What an AWESOME day.

Today has been great. We made a trip to see our son/brother/dog Chief at the trainers house AKA Chief's other parents, Billy and Nicole's. The girls enjoyed playing outside and holding the new puppies-Chief's nieces and nephews.

Awesome-1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight

2. showing or characterized by awe

Our big girl asked Jesus Christ into her heart tonight, AWESOME!

How ironic or not below is our Kid's Devotion from tonight:

Take your medicine 2 Corinthians 7:8-13

Peter groaned. "It makes me so mad to be feeling sick on Saturday!"

Mom smiled sympathetically. "I know, but take these pills-they should bring down your fever," she said. While she adjusted the drapes, Peter dropped the pills into the wastebasket beside his bed.

Later, Mom came in with the phone. "Justin wants to talk to you," she said.

When Mom returned to the room later that afternoon, she found Peter tossing and turning from the fever. "Justin's folks are getting a divorce," Peter said wearily. "He's pretty upset, Mom, and I don't know how to help him."

Mom sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'm so sorry, Peter."

"Why doesn't God do something about it?" asked Peter. "He could make them love each other. In fact, God could stop all the fighting in the whole world. Why doesn't he?"

Mom signed and shook her head sadly. "I know he could, but..." She stopped as she stared at the wastepaper basket. "Your pills!" she exclaimed. "No wonder your fever is going up! You haven't been taking your medicine!"

"I don't like it," Peter whined. "I hate swallowing pills!"

"You don't like being sick," said Mom, "and you know how to get well-but you refuse to take your medicine." She signed, then continued. "In a sense, the world is sick, too, and God has provided a remedy. If people would follow his instructions, there wouldn't be family fights or divorce. There wouldn't be any war. But people have chosen to ignore God's laws. They have thrown the 'medicine' in the trash, so to speak." She stood up. "God doesn't force anyone to take the cures he offers, but I do. I'm going to get you a couple more pills, and this time you are going to take them, like it or not!"

"Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him." Deuteronomy 13:4

PrAiSe GoD! PrAiSe GoD! PrAiSe GoD!

Letters to God

Last night was rough. It was a night filled with crying, kicking, screaming, and I ended it with smiling. I watched (tortured myself) a new movie on Netflix called Letters to God. It was awesome but it totally hit home. After I boo-hoo'd through the movie I went into my room and vented. I NEVER vent. I am afraid to cry because I don't know if I will stop. Yes Nan, I know that is not good! I laid in the floor and kicked and screamed. I cried and cried and almost vomited because I cried. It was needed, especially with Addison's heart cath coming up. I dried my tears and went to Ava J's room. I watched her sleep and prayed for her precious soul. I left Ava's room to find Adam leaning over Addison's bed watching her sleep. We stood in awe over God's MiRaCle. Wow, God is great. I called and spoke to two of my prayer warriors and ended up going to bed smiling. I am appreciative of my meltdown and my joys-to God be the glory!

Watch Letters to God with a large box of tissues and be thankful for all your blessings!

Yes, we are country and play in the river!

We found a public access to the river close to our house. So we surprised the girls by going swimming in it. Ava loved the water but said, "I don't like how the water moves around." We explained that is why it is called a river and not a swimming pool. Addison splashed around whenever the current wasn't carring her away. We will have to go back sometime soon.

Guess who is WALKING!?!?

We are so overjoyed with excitement. I don't think I have been this happy or laughed like this in a very long time. Go GOD!

Samaritan's Purse | Mongolia | Children's Heart Project | Children’s Heart Project

Samaritan's Purse Mongolia Children's Heart Project Children’s Heart Project

Mexican Cheese Dip

For those who don't know much about Addison, she has a feeding tube. Her feeding tube delivers 100% of her nutrition. The other night we went out to eat (rare) and she ate cheese dip. Adam said, "If she can get Mexican cheese dip then she can eat anything." Here is a video of the fun.

What the difference one year makes!

It has been a wild 15 months. I was thinking about how this time last year we were moving out of the ICU and providing care for our 'newborn' who was three months old.

