Today is a wonderful day! It's Jennifer's 29th birthday! Other than the day she was born in 1980, no other birthday has had more meaning for our family. I have learned to never take birthdays for granted. Each every one of them we are given is a blessing & should be celebrated.
Some friends bought Jennifer a wireless keyboard & mouse for her birthday. David can now hook his laptop up to their tv so Jennifer can play games on it & do other things on the internet. He said she can use the mouse a little with her right hand, but of course can't type yet. He said they played a game of trivial pursuit the other night. Out of about 20 questions, he & Jen got 13 right. Out of that 13, Jen was the one who answered 12 correctly. David also said several times she read the question faster than he could! Her mind is definitely ok. It's just her motor skills that are still lacking, but they are slowly coming around. Of course, it's not fast enough for the rest of us!
They had a little bit of a scare in physical therapy the other day. Jen passed out. She was only out for a few seconds, but because of her condition & history, they called 911. Her blood pressure & everything was ok. They could find nothing wrong. They think she may have just overheated because they were pushing her a little harder than they have before.
I'm going to see Jennifer today! I want to see that big "bubba smile"!
Happy birthday, Jennifer! I am so very proud of you & love you very much!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Our Turning Point Video
Lynn doesn't know I am doing this but I went ahead and placed this video on the blog. This is a video that my mom ( Kathy ) made to show where we have come from and how much progress we have made. Thank You to everyone who has followed this blog and everyone who has prayed for us. We love and appreciate everyone of you!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Jennifer & the Boys
I have posted a new picture of Jennifer & the boys. The boys are soooo cute & Jennifer looks beautiful. She is beginning to look more & more like the Jen we all know & love.
Our brother went to visit her this past weekend. She was very happy to see him. Kathy calls the smile in the picture I just posted Jen's "Bubba smile". Jen has always called our brother Bubba & this is how she smiled when she saw him the other day, hence the name "Bubba smile".
Kacyn has a new device that helps him hold his head up. This should help strengthen those muscles so that hopefully before long he won't need help holding his head up anymore.
Kathy had a biopsy on her eye. It was determined that it was inflammation of the blood vessels. She told me the medical name/term for this, but I can't remember what it was. Even if I did remember, I don't think I could spell it. It was a fairly long name. Please remember Kathy in your prayers.
David's dad, Bob, had a biopsy & they found suspicious cells in his thyroid. They are planning surgery on the 10th. Please remember him in your prayers.
Jennifer had a dr appt on Thu. The dr told David that she thinks he needs to see a therapist. She thinks he's in denial about the possibility of Jennifer's condition being long-term. She just doesn't understand David's strong faith in the Lord & his strong love for Jennifer.
Whatever Jennifer needs David does without ever complaining. He takes wonderful care for her & while he's doing it, you can see the love in his eyes. He is truly a blessing from above. Please continue to pray for strength for him. Even though he always has a wonderful attitude about everything, I know it's not easy.
And last but not least, please remember to pray for the continued healing of Kacyn & Jennifer.
Our brother went to visit her this past weekend. She was very happy to see him. Kathy calls the smile in the picture I just posted Jen's "Bubba smile". Jen has always called our brother Bubba & this is how she smiled when she saw him the other day, hence the name "Bubba smile".
Kacyn has a new device that helps him hold his head up. This should help strengthen those muscles so that hopefully before long he won't need help holding his head up anymore.
Kathy had a biopsy on her eye. It was determined that it was inflammation of the blood vessels. She told me the medical name/term for this, but I can't remember what it was. Even if I did remember, I don't think I could spell it. It was a fairly long name. Please remember Kathy in your prayers.
David's dad, Bob, had a biopsy & they found suspicious cells in his thyroid. They are planning surgery on the 10th. Please remember him in your prayers.
Jennifer had a dr appt on Thu. The dr told David that she thinks he needs to see a therapist. She thinks he's in denial about the possibility of Jennifer's condition being long-term. She just doesn't understand David's strong faith in the Lord & his strong love for Jennifer.
Whatever Jennifer needs David does without ever complaining. He takes wonderful care for her & while he's doing it, you can see the love in his eyes. He is truly a blessing from above. Please continue to pray for strength for him. Even though he always has a wonderful attitude about everything, I know it's not easy.
And last but not least, please remember to pray for the continued healing of Kacyn & Jennifer.
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Pictures!
