So Many Events, So Little Time

I am so sorry about not posting during break. I tried a couple of times, but I can't get our pictures to load. I didn't have enough time to figure it all out, so I still can't load pictures. I have lots to share though when it does all get settled. Here is a quick rundown of our break/Christmas celebrations/New Year's.

Break:

We had lots of family time, which was WONDERFUL! We built forts in and out of the house, we baked/cooked, we did crafts, we played games, we went sledding behind the quad and manually, we watched movies and sports, we visited family and friends, we even went carolling inside the house (thanks to Jayna's spectacular imagination).

Christmas:

We spent the Saturday before with my mom's side of the family. We were able to spend time with Mom, Roger, my brothers, my sister-in-law, my two nieces and one of my nephews. We actually cleaned house with the family Bingo game!

We had our traditional birthday party for Jesus at home Christmas morning. We read the "birthday story," opened our stocking stuffers, ate breakfast, relaxed and got ready for the rest of the day.

We then went to Grandma Hess' for good food, presents, sledding and more family fun. We ended our time here with a silly string war that caused Autumn to gag. She has such a weak stomach.

We ended Christmas night with a nice visit at the hospital with our good friends Aric, Dena and the babies.

We then spent the Saturday after Christmas with the Messer family. That was a fun-filled time with musical children. Jayna received a guitar, my nephew Kahnen got a keyboard and Autumn sang. It was music to our ears!

New Year's:
We had a good party with the college age crew from church at our house. It was such a blast! We played cards, games, darts and even watched crazy stunts on TV. We all saw the new year come in, including Autumn who was awakened by all the noise. The party ended a little after 4:00, so yes we are old, but we can still hang!

Now life is back to normal. We are back to work, school, mid-week church and routine. It is nice to have some routine, but we sure did have a nice time over break. We do have a couple of prayer requests if you have time in your busy prayer life: Jayna has surgery on Wednesday to have her nails in her arm removed (She is fully healed!!!) and WE ARE EXPECTING OUR THIRD CHILD IN JUNE!

It's a Miracle!

One of Autumn's favorite songs goes like this: "It's a miracle just to know God is with us wherever we go. It's a miracle as big as can be that He made a miracle of me." She loves to sing this song, and I would say it is very fitting for this little girl.

We had our biannual visit to Ann Arbor last Friday. We started the day with her yearly ultrasound. Then, we visited the NICU staff since we had a few minutes. They couldn't believe how great she looked. Finally, we ended our visit with "Dr. Michelle" and her nutritionist, Katie.

Now, just a little reminder to those of you who have a memory like mine...due to some unexpected and crazy complications at birth Autumn lost 83% of her blood and had to be fully recesitated for 8 minutes. After a few hours, she was rushed to Ann Arbor where they realized her kidneys and liver "took a hit" and shut down from the blood loss. Her liver has regenerated completely. Her kidneys regained 25% of function and that is how the doctors thought they would remain, with eventual loss of that and a transplant someday.

At our last appointment in June, we were told that maybe Autumn's kidneys would just remain at 25% and possibly not get worse. That was great news!

At this appointment, the ultrasound showed that the kidneys have grown and there was fluid flowing through them for the first time!!! They have improved, something that wasn't supposed to happen! Not only that, but the doctors were super impressed with her overall physical growth for the first time ever! Also, her potassium was low (which never happens in kidney patients), so she can now have a small amount of certain foods that she has never had before (potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, oranges, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, etc.)! WOW! PRAISE GOD! IT'S A MIRACLE!

Now, there were a couple of things that were off a bit: her blood pressure has been running a little higher than they would like, her protein was a bit high and her iron was a bit low. These involved small tweeks in her medication, nothing huge. Also, the ultrasound showed what they thought was a kidney stone, but the doctor said that we were not going there until there was a problem.

So, she still does have kidney disease, but God has done some unexplianable healing in this little girl! I love it when He works like this and the credit can only go to Him! Science and medicine are great, but He is the ultimate physician! Glory be to God!

