Check out my daughter's blog.

I didn't even realize that she notice... go read, it's short.

What a beautiful group of Grandkids!

Back row: Brandon (nephew), Zack (son), Emily (niece), Derek (nephew), Desmond (nephew)
Front row: Libby (daughter), Kaylyn (daughter), Kendra (niece), Anna (daughter)

Warning:Spoiler Alert for Christmas Eve Service

Don't watch this if you are going to be attending Lighthouse church tonight because it is a sneak preview of what Libby will be singing tonight at church. It is a song by Francesca Battistelli called "You're Here".

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy this special time with family and friends and know that God loves you!

Snow Day Fun

Per Cheri's request.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

And a bonus one for fun.... (if it works)I removed it since it wasn't working correctly.

A picture for Kat

I noticed that in this picture of Emily I got my "Christmas headboard" in the background. I got this idea form Kat and Mark really likes it also. I think I will be doing this every year. Thanks Kat for sharing this idea!

Christmas Program

Here is Libby saying her verse at our Christmas program Sunday. The kids all did such a great job.

Singing songs.

Wordless acting.

Being still.

Watching.

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

TimberWolf

It is going to be hard to pick what pictures to share but I will try to limit it. We had so much fun this weekend on our youth group retreat to TimberWolf Lake. We spent most the weekend indoors thanks to the blizzard that we were living in but it was still a great time.

Here is a picture of the dorms we stayed in. Each dorm has 8 cabins in them and each cabin has it's own bathrooms and sleeps about 16.

Here is a picture from the 2nd floor inside the dorm looking over the "hang out" area.

Some of the kids hanging out on the second floor.

Here is Anna and our fearless youth pastor Brandon.

We ate really well. We were always served family style with as many refills as we needed. It was really good food.

This was a little payback from Anna to Cody for throwing her in the snowbank earlier.

Ice cream, coffee, and candy. Just what they needed to keep the leaders up all night. lol!

A performance from "Mega Man".

What High Schooler wouldn't want to go bobbing in a pan of flour for marshmallows?

Anna and Jordan climbing the rock wall.

Anna and Jordan again at lunch.

Taylor in the news.

Continued great news on Taylor.

French Toast Sticks and Hope

Posted 7 minutes ago

Sorry this is coming a bit late. I actually wrote an update several hours ago, but evidently got distracted before I posted it, and lost it. Taylor ate a full breakfast of french toast sticks this morning (wolfed em right down) and as a result, got to have his tube feeding discontinued. He later also got his central line taken out in anticipation for his procedure tomorrow to have an automatic defibrillator implanted (similiar to a pacemaker, about the size of a quarter). He had 2 MRI's this am, which we are awaiting the results of. Taylor went for a walk today as well, or should I call it a sprint? I had to fast walk to catch up. He also was on the computer and logged on to his facebook, so you in the younger crowd can check that out. Taylor has as his goal to sit on the bench for the first HHS basketball game next week. From his lips to God's ears! Amazingly, barring any further complication, I don't see this as an unreasonable goal. Praise God for his mercy. We serve a God of grace and mercy.

Amazing!

updates from Sara on Taylor's condition over the night. God is good!

"hello" and "Just look at you God!"

Posted 8 hours ago

Taylor just got his vent/breathing tube gastric drain tube completely out. He continues to breathe well on his own. The nurse asked him to try to say "hi" or something and he whispered a husky "hello". Our dear friend Vanika prophesied during a prayer just yesterday that we would be saying "Just look at you, God!". Vanika, you were so right...I would like us all to say a collective "Just look at you, God!" He has done more than we could ever ask or imagine. We still have an incredible road ahead, but we never could have predicted the miraculous events of today. For all of you out there posting and praying, I also say, "Just look at you!" You will never know the depth of our gratitude for your caring and prayers.

interesting turn of events

Posted 1 hour ago

Well, we have gone from thrilled that Taylor opened his eyes, to Taylor fighting with his mom about having to be in the hospital. One of the sedating drugs he had, wiped away the memory of all of the trauma of why he is here. Taylor is stating "But I'm healthy! " Praise God his personality is intact-the teenage one that blames mom for all things that are unfair-...but yet we need prayers that he will accept the fact that he will need to remain here for some time for the tests and assessments to determine the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Taylor update #3.

