Sad update on the Seibert's (Love One Another Post)

I would have posted this more quickly, but honestly my days have been very busy since a simple phone call. I got a call from Denise on Saturday that I will never forget. She just said that Chris was not doing very well at all and that she was scared. She said that she was waiting on a call back from his doctor and that they might have to go to the hospital and would I come watch Ethan, who had just gone down for a nap. Of course I said yes and was out the door, trying to hold it together and fearing the worst...
Fortunately it seemed the whole street was out in their yards as I ran down to their house and our other neighbor Joel followed me down. As we walked in, Denise was essentially getting the news from the doctor that Chris has entered liver failure and it was worsening quickly. We watched as Denise received the devastating news that this was the end of the road for Chris here on earth and it was a matter of days to weeks.
I have to be honest, I have never been around anyone when that news was delivered and to watch this strong, brave woman literally crumble onto the floor was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. (let alone processing the fact that our friend is dying...)
It has been a whirlwind couple of days full of phone calls trying to set up hospice care, priests, help from friends, care from strangers, etc. I have been truly blown away by the kindness of strangers and the sheer numbers of true angels that have come out in this time of need.
That said, they are still desperately in need of financial assistance. The medical bills are staggering and will only get worse in this last stage of care. Then the real challenge of trying to heal emotionally and take care of a child on her own will set in. I am praying for more angels to step in and make this a little easier on them financially.
Most importantly though, I ask that if you are reading this, please stop and say a prayer for them. Pray for peace, strength, wisdom and comfort and BOLDLY ask for a MIRACLE! I know it is God's time and not ours, but I also know I serve a merciful God and that He has the power to heal what medicine cannot. I praise God for the work that He has already done to answer so many prayers.
Here are some websites again:

http://www.ourseibertfamily.com/
this is to donate to the Seibert's

http://livestong.blogspot.com/
The Seibert blog that should be updated soon by a friend that is staying with them (thank you Amber!)

http://devine-memories.blogspot.com/2008/08/plea.htmlHer
This is the photographer's website. She is also a good friend of Denise's and has been posting needs for the family

http://themillermemo.blogspot.com/
This is another neighbor and friend, the Miller's. Mitzi is setting up meals and care for the family.


Thank you so much for caring enough to do something. Whether it is prayer, donations, food, etc. it all counts and it is all very much appreciated!

Metamorphosis

I promise you when we left the house this morning, Ashley had on a cute little outfit- a skirt and t-shirt, a bow in her piggie-tail and little white socks and tennis shoes. This was at about 5:45 this evening...

She decided to change shoes when I was bringing her fall clothes out of the other closet. She saw the nike's and had to make a shoe change then and there.

Notice the visor being used as a belt... and yes, that is a pajama top over her t-shirt. A winter PJ top, no less...

I think the bow and piggie tail were just caught in the crossfire...

She insisted posing in the chair for her picture. Her hand is raised in protest in the other picture because she is showing me that she wants to go take her pic. in the chair "o'der"

Gotta love 2 year olds. :)

Beautiful Weather

After the wind, rain and devastation that Hurricane Ike brought to so much of Texas, the DFW area was lucky to have a gorgeous stretch of weather this week. Mom and I celebrated the return of cooler temperatures by taking Ashley to the Arboretum on Tuesday. We had a blast! Fall at the Arboretum doesn't start until this weekend so there was hardly anyone there but all the flowers were already planted and beautiful. It was also one of those rare Texas weather days when it is cool in the shade, warm in the sun and a gentle breeze that hits just when you need it- ah, bliss! For the first time at the Arb. Ashley spent much of the time out of her stroller and just ran, and ran and RAN!! Needless to say she came home that afternoon and took a LONG nap!!
Here are some of the highlights of the day:



Nana and Ashley

Nana brought back a cool squeaky duck necklace from Mackinac Island for Ashley.

Ashley wore it for the rest of the day... and the next day.

