How Beautiful

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings...that publisheth salvation."

This is Ellie and our pastor. When I was taking her picutre, she reached her hand around his face. Does that tell you how special he is to her? to me? You must hear her yell sometime, "Hey Preacher!" He is truly a shepherd for his flock.

The day of Ellie's surgery Brother Randall and our associate pastor Brother Bobby got up and left home around 1:30 in the morning. They were at the hospital waiting in the lobby when we drove up. Can you imagine the peace and love I felt when Brother Bobby called the night before to tell me they were both coming to be with us. They stayed the entire day, until Ellie was wide awake from her surgery.

When Ellie was not awakening from her anesthesia (oops, catch my tears) I wish you could have heard Brother Randall gently calling her name. I was sweetly saying the name of Jesus, and I knew that I knew that he was praying. You may remember the post before her surgery when I mentioned his prayer when his words just wouldn't come. The love of Jesus shines in his heart and on his face.

He has been our pastor for almost 20 years. He came to our church when Whitney was just a baby. He was there for Whitney when her dog ran away. She knew he cared for her enough to pray, so she stopped by his office before morning services to ask him. He was there when Caleb had surgery when he was 1 year old. He was there when my daddy first surrendered his life to Jesus. He was there when a drunk driver pulled into Stan's semi's path. The drunk driver was killed. Brother Randall sat by the phone with me for hours until the company assistant brought STan home from the accident in Florida. He was there for my daddy's open heart surgery. He is a man I can count on.

And, today is his birthday. "Happy Birthday, Preacher!"

But, as I was typing, I was reminded. God was there. God has always been there. God will always be there. God is our comforter, and I thank Him for the body of Christ. I cannot imagine facing life's storms without the body He has given us. He is so good!

And the picture below is of Ellie with our associate pastor, Brother Bobby! Such a dear friend. He served in our church several years ago, and God has brought him back to us. Brother Bobby and I have carried children to camp together, 12 hours away, so you can imagine the stories we could tell. One day I'll have to share some of those. Just say, "I'm glad Brother Bobby's nose is clean in this picure!"

I Love My Hometown

It is wonderful to live here in my favorite part of south Georgia. I live in the town where I grew up, and, while it's not so small anymore, it still has that small town feel.

Our HS football team visits our elementary school during football season and reads to students on game days. Today was the first visit of the year, and the team visited with kindergarten. Living and teaching here, we were blessed to request that Brandon visit Josie-Tatum's classroom. She was thrilled and anxious to get to school today because Brandon was coming. Don't they look precious?

I was at a workshop, but our media specialist took pictures for me and emailed them. Thank you, Betsy!

And, tonight we get to watch our favorite football player, #51, the best cheerleader on the football team, PLAY BALL! If you hear lots of cowbells and shouts, it's my family. We cheer "in style." We have pom poms, megaphones, and a dozen cowbells, all royal blue, of course. Go Bears! Go Brandon! Our associate pastor recently told Brandon he would attend a game and be the most obnoxious fan there. Brandon told him, "You'll have to keep up with Mrs. Robbie, Aunt Bobbie, Grandma, and Aunt Melanie."



Ellie Update

Ellie's ability to adapt to new situations simply amazes me. She adapted to us as her family. She adapted to new language, new foods, new routines, etc. She is adapting to life in a cast with the same tenacity.

She has learned that she can roll over the floor to get from place to place. Yesterday morning when I went into her room, she was sleeping on her side...almost. She was lying on the right side of her torso, and her left leg and foot were in the air. Of course, I didn't have the camera. She can enjoy hours at the computer, or hours at the table coloring, or hours on the couch with Daddy watching TV.

She still isn't eating much, but I'm told by her health care providers and other been-there-done-that moms not to worry. I was reminded by a friend today she isn't expending much energy in a day. Her appetite has increased some. And, praise the LORD, there is still no poo on the cast.

Tonight, she'll go to her first football game in her cast. It's an away game, about 45 minutes from home. I hope she does well. She loves ballgames, and tonight will determine if she goes to other away games this year.

Go Bears! Go Brandon!

Today's Visit to Shriner's

Praise the LORD for a great day!

The doctor's visit was rather uneventful. All is well. The cast was trimmed some, since Ellie often complains of backpain. They lined the outer edges with mole skin.
All is healing as hoped!

