God is GOOD!

My heart is full of joy because of all the progress that Katie has made. She's still not where she needs to be but that day will come soon. I got to see Katie after work and let me just tell you I wanted to cry happy tears to make up for all the sad ones over the last several days. God is healing my friend and I couldn't be more thankful. The best thing about today was that upon leaving the hospital I got a sweet hug from her. Like I said, she still has a ways to go and she isn't completely herself yet but to be able to laugh with her and hear her voice was like nothing I've felt in a long time. To be honest words can't express the joy in my heart right now! Total praise to God because the prayers of the saints have been heard! Katie is such an amazing person, daughter, wife, mother, and friend. God has so much in store for her. I love you, Katie!

Wednesday Updates

UPDATE 4:00 pm: Not much to update on, which is a good thing. Overall Katie has had a good day. She will be moving out of ICU so that's a praise. Since they believe the infection was viral they are just waiting on things to slowly improve for her. Pray that the Lord will give her an appetite because she is going to need food to help with the healing. At this point they shouldn't have to do any more tests so that's another praise. God is good!! Thank Him for the wonderful things He is doing for Katie and her family.

UPDATE: Check Shannon's blog! GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God is good!!!!!!!!! Best birthday present EVER!!!!!!!

7:15 am Katie didn't sleep that well last night but the good news is she says her headache is better! Hopefully that is a sign of good things to come! They are going to attempt to do the MRI today so please pray she can relax and let it happen. She is so ready to be done with all of this and who can blame her. It's been a rough several days for her. Mandy will let me know what the neurologist says when he drops by this morning.

Tuesday Updates

UPDATE: Check out Shannon's blog for a great update!

UPDATE 5:00 pm Went to see Katie at the hospital this afternoon. I was glad to see that she looked better than she did the last time I saw her. I always feel better when I can see her in person. She's still in a lot of pain but her dad says they are having to use less of the pain medication so that is a good sign. She had an ultrasound today and Reese is doing fine. She weighs 2 pounds, 3 ounces and is 26 weeks and 4 days old. Katie wasn't able to get the MRI done today but pray the doctors will be able to do it soon. Katie is simply tired of all the tests, questions, etc. Her EEG will be on until tomorrow so we'll know more about the results then. Right now we're simply waiting for more answers. I am confident that we'll get them soon.

UPDATE 9:25 am: Just got another phone call from Mandy. The neurologist came in this morning to check Katie. Her white blood cell count is down so that is good news (less infection). He is still concerned as to why she isn't responding to the meds. He's order and extensive EEG today to monitor her brain and he hopes to do an MRI. They are also going to put in a PIC line today so that they don't have to keep sticking her to get blood and things. Mandy said the family loves the doctor. He's really good with Katie and is really aggressive about figuring out what is wrong. There are still LOTS of things to pray for but also praise God for the "baby victories" that He's given. I know the family, and all of us, needed a small glimmer of hope. Today is mainly a day of test so there might not be many updates until later.

7:15 am :I just got off the phone with Mandy. Katie had a good night last night! PRAISE JESUS! The nurse said that she has noticed a lot of improvement in the last 12 hours just in how she is resting and things like that. The neurologist is planning to do an MRI today. He is supposed to be in this morning and we'll know more then. I'll post an update when I hear from Mandy again. Keep those prayers coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday Updates

UPDATE: Got a message from Mandy. Still no real news except that they did another spinal tap and the results are better than the last time they did the test. They still aren't sure why she isn't responding to the medicine.
Shannon, Katie's sister-in-law has updated her blog. She said that Katie has gotten a lot of sleep today which is huge! It's been a problem for her to get uninterrupted sleep because of all the pain. Sleep is great! It gives her body time to heal. Keep the prayers coming! Today has certainly had its ups and downs. I've felt them and I know her family has 10 times more!

UPDATE: PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!! The doctor is concerned because the antibiotics should have helped at this point. He has ordered more tests for today. The family is in desperate need of some good changes in Katie. They are asking that people do not come up to this hospital at this point. They just want prayers until things are a little more stable.

Mandy, Katie's sister, just sent me an update. Unfortunately there is no real change. She slept better last night than the night before but she's still in a lot of pain and is nauseated. Her doctor ordered and EEG last night to check for seizures. They will know more about that this morning. Pray that seizures do NOT become a factor in any of this. At this point she has only been able to eat some jello and drink some juice. The IV's are providing enough nutrients for her and the baby at this point but eventually she's going to have to start eating. I'm going to the hospital later today so I'll update again this afternoon.
Everyone appreciates your prayers and words of encouragement!!

Prayers PLEASE!

UPDATE: I just returned from the hospital. Still WAITING!!!!!!!! The doctors are still waiting on test results and for the antibiotics. They will have some results in the next couple of days but it will take longer for others. They just really aren't sure about what all is going on. And the fact that it is a holiday weekend isn't helping those things along. She's in so much pain! PLEASE pray the LORD will take it away. And pray for her family. I was only there a short while and it broke my heart. They need God's strength right now in a big way. Good news is that Reese (the baby) is doing fine. I will update again when I know more. I'll be heading back to the hospital either tomorrow or Tuesday and will update then. Until then I don't plan on doing any "normal" posting until Katie is better. I will save my pictures and weekend post for later. Thanks for praying.

