SPRING BREAK

This last week we headed out for a week of relaxation. Unfortunaly the rain got the best of our beach days. Oh, and we couldn't go in the water because of the Portuguese Man o' War! These are poisonous jellyfish that can be deadly. There were literally thousands washed up on the shore each morning. We were blessed to spend time with family and friends though which made it all wonderful!

We spent a couple of days in Atlanta with Brad's family. We don't get to be all together much and it was a real gift to have that time. We had beautiful weather while we were there with them and celebrated Grandma's birthday. Love my in-laws!!

Then were blessed to spend time with the Braniff's in Orange Beach. We traveled with the Braniff's to China to get our girls. It was a divine appointment! God has given us a deep bond that is a true treasure. I joke with Lisa that we were in the delivery room together...we truely were. It was another reminder to me of how God has the most incredible timing! I never imagined that when we were leaving for China to be united with Libi that God would be giving us this gift of precious, lifelong friends. We love you Rob, Lisa and Izzy!!!

WHEN YOU BELIEVE...there can be MIRACLES

Mark 11:20-24

The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it was withered from the roots.

Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Teacher! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.

I assure you that you can say to this mountain, `May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.

Listen to me!

You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.

So today we received amazing news! Libi had many tests run while she was in the hospital, among them was an MRI. Brad and I made a deal that no matter what the results we would only believe the best for our daughter. Today, God delivered the most wonderful news to us...Libi's MRI showed NO ABNORMALITIES!!!!! I have to say that again...NO ABNORMALITIES!!!! She has a normal MRI!!!!!!!!!!! It is hard to even put words on our emotion. We have felt that long before Libi was birthed in our arms God was working miracles in this little girl. We press on with great FAITH that this is just a glimpse of what lies ahead. We have watched yet another great awakening in our little Libi since this last seizure episode. She is even more animated and engaged. She has been babbling non-stop! We are hearing all kinds of new sounds...her communication has been at it's best...MIRACULOUS!

My Wonderful Lord and Savior, You are the Giver of all life. You are so worthy of ALL GLORY! We praise You, we PRAISE YOU!! You are an undeniable God. How blessed we are to be a part of Your story. You accomplish all that You have planned. Everything that You do has order and purpose. I stand in amazement as I watch You accomplish your purposes in this little girl. May she be a vessel to show others of Your GREATNESS!! Bring the lost to Yourself and bring the found to a greater knowledge of who You are...How I delight in You, My God, My King!!!!!!

Cutie Pie!!

Last weekend we had our sweet Alyssa watch the 3 youngest. She took some shots of Little Libi Love that were too adorable not to share...

photos by: Alyssa Garvin

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!

MANY THANKS to each of you who helped raise funds for the family assistance program at Easter Seals! We are so overwhelmed by how many came on board with us this year. We have said so many times that we are incredibly blessed to have this resource for our daughter. They have given her SO much and this was an opportunity to give back. God has given her amazing people to come along side us on this great journey to her healing. We had a GREAT time celebrating and coming together. As you can see in the pic above, even Libi enjoyed herself!

Unfortunately Libi went through another episode of seizures. On Tuesday she began to show signs of an infection, which for Libi seems to aggravate her seizure condition.

I found myself leaving her music class early trying to get to Walgreen's to get some medication in her before she became too ill. As I sat at the intersection about to turn, I "lost" her. I could see her eyes rolling back and she became unresponsive. So, what does a mom do? Well, the only thing I know how to do is cry out to the One who comes to my aid every time I need Him..."Jesus, help me!" Help me he did. He guided my van to the ER. Don't ask me how I got there. I really can't remember. :) Although I remember a car honking... Once inside it didn't go so well. This mama was screaming in the hallway for oxygen and demanding meds to be administered to stop the seizure after almost 20 minutes...not a good time in the ER.

Libi just couldn't pull out of this one. She battled with it for about 30 minutes. Once the medicine was administered she did better. They had to transport her to Children's Hospital in Peoria because they could not get her seizure under control. She did well in the ambulance, but once she arrived at Children's it became quite stressful. I was very thankful that we were there. The room was so jammed with Doctors that I could hardly see my baby. Libi was actively seizing and I could tell the situation was tense. They were talking about the Pediatric ICU and they were bringing in equipment to inti bate. I cannot tell you how thankful I was for the timing. God allowed her little body to sustain the trip in the ambulance. She was then in the best place and very capable hands...not that God's aren't the best! They were able to get her stabilized and the lead doctor from the PICU came to access her condition. He felt we could hold off on putting her in the PICU unless she began to seize again. She was then moved to an area where she could be closely monitored. There she was hooked up to million cords and wires! Quite the site! Little Libi was covered with little probes and wires all over her head, and then a gauze turban around it all. The wires all over her head were for an EEG, a test to watch her brain activity overnight. the bummer about this was, it made it very difficult to hold her. My arms just ached to rock her. The scary thing for me was that Libi had not been coherent since about 11:15 when her first seizure began. I so badly wanted her to open her eyes and recognize her mama. It wasn't until about 10:30 that night that she was back with me. It was brief, but just enough to allow me some sleep knowing that she was going to be okay. She just continued to improve from there. They ran a lot of tests and drew a lot of blood...how I hate IV's and blood draws! It took 12 people before we had success in getting blood from her. Needless to say, she is carrying a lot of war wounds! After a couple of nights in the hospital they felt she was doing well enough to come home. Right now, we understand that the seizure was likely brought on by a viral infection. We were given some medication that we can administer on our own should she begin to have a seizure again. We are still awaiting the results of her MRI.

Let me just tell you first and foremost TO GOD BE ALL GLORY! His perfection in timing is miraculous. I was only about an hour away from being on the interstate with Libi on our way to an appointment. He gave us divine appointments all along the way...people to tell of His love and share His great story that He is writing in Libi's life. The night before all of this happened He spoke to me through His word about fear. There really isn't a lot that brings fear to me like the fear that I experience when Libi is having a seizure. I am so fearful of losing her. Not just losing her to death, but losing her to more trauma to her little head. In these most recent moments of fear He gently reminded me...no matter what...HE WAS WITH ME...HE WOULD WORK IT ALL TOGETHER...IT WAS UNDER HIS AUTHORITY...IT WAS PLANNED...IT WAS PURPOSED! I am not sure if that makes sense, but I being streched to a new place of FAITH with my Libi FAITH. My hope and prayer is that this would be our last mother daughter journey down the "seizure road", but if not I will not fear because He is with me, He will strengthen me and help me and uphold me with His mighty right hand!!!

Pigtails, Walking, and playing Kitchen

Just a quick slide show update on little Libi. She continues to make huge strides. These pics are over the last couple of weeks, but just haven't has a chance to update...ENJOY!!