New Orleans Band Trip

Steven left this morning for the middle school jazz and stage band spring trip.  I loved band trips!  They were always sooooo much fun.  We had to get him to school before the rooster crowed this morning.  I set my alarm for 430 and laid in the bed listening for Steven.(his room is directly above)  I heard him stirring and I wondered if this boy was going to take a bath or not.  I finally reached for my phone and called him!  That's right!  This mama does not do mornings and all I wanted was for him to shower before he left.  I had to get up shortly after and find him some socks and underwear because apparently something is eating all of the socks and underwear that belongs to him.  He brought me his suitcase last night so I could check it and the boy had no socks, underwear, pants, or anything.  Men just don't pack!  So, Steve is on his way after I went down the list of everything that I would say no to.  I made sure to say things individually to not leave any room for interpretation!

Saturday was a Beautiful Day!

Saturday we woke up at 730. That is sleeping in in our house. We had a late night at the hospital on Friday night and all of us didn't get in the bed until late. Even when we woke up we lazied around in the bed until almost 11. Bryce received a Buzz Lightyear from Grandma and wouldn't let it go all day.

Baby Alyssa came over and let me use her as a model! She is growing so much!

While I think that Bryce would be a pretty model, he does not agree! I asked to take a picture and this is what I got!

Christ has Risen!

This was a very special Easter to us! Our Princess Katie truly woke up on this day. The same day that Jesus rose from the grave. I take such comfort knowing that God loves us that much. As we were all fighting to keep our friend's daughter here on Earth, God had once let his only Son die for OUR sins! While Easter is a fun holiday with make believe stories about bunnies and candy, we all know the true meaning of Easter!

Bryce is big enough to know the fun and amusement of the holiday. We started by dying eggs on Saturday night. He carefully (or not) placed the eggs in their cups of color dying them to his heart's desire. After dying them we had to place a million stickers all over them and throw them in his basket for the bunny to hide them.

We had no bedtime fights this night. He knew if he went to sleep that when he woke up the Bunny should of come. We were awoken to a chocolate mouthed boy telling us excitedly that the Easter Bunny had indeed come!

Bryce was amazed that the bunny had left eggs everywhere!

Steven was amazed that I woke him up at the crack of dawn.

We made it through church with only having to go out of the service two times. I like having my children in the service. Afterward we hunted eggs in the playground at church.

Bryce practiced taking pictures of Daddy, who looked smashing, if I do say so myself!

I got a picture with my love. Doesn't happen that much, I am usually the photographer!

And one with my boys!

We ate lunch with Blake's family and the cousins had a blast!

Such a wonderful and beautiful Easter day. Sunny and gorgeous! I think that the weekend wore me out because shortly after we got home, Bryce and I took a 3 hour nap! It is wonderful!

Miracles...They are what He does!

Do you see her? This is Katie! She is awake and coherent. She started rousing on Saturday after a very disheartening Friday night. It was a hard night because she had gotten her feeding tube. She cried tears that day. When we left that night my heart was still so broken. We woke up on Saturday morning to an update that this little girl was following commands and even laughing. The news was even better on Easter Sunday. She had started giving kisses and trying to talk. She speaks labored, walks with a walker, and is eating an unrestricted diet! This is one tough princess. She has now moved out of the PICU, out of the hospital, and on to rehab! They told the family yesterday that she had almost improved too much to go to Birmingham! God is so good guys! What a great day to come back to her family! I am sure that Easter will probably be the new favorite holiday in their family! Please continue to remember Katie in your prayers. Brain injuries are crazy and set backs can occur. Thank you all who have prayed for her!

What a Great Day!

Such a Great Day!

Tired

I am tired.  We have been running all week and worrying about Katie.  Ryan and Heather have now been told that inpatient rehab is in the near future.   I very good sign, in my opinion.  She continues to progress daily.  It is small steps but that has made the recovery easier.  We have all accepted that it may take a while to become Katie again or she may have a different personality all together.  BUT she laughed last night at her daddy.  She walked yesterday also!  It seems that the feeding tube(which is in the nose, THANK GOD) has made the difference.  That poor baby was hungry.  She hated getting that stinking thing put in but now that she has re-energized she feels much better. 

We spent the day running errands. We saw the Bunny.  Bryce would not smile for a picture for nothing.  Then we had some good friends over for dinner.  It was a quiet evening but I am exhausted.  I think everything has finally caught up.  Please continue to pray for Katie!

Thankful Thursday!

This week, more than ever, I have truly been thankful for the blessings that God has given me. Everything can change in a heartbeat in the simplest of actions. God's plan is not known by any of us but I just know that if we truly believe everything will be okay and he will take care of us. Back to I Heart Thursday!

I heart that Katie's eyes were open for 3 hours today.

I heart that the PICU allows therapy dogs.

I heart kisses from Bryce.

I heart the man that Steven is becoming!

I heart that Jesus died for our sins.

I heart Easter.

I heart spring.

I heart the Hathaway family and pray for them.

Please continue to pray for Katie!