Prayers Please...

My cousin Loni is in the hospital...hopefully giving birth to her newest beautiful miracle. Baby Allison should make her long awaited appearance sometime today. Loni was supposed to be at the hospital this morning at 7...that's about 1 1/2 hours ago as I type. Please pray for a relatively painfree, wonderful birth. Pray for a healthy baby, and Mom!! As soon as she posts pics on her blog, I plan on stealing one and posting it here! :o) I did try to talk Loni into waiting til tomorrow so Baby Allison would have the same birthday as Andrew...but she wasn't waiting one more moment!! Gee, I just don't understand!! ;o)

UPDATE!!! Allison is here!! 7 pounds, 6 oz!! No pictures yet, but I can't wait to see her!!!

Prayers Please

A terrible tragedy has occurred. I'm still in shock a day later. One of my students (he was in Bethany's preschool class last year) and his family were in a car accident on Wednesday evening. Another car hit a deer and that deer flew through their windshield and killed the dad. The deer went entirely though their truck, in the windshield and out the back window. Lisa (the mom) was able to grab the steering wheel and bring the truck to a stop. The family was on their way home from a baby shower. The mom and Jaren were admitted to the hospital for observation (all three, Mom, Jaren, and the unborn baby are all doing fine physically) overnight, but have been released. I cannot even imagine loosing my husband. Just the thought of being left alone, and alone to raise two children...I can't breath.
One thing that freaks me out is that I went on a trip with the girl scouts on Wednesday. Most of the girls were in a small bus, but another leader and I followed in her van so our little ones could be in their car seats. We went on that exact stretch of road less than 30 minutes before the accident occurred. And yes, we saw lots of deer. Oh, My, Goodness...I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about what could have happened, and what did happen. It was a freak accident. Nothing could have been done to prevent it, but WHY? I'm not angry at God, I'm just so sad. I can't imagine what Lisa and Jaren are going through right now.
The funeral has been scheduled for Saturday morning, and I can't even be there. We are in Wichita to celebrate my parent's 40th anniversary, the party is tonight. We could leave after the party and drive at night, getting home early Sat. morning, but I just don't see the need. Lisa is going to need support for a long time, not just tomorrow. I am praying for her nearly constantly...

Anyway, just asking for prayers for this dear woman and child. Such a wonderful family. Pray for strength, comfort, peace...
Go hug your babies, and your husband. Make sure they know you love them. Don't let them doubt it for a moment.

update on tummy troubles

Here's a tip...after suffering a stomach bug, don't let the first solid food you eat be a bagel...it will NOT settle down and digest nicely. Your stomach will cramp so badly you will WISH you were pregnant and in labor...until you throw up that offending bagel, then you will feel MUCH better. It is now just about 11:00 pm and I am getting ready to hit the sack for the night. I have kept down a handful of grapes, 1/2 a ham and cheese sandwich, and a small chocolate frosty. (Boy, Grandpa was a GENIUS in figuring out that chocolate malts will cure whatever is ailing you!) I have lost 8 pounds in the past 36 hours. I know I have wanted to loose weight, but this is a bit ridiculous! I know it's all water weight and most of it will be back soon, but it would be nice if it stayed away! I have not weighed this since before I got pregnant with Bethany...so even though the flu is horrible, there is a bright side :o).

Abbigail is away at a girl scout lock-in...it is so weird only having two kids here! Plus, I am officially done with the child-care thing. I will miss my CC families, but it will be nice once I have all the "baby" stuff put away and we can make the house our own once again.
Well all...I'm signing off for the night. Hopefully we are ALL DONE with the sickies for a LONG time! Please remember the Chapman family during this terribly hard time. I can't even imagine the pain they are enduring...I just can't imagine. My heart aches for them.

3:23 am

warning...those with weak stomachs, read no further!

Why am I posting to the blog at 3 am?? Because I'm up. Abbigil was sent home from school on Monday because she threw up. She threw up a few times through-out Monday, but she was fine on Tuesday...she even went fishing with Daddy. I thought I felt funny last night before I went to bed, but I thought it was just too much salad...nope. Bethany crawled in bed with me sometime during the night and at 2 she was very restless. I told her to lay still or go back to her bed. She said her tummy hurt REAL bad. I handed her the "puke bucket" I had taken to bed with me and told her to go to the living room. She didn't make it out of the bedroom before she used the bucket. After she was done, I got her cuddled in a blanket in the living room just in time to run to the bathroom and puke myself. Now, an hour and a half later she has puked 3 more times, and I have done it once more.

Please keep us in your prayers. I'm feeling pretty weak and very tired.

