~ Update! ~

Can you imagine coming out of surgery, lying in the PACU and saying, "I don't want to be a burden to anyone" ??? Well, that's our Kimberly. :)

The surgery went very well yesterday. The surgeon had a very busy morning and he was delayed a bit, but she was off to the OR and into recovery very quickly. Unfortunately she has a little bit of the Wilhelm gene in her -- the one that doesn't do so good with anesthesia and pain meds and antibiotics all mixed together. And, her incision was made through some muscle and well as the surgeon told us, when you cut a hole in the bone there is going to be some pain. So we had a "slumber party" at Inova so we could get everything adjusted and make her comfortable. Let me tell you, the nurses and staff there are amazing. We were so well attended to and she received the best of care. After a number of adjustment throughout the night, Kimberly was finally able to get some relief and rest about 4am this morning. She did so well this morning that we were discharge and home by 5pm! She's resting and recooperating, and trying out those crutches.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and especially for your prayers. God was with us every step of the way, directing and leading, preparing and giving her rest.

He is a mighty God ... and we are once again so very grateful!
And ... off to get some sleep ;)

~ Kimberly ~

... When you have news and a prayer request to share, blogs are a great thing... We recently found out that Kimberly has two benign tumors in her right tibia.
This fall Kimberly started running on the x-country team at school. Well, trying to run, but it was a challenge because of the pain she was experiencing from shin splints. But, after a fall on her knee, we took her to the orthopedic and found that she didn't have shin splints, instead they found the tumors. God in His kindness worked out every detail and we were able to quickly get an MRI scheduled and then we were referred to a specialist who studies bone and tissue. After a CT scan the doctor was able to diagnose a rare benign bone tumor called a 'solid variant aneurysmal bone cyst.' Basically it's a tumor that is in the cortex of her tibia bone and it has caused her bone to crack, which is why she is having so much pain with it. We are so grateful the tumor can be removed and her bone can be repaired.We are also very grateful for how quickly everything has moved along. A diagnosis in less than a week and surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. We're sorry we haven't been able to get in touch with friends to let them know yet. Thus -- we're grateful for the blog :)

Could you please pray for Kimberly and for our family? We would so appreciate your prayers! Thank you! Throughout this week we are all learning how to wait patiently and lean on the Lord. We'll keep you updated on how her recovery is going. Hopefully she'll be up and moving slowly along by next weekend.

We love you Kimberly. We are so grateful for friends like Susan who prompted us to have your knee checked. We are grateful for orthopedic doctors who order x-rays and technicians who scan the whole leg, not just the knee, so we could see the tumor. We are grateful for your surgeon who took two extra years just to study bone and tissue so that he could tell you what was going on with your leg. And we are grateful for a mighty God who continues to "strengthen you and help you and uphold you with His righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

When I asked Kimberly how she'd like me to close this post she said with the bridge from a song she sang at the Worthy09 youth retreat in August. Here it is ...

"Take my life and let it be, all for you and for your glory. Take my life and let it be yours.
Glory to God ... Glory to God ... Glory to God forever."
Steve Fee

... 11 :: 18 :: 14 ...

Sounds like a locker combination, 11-18-14! But alas school has not started yet for us ... instead we're still celebrating summer birthday's around here ...

... the 11th began as they all do - with breakfast in our bed! This year Vanessa was visiting from Belgium, so we had two for breakfast :) Christiana decided on a "Princess Pampering" day for her birthday. She only gets away with stuff like this because she has three older sisters who love to spoil her :) ...

... the 'pampering princess' treatments begin ...

... bubbles ...

... spa treatments for 11 year olds! ...

... nails! ...
... Princesses ready for a yummy dinner ...

... Vanessa - we loved having you here for her special day! We miss you! ...

Next up was Christiana's very special 11th birthday tradition that Aunt Janie has blessed all of the girls with as they turn 11 ... a special birthday hotel sleepover with two buddies...
... pool time, snacks, crafts, dinner, a movie, and more snacks ...

... thank you Aunt Janie for an awesome time and fun memories! ...

... next up -- the 18 gathering ... ...So Corinne decided on a crab feast with the girlies for her 18th ...

... some silly crab eating faces ...

... too cute ...

... very fun and amazing friends ...
...hmmm... 18 already - could you tell me how that happened? my has time gone by...
.... and then our last birthday gathering ...
... the 14's ...
... wonderful and silly time with friends who came to celebrate with shrimp scampi and games! ...

... we consider ourselves blessed to have such great girlies in our daughter's lives...

It was a lot of fun celebrating God's goodness in your lives this year. We are blessed indeed.

On your day we wish for you
Favorite people to embrace,
Loving smiles and caring looks
That earthly gifts cannot replace.

We wish you fine and simple pleasures.
We wish you many years of laughter.
We wish you all of life’s best treasures.
We wish you happily ever after!

Happy Birthday Girlies!
(Poem by Joanna Fuchs :edited: