i have no idea.....

brooke's b/day is next week and i'm clueless to how to celebrate w/her. Chick-fi-la is always on the menu...but her cast limits our outings. I really have no idea what to do w/her except just be w/her. She will be 12 years old and it just amazes me. it just seemed the other day i was pregnant w/her...living in Memphis...fixing to embark on a new adventure and journey....little did i know just what an adventure i was recieving when God created her (fearfully and wonderfully)!

3:17

if you don't know, this is my favorite passage of scripture! thanks to lauren for sending this photo my way. i'm holding tightly to this truth today!

UGH!

saw brooke today. she seemed a bit sad...frustrated...tired...hum, i don't know. these are the times i want to read her mind. i know her day was a bit frustrating. the arms of her wheelchair will prove to you that she doesn't like it very much. they do move her around a bit...wheelchair, sofa, bed, etc....but i cannot even imagine staying in one location and kinda not understanding it all. i miss her "stand up" hugs. i missed seeing her smile today...which made me sad to leave. frustrated all around i guess...

no pictures today-maybe tomorrow.

Presence

i have written this before, but have been encouraged by it recently, once again.

"He offers not solutions, but only His Presence. If we would only join David in lament, we might discover that voice. We might discover as well that even as we cry out to God, we are crying out WITH God." Card

His presence is the most precious thing. i'm surrounded by Him, guided by Him, comforted with Him, and even disciplined by Him. Knowing we are not alone intensifies my relationship with Him....and I am at peace.

*i'll be seeing brooke later today...i'll post pictures after my visit.

comfort

"God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5.4

this verse brings comfort to me this day...

haircut:

brooke got a haircut today...it was funny..we went to 2 different places! it looks really cute & hope to have pictures of her tomorrow.

some people have been asking how i've been doing. i guess i've been leaving that part out. well, after the RUSH of everything....things have hit a bit. I've tried hard not to get depressed...but after the adrenaline was all over the realization has set in...sometimes it's a bit hard to swallow. There are other things, besides brooke, that are going on too...and the combination of them all were a bit overwhelming.....Yet, i'm grateful!!! Being able to see Brooke everyday and getting to do things w/her has helped so much. Her staff at the LT have been such an encouragement to me.

Today brooke we received a package in the mail from a dear church family. Bartlett Hills Bpt Church in our home town. I have to say, all the cards...and little surprises both for brooke and the boys were a special surprise. We will take the things to her tomorrow to enjoy. Thank you so much for your prayers and support....miles away.

doctor update:

brooke went to the doctor today. her leg is improving! she will go back in 4 weeks to get the pins taken out and then a shorter cast will be put back on. she'll wear that for a while and then she'll wear a walking cast.

she has started some school work in her home (which she just loves..j/k). all other signs of fractures are not an issue anymore.....and we are grateful. these pictures are of her today as we drove to the doctor. she seemed happy. (i think it was because katy is saying "thank you" so much...that it makes her smile, sorry...little inside joke!)

to whom it may concern:

today i got a bit of a surprise from someone i did not expect...Brooke. She sent me an arrangement of beautiful flowers and the following words were written. I know someone had something to do w/this...so to whomever it concerns; you have NO idea! Thank you.

doctors visit/recent photos

yesterday brooke went back to the doctor about her leg. they did have to cut a portion of the cast, reposition her leg, recast a very small area to make sure it grows correctly. she is recovering really well...i'm getting a chance to see her everyday---which i love! next week we will be on break and i'll get to spend more time w/her while the boys are at school. right now she is enjoying the TV...however, i have heard she'll be getting back into a routine w/school next week. also, she'll go back to the doctor next week to make sure her leg is growing as they like. she is in a chipper mood!

bouncing back

i saw brooke today, but forgot my camera. she looked really well. the staph infection on her head is being treated. she will see her orthopedic doctor tomorrow to make sure the bone structure is holding up well. (let's hope it is). i'll update more tomorrow after the doctor visit.

as i went by the site where the accident happened thousand of things flew in my mind. as you may guess by now, i'm not disclosing any personal information on this site of what happened; however i will say it's amazing me that Brooke bounced back and is doing so well. we all have long road of recovery, but once again, grateful for Brooke's staff at TLT and their dedication to her and us.

letter:

i read this in my time with the Lord this morning after i posted...it went along so well w/what i had said previously, that i just had to share:

"she (brooke) knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so completely, that she no longer depends on My voice, loving glances, or other outward signs to know of My approval. She is not dismayed or discouraged by any circumstances I arrange for her to encounter. She trusts me when common sense, reason, and even every subtle instinct of the natural heart would rebel, knowing that I am preparing her for eternity, and realizing that the understanding of what i do will come later"--Jesus

if i only had a heart like hers! brooke you amaze me and you inspire me to go on! You are courageous and brave.

wonder:

brooke,

i wonder what your thinking as you lay on your bed. i wonder if you remember your past week. i wonder if you remember me sleeping beside you in your hospital bed. i wonder what you would say to those who have helped you, prayed for you, and sat beside you day after day. i wonder what pictures you paint in your head/what you dream about at night. i wonder what you think that "green" thing is on your leg. I wonder and wonder...

what do you wonder about? i wish i could answer your questions. One day sweetie, it'll all be made known and we won't have to wonder anymore! To see you in Jesus' arms is a day I hope in and a day i dream about! i love you up to the moon! momma

sunday visit

our sunday visit went really well. she is recovering well and that makes me happy. she pretty much lays in her bed all day b/c of the fractures she has on the left side of her body. she is getting spoiled!!! i'll send more pictures soon...and even a video, as soon as molly shows me how. (hint to you mg).