But, in good news, Hubby and I have been working pretty hard on eating better and exercising. As of yesterday morning we have lost a total of 12 pounds...now I bet I've added a few more in the past couple of hours. ick

My heart is hurting

I've talked about Abbigail's teacher on my blog before. She is a WONDERFUL teacher, the best I have ever seen. She is a Godly woman who follows Christ. This is hard to find in a public school. Every day I ask Abbigail how school was, and she usually says "GREAT!" with so much enthusiasm. The past few weeks, though, things haven't been so great. Mrs. Wonderfu (not real name, going for privacy here) has been gone a lot. Her father was in the hospital earlier this year, and I thought something might be wrong with him. I never expected this. One of my child care moms has Miss Wonderful (Mrs. Wonderful's daughter) in her class. The daughter told my friend that her mom has been diagnosed with cancer. She told me not to say anything, that the only reason she was telling me was so that I could be there for Abbie when Mrs. Wonderful tells the students. Well, now there are emails going around our small town asking for prayers, so it's obviously not a secret. Multiple Melenoma. I just want to cry. Why? Why? Why? Hopefully the have caught it early and it can be easily beaten! Please keep Mrs. Wonderful and her family, and her second grade class in your prayers.
How do I help my little girl who loves this teacher SO much??

Update...When I picked Abbigail up from school she said she had something important to tell me. Mrs. Wonderful has cancer. She said that the teacher wasn't going to tell the kids yet but that the phone in the classroom rang all day with people calling, so she thought she'd better tell the kids before they heard it through the "grapevine". She explained that this kind of cancer is in her blood, and that there is medicine for it. She will be missing a lot of school so she can have the medicine. Abbigail said that one of the kids asked if she was going to die. (sniff, sniff) Mrs. Wonderful said that she hoped not, but that if she did she knew she would be in heaven with Jesus. Please join me in praying for this wonderful teacher, woman, mother, and wife. Abbie kept saying "I just hope she lives." Me too, baby...me too.

Prayer requests

I have a couple of items I am asking those friends and family out in the bloggosphere to add to their prayer list today if you can.

1. My dad...he has progressed so much! Praise God! Today is his 63 birthday. He is planning on being released from the hospital on Friday!! After over 6 months in the hospital, he is going HOME!! He and mom actually went home on Saturday for a "trial run" to see how things are going to go. Apparently they are going to be much more difficult than they had anticipated. Doors have been/are being widened for his wheel chair. A lift has been installed so he can enter the home. However, the carpet throughout the entire home is posing a problem. He has been working in the hospital on nothing but tile...no carpet. It is much more difficult to maneuver his wheelchair on the carpet. Please keep them both in your prayers as they go through this big transition this week. Pray for patience, endurance, strength, and love.
2. My neighbors. Remember a few posts ago I as talking about my 'new' neighbors who have a daughter Bethany's age and a son Andrew's age, and twin baby girls. Well, apparently one of the twins is showing signs of significant delays. They were very premature and are still under 10 pounds at 5 months. However, one is progressing nicely, but the other isn't showing much development. They are taking her to a neurologist 4 hours away today. Pray for safe travel. Pray for knowledgeable and caring doctors and nurses. Pray that the Lord will show them what is going on with little "T" and that they have the courage to face whatever it may be to do what is best for her. They are wonderful people and I know they will do whatever they need to get the help that T needs...but it has to be so hard to know that something is not right, and not know what it is!
3. Health...my kiddos and I are all coughing and just feeling a bit out of it. A return of health would be GREAT! We know it will come, just the sooner, the better! :-)

Thank you all for your prayers!

Another prayer request UPDATED

My husband is traveling. He SHOULD be traveling home. His plane was supposed to leave at 4:00 and arrive at 5:15. He should be home NOW! He's not. The plane he is supposed to get on hasn't even left the previous location. Something about someone trying to bring a suspicious package on board has shut down the entire airport, no planes are leaving or taking off...which means his plane is grounded in Hayes, can't even go to Kansas City to get him.

I am NOT cut out to be a single mother. I need a partner. I need a back-up. I need my husband. My head is pounding, the kids are whiny, they miss their dad. And...I need to take Andrew to wrestling since Daddy isn't home. Wrestling is not a mom thing, it's a dad thing! It's certainly not a mom-with-a-headache thing! Oh well...I am more thankful for my husband now than I was a week ago...didn't know that was possible.

Please pray that his plane is allowed to leave, gets him, and comes home safely. Thanks!

Update: His plane was finally allowed to leave Hays and then came to Kansas City to get him and the 2 other passengers...yes, there were only 3 passengers on his flight, it is amazng the airline didn't just cancel their flight!Instead of geting home around 6:00, he finally arrived just after 9:00. The kids were all in bed, but not completely asleep, so they all came running out "DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!" They were so glad to see him...so was I!!! The headache persists, but at least it is down to a dull ache instead of a pounding drum. Thank you all for your prayers and support!!