We go back in 5 weeks, and she could get her cast off then!!!! That is October 14th, my birthday. Last year, on my bd I was in the air on my way to get my baby girl.

Ellie slept both going and coming home, 2 hours each way. She was easily entertained, and I am more than grateful.

I'll try to post a few pics tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers....
A very tired mama

Quick Update

Ellie slept better last night and took a good nap today. She was a much more pleasant little girl.

Sad face: I go back to work tomorrow. For one day, and then back on Wednesday.

Prayer Request: Ellie, Grandma, and I will be headed back to Tampa tomorrow afternoon. We will have a CT-Scan and visit the doctor on Tuesday. Please pray that her hip is healing well. Perhaps, we'll be encouraged to think she might really get out of her cast in 6 weeks, rather than 12.

Praise: Ellie poo pooed on the potty today at church. She told Grandma she had to go, and go she did! Woo Hoo! So far, no poo on the cast.

It may be Tuesday before I can update again, prayerfully with good news from the doctor.

Thanks for your prayers,
Robbie

Saturday

Okay, lovely picture of me, I know, but the good news is...Ellie has been eating better today. I've grown a bit worried at how little she is eating. Her little legs are looking too small to her mama.

But, the not so good news is...she did not sleep well last night. She was unhappy and uncomfortable, totally drenched in sweat this morning at 1:15. I couldn't get her comfortable, but Daddy to the rescue. When she couldn't go back to sleep, he got up with her and they watched Diego videos until 4:15. He brought her back into our room, where she continued to chat....I have no idea what time she went to sleep, but she was sleeping at 9:00 a.m. when the phone rang.

She spent the day a little cranky, but not quite as difficult as she was on Wednesday. Josie-Tatum and I spent some time together at Wal-Mart while she napped, and Ellie was most unhappy when she awoke and we were gone.

We ended the day with bath time and manicures. Aunt Melanie and her girls stopped by. Aunt Melanie, to quote my mother, is actually the best friend I've ever had. She and I have been friends since 6th grade. Let's just say we both know far too much about each other. Few people are so blessed to have a close friend for that many years.

So, Aunt Melanie helped with the bath time. She kept Ellie distracted while I cleaned up the cotton on the edges of the cast in those places that are, um, hard to keep smelling sweet. Notice they are playing pirates and swords. Cool weapons, huh.
Then Emilyann, Melanie's oldest daughter, gave Ellie her Tinkerbell manicure.

Let's hope for sweeter dreams tonight.

Attachment and Bonding-On a Different Path

Most adoptive parents-to-be spend much time with reading and education. In preparation for adopting a toddler, I read many articles on attachment and bonding, preparing myself for difficult moments. Those of you who followed our journey to China know that we had some rough moments, but all in all it's been wonderful.

Ellie, at first, attached to her daddy, then to Aunt Bobbie, all to the exlusion of Mama. While I knew this was normal, it broke my heart. We worked diligently to help her learn to accept love, care, and affection from her mother, and our efforts bore fruit.

After coming home and going back to work within 10 days of our homecoming, Ellie has learned to be content with other caregivers. She loved her daycare provider, enjoyed days home with Daddy and Whitney, but soon learned to be delighted when Mama came home.

While we were in the hospital and I shared with a friend that Ellie wanted no one but Mama, this wise friend Joli said, "How good for you and Ellie. What a great time for bonding."

I hadn't thought of it that way, but this recuperation period has provided the opportunity for Ellie and Mama to from a tighter bond. She has day after day preferred the company of her mama over anyone. And, when I thought about it, I thought, "She finally realizes she NEEDS me."

When we adopted her, she could dress herself, feed herself, bathe herself, and was accustomed to comforting herself at bedtime. She enjoyed playtime with her jiejie, Josie-Tatum, and preferred that playtime over fun with Mama.

Now, she needs me to help her dress, must have help with her bath. She has to put her trust in me that I want let her fall off the kitchen counter during bath time. She is no longer in control. She needs help to change positions. Even one night, she was crying because she had become tangled in the covers and couldn't get her feet out. She is learning to lean on me.

And, isn't that like us, God's children? We draw closer to Him when we think we NEED Him, when the truth is we NEED him everyday. We are often unaware of his daily provision for us, but when troubles come, we are reminded. He is such an awesome God. He gave His son for us. Do you think he enjoys spending that sweet time with us when we need him most--the way I've enjoyed my time with Ellie. Don't you know He runs to us when we get tangled in the covers, as we've been kicking up our own messes.