Thanks for all your prayers over these last two years! Please continue to love Him, serve Him and call out to Him. Enjoy this wonderful season! I know we are! (Especially these snow days...that is how I have time to post this great news!) We love you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We are so thankful to our Lord for not only providing for all our needs, but blessing us beyond measure. We have more than we need in every area. Most importantly, we have been forgiven by a mighty God, we have a relationship with Christ, we have peace, we have unconditional love, we have comfort, we have hope, we have acceptance, we have joy and much more! What more could we ever want or need...NOTHING because we have all in Christ Jesus!

We wish your family many blessings this Thanksgiving! Don't forget to take some time in between feasting and resting to thank God for all He has given you. Enjoy your day!

Finally, A New Post

I am so very sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. We have been busy with our everyday lives, and I have been too tired to do posts after the girls are in bed (and the daily chores have been completed of course). I have been finding myself curled up next to Aaron on the couch falling asleep around 9:00-9:30. We do have some things to share and will have more with this special season approaching. For now, enjoy the Halloween pictures:

This is the first time we have carved pumpkins as a family. We have painted them in the past, but Jayna never had a desire to do the actual carving until this year. It was lots of fun! She worked hard at getting all the "guts" out. Then, she played in those "guts" while the carving took place.

Autumn had a harder time with this. This is the one time she stuck her hand into the pumpkin only to gag because of the slimy "guts." (She is so much like her dad!!) It was actually really funny when this all occurred. After this, she walked around telling us all what we should be doing. I suppose someone needed to be the supervisor.

Jayna's friend, Rayna helped us too. She is a sweet girl and made the task that much more fun!


Here they are, the three workers and their pumpkins. Each girl with a unique personality, each pumpkin with a unique face!

Justin and Brenda brought the girls over all dressed up. Autumn and Megan were loving each other!

Taylor and Carly looked exceptionally beautiful!

Tucker and Toby came over too! They also brought Sep's dad and his friend with them. I think it is obvious those boys love their papaw!

A House Divided

Victory for MSU!!! I just couldn't resist posting after our big win!! It has been awhile, and it feels soooo good. I am very sorry to the 5 Michigan fans I watched the game with. Aaron, Brownie, Katie, Jayna and Auti (and all my other Michigan friends/family)-we have switched spots for one year. I love you all even though we can't see eye to eye on this subject! To my fellow Sparties-GO GREEN!

I do have to say that it was really great to have Brownie home and hanging around again! Katie, it was fun to have you over too! We do miss Louie, but we know soon enough you will be home and hopefully over at least a couple of times to hang out. We miss you guys. For now, enjoy the college life.

The Ultimate Reason to Rake Leaves

Sunday was such a beautiful day! After our much needed and enjoyed Sunday naps, we went outside as a family and played! This is about the only reason I rake leaves. We had so much fun! Hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves. (Aaron was the man behind the lens, so he did not get in any of the pictures.)

Autumn's 2nd Birthday

Autumn turned two last Tuesday! What an amazing two years it has been. God has done so many wonderful things in this little girl's life! This young lady is often exploring and trying to figure out how things work. She enjoys reading and music/singing/dancing. She is full of energy and seems to love life. Dr. Juarbe said at her 2 year well check that she carries a 'don't feel sorry for me' attitude and is full of joy! I would have to agree. We praise God all the time for the blessing she and her sister are to us! God's plan is always perfect (even on the rough days)! Both of the girls were sick for Autumn's actual birthday, but we did manage to get in the family party the weekend before. I hope you enjoy the pictures. I also encourage you to thank God for your family today and the plan He has for them.

Here is a very HAPPY birthday girl!
She is trying really hard to read this card. Maybe in a couple of more years, Auti.
Tucker and Auti check out the new Mickey toy. This happens to be their very favorite character.
The birthday girl and her sister busy figuring out the new presents.
I am sure she made some sort of deep wish at this point. Grandpa Shutes is glad to help her reach her cake, while Jayna pats her on the back for encouragement.