GOD IS LISTENING!!

All the prayers that been offered up for Luke over the past 3 days are being heard! He was extubated & taken off the ventilator this morning & continues making slow, steady progress. He has occasional periods of apnea (where he “forgets” to breathe) however the nurses say they will give him caffeine as a stimulant to help with this. These NICU nurses are WONDERFUL and they are getting to know Luke very well. They say that he has a “temper” & an “attitude” & he “definitely gets his point across”. Could he have gotten this from his big sister :) ? His nurse last night said that she found a warm blanket over his feet and head really helped soothe him. The plan is that he will receive his first feeding tonight through the OG (orogastric) tube. Weight gain will be Luke’s next big challenge but hopefully he has Jeff’s appetite and he’ll overcome this hurdle easily. Once he reaches a certain weight we can hold him for short periods of time & ultimately his weight gain will determine when he’ll be discharged home. We have been so touched and lifted up by all the prayers and kindness. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Day 1

These past 24 hours have been filled with so many intense emotions. At our last visit this evening we were given a good report. The nurse reports Luke is continuing to show progress with his respirations and they are slowly weaning him from the support of the ventilator. He is also being given a couple of different antibiotics to treat the infection he was exposed to in utero. Thank you for all the kind words of encourgement and support. We continue to ask for your daily prayers and know that God hears. We are sure He has big plans for Luke and with the help of our family and friends we will see His plan begin to unfold.

Final Retrieve

IN MEMORY OF
Cash's Lucky Millionaire
"Milli"
May 1, 2003 - October 21, 2008

This year's duck hunting season is only a few weeks away but there will be something missing. Milli was stricken by a sudden illness this week and Jeff lost his friend and best hunting buddy. Not being a fan of getting up well before sunrise in the freezing cold to go sit in a wet duck blind it was hard to comprehend how Jeff and Milli did it year after year...and not only did it but LOVED it!!! I think when the temperature started to drop as fall arrived Milli knew it was almost time. She had an incredible instinct to hunt and retrieve and would amaze people with her talent and Jeff says she hadn't even reached her prime. From the time Milli was just a pup Jeff worked many, many, many hours with her and the help of his friend Quincy to bring her to her full potential. I was always awestruck by her ability and the deep bond she & Jeff shared. Addy enjoyed letting Milli out of her kennel to run around the yard and we would get a real kick out of her doing twists and rolls in the cool grass. She was always doing something to make us laugh. We'll never, ever forget that milk, chocolate coat, those sparkling amber eyes, the devotion she had to Jeff, and her unbounding energy and love of the hunt. Words can not express how much she'll be missed. We love you Mill.

Natchez Balloon Races

Clint was very excited.

The Girls Carosel ride with Tauntie
Self portrait with Heather
Up, up & away!!

Little Red Tricycle Rides Again

For Christmas last year my dad & step-mom gave Addy my old tricycle that they had refurbished. Addy's little legs have grown just long enough to reach the pedals.