everyone is home!

brooke got back home saturday afternoon from the hospital and is adjusting well. I was with her and she pointed at he cast saying "what's that"? thought that was funny. i'll be taking pictures of her today--so you can see her "bright" green cast.

bill and i got home last night from the conference i help out with in Huntsville (www.awakenmyheart.com). it's nice to be home...it's nice for everyone to be home! we go back to work today after being w/brooke for a little over a week. it'll be good to get back into routine. i've missed the girls at the home. it'll be nice knowing brooke is just down the road so i can pop in/out whenever i get a chance to.

again, thank you for your continuous prayers in her recovery. We Praise the Lord for all He has done and we give Him the glory...It's all about HIM!.

back again....

brooke is back in the hospital again. her white blood count is up with high fever. they will be putting her on some antibiotics and making sure everything is okay.

it's hard, for i am now 6 hours away speaking at a woman's conference. however, knowing she is in good hands. Please continue to pray for her recovery. Thank you!!

friday morning

brooke is going to the doctor this morning for her high fever...they will just draw some blood to find out what is going on.


(this is the best way i can communicate to all of those who are concerned w/brooke, so sorry if i seem a bit distant). The blog is the best way to know what is going on.
Thank you for your prayers and love.

fever:

Please pray brooke gets relief from fever. we believe it it because she still is having some pain...also we are having to move her around alot to change diapers and to make sure she does not get bed sores. this may be causing her to have some fever. She does have a long road of recovery. i am hoping the fever does fade out fast. thank you for your prayers.

new morning!

it's a new day and we are OUT of the hospital!!! I've already talked w/her staff this morning and she did really well during the night. I'll be seeing her this morning before i leave. it'll be hard to leave her after being w/her around the clock....but confident she is in great hands!


His mercies are NEW every morning....Great is HIS faithfulness!! (lamentations 3)

brooke is home

today was a day of transition...brooke was able to go to her group home this afternoon. getting her in the van was an adventure, but we all (6 or 7) got her in. thanks to the Learning Tree Staff for your helping hands, we could not have done this w/o you. They got her chick-fi-la, a nice shower, some meds, Toy Story 2....and off to bed. i hope she sleeps well. i will miss sneaking in the bed w/her while nurses come in and out of the room. (by the way, brooke's nurse looked just like Brooke White, for all you American Idol fans. i got my picture made w/her....it was very funny!) It was cool though...when we got down stairs for the surgery she asked, "may i pray for her"....it was precious indeed.

we are all tired. i'm leaving tomorrow for an Awaken (www.awakenmyheart.com) womans conference. i'll be teaching on "brokenness"...hum, how appropriate! I'm broken, and Brooke has been broken. She sure taught me some lessons this weekend. what a brave little girl. she steals my heart. my post may be few for a few days while i'm traveling.

I especially want to thank Jennifer and Katy. You guys amaze me and have gone over and beyond your call of duty. May God richly bless you beyond what you can imagine or think. Love you both!

amazed

i'm so amazed at brooke. i consider her to be very courageous! i admire her beauty.

surgury situation:

brooke's surgury went well today-the doctor did mention it was a bit tougher spot than he thought. he did have to put pins in to stablize the area. the cast goes up almost to her hip. i'm not sure when we will leave the hospital, i guess we will know more about that tomorrow (wedneday). in recovery she pulled out her IV and got extrememly frustrated...probably b/c of the pain. she is sleeping well tonight and i hope she can dwindle down off the pain meds wednesday.

again, thank you for your prayers/concerns! i'm so grateful for them and you!

tuesday update:

we are all set for surgury for today before noon. we are not sure if she will have to have pins/plates/or just a cast on her leg...that will be determined by the surgeon. Brooke started to smile yesterday afternoon...which made us all happy and excited to see. I was able to sleep beside brooke last night in hospital bed. i haven't gotten to do that in several months, it was good to have a sleepover...even though the circumstances are not what i expected. I am grateful the Lord is restoring her health and i am confident He will continue to.

I spoke w/a dear friend this morning and as she read Psalms 18 to me, my heart was encouraged knowing His ways are perfect....we don't understand them, but they are. I'm grateful to know and to believe this wonderful promise.

there are several people to thank: all those that have been praying for brooke's recovery! wow. you have no idea. bill and i have felt the prayers...we are eternally grateful! Learning Tree staff...you guys have been great and have been there every step of the way...the burden has been lifted knowing you guys are here and have been 24/7. Sonrise Baptist Church and Wooley Springs...thank you for lifting brooke up in prayer, and last but not least...the Children's Home staff...you are precious family and we love you...thank you for your prayers and presence!

these are some pictures from last night and then this morning before surgury

Monday update:

we are still in ICU. Brooke will have surgury on her leg on Tuesday morning. There were some concerns w/her spleen...but it looks as if everything is going to okay there. She has various fractures but all seems to be healing well in there on time. She seems to be having a bit more comfort (unless disturbed by doctors/nurses) ha/....otherwise she is resting well. you are welcome to call my cell or txt us. thank you for your prayers.
after surgury she will go back to ICU. her cast will be full leg and she will be in a wheelchair for about 6 weeks.

hurting:

these past few days have been a bit tough. brooke is in the hospital with a broken leg and other injuries. please pray for her in her recovery. She is still in ICU. She has surgury on Monday or Tuesday. She is doing okay--but seems a bit confused and helpless. I love you baby...Jesus has got you baby!!!