I have posted new pictures of Josiah & Kacyn. These were taken in OH. They are the cutest little things! I love & miss them soooo much!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day especially the moms in my life (my mom, my sister, David's mom). This Mother's Day is extra special for our family. Jennifer has a new baby & my mom still has her youngest daughter & a new grandson. 6 months ago we weren't sure we'd still have either of them. God has truly blessed our family. Not only do we still have them, but they are getting better each & every day. Our mom & David's mom, Kathy, have been wonderful examples of a mother's love & the extent to which a mother will go for her children. Our mom spent months in the hospital at Jen's bedside without even a car to leave the hospital. David's mom has put her life on hold to help Jennifer & David by taking care of their precious little boys for them. These are just 2 examples of the wonderful things these 2 mothers have done in the last 6 months. There is no way I could list everything they've done.
Jennifer & David have both been sick. Kathy took them to the dr earlier this week & it was determined they both have strep throat. The good news is the dr told them that children age 2 & under don't normally get strep throat so there really was no worry with the kids getting it. They are both on medication & are getting better.
Kacyn had his dr's appt today to check the fluid buildup on his brain & to find out if a shunt was needed. The dr said a shunt isn't needed right now! Praise the Lord! My understanding is it's more about the pressure the excess fluid is putting on the brain rather than the fluid itself. The fluid hasn't necessarily decreased. The fluid still isn't putting any pressure on his brain. Because there still isn't any pressure on the brain, a shunt isn't needed at this time. The dr wants to see him again in 3 months to look at it again. Please continue to pray for this darling little boy.
Thank you for all the prayers! I know it's because of your prayers that we are able to have this extra special Mother's Day. I hope all of the moms reading this have a wonderful Mother's Day! Being a mother is truly a gift from God & every moment should be cherished. I've known this since becoming a mother 13 years ago, but the events of the last 6 months have made me realize it even more. Being a mom is the best job in the world!
Happy Mother's Day!
Jennifer & David have both been sick. Kathy took them to the dr earlier this week & it was determined they both have strep throat. The good news is the dr told them that children age 2 & under don't normally get strep throat so there really was no worry with the kids getting it. They are both on medication & are getting better.
Kacyn had his dr's appt today to check the fluid buildup on his brain & to find out if a shunt was needed. The dr said a shunt isn't needed right now! Praise the Lord! My understanding is it's more about the pressure the excess fluid is putting on the brain rather than the fluid itself. The fluid hasn't necessarily decreased. The fluid still isn't putting any pressure on his brain. Because there still isn't any pressure on the brain, a shunt isn't needed at this time. The dr wants to see him again in 3 months to look at it again. Please continue to pray for this darling little boy.
Thank you for all the prayers! I know it's because of your prayers that we are able to have this extra special Mother's Day. I hope all of the moms reading this have a wonderful Mother's Day! Being a mother is truly a gift from God & every moment should be cherished. I've known this since becoming a mother 13 years ago, but the events of the last 6 months have made me realize it even more. Being a mom is the best job in the world!
Happy Mother's Day!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Back from OH
The Dierking gang is back home in MO from their visit to OH. David said they had a good time & enjoyed their time there. He said they got lots of prayers from people while they were there. The road trip there & back was long. It took them considerably longer than normal to make the trip. Each stop for gas & bathroom breaks took about an hour. They would all use the restroom (David has to help Jennifer) & then there were diapers to change & Kacyn to feed. Needless to say they made 2 days of it each way.
Jennifer was wanting to climb the stairs going into church on Sunday. She gave it her best effort, but she was extremely tired & only made it up the first step. David said she just couldn't get up enough strength to lift her left foot high enough to make the second step. He didn't want to push it because he didn't want to get stuck halfway up the stairs with no easy way back to her wheelchair. But even the 1 step is a big achievement for Jennifer. I don't think she could have even done that a month ago!
Jennifer is back to her normal physical, speech, & occupational therapy schedule again beginning tomorrow.
With your prayers she will one day be able to climb all of those stairs! Please continue to pray for her & Kacyn's healing as well as strength & support for David & Kathy.
Jennifer was wanting to climb the stairs going into church on Sunday. She gave it her best effort, but she was extremely tired & only made it up the first step. David said she just couldn't get up enough strength to lift her left foot high enough to make the second step. He didn't want to push it because he didn't want to get stuck halfway up the stairs with no easy way back to her wheelchair. But even the 1 step is a big achievement for Jennifer. I don't think she could have even done that a month ago!
Jennifer is back to her normal physical, speech, & occupational therapy schedule again beginning tomorrow.
With your prayers she will one day be able to climb all of those stairs! Please continue to pray for her & Kacyn's healing as well as strength & support for David & Kathy.
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