Continued prayers

If you remember a few days ago I posted about two families whom I have been praying for. I thought you might like an update...of course, you could just follow the links and read for yourself. :o)

Nate has reported that Tricia is doing well. She is gradually waking from the week of sedatives. She is still intubated but is conscious enough to calm at her husbands voice and touch. She both smiles and frowns when Nate tells her about their daughter. Frowning because I'm sure she wants to be the one getting to touch and talk o the little miracle. Gwyneth is doing great for a 25 weeker, they are even planning to extubate sometime very soon.

Ayla is undergoing her first round of chemo. Some of the test results came back with good news,, but as her mom pointed out, its hard to rejoice while poison is being dripped into your babies' body.

I can't imagine what heartache both of these families are going through. I pray many times during the day for both of these incredibly strong families. Please join me in lifting them up to The Healer who is all powerful and will do what is best. Following Him is not always the easiest thing to do, but it is always the best.

Life happens...

Hello all. It's been a while. Feels like a lot more than 2 days. It's been a L.O.N.G 2 days. Just a few hours after that last post began the fun. The throwing-up fun. Some of my childcare kids had been sick this week, and we got the bug. Bethany has had the brunt of it. She began throwing up Thursday evening, and continued to this morning. During the night Thursday, she couldn't even take a sip of water without it coming back. She was so miserable. Every time she was throwing up, I would hold the "puke bucket" and she would try to push it away saying "I don't want to puke!" Poor baby. She wouldn't even have any warning. Finally around 10 Friday morning she was able to hold down some water, so we tried toast. She ate most of the toast, but it took her a good 3 hours. She at a few bites of cereal for supper, and that was all. this morning about 6:00 she was super thirsty. So we came out to the kitchen to get a drink, she drank a cup of water, and we went back to my bed to snuggle. About 30 seconds later, she lost the water all over me, herself, and my bed. ICKY! Later she wanted pancakes. I (being the WONDERFUL mom I am) made them. She was walking to the table with a plate of pancakes in one hand and her puke bucket in the other...and puked. Poor baby was so hungry! She was finally able to hold down a pancake.
Andrew has a terrible cough. His asthma has acted up pretty bad this week and I even had to take his inhaler to school twice this week. He coughs so hard that I think he's pulled muscles in his stomach...I used to do this when I was a kid. He keeps saying his tummy hurts, I'm trying to figure out if he has the tummy bug like Bethany, or if it's the muscles...I'm hoping for muscles!
Abbigail seems to be healthy at this point, just bored with being home. We were supposed to have a baby-sitter last night...which would have given her something special to do. Plus, we were supposed to go to town today for a little shopping/eating out. Of course all of that was put on hold.
My dad spilt a cup of coffee on himself this week and has blisters on his chest, stomach, and legs. He cannot get into the pool until these heal. The doctors are giving him a tentative date for going home!!! Feb. 1!! This will be wonderful. Mom and dad ordered a lift to go in their garage to make getting in and out of the house easier. Also, the doors to the bedroom and office will be widened to allow his wheelchair to go through.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! My brother and his family made a cake and took it up to the hospital. They all enjoyed a nice dinner together. I miss being there and being able to be a part of these special, and yet day-to-day things.

I'm sorry for the downer post, but this is where I am right now. I am sad, tired, frustrated, and yet so thankful. Bethany is now holding down food. Dad is healing and getting so much stronger. Andrew's cough will get better. Other date nights can be planned. There are so many people going through so much harder things. Some bloggers that I have been reading and praying for are Nate and Ayla's family. Nate is a young husband of a woman with cystic fibrosis. They became pregnant and made the difficult and brave decision to continue the pregnancy. She could not take many of her medications while pregnant for the safety of the baby. This week she was ventilated and delivered the baby via c-section. Gwyneth Rose was born at 25 weeks and weighs 1 pound 6 oz. They are in an amazing battle for their lives. Nate is such a huge inspiration, in the face of possibly loosing his wife and daughter he still sees the hand of God and has faith and hope.
Ayla is a little girl adopted from China by a family here in the USA. She has had difficulty with an eye and has had many surgeries. A surgery just days before Christmas revealed cancer. She is now undergoing tests and chemo will start next week. This family is also a testament to faith. They don't know why this is happening to their precious little girl, but they know that God will see them through.
When I start feeling sorry for myself, I remind myself that others are going through much worse...and I thank God for taking care of us. I pray that God continues to take care of those families going through such difficulties, comforts them, protects them, and heals them. Even if this is not God's will, I pray that God brings hope and sees the families through their trials.

