A Faith to move Mountains

What a wonderful trip to Colorado! You kiddos had a blast and it was great week to get away from the worries of the world! You both stayed healthy which was a plus and we arrived there and back safe and sound! It was great to see the cousins, grandparents and aunts and uncles on Dad's side of the family.

The mountains were gorgeous. We were once again awe struck by God's beauty! What a wonderful and creative God we serve.

While up there we played many rounds of put-put where Drew beat me every time and Elyse literally beat me with her club ( it was on accident). I didn't realize that she would take a full swing when her ball was only 2 inches from the hole and my shins took the brunt of my decision to stand close her. None the less we had a great time!!

We also went on a 4 mile hike to Gem Lake, which was 2 miles, up and 2 miles down. We had to keep up with Drew who did it all himself and had to be one of the first little ones up. He always has to win. Not sure who he gets that from! :) Dad and I took Elyse up on my back and up on Dad's shoulders. That was a workout for sure.

We learned again to trust in God, when Elyse developed stomach pains from the new medicine she is on. We ended up stopping it after one really bad episode and then there were no stomach aches. Today it is going to be started again, having faith that God will protect her decrease her LFT so that she can stop it soon.

Well back to life and reality, but still enjoying the summer.

Feeling really Blessed!

MOM

SUMMER RESULTS

HOPE FOR MY SISTER 2010

Wow! Overwhelmed by the love and support that was shown on that sunny JUNE day. We had family, friends, sponsors, golfers, and so much love there on that day. Once again we raised over $10,000 dollars, to go to research a cure for CF some day. We could not have done it alone. JOY overflows our hearts!!!

DREW TURNED 5

The big 5 year old is in the house. Drew you are an amazing little boy. Full of love, patience, kindness, and joy. You sure have grown in the past few weeks since you turned 5, and I know that you run faster now as well. You had a awesome day spent with your cousins. They all spent the night and then it was a day at the zoo, McDonalds and the park. What a day to celebrate such a wonderful boy! We love you.

LIVE RESULTS

So the sad news for last. Elyse's liver on Ultra Sound did show that it was fatty and her LFT's were elevated within the last few months causing Elyse to start on a new medication. Not to happy to add another med, but thankful that we have a medication to treat this. We will be rechecking everything again in 3-4 months. Hoping for good results!

Vacation and WORRY!

What a wonderful trip we had to Gulf Shores, we were able to spend time with both sides of the family and some friends. Elyse and Drew for the most part remained healthy and we all had a blast being on the beach and in the pool.

This past week brought some worry!

WORRIED!!

Yes, I am worried, because Elyse's Liver enzymes were elevated and your white count was low on your yearly blood work, but I am trying to choose JOY through it all because your chest xray looked awesome/normal. They stated that it could be just due to a viral infection so we will recheck it, but CF kids can also develop liver disease, so we are watching it close.

So we will be drawing your blood again in 1 month. You were so brave 1 week ago you didn't even cry, you just looked at the needle and took it all with no tears. I love your fighting spirit, sometimes I wish I had it on the days that I just break down. I don't ever want to lose you.

We are preparing once again for our Annual HOPE FOR MY SISTER event. The Teams are coming along well and we are gearing up for another fun, busy, and exciting day on June 19th this year. Drew is getting so good at golf and he is ready to Tee off another year for you. This year the theme is "OUR WISH" Cure Found.

Thank you everyday for the joy that both of you bring. I cherish every minute and sometimes I wish I could have time stand still. You both are my life.

Love you forever, MOM

Safe and Healthy Trip

So we made it to Gulf Shores, AL and back safe and for the most part healthy. We had a great time of sun, swimming, shell searching, night time crab hunting, great food, family and friends. We were able to enjoy full days of sun and 70-80 degree weather. What a wonderful blessing from God and a great rest to soak in his wonderful creation at the shoreline.

Elyse learned to swim on her own with a life jacket. She scoots around the pool with ease and at times I caught her singing about glad she is the way God made her.

Drew was a water bug. We had troubles getting him out of the pool. Every day was filled with fun and sun.

What a great time for the family as well Craigs sister and family were down there as well as his parents and my parents and our neighbors the Davidsons. It didn't feel like we left home, because alot of out loved ones were with us. We are now back home Craig and Elyse trying to fight hopefully our last spring cold and pink eye that Drew shared so nicely with them.