2010, still fragile just stronger. Enjoy the pics.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my birthday so...Happy Birthday to me! I wanted to blog and tell the whole world just how much God has amazed me this year. The picture posted is my favorite, by far, of the girls. It reminds me how much God has done in my 26th year. This picture was taken late one night when Addison was still in the ICU. We sneaked Ava J in for a visit. I still remember that night because two of our cardiologists were trying to hold back tears as Ava J held Addison for the first time. Addison was almost three months old before she was held by her big sissy. Wow!

I drove home the other night from work thinking about the many changes in life that have come along with having Addison. I realized that I wouldn't trade a minute of it because it has made me who I am-a stronger Christian woman.

Here is the chorus to a song that explains me through and through:

Be strong in the LORD and,

Never give up hope.

You're going to do great things,

I already know.

God's got his hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why your here,

Take time to pray,

These are the words I would say.

Sidewalk Prophets-These are the words I would say

I am so thankful that God chose me to be me and gave me a testimony that is so easy to share with others. Man, He must love me!

No Rain, No Rainbows

No rain, no rainbows.

It rained in October when we received a cerified letter explaining that Addison had almost maxed out her insurance of $2M. We prayed and packed and moved across the state line to South Carolina. Our whole family had to 'give up' to start again. Since the move in November God has blessed us. Adam and I have both started new jobs. We have new insurance. Ava started at a new school. Addison lost her therapies but hopefully by the end of the month she will be back to receiving therapies. We had to lose it all to gain it all. Praise God, our ship came in.

Our rainbow arrived!!! Addison has been approved for SC Medicaid/Tefra. This means that we don't have to worry about getting the healthcare we need. We don't have to worry about being 'approved' to go to MUSC for care! GoD Is Great and continues to perform MIRACLES!!!

***No rain, No rainbows***

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, bloggers. We hope everyone is ready to see what God plans to accomplish in 2010.

We had a great Christmas at home. We enjoyed watching the girls open their Christmas presents. Ava was awesome as an angel in the Christmas play at church. Addison continues to progress in sitting up and attempting to crawl.

New Years was great. I worked New Years Eve night. We are truly blessed to both have new jobs during the economic slump. We had a big treat on New Years Day. Sarah and Mike Leech came for a visit. As you know, Sarah is a part of our family. She was with us every step of the way while in the hospital. I fell in love with her within the first week or so of Addison's hospitalization. Sarah is the PCICU Nurse of the Year. I am so proud of her. She is a great asset to MUSC. Ava even named her kitty after her! (Of course, we love everyone at MUSC!)

All of Addison's therapies should be in full swing soon. It takes a while to transfer everything from state to state. We go back to the dietician, cardiologist, and pediatrician late in the month. Ava J is still enjoying school. She enjoys going to the movie theather. She has already seen Alvin and the Chipmucks-the Squeakal, twice.

As a couple, Adam and I, enjoyed our time together over the Christmas season. I am truly thankful for my husband. He is the greatest.

I received a silver necklace last night from a great friend. It is silver and has a boxing glove charm on it to remind me of my MIRACLE, Rocky. I love it!!!

We are living life and loving it. We are debt free due to circumstances that we could not avoid, a baby in the hospital for over 5 months. Adam and I sat down on Jan. 1st and finalized our budget. We are following Dave Ramsey's plan on building wealth, how amazing that Stan preached on Malachi Sunday. We believe that God has blessed us because of our willingness to submit to him and give our tithes. Our prayer is that others will submit to God, especially in the money department. The Lord Almighty is amazing! A friend said I should become a financial advisor-sounds interesting. I can tell you what NOT to do and how to prepare a budget-then I will show you a cheat sheet from Dave Ramsey, haha.

Please continue to pray for Josiah, Jonathan, Becca, Aaron, Carys, Lawson and Tagg.

Please pray for my bestest, Deana, who is a missionary in Russia. She fell and broke her leg in two places yesterday. She is waiting on the MDs to decide if she has to have surgery to repair the break.

As always, God is good!