Prayer is a Powerful Thing!

Perhaps it's because I wear my heart on my sleeve, perhaps it's just my passion for children, or perhaps it's just because it's in my genetic makeup to feel and worry about the pain and struggles of others...

Whatever reason the ultimate cause of my attachment to this dear family, completely unknown to me personally, I have followed their blog religiously and check daily for updates regarding their Miracle Angels.

The Stansel family welcomed six wonderful blessings into this world only days ago. Born approximately four months early, only four of the babies have survived the week. It breaks my heart for this couple. I do not know them and truth be told, will probably never meet them. Their story has been told in a number of magazines and newspapers both here locally and as far away as New York. Some people disagree with their choice to continue the pregnancy without selective reduction. That is an opinion that you are entitled to, whether you agree or disagree with that choice.

Either way, I am asking on their behalf that you lift this family up in prayers to our Heavenly Father ~ for the four remaining babies and for them as a couple as they continue to ride this rollercoaster of joys in small successes, stresses for the many complications, and especially as they struggle to be strong in the midst of their grief.

Thank you in advance and if you want to know more about this family or follow their updates personally, their blog address is: stanseljourney.blogspot.com or you can just click on the link displayed in the sidebar.

Love you all!

THE GREATEST HUSBAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD...

CAME HOME A DAY EARLY!!!!!!!!

I love my husband!!! Kevin was supposed to be gone for work until tomorrow afternoon and last night he mentioned that if all things went in our favor he MIGHT get to come home today instead. Rather than get my hopes up, I figured it probably wouldn't happen ~ better not to hope and therefore, avoid the disappointment. Plus, if you know us, we DO NOT have the best of luck! James and Jaime pick on us b/c it seems we always get the cranky server at restaurants or the annoying teenagers in the movie theater sitting DIRECTLY behind us...anyway, I digress...

So today, I email him around 2 and ask how things were going and that since I hadn't heard from him that I would assume he wasn't coming home early. No big deal ~ the pups and I could make it ONE more day. He responded and said that yes, he was going to be a couple of more hours based on the number of people left to speak and wouldn't be able to catch an earlier flight :(

I called around 5:30 and he didn't answer. So Annie and I left a message updating Daddy on how her rehab went, chalked it up to him probably being at dinner since he was an hour ahead, and went home to clean.

At 9 the phone rings and he asks how I am and I say we are all doing fine. And he says..."Why don't you come to the front door?" And there he was!!!!!! My baby is home AND WITH FLOWERS TOO :)

How great is that?! Truly the best surprise I could have ever asked for! I love you Honey :) Welcome Home!

Sad News :(

Well, it doesn't look like my precious baby made it on tv after all!!!!!!!!! Imagine my heartbreak, especially after telling her how wonderful and perfect she was going to be on tv this morning. I am so sure she understood every word I was saying! In fact, she's probably boycotting any rehab at this very moment!!! Poor, poor baby! No wonder she was completely uninterested in Sully this morning ~ she must have known something I didn't...

Anyway, enough random banter about how wronged we all feel! Here is a link to the Canine Health Institute interview conducted this morning. Dr. Brode is our wonderful doctor, Eva is our fantastic rehab specialist (and neighbor) and Kristi (running MRI machine) is one half of our welcoming crew every morning we drop her off. Apparently, Aunt Amy (as she likes to be called) didn't make it on tv but we won't hold it against her!

Television star or not, this place has been our source of hope in what was one of the very worst trials Kevin and I have faced. We love them all dearly and they will forever be a part of our family!

http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=385564&shu=1

Updated Videos :)

It has been a while since we have posted any recent videos of our Little Miracle Walker...and, since Kevin isn't home, I figured I might as well spend my time wisely (ha ha) and update the blog :)

These videos were taken this past Thursday. We took the pups out front (she does well on concrete ~ traction issues I suppose) so that we could give everyone an update! One note...Thursdays aren't her best days as that is her "day of rest" from Wednesdays hydrotherapy + acupuncture + chiropractic adjustments. This is certainly one well-loved baby!

