Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Thursday, December 4, 2008

All is Calm, All is Bright

UPDATE, Dec. 6....Were home! We were discharged Thursday evening the 4th. I will post more later, but please pray for Bella...she is emotionally traumatized and scared to fall asleep or go in the tub. All things she did when first coming home from Guatemala. There have been so many physical set backs for her, but we know this season will pass and God in all His glory will be revealed. She is also struggling with the new feeding tube and we were up twice last night with her throwing up. On a praise note, she is standing and walking along furniture again! Slow but sure.

It's snowing out, as it has been all week. I am on the 7th floor of the hospital with one of the greatest views in the city. I look out for miles, I can even see the hills of the lake shore coastline. Tonight, I look out the window of this hospital room and I see glittering snow falling gently on my city. Even though its 1:30 am, the city is completely lit up. I cant help but sit here and think how blessed I am to experience this sight from this room rather than my front living room window. It's peaceful, magical and hopeful.

This is the perfect end to a special evening. Bella did much better today, but she is still struggling with any medical professionals coming near her or in our room. This is something we had worked through after her first admission, but after the events of yesterdays feeding tube procedure, she has lost faith in the staff, but I have not. She will in time come to trust them, but I cant blame her one bit for the fear she is not yet able to control.

Bella is struggling with sleeping here at the hospital, she does not want to nap and she wakes up often crying. I dont think she is uncomfortable, I think she is just scared and out of sorts. Going home is going to be good for both of us. Tonight after waking for the second time at 10 pm, I decided bedtime wasn't worth fighting, I was going to make the best of it. I am so very glad I did. Bella and I spent an hour and half rolling around on the bed laughing, doing zerbet kisses, playing peekaboo, giving Molly the bear crackers and listening to her heart beat, snuggling and just being girls. It was absolutely delightful, a treasured time. Who would have thought that so many wonderful memories and bonding moments could come out of a Luekemia diagnosis. So I say again "How big is my God?"! Only He could bring joy and good out of this current "circumstance". I just love how He loves me so.

So the Princess now sleeps....all is calm on this snowy night....All is bright.

18 comments:

Candy said...

Are you trying to become a WRITER that makes me CRY all over the place...Girl you are SO awesome at expressing yourself...and really this post makes me feel like I am right there with you...seeing the snow...and kissing on Bella...Another BRIGHT post from a dear friend and a WONDERFUL MOMMY to Bella Boo

Alex and Sam said...

praying for peace & comfort for bella....

Gail said...

Our God is so big and so wonderful!!!
And you Susie, are so beautiful!!
Gail

Tiff said...

always making lemonade! you're our BRIGHT spot and inspiration.
love

Svetlana said...

I love your post. When i am in the hospital with my daugter, i always try to make fun for her, we even sometimes invole nurses and doctors in the game and that becomes the Best thing. Sometimes parent think that they can't or they busy, but if you ask them during morning visit they sure love that. Anna use to hide from them and they have to find her, or we put hote on the door, "purple popsicle, please" That will make her day, when they bring it to her.
We will praying for you and Bellas quick recovery.

jeck said...

Thinking of you!!

Joe and Erin said...

Sus, as I read this post about Bella's struggle with fear it reminded my of myself during the "brain thing." It breaks my heart that Bella is fearful, and in some ways I understand that fear. But, I count it a blessing that she doesn't truly know all the things that are going on. She just knows that this doesn't feel good. I'm sure she's done with being sick and wants the medical staff to stop doing things that hurt or feel uncomfortable. I remember that fear .. I remember how I dreaded doctors telling me I needed more tests, needles and surgeries. But I know that this will pass for Bella and your family. Always remember the power that Christ has given you to pray over your daughter and protect her ... I know you are always doing this ... just a reminder :-) It's amazing to think about what you and I learned from reading "You've Already Got it!" You are a living example of doing what we are supposed to do. It's not the number of prayers. Our God has already moved in our sweet Bella! We just stand in our faith that all has been accomplished. We aren't in denial, we just know the Truth! Fact ... Bella doesn't feel well. Truth! .. By His stripes she "has" been healed! It doesn't make anything easy, but we know as we gain more understanding of God's authority, widsom and will, we will see miraculous manfestations in our beatuiful Bella! I'm so proud of you Sus! You are living the Truth! God's blessings have just begun :-)

Love you,
Joe

Pam L said...

I could hear Silent Night playing in my head while I was reading. I pray God continues to bless your soul. We know He is holding little Bella in His arms and He's holding your heart in his hands.

Barb said...

Wishing you, Bella and your family peaceful nights and days. Praying for you and sending more hugs your way!!

Cheri said...

We laugh that we are going to write a book! Seriously, I think God is preparing you to write one! We are in Branson, and I had to check in on you and our girl! When I get the computer out, I tell Malae it's time to see Bella and she totally gets it and points to her picture on my blog! Our girls are going to love each other....even if it's forced! I'm glad you have the snow and the positive attitude with it! Love, Cheri

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, Susie. God is breaking you not only for you, but hundreds of us that follow your blog. He is breaking you for US. As I draw closer to our God each time I read your blog, I want to say thank you.

Malissa P. said...

Smiling, Crying, and praying for all of you from Oregon.
Malissa

lisa kindred said...

What a BEAUTIFUL testimony you are to the the Lord living inside you! It is amazing the grace the Lord gives you to walk thru this.

We continue to pray for you often and hope you feel the peace that only come from Him!

Much Love, LIsa and the crew

The gFamily said...

You actually made me feel peaceful tonight as I read this post! I am so glad that you and Bella are making precious memories even in the midst of a hospital stay! We will continue to pray for peace that passes all understanding!!

I am so glad that you got to enjoy your soap and lotion! It also had body spray with it, but I guess it is unlawful to send that through the mail! Oops! LOL So, I decided that I will use it every morning and pray for you and Bella as I spray it and smell it throughout the day! :)

Big hugs to you!!

The Adoption Journey of Baby King said...

Poor Bella, prayers to you and your family.

David and Marianne said...

As believers, it is our prayer that those who witness our lives and our deeds would turn towards the Heavens and praise the One who will never leave His throne. You can be sure that all who have learned of your family and the bend in the road you have taken are most certainly praising the Father for your heart and good deeds!

I think of you often and my prayers are always a result of those thoughts.

Chantelle said...

We are always keeping little Bella in our thoughts. I am glad to see she is home.
Thinking of your family.
God Bless you/ Will be praying for Bella and your family
Much Love
Chantelle & Bianca

Mama Bear said...

You have such an awesome way with expressing yourself. You are truly the most awesome mom ever.