I had the best laugh when I reached in Ellie's cast and washed her belly button. She giggled hysterically. Wonder how much He enjoys our laughter? Has he tickled your belly button today? Sent an uncontrollable laugh? And, I wonder if He sometimes gives us cookies, just so we'll drink our milk?

More Bath Time---

She was trying to see her hair.

Ellie found a new position yesterday. She was lying in the floor watching TV with JT, and she rolled over. She happily spent the next few minutes on her tummy. Then...I dropped something and she wanted to get it for me. OH NO! the doctor does not want her to crawl. How difficult will it be now to get her to be still.



This is what happens if you let go of your balloons.

Caleb To The Rescue

Go Brandon!!!

And the Player of the Week is:
BRANDON #51
(Pictured above is Josie-Tatum holding his ratty practice jersey.)

Brandon played an excellent game last Friday when I couldnt' watch him play. He recieved the Player of the Week Award from his coaches and had his picture in our local paper. I'm working at getting copies of some pictures taken by a local photogapher.My best friend Melanie kept me informed each time he made a big play. I would run out to the nurses' station and give a report. He sacked the quaterback, recovered a fumble, and had countless tackles. (Well, he knows the number...I forgot.)

And, Brandon is the BEST off the field and on the field. He's the player on the sidelines firing up the team, has been since he was a freshman. I used to call my my favorite cheerleader on the football team.

Brandon's story is his to tell, but he has long had a place in my heart. When the LORD made the crooked paths straight, our home and hearts were open to him. While I've known him and loved him for nearly 7 years, I've had the privilege of calling him MINE for the past 10 months.

Go Brandon! I love you!

Ellie Update
Today was a much better day. She didn't go to sleep until 11:00 last night, but she slept all night, until 10:30 this morning. She ate a little more breakfast than usual. (I've learned to put milk in her grits to boost her calcium.) She has been pleasant, and only complained when her cast was poking in her back.

And, I'm getting a break tonight!! She is now at Grandma's house, early because she asked me to take her NOW. (This is the first time since surgery she hasn't cried if I left her.) She'll stay with Grandma when JT, C, and I leave for the ballgame. Daddy will have her later when he gets in from work.

So, go Ellie! Go Brandon!!

A Not So Good Day

So, how could I call it a "Not So Good Day" and get a picture like that? Well, it was not so good. We had good moments, but they were few.

Ellie awoke at 1:30 this morning. She was screaming and her nose was bleeding. It made her more upset to pinch her nose to stop the blood flow. She, who is very strong, would pull my hand away before we could get a clot.
Then, I laid down with her, but she kept pointing. I asked if she wanted to go downstairs to my room. We did, she wasn't happy, we got up, we rocked, she decided it was time to play. I asked if we could lie on the floor together. She said yes. She wanted to watch TV. I said no. I have no idea what time she and I went back to sleep, but all too soon it was 6:30 and time to get JT ready for school.

We took Josie-Tatum to school, and Ellie cried all the way home b/c she missed her sister. I finally went to bed with her and let her scream until she took a nap..short...the phone rang woke her up.

While she was happy for about an hour on the computer, she spent the rest of the day a very cranky little girl, who needed sleep.

We went to visit friends who had invited us for lunch. (you may remember her future husband Daniel from previous posts.) Well, she was not the best of friends today. All of Joli's children were kind when she was not. They tried to help her, she fussed. They wanted to see her cast, she fussed. But, they continued to use their manners when she was forgetting hers.

While watching a Mei Mei video, however, her children were so kind, especialy Elisabeth, who would hold her hands and dance around her. Ellie would dance in my lap. For the first time, around 1:30 this afternoon, she was a happy girl. (I had tried, as you will notice in one picture, to stand and dance with her. Man, that tires out an old woman who need sleep.)

Ellie refused to close her eyes, so we went to see our baby cousin, and Ellie continued to be upset when he touched her or her mother.

After coming home, she screamed and screamed until I finally went to bed with her. She was asleep very shortly, which means, she is now sleeping soundly at 6:11 PM. So, what does that mean for tonight?










Here's a picture I accidentally loaded, but rather than delete it, I thought I'd leave it here to show you what crazy boys I live with. Gotta love them!

