What a Day

Yesterday was a day and a half. All around Lainey did incredible and responded well to everything she was given. We left the house at 7:30am and Lainey went without food and drink until her MRI at 10:30. This child is one of a kind. She didn't whine, fuss, ask for anything. She was great. Our pastor and his wife came down for support and we were so grateful. It was wonderful having them there. When they called her back for her MRI I know this would be the hardest part of the day. I didn't know if they would sedate her with an IV or medicine. It was so much better than I ever imagined. They let me give her the medication through a dropper and took it great. They turned the light down in our room and let me rock her until the medication kicked in. We knew it would take a while, but after 7 min she was asleep. She never fought it but she just asked for brother about 10 times or so. At that point we laid her down on the table for her exam and prayed over her and left. Her nurse was fantastic. She gave us our time and I never once felt rushed. We were told her exam would take 1hr15min, so the waiting game began. We talked with our pastor for some time and tried to pass the time quickly. Before we knew it she was ready and our nurse wanted us to be the first people she saw when she woke. They brought her to the door of the waiting area and we held her immediately. As she woke up she said Mama and we knew she was fine. She then said Juice, so we gave her something to drink and she quickly went back to sleep. Lunch progressed quickly and with her Neuro appointment at 1 we were rushed back up stairs to meet him. Lainey at that point was very awake but very "drunk" from her meds. She wanted to walk and play but physically was unable. We felt so sorry for her. Meeting with the Surgeon was very interesting. They were reading the mri in front of us and still very up in the air about the growth on her head. He was very sure though that the growth did not cross over the skull which is great news! The radiologist called during our appointment and seemed to think it was a sinus pericranii. After looking at all the pictures the Neuro surgeon seemed to be convinced as well. We are very comfortable with him and the other Doc we have seen for her head. All in all this was much better news than it could have been. We have had time to soak this in and the utter exhaustion has worn off from yesterday. Dr Powers would like to remove the growth through minor surgery before she gets older. He thinks it will be in our best interest to have this done for safty reasons since her growth could possibly be connected to the main vein in her brain. Another appointment is scheduled for October to reevaluate the situation and to schedule the surgery. Michal and I are hoping to get this moved up to this summer. So has far has her little head goes, she is going to be ok. We are so thankful for the MRi and the questions it answered. Lainey is doing great this morning. You wouldn't think anything has happened yesterday. She slept good last night and is full of energy. We will keep you updated as far has surgery dates and updates. Thank you all for your prayers and calls. We are so grateful for friends like you that love and support us.

we rested in these verses yesterday;
"Blessed is the man who preserves under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Also, Psalm 91 and Isaih 43

With Love,
Casey

Here we go... for real this time!

There is a peace I have become very familiar with. Resting in the arms of my creator and knowing his complete control over me. I don't have to waiver, I don't have to question, I don't have to think twice about the situations going on right around me. Tomorrow is the day we go for Lainey's brain MRI. This has been a long road (felt like) but we are here. Tomorrow at 10am we will arrive at Baptist hospital, we will get checked in and she will have her scan at 11am. It sounds so simple and then you factor in not eating/ drinking before hand, being put to sleep, finding comfort when she can't be comforted, etc... I can't describe my emotional roller coaster today. Trying to prepare and pack a bag, trying to figure out what she will want when she wakes up and preparing my heart for the appointment with the neuro surgeon at 1pm. There is a constant here, and that is the love of Christ and the comfort I find with Him. He is my constant, when everything around seems questionable, He is the same. He is never changing, yesterday today and tomorrow. So as we journey down tomorrow I will carry the peace I have come to know. the peace will carry us through the day no matter what the out come. That peace I call Jesus.

Postponed...yet again.

We had to cancel Lainey's visit at Baptist this week due to her being sick. She has had some major respiratory issues since Sunday and the Dr. confirmed today she had a double ear infection with an upper respiratory infection. Poor baby girl doesn't feel good but she still finds energy to play! Her and "brother" (as she call him) are still in their pj's from this morning and have played together all day. He is coughing a little and has a runny nose. I guess you could say it's inevitable that he gets sick but we are praying he is strong and will pull through with no infection. We are avoiding going anywhere, even the store. The weather has been so crazy with flooding one day, ice the next and then a weekend of severe weather ahead. I guess it's good that we are going to be stuck in the house!!

Please pray for Michael and I has God has revealed something very clear to us. Pray for guidance has we embark upon this new territory! I will share in detail later. We are just in the beginning stages and are continuing to pray. Thank you for your prayers and support.

In His Love,
Casey

Potty Training!!

I do have to say Lainey is growing up right before my very eyes. I have had to cling to every milestone with her because they are going by way to quickly. She has blown me away this time!! She is insisting on potty training herself!! She says potty and then rubs her chest to say please. At first I was very resistant to her moving so fast but then I thought about not washing diapers anymore and joy was immediately my attitude!! So I will have a good attitude and I will be the encourager she needs to move forward! So Go Lainey!!

MRI Delayed

I know many of you have been praying for our sweet Lainey and we are so grateful for your continued prayers!! We were scheduled to be at Baptist tomorrow morning at 8am for her MRI, but after a call yesterday and some rescheduling we will not see her Doctor until January 25th. This was in part for financial reasons and partly her Doctor wants to see her again before the MRI. We are praying for complete healing of her head and know that God is fully capable if it be His Will. Please continue to pray for her healing. The growth on her head, I believe, is shrinking. God is good and His healing hand is all around us. We wish you all a Very Merry CHRISTmas!! May the peace of God be with you all as you enjoy your Holiday Season. I wanted to share with you a few of the kids Christmas pictures!

God Bless,
Casey

Surprises Under the Bed!

Every night we tuck our children in safe and sound and every once in a while Trahtan likes to play games at bedtime. Tonight was no exception, except for the fact that he didn't tell us he was playing the game. He normally gets out of bed and hides some where either in his room or sneaks out to the bathroom or living room. Tonight Michael and I were sitting on the couch watching the App game ( Go Apps) and we hear a loud thump. Michael looks at me and says, oh his milk just fell off the bed, well not the case tonight Babe. Trathan begins to cry and we both rush in there thinking he has fallen out of bed. He is no where to be found. We look under his bed and there he lays! He had fallen asleep hiding from Michael and we both start laughing!! We pull him out and he acts confused for a minute but quickly falls back to sleep. As for the loud thump, it was God saying " go check on your child!" HAHA, we are still laughing over this one!!