Monday, October 19, 2009

Praising God for His Protection


Friday was one of those days I will never want to relive!  A couple days prior, Katelyn came down with a typical cold (although her cough always sounded a little "barky"....little did we know that was our first sign of what was to come).  Craig and I both received a call at work from his parents, who were graciously baby-sitting that day, saying they were really worried about her.  Katelyn woke up from her nap wheezing and lethargic.  Craig raced to meet them, and I made a call to her pediatrician who informed me that we needed to go straight to Urgent Care since her breathing was compromised.  When I met up with Craig and Katelyn, I almost broke down.  She was so emotional (scared because she couldn't catch her breath), drenched in sweat and the most clingy I had ever seen her.  We spent the next three hours there, which consisted of a breathing treatment, a liquid steroid, and much observation.  She never "got over the hump", although was showing signs of improvement.  Unfortunately, she had a rebound affect to the medications she had taken and was worse than ever.  She was gasping for breath, experiencing retraction in her chest (majorly caving in with every breath), and scared to death.  In tears I had Craig run for help, and instantly we knew the staff was as afraid for her as we were.  They called an ambulance to transport her downtown to Devos Children's, started an IV in her little arm taped to a board for stabilization, and put her on oxygen.  I took my first ambulance ride, and couldn't stop praying and singing/humming "Jesus Loves Me".  We were so impressed with all of our staff/doctors that day, but especially with the ones assigned to us at Children's.  We were escorted to the "Elmo" room and had people constantly coming to see us so they could help our little one.  An incredible peace joined us there (thanks to so many who knew the situation and were already praying), and Craig and I both knew things were going to be okay.  Katelyn calmed down, was  given another breathing treatment and was spoiled with slurpies, and Sesame Street movies.  By 12 am, the doctor requested Katelyn take a walk around the hospital in her little gown, while her pulse-ox was monitored.  She did great, waving and saying hi to those who passed by.  We were released by 12:30 and home by 1am thanking the Lord for how the night had turned out.  It's moments like these when you realize that your children are not your own, you cannot be in control of all things, and that God created them and loves them and is the only one who in in charge in a moment like that.  We are thankful that he heard our prayers and provided such a quick healing for her.  She's been resting all weekend and every day is more herself.  That was a day we hope to never relive, but one that we will always remember.  We don't want to forget the reminders God spoke to both of us that day.      

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Fall is Here and Baby #2 on the Way!!!!

We can't believe how big Katelyn is looking and acting this fall---she's going to be a wonderful big sister!
Katelyn LOVED her very first cousin sleep-over with Emma, Isabel and Alyssa (Emma and Katelyn slept in the same room....AND made it through the night!)  Isabel and Alyssa camped out in the family room
Bath time is so much more fun with cousin Emma (is what Katelyn is thinking, I'm sure!)
Before heading in for a night of pizza, games and a movie, all of us had a blast outside (playing and then going for a nice walk)
                                     Alyssa and Isabel are so good to Katelyn :)
Friday of the big sleep-over, Grandpa Adams took Auntie Kristy, Emma, Mommy and Katelyn  out to breakfast at Wealthy Street Bakery before we went to the Farmer's Market downtown 
A few weeks ago, our small group girls had a girlie day of shopping, eating, talking, eating, relaxing, eating, walking, eating....(you may be able to read between the lines to see what consumed most of our time :)    THANK YOU, Jenny, for hosting us!!
                Fun time looking at Jenny Girl's wedding pics! Bradi, Melissa, Brenda, Jenny and I were in attendance (Deb was missing this time around :(
                                                                    My hip friends :)
Katelyn with her cousin Regan
Katelyn building forts and sandcastles with her cousins Justine and Regan
Katelyn showing how much she loves her Grandma Smith
Katelyn having a ball on Uncle Jeff and Auntie Susan's boat!  What a great time of boating, tubing and water skiing (the latter two for those who weren't pregnant!)


It's been a great transition into fall.  I finally got the spring cleaning done that didn't happen in the spring or summer (ha...ha...ha!)---thanks to my current nesting state!  School is off to a terrific start!  I have a wonderful class and continue to count it a blessing to be serving at The Potter's House for another year!  At this time, we are most excited about the arrival of our newest addition.....baby boy Smith due Nov. 6 (or sooner, if I have anything to say about it!). We are counting our blessing's yet again.  We tried to include some recent pics of what's been happening with our family since our last post!