What a whirlwind!!

Sorry for the long absence from the world of blog. We have been busy...I mean we have been BUSY. Probably the busiest that we have ever been. Some good, some not so good, mostly necessary and all exhausting! This is going to be a long one...bear with me.

Since returning from Minnesota at the end of July, life pretty much went from 0 to 60 in a moment's passing. From finding out that we are having a baby girl, to news that my brother was going to be having brain surgery, to a wonderful vacation to Destin (that really is such a blur...we sure don't feel like we had a vacation just a short 6 weeks ago!!), to kicking off the most successful start to Young Life so far, to planning and executing our Annual Fundraising Banquet, to me working 2 jobs and lots of drama thrown into it...that's been our last 10 weeks!

So here are some updates...and some pictures.

Dustin - since the last update regarding his status...he ended up having a 2nd brain surgery the day before he was supposed to go home. They found that he was leaking brain fluid and had to go in and install a drainage tube. This put him back in ICU for another 3 days and then a regular hospital room for 3 more days. This was a hard one for all of us...talk about a set back. BUT he is home now and doing amazingly well!! He was sent home and was told that he was "homebound" and would reevaluate in 2 to 3 weeks. For any of you that know Dustin, you are aware that "homebound" is not an option for him. He was convincing people to take him out for car rides, etc. pretty much the day after he got home. He was quickly moved to "outpatient" status and is continuing his physical and occupational therapy a couple of times a week. He has made tremendous progress but is still having problems with his hands. His therapy is really focusing on his hands right now. He has started running again...it's definitely not easy for him right now but he is sticking to it. There has even been talk of him running the marathon relay with my dad, Kyle and a couple of other folks in February in Austin. He'll be back to the full marathon in no time!!

As far as treatment goes...his neurosurgeon, Dr. Jackson, referred him to a neurooncologist to assess further necessary treatment. She has seen one other case like his. Since he still has some other "spots" or tumors in his spine and the top of his brain, she is planning on doing a chemo-type of treatment with him. She was adamant that it is not chemo but to the lay person, it pretty much is just that. He goes in tomorrow for an MRI - if the spots have started shrinking or changing properties on their own, then they may decide to forego this treatment and just monitor them. If they have not changed any, then he will go back in on Monday of this next week for his first treatment. He will then go in every other week for the IV treatment. She said that he should not experience any side effects.

Young Life is full steam ahead at this point. We have had the most successful start to a new year of Young Life in the history of Carrollton Young Life. That is not to say that there has not been some BIG struggles in the midst of it, though. God has been teaching Kyle and I ALOT these last couple of months...I don't even know where to begin. There has been lots of tears (mostly mine!!), heartache, frustration but also a renewed hope. We are pretty vulnerable right now but rest in knowing that we are right where God wants us to be. He has been so gentle and has been revealing His power and presence in moments where we are at our wits end and ready to give up. He has revealed over and over to us that His had is actively moving upon this ministry. Last weekend was our Annual Fundraising Banquet and it was a huge success! Seems that God is really working to get all of the details out of the way so that ministry can happen with no distractions...

Baby J....will be here soon! 6 more weeks to go!! Kyle seems to think she is coming sooner than that. I sure would love for her to! I am currently 34 weeks a long...yesterday I had a doctors appointment and all is well. Thank God that this has been a boring pregnancy...no problems at all!! With all that has been going on in other areas of our lives, we are grateful that God has protected Baby J from the stresses that we have been in the midst of... We often wonder what our reflections will be when we look back at this time of our lives...we are busier than ever, have experienced more heartache (personally and with many around us experiencing the difficulties of life) and stress while preparing for one of the most joyous experiences that we will ever encounter on this earth. I keep thinking that Baby J is going to be the beautiful bow that ties up all of the loose ends.

I will continue to work full time until this next Friday then will have good month (maybe) to get things ready for her arrival. I am hoping to continue training up for another 3 weeks just a couple of night a week.

Here are a some pictures that capture some of the joyous times of the last month!

My baby shower on October 6...

Baby J decided to show off a little and kick for her Honey (Kyle's mom) and Auntie Rebecca!

My mom and I. Neither of us can wait to see Baby J's face!

One of the many adorable outfits that we received.

The hostesses...my best friends...I am so blessed!

Last but not least, this last Wednesday, Kyle and I went in for a 3D/4D sonogram. What a treat to get a sneak peek at her sweet little face! Check out those chubby cheeks!

That is her foot just above her left eye...she's flexible...our little yoga baby!

You can also see her toe in this picture just in front of her nose. Oh and the black at the top of her head is not hair! Some have been a bit freaked out by that when they see it...the top part of her head is cut off by the soundwaves of the sonogram.

Thanks for enduring this LONG update...hopefully I will be back sooner than later with more updates!