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UPDATE: Katie is moving rooms out of the ICU so that's a praise! Everyone is still waiting to find out how well the antibiotics deal with the infection. Her sister said they can feel the prayers so keep them coming!

Please pray for my friend, Katie.

She has meningitis encephalitis. You can go here to read more about it. Basically it is an infection in the brain, either bacterial or viral. She was air lifted from NWA to Little Rock to be treated. She is 26 weeks pregnant. After talking to her mom this morning I learned that because she is so far along Reese (that's her baby) will not be affected by the treatments. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Currently she is on antibiotics but we won't know anything for a few days. I am unable to go see her because only immediate family are allowed. Her mother is going to call and keep me updated as things change. Please pray for the antibiotics to do their job. And continue to pray for Reese. Katie's husband, parents, and in-laws are with her. I will go see her as soon as I am able.

Thanks in advance for your prayers!! God is good and I'm confident He'll take care of my friend!

Nothing New

A lot of times I don't post because either there is nothing new going on or I don't have the mental capacity to think of something creative. Usually a combination of the two is to blame.

So trust me when I say, you're not missing out on much.

Josh is back home so that is a GREAT thing!! I don't mind being alone for a couple days but beyond that I don't like it one bit. Life is more fun when he's around. more when he's around!

My mom had a birthday on the 18th. I love birthdays in my family because that usually means good food. She wanted to go to Whole Hog and I couldn't have been more thrilled. It is one of my favorites!

Josh and I celebrated 8 months of marriage on the 19th. I can hardly believe it! I love being married and I especially love being married to my hot husband!

I am so looking forward for the LONG weekend. We have very few plans and I couldn't be happier. I'm a girl that would MUCH rather be at home than out doing stuff when life is hectic.

I know I don't post much about the weight loss anymore...I think I mentioned this before, but weighing all the time was making me obsessed! Just so you know I feel good and things are SLOWLY working in my favor.

We are drawing near to the end of our Financial Peace University. I can't believe it. I have loved being a part of it and can't wait to be "living like no one else". Right now that has to wait until the crazy dental work is done.

Speaking of dental work, I GET MY BRACES OFF ON JUNE 2ND!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!

I am contemplating joining BSF or CBS in the fall (Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study for those who don't know). I've heard great things about both and I feel like I need so good Bible study.

I am really excited that watermelons are starting to taste really yummy. I could eat my weight in cold watermelon. I had a lot this morning and I think I'm ready for round two. Unfortunately it has more calories that I wish so I have to limit it. Perish the thought!

I had my monthly get-together with my friends Jenny, Sarah, and Suzanne last week. We went to this restaurant I had never heard of, Milford-Track. It was so good!!! They are known for offering healthier choices but oh so delicious. I can't wait to go back!

Well, I don't know what else to tell you. I'll try to take pics this weekend so I can do a "picture post".

Until then, I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!!!

Back In Action

Guess who???? Yes, that's right, it's me!!! Can you believe it?!? Kelly, I know you're were about to trade me in if I didn't start blogging again.

Not really sure how this post will go since I have random pictures to add about the highlights of the last 3 weeks.

First of all I gave (with the help of some wonderful ladies) my best friend, Holly, a wedding shower. It was a lot of work but it was great!!

Me and Holly

The Sign-In Table

Drinks...we had a coffee bar but I didn't get a picture of it. :(

Food Table

More Food

Aren't these cute?

I had such a fun time at the shower. Holly and Justin got a TON of gifts! It made me miss having my own showers this time last year. Oh what fun to get a lot of cool gifts!

Next exciting thing that happened is I colored my hair ALL BY MYSELF!! Getting my hair colored by a professional is a thing of this past. Our budget simply does not allow it. So I decided I'd try it myself. I am sooo pleased with how it turned out. I didn't take a picture though. Not sure why!

I got this for $4 and something. I had a coupon! Isn't that fabulous?!?!

Another exciting thing is that I have been SO faithful to workout these past few weeks. I haven't blogged about it much b/c I don't want to set myself up or anything but God has been SO GOOD to me. He has given me strength to work out and self-control to stop eating when I'm full. A true miracle, I'm serious! I've lost a few pounds (it's taking the scales a little longer to adjust but my clothes fit better) and I just feel better and happier. I have a LONG way to go but I'm very hopeful!

The last fun thing to report is last night we have a youth outing and it was a lot of fun. Not all of our youth went but we had a great time!

Here's our group!

We went to eat and then to Gator Park to play.

My big kid! Josh had a lot of fun! We love our youth group and are so thankful for them.

Today has already started off as a GREAT day. We went to Panera! WOOHOOO! We had a gift card. Then we went to Wal-mart and now I'm blogging and doing laundry. Josh is reading because he has to go to Ft. Worth tomorrow for an I-term at SWBTS and has to read 2 books before he goes. I'm going to miss him a lot. If you think about it pray for his safety and diligence while he's there!

OK, that's enough for now. It's time to put the clothes in the dryer. Have a fabulous weekend!