked the kids who ran the hive.  Answer-the queen.  Can the male bees feed themselves?  No, the girls have to get their food for them.  Who does the work in the hive?  The girls.  Hmmm, sounds like humans too:))

This is the apple sorter.  They sort by size.  The deer get the smaller ones.  The med to small ones get used for cider.  And the medium to large ones go to the grocery stores.

Yummy.  Apples we picked:)

And of course Piper had to eat is as soon as she got it off the tree.

Gracie girl really enjoyed picking..

Cutie Patooties:)  All in one wagon!  We walked a little ways to get different kinds of apples.
We take one of these pictures every year...

     This place was beautiful!  The day was wonderful too:)  It was a fun way to spend my birthday.