I can't possible condense what I am thankful for this Thursday into a short list. So I will sum it up like this:

1. I am thankful for all of the friends who brought us meals while Jeff was sick: Sally, Robyn, Jenny, Sarah, Leigha, Jen, Joelle, Liz, Sheri, Marni, Lance, Kristi, Barb, Glenna & Jane

2. I am thankful for all of the friends and my mother-in-law that cared for our girls during and after Jeff got out of the hospital.

3. I am thankful for our incredible family group that came over Monday night with Hot Fudge Sundaes and time for prayer.

4. I am thankful that Ainsley is at a wonderful school, and that she has started out first grade with excitement and enthusiasm.

5. I am thankful that Jeff is on the road to recovery!!!! And, that his Bells Palsey is gone!!!!!

6. I am thankful for a little girl named Ruby who makes me smile everytime I look in the rearview mirror at her in her new car seat.

7. I am thankful that my Mom's Ovarian Cancer was stage 1, and that the doctors believe they got it all!

8. I am thankful that my sister Barbara is taking life one day at a time!

9. I am thankful that we are going to our lakehouse after six long weeks on Saturday!

10. I am thankful for thankful Thursdays which cause me to reflect on my many blessings!

Love,

Diana

We honestly can't believe that Ainsley started first grade today! Wasn't it yesterday that I was off to Baptist Hospital to be induced?

It was a priceless day! It was all about Ainsley today! The way it should be when you start first grade!!!! She agreed to let me help with her hair! She has agreed to let me do it on picture day too! :) We made pancakes, packed her lunch, dropped off Ruby at a neighbors, and headed to Chapel Hill Academy! My favorite memory will be Jeff walking her in!!!!

She had a wonderful first day, and we are so excited for her!

I hope to be back blogging on a more regular basis now that Ainsley is in school, Jeff is on the mend, and I can take a deep breath... I look forward to "chatting" with you again soon!

Blessings,

Diana

This seemed like an appropriate picture today based on the chaos going on around here lately. Sorry it has taken me a week to post.... This is a photo that friends of ours sent us today of our trampoline up at our lake house. After a huge storm last night this is where it ended up... Thankfully, this is the extent of the damage we received.

Jeff and I were unfortunately back at the ER yesterday. He developed Bells Palsy on the left side of his face on Sunday night. Another brain MRI was ordered, and we were encouraged to hear that things look the same or better than his original scans done about two weeks ago. It seems to be unanimous that our medical team of doctors still do not have a definitive diagnosis for what is going on in Jeff's body. I will admit that it has been both frustrating and discouraging. He was doing so great the last few days, that this set-back was really upsetting for us, especially Jeff. We will continue on our current treatment plan until August 18th. We will then return to his Neurologist for further tests on the 23rd. In the meantime, we pray and pray for clarity!

Like all trials, we have been blessed in so many ways throughout this difficult time. That list will make a great "thankful Thursday" entry this week! Just know that we have been surrounded by loving people that continue to shower us with acts of kindness!

We are hanging in there!

Blessings,

Diana

One week ago, I never expected to be creating this week's post from the couch in Jeff's hospital room. Regardless, of my current situation I have so much to be thankful for.

1. Jeff's Internist, Neurologist, Urologist, and Infectious Disease Team

2. The nurses and assistants that have patiently taken care of him and taken an interest in our family.

3. Greg - Jeff's brother who helped me so much by jumping on a plane to just sit with Jeff when I could not be at the hospital with him from Sunday - Wednesday.

4. Greg again - for loving his brother so much, that he is coming back again tomorrow night!

5. For our incredible family group who have supported us thru this trial

6. For my very special girlfriends who have been there to help this week with the girls, meals, laundry, etc. Thank you Liz, Robyn, Sally, Jenny, Jen W. and Kristi!! What a blessing you are to me and my daughters!

7. For my sister Barb who knows exactly what I am going through and has been there for me across the miles.

8. For my Daddy - For his successful cataract surgery that was performed yesterday in TX.

9. For my parents - For wanting to be here to help...

10. For the emails, phone messages, cards, flowers, etc. that have been sent our way this week

11. For Ruby Tuesday - It was such a special day!

12. For Ainsley - For being such a good girl and awesome big sister this week.

13. For the many friends who emailed us to make sure we were not involved in the horrific bridge accident in Minneapolis yesterday.

14. For all of you that have been checking in on Jeff this week!

15. For Jeff - for enduring a brutal week with grace and hope!

Blessings,
Diana

First of all, thank you for your sweet messages. What a gift to be lifted up in prayer by all of you. I never knew when we entered into our adoption journey that I would be touched by so many people I may never meet personally. What a priviledge. Thank you!

Secondly, our hearts go out to the familes affected by the bridge accident in Minneapolis. I am a University of Minnesota graduate, and I have traveled along that bridge many times. The hospital that Jeff is at, is only about 10 miles from the accident. When I left tonight the hospital went into code orange status. They were preparing for many victims.

Lastly, I am thankful that Jeff had such a sweet day yesterday with the pearl and the ruby! It made up for the lousy day he had today. We had some setbacks that were just disappointing. The doctors have made the following diagnosis in spite of one test for Lymes that is still pending. Jeff is being treated for "Lymes Disease of the Brain and Spine." As awful as it is, this disease is treatable and we are grateful for that.

These are the times when we depend solely on our faith (and sense of humor) to get us through. Jeff and I have incredible friends that have helped us with the girls. It is getting harder and harder every day for me to hand over Ruby to anyone. She has been doing so well, and I just don't want her to take a step back in her attachment with us. She is incredible! And, Ainsley is being a rock star and helping me by "going with the flow" which is not really Ainsley's style.

I will post again, when we have news of a departure. Until then if you could pray for Jeff. He needs to relax and just be a patient. This disease needs to run its course, and unfortunately that may take a while. Most likely he will be home this weekend now that he has a "Pic" line in for his medication.

Thank you again for your prayers. We will continue to appreciate our good days, and try to patiently wait (sound familiar) for Jeff's health to improve!

Blessings,
Diana