random updates...and an important request

well...it's been awhile...things have actually been going pretty well...it has been almost 6 weeks since i was last in the hospital, which is HUGE since over the last two and a half years i have been in at least once a month...maybe may will be the first month we get all the way through...let's pray for that one!

we just enjoyed an AMAZING trip to the beach with our sweet friends, the Critz fam...LOTS of PRECIOUS memories made...our kids all love each other...we love each other...and our oldest boys are pretty much inseparable...the trip would have been great no matter what, but in light of the fact that they are going to be moving to Austin soon...it was made extra sweet...it was such a great time to just get away and relax...to be together...to not worry about hospitals and illness for awhile...the weather was perfect and the crowds were low...perfect time of year to do it...we stayed at the Sandestin resort and it was BEAUTIFUL! i could write a novel with all the details of what we did...but i don't want to do that to anyone...i will just say again that it was an amazing time...we are so thankful for our friendship with this family and continue to be amazed at the way that God places just the right people in our lives at just the right time...it is just about the most precious thing to watch Jack and John(their oldest son) having so much fun together...they were just beside themselves with excitement! of course, we had moments of craziness, traveling that far with 5 young children...but that craziness was far outweighed by the blessings of fellowship, refocusing, relaxing...etc, etc, etc...

I'm going to post pics from the beach soon...but can't right now because for some reason my computer saved all of them too small and it's hard to really see our faces in alot of them...I spent over an hour uploading a ton of them onto my facebook and then realized that! so...i'm working on that...

here's a couple that are pretty cute...and they will be cuter when you can make out the faces better!





not too much else going on...i'm ready to go back to the beach anytime!
been doing alot of songwriting for the cd i'm working on...still having good days and bad days with my health...but still determined and hopeful...and BELIEVING that God is in control...i've been back at church, helping to lead worship and has been so great to be back on a regular basis...i hope that it continues that way...i'm still cautious and try not to completely wear my body down...but i also continue to try and push myself in hopes of becoming stronger and stronger everyday...

can't wait for some lazy days of summer with my boys...they both have birthdays coming up...not doing so well thinking about those...matt and i also have summer birthdays and our anniversary...so summer is always like one big party...last year, we had Sam's first birthday in a hospital room...i'm determined for that NOT to happen again...Jack is going to be 5 and mommy is going to be a wreck on that day! it just sounds so OLD...and he is looking older every day...it's crazy...but i couldn't be prouder of him...both of my boys are just precious treasures...they bring me so much joy...and i continue to be in awe of the man that i have been blessed with in matt...i can't imagine walking this road with anyone else...

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Just one more thing...but it is IMPORTANT! My sweet Aunt Donna, from Tennessee, is traveling to China this summer with a team from her church, led by Mary Beth Chapman(she is Steven Curtis Chapman's wife)...they are going to Maria's house...an orphanage named in honor of one of their adopted daughters who passed away in an accident...they will be working on the building, landscaping, rocking and loving on babies...striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people they come in contact with...
most of my readers know my mom...and you know how selfless, loving and giving she is...how hard she works to do for others...how much she wants to help people...and the countless people she has touched...my Aunt Donna is the same way...right now, she is on a mission to collect money prior to the trip, in order to buy the special formula necessary for these hungry orphans they will be going to visit...i know, from the experience of having two preemies and one who spent a long time in the NICU, that this formula is EXPENSIVE...we're talking $500 for one case...it is vital to these precious babies' survival...My mom has gotten in on the effort at RHCC to try and help out...this has been a great teaching experience for my boys as well...my mom took alot of bottles and has them available so that our kids can collect their change for Maria's Milk Money...my boys have almost filled up their bottle and are so excited...i think we're ready to work on filling a whole gallon container maybe!

I would encourage you to visit http://www/showhope.org and learn more about how you can help in this effort...i know that you are able to donate online to help the organization in general, but in order to make sure your money goes directly to buy the formula, they ask that you write a check made out to "Show Hope", with "Maria's Big House formula" in the memo line...my aunt is also updating on her facebook page about the efforts...she is open to any creative suggestions anyone might have to make this endeavor a huge success...here's the link to her page...
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=54602082&ref=name#/profile.php?id=1442979422&ref=mf

Most of my readers are mommies...I hope that this tugs at your heartstrings...it breaks my heart that these children are suffering...in such a wealthy country no less...i know that you all have big hearts, and i hope that you will think about helping out in this effort...whatever you can do...and for sure, be praying for this trip...that lives will be touched in the name of Jesus...this is what it is really all about...