An Update on Gracie Larue

Firstly, let me express that miracles have taken place in our lives and in little Grace because of the faith, prayers, and tenderness shown by so many of you. We are so humbled by the goodness in people, and the powerful prayers that have caused blessings to come down up Grace and our family in the last 11 days.

Grace is doing so well. I cannot believe how wonderful the results have been on some pretty scary tests. She was expected to have holes in her heart...but the tests came back negative. She has a healthy and fine heart! Because of the blood transfusions and how small she is, she was expected to have brain bleeding, but those tests--so far--have come back clear and healthy. Her little brain is just fine! Her white blood cell count was dangerously low, almost non-existent, and through the fasting and prayers of our precious family and friends she now is RIGHT where she needs to be. It truly is a big tender mercy.

She is getting weaned from her ventilator a little more every day. We hope to have her off of it soon, but she is having a few problems maintaining pressure in her lungs. She is very small and will just need to learn how to do this on her own before we can move her to a different breathing machine.

Grace is a fighter and we love her so much. One of the nurses nicknamed her Gracie Larue because she wanted her to be named Suanne Larue {after her own name and a mixture of her daughters' names}. It is a cute and silly name that is kind of sticking over there. :) She is our Christmas Angel and we are so blessed that she is here, alive, with us!


{She can be swaddled now because she pulled her huge IV out of her arm and they didn't need to put it back in yet.}

Grace

"...Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ...."



Grace Crandall
December 4th, 2011
8:21 pm
1 lb. 13 ounces
13 1/2 inches long

My Beautiful Cousin's Fall Bridal Shower

I just wanted to share some fun pictures from my cousin's bridal shower. Katie is such a beautiful person...inside and out. I have never met a more vibrant, humble, grateful, and fun girl. She is like a little sister. We had a bunch of people show up to support her and it was a lot of fun! We had a bunch of soups, breadsticks, and fall desserts...yummy fall foods! What a great way to celebrate Katie falling in love. Love you Katie! :)

A Little Help

Hello!

Now that we know we are going to be having a precious little girl, I need some help! We are stuck on names! :) We are having a hard time coming up with ideas! Seriously! I want something classic but fresh. For example: we love the name Grace (Gracie), but that one has been a little trendy lately. You know what I mean? I am open for any suggestions. I don't want to steal names, I just need some help! Sound off!

It's A.....

A Thought

As time seems to slow down a little bit in Autumn, I find myself thinking more. I am thinking about God, His purpose for me; my family and what I should be doing more with them; School-I miss it so badly {learning} and of course {at times} teaching too; The new baby; The youth and all that they have to struggle through every day; What I want to be when I grow up; Where I'll be in two or three years and what I'll be doing; People who need help in my ward and just around me...

Wes used to tell me to "Stop Thinking!" because I'd start worrying about things and most of the time you just can't have control of most of the things you think about...but I think it's good for the mind and soul to think often. I have missed it. I have missed deep pondering because I have let myself get too busy and then fall out of the habit of truly thinking about things that matter.

I don't know...maybe I am causing more trouble for myself....But doesn't everyone need to THINK?!

New Baby

I'm just putting up random pictures: I do NOT know the Gender of my baby!
I just need to say this and I'm not sure exactly how it will come out: but I am SO STINKING EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW BABY! I had a panic attack a few weeks ago about going through labor and delivery again. That required some strong mental muscle to force myself to deal. But then I woke up the next morning with butterflies in my tummy and a huge smile on my face. I can't wait for this new little spirit to join our family and rock our world!

My grandma Brewer was in town the other night and she said our family prayer one night. She prayed for all of the grandkids who were pregnant {there are four of us, due around the same time!}, and for the special babies we were carrying. She prayed specifically that we would be blessed because we were making the decision to bring Heavenly Father's children into good homes with loving parents, and the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. I was really touched by her humble and sincere prayer and it got me thinking about my role as a mother on a much deeper level than I have in a while. Maybe it was because of the difficulties and challenges I had while carrying and delivering Cache, but I will never take the miracle of life for granted again. It truly is a miracle and a blessing that we have no control over. God is a wonderful and loving Father to allow us to be parents and to allow us children who are so prepared and strong when they come here.

I know God gives us different challenges and trials and we all make choices about life and children and they are quite personal and quite right for us if we are listening. I just want to say though that I am so happy for the challenges children bring. They teach me how to act more like Him and show me how to love more purely. They make me laugh out loud {like when Cache floods the kitchen and then almost cracks his head open slipping in the water} and tear up and cry, but they are so wonderful. I am so thankful for new babies and the family that I am creating now!