Encouraging News

First the news of today:
Ellie was not quite as pleasant today. She woke up early and never took a nap, but she has amazed me with her resilience. You would never know she has been through so much in the past week. She's beginning to eat a little better.

I spent some Josie-Tatum and Mama time today. It was simple. Ellie was playing on the computer at starfall.com and Playhouse Disney. JT and I sat in the recliner by the computer and colored together. It was such a little thing, but she enjoyed it greatly. Then the girls started coloring together, so I could post for the day.

And Now Today's Headline Story:
So much was going on with Ellie's surgery updates that I've waited to share these encouraging moments sent from the LORD.

The day of Ellie's pre-op she needed another cathed urinalysis to check to be sure her bladder infection was clear. During the catherization, the muscles of the uretha were pushing out the catheter! Do you know how BIG that is?

And, while back at the hotel, I was reading, Ellie was eating a sucker, when she interrupted both of us rather loudly with, "I'm poo pooing Mommy." Well, she wasn't at the moment, but we went to the potty, where she successfully used the potty for a BM. (Most of the time she tells me in the middle of the process or right after the event is over--a little anti-climactic if you know what I mean.)

So, a couple of days after surgery, I asked the spina bifida care coordinator to come by to see me. (She was coming to check on us anyway.) This time we didn't talk about surgery , but about bowel/bladder control. When I started talking to her, she said the nurse who cathed Ellie had already told her about the muscles pushing out the cath. Did I mention how BIG this is? Well, Ellie's bladder empties spontaneously, and she has bladder spasms, but there is hope that, when she begins medication to calm her bladder down, she can be trained to use those muscles. Praise the LORD for hope!!!!!!!!!!

And, after talking with Jacki about the findings from the gastroenterologist, she offered some tips for bowel training when Ellie is out of the cast. More Hope!!!!!

Perhaps, along with your prayers, these big pieces of news have kept my spirits up. I'm a little tired today, so today is the day to really praise my Jesus.
"I will sing of your mercy, to You, O LORD, I will sing praises."

Adventures In SpicaTown

Ellie and I both slept last night. I got up to start doing the serious unpacking, laundry, etc., and she kept sleeping. Josie-Tatum got up, and Ellie kept sleeping. I went to be sure she was breathing, and she kept sleeping. Caleb and Brandon came home from an impromptu game of soccer, and Caleb asked, "Should I make sure she is alive?" He checked on her and she kept sleeping. Ellie slept for over 13 hours last night!

When she woke up, she was in the best mood we've seen yet. She wasn't fussing for me to go get her, but smiling up at me when I walked in her room. Her first question was, "Where's Josie?" (I don't think there is another sister who loves her jie jie anymore than Ellie loves JT.)

After changing her diaper, she wanted to go back upstairs with Josie-Tatum. I put 2 pillows behine Ellie's back, and she was able to sit at the computer. She played at Playhouse Disney for nearly 2 hours, while casually sipping her strawberry milk. JT was always there to offer a hand when she clicked the wrong button. She never fussed.





Uncle Sands has been our only visitor thusfar today. He can be an impressive bachelor. He brought color books, sticker books, AND sunvisors he made himself. Ellie was still too busy, though, playing on the computer to do much more than say "Thank you."



We've just spent this past part of the afternoon at the nail salon. Well actually, in our great room floor. I spent 30 minutes applying fake fingernails, (artificial would sound too nice for what these were), to the girls' nails. They both kept them about about 2 mintues afterwards. But, hey, it was 30 minutes without any crankies.

Some have asked about Josie-Tatum. She very much wants to stay home with Mama and Ellie. She had a birthday party this afternoon, and she wouldn't go. On Saturday, before we came home, she had a melt down at the party of a cousin....though she was there with Grandma and Aunt Bobbie. I'm trying to find a way to take her away for a few hours and give her some undivided time, but right now, that won't be good for Ellie.




Playtime has changed in more than one way at our house!! Last night Josie-Tatum was pushing Ellie around the house in her wheel chair to entertain her. Then they came back with a baby. Ellie said, "My baby is going to have surgery, and then she can walk, right Mommy?" (JT was mommy at the time.) The baby went away, after breathing in the mask and having some medicine from a play syringe.
When the baby came back, JT asked E, "How was the surgery>"
E said, "It was good. He not cry."
It was priceless.



Thanks for checking in on us. We are so blessed to have all of you thinking of and praying for us!

