I wouldn't eat the yellow one...

See! I told you I have been taking pictures even though they haven't made it to my blog yet! Here are some highlights of the last two weeks...

RA has really become quite the helper in the kitchen...she recognizes flour, sugar, eggs, potatos and onions. She can stir without spilling (mostly) and she can carefully hand me eggs one at a time! We have been baking away these days trying to get some things into our freezer before Sir William arrives. Yesterday we made three dozen blueberry muffins...Here's RA sampling and why I said to stay away from the yellow ones!

Last time we went to nana's RA picked out her own shoes and this is how that turned out! They do match...

Here's RA opening her presents from Howard and Betty...she LOVES her new jamas and everytime we wear them she says "Howard?" "Betty?"

Hugs...
Kisses!

And here are our "Ma-Marks"...otherwise known as markers...RA LOVES to be creative these days and Daddy took these pictures of her playing with her special ma-marks that Nana and GrandBob got her for Christmas.

Isn't that a nice picture? :-) She has so much fun with these! AND as a bonus for Mama, Daddy has to mop the floor every time we are finished, so that works out "real nice"! :-) In fact, I inadvertendly let her play with them this afternoon... :-)

One Year

I know it's been a while since our last post...sorry about that, most days are survival mode here it seems. My apologies to our faithful readers, we will hope for more time/energy after Will arrives. (Okay, maybe not more time, but energy at least!) :-)

But back to the reason for this post...today marks a year since RA was in the hospital with her mysterious "illness". Very, very hard for us to believe. I was looking back at the emails we sent during this time and some pictures and decided to post them here, so that we can remember and give thanks not only that the Lord healed our baby girl, but that He sustains each one of us all the time and in every circumstance. So many, many answers to prayer from our Sovereign God! He is so faithful in yes answers and no answers. So if you want to read the long version of the emails I have tried to link it up here and below is our last email my very favorite one because we were home and so thankful! I also included a slideshow of some hospital pictures I hope this works since it is my first time. I hope it's an encouragement to you today as was to me.

February 3, 2007

Dear Friends,

As I fed RuthAnne this morning at 2am and I sat in my glider at home (in RA's room as opposed to the somewhat comfortable, but definitely not the same "recliner" at the hospital) I began to try to thank the Lord for those who have prayed for my daughter, and it was at this point that I became overwhelmed with the thought of what a family we have been born into! Almost every time I talk to people about RA's sickness they say, "I was praying for you and I forwarded your email to..."--They forwarded my email to others in God's family, God's praying people, God's people who are seeking to faithfully serve where they are. God's family is so large and RA's illness has made me realize this. Thank you family (both by family blood and by Christ's blood) for praying for my daughter! I have prayed this morning that as you enter into worship tomorrow with the local people of God, you would be reminded, as we have been over the past few weeks, of God's great mercy to place us in His larger-than-we-can-imagine covenant family. I have tried to save emails and record for RA samples of the great number of people that have prayed for her. We hope one day to teach/remind her of her responsibility to pray, but also of her great privilege to be a part of God's family here on earth. I am overwhelmed with your love, thank you for praying for my daughter.

We hope this is the very last email that we send to report on RA's illness. We had a good check-up with our pediatrician yesterday, who walked into the exam room and picked up RuthAnne and said to her "Alot of people were praying for you." Dr. B (our pediatrician) told us that he had read all the reports from Knoxville and no one has any idea what happened with RuthAnne, but all the tests (and there were MANY) have come back negative so far. He said that we would have to call this a mysterious virus, and rest in the knowledge that the Lord alone knows what happened. RA had gained 4 ounces at her check-up yesterday and although not a great gain (she is up to 16 pounds, 2 ounces), or as large as we or Dr. B had hoped for, it was enough. Dr. B said no more checks or tests until next month. We will continue to watch RA's weight and growth pattern and go from there.

But then I still couldn't sleep, and thus I am still up at 4:30am having to write because of this thought...Are there those who have read of our daughters illness and now her healing who do not know the One who heals? I do not know who all may read this email, or what your spiritual state may be, but I do know this the Lord Jesus is real! He healed our daughter! He would have been no less good and no less real had He chosen not to. But we beg you--Use our daughters healing as an opportunity to bow your knee to King Jesus and Believe Him as He commanded! Join us in God's family, and take part of the richness of His family here on earth! And know for certain that this world is not your home, just as we know this for RuthAnne. Had the Lord chosen an illness unto death for RuthAnne, she would have still gone home, but to far more glorious home than we could ever offer her. She would have met King Jesus face to face. We believe this and we pray the Lord would help you to believe this too. May He give you faith or strengthen the faith you already have this very morning.

One with you in His Service, and oh so thank to be able to go back and sleep in my very own bed,
Carrie (for Robbie and RuthAnne)

Sleeping

I just wanted to make a public record of my thankfulness...my baby girl slept until 7:23am this morning! That is only the second time in her life (minus hospital stay) that she has slept past 7am! :-) Hope you all have a good day!