What a blessing to have a much needed time of R&R. Now gearing up for the Hope for My Sister Golf outing. Getting anxious and excited all wrapped in one.

Spring Sprung Bugs

Hey kiddos-

Today I am writing in relief. It was a bad past week in a half and I am thankful it is over. It started with Drew getting sick and ended with Elyse being the sickest you have ever been. We had our first ER visit and it was not fun. They misdiagnosed you and it brought some bad days ahead. Then Dr Macedo later stated you had a double ear infection and RSV. You were wheezing and needed nebs every 2 hours for a couple of days. You scared me and many times I found myself on my knees just praying for relief for you. You were put on Zithromax and Prednisone for 7 days each. You were also put on Pulmzyme and now that is all we are doing.

You continue to amaze me daily.

Drew you love school, and St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow you already have your green shirt out ready to wear. You continue to love sports. This weekend dad got you a new basketball since he ran over yours and you played in the cold on Sunday. You have a shooters touch for sure. It is a beautiful day today and we hope to get outside this afternoon for sure.

Elyse you are a wild thing for sure, your aunt KK the said the other day you talked non-stop. Your vocab. is extending more and more. I am so happy to see you feeling better and back to your mischievous self.

Other bugs that have visited are "lady bugs" or the Jap. Beetles. When the sun hits the porch it brings them out. They are on the windows, Elyse you love to take them and throw them in the garage, where as Drew you are still afraid of bugs. So opposite you two are, but the best of buds. I love you both so much.

Love your MOM

Happy start of 2010!!

Hello- Here again to update you both. Drew you hit your head again and came into the ER for 2 more staples this time in a different spot and this time I was working. You were once again very brave even knowing what was coming. You had a great Christmas and you are looking forward to Spring Break and Gulf Shores with the family.

Elyse just after Christmas we got some good news that your throat culture was negative for psuedomonas. What a blessing! You continue to grow strong and we continue to pray for a cure. We went and supported Friends and Family of CF bid for a bachelor and bachelorette. What a fun event and they raised over 50,000 dollars to help support West MI families with CF. We met some more great people and great connections. Another highlight was the CF conference. We learned that they are getting closer each day for a cure. After leaving that night we felt encouraged. We went to another CF appointment and they stated that once again you looked good and your growth was again in the 80th%. Way to go girl. We did have a cough prior to this appointment that put you on a inhaled steroid for 10 days which you tolerated like a champ.

We continue to see God's faithfulness. We love you both very much.

Love, Mom and Dad

We are once again starting to put together Our 3rd annual Hope for My Sister fundraiser. This year the theme is "Our Wish".

Thanksgiving and Jesus' Birthday is coming 2009

Hey writing to update the blog a bit. I was just going to tell you what has happen of the past few months just 2 weeks prior to Christmas.

Elyse you just got off two rounds of antibiotics for a sinus infection that just will not go away. We had a CF appt. and you grew awesome. Your BMI was in the 90th %. Way to go my chica friend. Drew you continue to love school with Ms Rhonda, Opa just before Thanksgiving was able to join you on a field trip to the nature center. How fun for you both. You got your first ever national testing and you ranked above average in your grade at 88%, the class average was 76.6% way to go buddy. I always knew you were smart. You love to play Memory and you are beating me even while I am trying hard to win.

One week ago we were hit with bad news. Elyse's throat culture came back as pseudomonas which is a bacteria that is very aggressive and can invade the lungs and decrease lung function. This was hard, because you have been so healthy and now we have a speed bump, but God is good and wise and we are learning to find our blessings in trial. You are on Tobi for 28 days and Cipro for two weeks. Today you developed a cough. We are continuing to pray for God's protection over your lungs until the researchers find a cure. We love you so much. You are tolerating the meds well, but at times your firery spirit hinders some acceptance. We are thankful for that spunk as you battle this out. Thank you for blessing us with who you both are Drew and Elyse. We love you all.

MOM and Dad

PS We are getting ready for Christmas you both enjoyed Santa this year. No tears Drew you were brave, and Elyse you were so excited to see him at Dad's Christmas party. You enjoy opening the Advent Calendar and look forward to Jesus' Brithday!