Sunday

Ellie and I both slept beautifully last night. I woke Ellie up at 9:30, so we could go to church. (We skipped Sunday School.) She kept up with her "I want mama-itis," so we put her wheel chair beside the piano stool, and she sat with me while I played for the morning service.

She got cranky in the afternoon, following lots of visits from friends and family. I laid down beside her, and sleep caught her unaware. She slept for 2 hours.

She wanted to go to church again, but this time I had to hold her. She never could get comfortable, but back home now, she is happy in big sister Whitney's lap.

I thank God for my Big Kids, who have carried her upstairs, humored her, held her when she is grumpy. I will try to post more pictures tomorrow.
Robbie

Home Again

He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.

Praise the LORD! We are home.
When we awoke this morning...his mercies are new every morning....the swelling in Ellie's foot was dramtically better. Ellie ate very little, but we had only one hurdle left. She needed a bm.

We took drastic, um, suppository, measures. Once she had her bm, and the nurses knew the works worked, we were on our way.

As we waited for the works to work, Ellie enjoyed herself and felt more like herself than she had all week. We didn't have to keep her on her back all day, so she spent much time in her wheel chair. Once again, Fatima helped to entertain Ellie. She was so kind, reading to her, and again, giving tips on maneuvering a wheel chair. We went outside and the girls took turns in adaptive swings. They painted, well Ellie messed, with fabric paint on stuffed dolls. Shriner's is so good for kids. We visited with some dogs at pet therapy.

We left with a trailblazer loaded from the bottom to the top, with wheel chair, special car seat, walker, luggage, all the toys given by friends and Child Life at the hospital, 6 mylar balloons, diapers....on my! We had given Ellie a dose of her pain medication to make sure she was comfortable on the ride home. Until she fell asleep, she was inconsolably irritable. Nothing made her happy, until, thank goodness whe went to sleep for over 2 hours.

We stopped at the country's favorite, well for those 60 and older, and us, Cracker Barrel. Ellie was still not happy. Finally I took her out of her wheel chair, and held her. She gave up her supper, and ate out of my plate, not much but the most she's eaten since surgery.

She was relatively easily to entertain the remaining 1 1/2 hours home.

And, here we are! Thank you for your prayers, as they have carried us through. Please keep them coming throughout our adventures in Spicaville.

Love, Grace, and Mercy

Whit did a marvelous job updating you all yesterday, but I didn't have the camera with me to take anymore pictures.

Both Ellie and I slept better last night. While I remained in her bed, I slept for several hours, with only a slight stirring when the nurse came in. We were able to keep her foot elevated all nigth, but this morning, the swelling was worse. Her foot was so tight, I thought the skin might break. So, we are not yet home.

We went, however, to the "cast techinician." We were told that we wanted to disturb the cast as little as possible, so as not to disturb the hip. He did, however, snip the cast a little around her ankle, to try to give some more ciruclation. Then he wrapped the foot some to try and force the fluid back into her body. Praise the LORD, that has begun to help.

The challenge of the day was keeping Ellie on her back ALL day while we kept her foot above her heart. If you know Ellie, you know we were up against a mighty will.
We tried the wagon again, but she only wanted me to hold her. Finally, we went to the cafeteria/activity room, known as the fish ball, but called the living room by Ellie. There were used 3 chairs side by and side and two in front. I sat in one, with Ellie's head in my lap. We used pillows to prop up her middle and her legs. She sat there and played for almost 2 hours. Whitney brought Chic Filet icedream and sweet tea. Ellie ate the most she's eaten since surgery. Then, I finally had to ummmmmm, tinkle.

After meeting with the doctor in said position, we went for an x-ray to see if the hip was remaining where he wanted it. As we talked a played a little more, Ellie went to sleep.

When she awoke we had a "bath" and got her new wheel chair. I will do my best to post a picture tomorrow. She looks so grown up in her chair and wants to push it herself. She actually is learning how from the most precious little 8 year old, named Fatima, who is from Mexico, but lives in Brunswick and is our roommate.

The fever has been gone all day! I'm not sure about the blood sugar, but if the swelling stays down tonight, we can go home tomorrow.

I am overwhelmed by the messages you have sent to me and to the Father. I don't have much time to reply, but know that I read every one. I keep reminding myself that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.

His love is shown through each of you. His grace and mercy are carring us through.