From his care page:

God is HERE!!!!!!

Posted 18 minutes ago

The greatest news EVER, just happened. Taylor opened his eyes on command and also squeezed the nurses hand. A bit earlier, he sort of startled when Coach Chapman came in, but we think it is because he felt badly for missing practice. : ) The next few hours will be rough, as he will likely start coughing and have confusion as to why he is here and why there is a big tube breathing for him. Nurses want only mom and dad in the room with him for the next while. We are dancing for joy. Thank you, thank you, thank you Great God!

An update on Taylor.

Here’s the latest update on Taylor: Please continue to pray as the Lord’s hand is reveled step by step today.

Warming up

Posted 10 minutes ago

Earlier this morning, Taylor's cooling mat was removed, as he has been cooled to approx. 91 degrees for 36+ hours. The next step is for him to warm back up!. Once he is warmed again, only 1 more degree celsius to go, they will start to reduce his paralytic medicines, and depending on his response to that, also some of his sedatives. He is having all of his EEG electodes removed as I write, so that will eliminate some of the many wires dominating him. He will begin tube feeding later today so that his nutritional status will remain strong----sorry Taylor no pizza, hotdogs, or Mike and Ikes for you for a while! We are still vigilantly waiting, prayerfully waiting, and hopefully waiting. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and postings, it really is an encouragement to me during this time. When Taylor wakes up, he will have each and every one read to him.

Please pray for Taylor

Taylor is my sister and brother-in-law's nephew. Yesterday morning at a basketball scrimmage he went into cardiac arrest. I don't want to put out more information then the family wants so I will just copy what is on his care page so far.

Today Taylor experienced cardiac arrest following some scrimmages with the Holland High Varsity Boys Basketball team at Northview High School at around 12:30. An alert referee and also a Spectrum Health recovery nurse who happened to be in the stands immediately began CPR. Taylor came via ambulance to Spectrum/Butterworth. Taylor was still unconscious when mom (me) and Jaime arrived, but did moan a bit, when I talked with him. Taylor was brought to the Pediatric ICU and put on a ventilator and sedated. They started a central line and also connected him to any number of monitors, eeg's ect. Taylor is currently being cooled down and is sedated and artificially "paralyzed" for the next few days. At this point a large concern is swelling on the brain, seen on CT scan, related to the lack of Oxygen during his arrest. Echo's show a strong heart, with normal rhythm at this point. He is unable to respond due to his sedation, but is being talked to and prayed with. If he remains stable through the next few days, more testing will commence on Monday am. We covet your prayers and are believing in a miracle for Taylor. At this point he is very critically ill, but the God who watches over us is a mighty God. To Him be all the glory!

Saturday am

Posted 29 minutes ago

Taylor did very well last night. His heart rate was falling, and blood pressure was rising for a while, but they added a blood pressure med and that has stabilized things quite a bit. He remains on his paralytic and sedating medicines, so he is not conscious at all, but that is a good thing right now. He has 6 iv pumps, brain and heart monitors and a ventilator, so to see him is very sobering and sad, but I know that Taylor, the REAL Taylor is still in there, despite all of the hardware and equipment. The hope and prayer is that he will remain stable over the next 36 hours or so, and then they will wean him off of his sedatives to see what kind of consciousness he will regain. We are not able to be given any prognosis medically at this time, which is frustrating and scary, but our God is in complete control, and there is nobody we can trust more.
For those of you who wonder how to help, to be honest, I am in no state of mind to even know. I can only say, of course pray, but if you are feeling like you want to do anything else, I would just encourage you to go for it. I have no idea when I will even be able to go home at this point. Odd thoughts came to me as I was trying to grab some sleep last night, in terms of helping. HHS basketball team is selling discount restaurant coupons and I realized Taylor wouldn't be able to sell his...so it would be great if you'd grab a player and buy one (isn't that wierd, that is what I thought of?) I think they are $20. Right now, my general feeling is "Life has changed". But I don't know how, or to what extent. The nurse asked me just now what is my goal for Taylor. I responded, "For him to regain consciousness". He is such an amazing kid. All I can think about is seeing his quiet smile again.