The Spitting Frogs

I was amazed that Ashley actually listened to me and didn't get drenched

while running around the frogs!!

Running

More running

Loving on the deer statues

Oddly, she kept calling the smallest deer "Piglet"??

Just the right size...

"Cheese!"

Thanks for the ride, Piglet deer

Lunchtime

Nana made Ashley a snowflake that she turned into a blanket for her doggie

Love One Another

As many of you know, we live in a neighborhood with many young families. The Seibert's, who live a few houses down from us, moved in just a few weeks before we did 5 years ago. We quickly became friends, along with several other couples on our street. Although we don't have as much time to hang out and enjoy one another as we used too (kids, work, other obligations, etc.) they are wonderful people, with the most loving marriage, and amazing parents to a 2 year old son named Ethan. In 2007, Christopher was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. The cancer has spread to his liver and is covering 50% of it. He has been recieving weekly chemotherapy treatments and is fighting this battle with everything he has. I am amazed at the strength and positive attitude of each of them, when it would be just as easy to crumble. They both work full-time jobs, and Christopher works 60+ hours a week at a physically demanding job while he continues chemo treatments.

As you can imagine, insurance only goes so far and bank accounts can only be so deep. Their financial resources are all tapped out--they need help. A great way to help would be to make a donation- any donation, no matter how large or small. If you only have $10 to donate and 200 people donated $10--that adds up to A LOT of money.

They also need your fervent prayers. Please pray that Christopher fights this cancer and that the cancer will shrink to the point that surgery is an option. Please also pray for them to continue with their incredibly positive attitude. They must stay strong and beat this cancer once and for all.

Denise's friend Amber, set up a page for them so that others can donate. If you would like to read more about them or their story-OR donate-click here.

http://www.ourseibertfamily.com/

Denise also has a blog that you can read for updates, and their personal story. To read her blog, click here,

http://livestong.blogspot.com/

Their photographer has also set up a special offer that will benefit Chris and Denise so you can also consider using her for your Christmas pictures, baby pictures, etc. Her website is here:

http://devine-memories.blogspot.com/2008/08/plea.htmlHer

Denise is a woman of many talents and has also just begun a home based business called Socially Inked that has a beautiful selection of wedding, baby, invitations, and personal stationary. The website is here:

http://www.sociallyinked.com/

Please consider helping them out, and please, please pray for them.

Back to School

Today was Ashley's first day of school! She is at Sunshine School again at our church and is in the 2 year old classroom this year. We are so lucky to have Mrs. Nicole. She is a friend of ours from church and we know that she is a wonderful, loving teacher.
Ashley had a great day today! She loved so many things about her day, including coloring right when she walked in the door- hooray! That's probably why she didn't want her picture taken then. She went to chapel and was picked to choose a song with Mrs. Becca, learned all about cowboys in Enrichment (and now loves saying "yee-haw!" although it sounds like "hee-haw!" :) ) Played on the playground, ate a good lunch and ... took a great nap on her napmat!!!! Yea, Ashley!!!!! Funny enough, that was my biggest worry about the day since she is still in her crib at home. She did great though and is excited to go back on Monday! Here are some pictures I took this morning (check out her little ponytail on top of her head!!)

Molly Dog

We went over to Marc's parent's house on Monday for Labor Day. Their friends, Lee and Gayle were staying with them for a few days while Hurricane Gustav did it's thing. They live just west of where the hurricane made landfall so we were so thankful that they were able to get out and have a nice place to stay. (Not to mention how nice it was to see them!) They brought their little Chihuahua named Molly with them and after a bit of "introduction" time Ashley was in LOVE with that little dog. By the end of the afternoon she was giving the tiny dog kisses and hugs. It was soooo cute!! Although I couldn't decide who I was more amazed at- Ashley being so still or Molly letting Ashley hold her! You can even tell in the last picture that Molly was starting to fall asleep. I guess she has the animal touch!