Video One ~ *Disclaimer ~ she kept trying to get to Mommy who just happened to be filming, so I apologize in advance for the somewhat odd video angles :)

Video Two ~ *Due to disclaimer above, we switched the videographer role around so Kevin could get a better video. Note the time on the video and how long she walks around :) It's so thrilling for us and are so grateful for all those who have prayed and are continuing to pray for our baby!

Video Three ~ This is what our first born was up to while Sissy was practicing! You can see how impressed he is with her!

See how impressed?! The neighbor pup is so much more exciting! But to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least our neighbors have a black pomeranian mix, so when his entire world is surrounded by other dachshunds, I think he enjoys playing with one of his own, even if it is through the fence :) I love you Georgie!

Daddy Come Back!

Ok, this was so sad and yet so cute! Kevin left this morning for a week and of course we are all missing him already :( Here is what the pups think of Daddy leaving (and not taking them along!)...

Such sad puppies :( Of course, since they were so sad, I had to give them something to make them happy ~ so they both got a small piece of cheese :) Nothing quite like bribery!

We love you Daddy! See you soon :)

Wonderful & Wordy Wednesday

Wednesdays have never been my favorite day ~ I guess that's why it's so lovingly called Hump Day...so close to Friday and yet so very far away =( But today was a pretty good Wednesday as far as Wednesdays go!

Miss Annie was happy to see her rehab family today and got the wonderful news that she is going to be making her television debut on Monday morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am such a proud Mommy! Great Day Houston is going to be interviewing Canine Health Institute and our very own Miss Annie is going to be a success story =) Can't think of a better success story myself ~ she's our very own little miracle pup! AND, I know...GET EXCITED...THERE'S MORE...she is doing SO WELL that she is getting to cut her rehab sessions down to only twice a week instead of three!!! In the words of a good ole Texas Aggie ~ WHOOOOOOOP!

We took a family walk tonight...ok, so only down the block to get the mail, but the pups were excited! George was thrilled to get out and take a walk with Mommy and Daddy (and Sissy I suppose)! I made chicken and spaghetti, which is the pups very favorite, since they get boiled chicken EVERY TIME I make it! I just can't resist those cute puppy dog faces =)

Probably my favorite part of Wednesdays is So You Think You Can Dance ~ I don't like Thursday's show because it's always sad =( We loved tonight's show and especially loved Brandon and Kayla's performances! It's so hard to pick favorites now because they are all such fabulous dancers! I just want to squeeze Evan he's so cute and fun! He has one of the best personalities of all the dancers and makes me smile every time he performs. I am SO NOT looking forward to tomorrow night when two more have to go home =( Just in case you missed it and even if you didn't (because they are worth rewatching), we, well more I =), decided to post a couple of our favorites for you to enjoy!

Well, I suppose that is enough random musings for tonight! Enjoy the videos!

A Saltimbanco Saturday :)

Let me just start with this..."If you haven't yet seen a Cirque du Soleil show, PLEASE GO!!!" Our very first Cirque experience was this past Valentine's Day. The four of us* went to see "O" while we were in Vegas and it was SOOOOOO amazing! We vowed if we were ever given a chance to see another show, we were going, no questions asked!

So, when Saltimbanco came to Houston, we bought tickets immediately. Now, I have to say, Saltimbanco was much different than "O" and we were I think all expecting something a little different! This is not to discredit the amazing acts and talented performers, we were just a bit surprised at how different the two shows were. Anyway, to describe a Cirque show would require words that I do not know :) It is truly something you have to see to believe! Hence, the big PLEASE GO!!! above :)

I have to say that of the entire show, my favorite parts were the pole climbers and the trapeze acts ~ the amount of trust that those people have with one another is from some other world! On a number of occasions, you would think the audible gasps from the crowd would have sucked all the air from the Toyota Center! Obviously it didn't since I'm still breathing :) but you get the point!

Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside, though for the artists safety, I COMPLETELY understand! Here are a couple from before we went in! We had a great time and can't wait for our next Cirque show :) If Jaime and I could ever get the boys to take us to NYC, I bet we could see a great one :) Hint, hint Kevin and James!!!

*For all future posts, when I say the four of us, just know I am referring to James and Jaime! The four of us are a pack all our own ~ the greatest best friends ever and a part of our family forevermore!