Home Safe and Sound...prayer requests

Howdy all. Just a quick post to let you all know that I made it home safe and sound.
On the way home I found out that the doctor decided that dad could have better pain management at the hospital, and have the tests run there...so...Dad's in the hospital AGAIN! Hopefully they will find out what's going on so he can get back on the road to recovery. He's been in bed for about 3 weeks now...he's lost so much strength. It will take a lot to get him back on track. Prayers for his health, pain management, and patience...not to mention Mom's as well...are appreciated.
On the home-front...the break-ins in my town have continued. And on a lovely note, the person breaking in isn't in it for the money. He's terrorizing women home alone who leave their doors unlocked. So...my house is locked up as tight as Ft. Knox right now. I can't wait till hubby comes home! Prayers for sanity and safety are appreciated.
The gathering in Florida ended this morning, but hubby's flight does not leave until the middle of the night tonight. Then he has to drive home from Denver. So, prayers for safe travel are also appreciated.
I'll try to get my pictures downloaded from the trip this afternoon so you can see all the fun we had with the cousins in Wichita!

HAIR!!!

Well, I finally did it. I finally cut my hair. I haven't had my hair cut in at least 2 1/2 years. I'm working up to a shorter layered look, but couldn't bring myself to do it in one fail swoop. So, this is what I started the day out with:

And this is what I have now:

Do you think Hubby will notice?

By the way, talking about hubby...he left me. Ok, don't get all freaked out now! He left this morning to take 5 high school kids from church to Florida for the National Youth Gathering! Just imagine 25,000 youth from all around the world praising God! Awesome! I went to two of these gatherings when I was in HS, and to one as an adult leader. When I went as adult leader, Abbie was 14 months old, and I was 6 months pregnant with Andrew. New Orleans, August, 6 months pregnant...NOT FUN! Other than the heat and the exhaustion, it was a GREAT time! Hopefully next time (in 3 years) I can go with Warren and a youth group. So...if you wouldn't mind, please add all these teens (and their adult leaders...especially one very special pastor dude) to your prayers!I couldn't leave out this adorable pic. Bethany being goofy as they were getting ready to leave! All the kids (and I) will miss him SO much! Andrew is taking it the hardest. So, prayers for us are also appreciated!

UPDATE!!! Wednesday 9:30 am

Well, the fire is out. The fumes are disipating. The town is supposed to open up again (at least most of the town) this morning.
Dad was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon after deciding that his back pain was entirely muscle related, not spine. They gave him megga doses of pain meds, and he felt much better. Mom and dad stayed in a hotel last night...just in case the winds shifted and they would have to evacuate. They didn't think they should deal with anything else...they had enough to deal with. I'm assuming they will be going home later today. My cousin and her family were staying in the same hotel.
Thank you all for your prayers. I'm so thankful to know that they are safe and doing ok. Mom and Dad have decided that they should not travel to Florida next week for the National Youth Gathering...they haven't missed one as long as I can remember. This will be hard for them! But (don't tell them! :o)) I'm glad! Hubby is going with our youth group...and now I have someone to go visit! :o)

Update 2:15 pm

Ok...one prayer has been answered! Thank You God! My dad has been transported by ambulance to the hospital. He and mom are out of the danger zone. Now they can start trying to figure out what's up with his back.
I called my brother to check and find out what was going on. He was sitting on a little road behind my parents' house watching the fire. While I was talking to him he saw a few large fire balls, something else in the plant was exploding. The new foam has not yet arrived.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Andie

Prayers PLEASE!!!

I know there are many prayer warriors out there who read blogs...so I'm appealing to you.

First of all, my dad's health has been a struggle since January. He was in the hospital for more than a month. His recovery has been a very slow process. He ended up back in the hospital two weeks ago for chest pains (which turned out to be nothing) and a very painful knee. They decided he needs a knee replacement, but his health is not at the point where they can do another major surgery right now. So, he is supposed to receive steroid shots to help with his knee until he can have the replacement done. He was released from the hospital last Tuesday (one week ago today). He had a follow-up appointment with his doctor on Thursday. Things looked good. Thursday night he did something to his back, and has been in extreme pain since. Apparently he hasn't even gotten out of bed. Mom and my brother were going to call an ambulance this morning to come help get him to the hospital so they can see what's going on.

Now...all of the emergency crews in their town are busy, there was a terrible explosion at a solvent plant. Most of the town has been evacuated. The wind is blowing the fumes and smoke away from my parents house, so they are safe at this point. I told mom that she should call ems and just let them know that they are there, and if their part of town needs to be evacuated, they will need help. I'm so worried about them...all of them, the entire town. The solvents and chemicals can't be put out with water, they are waiting for some sort of foam to arrive to help put it out. If you want more info on the info, it's an explosion at Barton Solvents in Valley Center, Kansas.

I live about 4 hours away, and there is nothing I can do...except pray! I'm watching the continuous coverage on the Internet, and it just looks so scary! Please pray for the entire town, but especially my dad and mom.

Thank you...and I will try to post an update as soon as I find out they are OK.