Prayers for Miranda

Many of you have been asking about my sister, Miranda. I thought that this would be the easiest way to inform everyone... and the best way to gain a lot of prayer support on her behalf. I asked my mom for a synopsis of what Miranda is dealing with, and this is what she had to say...

"Basically, Miranda's body is attacking itself. She has tested positive for anti-nuclear antibodies, which points to a possible autoimmune problem like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or mixed connective tissue disease. Unfortunately, no one test exists to diagnose these issues, and an accurate diagnosis can take up to a year or more.

Currently, her working diagnosis is chronic idiopathic urticaria and angioedema, compounded this week by acute bronchitis and an asthma flare. Joint and deep tissue pain, random swelling that has even caused her to lose feeling in her fingers, hives that sometimes grow to the size of a volleyball, and extreme fatigue are some of her symptoms, on top of chest pain/tightness, coughing, and difficulty breathing this week. Angioedema even has the potential to cause a person's throat to swell shut, and some autoimmune diseases can attack the kidneys, heart, and brain. Miranda has had some sudden trouble with heart palpitations (since October) and migraines (since December), so we're taking this all very seriously.

Because of her symptoms, she is on several different drugs, most recently adding cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant given to transplant patients to help keep them from rejecting donor organs. As her doctor says, it is "real" medicine, and it comes with some serious possible side effects. Because it suppresses her immune system, she is more susceptible to infections and illness, and if she contracts them, her body may have difficulty fighting them off, which might be why she's so sick this week."

In short, she is one sick young lady. Just this last week, she has taken a turn for the worse. She has been out of school all week after getting sick last weekend following her junior prom. My parents are now looking at homebound education for the remainder of the school year because she will most likely be unable to return to school. Also, the doctors are not absolutely certain what is wrong with Miranda, so it's been trial and error up until this point. They have been in and out of doctors' offices, and they have seen so many different specialists. No one has found a concrete answer, so we still aren't sure what we're even dealing with.

Miranda is 17 years-old... a junior in high school... and much too young to be facing something so scary. We realize that God has a purpose and plan for everything, but that still doesn't make it any less scary for our human hearts and minds. Please join us in praying for answers... for healing... for courage... and for strength.

Thank you!

More Firsts for Sophia

I know I have said this time and time again, but our little girl is growing up SO fast! It is so cool to watch her grow and learn. She soaks everything in. This week, she had several new "firsts".

She napped in her crib for the first time to practice for this weekend's big transition. She did very well! She looks so tiny, but so grown up, in her crib.

She rolled over for the first time!! At 100 days old (exactly), she decided she could do it. I was laying beside her on the bed, trying to get her to roll over, and she did it! Both Andrew and I were there to see it. It was so fun! We were excited- she acted like it was nothing. Such a big girl!

Sophia will sleep in her crib for the first time tonight. I can't believe it! For the first time in a year, I will sleep away from her. I wonder how this is going to go. Her little peeper eye isn't letting anything get past her.

She looks pretty content in her crib! I hope the rest of the night goes as smoothly as putting her to bed did. This little sweetheart sure makes it hard to even put her down- let alone have her sleep in another room. Too bad her bassinet isn't bigger...

It is such a blessing to know that she is growing and developing so perfectly... but, I also wish there was a slow motion option right now!



Tortilla Pizzas: Revamped

I know I have posted this recipe before, but I cannot find it on my blog. Anyway, I have made some changes & they were delicious!

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts, cubed

Four medium tortillas

Balsamic Vinegar, to taste

Sherry cooking wine, to taste

Minced garlic, to taste

1/2 onion, diced

1 jar artichoke hearts

Quartered grape tomatoes, to taste

Aparagus, cut, to taste

Two cans tomato paste

Shredded parmesan cheese

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Sautee all ingredients together until chicken is fully cooked. I like to wait to add the asparagus until the end so it doesn't get too limp.

Top tortillas with tomato paste, layer with sauteed ingredients, sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes- or until tortillas are golden brown around the edges.

Serve & enjoy! I always make four so we can have leftovers for the next day. They reheat well in the oven!



Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Andrew and I are trying to eat as healthy as possible for most of our meals. We do fall off of the bandwagon occasionally, but who doesn't? A few weeks ago, my cousin posted a picture of her lunch- chicken salad lettuce wraps. It looked delicious, so I asked her for the recipe. I was surprised to find out that she used canned chicken! How simple does that make this meal?! So, I set out to make my own. I tweaked her recipe a bit to fit our tastes.

Ingredients:

Two cans chicken

Lite mayonnaise or Miracle Whip to taste

Grapes, quartered, to taste

Pecans, crushed, to taste

Lettuce leaves

Preparation:

Drain chicken and shred.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl, mix well.

Wash lettuces leaves.

Spoon chicken salad onto lettuce leaf.

Wrap.

ENJOY!!

Easy & perfect for a spring or summer meal!



Three Months Young

It is so hard for me to believe that three months ago, at this time, I was holding a newborn in my arms. As Sophia gazed into my eyes, my world was forever changed. I remember the feelings I felt in those first few moments like they happened just yesterday. Oh, how things have changed since then! Our little girl has changed so much in the last three months. She's grown like a weed, learned so many new tricks, and stolen our hearts even more than she did in the moments immediately following her birth.

This is the little bug we brought home from the hospital...

... and this is the sweet Lovebug we enjoy these days!

This little girl is full of so much life, personality, and spunk. She is so much fun!! Her school report each day says that she loves to "smile" at and "talk" to her friends and teachers. In fact, her teachers have already warned me to behave at home because she tells "everything that happened" at home the night before. She's a chatterbox! She loves to spend time with her mommy and daddy, go on walks, read books, take baths, play on her playmat and watch us cook dinner. She is the most content when she's hanging out with us. She is so easy going, and she makes being a first time parent exceptional. We are spoiled with her.

She is such an answer to prayer. When I hold her, all I can think about it how blessed I am to call her my own. I am humbled every day to know that God chose us to care for this sweet life. She is the most incredible child, and we do not take a single moment with her for granted.



Sophia's First Easter

Yesterday, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord! It was Sophia's first Easter, and boy, did she look adorable. We went to church, dyed Easter eggs, and snuggled lots. We had a nice day as a family and just enjoyed each other's company.

Sophia wore her first ridiculously huge flower bow yesterday. She was absolutely precious in her Easter dress.

My love and little lovebug in their Sunday best.

Her sweet & sassy expression melts my heart. This girl is a quirky one!

"What, Mom?!"

Her hands are so fascinating to her right now. She is mesmerized by them whenever they come into her line of sight.

We also dyed Easter eggs yesterday. Truthfully, Sophia slept through most of it, but she woke up for the last part of the day. She liked the bright colors a lot.

Sophia & Daddy with the egg we dyed for her.

See? She really liked those bright colors!

Andrew & his mini-me with our finished product.

I love my girl! She's a silly one... always up to some sort of shenanigan.

We introduced Sophia to Sophie. Nana, Papa, and Aunt Miranda sent Sophia this awesome teether for Easter. I am sure they will be great friends.

We ended the day with lots of snuggles. Oh, how I love this time!

I am soaking up every little bit of time with this sweet darling. I cannot believe that my maternity leave is almost over. I have been so blessed to have had this time with her. I know that I need to go back to work for many reasons, but it will not be easy to leave her in someone else's care.

Anyway... our first Easter with Sophia was wonderful. We look so forward to teaching her the resurrection story & we hope we can teach her Christ's love through our actions and our every day lives.

We hope you had a blessed Easter as well!