God Bless,
Robbie

Day After...

So, it's important to mention that this is not Robbie, it's Whitney...Ellie is refusing to let mom out of her sight for long (except when we distracted her with crafts and face paint from their activity times...go me). So, Mom asked me to post the rest of the day's events...Whitney doesn't know blogger, so we'll see how this goes!
Biggest this of the day was probably that the fever is gone and she's breathing fine on her own! Praise the LORD for that!

Ellie was still a little drowsy this morning when we went by this morning. She had slept some the night before (which was not true for mom, who slept in the bed with Ellie the entire night). Right after the rest of the crew arrived, it was time for one of their activity sections (there's 3 in a day). For this morning, it was time for music therapy. The lady played the guitar with the girls, gave them shakers to play along with her, and in return the girls taught her how to sing Mary Had A Little Lamb and Twinkle Twinkle in chinese. The therapist also had a giant guitar pick that Ellie used to strum the guitar from where she was laying. It was the most of 'Ellie' that we'd seen since the day that she had surgery.




Next, the nurses brought a wagon for us to take her out in for a little while. This actually proved to be great for her, as it helped calm her down. I think she was having some breakthrough pain, so a little distraction therapy came in handy (well, so did grandma and grandpa coming up while we were outside)







Next, after we had lunch, laid Ellie in the bed for a rest, got told by a PA that she might be able to go home tomorrow, we went to the therapy room to be fitted for a carseat and wheelchair. While everyone was talking, Ellie played with some Weebels...don't know if i spelled that right...but if you're clueless, think of the commercial about "they wobbel but they don't fall down".


Anywho, a little after that, Dr. Kim came in and expressed some concern over some swelling in her feet, which we originally thought was from the IV, but is yet to go down and looks like it might be increasing. He is wanting her to keep her feet up as much as possible (as in they should be the highest part of their body). He also seemed to think that it would take a little while for the swelling to go down, so it will probably be Saturday before they can go home, but JT and I will be returning tomorrow. So, pray that the swelling will go down so they can get HOME!

Anyways, Mom might be back tomorrow, she might not, it might be the literary stylings of Whitney again tomorrow...we'll have to see!

The Big Day

Loopy Ellie after the first meds...before she was put to sleep.



Wondering where to begin, I will say, Praise the LORD. In everything give thanks for this is the will of Christ Jesus in you. Ellie is now resting peacefully but out of the deep sleep of anesthesia. Dr. Kim was able to accomplish his goals. I was blessed to be surrounded by my family today, and both of our pastors. The pastors left home at 1 a.m. and stayed until Ellie was fully awake.

This day has been very long, arriving at the hospital at 7:00, seeing Ellie off to OR at 8:00, the nurse coming to say surgery had actually begun at 9:20 and that 4 hour surgery would begin.

The nurse came out every 1 1/2 hours to say surgery was progressing as hoped. It took longer that we expected, though, about 5 hours rather than 4. The doctor came out and we went to see the xray, how he had "built" a hip using a bone graft creating a larger "umbrella" for the femur to fit under. Then, he cut and angled the femur to fit better into the socket.

Her cast was on the hip and only down one leg. He told us how important it would be for her to be still, lying, or sitting for the nexxt 6 weeks. I asked if she could crawl...he said no....I said she was a busy girl. He said we might better put some cast down the other leg. He asked what I thought. I didn't want to make that decision alone....I asked the preacher. He said, "You won't be able to keep that girl still." So the cast is down both legs, only part way down the left.

Dr. Kim said we would see her in about 15 minutes. 30 minutes passed. Then 45. Finally, they called the parents of Ellie. She was having difficutly coming out of anesthesia and breathing on her won. She was doing better, but it took nearly 3 hours for her to come out of the deep sleep enough for them to move her into her room. She has a fever tonight, and her blood sugar has dropped. The nurse said these things are not normal. PLEASE continue your faithful prayers.

She was sleeping when I left her just now for dinner. Grandma is with her. Thank you for the many messages I've received today, for your prayers, and calls. I will try to reply to you all tomorrow. I can hardly fathom the peace I felt throughout this day; only the love, peace, and strenght of Jesus could make that possible. (Of course, I was little shaky during that she isn't waking up well moment.)

I'm showering quickly and going back to the hospital tonight.



Ellie Post-Op--May she never be this still again. ;)